Legacy Baptist Church: Recent Episodes
Paul begins his letter to Corinth as he begins all his letters: "grace and peace". No matter the circumstances of the reader, he desired for them grace and peace. Are you living in grace and peace?
Exodus 7-8 is the first time in the Bible where we find there are people who exercise supernatural powers apart from the power of God. Pastor Wikler talks about the nature of magic: it's power and its limitations.
Missionary Eli talks about his experiences sharing the gospel online. He shares philosophy, strategy, and method.
In this sermon Pastor Wikler expounds upon the implications of Paul writing 2 Corinthians in light of the message found in 1 Corinthians. Through it we learn about how it is God has prescribed spiritual change, and how we can be a part of it.
Today the judgments of God against Egypt begin. Pharaoh responds in pride and hardness of heart. As we consider his rebellion, we learn to guard ourselves against our own.
The epistle of 2 Corinthians is themed on the comfort of God that then draws us unto obedience and sanctification. In our time together we summarize this theme in preparation for our study of the epistle.
Missionary Eli teaches the contents of his book "Four Paths Out of Islam" for our benefit on a Sunday afternoon. Get a copy here: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=four+paths+out+of+islam
In the Old Testament, when God sought to invoke all of the power and reliability of Himself in His promises, He declared "I am the LORD". In the days of the Exodus this was not enough for Pharaoh, or even the nation of Israel. The question we ask together today is this: is it enough for you?
In this message, Missionary Eli unpacks the biblical concept of identity and its critical role in both the Christian life and global missions. He traces identity from the ancient world—where ethnicity, religion, culture, and state were fused into one collective identity—through the New Covenant transformation brought by Christ, where identity became internal, spiritual, and rooted in union with Christ rather than external markers. He then demonstrates how the Constantinian compromise reunited church and state, producing false converts who identify as Christians apart from the new birth. Drawing from over 12 years of ministry in Japan, Missionary Eli explains how Japanese culture operates on the ancient identity model: knowing the gospel is true yet refusing Christ because conversion means losing family, community, and cultural standing. He identifies three core Japanese beliefs that directly oppose Christianity—no ultimate God, no ultimate truth text, and no concept of covenants/contracts—as the primary obstacles to the gospel taking root. Missionary Eli closes by challenging every believer to examine their own primary identity. Whether it's a career, a sports team, a national flag, or a cultural movement, anything outside of Christ is a misplaced identity that limits spiritual effectiveness. The message is a sobering reminder that our ability to serve God—whether at home or on the mission field—flows directly from a correct understanding of who we are in Christ. "This world is not my home. Our true identity is found in Christ."
In this sermon, Missionary Eli lays out the simplicity of the gospels, and gives basic teaching on how to best share it with others.
In this sermon, Missionary Eli describes the concept of "soft power", the effect that an ideology can have upon the world through the passive means of culture, rather than force. Specifically, we consider the effect of Japanese culture upon the Western World.
God has sent Moses to deliver the nation, but since Moses has come their anguish has only increased. God gives a message undergirded by the reliability of His own name, but the peopel would not hear Moses for their anguish of spirit, and cruel bondage. Such anguish is not uncommon in the human experience. Tonight we talk about how to help those whose ears are stopped because of an anguished spirit.
As we step into a series on 2 Corinthians, we spend time first of all reviewing what had been written in 1 Corinthians for vital context on the second epistle. So today we consider 1 Corinthians, and so consider the danger of carnality and disunity in the church, along with its great solution: charity.
Moses' life in Exodus has called us to a loyalty to God's will, God's way, and God's timing. When we are in this place of obedience we have God's blessing, but that does not mean there are not hardships along the way.
This Saturday is the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The United States represents freedom, but do its peope understand freedom? We talk about it in our time together today.
For the past several weeks we have talked about the need to be useable. This week, through the example of Moses, we are call to go from "useable" to "exceptional", fully equipped for every good work.
