The Transforming Power: Recent Episodes
Stephen Brown
Surrendered follower of Christ, compelled by the love of Christ to declare the truth of Christ. These messages were preached at West Point Baptist Church in Cullman, AL. Do you know Jesus? https://bit.ly/Know_Peace
Why aren't we motivated to witness?
Some Christians ignore or misunderstand Jesus' commands.
Many Christians have misplaced priorities.
Most Christians forget about the fate of lost people.
The Church Beginning Well.
Following God's encounter with Joshua and the Israelites in Joshua 1, 3, and 4, we discover practical applications to following Jesus.
August 20 - Stephen Brown
August 27 - Scottie Tarvin
September 3 - Kevin Brooks
Turn the Page -
Recognizing God's faithfulness in the past to trust Him in the future.
Recognizing that there is more to come.
Recognizing that turning the page leads to God's best!
Are you ready to turn the page to the next chapter of God's story?
"Be Ready!"
Turn the Page -
Recognizing God's faithfulness in the past to trust Him in the future.
Recognizing that there is more to come.
Recognizing that turning the page leads to God's best!
Are you ready to turn the page to the next chapter of God's story?
"Be Right!"
Turn the Page -
Recognizing God's faithfulness in the past to trust Him in the future.
Recognizing that there is more to come.
Recognizing that turning the page leads to God's best!
Are you ready to turn the page to the next chapter of God's story?
"Be Repentant!"
Turn the Page -
Recognizing God's faithfulness in the past to trust Him in the future.
Recognizing that there is more to come.
Recognizing that turning the page leads to God's best!
Are you ready to turn the page to the next chapter of God's story?
"Be Real!"
Turn the Page -
Recognizing God's faithfulness in the past to trust Him in the future.
Recognizing that there is more to come.
Recognizing that turning the page leads to God's best!
Are you ready to turn the page to the next chapter of God's story?
"Be Ravenous!"
Worship that transforms is the response of believers to the presence, holiness, and revelation of Almighty God.
How do you prepare, listen, and respond? Today, we worship through discipleship.
Worship that transforms is the response of believers to the presence, holiness, and revelation of Almighty God.
How do you prepare, listen, and respond? Today, we worship through fellowship.
Worship that transforms is the response of believers to the presence, holiness, and revelation of Almighty God.
How do you prepare, listen, and respond? Today, we worship through response.
Worship that transforms is the response of believers to the presence, holiness, and revelation of Almighty God.
How do you prepare, listen, and respond? Today, we worship through sacrifice.
Worship that transforms is the response of believers to the presence, holiness, and revelation of Almighty God.
How do you prepare, listen, and respond? Today, we worship through preaching.
Worship that transforms is the response of believers to the presence, holiness, and revelation of Almighty God.
How do you prepare, listen, and respond? Today, we worship through praise.
Have you heard the Good News?
Did you know it was for you?
In this message, we go to the fields outside of Bethlehem and discover hope through a manger.
Turn with me to Luke 2, and let's dig deeper!
He who is forgiven much will love much!
How is your love for Christ growing as we prepare for the Lord's Supper?
Open your Bible to Luke 7 and let's dig deeper.
The worst prison is when the forgiven keeps an unforgiving heart. It is torture – not for the other person, but for you.
We are called deeper as we prepare. Open your Bible to Matthew 18 and let's dig deeper!
What are the consequences of taking the Lord's Supper in an unworthy manner?
Sickness, weakness, and maybe death. That sounds more serious than we may have realized.
It would be wise to know how to prevent taking the Lord's Supper in an unworthy manner!
Open your Bible to 1 Corinthians 11, and let's dig deeper!
When we take communion, we look back at the cost of our salvation and forward to the Lord's return.
But have you considered eternity and our participation in the marriage supper of the Lamb?
More importantly, do you have a place reserved there?
Open your Bible to Revelation 19, the home of the actual hallelujah chorus, and let's dig deeper!
So, how did Moses respond to God's invitation?
More importantly, what can we learn from Moses' example?
Open your Bible to Exodus 3, and let's dig deeper!
