Creekside
Baptist
Church
| Home |
| From the Heart of a Preacher |
| Services |
| Location |
| Our Staff |
| Missions |
| About Us |
| Good News |
Prelude to the Message from God's Word, August 24, 2008Did you know Creekside that we are workers together with God? God never says that He works together with us. It isn't our work that God helps us with. But it is His work that He asks us to do together with Him. Instead of trying to persuade God to help us with our work, we need to first find out what God's work is, and then do it with Him. And that means Live Not for You, but for God. In God's message today Paul says as he pleads with the church...
2 Corinthians 6:1 What an amazing job: workers together with God! It isn't that God needed Paul, or that He needs any of us. But instead, it is that God wants us to be workers together with Him, and that is how we receive His many blessings. If you are a Christian then you have obviously received the grace of God or you wouldn't be a Christian at all. Yet, having received the grace of God, some still are potentially guilty of receiving it in vain. What does it mean to receive the grace of God in vain? It means that you receive the blessings, goodness and favor of God, yet you still hinder the work of God and His grace in your life and life of His Church. And this, the Bible tells us, we must not do. Now Creekside! Are you ready to work together with God? May we abide steadily attached to God and to each other in Peace, Love and Unity!
August 17, 2008Depression is a clinical diagnosis of a state of intense sadness or a lack of positive affect. Some forms of major depressive disorders include: Melancholic depression, which is a form of physical agitation, insomnia, or decreased appetite; Psychotic depression, which a subtype of clinical depression; and Postnatal depression, which is clinical depression following childbirth. Depression at times can be physiological and medication may be part of the solution. Furthermore, depression can be mild or at other times crippling and severe. Did you know that David, King of Israel--a man after God's own heart, also suffered severe attacks with depression and was victorious overcoming depression? For the Bible tells us...
Psalm 77:11 Believers must remember God's past acts of love when we are in the middle of life's struggles. You can rest assured that God will see you through your struggles. Whether it's having the faith in God to seek medical professional help or the faith in God to change your outlook in life, your Father who is capable and trustworthy to give you renewed faith will help you to rise above depression. Remember the past, keep rejoicing in the present and keep believing in tomorrow! Now Creekside! Are you ready to rise above depression? May we abide steadily attached to God and to each other in Peace, Love and Unity!
August 10, 2008Did you know that the Bible is the number one selling book of all time? And did you also know that it is the least read book in America. If you have a Bible, you have one of the greatest treasures of all time and you should be anxious to share its message with this lost world. Think of all the people that have suffered, bled, and died through the ages just to simply possess the inspired, eternal, authoritative, powerful WORD of God. Paul tells Timothy in today's message from God...
With the overwhelming amount of false teachers and the unavoidable pressures of this world it would be so easy for us to abandon our faith or modify our doctrine. At the time in the life of Timothy he was under the exact same pressures as you and I are in today's world, even worse. Christianity was in its infant stages, but Paul writing to Timothy counseled him to look to his past and to hold to the basic teachings about Jesus that are eternal and true. In other words, Paul was telling Timothy not to allow society to distort God's eternal truth. Now, What to do with the Bible, in the light of its importance we must take time out of each day to reflect on its foundations of our Christian faith. Study the Bible, believe the Bible, live the Bible and share the Bible. Now Creekside! Are you ready to open your Bibles? May we abide steadily attached to God and to each other in Peace, Love and Unity!
August 3, 2008If any of us ever hope to live happy, meaningful, and victorious lives then we must learn the Secret of Prayer. What is the secret of an effective prayer life? Well the pattern of prayer that Christ Jesus teaches begins with you praising God, next intercession with God and then your requests presented to God. In today's message the Apostle Luke presents an instance where Jesus was praying, making it clear that prayer was a regular part of His life.
Something about Jesus' prayer life prompted one of his disciples to approach him as he finished. He wanted Jesus to teach them to pray. It was common for religious leaders to teach their followers how to pray. If today you learn just one thing from the WORD of God learn this, there is a correct way to pray and it means praying as the Master Christ Jesus prayed. Then you can rest assured that you are expressing yourselves correctly to God. I suggest before you go to God in prayer you first find a quiet time, then find a quiet place, and next find a quiet heart. In this nervous, tense pressured age we all need the ability to be still and listen to God as we go to Him in prayer, because "More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of." Why don't you try it and see for yourself? Now Creekside! Are you ready to celebrate? May we abide steadily attached to God and to each other in Peace, Love and Unity!