Why Should You Be Baptized? In this message we explore believer's baptism through the lens of grace, not legal obligation. Key takeaways: * Baptism is a step of obedience for those who have personally placed their faith in Christ * Baptism is a public declaration of our association with Jesus—His death, burial, and resurrection *Grace removes guilt, merit, and legal obligation, freeing us to obey out of love, not fear As Jesus said, "If you love Me, keep My commandments" (John 14:15) If you've trusted Christ but haven't been baptized, what's holding you back?
An afternoon teaching series which will discuss the doctrines of inspiration and preservation, the science of texual criticism, and philosophy of translation.
God doesn't need your ability—He needs your availability. Moses asked, "Who am I?" God's answer: It's not about you—it's about Who I AM. God is patient with your fears. When Moses said, "They won't believe me," God gave signs—not lectures. He knows we're dust. Don't let discouragement turn into faithlessness. Moses went from "I can't" to "God, You made a mistake." That's where God's patience gave way to chastening. You don't have to convince people—the Holy Spirit does. Your job is to speak truth. His job is to convict. Don't forfeit your blessing. When Moses refused, God used Aaron instead. Don't let fear cause you to miss what God wants to do through YOU. Yielded + Usable = God's power on display.
An afternoon teaching series which will discuss the doctrines of inspiration and preservation, the science of texual criticism, and philosophy of translation.
In this sermon, Pastor Wikler unpacks the biblical and historical foundations of believer's baptism by immersion—distinct from infant baptism. Key points: 🔹 History matters: The Reformation opened the door for the rediscovery of believer's baptism, rooted in the Anabaptist tradition. 🔹 Not replacement theology: The church has not replaced Israel, so the Old Testament covenant sign (circumcision) is not transferred to infant baptism. 🔹 Baptism in the Bible: Always by immersion (the Greek word means "to submerge") and always after a personal profession of faith (Acts 8:36-39). 🔹 The meaning: Baptism symbolizes death to the old life and resurrection to new life in Christ (Romans 6:3-4). Bottom line: We practice believer's baptism because we believe that's what the Bible teaches—and obedience to God's Word is where His grace rests.
"Ever felt like you're not enough for what God is calling you to? Moses did. After failing 40 years earlier, he asked God, 'Who am I?' God didn't list his strengths. He said, 'I will be with you.' Here's the truth: God doesn't need your capability. He needs your availability. Stop asking who you are—start trusting who He is."
Family Series Finale: The Blessing of Obedience In this message, we explore God's design for children still under their parents' authority—and the surprising blessing that comes with obedience. Key takeaways: 1. You're not a mistake. God sovereignly placed you in your family (Psalm 139). 2. Obedience is rooted in your relationship with God, not your parents' perfection. 3. Authority has limits—but within those limits, obeying your parents is obeying God. 4. Honor is lifelong, even after you leave home. 5. Obedience brings blessing—not always ease, but divine favor and peace. Whether your parents are godly or flawed, trusting God's plan for your family leads to joy and growth.
This sermon from Legacy Baptist Church examines Exodus 3, focusing on God's call to Moses through the burning bush after 40 years of Moses shepherding in Midian. The message explores the identity of the Angel of the Lord as a pre-incarnate appearance of God the Son, and highlights God's awareness of His people's suffering and His perfect timing in raising up Moses at age 80. The central challenge for listeners is to remain usable for God during seasons of waiting, trusting that no time spent walking with Him is wasted if we are ready when He decides to use us.
This sermon from Legacy Baptist Church explores the biblical definition of fatherhood, focusing on four key attributes drawn from God's example as our Heavenly Father: discipline (teaching children to become mature, functional adults), correction (lovingly guiding children toward repentance and right alignment with authority), provision (prioritizing what is good for children over oneself), and protection (guarding children's hearts and bodies until they are strong enough to stand on their own). The message challenges fathers to grow personally in virtue and responsibility, so they can faithfully pass these qualities to the next generation.
Moses flees to Midian where he marries and has a son, whom he names Gershom. This name, coupled with help from Hebrews 11, helps us understand where Moses' heart and mind are in this time of uncertainty in his life.
In this 2nd message to mothers in our family series, we build on the call of mothers to give their lives and answer the question, "yes, but how?"
We want to do God's will, but have we ever submitted ourselves to God's method and timing as well. We think on these things together in Exodus 2:11-15.
