Plevna Baptist Church Sermons: Recent Episodes
Josh McLachlan
Pastor Josh practices expository preaching with an emphasis on practical application for daily living. The New International Version is used from the pulpit.
The kind of Friend you should be. The kind of Friend you should find. The kind of Friend Jesus is.
The next generation is caught up in the same rut as the last generation and
they reap what they sow.
Israel repeats their cycle of history:
Sin, judgment, repentance, rescue, and peace.
Will you choose to change your future, or will you repeat history?
This generation needs to share with the next generation. 1. Share Jesus with them
2. Share God's word with them
Today we look at how to have or regain a marriage that lives up to the dream of living "Happily Ever After", as well as how to have a "happily Ever After" with Jesus. "Love & Submission" are two ends of the same street
"You can't tame your tongue, so you have to work on controlling your tongue" Today we look at 5 ways to do that.
<VIDEO LINK>
Paul reminds the churches that there should be differences in the way we were from living like the "old" man, and the "new" man.Today we look at three:1. Tell the truth2. Practice self-control3. Give instead of take
1. Praise God for ACTIVE faith 2. Pray for GROWING faith Pray for me, I'll pray for you- That you come to know God better.
A letter written by Paul, to the "saints".... the faithful in Christ Jesus.
Saint: "One who has trusted Christ and is set aside for the whole use of God."
~J. Vernon McGee
God is consistent: He's Gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in love...
1. Gove Loves You
2. God loves them
Jonah took advantage of the 2nd chance God gave him to go to Nineveh, and God blessed his efforts. Will you take advantage of your 2nd chance and see what God will do?
What are you going to do when God asks you to (go, do, say) something you don't want to do?
Jonah ran away. Let's see how well that worked out
Ministry, like anything else, is made up the good, the bad, and the ugly. Don't let the bad and the ugly keep you from experiencing the good times of ministry.
Be committed to the ministry God gave you. God will work through you, and one day you will see how.
It's important to continue your education in your line of work...it's even more important to continue your spiritual education!
We all need a little help from time to time. God's people...and God Himself are a good place to start!
Paul had great concern for the people of Athens. His concern motivated his actions...to declare to them who the "Unkown" god was.
We may be known as First Baptist Church on the outside, but we should be known as First Berean Church on the Inside.
Be productive for God when it's easy.
Be productive for God when it's hard.
Pray, praise, and trust God through it all.
God closes some doors, God opens other doors.
When God closes your door, don't worry. God has another door for you to open. When it opens up...proceed ahead with courage!
Coram Deo is a Latin phrase translated "in the presence of God" from Christian theology which summarizes the idea of Christians living in the presence of, under the authority of, and to the honor and glory of God.
Praise to God for a Living Hope3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Peter and John take advantage of a situation when they heal a lame beggar in spreading the Gospel.
What do you do when life hands you lemons, make lemonade, in other words, Bloom Where You Are Planted
VIDEO LINK
Where do you turn when you have problems in life? Where you turn is your life.
VIDEO LINK
The only way to become a member of God's family is through adoption. Have you been adopted yet?
VIDEO LINK
A father's life impacts his own as well as the next generation. What kind of impact are YOU making?
Video Link
We all sin. The solution to sin is forgiveness. That forgiveness is available because of Jesus.
Video Link
VIDEO LINK
Do you claim to have fellowship with God? Your actions will prove your "true colors".
VIDEO LINK
Video Link
Today we look at three Questions concerning the "Word of Life" 1. Who or what is the "Word of Life"? 2. What do we proclaim concerning the "Word of Life"? 3. Why proclaim the "Word of Life"?
Video Link
Video Link
Today we look at Easter morning the unexpected as well as the expected. Thankfully the unexpected happened.
Video Link
Doing good includes helping financially, material possessions, time, and with my physical abilities. Remember, God is always watching and you will be blessed for it.
Featuring Guest speaker Randy Jaspers.
Mark 10:46-52 As a congregation, you of Plevna are in a time when you not only must assess your vision (what is reality), but also who God is inviting you to be and become. That includes some things you may need to leave behind. To help us prepare let’s spend some time in the story of Jesus’ healing of a blind man and then consider three questions.
Following the leader is a fun game for kids to play. As we get older, it gets harder to follow the leader, especially if it's authority we don't like. Today we look at how we should submit to that authority for God's sake...and the one exception to following man's leadership.