Now that we understand how God speaks to His church and our appropriate response, how do we live it out?
In this sermon, we will answer that question through the account of Moses at the burning bush. What practical principles can we glean from God's word? Open your Bible to Exodus 3, and let's dig deeper!
As God speaks to His church, He calls us into fellowship., first with Him and then with each other.
If we are out of fellowship with each other, we are not in the right fellowship with God.
Will you draw close to the Lord today?
Open your Bible to Hebrews 10, and let's dig deeper.
God is light, and there is no darkness in Him!
John tells us that we cannot be in fellowship with God and live in the darkness at the same time. Have you abandoned the darkness to live in the light of the Gospel?
Open your Bible to 1 John 1, and let's dig deeper!
God is light, and there is no darkness in Him!
John tells us that we cannot be in fellowship with God and live in the darkness at the same time. Have you abandoned the darkness to live in the light of the Gospel?
Open your Bible to 1 John 1, and let's dig deeper!
What is God's design for His church?
In this message, we will study Romans 12 as our guide to being who God said we will be as His church. Open your Bible, and let's dig deeper!
What is God's design for His church?
In this message, we will study Romans 12 as our guide to being who God said we will be as His church. Open your Bible, and let's dig deeper!
Today, we learn that obedience plays a critical role in our salvation, experience, and even our eternity!
If we approach God's Word as optional behavior that is provided for our consideration, we have clearly misunderstood what Jesus teaches.
I pray that we will open our hearts as we open God's Word.
Today, we learn that obedience plays a critical role in our salvation, experience, and even our eternity!
If we approach God's Word as optional behavior that is provided for our consideration, we have clearly misunderstood what Jesus teaches.
I pray that we will open our hearts as we open God's Word.
"We cannot stay where we are and go with God!"
When God speaks, we must make major adjustments to obey.
Are you making adjustments?
Are you following Him?
Open your Bible to Luke 14, and let's dig deeper!
"We cannot stay where we are and go with God!"
When God speaks, we must make major adjustments to obey.
Are you making adjustments?
Are you following Him?
Open your Bible to Luke 14, and let's dig deeper!
God Speaks.
We listen to obey.
We join God in His work.
How does this relate to our faith?
Biblical faith requires action!
Open your Bible to Hebrews 11, and let's dig deeper.
God does speak to His church, but are we listening?
The Bible is not provided for consideration, debate, or argument; it is the Word of God. In John 5, Jesus says, "Whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life."
In this message, I pray that we will each understand what it means to "hear and believe" and commit ourselves to His truth.
Open your Bible to John 5, and let's dig deeper!
God speaks to His church!
Do you hear what He is saying?
Are you doing what He is saying?
Instead of wishing, we can walk in the confidence of the truth of God.
How do we hear? Open your Bible to John 8, and let's dig deeper!
The church in Sardis was busy! Jesus said they had a reputation (a widespread belief) for being alive, but they were dead!
Think about this: The Head of the church told the church they were spiritually dead and ineffective for the kingdom of God! What do you do with that?
"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
Open your Bible to Revelation 3, and let's dig deeper!
The church in Thyatira grew in its love for Jesus and faithfulness.
What could possibly go wrong?
They turned their heads of responsibility and allowed sexual immorality and idol worship!
Jesus clearly described what must occur and directed His message to each of us today.
Will you listen to the Lord?
Open your Bible to Revelation 2, and let's dig deeper.
The Church in Pergamum was faithful, but they compromised. Jesus assured them that just as His words could bring salvation, they could also bring judgment.
What must they do? Jesus said they must repent, or He would war against them!
What is God saying to His church today?
What is He saying to you?
Open your Bible to Revelation 2, and let's dig deeper.
Since the church in Smyrna did nothing wrong, you might expect that everything was good.
That was not the case! What can we learn from this church?
He who has an ear let him hear.
Now, open your Bible to Revelation 2:8-11, and let's dig deeper.
The church in Ephesus was busy doing the work of Jesus in the name of Jesus.
They persevered through difficulties.
They appeared to be the model church.
Jesus, however, saw something different.
