Green Street Baptist Church: Audio Podcast: Recent Episodes
Green Street Baptist Church
Green Street Baptist Church is a local Church with regional ministries, having a global impact and making an eternal difference. Each week, we will post Pastor Brandon Ware's messages on our website, as well as through iTunes. If you've enjoyed a message below and are in the area, be sure to visit us in High Point, North Carolina.
The Way of Christ
Wednesday Night 8.19.26
Dr. Jeff Dowdy
1 John 5:11-12 and Psalm 8:4-5
David in the Dark: Mercy in the Mess and Mistakes
Wednesday Night 5.20.26
Jonathan Goodman
Psalm 143
David in the Dark: Mercy in the Mess and Mistakes
Wednesday Night 5.13.26
Jonathan Goodman
Psalm 51
David in the Dark: Mercy in the Mess and Mistakes
Wednesday Night 5.6.26
Jonathan Goodman
Psalm 23
David in the Dark: Mercy in the Mess and Mistakes
Wednesday Night 4.29.26
Jonathan Goodman
2 Samuel 19:8b-43
David in the Dark: Mercy in the Mess and Mistakes
Wednesday Night 4.22.26
Jonathan Goodman
2 Samuel 18:31-19:8
David in the Dark: Mercy in the Mess and Mistakes
Wednesday Night 4.15.26
Jonathan Goodman
2 Samuel 17:24-18:18
David in the Dark: Mercy in the Mess and Mistakes
Wednesday Night 4.1.26
Jonathan Goodman
2 Samuel 17:1-23
David in the Dark: Mercy in the Mess and Mistakes
Wednesday Night 3.25.26
Jonathan Goodman
2 Samuel 16
David in the Dark: Mercy in the Mess and Mistakes
Wednesday Night 3.18.26
Jonathan Goodman
2 Samuel 15:13-37
David in the Dark: Mercy in the Mess and Mistakes
Wednesday Night 3.11.26
Jonathan Goodman
2 Samuel 15:1-12
David in the Dark: Mercy in the Mess and Mistakes
Wednesday Night 3.4.26
Jonathan Goodman
2 Samuel 14
David in the Dark: Mercy in the Mess and Mistakes
Wednesday Night 2.25.26
Jonathan Goodman
2 Samuel 13
David in the Dark: Mercy in the Mess and Mistakes
Wednesday Night 2.11.26
Jonathan Goodman
2 Samuel 11:14-27
David in the Dark: Mercy in the Mess and Mistakes
Wednesday Night 1.21.26
Jonathan Goodman
2 Samuel 11:1-13
David in the Dark: Mercy in the Mess and Mistakes
Wednesday Night 1.14.26
Jonathan Goodman
2 Samuel 9
David in the Dark: Mercy in the Mess and Mistakes
Wednesday Night 1.7.26
Jonathan Goodman
2 Samuel 6:16-23
125th Anniversary
Saturday 11.22.25
Brandon Ware
Returning to What Matters Most
Ezra 3:1-13
52 Weeks in the Word
Wednesday Night 09.11.2024
Jonathan Goodman
Jeremiah, Lamentations
Wisdom Literature of the Bible
Wednesday Night 08.14.2024
Jonathan Goodman
Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs
52 Weeks in the Word
Wednesday Night 01.31.2024
Brandon Ware
Luke 24:27; Romans 15:4; 2 Peter 1:20-21
Imago Dei Series Night 4
A Biblical Perspective on Technology
11.15.23
Brandon Ware
Genesis 6:14-16; Genesis 11:9
He Is Not Here: The Easter Story from the Gospel of Matthew
04.09.23
Brandon Ware
Matthew 28:1-20
Hope in Dark Places Series Night 4
02.22.23
Jonathan Goodman
Judges 11:29-36, 2 Kings 3:26-27, 2 Samuel 12:13-15
Prayer Conference 09.17.22
Session 1
Dr. Chris Schofield
Acts 2:42, Acts 4:13, Acts 4:23-33
The book of Acts is unique in the New Testament in that it is a history book that spans approximately three decades and records the early history of the church. If we truly want to impact our world with the gospel, it is important that we take a fresh look at this book of the Bible that describes the birth of the church and the way it turned the world upside down. As the followers of Jesus, we have a living hope, and the book of Acts shows us how the church is entrusted with the stewardship of that hope among the nations. The book of Acts really is a continuing story, one in which we read about the birth of the church and the start of a movement that Jesus began and is continuing through the present day.