Today we continue the pursuit of wisdom. We see that God's wisdom is the best wisdom, how the wise follow God's wisdom, and how so few people are willing to be wise and follow God's wisdom.
Wisdom has many benefits: Some include "Bringing life into Focus", "Bringing insight into choices", and "Wisdom brings advantage to the accepting". Do you want to experience the benefits of wisdom?
We all want to enjoy life. Some get to more than others. The important thing is to remember what matters more.
Man says it's important to keep my word, to do what I say I will do. How much more should we keep our word to God who has always, and will always keep His word to us!
Life is unfair. Solomon lists 2 ways that encompass just about everything. What do I need to remember when life is unfair?
Jesus came to earth as a baby, one day He will rule as King forever. Isaiah 9:6-7 reveals the quality of the kingdom and the Character of the king.
No matter how much the world tries to be different, we still have things in common. Today we look at two things we all have in common.
Everyone wants their life to have meaning and purpose. Today we look at what the world suggests, and how it compares with God’s view of meaning.
Solomon tried everything to find meaning. Ultimately he came down to these two goals to pursue to have a purpose; #1 Fear God, and #2 Keep His Commands. Today we look to see what that really means.
The only guaranteed investment is an eternal one. Today we look at how to invest in Eternity.
Is the secret to contentment for money? A better job? Another vacation? Perhaps there is another way, a better way, a longer-term fix for contentment... today we are going to look to what that secret might be.
Who doesn't want to experience the peace of God no matter what the situation we find ourselves in?
How do we gain that peace? Trade God your worries for His peace.
Conflicts are a part of life. Do your part to get along with other Christians, and help other Christians get along if you have the opportunity to.
In order to reach your “Maximum Spiritual Potential” you need to do these three things:
1- Put the Past behind you (the good, the bad, and the ugly)
2- Focus on the future (What can I do for Jesus today)
3- Maintain your Christian growth
Hope-a desire for something to happen. When it comes to your salvation, what are you "hoping" in? Is your hope placed in the right place? Today we look at False Hope vs True Hope.
We all know what to look for in a role model; an athlete who handles pressure, a president who handles failure, or how a family member responds to bad news. Those can all be good role models. Today we look at 4 qualities Timothy demonstrated that made him a good "spiritual role model" and how we need to model these qualities as well.
We take the time to work out our muscles, mind, vocal cords, and even a horse. Make sure you take the time to work out your salvation.
Today we better realize what it means to serve others the way Jesus served us, and some of the difficulties we may face along the way.
Paul is urging the Philippians to live a life worthy of the gospel of Christ. Paul encourages the Philippians that living a life worthy of the gospel of Christ is a team effort. They were to stand together, and they were to work together, even knowing that it was going to result in persecution like Paul faced.
The Westminster Catechism (a summary of the principles of Christian religion in the form of questions and answers, used for the instruction of Christians.) says that the chief end up man (purpose of man) is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. This is exactly what Paul did, several hundred years earlier, and he put it this way:
Philippians 1:20 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
In today’s message we see that when you make Christ your life, tough times may come. When they do:
Have confidence that God will get you through what He allows you to go through vs. 19
Make it your goal to glorify Christ no matter how it turns out.
Whatever situation you are currently in, is a God given opportunity. It's an opportunity to advance the gospel. This is done by sharing the gospel, and living the gospel. When you advance the gospel, others will be encouraged to do the same. The important thing, is that whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached.
Paul is thankful for the churches “partnership in the gospel”, Paul loves this church “with the affection of Christ Jesus”, and Paul prays that their “love may abound more, and more in knowledge and discernment”.
When you face a situation that causes you alarm, go to God in prayer in expectation of an answer. When you get an answer, obey God, and praise Him for it.
Jesus time with the disciples is coming to an end, but it's just the beginning of the disciples time to go into all the world and preach the gospel
This passage shows what a mother wants her son to look for in a wife. These are "Noble" qualities a wife should possess. These are "Noble" qualities, we all should possess.
Two disciples went on the same road one way in defeat, the other way in hope. The difference? They believed what they heard.
"You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink." You can lead a person to Jesus, but you can't make him believe.
Jesus thought of others, and Jesus thought of you. Now it's time that we think of Jesus first, others second, and ourselves third.
The best time to prepare for a weather storm is before it happens. Jesus tried to convince His disciples the best time to prepare for trials and temptations is before they come. The best way to prepare is through prayer. Jesus prayed and was prepared for his trial. The disciples didn't pray and they weren't prepared.