As we study Revelation 2, we must take a personal inventory of our relationship with Christ.
Open your Bible, and let's dig deeper!
John experienced the exalted Christ and was tasked with writing down what he saw. As we study John's description in Revelation 1:9-20, do you know and worship the same Jesus?
Jesus is God Almighty!
He has ALL the power and authority of Heaven to lead His church.
He is worthy of our worship and praise!
Open your Bible to Revelation 1, and let's dig deeper.
Jesus, the Head of the church.
We have a new perspective when we recognize the investment made for the church by Jesus Christ;
He lived for the church, died for the church, and He conquered death for the church.
Knowing this, the Church becomes less about our desires and more about God's will.
Open your Bible to Revelation 1, and let's dig deeper!
The church was born, persecuted, and scattered - yet it continued growing!
How does God build His church?
In this sermon, we study the example of Philip and his obedience to the Lord.
Open your Bibles, and let's dig deeper!
The church was scattered out of their communities, and the CONGREGATION preached Christ everywhere they went!
WOW!
Church, we are scattered every day. School, places of business, hobbies, vacation, and sporting events. Are we as faithful as the first church to preach Christ everywhere we go?
Open your Bible to Acts 8, and let's dig deeper.
Why is today's church so different than the first church?
Yes, it is a different time and place.
But, we also have the same salvation, Spirit, and Lord.
What is your responsibility?
Open your Bible to Acts 2, and let's dig deeper!
Who do YOU say Jesus is?
How do YOU respond to the revelation of truth?
The Lord is the Foundation, Head, and Authority of His church.
The Lord builds His church.
What is required of us? Open your Bible, and let's dig deeper!
David and Goliath.
In his younger years, he chased down lions and bears, retrieved his lambs, grabbed the beasts by the beard, and killed them. This youth told the king Goliath would be just like the lion or bear!
Why did David have that confidence?
What will the Lord teach us as we study a familiar passage in a fresh light?
Open your Bible to 1 Samuel 17, and let's dig deeper.
Eli was a terrible parent who did not discipline his sons, but we see his example of discipleship.
Hannah cried out to God in her despair, and we see her example of commitment.
Samuel was a boy serving in the temple, and we see how to respond to God.
Open your Bible to 1 Samuel 3, and let's dig deeper!
He was born in human likeness but maintained the nature of God.
He lived a sinless life and willingly died for our sins.
He was buried in a guarded tomb.
But three days later, everything changed!
Jesus is not just alive - HE HAS RISEN!
In John 6, Jesus teaches the crowd and disciples about salvation. Understanding the cost of following Jesus, many DISCIPLES turned back, never to walk with Jesus again!
Do you know the cost?
Open your Bible to John 6, and let's dig deeper.
We celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, but what makes it significant today?
The birth of the Messiah changed the world! We probably know the account, but have you experienced the reality of His birth? Join me as we journey from the manger to the cross.
Now, open your Bible, and let's dig deeper!
We probably do not spend a lot of time studying the book of Zephaniah, but there is one verse you MUST hear! Allow God to minister to your spirit through His word.
Note: I divided Powerful Passages 5 into three bite-sized parts, so don't miss any!
Now, let's dig deeper.
We probably do not spend a lot of time studying the book of Zephaniah, but there is one verse you MUST hear! Allow God to minister to your spirit through His word.
Note: I divided Powerful Passages 5 into three bite-sized parts, so don't miss any!
Now, let's dig deeper.
We probably do not spend a lot of time studying the book of Zephaniah, but there is one verse you MUST hear! Allow God to minister to your spirit through His word.
Note: I divided Powerful Passages 5 into three bite-sized parts, so don't miss any!
Now, let's dig deeper.
Are you tired, weary, or exhausted?
Do not miss God's message for you today!
Open your Bible to Isaiah 40, and let's dig deeper.
Join our guest speaker, Wayne Cook, who will share God's Word with us today.
"...and lean not on your own understanding."
We are guilty of leaning into our personal experiences, education, and best guess, but what is God's counsel to us? Trust in the Lord with all your heart and acknowledge Him in all your ways.
