APRIL 24th, 2022 | PASTOR JOHN BAYLES | JESUS, GREATER THAN THE ANGELS: AS EXPRESSED BY HIS INCARNATE NAME AND NATURE | HEBREWS 1:1-5

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APRIL 24th, 2022 | PASTOR JOHN BAYLES | JESUS, GREATER THAN THE ANGELS: AS EXPRESSED BY HIS INCARNATE NAME AND NATURE | HEBREWS 1:1-5

Jesus, Greater Than the Angels:
As expressed by His Incarnate Name and Nature
Hebrews 1:1-5

"In this sermon we will examine an immensely important subject - The incarnate nature of Jesus Christ. In a growing manner, this doctrine is highly neglected and widely misunderstood. Even in modern Systematic Theology books, detailed definitions are missing. It is not that it is no longer believed. Shockingly, the subject appears to be taken for granted as if everyone knows what it means, yet when it is described, it often falls short of any link to classical orthodoxy. Surveys often leave out the doctrine of the incarnation of Jesus Christ as something essential to understanding or experiencing the Christian faith. However, without a clear understanding of the name and nature of Jesus Christ, how can one be saved? Are we, or are we not saved by Jesus Christ and belief in His name? Then does, or does not the Gospel, the message of Christ, demand a clear and precise understanding of who the One who saves us is? As the Apostle Paul declared: “How, then, can they call on the One they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the One of Whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” (Romans 10:14). The subject that Jesus Christ is the Incarnate One, is the driving force behind the purpose for writing this letter of Hebrews. It is also the subject that we turn to with Him today. The verses that lead up to the passage quoted above make this abundantly clear: “As Scripture says, anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame. For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile – the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on Him, for, everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:11-13). As a result, belief in Jesus Christ is dependent upon someone knowing that He, Jesus Christ, is more than someone, but, the one, and only one, Who bears the name that is above every other name."

APRIL 10th, 2022 | PASTOR JOHN BAYLES | PROLOGUE: THE MAGNIFICENCE OF THE SON OF GOD | HEBREWS 1:1-3

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APRIL 10th, 2022 | PASTOR JOHN BAYLES | PROLOGUE: THE MAGNIFICENCE OF THE SON OF GOD | HEBREWS 1:1-3

Prologue: The Magnificence of the Son of God

Hebrews 1:1-3

There is an eschatological context that is introduced here by the author.  The word eschatology means simply, the end.  The Jewish people believed that the Old Age began with the creation of the world and New Age would end with the coming of the Messiah.  Then the New Age would begin in which the Messiah would throw off all enemies of Israel and rule forever.  This time of the Messiah was called the New Age. The Old Age was also described as "those days" and the New Age was described as "these days."  The Old Age began with creation and the New Age began with the birth of Jesus.  The witness of these last days is the voice Jesus Christ

OCTOBER 24th, 2021 | PASTOR JOHN BAYLES | THE PASSION: DAVID'S SON OR THE MESSIAH? | MARK 12:35-37

 

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OCTOBER 24th, 2021 | PASTOR JOHN BAYLES | THE PASSION: DAVID'S SON OR THE MESSIAH? | MARK 12:35-37

The Passion: David’s Son or The Messiah?
Mark 12:35-37

In the previous sections of chapter twelve of Mark’s Gospel, we see the various leaders of the Jewish religious structure question Jesus. No longer was Jesus out in the countryside or along the path, or even in some part of the city of Jerusalem, this chapter is taking place in the heart of the Jewish religious system - in the temple! The ones asking all these questions are Israel’s elite leaders and scholars. They have teamed up on Jesus, huddled in groups measuring every angel of logic and Biblical knowledge. They have asked the questions and Jesus has answered. We will survey this string of questions and responses by the Jewish hierarchy. It will come to an astonishing end. The questions will cease. And, it is at that moment when Jesus will begin to bring His questions into the center of the discussion. Today we will see Jesus the Messiah, Himself will take command. Now Jesus will take center stage.