As Christians, we know there is nothing we ever could have done to earn our salvation; it is completely a work of God’s grace. But, we often don’t live like that’s true. While we were saved by grace, we try to grow by our own hard work. In other words, we “forget grace.” In his letter to the Galatians, Paul reminds us that we grow as Christians the same way we became Christians: by grace through faith. In this series titled “Remembering Grace,” Our Disciple-Making Pastor Quentin Self guides us through the book of Galatians, showing how God wants you to depend on his grace to grow as a follower of Jesus.
Solomon recognizes that a person can have an abundance of wealth and still lack the power to enjoy it and see it in its proper light. Rather than enjoying it, they are enslaved by it. They may drive a brand new vehicle, wear the latest fashions, and have the greatest stuff that money can buy, but they lack inner contentment. The key phrase here is this—“…God does not give him power to enjoy.” It is yet another reminder from the pen of the Preacher that enjoyment doesn’t come from what we have or don’t have under the sun. Rather, enjoyment is a gift that God must give. It is something that can only be possessed through knowing Christ.
No matter what century, no matter what place and time, there is a characteristic that seems to be true of every generation of humanity and it is this—people are interested in accumulating wealth. People want to make money. In 1848, it was the “California Gold Rush” that took 300 thousand people from east to west. Then it was the stock market and investment banking. Men and women burn the candle at both ends to work their way up the corporate ladder so they can have a bigger piece of the pie. For others, when the lottery goes mega millions, they flock to the convenience stores to buy Powerball tickets hand over fist. Why? Because money is enticing. Solomon now begins a section where he addresses the subject of money, wealth, and possessions. Remember that he has been on a quest to find satisfaction, and he tells us here that it can’t be found in money nor the things that money can buy.
As Christians, we know there is nothing we ever could have done to earn our salvation; it is completely a work of God’s grace. But, we often don’t live like that’s true. While we were saved by grace, we try to grow by our own hard work. In other words, we “forget grace.” In his letter to the Galatians, Paul reminds us that we grow as Christians the same way we became Christians: by grace through faith. In this series titled “Remembering Grace,” Our Disciple-Making Pastor Quentin Self guides us through the book of Galatians, showing how God wants you to depend on his grace to grow as a follower of Jesus.
Ecclesiastes is a remarkable book that shows us how true happiness, lasting contentment, or real satisfaction cannot be found under the sun, but only in Christ. We find life, not in the pursuit of temporary things in life, but by losing our lives for Christ’s sake. It is only as we delight in Him that we discover true satisfaction. In the past couple of chapters, Solomon uses the language of the courtroom and the language of the palace. Here we will find him using the language of the temple. We have already seen how he took a close look at what would seem to be secular matters, such as issues of pleasure-seeking, work, justice, and the value of relationships. He now takes up the subject of worship.
This passage we’ve come to in our study of Ecclesiastes is a wonderful treatment on the importance of friendship and the value that other people bring to our lives. For the past couple of chapters, Solomon has been weighing life in the balance. He has considered life ‘under the sun’ and has come to the conclusion that apart from God it all seems so empty. He found injustice under the sun where there ought to have been righteousness. He found emptiness where there ought to have been satisfaction. In the opening verses of chapter four, he contrasts the industrious man with the idle man. Now, he is going to take a look at the independent and isolated man.