Open your Bible to Proverbs 3, and let's dig deeper!
Discouragement. Despair. Disappointment.
In Psalm 3, we find a reason for hope despite the circumstances that overwhelm us. Not only do we have a reason, but we also have a way to experience hope today.
Open your Bible to Psalm 3, and let's dig deeper!
Are you afraid? Of anything?
Maybe you are facing a battle and find yourself discouraged.
Money, relationships, work, school, depression, addiction, or disease have a way of causing fear and discouragement. God has a message for you!
Open your Bible to Deuteronomy 31, and let's dig deeper!
Send me. How could that be a dangerous prayer?
Perhaps the danger lies in the limitations we place on our obedience!
Join me as we identify three responses to God's call through the lives of Jonah, Moses, and Isaiah.
Now, let's dig deeper!
Please show me your glory.
Would you dare ask God to show you His ways, character, and plans?
It seems that asking is the easy part. The necessary preparation to hear God and our faithful response can be most challenging. Join me in Exodus 33, and let's dig deeper.
If you get dirty, soap and water will help you be clean. But how do we clean our hearts?
We ask God to do something only He can do!
Do you have the courage to pray this dangerous prayer?
Open your Bible to Psalm 51, and let's dig deeper.
This dangerous prayer is a must, whether an act of surrender, worship, or love!
Join me as we follow the examples of Hannah, the woman in Bethany, and Jesus.
Now, let's dig deeper!
Do you know what is NOT fair? When you do what you are told and then get in trouble!
In this episode, we learn the value of patience and trust. (We will also see how we are still dealing with the decision of Sarai!). Let's dig deeper!
Do you pray safely? Bless me. Forgive me. Give me. Heal me. Thank you.
These kinds of prayers keep us in the shallows, but
God is calling His children into a deeper, more dangerous level of prayer.
In this episode, we ask God to "search me." Now, open your Bible, and let's dig deeper.
What happened at the Tower of Babel?
What did the people do that God came to earth to deal with them?
More importantly, what can we learn from them?
Open your Bible to Genesis 11, and let's dig deeper!
If our priorities are not right, our lives will not be right.
How do we set priorities? Let's open God's Word together and listen to His instruction.
Jesus is the most incredible gift of all time, but what have you done with it?
In this episode, we will understand the role of grace in our lives after salvation. Open your Bible, and let's dig deeper!
You can say, "I love you," but if your actions do not demonstrate your love, your statement of love is questionable. God not only says He loves you, He unmistakably demonstrates His love for you. Through Christ, we can experience God's love, show our love for God, and share God's love. Now, let's dig deeper!
Cain and Abel both brought offerings to God; one was acceptable, and one was not.
How can we know if our offerings are acceptable to God? Open your Bible to Genesis 4, and let's dig deeper!
What is the good news of great joy for all people? Our Savior is born!
How can we have joy amidst sorrow, loss, and suffering? In this episode, we will understand the joy of the Lord and learn how to access it. Now, let's dig a little deeper!
Life is not fair, period. This is not new information! Not only do we experience instances of unfairness, we see examples throughout the Bible. What life lessons can we learn through their difficulties? Open your Bible to Genesis, and let's dig a little deeper!
Peace. We want it and need it. We, however, cannot have peace with God unless we receive the Messiah. The good news of great joy is that God offers His peace to ALL people! When we are at peace with God, we will have peace within ourselves and peace with each other.
How do we receive the peace of God? Join me as we dig a little deeper!
Today is the first Sunday of Advent, meaning we are preparing to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. In this episode, we will discover the significance of His birth 2,000 years ago, the importance of His birth today, and the value of your hope in Christ. Now, let's dig a little deeper!
Today, we conclude the series on God's Salvation. We have learned that we are entirely dependent upon God's completed work and His activity for salvation. We are saved by grace through faith - and that is the gift of God. But how can we be certain that we have not manufactured our own form of salvation that offers a false sense of security? We turn to the Word of God. Join me as we dig a little deeper!
