Trinity Baptist Church: Recent Episodes
Trinity Baptist Church
Listen to expositional preaching and teaching in the Sunday sermons from Trinity Baptist Church in Muncie, IN.
Guest preacher and director of EMU International encourages you to ask yourself, "Why am I here?" People throughout the centuries have struggled with this question. Yet, even after all this time, people still struggle to find an adequate answer. But why do people look to themselves for the answer? In the shortest chapter in the Bible, we find the answer.
Last week Pastor Tim discussed what joy is. Today, he explores what we can do to actually cultivate joy in our lives. That may seem odd, but we actually have control over how much joy we experience. And we do that not by following certain steps, but by changing our focus and understanding to match that of the Bible.
In this part of the account of the burning bush, God reveals himself to Moses by giving his name: "I AM WHO I AM." But what does he mean by that? Additionally, God reveals His plan to Moses which will lead to Israel's deliverance out of Egypt.
The Bible commands us to rejoice at all times. But isn't that naïve? After all, don't we have justifiable reasons to be stressed, anxious, and sometimes depressed? Don't we have good reason to complain when things that are going wrong? Even though there are many things in life that may legitimately be going wrong, we cannot deny that we are God's Word tells us to rejoice always. So why and how can we have joy when the world around us seems to be falling apart?
Today we come to one of the most known passages in the Bible: Moses and the burning bush. From the beginning of this account, we can't help but wonder why God chose Moses to lead Israel out of Egypt. Was there anything special about Moses and Israel? Were they a particularly godly? Or was there some other reason driving the Lord's purposes?
Do you live your life like you're in the middle of a war? That might seem like a strange question, but the Bible makes it clear that we are constantly engaging in spiritual warfare. Your awareness of this fact very well could explain why you're either living a victorious Christian life or falling back into the same sin again and again. In light of this, Paul gives us some strategies to help us daily walk through this life.
Many of us assume that God cannot use us because either our past or current situation. If that were the case, Moses would have certainly been disqualified to be used in God's plan. After killing a man, he flees to a foreign country, assuming that he would live out his life as a nomad and an outlaw. Yet, if we are familiar with the Bible, we know how essential Moses was.
What is the 'day of the Lord' and what will it be like? Many people in our day and age, even Christians, don't think about it often. But is that wise? If the day of the Lord is what the Bible says it is, how then should we live?
Moses is born. If you know the rest of the story, this event is the turning point that changes the course of Israel's time in Egypt. Our familiarity with the story may actually prevent us from seeing God's hand behind it and a correlation to another familiar story from mankind's early history.
Hell is a difficult doctrine, and one that we often avoid talking about. In fact, many Christians have decided to disregard it all together. So why should we believe it? To start, Jesus did. And since he did, how must we think about it and live?
Is it ever permissible to sin? In our passage today, not only does it seem like it's ok, God actually rewards people not only for deception, but blatant lying. How do we make sense of this? What does this teach us about God? And what practical lessons can we take to apply to our own lives?
Why don't we pray? Or, more directly, why don't you pray? The reasons are likely endless, but can be summed up in four primary excuses: We don't have time; We don't feel like it; We don't think it changes anything; Or we don't actually know God as Father. Do any of those describe you? If you don't pray, or fail to pray as you want, but want to change that, examine your heart and take the necessary steps to change. How? There are numerous ways to pray, praying Scripture is one way that has transformed the prayer lives of many. and could change your prayer life too.
For a more elaborate discussion on how to pray Scripture, read "Praying the Bible" by Donald Whitney.
Much of what we know about Exodus, unfortunately, is from movies - not the Bible. While those movies are fun and dramatic, it's essential to understand what the Bible says about the Hebrew nation during this time. This is how we begin our study through this beloved historical book.
Prayer is a complex (and potentially confusing) subject. But at the same time, it's very simple. Perhaps many of our problems with prayer come from our own misunderstanding of what we think it ought to be. So what is prayer? And why should we do it?
We all deserve God's wrath. We may not want to think about that; after all, isn't God merciful, gracious and abounding in love? Yes, but he is also holy and just, and cannot allow sin to go unpunished? How does God balance the two? How does He display mercy while at the same time executing genuine justice? By providing a substitute. But is that fair for God to do?
Without exception, everyone is a disciple and a disciple-maker. As Christians, however, are supposed to be disciples of Christ who are making disciples of Christ. If someone examined your life and how you used your time, would they say you're a disciple of Jesus, or someone else? How can you become a better disciple-making disciple?
