Sermons: Recent Episodes
First Baptist: Boynton Beach, FL
Title: "Looking Back: God's Faithfulness Through Ordinary Means" Text: 2 Timothy 1:3-14
- The surprising depth of lostness. 2. The surprising height of divine joy. 3. The surprising distance of duty.
- Don’t miss seeing yourself rightly. 2. Don’t miss seeing others rightly. 3. Don’t miss seeing Christ rightly.
- The kingdom begins surprisingly small. 2. The kingdom grows gradually. 3. The kingdom is inevitable. 4. The kingdom provides a secure dwelling.
Wisdom from below leads to disunity and unrighteousness, while the wisdom from above leads to unity and righteousness.
Don’t minimize the perils and power of your tongue. James 3:1-5a Pastor Caleb Batchelor November 26, 2023
An Anxiety-Free Flock Luke 12:22-34 Pastor Jeff Kelly 1. Why we worry 2. Why not to worry 3. How not to worry
Title: Guidance for the Counterfeit Christian James 2:14-26 Dr. Bob Lutz November 5, 2023 Consider the Pastoral Concern of James Compare Cases of Counterfeit v. Credible Faith Check Ourselves for Credible Faith
James helps us see that Gospel doctrine should create a culture of impartiality–which is really at the heart of true holiness. Pastor Caleb Batchelor James 2:1-13 October 29, 2023
How do we avoid hypocrisy? 1. Replace Secrecy with Transparency 2. Replace Fear of Man with Fear of God 3. Replace Denial with Confession
Why should you trust Christ’s authority? 1. It is undeniable. 2. It is personal. 3. It is complete. 4. It is good!
Main Point: God pursues and accomplishes His gracious will, as expressed in His clear Word.
- John’s Ministry of Repentance 2. The Demands of Repentance 3. The Urgency of Repentance 4. The Faith of Repentance
Celebrate Jesus Christ who is set apart as... 1. The Fulfillment of the Law 2. The Hope of His People. 3. The True Son of God
Main Idea: God has delivered—and will deliver—on every promise, so depend on him and his promises.
A Blessed Servant Luke 1:39-56 Pastor Jeff Kelly Dec 11, 2022 Mary is blessed as she submits to God in faith and responds in joyful worship.
PRESSING ON IN CHRIST Phil. 3:12 - 4:1 Jeff Kelly, Teaching Pastor First Baptist Boynton 10/02/22 Christians actively pursue their coming salvation.
RIGHTEOUSNESS IN CHRIST 9/25/22 PASTOR JEFF KELLY Where do we find our confidence? Not in our flesh, but in knowing Christ, and having his righteousness, which brings new life.
Pastor Jose Abella, Providence Road Church Miami, FL Establishing a Legacy of Faithful Gospel Ministry 2 Timothy 4:1-8 Preaching the Installation Service for Jeff Kelly at First Baptist Boynton Beach, FL September 18, 2022
Fellow Workers in Christ Philippians 2:19-30 Pastor Jeff Kelly Selfless character matters for gospel partnership.
- The Height of Christ’s Position 2. The Depth of Christ’s Descent 3. The length of Christ’s obedience. 4. The Glory of Christ’s Exaltation
Text: Philippians 1:1-11 Three ways God is at work in the Church Pastor Jeff Kelly 1. A Common Identity in Christ (v1-2) 2. A Faithful Partnership in Christ. (v3-7) 3. A Prayerful Hope in Christ. (v8-11)
Today we will be learning that “God’s works are for us to see his splendor and majesty, to remember what He has done for us, so we can be wise by fearing the Lord, and as a response to this, we praise Him as He ought to be praised.”
Thesis: To live a thoughtful, joy-filled, and biblical life, a person needs to embrace the character of God, the transitory nature of man, and pray for the grace of the Almighty.
Psalm 78: A Historical Parable for Future Generations 5 important points to understand from verses 1-8 1. Asaph’s Resolve 2. God’s Revelation and Requirements 3. Reward for God’s People 4. Recounting a history of God’s Righteousness and Israel’s Rebellion 5. APPLICATION: Refocus our attention
Psalm 53 Dr. Buz McNutt Former Teaching Pastor I believe there is a God EXPERIENTIALLY, SOCIALLY, AND RATIONALLY.
The kingdom is the rule and reign of Jesus Christ among his people. Intro/Context - cp. 13:17; cp. Psalm 103:19 1. The kingdom begins (surprisingly) small. 2. The kingdom grows gradually. 3. The kingdom is inevitable. (cp. Matthew 16:15-18) 4. The kingdom provides a secure dwelling.