Regeneration means to be reborn. How does that happen? When does it occur? Is it required? I pray God will speak to you through His Word about His salvation! Now, let's dig a little deeper!
Is repentance required for salvation? What is repentance?
In this episode, we turn to God’s Word for the answers. Now, let’s dig a little deeper!
The Bible does not condemn wealth, but it does condemn illegal gain and the misuse of our possessions. So what counsel can we gain from God's Word? Let's dig a little deeper!
By grace, we are saved through faith. In this episode, we learn what faith IS and what it IS NOT. We will also understand biblical hope and how to apply it to our daily lives. Now, let's dig a little deeper!
In this episode, James warns us about speaking evil about another Christian, talks about knowing the will of God, and the danger of not doing what God said to do. Now, let's dig a little deeper!
Our first confession that leads to salvation is the need to be saved.
Our second confession that leads to salvation is that Jesus is Lord.
Jesus is Lord.
This confession is an agreement with God's Word about Jesus' position in Heaven and your heart. Now, let's dig a little deeper.
What causes fights and quarrels among you? In the last episode, we learned that one reason was the war raging inside. Today, we discover the second reason: our war with God. Join me as we dig a little deeper.
There are two confessions. We must confess our need for salvation, and we must confess Jesus as Lord. In this episode, we will learn about the first confession. Join us as we turn to God's Word to understand His wonderful salvation!
Wars and rumors of wars! It is not what you think; James is talking about conflicts between believers. Why do believers quarrel and fight? James gives us the answer in this podcast. Now, let's dig a little deeper!
What do you know about salvation? Are you confident that your knowledge and experience align with God's description of salvation?
Join me as we turn to God's Word to understand what it means to be saved by grace.
Will you turn to Jesus today? https://bit.ly/Know_Peace
What is the difference between man's wisdom and God's wisdom? Join us as we learn from God's Word! Now, let's dig a little deeper.
Are we there yet?
To get where we are going, we must know where we are. So today, we learn how to evaluate where we are, get where God wants us to be, and do what God wants us to do. Are you ready? Let's dig a little deeper!
Our speech has the power to direct, destroy, and delight. Today, we study James 3:9-12, the power to delight. We will be encouraged through this: God's grace can enable us to use our words to bless others!
Are you ashamed of the Gospel? I do not believe we would readily admit to our shame, but what is the evidence of our conviction? Paul helps us navigate through this question as we turn to Romans 1. Now, let's dig a little deeper!
Not only does the tongue have the power to direct, but it also has the power to destroy!
Join me by opening your Bible to James 3, and let's dig a little deeper.
On the surface, the church at Ephesus seems to be the model church, working tirelessly for Christ's name. Jesus commended them for their works, but there was one thing they were lacking. If they did not repent, Jesus would remove His power and their witness.
What does this mean to us? Open your Bible to Revelation 2, and let's dig a little deeper!
In this session, we begin James 3. If Jesus is Lord over your life, He is also Lord over your tongue! James uses a bit and rudder to describe how our tongues have the power and influence to direct. Will we direct positively or negatively?
I am thankful for the commentary of Warren Wiersbe, who gives keen insight.
We are good to ask God to get us through a difficult time, but have we asked for God to make us strong with His power? Through His power, we can defeat the desires of the flesh and empower us to reflect His character. Today, we will discover three things that happen when our inner being is strengthened with God's power through the Spirit.
Finally! We get to look at dynamic faith, or as James calls it, saving faith.
While many may say, "I believe!" the Bible clearly describes what saving faith looks like.
So let's dig a little deeper!
https://wpbaptist.church/next-steps
The Bible clearly describes the Christian walk (behavior, attitude, and character) but are we living life to the full in Jesus Christ? Thankfully, we have been given the Holy Spirit to work out Christ's fullness in us! This message will look at the Fruit of the Spirit (not plural) and describe how it applies to the Christian walk. Are you ready to dig a little deeper?
In part 9, we learned about dead faith. As we continue studying James 2, we will learn about demonic faith (that sounds harsh). Collectively, these two kinds of faith do not bring about salvation. Now, let's dig a little deeper!