July 27, 2008--Happy 43rd Church Anniversary Creekside!I believe that, for Creekside Baptist Church, we stand before a rising opportunity and a plow. Luke 9:62 says, "Paul put his hand to the plow and did not look back." I have reason to believe that Creekside is just beginning to get started. For of all the truth that we believe, we must believe the Messiah is coming soon. Despite the fact that He has not come to date and despite any other fact, this is still the truth that we believe, the Messiah is coming soon. That is our faith and our purpose. We are to live and work believing not only in God's existence throughout all the parts of the created universe but that Jesus Christ will soon be here. In God's WORD today the Apostle Paul says...
We often let things which are behind us distract us, whether they are good things or bad things, sometimes we let those things keep us from what God has in front of us. My friends, Satan wants us to live either in the past or in the future, but God wants us to press on in the present, because the present is where eternity touches us now! As we are put here on this earth there is only one option for us; We Must Press on. This is where child-like faith meets real maturity folks and you know that every child can't wait to be bigger or more mature. So we should labor at our work until He comes. Until He comes, we must be faithful to our tasks. May God bless our work and our devotion to Him. Now Creekside! Are you ready to celebrate your 43rd Anniversary? May we abide steadily attached to God and to each other in Peace, Love and Unity!
July 20, 2008Some people in this life are destined to leave things better off then they found them. Take John Chapman for instance, a real life apple seed planter who inspired the Johnny Appleseed legend. It was Chapman who spent forty years of his life traveling across western Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana sowing apple seeds. Today there are undoubtedly many people who benefit from the fruits of his labor. The Apostle Paul too spent much of his life sowing seeds. In today's message from God, Paul teaches the Church about sowing and reaping. Did you know that all Christians are seed planters and fruit pickers? The Bible tells us...
How do we sow "to please the spirit"? We use our resources to grow spiritually. And that means supporting the Lord's work so that others can enter the Kingdom of God and grow spiritually. When we reach souls for the Kingdom of God our harvest will last forever. Using our resources for God can only be done by the power of the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit controls you, your life becomes an amazing seed planter and fruit picker! Sometimes the duty of generosity in supporting the Lord's work may be tiresome, but no man who ever cast his bread upon the waters found that it did not return some day to him. Now Creekside! Are you ready to celebrate? May we abide steadily attached to God and to each other in Peace, Love and Unity!
July 13, 2008There are many forms of troubles in our busy lives today. Sometimes they come in the form of illness or death. And sometimes they take the form of financial losses or emotional disappointments. Whatever their form, troubles will come. When troubles come, they can either make you bitter or they can make you better, but that will depend entirely on how you respond to them. Christians should not be surprised at the fiery trials they will go through. The Bible tells us...
God has a way of refining and disciplining believers. When Christians sin they experience the consequences. God allows this for four reasons: (1) to show us that all sin and come short of His glory, (2) to encourage us to turn from sin and to depend on Him more, (3) to prepare us to face even stronger temptations in the future, and (4) to help us stay faithful and to keep trusting in Him. If believers in Christ need earthly discipline and God's refining judgment, how much more judgment will unbelievers receive from God? So, how are we to react to our troubles? Examine yourself in God, improve yourself in God and commit yourself to God. Put your life and your troubles in God's hands. Do you believe in His promises? Okay, then you know he will take care of you. Now Creekside! Are you ready to celebrate? May we abide steadily attached to God and to each other in Peace, Love and Unity!
July 6, 2008At some point in our Christian lives we must ask: "God, what are the things in my life preventing me from having a closer walk with you? I want to know the happiness that comes from me not criticizing myself by what I believe in, that other Christians may not." Asking this of God will take faith because, believe it or not, we often hold on to things that prevent us from walking closer with God because those things seem to be making us happy. But real happiness is found being closer and closer to Christ Jesus, and not by being criticized by our faith in Christ, whether our faith is strong or weak. Immature Christians have been known to impose their own opinions of prejudices, or standards on weaker Christians. So the Bible tells us...