Pastoral Candidate Jeff Kelly May 22, 2022 Psalm 19 1. The Witness God Gives (vv. 1-6) 2. The Word We Need (vv. 7-10) 3. The Response It Deserves (vv. 11-14)
Ps 8 describes creation as it was meant to be: a display of the majesty of God’s name, imaged forth through the weakness of people, for the flourishing of all creation, to the praise of God. Framework of Psalm 8: A hymn of creation, inviting the reader to Magnify the majestic name of God. Meditate on the wonder of God’s Creation. Marvel at the derived glory of God’s image-bearers.
Text: Acts 17 & 1 Cor. 15 Title: God’s Eternal Plan: the Victory of the Resurrection Thesis: The clarity of the resurrection must be proclaimed until the end of God’s eternal plan.
In this 2 nd Installment We focus on God’s Eternal Plan in Sending His Son. In other words, God’s Eternal Plan from Humanity. Why did God’s Eternal Plan include sending His Son to earth to be a human being? Why did God need to become a man?
The ultimate end, that is purpose, of God’s eternal plan is the praise of God the Father’s glory, the praise of God the Son’s glory, and the praise of God the Holy Spirit’s glory. Galatians 4:4-6; Ephesians 1:1- 14; 1. Is There a Plan? 2. Who Does What In the Plan? 3. How Does the Plan Include Me? Dr. Buz McNutt
Preacher: Dr. Buz McNutt Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:23-28 Title: Four Sermons Sermon #1 – Who Does What? (vv. 23-24) Romans 8:11 (ESV) Sermon #2 - Join Us In Depending On God (v. 25) "Prayer is more than just talking to God, it is a communing dependence on his character and purpose." Sermon #3 Proving Your Impartial Love (v. 26) Sermon #4 You're Under Oath
TITLE: Marks of a Life Shaped by the Gospel SPEAKER: Keith Baker, Pastor for Worship THESIS: What has Paul been telling the Thessalonians? Paul's constant refrain is that Christ has died for our sins, Christ has risen and Christ is coming again. That these central truths of the Gospel should be shaping the church and those in the church. This morning I’d like us to see together how the Gospel shapes our Worldview and our Relationship with God.
Text: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Title: What Happens When People Die? This is Part 1 of a 2-Part Sermon Thesis: The return of Christ brings comfort in dealing with our past, gives strength for the present, and hope for the future.
In the passage before us the Apostle Paul is exhorting the Thessalonians to keep on doing the good things that they are doing and stop doing the things that sabotage their sanctification.
Text: 1 Thess. 3:9-13 Title: What Does It Take? Thesis: What does it take to thank God for the people of God with all their challenges, while at the same time loving them? What Does It Take to Thank God? 9 For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God on your account, What Does It Take to Supply What is Lacking? 10 as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith? Faith In Interdependency Over Individualism Faith In Principle Over Pragmatism Faith In Applied Doctrine over Emotionalism Faith In Eternal Judgement Over Present Survival “The transformation [by faith] the church needs is the kind that results from beholding the glory of God in the face of Christ (2 Cor. 3:18-4:6). This glory of god is a saving and judging glory—an aroma of life to those being saved and death to those perishing (2 Cor. 2:15-16), and this saving and judging glory is at the center of biblical theology.” Hamilton, pg. 39. What Does It Take to Love People? All are created in the image of God, but with their own personality. All are gifted by God for the common good of the body. All are different stages of maturity.
- I Need the Church Because We Are In Spiritual Warfare 2:17-18 2. I Need the Church Because My Joy Is Incomplete Without Her. 2:19-20 "I think we delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment; it is its appointed consummation. It is not out of compliment that lovers keep on telling one another how beautiful they are; the delight is incomplete till it is expressed." C.S. Lewis Reflections on the Psalms. 3. I Need the Church Because We Do Not Suffer Alone. 3:1-8
Though we live in an ever-expanding cultural divide, the Word of God is always at work in the lives of God’s family.
Paul’s Defense Rested on Three Evidences: His reason for coming was righteous His relationship with them was real The results are revealed
Are you living a life of imitating? Are you rejoicing in the midst of suffering? Can you say to others “follow me as I follow Christ?”
1 Peter 3:13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.
For our Advent series we’ve been looking at the offices of Christ. Realities of his person, position and purpose. We’ve seen that he is Prophet, the Word of God give to the people, Priest, the mediator between God and man, and King, he rules and reigns and He is coming again. Tonight we are looking at Jesus as Christ the Lord.
