Scripture at Sunrise 10.17.2011

“Hear, O Israel, today you are drawing near for battle against your enemies: let not your heart faint. Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them, for the Lord your God is He who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.” -Deuteronomy 20:3-4

Sunday Evening | Deuteronomy 20 | Pastor Steve Wainright
The  Israelites were going to see the inhabitants of the land with chariots and horses (vs. 1). We don’t trust in those things, but in the Lord. (Psalm 20:7) Often times, we walk by sight, which shows our unbelief in God. We must fight by faith. He’s greater than all our problems. (Hebrews 13:5- If you have Him, you don’t need anything else.)

We are in a spiritual warfare (2 Corinthians 10:4). Be equipped to fight Satan with the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10).

Do not be afraid!

The children of Israel were told not to charge into battle because the priest needed to remind them of some things first (vs. 2), such as “Don’t let your heart faint” (vs. 3). We are fighting from victory unto victory because the One who is in us is greater than the one who is in the world!

Peace is offered through Christ’s sacrifice to those who are at enmity with God. (Ephesians 2:13-18)

Please please please listen to this one! This little summary doesn’t cover even a fourth of the goodness in this message!

Scripture at Sunrise 10.3.2011

“Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” -2 Corinthians 13:11-14

Paul’s Last Words to this troubled Corinthian Church:

1) Rejoice! 
-Paul has just spent most of his letter rebuking them and now tells them to rejoice. They should rejoice that someone loves them enough to rebuke them and help them get back on track!
-No matter what goes on in your life, because Jesus rose from the dead, no one can take your joy from you! (John 16:22)
-Joy is hooked into the doctrine of the sovereignty of God. If you lose sight that God is in control, you lose the hold on your joy. (Romans 8:28; Philippians 4:4)

2)Be perfect. Aim for restoration. Complete something that is incomplete. Put back in order that which is out of order.
Galatians 6:1; Ephesians 4:11-12

3)Be of good comfort. Comfort one another. Come alongside.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4

4)Be of one mind. Believe the same truth.
Philippians 1:27; Ephesians 4

5)Live in peace.
John 14:27, 16:33; Romans 8:6

Promise: When you are doing these things, the God of love and peace will be with you!

vs. 12-13- Paul desired the believers there to show genuine affection. Greet others affectionately…not sensually, but affectionately, genuinely showing the love of Christ to one another.
“By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)

vs. 14- The grace of Christ was displayed on the cross, came from the love of God, and once you experience that grace and love, you have fellowship with the Spirit!

Scripture at Sunrise 9.12.2011

Morning Service | 2 Corinthians 12:11-21
“I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?” -2 Corinthians 12:15
Paul’s purpose was to build up the believers in their walk with Christ. He gladly resolved to spend all he had and exhaust himself for their sake. He didn’t take. He constantly gave. The more he loved, the less he was loved, but he kept on loving and giving.

Evening Service | Deuteronomy 16:1-17
“and you shall remember…and you shall rejoice…and you shall rejoice…”
Three Feasts…
1)Passover: Never forget what the Lord has done for you. Remember what He has delivered you from.
2)Feast of Firstfruits: By giving of your firstfruits, you are living by faith, showing you are trusting God to bless you with more. It shows there is a greater harvest coming.
3)Feast of Booths: A feast of celebration and rejoicing at the end of the civil year calendar. Joy comes through obedience. Fight for your joy. (Deuteronomy 28:47-48)
Don’t gripe. Don’t complain. Look at how God has blessed you and at the promises He has given you.

Scripture at Sunrise 9.5.2011

But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. -2 Corinthians 12:9

When you realize your weakness, His power shows brighter and more glory goes to Him.

1)Difficulties that come are through God’s providence.
2)Pray about your weakness. When Paul prayed, he accepted that thorn in the flesh and embraced it to the glory of God.
3)The deity of Christ. Jesus is God in the flesh. (vs. 8-9)
4)Paul rejoiced in God’s grace…MOST gladly.
5)The power of Christ pitched a tent over Paul. His strength was camped out over Paul’s life.
6)Spiritual purity is much greater than your physical health and strength.

Scripture at Sunrise 8.22.2011

“But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” -Galatians 6:14

Paul’s strength was the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The cross was his glory. What do you glory in?