Paul urges believers to be sensitive to those whose faith may be lessened by our actions; we should not sacrifice our religious beliefs in Christ just to satisfy some selfish motives of some believers who try to force their opinions on us. The strong in faith do not need to judge the weak in faith. Dear Saints: Christian fellowship should be characterized by harmony and building each other up. And all believers should seek a clear conscience before God. For every believer today is to be following Christ Jesus Amen!? Now Creekside! Are you ready to celebrate? May we abide steadily attached to God and to each other in Peace, Love and Unity!
June 29, 2008No nation on earth, apart from Israel, has a greater spiritual heritage than America. The first thing pilgrims did when they landed in the new world was to kneel and pray. On a cliff overlooking that spot a statue has been erected. On the base are written the words, "Law, Morality, Freedom, and Education." On the granite shaft above stands a figure representing faith. So to preserve our great nation will require the same kind of faith in and devotion to our almighty God. God's WORD warns...
When nations forget God, they eventually end up deteriorating historically. Why does this happen? First of all, because those nations forget that God is the foundation for moral values. And moral values do not exist apart from God. Second, because nations forget that God is the basis of all human worth. The very sacredness of life and the uniqueness of man come from the fact that we are made in the image of God. And third, because nations forget that God is the source of their national security. When a nation forgets God, it destroys the basis for its national strength. American strength is not in commerce, nor industry, nor education, nor military power, nor government. It is in the character of its people. And we must remember that we are a people of God! Now Creekside! Are you ready to celebrate? May we abide steadily attached to God and to each other in Peace, Love and Unity!
June 22, 2008Since World War II the number of American psychiatrists has quintupled. Since 1955 the number of Americans admitted to mental hospitals has risen four times faster than the population. These facts are an indication of some of the disorder in many lives today, but multiplying the number of psychiatrists is not the answer to our problems. Do you believe that the Christian religion is one of the most potent influences for producing harmony, peace of mind, and confidence of soul needed to bring good mental health to all those who seek it? Well it is! And so we now know that the answer to Putting Your Life in the Right Order must begin with "JOY", the joy of loving Jesus Christ, the joy of loving others and the joy of loving yourself.
Jesus referred to Deuteronomy 6:5 to show that a person's total being must be involved in loving God first. Nothing must be held back, because God holds nothing back! You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. Matthew 22:37. The Greek word for "love" is agapao, which means totally unselfish love, a love which we are only capable of with the help of the Holy Spirit. The heart is the center of desires and affections, the soul is a person's being, and the mind is the center of a person's intellect. To love the Lord your God in this way is to fulfill completely all of His commandments. Now Creekside! Are you ready to celebrate? May we abide steadily attached to God and to each other in Peace, Love and Unity!
June 15, 2008Jesus Christ invites every person to follow Him but they must in return have a willingness to put aside selfish ambition, to shoulder their cross, and to follow. What does it mean to put aside selfish ambition? It means to surrender immediate material gratification in order to discover and secure your true self and God's interests. It means a willingness to let go of selfish desires and earthly security. And that means You're Not in the Driver's Seat. Following Jesus means having an attitude that turns self-centeredness into God-centeredness. When the self is no longer in charge and God is.
Jesus has announced that He is going to Jerusalem to die, so He expects His followers to follow in His footsteps by dying to self. When Jesus uses this picture of His followers shouldering their cross to follow Him, Christians know what that means. But let me remind you. Crucifixion was a common Roman method of execution, and condemned criminals had to carry their cross through the streets to the execution site. Therefore, following Jesus means a true commitment, sometimes even at the risk of death, and there is no turning back. To follow Jesus Christ today is a moment by moment decision that we must make, requiring an attitude of compassion and service. Are you ready to move over and let Jesus drive? Now, let's celebrate!