Many of us know the story of Jesus healing the woman who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years. However, this is often taken out of the context of Jesus going to Jairus's house to heal his daughter. Seeing it in the greater context helps us see who Jesus actually is.
The view of children over the past half-century has changed. However, how God has viewed children has been consistent since Adam and Eve. As Christians, how should we view children and what are our responsibilities to them?
Why bother spending regular time in the Bible? Isn't going to church a couple of times a week enough for spiritual growth? Well, consider this: Would you only feed your body as often as you feed your soul? Of course not. If you did, you'd suffer from severe malnourishment. So why our we okay with malnourishing our soul? While we may not realize it, there are eternal benefits to studying the Bible. Do you want to feed your soul? If so, what is your plan?
In our last Advent message, Pastor Tim looks at the wise men/s visit to Jesus. They traveled hundreds of miles to find the King of the Jews. But why? What about Jesus caused them to make that trip? What did they know about him before they met him? They found meaning in that baby on that first Christmas. What does Christmas mean to you?
Who was that baby born in the manger named Jesus? While you can look at different passages in the Bible, the first verses of John may be the most complete and most concise explanation of who Jesus is and why he came. So when you celebrate Christmas next year, take time and consider, do you see Him for who He really is?
Do you realize that Jesus is spoken of in the Old Testament? Not is there prophecy to identify Him as the Messiah, but who He is and the nature of his character is spoken of as well. When we keep an eye out when we read Scripture, we may find that the most life-changing truths are found in the most unlikely of places.
Jesus was well known for casting out demons, and in this passage he comes to the one known as 'Legion.' What does this interaction tell us about Jesus? What does it tell us about demons? And what does this mean for us today?
What would you do if you knew that Jesus was returning this very hour? How would you live? Who would you contact? The truth is that we do not know the day or the hour that he will come, but his coming will be sudden and unexpected. The fact is that we should live with an awareness of his imminent coming and live our lives accordingly.
We've come to one of Jesus' best known miracles: Jesus calming the storm. The typical lesson we glean from this is that we all go through trials and difficult situations, yet we can trust Jesus through them. While that is true, is there not more to this passage than meets the eye? What is Mark telling us about who Jesus really is through this story?
The Bible has made it clear that Jesus will come again. While the details about His return differ among believers, the fact that He will return is undeniable. According to Paul's letter to the Thessalonians, what nondebatable truths does Paul say will happen to believers and unbelievers when Christ comes? And how does Christ's return bring comfort to Christians today?
What is the first thing you think of when you think of the word 'supernatural'? Most likely, what didn't come to mind was 'ordinary Christian living.' But is that really something that is truly supernatural? What does that really look like?
As we look at two more of Jesus' parables in Mark, we explore how the gospel is spread. How does God work in evangelism? What is our role to play? And what happens when the gospel reaches the hearts of those who hear?
How does someone become sexually pure? While there may be steps to take to avoid sexual temptation, it really begins with becoming spiritual mature and having an intimate relationship with God. Are you struggling with sexual temptation? If so, do you know God? How is your walk with God?
Jesus is well-known for teaching in parables. Today, we look at what is called "The Parable of the Sower." This parable is essential for understanding how evangelism works in the lives of the hearers.
Do you find it hard to pray for others? I think most people would admit that they do struggle with that particular aspect of their prayer life. So how do we cultivate that area of prayer? What should we even prayer for? And what does prayer for others accomplish both in you and those whom you are praying for?
Finishing up Mark 3, Pastor Tim looks at a very short passage that seems to indicate that Jesus is denying who his family is. So who is actually Jesus's mother and brothers?
Is the Gospel changing you? We may think (either consciously or not) that the Gospel is only necessary for salvation, but that's not true. The Gospel not only saves, but it transforms you and your heart toward others. When your heart for others is transformed by the love of God, you'll desire to spend time with other believers, your emotions toward others will line up with Scripture, and you'll find encouragement to keep moving forward when times are tough.
There is a lot of confusion these days about the unforgivable sin. What is it? Have we committed it? How do we know if we are committing it? With this in mind, the Scribes and the Pharisees have witnessed Jesus' miracles and heard his teachings. While they've been physically close to Jesus, they've been spiritually distant from him. And it is in this context that Jesus addresses the unpardonable sin.