What is the difference between a figurehead in an establishment and the Head over the establishment? There is a world of difference! God appointed Jesus as the Head of His church - what does that mean to us? Join us as we are encouraged through the Word of God!
Wow! Faith and works. James outlines three kinds of faith - only one of which is saving faith. Tonight, we will talk about the first kind of faith, which could be renamed intellectual faith. So open up your Bibles to James 2, and let's dig a little deeper!
https://bit.ly/Know_Peace
We may be familiar with God's salvation but do we understand God's covenant?
What difference does it make today? Join us as we dig a little deeper!
I pray you will be encouraged through God's Word today.
Despite what the world says, what you hear, or what you think -
if you are a child of God, He is for you!
If you are still a spiritual orphan, follow this link to know how you can be reconciled to God: https://wpbaptist.church/next-steps
Since all humanity has a sinful nature that separates us from our Heavenly Father, we are spiritual orphans. Thankfully, God loves us so deeply that He provided a way to be reconciled to Him and restored into His family. But it doesn't end there!
Join us as we experience God together!
If you are still a spiritual orphan, follow this link to know how you can be reconciled to God: https://wpbaptist.church/next-steps
What does it mean to be a member of the body of Christ? Are there benefits of fasting together?
Join us as we dig a little deeper.
Connect with us here: https://bit.ly/ConnectWPBC
Why should we fast in repentance? That is a good question and one that we will gain a better understanding of in the book of Jonah. There is a difference between saying we believe something and doing something about it. So let's dig a little deeper.
James tells us to receive the Word and do what it says. But, then, in the last verses of chapter one, he describes a worthless religion. So get your Bible, and let's dig a little deeper.
Anxiety. Stress. Depression. Addiction.
You have likely asked God for help, invited others to pray with you, and perhaps mentioned an "unspoken" request - but have you dedicated time to redirect your attention to God alone for this burden? What does it mean to fast for power? Join me as we dig a little deeper!
What do we do after receiving the word? James is ABUNDANTLY clear.
Are you a doer of the word? Join us as we dig a little deeper into James 1.
Okay, so we all fast from dinner to breakfast (break fast). Sometimes, we are required to fast for a medical procedure. We may even fast for a diet. What is the difference between these activities and a biblical fast? Join us as we begin our study on fasting! We will learn what God says about an acceptable fast, and we will have a greater understanding of the purpose of a fast.
How can we pray effectively? Join us as we continue our series on prayer and fasting! Now, let’s dig a little deeper.
Deceived! How do we know if we are deceived and what can we do to prevent deception? Let's dig a little deeper in James 1!
What are the prayers of thanksgiving and adoration? In this podcast, we dig deeper into prayer as we turn our hearts upward and discover the appropriate response before our GREAT God. How is your worship?
Find out more information here: https://wpbaptist.church/next-steps
Praying inward is not self-reliance; it recognizes the presence of God within you. This is where we realize we are not in control, and we cannot persuade God to do what we wish.
We will all encounter times of despair and conflict. How do we pray appropriately in difficult times? Join us as we dig a little deeper.
In part 1, we talked about external pressures. This week, we look at internal pressures. What is temptation, and how do we have victory over it? Let's dig a little deeper!
If you missed part 1, you can find it here: https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/stephenbrown/episodes/2021-06-02T15_28_10-07_00
"Now I lay me down to sleep...."
"Bless this food...."
Perhaps one of the reasons we do not experience the power of God in His church and our lives is because we have fallen into a routine of prayer that accomplishes little.
In this podcast, we will heed the words of Jesus as He provides a pattern for prayer.
Who was James?
What was the purpose of his letter?
We could make a list of all the problems the Christian Jews were encountering, but, according to James, there was really only one problem: spiritual immaturity.
Last week, we began a series in the book of James. Tonight, we will look at the first part of chapter 1 - Experiencing Victory in Trials.
https://bit.ly/Know_Peace
Empowered by the Holy Spirit, Peter spoke out the Gospel, and God saved 3,000 "religious" people!
Now what?