June 1, 2008Oh, how the time has passed that I have been gone away from the love of my church, my dear wife and my three beautiful children. I miss you and I am praying daily for all of you. But God is using me here mightily for his purpose, for now there have been over one hundred-twenty beautiful Filipinos who have given their lives to Jesus Christ in the two short weeks that I have been here. God's unchanging love and mighty power have been my source of strength. I have now preached in over twenty-five churches and at times the schedule I am on is exhausting, and Satan tries to sift me and throw his fiery darts at me, but I am reminded of my shield of faith in Jesus Christ and His purpose for me being here in the Philippines. And that is to win souls for Christ.
Above all the shield of faith is a vital part of our Christian armor. We are told to put on the "whole armor of God" because the Christian life is warfare and a spiritual battle. The Apostle Paul knew first hand what it was like to need the shield of faith in Jesus Christ, because he endured in faith in becoming the greatest missionary to the world. Paul emphasizes the importance of faith by saying "take up the shield of faith", for nothing can hurt you anywhere, not even the fiery darts of Satan will find you. I am honored to be a servant of the Lord and also honored and humbled to carry the same shield of faith that the Apostle Paul carried. So still while I am away for one more week pray for peace from God, peace with God and the peace of God to be with us all. I am looking so forward to coming home next week. I love you in the Lord! I miss you too! Now, let's celebrate!
May 25, 2008I have been here now for seven days in the hot sweltering heat of the Philippines and I have already preached eleven times and traveled over three hundred miles. We have won over fifty souls for Christ so far and the welcome for me here by the Filipinos has been warm and well received. The incredible smiles on their faces reveal their gladness of my return for the third time in three years and they can feel the love in my heart and the enduring concern I have for their welfare and salvation. I have preaching engagements scheduled almost every day until I return home to beautiful Creekside on the 5th of June 2008. It is the Lord that is my strength and under this demanding schedule I could not accomplish His will for my life without the gift of the Holy Spirit. The natural result of receiving the power of the Holy Spirit is evidence of our witnessing of Jesus all over the earth. If we want to be witnesses for Christ, then we need to be filled with the Holy Spirit!
On the day of Pentecost there were thousands of people who received the power to evangelize to the world because of a spiritual phenomenon of joyful ecstasy. You can always recognize a Holy Spirit powered person. The evidence in him or her is obvious, for they possess the great power of the Holy Spirit to evangelize by sharing their faith with lost souls. They also have the power to change people's lives with the life altering blood of Jesus Christ and that is the only power that can turn this world upside down. And that power is with every believer today in the person of the Holy Spirit. I love you in the Lord! I miss you! Now, let's celebrate!
May 18, 2008God made me a dreamer--you can ask anyone who knows me, my wife, my children, my close friends. I believe once you become a Christian you don't stop dreaming, but you start dreaming for God! I believe that I am just an ordinary person like you committed to a great dream for God's kingdom. When an ordinary person is committed to a great dream for God's Kingdom, it makes that person great in the eyes of our Lord. If you want to be healthy and balanced, you've got to have a dream to live for. My dream is Operation Compassion--Philippines whose mission is based on the biblical principle found in Matthew 28: 18-20, "The Great Commission." Its functions are the principles for church growth and world outreach to include: Evangelism, Discipleship, Ministry, Fellowship and Worship. Creekside's home grown mission and world evangelistic outreach ministry is dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities to reach their full potential through Jesus Christ. Motivated by our faith in God's Holy WORD we serve alongside the poor and oppressed as a demonstration of God's unconditional love for all people. I am about to embark on another remarkable journey to the Philippines and I hope you too will be there with me in prayer. I will be sharing the love of Jesus Christ with all of God's people in the Philippines by ministering, evangelizing and preaching to the poorest. I will also continue to help build a much needed library for the Landmark Baptist College in Pasig, Manila to help bridge the gap between American Seminary education and third world biblical education for Pastors. So come along side with me in prayer and I am certain we will all see God's Glory!
May 11, 2008A recent survey revealed a majority of high school kids, college students and busy adults believed that religion was a very important part of their lives, but they did not believe that attending church was just as important. This is quite a contradiction, especially since the Bible commands us to go to church. Where is that written in the Bible some would say? It is written in the book of Hebrews chapter ten verse twenty-five. It says...