Are you dead? This question is very straightforward, but what if the question was "Are you spiritually dead?" How would you answer that and what can you do to change it? "But God..." These two seemingly small words have changed the course of human history, and they can change your life as well.
As we have seen, by now Jesus has been accumulating a large following. And at this point Jesus appoints twelve to be his closest disciples and eventual apostles. But his family thought that Jesus (including his mother) thought that he was crazy. How is it possible to be so close to Christ but not know him as Christ?
This past week in Australia, Andrew Thorburn was hired and then asked to either resign or revoke his church membership. What did he do? In the second part of this mini-series, Pastor Tim looks why it's essential to be firmly grounded in the Christian faith before the difficult times come. If you are a devoted follower of Christ, you will inevitably face persecution. How will you prepare for it and how will you respond to it?
As we continue through Mark's fast-paced gospel, Jesus is once again confronted by the Jewish leaders. This time, Jesus performs a miracle and heals a man in the synagogue. Why? Is he simply trying to be confrontational? Additionally, we see that as his ministry continued, the number of people who followed him continued to grow. But were they following just a healer? Or were they following Him because He is the Christ?
It is often assumed that Christianity promises a smooth and easy life (and it is often presented that way in our gospel presentations). However, at the heart of Christianity is a blood stained cross. Additionally, Satan is described as the ruler of this world and so the world is inherently against Christ and his followers. So what is the purpose of suffering in Christianity? Does it actually play a part in our life? And how will seeing suffering as a normal part of the Christian life affect how we share the Gospel?
What is the greatest sin that someone can commit? While many things may immediately come to mind, was one of your thoughts not sharing the gospel with an unbeliever? The world's population is growing, and what that means is that there are billions of people who have yet to hear the name of Jesus. Additionally, if we see things like attending church as optional, not only will we miss out on many spiritual blessings, but we'll likely also see sharing Christ as optional.
Immediately after Jesus comments on why his disciples aren't fasting, he gives some metaphors about cloth and wineskins. For most of us, that seems like a confusing and unrelated transition. So what is Jesus talking about? After this event, we see the Jewish leaders continue to question Jesus and his disciples on why they break the traditions of the Sabbath.
How ought we view the Bible? Is taking it seriously too radical? Is it okay to disagree (or disregard) certain parts? Does it matter how a Christian views the Bible - after all, isn't a Christian defined by putting their faith, hope, and trust in Jesus? So what does it matter how we view the rest of the Bible?
As we come to the second chapter of Mark, we look at the familiar passage of a paralyzed man being lowered from a roof only to find that instead of getting his body healed, he gets his sins forgiven! As the religious leaders rightly point out, only God can forgive sins. So was this blasphemy? As we will see, this event is meant to show the world proof of who Jesus actually is.
In the fourth part of our mini-series, we look at two more characteristics of a worthy gospel ministry: that ministry isn't easy and how it ought to led by godly examples. Unfortunately, many ministries these days are more interested in their building their own kingdom than God's.
Jesus prioritized many things in his life, particularly spending time with God, sharing the good news of God, and having compassion on those in need. What He prioritized, we often neglect. How then, can we better imitate Christ?
Today we celebrate the baptism of two adult believers. At our church, we do full immersion believer baptism. But why? What is the Scriptural support for doing things the way we do?
Does our motivation matter? We go to church, read the Bible, and pray, but why? As we will see from missionary Caleb Wagner, our motivation for everything we do as Christians matters. What we will also see is missions isn't just a command, but it's a byproduct of knowing God and worshiping God.
In this passage we see Jesus perform a healing and more casting out demons. As Jesus' reputation spread, people began to flock to him. But did they come to him because they recognized him as the promised Messiah?
Our world is facing a loneliness epidemic that is ever increasing. This is understandable considering God created people for relationships. How should relationships within the church be characterized and developed?
As Jesus began his ministry and started to get a following, he regularly went to the synagogue to teach. During one of these times, a demon possessed man approaches Jesus. And with one short statement, Jesus shows himself to be the Son of God.
Idols will not only destroy your life, but they will destroy your career and even your ministry. In the second part of our mini-series, we look at three idols that Paul mentions that will destroy ministries, but also the attitude that we ought to have that can inevitably cause the gospel to flourish.