Today we look at 3 negative responses to Jesus; 1. Jesus as a nemesis, 2. Jesus as Neutral, 3. Jesus as nothing. They way people saw Jesus back then, they still see Jesus today. We finish up with the right response-saying Yes to Jesus.
Today we look at the Passover "In remembrance of God's goodness" and we look at the Passover "In remembrance of God's salvation".
1. Warning of destruction of Jerusalem, #2. Warning of 2nd coming of Jesus. #3. Warning to be prepared to meet Jesus
"Those Who Teach" 1. Need to understand what they are teaching. 2. Need to live what they are teaching.
Jesus was questioned (as had others) about what they believed concerning the scriptures. Jesus engaged them in conversation and backed up His beliefs with scripture. We need to be able to do the same; know what we believe and be able to back it up with scripture, not opinion.
There are those who should accept Jesus who will reject Jesus. There are those who won't look for Jesus, but Jesus will find them. Either way, you have to make your choice before it's too late.
"Invest with the gospel" A parable about how a master is gone and expects his servants to invest until he returns. Our master is gone and expects us to invest; not with money but with the gospel.
The squeaky wheel gets the grease. We need to pray more like the squeaky wheel....and other thoughts on prayer.
Ready or not, the Kingdom of God is here (spiritual kingdom). Ready or not the kingdom of God is going to come (physical kingdom). Ready or not, you will meet Jesus. Are you ready?
We all have needs we need God to meet. When God gives us what we need to meet those needs, we need to do what He tells us, and we need to "Give God Thanks!"
We should do everything God asks us to do, to the best of our abilities. Not because we are trying to get something out of it, but because of what Jesus did on the cross. We are only doing what we should be doing when we serve Him. As a bonus, God does reward us for what we do here on earth.
I am to rebuke my brother in sin for their good, I am to forgive my brother for my good.
The story of "Lazarus and the rich man". Ultimately, this comes down to choosing Jesus before it's too late. Once you leave this earth, there is no turning back.
Today we see the importance of obeying Scripture as much in the small things as the big things.
We all know what it's like to lose something and how good it feels to find something. Jesus calls the unsaved person lost. (not because He doesn't know where they are, but because they are not where they belong-a part of His family). When the lost are found, the Angels in heaven rejoice.
The phrase "Fools Rush In" applies to people who make rash decisions without thinking of what all is involved. Jesus isn't looking for Fools Who Rush In. They are usually the Fools Who Rush out. Jesus has a large group of people following Him and He informs them of the cost of discipleship. The same cost apply to us today.
The Need for Love The Source for Love The Timing for Love The Reaction to LoveJesus showed love when love was needed. We need to show love how we can, when we can.
Fathers who love their children show them "Tough Love". Our Father in heaven in no exception.
We tend to face worries when God calls us to action. What do we do with those worries? Give God your worries, Focus on your eternal future, and go!
Timothy had someone make a spiritual difference in his life. It was his mother. We all have the ability to make a spiritual difference in someone's life, even if they are not our child. "Be a spiritual Difference Maker"
Paul commends the Berean church for checking out to see if what he said was really true. You will be commended for checking out what you hear to see if it is really true; even more for putting it into practice.
The saying goes, "Whoever has the most toys when he dies wins". More realistically, "Whoever has the most toys when he dies, still dies". Since the latter is true, store up treasures in heaven. They will be the only treasures that last.
There are lots of phonies in the world that call themselves Christians. Today we look at 4 points that help us recognize whether or not we are the "real deal".
Jesus calls out the Pharisees and teachers of the law as what they really are, "hypocrites". Today we look and see how we might be like them in modern day times.
Light shines to expose darkness. Let the light of God's word into your life to expose the darkness there.
Today we look to see the gospel message, and ask the question, "what if". What if the message is false. What if the message is true? 1 Cor. 15 gives the answer for both questions
Missionary Speaking. Syd Sparks talking about Mussana Bible Camp in Uganda, and the importance of taking a break.
It's good to clean all the sin and junk out of our lives, but that doesn't save us. We can become better people, but we still need to trust Jesus for our salvation. Then we need to put ourselves in a position to hear from God's Word and make sure we obey it.
When it comes to Jesus, there is no fence to sit on. Choose your side, and choose wisely. Ultimately, Jesus win.