We come to mothers within our family series, considering the heavy call upon them to give their lives for their children.
In Israel's day of great fear and sorrow, we are introduced to the child who would be chosen to deliver them out of their bondage
Family is the foundation of society, and the foundation of the church, by God's design. We talk about that design as we step from the topic of marriage into the topic of family this week.
While God commands Christians to obey their earthly authorities, there are times when a Christian must choose to disobey them in the fear of God. This is always a difficult choice, and it is a conflict we think about together today.
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it. When we understand what this implies, it will change how we are as husbands.
A discussion we had in the afternoon about how to orient ourselves, as Christians, to the day of judgment without falling into fear, or a false sense of eternal insecurity.
Today we speak to wives as we continue to consider marriage as the foundation for a healthy family
We pause in the text to consider the nature of slavery and liberty, both in Exodus, and in our own time and culture
The Bible introduces the trials of Exodus saying that there arose a new King in Egypt who did not know Joseph. This was likely not a problem of knowledge, but of regard. As we think on this, we ask ourselves if we too have disregarded things which we ought not.
Resurrection Sunday is a time to think about life. As Jesus prepared the disicples for His death and resurrection, he highlights that the fruit of the resurrection must come through the choice of death. We think through it together.
As we begin a series on the book of Exodus, we think through the broad course of the narrative in our time together
What man meant for evil, God meant for good. We discuss what this means in our final message in our Genesis series.
We come to the final chapter of Hosea, where the final verse asks and answers a simple but important question: who is wise?
Joseph asked an important quetion in Genesis 50:19: "am I in the place of God?" We talk about this perspective in our time together today
For all who are in Christ, Heaven is our destiny. But if Satan, and humanity, messed up God's perfection before, how can we be certain Heaven won't be messed up again?
God promises in Hosea 13 that His love will pursue His people even unto the death of death. This was realized in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and opened to all who would believe. We talk about it in our time this evening.
17 years before the events of Genesis 50 Joseph told his brothers that, in his eyes, God sent him to Egypt, not them. He told them that he would nourish and protect them. 17 years later, it was evident his brothers had not believed him. We talk about the nature of our words in our time together today.
There is a manner of living defined by complete surrender to God. Many, perhaps most, Christians have never known this blessedness. In our time togteher, the testimony of Hosea to Israel compels us to walk this path of full surrender.
The actions Joseph took toward his family in his life are a beautiful reflection of the gospel. Over the next several weeks we are going to consider all of these reflections in our morning worship together.
True liberty is not found in relgion, or in sin. True liberty is found in Christ alone. Hosea tells us this in Hosea 11.
In Genesis 49 Jacob blesses his sons, telling them what would befall them "in the latter days". Judah is preeminent, and Joseph is blessed with fruitfulness. We talk about these blessings today.
No human can BE righteous: that is why we need Jesus as our Savior. No human can PRODUCE righteousness: that is why we have the indwelling Spirit of God. It is the job of the believer to have a heart prepared to receive by faith God's Word, so that it can then produce that righteousness in us.
Jacob is on his death bed. Before he dies, he determines to adopt Josesph's two sons into the family of Israel. This is by no means insignificant. We talk about it in our time together.
The world is full of temptations and truth claims. In our time together we are going to remember the principle of sowing and reaping, and draw from it the call that we would not yield that which is good and eternal, for that which is temporal and carnal.
Israel is now in Egypt. In Genesis 47 we learn about their settlement, and about the consequences of the famine throughout Egypt. Through these things, we are able to discern some very important truths about the nature of Biblical accuracy.
Israel is now under judgment for their rebellion. God focuses in this chapter on the foolishness and pride of their sin. Such things can happen in the Christian life as well. We talk about it in our time together.
Since the beginning, it has been the nature of man to divide, and the nature of God to unite. What does that look like in an age of "racism" and identity politics? We talk about it in our time together.
It is easy, in the Christian life, to tell the truth in anger, or to reject the truth because of its source. It is easy, in the Christian life, to have the form of godliness but not the substance of godliness. Hosea addresses such things in our time in Hosea 6.