Hebrews 10:25 (NIV) We go to church to get pumped up, inspired, and encouraged to live a better life in God's Kingdom here on this earth. We go to church to fellowship where we share with other people our desire to serve God and to live the Christian life to its fullest. We know we can worship God any place, any time, but we must worship most often in the church. Remember this. You don't go to church to score points with God. And attending church on a regular basis is imperative for the Christian's conscience, witness, and support for the church. The Bible reminds us that the stimulation to love and to do good deeds will occur when Christians continue to meet together where they share their faith and love for God with others. And that, my friends, is what should be taking place today at Creekside! Now, let's celebrate! May we abide steadily attached to God and to each other in Peace, Love and Unity!
May 4, 2008Harry Houdini will always be remembered as the master of escaping. For the young people of today it's Criss Angel who can escape from anything. No matter what the contraption, they always seem to find a way out right at the last minute. Chains, locks, straightjackets, jails, all kinds of boxes and trunks cannot hold them. So today in our lives, when it comes to temptation, God always wants us to be like Harry Houdini or Criss Angel and escape. In God's Word this morning, just like in the Corinthian society in the first century, immorality is everywhere today and the pressure on Christians to fall into temptation is tremendous.
I Corinthians 10:12 God wants us to escape temptations chains, trunks, and straitjackets, but he does not expect us to do it alone. In fact, he has given us an advantage even Houdini or Criss Angel didn't have, the Holy Spirit which will always show us the way to escape temptation. At times we may feel that temptation is overpowering or even impossible to resist, but God never lets that happen to us. In every case God provides a way You Can Escape. All the temptations that Satan will throw at us will never be more powerful than God's faithfulness for us. For the Bible tells us today that "God will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear!" Now, let's celebrate! May we abide steadily attached to God and to each other in Peace, Love and Unity!
April 27, 2008Christianity is not just a way of thinking and believing. It is a way of living and doing. Do you believe in the Devil? Did you know that there are many people who do not! In fact some people put the Devil in the same category as Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. In other words people try to relegate the Devil to superstition and fiction. But the Bible tells us very clearly the Devil is real. The Bible declares his existence, his intentions and his methods. It tells us that Satan is a spiritual being who is the enemy of God and everyone who believes in God. Just listen to what our Lord Jesus tells us about Satan...
The purpose of sifting is to separate the wheat from the chaff. Satan wanted not only to sift Simon Peter but he wanted to crush him as well. Satan hoped to find only the chaff of the wheat and then blow it away. He does this because his desire is to shake us loose from our faith in God. But Jesus assured Peter that his faith, although all have sinned, would not be destroyed. In time Peter's faith would be renewed and he would become one of the most powerful leaders of Christianity in the first century. If Satan has been sifting you, you are in good company. Remain strong, remain faithful and you too can make a difference in God's Kingdom. Now, let's celebrate! May we abide steadily attached to God and to each other in Peace, Love and Unity!
April 20, 2008Christianity is not just a way of thinking and believing. It is a way of living and doing. We have a job to do, and our lives must reflect our motivation to serve our Lord, to share his gospel message and to get ready for his Kingdom. It is not only imperative that you understand God's will for your life today, but that you also learn and grow in his Word as you continue Walking Wisely with God everyday. That is why the Word of God tells us to...
In God's message today Paul encourages the believers, as I am encouraging you, to live not as fools but as those who are wise. In other words, you must take your knowledge of Christ and apply it to your everyday lives and to be especially aware of your conduct when you are among unbelievers. As Christians you should be so completely under the Holy Spirit's control that your actions and words show beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are filled with the presence of God's Holy Spirit. My friends, the book of James tells us that wisdom has been made available for those who believe in Christ Jesus; and all you need to do is ask for it. Now, let's celebrate! May we abide steadily attached to God and to each other in Peace, Love and Unity!
April 13, 2008There are millions of people today who are wondering if there is still more to life than what they have already found. In their search for A Satisfied Life many turn to the abuse of alcohol or the illegal use of drugs; some even try to find satisfaction from gaining material things or wealth. If you are a person who is thirsting for more of life, there is in the human heart a thirst for something which only Jesus Christ can satisfy.