I want you to open your Bible with me to the fourth chapter of Ecclesiastes, where we will read from the first six verses. I want to speak to you from the subject, “When Life Isn’t Fair.” Have you ever felt that way before? Sure you have. Perhaps you were mistreated by another person, or perhaps you have felt that you weren’t getting recognized for something you thought you ought to be recognized for. Perhaps things didn’t turn out the way you thought they should in the life of someone you love. The fact of the matter is that all of us have experienced the ‘unfairness’ of life at various points. King Solomon of Israel had been there, too. He writes all about it in the book of Ecclesiastes. Now, I have already pointed out to you a couple of ways that life appeared to be unfair to Solomon…
From the earliest years of our childhood, we had our own perception of whether or not something was ‘fair.’ Right? I mean, you have more than likely made this statement at some point in your life: “It’s just not fair!” You felt like you were getting the short end of the stick, the raw end of some deal. Maybe you were passed over for a job promotion that you felt you had earned. Or maybe you were at the height of your athletic career and suddenly had an injury that forced you to the sidelines. Or maybe someone you loved passed into eternity before you felt it was their time. No matter what the circumstances were, all of us have experienced the bitter taste of ‘unfairness’ in life. Solomon had experienced this same frustration as well. He came to that conclusion that under the sun, life just doesn’t seem to be fair. To the victor goes the spoils, but the nice guys always seem to finish last. It was all frustrating to the Preacher and seemed so empty. And yet deep down, Solomon knew full well the truth that God is the ultimate Judge.
Life Week: Spring Revival Services: April 28, 9am, 10:30am, 6pm. April 29-May 1, 6:30pm. Life Week is a focused time in God’s word and in prayer, together, as we understand our life in Christ and are revived.
Life Week: Spring Revival Services: April 28, 9am, 10:30am, 6pm. April 29-May 1, 6:30pm. Life Week is a focused time in God’s word and in prayer, together, as we understand our life in Christ and are revived.
Life Week: Spring Revival Services: April 28, 9am, 10:30am, 6pm. April 29-May 1, 6:30pm. Life Week is a focused time in God’s word and in prayer, together, as we understand our life in Christ and are revived.
Life Week: Spring Revival Services: April 28, 9am, 10:30am, 6pm. April 29-May 1, 6:30pm. Life Week is a focused time in God’s word and in prayer, together, as we understand our life in Christ and are revived.
Life Week: Spring Revival Services: April 28, 9am, 10:30am, 6pm. April 29-May 1, 6:30pm. Life Week is a focused time in God’s word and in prayer, together, as we understand our life in Christ and are revived.
The truth that Jesus conquered the grave is what gives confidence to our lives. It is what serves as the impetus in our mission. For this reason, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the lynchpin of Christianity. Without it, we would have no gospel. Nor would we have any hope for life beyond death. If Jesus Christ were not raised, the Bible says that we would still be in our sins. And those of us who believe would be, of all people, the most pitied. So it is the subject of death and resurrection that I want to take up this morning, beginning in Ecclesiastes 3. In the book of Ecclesiastes, King Solomon of Israel faces up to our fears by asking the hard questions of life, such as the meaning of the universe, the existence of God, and the nature of the life to come. The difficult question of death comes up here at the end of the third chapter. Solomon will pose a problem that doesn’t seem to have an answer. What will happen when I die? Is there any hope for me? Yes. Jesus.
Stewardship of life demands that we know what time it is, and this is largely the message of this third chapter of Ecclesiastes. The word ‘time’ is mentioned on 31 separate occasions in this chapter. Though we have eternity in our hearts, we are time bound creatures. We are born with a longing for another world, we live out our days as if life will go on forever, and yet we are not beyond the reach of time. Sooner or later, it will catch up with all of us. Here we are presented with a picture of a sovereign God who is Lord over time. He is the One who regulates all of our days, down to the very minutes and seconds that make up our life here on earth. He is the One who sees to it that from birth to death, there is a time and a season for everything under heaven. There is nothing that happens in life that is beyond His control.
The book of Ecclesiastes is so important because it shows us that ultimate meaning and lasting satisfaction cannot be found ‘under the sun.’ That phrase is used some 30 times throughout the book and it describes a view of life that is strictly earth bound. Solomon, the writer of Ecclesiastes, uses this phrase to make his argument that life under the sun is ‘vanity,’ or a wisp of smoke. Our lives cannot be understood if our gaze goes no further than the sun. By his own admission, Solomon had set out on a quest to find meaning in things such as wisdom and knowledge, pleasure and thrill seeking, work and career, wealth and possessions. He tells us in chapter 2 that no matter how hard he tried, he could not think his way into life, he could not feel his way into life, he could not work his way into life, and he could not collect his way into life. He comes to the conclusion that apart from God, no one can have true and lasting enjoyment. Only God infuses life with meaning and ultimate purpose. So with that in mind, let’s take a look at what Solomon goes on to say next here in chapter 3.