Martha had the priority of serving. Mary had the priority of listening. Jesus said Mary had the right priority. We all have priorities. Priorities are good. Just make sure you make Jesus a priority too!
Jesus sends out the 72 to go prepare the way for Him to come. He tells them the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into the harvest field.
We are also called to go into the harvest field. In fact, we walk through it every day. Do we go with the idea of harvesting the crop? or just getting to the other side of the field.
Jesus talks with three men about following him. Three men, three lessons. Today we learn the call to be a disciple is the call to: Choose God over 1. My earthly securities, 2. My own family, 3.My own desires. Why then would anyone want to be a disciple? we look into that too.
All human life matters to God; from the unborn-to the those waiting to die, and everyone in-between. God created man in His own image, and God has a plan for each one of our lives.
Be resolved in your goal to fulfill God's call on your life because you will probably face rejection. Without resolve, you will struggle to keep going. When you face rejection, handle it the right way, not like James and John who wanted to call down fire from heaven on those who rejected them
A common well-known phrase says, "There is more than one way to skin a cat", meaning there is more than one way to do something. Today we see that there is more than one way to do ministry, and more than just a few people are called to do it.
We have a goal to make changes in the upcoming new year 2018. Make one of those goals, to become more "godly". There are benefits both for now and later
God can use ordinary people to do impossible things. Questions is, are we willing to do the impossible, as well as the possible?
Wise men seek Jesus, Wise men Worship Jesus, Wise men bring gifts to Jesus. Are you wise?
The disciples argue about which of them is the greatest. Jesus lets them know that greatness does not depend on what we consider greatness, but on what He considers greatness....Being a servant of all.
Three disciples learn more about Jesus. They see Jesus transfigured in his heavenly glory. Their understanding of who Jesus is has grown since the time they were called to be his disciples, and will continue until they reach heaven.
Salvation is a free gift to mankind. He doesn't charge us anything, but there is a price to pay. Deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him.
Randy Jaspers, our new regional minister shares with us from God's word, the importance of celebrating together.
Opportunities for ministry seem to come at inconvenient times. Sometimes the opportunity seems like an impossible task, but if God wants us to do it, He will provide the ability to do it. With the answer to the call of ministry comes a blessing; both for you, and those you minister to.
Jesus has demonstrated what he wanted his disciples to put into practice. Now it's time for them to go on a short-term mission trip. They were to meet practical needs, and meet the bigger spiritual need of sharing the gospel. We need to follow the same pattern that Jesus gave his disciples. Meet the physical needs of others, and as we have opportunity, meet the bigger spiritual need as well.
Two different ends of the spectrum. Two different people coming to Jesus. One publicly, one privately. They had two things in common: 1. A need for Jesus 2. Coming to Jesus in FaithWe all have needs, and we to come to Jesus in Faith. But what about when God doesn't give us what we want when we ask in faith....we look at that too.
In today's passage, we see that Jesus made a lot of difference in the life a demon-possessed man. We see his life without Jesus, his life with Jesus, and what that difference was. We should also be able to see a difference in our life's without Jesus, now with Jesus, see some the changes, and give Jesus the credit for those changes.
The disciples find themselves in a storm in the Sea of Galilee. They call out to Jesus for help who helps them and questions their lack of faith. We will face storms in our life. We need to call out to God in Faith, knowing He has power over our life's storms.
Jesus informed the crowd around Him that His family consisted not of flesh and blood, but of those who hear God's word and put them into practice, the most important being trusting Jesus for salvation. Are you a part of God's family? If so, how are you doing at hearing God's word (listening, reading, etc.) and putting it into practice?
Jesus encourages his disciples to take what they have taught, live it out, and share it with others. In other words, to let their lights shine, and let them shine bright. We are encouraged to let our lights shine bright. How bright is your light shining? Are you more like a night light or a bon fire?
The "good news" is the news that Jesus died on a cross to take the punishment for our sins so that if we trust Him to save us, we will have eternal life. We are all called to share the "good news" and we are all called to support those who share the "good news".
We have the choice to be "Self-righteous" or "God righteous". A self-righteous Pharisee named Simon is rebuked for his self-righteousness, and a repentant sinful woman is blessed because of her "God righteousness". Jesus tells her that it's obvious her sins are forgiven because she loves Jesus so much, and he reassures her that indeed, her sins are forgiven. Simon made the wrong choice, the sinful woman made the right choice!
