June 24, 2018 | Pastor John Bayles | Supremacy of Christ | Colossians 1:15-23

Click to play, right-click to download:

June 24, 2018 | Pastor John Bayles | Supremacy of Christ | Colossians 1:15-23

Supremacy of Christ
Colossians 1:15-23

The text today is one of the greatest Christological presentations found in the Scriptures. The inspiration of the Holy Spirit is clearly visible in these lines as both the words and the literary form bring forth the beauty and magnificence of Christ. As Psalm 65:8 so beautifully states: “The whole earth is filled with awe at Your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.” Surely David envisioned praise for the person and work of Christ. The prophet Jeremiah also stated: “This is what the Lord says: You say about this place, It is a desolate waste, without people or animals. Yet in the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem that are deserted, inhabited by neither people nor animals, there will be heard once more the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those who bring thank offerings to the house of the Lord, saying, Give thanks to the Lord Almighty, for the Lord is good; His love endures forever! For I will restore the fortunes of the land as they were before, says the Lord” (Jer.33:10, 11). May the magnificent words of Colossians take wing and form a living song in our hearts today of the Supremacy of Christ!

June 10, 2018 | Pastor Roger Melson | The Triumphant Display of God's Gracious Covenant: Part 2 | Genesis 9:18-29

Click to play, right-click to download:

June 10, 2018 | Pastor Roger Melson | The Triumphant Display of God's Gracious Covenant: Part 2 | Genesis 9:18-29

                                               Roger and Marsha Melson

June 3, 2018 | Pastor John Bayles | Farewell? | Philippians 4:21-23

Click to play, right-click to download:

June 3, 2018 | Pastor John Bayles | Farewell? | Philippians 4:21-23

Farewell?
Philippians 4:21-23

Would this be that last letter of the Apostle Paul to the believers in Philippi? As the internal evidence shows, Paul is conflicted as to weather or not he will be released from the prison system of Rome and continue his journey to Spain, back to Greece (evangelize Crete), then travel north through Macedonia to Philippi and perhaps even on to Asia, Galatia and finally to Palestine and Jerusalem. History, has kept the final days of Paul’s life a deep secret. However, one thing is clear, Paul has now written again to his beloved Philippian friends and urges them on in the struggle and adventure of sharing the Good News of Christ with renewed joy. In these closing words to the Church in Philippi, joy in the Gospel and one another continues to be the banner Paul lifts up before himself and his dear friends.

May 27, 2018 | Pastor John Bayles | Gift, Givers and The Great Giver | Philippians 4:10-20

Click to play, right-click to download:

May 27, 2018 | Pastor John Bayles | Gift, Givers and The Great Giver | Philippians 4:10-20

Gifts, Givers and the Giver
Philippians 4:10-20

We live in a time when giving gifts is very common. Gifts to non-profit ministries is a huge part of the process. Our nation appreciates this generosity and gift dollars are tax deductible. In Paul’s day, especially in the Greco-Roman Patron context, gifts were mostly given to purchase status and favor. As a result gifts often flowed from the head rather than the heart. Favor was curried, lives were given political status, influence and power were the result. Here Paul is sending a thank you note to a group of people who lived in this context, but unlike the politically motivated, the Philippian church gave from their hearts to a man they loved. However, Paul’s comments in this text have been viewed by many as frosty and even ungrateful. This is far from the truth. He is pointing his attention to the Savior who is the greatest gift that he and his friends have received. In addition he is asking in response to their generosity that the Great Gift Giver will place these gifts on eternal display as a continuing reminder of the Lord’s mercy, faithfulness and generosity.

May 20, 2018 | Pastor John Bayles | Again I Say, Rejoice | Philippians 4:4-9

Click to play, right-click to download:

May 20, 2018 | Pastor John Bayles | Again I Say, Rejoice | Philippians 4:4-9

Again I Say, Rejoice
Philippians 4:4-9

Thanksgiving and particularly rejoicing have been at the center of everything Paul has shared in this letter. He again returns to this theme. It is amazing really that Paul has repeated this exhortation so often, rejoice! This is most particularly true knowing the historical context of where Paul is writing from – prison. He has made the case, I rejoice in my captivity and chains, but God has given me the opportunity, the unheard of opportunity to witness to all of the palace guard, and “everyone else!” How often have we felt that we can’t do this or that, because we are hindered by something? What is Paul’s response to that? We will see in this text that the answer is don’t be anxious about anything, let your gentleness be evident to all, pray, and continue to pray about everything, keep a keen eye out for every evidence of the Lord’s presence in everything, follow the example of others who have walked where you’re walking now, and remember to rejoice, because the Lord is very near. And, just in case you forgot, remember to rejoice and again don’t forget, rejoice!!!!

May 13, 2018 | Pastor John Bayles | Squabbles in the Kingdom | Philippians 4:1-3

Click to play, right-click to download:

May 13, 2018 | Pastor John Bayles | Squabbles in the Kingdom | Philippians 4:1-3

May 06, 2018 | Pastor John Bayles | The Perfect Way | Philippians 3:15-21

Click to play, right-click to download:

May 06, 2018 | Pastor John Bayles | The Perfect Way | Philippians 3:15-21

April 29, 2018 | Pastor John Bayles | Knowing Christ Jesus My Lord | Philippians 3:7-12

Click to play, right-click to download:

April 29, 2018 | Pastor John Bayles | Knowing Christ Jesus My Lord | Philippians 3:7-14

April 22, 2018 | Pastor John Bayles | Revaluing all Values | Philippians.3.4-7

Click to play, right-click to download:

April 22, 2018 | Pastor John Bayles | Revaluing all Values | Philippians.3.4-7

There is a German phrase: “Umwertung aller Werte” which means Revaluing all Values. In today’s text we will look briefly into the effects of the conversion of the Apostle Paul and the profound effects it had upon his life. New birth is a life-changing event. Jesus said “3 Very, truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again” (Joh.3:3). Jesus also stated that “11 From the time of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and it brings a violence upon those entering it” (Mat.11:12 emp. added),” That violence of new birth is radical. Paul wrote that new birth is equivalent to being resurrected: Paul himself places a similar emphasis upon the action of the Kingdom of God upon those awakened by new birth: “4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved” (Eph.2: 4, 5). Also in the letter to the Colossians Paul said: “13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves” (Col.1:13). The word translated “brought us” means to transport, to move from one place to another.

In our the text today: "...we put no confidence in the flesh” (3:3), Paul is going to expand upon the effect conversion had upon his entire life-view. Truly he was radically changed, violently, by the touch of the Holy Spirit at his conversion. This text outlines the full nature of that change as he was transported from the kingdom of death into the Kingdom of life. From the Kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of God. He truly came into a place of Revaluing all Values.

April 15, 2018 | Pastor John Bayles | Rejoice in the True Gospel | Philippians 3:1-9

Click to play, right-click to download:

April 15, 2018 | Pastor John Bayles | Rejoice in the True Gospel | Philippians 3:1-9