Over the past couple of Wednesday nights, I have been teaching in a series that I have given the title, “Discipleship In a Digital Age.” We’ve been taking a serious look at how our faith should impact our online habits and our use of technology. With the rise of the digital age, church leaders must be careful to disciple people on how their faith intersects with technology use. The gospel impacts every area of our lives. It isn’t simply limited to our eternity; there is an application to tech use. Digital devices are neutral—neither good nor bad. They can be used for good and helpful purposes that glorify God. Yet we know that they can also be used for sinful purposes. Technology isn’t intrinsically good, nor is it inherently evil; it can and must be used in ways that honor and glorify God.
All of us desire meaning in life, and that’s true no matter who you are. Our search for it often leads us down winding paths filled with short-lived bursts of satisfaction that shine bright for a brief time but eventually wane. When we attempt to find ultimate meaning in the pursuit of pleasure, or through a successful career, or in our educational pursuits, we will eventually find all of these roads to be a dead end. For a season in his life, King Solomon tried to find ultimate meaning in things such as knowledge, pleasure, work, and wealth. As he reflected back on all of his pursuits under the sun, he described them as chasing after the wind. The things that he thought would satisfy him only ended up disappointing him in the end. Apart from God, it was all an empty pursuit. And in retrospect, he says to us here in this passage, “I learned my lesson!” We would do well to learn from his experience. What lessons did Solomon learn, and what application do they have for our lives today?
Last week, I began a four part series that I’ve given the title, “Discipleship in the Digital Age.” Technology is a wonderful tool when kept in its proper place and when seen in its true light. However, it can also become a weapon that the enemy uses to war against our soul when too much is made of it. How should our faith impact our online habits and use of technology? That is the subject we’re considering. With the rise of the digital age, the church must disciple people on how their faith intersects with technology use. Christian parents ought to be discerning in this area. The gospel impacts every area of our lives. It isn’t simply limited to our eternity.
The words trivial and trivia can be traced back to a Latin noun meaning “a place where three roads meet.” In time, it also came to mean “of little worth or importance.” This is the main meaning of the word today. By this definition, the expression ‘trivial pursuit’ obviously refers to more than a board game. It is a way of referring to those matters in life which are supposedly inconsequential, a waste of time and energy. At first glance, it may seem that the author of Ecclesiastes is writing to us about trivial pursuits in life. But as we have already seen, he is writing from an ‘under the sun’ kind of perspective which he refers to as being ‘vanity.’ Some read the book and come to the conclusion that it is about the meaningless of life. And while it may appear this way strictly on the surface, Ecclesiastes is really about the meaninglessness of life apart from God.
I am so glad that you all are joining me tonight for this four part series that I have given the title, “Discipleship In a Digital Age.” Over the next few weeks, I want us to take a serious look at how our faith should impact our online habits and use of technology. With the rise of the digital age, the church has not done a great job discipling people on how their faith intersects with technology use. The gospel impacts every area of our lives. It isn’t simply limited to our eternity. There is an application to tech use. Digital devices are neutral—neither good nor bad. They can be used for good and helpful purposes. They can also be used for sinful purposes. Digital technology is neither intrinsically good, nor is it inherently evil. It can and must be used in ways that honor and glorify God and serve those who are made in His image…
No matter where a person looks, no matter what direction he or she turns, there is no lasting satisfaction to be found—at least not in the temporal things of life. The reason is that we’ve been made for eternity. That is why only the eternal glory of God can fulfill the eternal void in the human soul. That is something that King Solomon knew a lot about. He had arrived at the pinnacle of life. For 40 years, Solomon had lived on the top of the mountain of success. His kingdom was a sight to behold. He had wealth, luxury, and plenty of wisdom to go with it. And despite being the wisest man who had ever lived, he allowed stuff to get between his relationship with God. Solomon had made it to the top, and he tells us in Ecclesiastes that it was a desolate place.