Jesus said to her, "Give Me a drink." John 4:7 We all need water on a daily basis. For each day it is certain that we will become thirsty again. But all the drinks of this life will only temporarily satisfy our thirsts. Any attempt to find full satisfaction in the things of this world will only lead to disappointment and despair. The good news is, there is a fountain that could continually satisfy our desires, because it is permanent, eternal, everlasting and the only fount I know; it is found in a relationship with Jesus Christ. This gift of life which only Jesus can give is today available, accessible, and abundant for those who want it. Are you satisfied with your life today? Are you thirsting for more than what you have already found? Then you too, like the woman in today's message from Samaria, can come to the well and drink. Now, let's celebrate! May we abide steadily attached to God and to each other in Peace, Love and Unity!
April 6, 2008What does the Bible say about getting rich? Well, if you are like me and you basically have food, clothing, and shelter then you are to be content. First Timothy 6:6-10 speaks directly to those who want to get rich, while First Timothy 6:17-19 speaks directly to those who are rich. If you do have wealth then you are given a great responsibility. For the Bible says that the wealthy have special challenges in the way of pride and contentment. Paul says these words by the power of the Holy Spirit...
I Timothy 6:6 In today's message from our Lord, let's focus and Think God and Grow Rich by creating the right foundation for your future. Christ said, in the Sermon on the Mount, that those who have the financial means are to make certain to store up their treasure in Heaven and not on earth. And that means investing your wealth for eternity. This kind of investing not only means giving your tithing and offerings to the church, but is much broader. Any unselfish giving to meet the needs of others, especially to the poor, creates a deposit in eternity for you. Are you ready to experience God's blessings Creekside? Then use your money wisely. Enjoy it, share it, and invest it and live by faith and not by sight! Only then will you be able to step into what God has already planned for you and that is living life to its fullest! Now, let's celebrate! May we abide steadily attached to God and to each other in Peace, Love and Unity!
March 30, 2008There is a magnetism to the cross of Jesus Christ that cannot be explained apart from God. In today's message from God, Jesus speaks about his death in terms of being lifted up. This explanation makes it clear in John's gospel that this expression signified how Jesus was going to die and that it would be the cross onto which Jesus would be nailed. Jesus knew he would die by crucifixion and with these words he spoke...
John 12:32 (The NET Bible) Did you know that God's authenticating witness to Jesus' death on the cross is for the benefit of those who need help believing? What Jesus was saying is his offer of salvation extends to all people and that he would be lifted up as a sacrifice and ransom for sin. Jesus' incredible love, expressed in his death for all people, will draw and bring together those who believe in Him, so that sin, evil and death, which are the weapons of the prince of this world, will be powerless. So, what is it that draws people to the cross? What is The Magnetism of the Cross? As believers in Christ we know that the way of the cross may not be an easy one, but it is the way home. Now, let's celebrate! May we abide steadily attached to God and to each other in Peace, Love and Unity!
March 23, 2008(Happy Easter Creekside, My Family and I love you so much!!!) Wow! He has risen! The scriptures declare that Jesus had abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through his resurrection from the dead. Christ died for our sins, he was buried and he was raised from the dead; all in accordance with the scriptures. This is the sound doctrine and this is the trustworthy message as it has been taught...
1 Corinthians 15:1-2 The prophets and Jesus both foretold Christ's resurrection, there were many who saw Jesus after His resurrection and the tomb was empty! All evidences point to the certainty of the resurrection. And still further that proof lies within YOU and me today! That's where the real confirmation lay. You can rest assured, "He is not here, he is risen even as he said." Now we can live until we die when Going Home in the Light means living forever with Christ in Heavenly places. Worshiping and glorifying our Lord and King of Kings, the one true God; Jehovah is his name, the self existent one, also called Elohim, the strong one, and Adonai, the Lord our God! Where is our hope? It is in Jesus Christ and in the belief that God has raised him from the dead. Now, let's celebrate! May we abide steadily attached to God and to each other in Peace, Love and Unity!