Joseph reveals himself to his brethren, and reflects to them his perspective on their actions, connected to God's Divine love for the family. He rejoices that his suffering might be used to bless them. We consider this Divine perspective in our time together.
No matter how far gone a man may seem, as long as a man lives, he is never too far gone for redemption. We think on this in our time together.
Today we see the rise of Judah as the next man in the line of the faithful men and women who would be in the line of the seed of the woman, Jesus of Nazareth. This gives us a chance to think again on faith.
Israel had given away their heart to sin. Today we think about the call to keep our hearts with all diligence.
We have been talking for several weeks about the blessing of fellowship. As we enter the Christmas season, we find that this is one of two primary purposes for the coming of Jesus Christ. May our celebrations surrounding Christ's birth exhort us to seek, not only the salvation of a God who came to save men, but also the fellowship of a God who IS with us.
A rejection of truth, mercy, and knowledge lead to moral depravity, loss, and mourning. We consider this theme of knowledge in the prophecy of Hosea in Hosea 4.
1 John is written that our joy may be full. In this final survey sermon, we consider the lies in our lives that might strip from us fellowship, and so fullness of joy.
Last week we learned that it is the birthright of the believer to have fullness of joy. This week we contemplate how we come to this joy.
The direct context of Hosea 3 teaches us that God will one day redeem Israel. The extended application connects well to the Church's redemption. Most literally, however, the example of Hosea and Gomer teaches us important things about being a husband. We speak about those this evening.
LBC has spent the whole year memorizing 1 John 1. Now, as we come to our final month, we are going to talk about what it means.
The account of Hosea and Gomer serves to teach us that God still has a plan for the nation of Israel, but it also serves a much more personal metaphor of redemption. In our time together, we consider the connection between the redemption of Gomer in Hosea 3, and our own redemption through the blood of Jesus Christ.
In Psalm 138 David expresses his confidence in the promises of God, giving him a hope for the future and compelling him to the heights of praise. May it do the same for us as we think on this blessed Psalm.
We come to the conclusion of the narrative surrounding Hosea and Gomer, where we find Hosea purchase his wife's redemption. God uses this act of sacrificial love as a prophetic promise of Israel's future. We connect those dots in our time together today.
To this point in Hosea, Jezreel has been primarily associated with the terrible day of judgment that would fall upon Israel through the Assyrian overthrow. In Hosea 2, however, God makes it clear that Jezreel will not always be associated with judgment: there is coming a day when Jezreel will be turned from sorrow into joy, and from scattering into regathering.
We often think of thanksgiving in terms of "what". This week we are going to think about gratitude, not in terms of "what" directly, but in terms of "why": why should we be thankful? We think though this in our time together.
Last time we were together we considered the sources of guilt and shame, and grace as the great solution. This week we consider next the outcomes of guilt and shame, and once again consider grace as the solution.
Guilt and shame are very common in the human experience, but for we who are born-again by faith in Christ, guilt and shame have no place in our lives. We talk about the sources of guilt and shame in this first of a two-part sermon on the topic of guilt and shame.
Hosea writes this week about the adultery of his wife Gomer through the perspective of a message unto his 3 children. Through this we learn several lessons, culminating in a call to remember the God from whom all blessings flow.
The story of Loammi is the story in three parts: the growth of Israel, the establishment of the church, and the future regathering of the nation. Through Loammi we learn about God's ability to bring sorrow, that He might bring greater joy on the other end.
Today we learn about the first interaction between Joseph and his brothers in nearly 15 years. Much happens at this reunion, but today we use its events to think about the life and choices of Reuben, to ask the question: what could have been, if Reuben had simply made better choices?
Last time we were together we considered the call to endure affliction. This week we get to see the fruit of endurance in Joseph's life and example.
Hosea's first son, Jezreel, taught us of the day of judgment connected to the sins of Jehu. Hosea's first daughter, Loruhamma, teaches us of the contrast between God's rejection of Israel, and His mercy upon Judah in the day of Israel's destruction.