Mark is a very fast moving Gospel. In short 9 verses, he covers Jesus' 40 days of temptation, the beginning of his ministry, and the calling of his first disciples. Why is it that Mark doesn't elaborate on these events? And what can we learn from these events and apply the principles to our lives?
Do all ministries honor God? Pastor Tim looks at the second chapter of Thessalonians to see what a gospel ministry actually looks like (and also what it shouldn't look like). Do these characteristics reflect the church and ministry you attend?
Today Pastor Tim introduces the next book, the Gospel according to Mark. As with most books, there is a lot of necessary explanation in order to make sense of the rest of the book. What is 'the Gospel'? Who is Jesus Christ? Who is John and why is he baptizing?
The world is full of worship and religion, but is God please with all of it? Most likely, he actually despises most of what happens across the globe. Today we look at four symptoms of the religion God hates. Is your worship characterized by any of these? And if so, what is the solution?
Every person has a soul that will spend eternity somewhere. Christians know that, but what do we do about it? Most of us, if we're honest, don't do much of anything. We distance ourselves, keep to ourselves, and keep the gospel to ourselves. How should Christ's example motivate us to share Christ with others?
Pastor Jeff looks the events in the Upper Room on the night before Christ's crucifixion. In the midst of the disciples arguing over which one was the greatest, Jesus stoops down and serves His disciples by washing their feet. Jesus' actions set an example for each of us and demonstrate four lessons in true humility.
What practical difference does it make that you are a Christian, especially in America? How we view our citizenship will dictate where we find our hope, who we trust, and how we behave. Ultimately, what is the source of America's deficiency?
Natural disasters, global pandemics, political unrest, cultural division; there never seems to be an end to causes of stress and fears. As Christians, what can we do? How can we navigate this world and this time?
We continue to look at Paul's introduction to the Philippian believers. And in it we see what a Christian life should look like and the real purpose as to why it ought to look that way.
What is the largest organism in the world? To answer that question, Interim Pastor Jeff Davis looks at the introduction to Paul's letter to Philippi and sees how churches that are founded on the Gospel of Jesus Christ, although they may be separated by geography and buildings. are interconnected.
Christians are well aware that Jesus died on the cross. In fact, we stake our eternal destiny on that event. But why is the crucifixion so important? What does a life that's been transformed by Jesus' sacrifice look like?
This is the last Bible talk that we will do from the Psalms, so we will end it on a topic that is taught throughout the Bible: salvation through grace. Despite what many believe, this truth is taught all over Scripture. So what do the Psalms say should be our proper response?
Throughout Christian history, those who have followed Christ have regularly spoken of Jesus as Savior. But what does being Savior mean and why is it necessary for Jesus to be the Savior? As we see in Hebrews, the importance of Jesus being Savior is unequivocally the foundation of Christianity and the hope Christians have.
Psalm 119 is by far the longest chapter in the Bible. Instead of reading the entire Psalm, Pastor Tim hits some his favorite verses to whet your appetite for this chapter, and hopefully, your desire for the entirety of God's Word.
The book that Pastor Tim references is "An Exile's Guide to Walking with God: Meditations on Psalm 119" by Brian Borgman.
How do you feel about death? Do you fear it like many do? Or do you try to avoid thinking about it like others? Sooner or later, death will come for everyone. So how does Jesus' death relate to our inevitable death?
American Christianity is often portrayed as a problem-free and suffering-free life. But this is profoundly unbiblical. We are all bound to experience troubles. But what is affliction? How should we face it? How should we interpret it? And how should we move forward through it?
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How important are global missions and evangelism? Have they always been things important to God? And should they be important to the church today? Are they important to you? Today Tim addresses these questions and more and helps direct us to see the world through a lens for the lost.
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What is a mother? In this day and age, the being a mother is more of a burden than anything else. But God designed and instituted motherhood with Eve, and Christ chose to be born of a woman. So is being a mother a low of a calling as our culture deems?
If we are honest with ourselves, from time to time we all struggle with our prayer life. If you are experiencing that right now, why not pray Scripture? Today we look at Psalm 103 as a great example of how God's Word can prompt us to pray.
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What is a Christian? If you asked 10 Americans that question, you're likely going to get 10 different answers. Although different people may have different definitions, the Bible doesn't give us the option to create our own definition. So how does the Bible define it?
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Perspective dictates how you experience life. How we see our circumstances and situations will often even determine how we see God. When we see the chaos of the world, we can even doubt the truthfulness of Scripture. How do we reconcile what we see with our eyes and what we read in Scripture and walk with hope?