OCTOBER 17th, 2021 | PASTOR ROGER MELSON | ABRAHAM, LOT AND SODOM | GENESIS 18:17-21, 19:1-17

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OCTOBER 17th, 2021 | PASTOR ROGER MELSON | ABRAHAM, LOT AND SODOM | GENESIS 18:17-21, 19:1-17

ABRAHAM, LOT AND SODOM

GENESIS 18:17-21, 19:1-17

Today as we consider our text, we will look at the lives of Abraham and Lot. We will explore how their lives compare and contrast. By way of introduction, we will review and go into more detail as to how Abraham would "command his children and his household after him." From there, we will move to the impending judgment upon Sodom to the stark difference between the view Abraham had concerning his existence on earth and that of Lot. As the sermon unfolds, we observe that Lot is revealed as a righteous man, yet one who has great difficulty in choosing between this world and the Kingdom of God.

The passage today in many ways is a dark one. It speaks to us of the times in which we live and the challenges that face the Christian in our day.

I hope you will be encouraged and challenged in your daily walk with the Lord. May we with increasing measure choose the path that leads to life.


God bless you!

                                                    Roger and Marsha Melson

OCTOBER 10th, 2021 | PASTOR JOHN BAYLES | THE PASSION: THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT | MARK 12:28-34

 

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OCTOBER 10th, 2021 | PASTOR JOHN BAYLES | THE PASSION: THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT |  MARK 12:28-34

October 10, 2021
The Passion: The Greatest Commandment
Mark 12:28-34

The questions of the religious leaders had been an intense and humiliating experience – for them. At each turn they had been exposed by their own manipulative and unsound reasoning. Jesus had trapped them in their own traps. It is clear that they had underestimated Jesus to be an unlearned, inexperienced novice who was no match for their carefully constructed and most difficult legal land mines. Their greatest miscalculation was that they thought they were the smartest persons alive. At every encounter however, they quickly found their match. They soon discovered Jesus to be the greatest teacher of all.

Here now, a man who Matthew described as “an expert in the law” stepped forward to engage Jesus once again. It would be the last stand of the religious leaders against Jesus’ intellect. It would also prove to be a moment of reckoning as the bold young champion inched ever so near to the true Master: the One; the Way, the Truth and the Life. Would the words, “you are not far from the kingdom of God” grip the soul of this young man and the religious leaders who listened for the rest of their lives? Will it grip our souls today?

OCTOBER 3rd, 2021 | PASTOR JOHN BAYLES | THE PASSION: THE POWERFUL LIVING GOD | MARK 12:18-27

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OCTOBER 3, 2021 | PASTOR JOHN BAYLES | THE PASSION: THE POWERFUL LIVING GOD |  MARK 12:18-27

October 3, 2021
The Passion: The Powerful Living God
Mark 12:18-27

Why would the Sadducees question the idea of resurrection? Their claim rests upon two points. First, there is no evidence anywhere in their history of any person rising from the dead. Second, the passages of Scripture from which they build their argument have nothing to do with resurrection. The men are clearly manipulating the Law of Moses to build a hypothetical illustration. What follows is the creation of a mythological tale designed to trap Jesus.

However, Jesus quickly turns the light of truth against them. He proves that these Sadducees are twisting the Scriptures, questioning the issue of resurrection, showing that they do not believe in the power of the Living God (the “I Am”) and most notably, demonstrating that they do not not believe in the God of the Bible, the Patriarchs or in the Law of Moses.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2021 | PASTOR ROGER MELSON | FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD | GENESIS 18:1-33

 

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SEPTEMBER 26, 2021 | PASTOR ROGER MELSON | FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD | GENESIS 18:1-33

FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD 

GENESIS 18:1-33

In endeavoring to find a theme that runs throughout the chapter, I settled on the theme of friendship. The chapter is divided into four easily recognizable parts. Verses 1-8 comprise the first section; verses 9-15, the second; verses 16-21, the third; and verses 22-33, the fourth.