Joseph is falsely accused and thrown into prison. While there, he is just as faithful and fruitful as he was in the house of Potiphar. We all face days of waiting and unknowns. Can we be just a faithful in our lives, as Joseph was in his?
Hosea marries a wife and has a child named Jezreel, connecting this name to the end of the line of Jehu, and to the Kingdom of Israel. We talk about the history of this important city in our time together.
In the first 6 verses of Genesis 39 Joseph taught us how it is Christians are called to respond to evil. This week Joseph teaches us how it is Christians are called to respond to temptation.
Joseph will be the focus of most of the remainder of Genesis, but as we continue through the Old Testament, Judah is the preeminent tribe. To this end the text continues to give us insight into the life of Judah and his lineage. Through Judah's history, today we consider the greatness of God's grace.
We think of Hosea as a book where God, in His longsuffering, announces His love for Israel that would endure until the end. Yet God's love and longsuffering had been long established by that day. We consider this together in Hosea 1:1.
Joseph is a slave in Egypt, having been sold by his murderous brothers. Yet the beginning of Genesis 39 tells us that the LORD prospered Joseph, and that he found great success in Egypt. We learn in our time together today that there is only one way that the LORD can prosper his people in the face of evil.
Today we begin the book of Hosea: in it we explore man's rebellious heart, and God's enduring love. In this book sermon we explore the whole book of Hosea in summary fashion, and ask the question: "do you have a heart to know God?"
Last week we considered the character of Joseph, from his reports to his dreams. This week we consider the response of Joseph's brothers, and use this to paint a picture of the nature of envy, both in our hearts, and even in society at large.
Jesus speaks in Mark 16:17-18 about signs that will follow those that believe. This is a controversial passage in the church, which we are going to think through in our time together.
Genesis 37 introduces us to Joseph, and the picture we receive is not necessarily flattering. In our time together today we consider our first impressions of Joseph's character, and lessons we can learn from them.
As we conclude the gospel of Mark, we are drawn by the writer back to the same theme we have seen throughout: Jesus is the Son of God with all authority, and it is our call to believe that.
We move from the life of Jacob to the life of Joseph. As the narrative begins, we find that the sons of Jacob are living in the consequences of various sinful choices. This sets the foundation for what will come, and we consider it together today.
Most modern translations tell us that Mark 16:9-20 are not in the oldest and best manuscripts. Then do they belong in our Bibles? We consider the history and philosophy together.
Today is a transitional message between the life of Jacob and Esau, and that of the sons of Jacob. In this time God once again establishes His character as "the Almighty God", which we consider in our time together.
Jesus died on the cross, and rose again from the dead. This fact is essential to the Christian faith. Today we talked about why.
Jacob has settled into the land of Canaan once again. Some time after, his daughter Dinah goes out to see the daughters of the land, and a man named Shechem defiles here. We discuss this terrible event in our time together today.
The Bible tells us how the church began. The Bible tells us the church's commission. The Bible specifies the qualifications for the church's officers. But what is a church? We answer that question from Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12 today.
After much preparation, Jacob and Esau meet. This meeting compels some thoughts about the Jacob as a brother, and Jacob as a father. We talk about it together today.
Jesus has been tried, convicted, and sent to be crucified. It is there on the cross that Jesus will face His darkest hour, and bear the sin of the world. From this we learn two important lessons: the just will come by faith, and the just will live by faith. We talk about it together.
The night before Jacob met Esau after 20 years absence, he wrestles with a man, and would not let that man go until he blessed Jacob. This is a very important passage, both in the history of Israel, and in the context of the Christian church. We talk about it together today.
Jesus is delivered into the judgment of Rome, where Pilate realizes Jesus is not guilty, but is willing to condemn Him for the sake of the Jews. We consider this false judgment in our time together.
Psalm 34:15, "The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. "
Today we study Judas' betrayal of Jesus, and specifically consider the testimony of Peter in that hour to learn lessons about the danger of personal pride.
in Genesis 31 God tells Jacob it is time to go back to Haran. Laban is not happy at this, and the interaction between Jacob and Laban give us the opportunity to think about Laban's selfishness one last time. This is what we will think about in our time together.