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The reputation of the Thessalonian church spread so quickly that news of them often proceeded Paul's arrival in a new city. How did this happen? The answer is no secret, and it is something that God has empowered every believer to do.
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Why do you believe what you believe? Psalm 53 explores this question that confronts all of humanity. Despite what you may think, we often don't come to our beliefs based on reason and evidence. Instead, we believe what we believe because we love what we love.
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Is Christianity true? That question is directly tied to the question, "Did the resurrection actually happen?" The answer to this question is not a matter of preference or popular opinion, but historical fact. So can this event be substantiated? The answer to whether or not the resurrection actually happened has resounding implications on our lives and how we should live.
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When the world around you is falling apart, where do you turn? When you're facing the unexpected, where do you go? Many of us stress and worry. Rest is the last thing obtainable in those times. But will those things give us hope? Pastor Tim looks at Psalm 46 today to show that Jesus can only ever be our one true rest and hope.
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Sooner or later all of us will face trial. Whether it's the stress and busyness of life, or something like a unexpected diagnosis. Big or small, it is inevitable in our fallen world that we will face hardship of some sort. When that time comes, where do you turn? Where do you find your comfort? What to you seek out to find hope?
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How should we respond when God feels distant? It's no doubt that those times are tough. Many of us despair, turn to anger, and even turn away from God. But is that the correct answer? With this in mind, we turn to Psalm 42.
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Healthy Christians have very distinct ways that will mark their life in Christ. As such, the Thessalonian church had some of these marks which Paul commended them for. Tim looks the first of four marks of the Thessalonians: sharing life with one another.
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Psalm 32 is a psalm of repentance. David is confronted with the guilt of his sin with Bathsheba (cf. 2 Samuel 11). While we all may not experience the same sin as David, we all still sin against our Heavenly Father and need to be restored in our relationship with Him. There's not a day that goes by that we walk in a perfect relationship with God. So when we do sin, what do we need to do? And what does God promise to do?
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Can anyone really be sure of their salvation? After all, how can someone really know for sure? Many people struggle with knowing whether or not they've actually been saved. But despite what we may think of what we may question, we actually can have certainty of our election of this life. So how can you know that your salvation has actually been secured.
Likely the most familiar, most quoted, and most memorized chapter in the psalter. As such, it's likely also the most misused, misinterpreted, and misconstrued. But only when we understand this psalm properly and in its context can we apply it properly. While there's a lot to unravel in these six verses, Pastor Tim seeks to give us some helpful insight so we may walk with the Lord better and closer than ever.
Unlike how we tend to think, Paul wasn't a lone ranger on his missionary journeys. Instead, he was a part of a team. And as Tim looks at the introduction of this epistle, we see just how Paul and his ministry team praise the Thessalonian church for their spiritually growth and godliness, and how we should work to better commend those around us.
Most of us are familiar with the Psalm 22, or at least part of it. But although David wrote it, it foreshadows Jesus' crucifixion perfectly and alludes to the church age as well as the future. Additionally, the fact that this psalm is written 1000 years before Jesus' life affirms the truthfulness of the Bible and points to its divine inspiration. So how should we, who live after David and Jesus but before Jesus' second coming, read it today?
Today Pastor Tim begins a new series in Paul's first letter to the church in Thessalonica. In this introduction, we learn the circumstances surrounding Paul planting this church, how the people within the church are living, and Paul's response to their behavior.
What's the point of the Bible? Have you ever thought that? We go to church week after week and hear sermons from the Bible. We are told to read it every day. But why? If we look at the Bible as just a book of Israel's history or moral stories, then we are entirely missing the point of why we have. And this psalm shows us that.
We all face suffering of one kind or another. How then should we face that suffering? Should we be angry, question God's sovereignty, or something else? When our external circumstances are falling apart, how should we respond, and how can those afflictions glorify God?
Jon Beight wears many hats, including serving as both the Camp Director of Twin Lakes Camp and the Executive Director of our Crossroads Fellowship of Churches. And he is here to give a sermon on how we in the Christian community need to be united for a common cause. But how do we do that? He looks at Philippians 2 and how to be united, we need to have humility, joy, concern, and self-sacrifice.
As we come to Psalm 2, we find that it's a very timely portion of Scripture to turn to. Tensions between Ukraine and Russia are rising, and we seem to be on the brink of war. What does God think about all of this? How should Christians look at situations like this?