March 16, 2008In today's message we come to A Day in Jesus' Final Week on Earth. This coming week is usually considered Holy Week. It begins with Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday) and ends with his crucifixion (Good Friday). Matthew devotes about a third of his gospel to Jesus' final week, which shows how important he regards the events surrounding the death of Christ. As each day passed, hostility towards Jesus grew and the chief priests and Pharisees were among those provoking confrontation with Jesus. Thus Jesus tells his allegory.
Matthew 21:37-39 Perhaps a complex riddle of sorts for some who do not know what Jesus is trying to say. So allow me to clarify: God himself, whose vineyard is Israel, did everything within his power to make his people fruitful in good works. But the religious leaders of Israel, the renters of the vineyard, rejected the servant's help to collect the fruit, which were the prophets, and they killed them. Then last of all, God sent his son to help them collect the fruit, which was Jesus, and they killed him also. Thus Israel will have the kingdom of God taken away from them and in turn given to us, the Gentiles, and we will produce and collect its fruit. Now, let's celebrate! May we abide steadily attached to God and to each other in Peace, Love and Unity!
March 9, 2008Perhaps one of the most critical questions that can be asked of those who fill the sanctuary's of worship each Sunday morning or Wednesday night. It is heartbreaking to say that there are so many people in our world today calling themselves Christians. I am speaking of those who seek for themselves the honor and praises of their own thoughts, dreams and accomplishments, from others instead of from God. Have you ever listened to another believer and wondered if they were really a Christian at all? Jesus said,
Jesus determined by his example to bring God's message of forgiveness, giving, compassion, truth and most of all love to all humanity. This in turn brought glory to His Father, God. Some people demand more praises from man than from the Son of Man and the Father. Jesus was saying that those who call themselves Christians must not contradict the Bible and therefore work to receive the praises of God only. For every "Christian" believer who desires to know and follow the example of Christ must seek God with the intention of being filled by His praises. And this brings us to today's message from God, Will the real Christian Please stand up? Now, let's celebrate! May we abide steadily attached to God and to each other in Peace, Love and Unity!
March 2, 2008You are going to get a dose of back to back sermons on stress relief with this Sunday's sermon on The Secret of Peace. Why do you think the Bible is filled with God's promises on peace? Why do you think there are so many best selling novels with the formulas for peace? I will tell you why -- It's because it is the most sought after contentment in this present evil age and world we live in today, with wealth and prosperity not very far behind. Last week Paul said that he had learned the secret. And today I promise you will not leave the worship hour without fully knowing how the peace of God can be with you too.
This secret of peace is different from the world's peace. It is the peace that Jesus promises to all those who believe and trust in Him. This secret of peace is given to us in Philippians 4:6-9, with a valid and indisputable contextual introduction in verses 1-5. There are three parts to this Sunday's message from the Word of God and they are: Pray it! Think it! And do it! The right praying, thinking and doing demand practice if you desire to experience the peace of God. What are we waiting for then, if we have everything to lose or everything to gain! Now, let's celebrate! May we abide steadily attached to God and to each other in Peace, Love and Unity!
February 24, 2008I have discovered a prescription for anxiety! Can you believe it? It is found in God's WORD, and it is simply, to give. God's word tells us not to worry about anything, pray about everything, and do not forget to thank the Lord for all things. The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Philippians Church said, "I have learned the secret for living every situation whether my stomach is empty or whether my stomach is full.' 'For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need." Philippians 4:13. The Philippians Church was not wealthy but they were willing to have faith and give Paul financial help in his time of need, and for their giving Paul pronounced a blessing upon them.
Something always happens when the word of God is obeyed, lives are blessed. Not only was Paul's life blessed by the churches' financial giving to him, but the Church itself was blessed beyond measure. And that measure is the glorious riches in Christ Jesus for which is limitless and infinite. Is there any distress in the life of your church today? God wants to meet your needs, but it takes Faith, Prayer and Gratitude, three things which are A Prescription for Anxiety. Follow it and peace will be yours. Now, let's celebrate! May we abide steadily attached to God and to each other in Peace, Love and Unity!
February 17, 2008Some startling claims have been made against the reliability of God's trustworthiness. And that is why we thank you Lord for Jesus Christ as your Son and the universal Savior for all persons. For we know without a shadow of a doubt that these claims are true! Furthermore, we know that nothing any human being can dream up on his own in fairy-tale or fiction can contend with The Trustworthiness of Christ.