Scripture at Sunrise 7.25.2011

“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the mweapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” –excerpts from 2 Corinthians 10:1-5

In the midst of Paul defending his apostleship, he reminds the Corinthians that the battles he is facing are spiritual. (Ephesians 6:12; Philippians 2:25; 1 Timothy 6:12; 2 Timothy 2:3-4; 1 Thessalonians 5:8) Paul lets them know he is not fighting with fleshly weapons. His weapons are far greater because human weapons mean nothing in the spiritual realm.

The only weapon in the armor of God is the sword of the Spirit, His Word! Every false teaching and error will be triumphed by the truth of God. That is what changes hearts.

Truth will always prevail. Don’t ever be ashamed to proclaim the Word of God. It will crumble every error. Only the truth that will set people free.

 

Scripture at Sunrise 4.25.2011

Morning Sermon | 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 | Pastor Steve Wainright

We are workers together with Christ! We have the privilege of working together with the Creator of the universe! (2 Corinthians 6:1; Mark 16:20; 1 Corinthians 3:9)

Not only that, we are ambassadors for Him. He’s working in us and through us to bring a message of hope to a lost and dying world. It’s a message of reconciliation: moving from being an enemy of God to being at peace with Him. Christ became sin for us. The only way to be accepted by God is to be wearing the righteousness of Jesus Christ.

“in vain” seen in vs. 1 = with no purpose
Colossians 4:5- Take advantage of the opportunities God gives you to bring Him glory. Let your life count to the glory of God. Live for Him. (2 Corinthians 5:15)

vs. 2- see Isaiah 49: Israel failed, so God put in a Substitute!
Christ’s only failure was our failure. Our only success is His success.

Isaiah 49:8- Jesus Christ is our covenant. He embodies God’s pledge to you and me.

Right NOW is the time that’s acceptable to God. It’s a time of blessing. Cherish the Gospel. Redeem the time. Now is the day of salvation.

Evening Sermon | Deuteronomy 4:1-14 | Pastor Steve WainrightGod is giving statues and laws to guide the second generation into the Promised Land.

vs. 1-4- Once you’ve trusted, continue to obey. Disobedience brought death. Obedience brought life. This second generation had seen the first generation die. Moses was both warning them and encouraging them at the same time.

vs. 5-8- Live with the realization that there are people watching you.
vs. 6- Israel was surrounded pagan nations that would notice that Israel was different. Show forth God’s goodness! Let your light shine so others will see how good God is. Make Him famous by talking about Him.

vs. 9-14- He told them to remember what all had happened and to tell it to their children and children’s children. They had seen some amazing things on their journey through the wilderness. Pass on what God has done!
vs. 12- Only a voice…the emphasis is on the Word of God. Pagan nations had many gods, but they had no words from their gods.

If you love Him, you will keep His commandments. Slipping into sin shows lack of love for Him.

BFM Spring Conference (Tuesday Night)

The second night of the 51st Annual BFM Spring Conference was such an encouragement (at least to your church secretary). We were blessed by two more sermons about “Pressing Forward for the Glory of God.” There’s absolutely no way I can do them justice here, but I will share with you a few notes I scribbled down.

Bro. Roger Tate, missionary to Kitale, Kenya, East Africa
Pressing Forward for the Glory of God (John 6)

Pressing forward involves struggle and resistance. Take an apple press for example. The apple is pressed to produce juice. It goes through a transformation. It’s painful and can be messy, but look at the result.

What are we willing to go through as God’s people for the prize? “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14) What is the prize? Jesus Himself!

Why do people come to Christ? Is it because He is the prize…or for other reasons?

1)Why did the first century Jews of this passage follow Christ? (John 6:1-14) Because of what they thought they could get physically from Him.
vs. 15, 26, 33-34: They wanted to make Jesus King so He could provide miraculously for their physical needs. They were getting their bellies filled and wanted to be continually fed with His physical bread.
HE IS THE BREAD OF LIFE. (vs. 35) He multiplied the loaves so they would see that.

2)Why do Kenyans come to Christ?
Unfortunately, many of them follow Christ because of what they think they will get from the missionary…not because Jesus is their prize. {At this point Bro. Tate shared his vision for their ministry…a vision that involves simplicity in the Gospel, deep relationships, and house churches.}

3)Why do Americans come to Christ?
A lot of them come to Him to have their psychological needs met…all for selfish reasons.