The Church grew from 120 to 3,120 in one day, and the power of God was present among them. Acts 2 describes how the church functioned together. There is a keyword associated with ALL the believers in the first church: devoted.
What is your level of devotion?
You can connect with us here - https://bit.ly/ConnectWPBC
For thousands of years, Pentecost was the day every able-bodied Jewish man would come to the Temple to make his offering before the wheat harvest. WIth Jerusalem packed with "devout men from every nation under heaven," the New Testament Church was born. The promised Holy Spirit arrived, and EVERYONE knew! Now, let's dig a little deeper.
One of the most significant days in Christian history is the coming of the promise of God. With this promise, the New Testament Church was born.
What is the promise?
What is the purpose?
What was the disciple's response?
Join us as we dig a little deeper!
Would you say that someone who confesses Jesus as the Holy One of God, falls before Jesus as the Son of God, and believes in Jesus - is saved?
These are descriptions of demons in the New Testament!
No matter the level of our sincerity, if our beliefs are not in line with God's Word ALONE, we believe a lie. Let's see what God has to say.
"If you just have enough faith..."
Do you have enough faith? That is an odd question. Compared to what and for what purpose?
Today we will learn what faith IS NOT, what faith IS, and how we live by faith.
"God helps those who help themselves."
Why do 68% of self-proclaimed believers believe this statement?
Why do 75% of American teens say this is the central message in the Bible?
How can this be considered one of the most popular verses in the Bible - WHEN IT IS NOT IN THERE?!
Let's dig a little deeper and discover the treasure of Scripture.
"Everything works out for good." It sure sounds like something I have read in the Bible before! If God did not say that, what did He say, and what does it mean for us today?
Join me as we dig a little deeper!
"God will never give you more than you can handle."
We are guilty of repeating statements without checking for their validity or misremembering what we thought we heard. If we use God's word as encouragement, let us be sure it is accurate!
What are the dangers within this statement?
What is the verse that is being misquoted, and what does it mean?
(The year quoted for the Neal Armstrong illustration is incorrect. It should be 1969! Thanks, Mitch.)
Let's dig a little deeper!
The religious leaders did not know what to do with Him - so they had Jesus killed.
The disciples did not know what to do with Him, so they hid in fear.
One of the disciples would not believe that Jesus overcame death.
Jesus was crucified, buried, raised to life again, and sits at the Father's right hand in Heaven, offering the gift of eternal life.
What will you do with Jesus?
We all have expectations! When Jesus arrived in Jerusalem, the crowds expected a king who would take charge, set things right, and relieve them of oppression. So, they worshipped and praised His holy name! By Friday of that same week, they cried for His crucifixion. Why? Jesus did not meet their expectations.
What about you? Are your expectations based on the promises in God's Word, or are they founded on worldly hope?
Is obedience necessary for Christian living? Not only is it necessary, but it is also required! Join us as we discover how obedience leads to salvation, effective living, and personal revival.
Now, let's dig a little deeper.
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Are you thankful for God's love? Have you experienced God's grace? In this message, we will have a deeper understanding of God's grace and learn how to live "free indeed." Now, let's dig a little deeper.
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At salvation, we are given a new position, new spirit, and a new direction. We are a new creation in Christ where He has changed our essential nature. But how do we live transformed? Get your Bible, and let's dig a little deeper.
Why do we take the Lord's Supper? Join us as we look at the Lord's Supper through the lens of the Old Testament. If you would like to participate, you can use crackers and juice (or something similar) as your symbols. Now, let us prepare together!
For more information: www.wpbaptist.church/west-point-baptist
Potential. Every time we enter God's presence and seek Him humbly, we are in a place of potential. If you are in despair, listen to the word of God, believe it, and respond in the way God leads you. If you know of someone in despair, share this with them.
Now, let's prepare ourselves to live restored!
You have heard it said, "God first, family second, church third, and so on." Is that an effective way to live for God's glory? Today, we will see the fault in this system and discover a biblical way to live in priority. Now, let's dig a little deeper.
Before we begin a journey, we must first know from where we are starting. Next, we determine the path to reach our destination, and then we follow it.
