Outreach Saturday with Pastor James Wilson and Northwest Baptist Church

Angel and I giving out free tea and coffee as we give out God's Word.

 Revelation 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. 

Please pray for Taylor as he embarks on his new career in the US Navy

Baptism Service for Diane Harris

Are we acting like Children or Christians?

Luke 7:31-35

There is so much we can learn from children. As we watch and observe children we all can say and justify their actions because they are children. When a child acts out in the shop and pitches a tantrum, we all say “That’s the way children act when they don’t get their way”. Most of the time the parents will punish them for their actions and rightfully so! But when adults have their times of tantrums when they don’t get their way?  I find many Christians today acting like children.

I)       Childishness is marked by a desire to play with life. 1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. Many of us have heard children say, and we can remember in our own background how very often we said, “Let us play-like?”

A)    Play House

B)    Play Mommy and Daddy

C)    Play School

D)    Play Cars and Trucks

E)     Play Dolls

F)     Play Dress up

Children simply play what they see as grown up, but it isn't reality. Sometimes we play like we are having church and it isn't reality. Sometimes we play like we are building a home and it isn't reality. We who have reached maturity should move out of the land of fiction into the realm of eternal reality. The business in which we are engaged as Christians is of supreme importance!

II)    Childishness is marked by selfishness. Proverbs 15:27 He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live. The child is often, as we are, egocentric. Everything he sees he wants for himself; and unless he gets it, he is very unhappy.

A)    We are selfish with our time.

B)    We are selfish with our abilities

C)    We are selfish with our love

D)    We are selfish with our money

We who are adult people very often live as children in our selfishness. We have developed the greatest crop of cry babies the world has ever known!

III) Childishness is likewise characterized by self-pity. Galatians 6:3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. Now that is understandable in a child, but isn’t commendable on the part of those who are supposedly mature Christians. Many people go to church for attention they receive. Did you ever heat anyone say;

A)    I’m not going back to that church anymore because nobody spoke to me.

B)    I’m not going back to that church anymore because the preacher didn’t shake my hand.

C)    I’m not going back to that church anymore because all they talk about is money.

D)    I’m not going back to that church anymore because I don’t sing enough specials.

E)     I’m not going back to that church anymore because I’m never asked to do anything.

Are you going to church primarily to have people speak to you, to have you hand shook, to sing, to be in the spot light of all church activities?

How to grow in good ground?

Luke 8:4-15

In way of introduction we see the typology of the Sower, the Seed, and the Soil. First the Sower is God; our Lord sows the seed on all types of ground giving everyone the opportunity to be saved. As we see, 2/3 of those who hear the Word of God will refuse the receive it. Secondly, the Seed is the Word of God; as the Word of God spread throughout the world, many will not receive it properly. Thirdly, the Soil is us; God sows the seed in us so we can grow spiritually in good ground. But it’s sad to see 2/3 of those who witness God sowing and the seed falling on them will not fully receive His grace. How do we grow in the good ground?

I)       I must be Receptive to God. Luke 8:5 A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. Luke 8:12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. The wayside or hardened path represents a closed mind. Three causes for some to go by the wayside.

A)    Fear. Proverbs 28:1 The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

B)    Bitterness. James 3:14-15 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

C)    Pride. James 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

II)    I must be Resolved to Grow. Luke 8:6 And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.  Luke 8:13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.  The rocky ground or shallow soil represents a superficial commitment. A commitment that is shallow and has no depth.

A)    Be committed examples. James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

B)    Be committed exercisers. 1 Timothy 4:7 But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. Five ways to be committed examples and committed exercisers.

1.      Commit to connect with others.

2.      Commit to build spiritual habits.

3.      Commit to use your talents for the Lord.

4.      Commit to share your faith with others.

5.      Commit to fulfil your purpose in life.

III) I must be Ruthless with Distractions. Luke 8:7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. Luke 8:14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. The thorns represent the weeds given during the fall and curse of man. Genesis 3:17-18 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; The soil with weeds represents an overcrowded life. Closing - Luke 8:15

The Wise Men - Sermon preached by Stephen Kennedy. 12/22/2013

The Wise Men

Matthew 2:1-12

I)                   They were wise because they were Watching for Jesus. Vs. 1-9

A)    Christ’s star fulfilled the Scriptures. Numbers 24:15-17 And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said: He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open: I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.

B)    Christ’s star provided the way to the Saviour. Vs. 9. John 12:35-36 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.

C)    Christ’s star brought hope to a lost Society. Luke 2:10-12 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

II)                They were wise because they were Worshiping Jesus. Vs. 2, 10-11

A)    They worshiped Him with Gladness. Psalm 148

B)    They worshiped Him with Gifts. Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

III)             They were wise because they Walked with Jesus.  Vs. 12

A)    They were Sensitive to the Lord.

B)    They were Submissive to the Lord. Romans 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.