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The Bible is certainly important, but why? What makes it different than any other book? And if it is so valuable, why is it that we often neglect it? In this sermon, Pastor Tim explores the source of its significance and a few of the many reasons as to why it is so important.
Today Pastor Tim introduces our study of the Psalms by looking at none other than Psalm 1. Why bother spending time looking at this Old Testament hymnal? As we will see from the very beginning, this book of songs can dramatically strengthen our walk with Christ.
As we continue to explore the mission of the church, we have to look at the practical application of it. How do we practice discipleship individually, and then how do we do it corporately?
We all know the story of Jonah, but do we know the ending as well as we know the rest of it? And how the last chapter relevant to today and current events? Jonah 4 is a perfect place for us to compare the heart of God and the heart of Jonah. Whose heart does yours reflect?
All churches have a mission, whether they realize it or not. But what should that mission be? Tim looks at Matthew 28 and argues that discipleship, both as a church and as individuals, is the main mission of the church.
In our second part of our mini-series on discipling our children, we explore the benefits of investing in our children and what it might look like. Tim also recognizes that implementing these strategies might be overwhelming, so he offers three encouragements to help us move forward in reaching our kids with the gospel and the love of God.
Here are the books that Pastor Tim recommended in today's sermon:
What the Bible Says about Parenting by John MacArthur
Family Driven Faith by Voddie Baucham Jr.
Bible Reading with Your Kids by Jon Nielson
One to One Bible Reading by David Helm
Family Worship: In the Bible, in History, and in Your Home by Donald Whitney
Here is an additional talk related to this subject that Tim did from Ephesians during one of his Bible talks:
Fathers, Pastor Your Families: https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermon/23211447137438
Nearly 70% of children who grow up in the church leave the church when they reach adulthood. But why? Is it public education? Atheist professors in college? Pastor Tim argues that our media consumption (not only what we digest, but how we digest it) is what is influencing us and our children. But should this be the case? Who should be the primary influencers of our children? Tim addresses these questions in the first part of this mini-series on teaching and instructing our children in the knowledge and wisdom of the Lord.
Everybody gets angry, but is our anger godly? Most of us would say that our anger is righteous, but that might be because it we don't actually know what righteous anger looks like. Let's be clear: just because anger feels right doesn't make it righteous. With that in mind, what does godly anger actually look like?
Many of us often wonder what we can do to grow spiritually. If you've found yourself wondering that, have you considered regular Bible reading? Regular Bible reading is one of the best ways (if not the most important ways) to grow closer to God and become more Christlike.
After spending 3 weeks focusing on Jesus' first advent, we now turn to his return. Why? Because His first coming isn't the end of the story. But where is Jesus now and what is He doing? Pastor Tim looks at how Jesus is currently preparing Heaven, and why it's important to us today, and how we should respond to it.
In our last part of our Advent series, we look at Simeon, who was promised to see the Messiah before his death. What can we learn from his reaction from meeting Jesus?
Pastor Tim continues the Advent season by looking at Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist. But what can a man who was mute for 9 months teach us about the coming Christ and his mission? How should his reaction to John's birth cause us to live for Christ?
Pastor Tim begins the Advent season by looking at Mary, the mother of Jesus. But what can Mary teach us about the coming Christ? What can we glean from her response to being told that she was going to be the mother of the Messiah?
This fallen world is full of suffering, there's no doubt about that. And sooner or later, we all will experience suffering. Death, illness, headaches, flat tires, etc. impact our lives. But how should we, as Christians, endure that suffering? Do we suffer the same as the rest of the world?
We have this idea in Christianity that God blesses those who are living godly lives. While there is talk in the Bible of 'sowing and reaping,' we need to get a proper perspective on giving. What are the characteristics of a giver? How does God respond to that giver? And why should we give?
"God helps those who help themselves." That's what we hear a lot, and it's even quoted as Scripture. Even though it's not found in the Bible, is the idea biblical? Certainly God helps people - but what are the characteristics of those who receive his help? We look at Genesis 14, when Lot is taken captive, rescued by Abram, and when we meet Melchizedek.
What would you give up for a relationship with Christ? Many people have given up everything that the world values, including their lives, in the pursuit of the Great Commission and the Gospel. What we will see today is what Abram sacrificed for maintaining faith in God.