Following Jacob's 14 years serving Laban for Leah and Rachel, Jacob now works for Laban in order to increase his own household. But is the manner of Jacob's labor pleasing to the Lord? We think about it in our time together.
Jesus prays in the garden of Gethsemane, calling upon His disciples to "watch and pray". Jesus' example gives us an opportunity to ask and answer the question: what is prayer?
Today is the record of Jesus with His disciples in the upper room at Passover. There Jesus speaks of His betrayal, and establishes the ordinance which we call "communion"
Today we honor fathers for their moral courage, their generosity, their example, and their preparation. Fatherhood is essential to the church and society. God bless our fathers.
Jesus is in Bethany 2 days before Passover, when Mary approaches Him and anoints him with precious ointment. The disciples are troubled by this seeming waste. We talk about it in our time togther.
Last time we considered the consequences of deceit upon the lives of Jacob, Leah, and Rachel. This week we consider the responses of Leah and Rachel to circumstances that were outside of their control, and how we can be content in whatever state within which we find ourselves.
Prophecy is not given to us to know the future. Prophecy is not given only for the generation that will live through its fulfillment. Prophecy is given to every generation for a very specific reason. We will consider that reason in our time together today.
Today we consider our interpretation of the final section of Jesus' end-time prophecy. As we do so, we remember that Jesus is coming to judge, but also to deliver.
Today we trace the 7 years of Jacob's life following his marriage to the two sisters Leah and Rachel. As we consider the tremendous dysfunction, we will learn important lessons about choice and consequences.
Last time we talked about dual fulfillment connected to the events of 70AD and Jesus' prophecy in Mark 13:5-13. This week we consider another, connecting the dots between Daniel's prophecy of the Abomination of Desolation and the events of 168BC.
Jacob in is Haran, where he serves 7 years for Rachel as he waits for God to return him to the land of promise. Much of the Christian life involves waiting. Are you a patient person? We talk about it in our time together.
Now that we have established our interpretive perspective on prophecy, we begin interpreting Jesus' words in Mark 13, starting with "the beginning of sorrows"
On this Mother's Day, we are reminded that every person bears the fingerprints of their mother upon their lives, and while not every mother is a good mother, every mother is given by God, and has contributed to where we are today.
Last time we were together we considered the philosophy of "natural" prophetic interpretation. This week we consider the other four principles of interpretation, preparing us to interpret Mark 13 with consistency.
Jacob has left his family to go up to Haran, when he stops for the night and sees a vision of God, reiterating to him the promises of Abraham connected to the land. Jacob then vows, that if God will be his God, he will build his life upon God's promises. We talk about doing the same in our time together.
Jacob, as the future seed of the line of Abraham, is sent up to Haran to find a wife who shares faith in the God of Abraham. Esau, angry and rejected, sees this and tries to fix his own marriage mess by marrying the granddaughter of Ishmael. Today we talk about the danger of faithless fixes to a life of poor choices.
Last time we were together we considered the facts surrounding Jesus' prophecies in Mark 13. This week we lay an interpretive foundation in order to then interpret what Jesus is teaching.
Jesus' disciples ask for insight into the signs and timing of the last things. This week we study the facts surrounding Jesus' answer to their question.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ promises many things. We often think on the power of the resurrection over death and sin, but the resurrection is also proof positive that Jesus is who He says He is. We talk about it together on this Resurrection Sunday morning.
Jesus is on the Mount of Olives looking over the temple when His disciples ask Him the signs of the end of the age. We'll consider this question this evening as we step into Jesus' teaching on this important time.
This Palm Sunday we ask a very important question: why did Jesus come? It is a question just as important for those who have received Jesus, as those who have not.
As we continue to establish the foundation of our interpretive methods, today we begin to explain how the covenants -such as the one in Genesis 15- fit into our overall understanding of Scripture. Hear Part 2 Now
With privilege and responsibility comes accountability, both in Israel's day, and in ours as well. Learn about it in our time today.
As we continue to establish the foundation of our interpretive methods, today we begin to explain how the covenants -such as the one in Genesis 15- fit into our overall understanding of Scripture. Hear Part 1 now