There is coming a day when the extension of grace from God to man is over and instead wrath is extended. This is why we have a great urgency in preaching the gospel. Because there is coming a day when the opportunity to cross that bridge is over. So, in light of the return of Christ, how are we to think? How are we to live? What should we consider in light of the fact that the return of Christ in the second advent will look very different from the first advent of the coming of Christ?
Today, we’re going to talk about how Jesus is the ultimate King who rules over God’s people. He isn’t just king of the Jews; He’s the King of all nations & I’m going to challenge you to submit everything in your life to His reign/rule.
This Advent season I want to help you better understand who Jesus was/is by looking at His 3 offices. Last week we looked at how Jesus was/is the ultimate prophet to the people. Next week we’ll look at how Jesus was/is the ultimate king. Today, we’re going to look at how Jesus was/is the ultimate priest for the People. Hebrews 2:17 - Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
So what does it mean that Jesus is a prophet? It means that he has a prophetic ministry, in other words, he speaks the truth and applies it to men and women on behalf of God. Jesus was the ultimate prophet, for he revealed most clearly (both in his words and his life) God’s character, saving purposes, and will for our lives. As Prophet, Jesus pronounced an end to all our sin. In the Old Testament, the prophet was the mouthpiece of God to the people. In fact, the prophet often prefaced his words by saying, "Thus says the Lord." As God's mouthpiece, the prophet spoke the words of indictment against the people for their sin (Isa. 1:4) and called them to repentance (v. 18). The prophet pronounced the forgiveness and pardon of God (Isa. 40:1–2). Jesus, as the final and sufficient Prophet, has done all of these for us. He came not just proclaiming the Word of God; He is the Word of God (John 1:1). He came to the world because of sin (Matt. 1:21). He proclaimed our need to repent and believe on Him (Mark 1:15). And He proclaimed our pardon and forgiveness for sin (Col. 1:14).
Money is one biblical indicator of spiritual health. In our culture, it’s easy to talk the talk...but few walk the walk. One indicator that someone is real is what we do with our money. The bible says your wallet will call you a liar before anything else. It reveals what you truly worship/value.
Part of our mission statement here at FB is to Declare the Gospel to all peoples. What I don’t want you to think that means is only evangelism through gospel sharing. Declaring the Gospel also includes stewarding every area of your life for God’s glory & your good...relationships, job, marriage, hobbies, etc. So, we talk about stewardship of life each week. Today/next week are the two Sundays/year we talk specifically about stewarding your money for God’s glory.
After 12 years as governor, Nehemiah had returned to Persia. We don’t know how long he was there, but during his absence, spiritual compromise and decline set in. The reforms were short-lived. Spiritual compromise snuck in through the spiritual leadership. When Nehemiah returned, he found that compromise was rampant in the very areas the people had covenanted to stand against just a few years before! A lesser man may have said, “I give up! It’s useless to try to reform these people!” But Nehemiah strongly confronted the problem of compromise.
Today we get to Nehemiah 11 & 12 and it is another one of those portions of Scripture that you look at and think, “Why did God put this in His inspired Word?” From 11:3-12:26 there is a lengthy register of the names of the Jewish citizens. These two chapters include: 1. The families who repopulated Jerusalem (11:3-24) 2. The families who lived in the cities of Judah and Benjamin (11:25-36) 3. The priests and Levites of Zerubbabel’s return (12:1-9) 4. The high priests (12:10-11) 5. The priests and Levites after Zerubbabel and Jeshua (12:12-26). 6. The dedication of the wall (12:26-43) 7. The organization of temple support (12:44-47)
In Nehemiah 8, we saw the beginning of a revival as God’s people gathered and listened to His Word being read and explained. In chapter 9, the people repented and confessed their sins. Now, in chapter 10, they make a corporate covenant to put God’s truth into practice in a number of specific areas.
If we can learn anything from Nehemiah chapters 8 & 9 it’s that they are taking their sin very seriously. They are not just flippantly dealing with it but they want to restore fellowship with God and they don’t want sin to be held against them.
The reading/preaching of God’s word brings spiritual renewal by leading us to repentance, moving us then to rejoicing/obedience, and creating in us a celebratory heart that is thankful to be delivered from sin/death and the evils in our lives.
The chapter serves as a pivot in the Book of Nehemiah. Chapters 1-6 describe the restoration of the wall of Jerusalem. Chapters 8-13 tell about the restoration of the people of Judah and the repopulating of the city so that it would become a vital center for national/spiritual life.