Out of a pagan life, God calls Abram. What did God see in Abram to elicit this call? Was there anything at all that made Abram and Sarah special to deserve or earn God's promises and blessing? Pastor Tim looks at the beginning of Abram's life and sees how it applies to us today.
The Tower of Babel is one of the most common stories that we hear as a child. But it also seems to be one of the most confusing. Why would God disperse the people/ What were they doing wrong? Could this just be a story to try to explain the differences in languages? And what do we learn about God from this?
Covenant are important. God's promises and his faithfulness are often based on biblical covenants. Even today, we make covenants with other people through marriage or business contracts. What we will see is that our covenants and trust in each other are actually rooted in God.
When the flood ends and Noah and his family come out of the ark, God institutes two new laws regarding murder and the death penalty. But what is murder? And who is given the authority to practice carrying out the death penalty? Or is this simply just an Old Testament law that no longer applies?
Today, missionary-to-Germany Jeff Brown, visits to preach after nearly four decades of church planning, teaching us about the love of Christ.
Was Noah's flood in Genesis 7 actually worldwide, or was it dramatically smaller and localized to a particular area? Today Pastor Tim looks at the Bible, science, and explores why the answer to this question even matters to us today.
Noah's flood is typically portrayed as a fun little story for children. In it, we see God's mercy on Noah and his family as well as His sovereign control over creation by bringing the animals to Noah. But is that an accurate representation of what actually happened? How can we see this narrative for what it actually is?
Yesterday, our nation commemorated the 20th Anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks on America. How should we process events like this biblically? And what does this event (and all other atrocities) teach us about America, God, humanity, sin, and hope?
Guest preacher, Phil Mummert, takes a look at the first chapter of Exodus and explores similarities between Israel and people in the church today: what we do, what we should do, and what we can hope for.
The genealogies in the Bible can be daunting, if not boring. So why would God decide to include this in the Bible? Instead of being tempted to skip over them, there are some people in Genesis who played some important roles in the plan of salvation.
When we read Genesis 4, we rarely relate ourselves with Cain. Yet, it seems that we have far more in common with Cain than with Abel, especially when it comes to the status of our hearts. But in spite of our sinfulness, God provides a way of mercy and hope.
Adam and Eve are clothed by God and kicked out of the garden. But is that all there is to this passage? What we will see is that there is significant faith by Adam in the promises of God (despite just being cursed). And we will also see God displaying his grace, despite mankind's rejection of Him.
With sin comes judgment. That is what happened when Adam and Eve sinned and judgment will inevitably come to all of us. But is there a way to receive grace and mercy despite the judgment sin brings?
There's no doubt that in this word, we see amazing beauty existing alongside with unspeakable suffering. How can this be? How can our world be so full of great and wonderful things, yet also horrible destruction and tragedy? In Genesis, we find the answer of how God's creation became so full of ruin.
Pastor Tim also references a series of sermons entitled, "Why the Bible is the Truest Truth of All," https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons.asp?keyword=Why+The+Bible+is+the+Truest+Truth+of+All
Over the past decade (if not longer) we have heard about 'redefining' marriage. But is this redefinition good? If God created marriage, isn't He (not his creation) the one who has the right to define marriage? Today we'll examine seven truths from God's design of marriage.
The Sabbath in the age of the church is a very confusing issue. What is its importance, if any, to Christians today? Should we observe the Sabbath? Has its observance faded away from the teachings of Jesus and Paul? Or does it still have significance to us today?
God created work and rest. But that was back during the creation week. How does what he established apply to us today?
What does it mean that we are created in God's image? What does it mean practically, and what does it mean regarding Jesus and the gospel? Today, Tim looks at the moment that God creates humanity and explores why that moment important today.
Many people claim that science and the Bible are at odds with each other. They claim that the two are mutually exclusive and impossible to reconcile. But is that true? And what does that all have to do with us today and our need for Christ?
The age of the universe is a controversial topic among Christians. But why? Why is this issue important and what does it matter what a Christian believes? Tim argues why Christians should believe in a young universe.
There's no doubt about it - the universe exists. But where did it come from? How did it get here? Why is it the way that it is? The very first chapter of the Bible addresses and answers these questions.
For Christians, Genesis is an extremely important book. Why we're here, where we came from, and how we got to where we are now. It could be safe to say that Genesis is the foundation of all Christian doctrine. We begin this new series with an overview of this vital book.