Last week, I began a series of messages on contentment and the search for happiness that is found in the heart of every human being. No matter who you are, no matter how old you are, I can guarantee that you have a desire on the inside of you to be happy. Where does it come from? I made the argument from Scripture that we have been hardwired for happiness and contentment. It is evidence that we’ve been made in God’s image. The creature’s longing for happiness is evidence of the Creator’s design. It is evidence that we have been made for eternity.
Over these past eight weeks, we have considered how God’s Word was given by revelation. God revealed His Word to man, which means that we didn’t stumble upon the knowledge of God. He chose to reveal Himself. We also considered how His Word was given through inspiration. God moved the authors of Scripture to write as His Spirit directed. We spent some time looking at the subject of canonization, which simply refers to the list of books that make up authoritative Scripture. Beginning last week and concluding tonight, we’ve considered the field of translation. How did the Bible make it from those original manuscripts all the way to me?
There are plenty of synonyms for the word in the English language, words such as happiness, joy, satisfaction, pleasure. Perhaps contentment is the best word because it is descriptive of the state of your heart more than it is the state of your emotions. Our emotions may fluctuate given our circumstances, but our contentment level in life certainly doesn’t have to. Happiness is a universal longing in every human heart, and yet it seems to be so very elusive. Many people spend their entire lives trying to be happy, only to come up short time and time again. That’s why I want to take some time and trace the subject as we find it presented in the Bible. What is contentment, and what is the secret to our possessing it?
I want us to spend the next couple of weeks looking at how the Bible came all the way from manuscript to me, to this nice English translation that I hold in my hand. The processes that we will consider are known as transmission and translation. These words describe the process by which various scribes and copyists were able to reproduce the text of Scripture in a reliable manner. Then, the process involved monks and scholars and Christian leaders who worked hard, many of whom paid with their lives, to translate the Scriptures into the English language.
Over the last two Wednesday nights, we’ve been considering the subject of canonicity which simply refers to how we know that we have the right books. The word ‘canonicity’ means rule or standard of measurement. Over time, the word ‘canon’ also came to mean a catalog or list—used in this case to describe the authoritative list of books that make up the Bible. In our study so far, we’ve considered doctrines such as revelation and inspiration. Well, the doctrine of ‘canonization’ tells us how the Bible received its acceptance as men recognized the authority of God’s inspired writings.
You’re familiar with the phrase ‘rule of faith.’ The rule of faith is the standard of sound doctrine. Over time, ‘canon’ also came to mean a catalog or list—used in this case to describe the authoritative list of books that make up the Bible. In our study thus far, we’ve considered doctrines such as revelation and inspiration. Well, the doctrine of ‘canonization’ tells us how the Bible received its acceptance as men recognized the authority of God’s inspired writings. It is the process by which the inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word of God was recognized as such by men of God and then collected and preserved by the people of God.
In the world of sports, there is debate centered around someone who is often referred to as ‘The G.O.A.T.”—the greatest of all time. God’s definition of greatness is vastly different from the world’s. Enter the life of John the Baptist. Jesus made a powerful statement about his life —“I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John.” Anyone that Jesus calls ‘great’ is someone whose life we need to carefully inspect.
What do we even mean when we refer to the ‘canon’ of Scripture? The canon of Scripture is the list of all the books that belong in the Bible, the list of books recognized as those worthy to be included in the Old and New Testaments. The word ‘canon’ comes from the ancient world and basically means a rule or a standard.
Truly, there is no book in human history that has been more treasured than the Bible. And yet at the same time, there is also no book that has been attacked more than the Bible. It is divine in its origin, and the spiritual forces of darkness that want to keep humanity in darkness oppose its message like no other.
No other book on earth can compare with the Bible. It stands alone from all the other books that have ever been written because it alone is the very Word of God with the power to transform individual lives and entire cultures. It is the truth of God that has been revealed by God to humanity. Because of sin, we never would have stumbled upon truth by ourselves. We need a revelation of God of Himself.
May 27: The sermon notes are now available for viewing or download. In coming weeks, livestream and Facebook live viewing, of our service, will be available.