In his goal of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, Nehemiah had to stand up to the violent threats of the enemy. He had to deal with internal conflict between the wealthy and poor Jews. He is almost done now. The breaches in the wall have been repaired, and the wall is complete except for the doors in the gates. But the enemy has not given up.
No matter what the cause of the disunity, we should work at resolving conflicts in the church in a biblical manner. Passivity is not adequate. We must pursue peace in a godly manner without compromising truth or holiness.
Nehemiah's story shows that whenever you try to accomplish anything significant for the Lord, you will face strong opposition. Satan never bothers with half-hearted people who are content with a ho-hum spiritual existence. But if you come on fire for Christ, look out!
Why did God include Nehemiah 3 in Scripture? What does He want us to learn from it? I believe that it’s here to show us the importance of working together to accomplish God’s purpose. Last week we looked at what God’s work requires of us as individuals, today we’re going to look at what God requires of us as a community.
Nehemiah is certainly a man that God used. As we look at the life of Nehemiah, we will learn many qualities of service and leadership. The book falls into two broad sections: Rebuilding the Wall (chapters 1-7); and, Rebuilding the People (chapters 8-13).
If you like closure you may be uncomfortable with the ending of Acts, but I’d argue that this has been done intentionally. Today, we will see that God is calling us to continue on serving Him in ministry and in so doing he will bless and be with us.
Today we’re looking at one of Paul's shipwrecked experiences. Paul’s experience teaches us that if we will trust in God’s sovereign care for us in life’s storms, He will use us to bear witness to many.
As George Herbert, an English pastor and poet, said, “Good words are worth much, and cost little.” To give a word of encouragement to someone who is feeling down is to be like our Lord Jesus. In our text, He stands by the side of the apostle Paul in his prison cell. He is the Lord who encourages His people.
Paul is putting a bow on his 3rd missionary journey & he feels compelled by the Holy Spirit to go to Jerusalem. He knows he’ll be mocked, beaten/persecuted but it didn’t stop him/slow him down
Today we’re going to look at Acts 20 where Paul basically gives a half-time speech to the pastors in Ephesus telling them to go never quit/surrender, go hard or go home.
Paul relied on more than just natural instincts or fear when encountering persecutions....he acted on faith.
Today I want to focus on our Lord’s faithfulness to us, especially in times of difficulty. Because God is faithful to us, we should respond with faithful service to Him.
Today, we’re going to zoom in on step 3 which is found in verses 8-9. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your homes & on your gates.
Last week, we talked about the first part of that and how it starts with you. Each soul represented in this church needs to own their responsibility to God and to their house. You can’t lead where you aren’t willing to go. So Love God with all your heart, soul and might. This week we are going to zoom in on passing this Love of God on to the next generation. Our bottom line for today is Teach them diligently.
We’re at a time in our world, context, and culture where having our homes be an extension of the church is vital. Our homes should be an extension of worship to our God. So, for the next few weeks, we’re going to challenge you to declare with Joshua, as for me and my house, we’ll serve the Lord.
Every member of Christ’s body should be serving Him by helping make disciples. But beneath the question, “Are you serving Christ?” is the more fundamental question, “Why do you serve Him?” What is your motivation for serving? Loving Jesus is foundational to serving Jesus.
Elder Bruce Case preaches from John 20 where the resurrected Christ appears to his disciples.
Paul is going to do as he often does in that he closes his letter with some final instructions and then some shoutouts. These final instructions have some missional charge to them. He spent the first two chapters explaining that Jesus is preeminent and that Jesus is not a way, he is the way to be made right with God. Then he spent the back half of the letter explaining that if Jesus is preeminent this is how we should live
As we come to Colossians 3, we move from doctrine to conduct. Specifically, in Colossians, we’ve learned that Jesus is supreme over His creation, His church, and now we’ll see in chapters 3 and 4 that He is supreme over the Christian.
This week as we finish chapter 2, we’ll hear Paul’s warning against other false teachings that crept into Colosse: Legalism; Mysticism; & Asceticism.
Only when the gospel is clear and Christ is preeminent to us do we have the ability to rejoice in our sufferings.
God puts no premium on ignorance. How then can we be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding?
The most significant change that we will ever go through is not what happens in our outward circumstances but what happens within us.
What can we learn from the "new normal" that the Israelites experienced in the wilderness? Pastor David preaching from Exodus chapter 16.
During this series we’re going to look at some times of New Norms. We’ll see how God’s people handled God’s plan when it wasn’t their own.
The Good Life is a life of Gospel Contentment. What could we learn from an Apostle in prison?
How can christians navigate the the pluralistic culture of 2020 while remaining biblically faithful? Acts 15 has some answers.