Wisdom is proven by its children. You have two options; God's wisdom and man's wisdom. Choose God's wisdom. In this passage, Jesus differentiates between two groups of people. People who proved the wisdom of God by belief and baptism, while those who proved they were following the wisdom of man by rejecting God and His baptism.
First Baptist Church celebrated its 100th anniversary. Reverend Stephen May, a previous pastor, reminds us of the importance of continuing in our spiritual growth. After we accept Jesus Christ as Savior, we need to live and walk with Christ, to remain rooted and built up in Christ.
The wise man built his house on the rock. Be a wise man and build your life on the Lord Jesus Christ. In this message, we see 3 steps to making Jesus Lord of your life, and some proof that He is.
Be careful what you put in your life, because that will come out. The good man brings good fruit, the evil man brings evil. This is also a good test of a true follower of Jesus, or one that just claims it.
The "Golden Rule" is more than just "Not" doing to someone what you don't want them to do to you. Jesus says, be proactive, and do something positive for them.
The mother of Moses was a determined mother. She demonstrated determination in three ways: Fearing God over man, being the best mom she could be, and never giving up on her children. All three apply to mothers today, but to the rest of us too!
In life, you will make many choices. When you are going up you are not going down. When you are going left you are not going right. In the same way, you are not blessed by going the wrong way. You have to walk in God's ways if you are going to be blessed with God's blessing.
God chooses people, not based off of what they have done or can do, but based on how He can use them.
Pharisees say the Law is more important than human need. Jesus says human need is more important than the ceremonial Law. Following God isn't about following a bunch of rules, follow Jesus is about showing mercy (compassion and love) to others.
When Easter morning came, no one was there to meet Jesus, because no one believe he would rise. Jesus had to convince his disciples he had risen. When the disciples saw Jesus, of course they believed. We haven't seen Jesus, but Jesus says "Blessed are you who haven't seen and yet believe". Do you believe?
“God has called more people to be hometown missionaries, than foreign missionaries. Jesus traveled around to sharing the good news to the surrounding areas, but he started at home in Nazareth. We need to be missionaries in our hometown too.
Jesus had a human genealogy leading up to his birth. There were good guys and bad guys. Jews and Gentiles. Kings and average people. This list isn’t about who is in it or not, but about how God uses everyday ordinary people to accomplish something special, even if they aren’t perfect.
Maintain faithfulness in following God’s word. God is faithful to keep promises, so we should be faithful to keep God’s word. Simeon and Anna both prove this point.
When you choose to follow Jesus, you can expect resistance, but you can also expect God to keep His word. We should also expect it of ourselves, to share it with others.
“artificial repentance, says I am sorry because I am getting into trouble. “Genuine repentance is the sorrow for my sins that is accompanied by a true change of heart toward God. Genuine repentance is a proof of Salvation.
Right to life Sunday. God created you in a special and unique way. God loves you so He created you, knows everything about you, goes everywhere with you, and thinks about you. We, in turn, should care about Him and what he cares about.
Facing temptations are a part of the human experience. Jesus experienced the same kind of temptations we faced so He can help us fight them. We also explore ways of combatting temptations.
God calls ordinary people to be “Fishers of men. God will use the ordinary people He calls. Many people don’t fish because of fear, or because they aren’t prepared. A good fisherman figures out the best fishing bait. Use that same philosophy to catch men.
Luke studied out the history of Jesus’ birth, life, death and resurrection so that his friend Theophilus could be sure, could know with certainty, the truth of what he had been taught. If Theophilus can know this with certainty, we should be able to have the same confidence.
There were several different responses to the news of Jesus birth. Some positive, and some negative. What is your response? Your eternity depends on it.
“Good news is only good, if you share it. The Shepherds knew the “Good News of Jesus birth and told everyone about it. We should share the “Good News with people too.
We can be blessed by God when we choose to put Him first in our lives over what this temporary world has to offer. God won’t make you move, but He will bless you when you do.
John the Baptist was the forerunner to the first coming of Jesus. We need to act like this forerunner and prepare the way for Jesus second coming.
Jesus takes his famous trip to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Jesus was willing to go to Jerusalem though he knew he would be rejected, and ultimately pay with his life.
Follow Jesus and invite others to follow Jesus. And don't get in the way of others following Jesus.
Get involved in other people's lives even when it's inconvenient and unexpected. Use it as an opportunity to share Christ with them as well.
When you try to bring people you will face obstacles. Don't let those obstacles stop you from trying. Remember, the results are up to God.