Join us as we travel from despair to hope! Now, let's dig a little deeper.
Gender is a hot topic where many personal opinions are voiced. What do you believe about gender? More importantly, what does the Bible say about gender - and do you believe it? This morning we will seek a godly perspective from God's Word.
You can find the outline here: http://bible.com/events/48498082
You can access more information here: www.wpbaptist.church
Blessings. This is a word that is used (and misused) often in Christianity. According to a recent study, forty percent of the church believes God ALWAYS rewards true faith with material blessings in this life. Are there problems with that belief? Let's open God's word and dig a little deeper!
What do you believe about sin? Is a white lie ok? Are people mostly good? What does the Bible say about sin?
Join us as we dig a little deeper.
What do you believe about the Holy Spirit? Do your beliefs line up with what the Bible says? In a recent study, 49% of evangelicals believe the Holy Spirit is a force rather than a person, and 18% believe the Holy Spirit can tell you to do something God forbids.
Join us as we dig a little deeper...
The Trinity and Jesus. It is alarming to hear that 65% of evangelicals believe Jesus is God's first created being and that 30% do not believe Jesus is God.
Is that a problem? YES!
Join me as we learn what the Bible says about Jesus and the dangers of believing differently. Now, let's dig a little deeper.
Prepare for history’s greatest news! The news can only be good for all people if it applies to all people of all times. Guess what? It is here! Join us as we hear the good news that brings great joy for all people.
Prepare to meet the Savior! There is a lot of news out there—some true, some false, and mostly bad. Could it be that we are so overwhelmed with other news that we have missed the greatest news of all? Follow along in Matthew 1:18-25, and let's learned the greatest news for us today.
"Prepare to be God's Instrument"
God sent Gabriel to Israel, to Galilee, to Nazareth to Mary for one reason, to invite her to join Him in His great purpose. Do you believe God invites His people today? I contend that He does and we must respond to His invitation to experience God in all HIs glory. Are you His servant today?
Are you thankful? Even in 2020, I think we can all find something for which we are grateful.
Perhaps the more significant question is, "How are you thankful?" That indicates a response corresponding to your level of gratitude. Open your Bibles to Luke 17, and let's dig a little deeper.
We know God's vision for His church, we understand our mission, but how do we get there?
By growing as disciple-makers, living as ambassadors, and going as missionaries. Open your Bible to Acts 8, and let's dig a little deeper.
If you want to know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, please send me an email (steve@wpbaptist.church).
For more information, visit our website: www.wpbaptist.church
Since God commanded it, how are we to make disciples? Last week, we learned that we are to grow as disciple-makers. This week we live as ambassadors. What does it mean to live as an ambassador for Christ? Open your Bible to 2 Corinthians 5, and let's dig a little deeper.
To make disciples, we must first be disciples. To make disciples who make disciples, we must be growing as disciple-makers. How will we accomplish that? Let's dig a little deeper...
Knowing we are to make disciples who make disciples, how do we do it? This morning, we will learn how Jesus effectively made disciples so that we may incorporate His method into our lives.
A vision statement describes where we are going. A mission statement describes how we will get there.
In this episode, we identify a biblical disciple as one who is a student of Jesus AND follows Jesus. Looking at the events following the feeding of the 5,000, we find those who were considered disciples turn away "never to follow Jesus again". Have you counted the cost of being the Lord's disciple? Are you counted as His disciple? Join us as we dig a little deeper...
What is God's vision for His church and how can we align ourselves to Him for that purpose? In this series, we discover what God's clear vision is and , as a result, understand our responsibilities. Join me as we dig a little deeper...
What level of commitment does God expect? What level of commitment do we offer?
Through the study of God's Word, may we allow Him to fan the flame of faith and commitment in our daily lives!
There is a distinct difference between a living biblical hope and a worldly hope. One is certain, while the other is just wishful thinking. Sadly, many approach eternal matters with wishful thinking.
But this living hope...
It changes everything! It changes our perspective. It provides endurance. I offers security.
If you have this living hope, may you be encouraged today. If you do not have it, find out more at www.wpaptist.church