In the unsettling times of the worldwide virus spread, Pastor Tim speaks about how anxiety is ultimately a lack of trust in God's sovereignty, and how when we remember that God is in control, we can have peace and trust Him with the outcome. Philippians 4:6-7.
Pastor Tim introduces the Book of Judges by doing a overview of the book to set the stage for the rest of the series.
Guest preacher Ken Nunemaker draws from Galatians and historical context to explain Paul's words of going from slavery to becoming adopted into the family of God.
Dr. Piotrowski talks about Jesus calming the storm and casting out a legion of demons. He explains how those two events are related and how they ultimately explain the Parable of the Mustard Seed.
Are you a saint? Or are you a sinner? Guest Preacher Kevin Shingleton talks from 1 Peter 1 to find out what your real identity is and how to live it out.
Life is tough, and being a believer doesn't exempt you from experiencing difficult times in this sin-cursed world. But how should you handle it? Pastor Tim answers that question and more by looking at Psalm 119.
Is the local church important? In the internet-connected world today, it may not seem necessary to be involved in a local church. Listen to Pastor Tim as he explains why being part of a local church isn't just good, but it's necessary for your Christian maturity.
How should we minister to our families? Should we leave it to the church, or do we have a responsibility to teach our children about Christ at home? These questions, and others, are addressed in A Vision for the Family, as well as some practical ways of application.
Pastor Tim talks about how part of being a Christian is to make disciples. Sharing your life, your testimony, your faith, and growing closer to God with others.
At the beginning of each year, we make resolutions. But how often do we resolve to read the Bible every day? For many reasons, daily Bible reading ought to be the most important resolution that we make.
Pastor Tim finishes the Advent Series by preaching from 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10 about the return of Christ.
Pastor Tim continues his Advent Series by preaching from Matthew 2:1-12, talking about the birth of Christ.
Pastor Tim speaks from Job 9, 16, and 19, and explains that the world is in need of and has been longing for a Savior and Redeemer since before the time of Abraham.
For Global Missions Week, Pastor Tim talks about the life of George Whitefield and Ephesians 3.
This week, Pastor Tim looks at Mark 14:12-16 and examines how Jesus chose to be memorialized through the Lord's Supper.
Pastor Tim preaches from Revelation 21 and 22 when the old heavens and earth pass away and the new heavens and earth are made.
Pastor Tim speaks from Revelation 20 when Satan is locked away and Jesus reigns on Earth for 1000 years.
Pastor Tim talks speaks about when Jesus comes back, he will come as a triumphing conqueror and king of kings.
Looking at Isaiah 45:22, Pastor Timothy Raymond looks at what Isaiah says about salvation and how it happens.
Pastor Tim looks at Revelation 7 and talks about the great multitude of people from every tongue, tribe, and nation, standing before God in heaven.
Pastor Tim looks at Revelation 5 in the second sermon of exploring what true worship really is. Specifically, he looks at how Jesus is the conqueror, why a conqueror is even needed, and how recognizing Jesus as conqueror will cause us to worship God.
Pastor Tim looks at Revelation 4 to discover what true worship really is. He examines how the heavenly hosts are worshiping in heaven and draws out three principles from that scene.
Pastor Tim works through Revelation 3:15-22, which is Christ's letter to the church in Laodicea. Pastor Tim speaks about Jesus' hatred toward spiritual apathy, Jesus' compassion on the spiritually wretched, and Jesus' promise to those who believe.
This is the ninth and final sermon in a series that explores the truthfulness, trustworthiness, and reliability of the Christian Bible - specifically why people choose to reject the Bible despite the evidence.
This is the eighth sermon in a series that explores the truthfulness, trustworthiness, and reliability of the Christian Bible.
This is the seventh sermon in a series that explores the truthfulness, trustworthiness, and reliability of the Christian Bible.
This is the sixth in a series that explores the truthfulness, trustworthiness, and reliability of the Christian Bible.
This is the fifth in a series that explores the truthfulness, trustworthiness, and reliability of the Christian Bible.
This is the first in a series that explores the truthfulness, trustworthiness, and reliability of the Christian Bible.
This is the third in a series that explores the truthfulness, trustworthiness, and reliability of the Christian Bible.
This is the second in a series that explores the truthfulness, trustworthiness, and reliability of the Christian Bible.
This is the first in a series that explores the truthfulness, trustworthiness, and reliability of the Christian Bible.