4)Why did you come to Christ?
Are you valuing and prizing Him as highly as you should be? (vs. 66-68)
Peter gets it right in vs. 68!
>Lord…He has to be Lord, not just the One who fills your pockets or bellies!
>Where else are we gonna go? You have the words of eternal life.

Strive to show others that Christ is the Bread of Life rather than trying to fill their physical bellies with bread.

{At this point in the service, we enjoyed the most lovely special by Julie Tate, Emily, Amy, & Josiah, singing “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us.” Video hopefully coming soon!}

Bro. Paul Kirkman, Pastor Emeritus fromFairborn, Ohio
Pressing Forward for the Glory of God (James 4:13-15)

{Sidenote: I wish I would’ve recorded some of Bro. Kirkman’s jokes. He has the quickest wit of just about anyone I’ve ever met. And that’s saying a lot. At almost 90 years old, I was amazed at his stamina and his sharp mind!}

If you’re gonna press forward, before you go forward, you better get a good start. So, if you knew you were going to die this year, what would you do? Here’s what Bro. Kirkman said he would do.

1)Know that you have a real and vital relationship with Christ.
How do you know? Romans 8:1. If you’re a believer you’re in a happy condition (no condemnation) and a happy position (in Christ Jesus).
Ephesians 2:8-10; Ephesians 1:5-6; Romans 8:38-39- No separation!
Ephesians 1:6-7- You are accepted in the Beloved!!!! (No “accept Jesus as your personal Savior. He’s the one that accepts us. You receive Him. He accepts you!)

2)Right relationship and fellowship with other believers in your congregation and in the Baptist faith
LOVE one another. Love is an action, not a feeling. For God so loved that He gave. It’s not optional! It’s commanded. Is it optional to murder? Is it optional to commit adultery? In the same way, it’s not optional to love your neighbor. They will know we are Christians by our love. (Matthew 5:23-24; Matthew 18) Make things right with fellow believers.

3)Right relationship with those who believe differently from us

4)Live your life to count for God each day. (Philippians 1:20) My body is mine by a relationship and God’s by ownership.

5)Finish your course! (2 Timothy 1:6; 1 Timothy 2:5)
Hebrews 12:1-2- The race that is set before us is a predestined, personal, unique race. As you run, look to Jesus!
Long to hear those words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

And we do it all for the glory of God!

The brighter the light shines at the source, the brighter the light shines out.

1 Corinthians 10:31- Whatever you do, do it to make God look good!

Scripture at Sunrise 3.28.2011

“Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.”  -2 Corinthians 5:8

Death was not an “escape hatch” for Paul. He loved life and serving in the world even though he suffered, but he eagerly longed for the day of death, something he considered a great gain. To be with our Savior is something to long for.

[Listen to the full audio of Sunday Morning’s Sermon | Listen to Sunday Evening’s Sermon from Deuteronomy 1]

Scripture at Sunrise 3.21.2011

Sunday Morning | 2 Corinthians 5:1-5 | Pastor Steve Wainright | Listen
“For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” -2 Corinthians 5:1

In this earthly tent, we groan because of the sin that has effected our bodies, but for the child of God, this is only temporal. We have a house built by God to look forward to, a resurrection body that is eternally permanent.

Assurance that the Resurrection will happen: God has given us a down payment, guaranteeing that it will be done. His down payment iss the Spirit dwelling within us. (vs. 5; Ephesians 1:14)

Sunday Evening | Intro to Deuteronomy | Bro. Jason Estes | Listen
“Take to heart all the words by which I am warning you today, that you may command them to your children, that they may be careful to do all the words of this law. For it is no empty word for you, but your very life, and by this word you shall live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess.” -Deuteronomy 32:46-47

Deuteronomy was written to the new generation of Israel to remind them of God’s power and that His Word is vitally important.
ch. 1-3: Recap of their trip
ch. 4: Call for obedience. They were urged to be faithful to God Who had always been faithful to them.
ch. 5-26: Restating the Law; Pattern of Blessings for Obedience and Curses for Disobedience
ch. 27-30: <missed this one> Two options in ch. 30
ch. 31-34: Encourages, Commissions Joshua, Song, Blessing of Each Tribe; ch. 34=death of Moses and short obituary

-Shows the absolute necessity for Mosaic Law to be kept perfectly.
-Showcases our need for a Savior and points to Christ.
-Points to God’s sovereignty and election.

**Be sure to listen to this one to the end to hear some really neat typologies he draws out from Moses compared to Christ!