Verses 1-8 give expression to the friendship Abraham had with the Lord and the communion he most certainly had with the Lord. This whole chapter finds significance in these first verses. They are foundational for all that follows.

The second section reveals one of the main reasons, if not the main reason, for the Lord visiting Abraham’s tent dwelling at the Oak of Mamre. The Lord addresses Sarah through Abraham that her faith might be fortified.

Thirdly, there is the announcement of what God is about to do concerning the inhabitants of Sodom. Along with this announcement is a great responsibility that Abraham will undertake. That responsibility is one that extends to Christian parents today.

Finally, there is the intercession of Abraham. We will consider the main intent of Abraham’s prayer and the concept of substitution.

May today’s message be an encouragement to your life in Christ.

                                                    Roger and Marsha Melson

SEPTEMBER 19, 2021 | PASTOR JOHN BAYLES | THE PASSION: TRAPPING THE TRAPPERS | MARK 12:1-12

 

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SEPTEMBER 19, 2021 | PASTOR JOHN BAYLES | THE PASSION: TRAPPING THE TRAPPERS | MARK 12:1-12

September 19, 2021
The Passion: Trapping the Trappers
Mark 12:13-17

In this text we find Jesus being confronted again by the Pharisees and this time also the Herdonians. What we will discover is that this account is not about taxation as we might too quickly conclude. Their question is indeed couched in a long-standing and hated subject of the Roman tax system imposed upon the nation of Israel. However, the real intent of the Pharisees and Herodians is to try and trap Jesus into saying something with which they can accuse him of violating the Law. They have picked a subject that they believe will draw the negative attention of the Jewish leaders, the Roman element, the crowds and even Jesus’s disciples. Eventually, their scheme is to kill Jesus, which of course is precisely what will take place at the end of this long and busy passion week. They seem to delight at the possibilities their confrontation will bring. But, Jesus' death will not be on their terms. Their great problem will prove to be that they are asking their questions of Jesus, the Incarnate Son of God.

SEPTEMBER 12, 2021 | PASTOR JOHN BAYLES | THE PASSION: THE PARABLE OF THE WICKED TENANTS | MARK 12:1-12

 

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SEPTEMBER 12, 2021 | PASTOR JOHN BAYLES | THE PASSION: THE PARABLE OF THE WICKED TENANTS | MARK 12:1-12

The Passion: The Parable of the Wicked Tenants
Mark 12:1-12

The parable we will study today, is the only one which Mark includes in his Gospel outside those presented in chapter four. As we have discussed already, Mark is highlighting a specific theme in his Gospel which aims at the nation of Israel, Judiasim and in particular the classic Jewish religion centering in the temple in Jerusalem. We saw earlier in chapter eleven, Mark used a three-pronged emphasis of first: Jesus cursing the fig tree; second: clearing the temple and third: commenting on the destruction of the fig tree. Mark is again magnifying the message of Jesus using this same theme. Judaism, representing the Old Age, is coming to an end. As the Old Age recedes, the New Age, the kingdom of God is appearing in the person of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 

 Mark brings the whole scope of Jesus' mission into clear view. As a result, the Jewish leaders became acutely aware that He “was speaking about them.” They were the wicked tenants. However, they had no idea of the extent to which this parable revealed their role in God's plan for the ages. Nor did they realize how, through their hardened hearts, they would play such a major role in bringing about this eschatological change. They would become the very instrument of Jesus' death on the cross. This atoning sacrifice would catapult the end of the Old Age and the rise of the New Age. The world was changing and Jesus was the cartalyst and force bringing that change. The Old Age was coming to an end and the New Age was appearing.

SEPTEMBER 5, 2021 | PASTOR JOHN BAYLES | THE PASSION: A QUESTION OF AUTHORITY | MARK 11:27-33

 

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SEPTEMBER 5, 2021 | PASTOR JOHN BAYLES | THE PASSION: A QUESTION OF AUTHORITY |  MARK 11:27-33