How can we be sure God is Trustworthy? We can be sure through Jesus Christ! And when Jesus says we can ask for anything, we must remember that our asking must be in his name, that means according to God's character and His will. God will not grant requests contrary to his will and we cannot use his name as a magic formula to fulfill our selfish desires. If we are sincerely following God and seeking to do his will, then our requests will be in line with what He wants for us. And only then will God grant the desires of our hearts. Now, let's celebrate! May we abide steadily attached to God and to each other in Peace, Love and Unity!
February 10, 2008Jesus has told us to live until he comes. Therefore, we must watch for Him, work diligently and obey His commands. And our relationship with God should also affect every earthly relationship that you and I have in our lives today. Sometimes there is division and sometimes there is strife, so God warns us to be prepared.
The purifying power that Jesus speaks of then is the same power of the Holy Spirit in our lives today. This could only come after Jesus had accomplished His work on the cross. The fire of Jesus may be at work in your life right now; burning away pride and purifying your life as He commands you to be a faithful steward of His Kingdom on earth. Because judgment is coming, my friends, and Jesus is the one who will bring it. We can not sit on the fence when it comes to choosing Jesus or His will in our lives. We simply obey and follow. And remember, your Christian faith will impact your relationships. So Be Alive and Be on Fire! Now, let's celebrate! May we abide steadily attached to God and to each other in Peace, Love and Unity!
February 3, 2008There is nothing in our lives that is more important than our thoughts. It has been said, "Sow a thought and you reap an act, sow an act and you reap a habit, sow a habit and you reap a character." Did you know that your character is ultimately shaped by your thoughts? Listen to what the Bible tells us concerning The Power of Thoughts.
In Proverbs chapter 23 alone the writer gives us more advice on how to live in the modern world than most internet sites on the world-wide web can ever give us. They teach us not to accept bribes, the wrong reason to work hard, what to think about party animals and our friends who drink alcohol, what to do with your parents when they are old, and that wrong thoughts in your heart will eventually rot it away. With our thoughts so important what shall we do with our thoughts? Let me tell you, begin today to think of your heart as a brand new heart, your mind as a garden and your thoughts as seeds. And now in your new heart whatever you plant in your mind that is what will ultimately grow. Remember that this is your new day; this is your new song. Now, let's celebrate! May we abide steadily attached to God and to each other in Peace, Love and Unity!
January 27, 2008We can hardly imagine the impact! When the Gospel light appears in a place of darkness, changes are inevitable. Those who respond are transformed; those who resist the message will face the consequences. The prerequisite for salvation has been presented to all and is valuable for all who believe. Christ came to earth and died for our sins and now those who believe are free from the sentence of death. The grace that saves believers also gives them hope for the future and Christ is that grace.
Living the Christian life may be hard to grasp and understand for non-believers. That is why God uses Godly men to demonstrate what it truly means to live a Christian life. Today we live in an evil world where people totally reject God's influence in many areas of their lives. Believers must renounce that attitude. Believers must replace sinful desires with positive characteristics, such as self-control, right conduct and devotion to God. Our motivation for righteous living is our hope in Christ's wonderful return. Then when The Blessed Hope in Christ returns he will find us ready, waiting and doing good works. Our hope makes us live each day ready morally and ethically to serve Him. Now, let's celebrate! May we abide steadily attached to God and to each other in Peace, Love and Unity!
January 20, 2008It is said, that the greatest thought that can occupy any man's mind is his accountability to God. It is also said, that those who refuse to believe in Christ will share the Devil's judgment. "And the devil was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur...there he will be tormented day and night for ever and ever." Rev. 20:10. Believers and non-believers, no one will escape the scrutiny of God the Father.
It is God sitting on his throne and his judgment will be complete. This is the Great Judgment Day, the place where the books will be opened, including the book of life. For those whose names are already written in the book of life, this is the judgment for rewards. For believers in Christ, works can not save you, but your deeds are important to God. Deeds are seen as clear evidence of your relationship with God. And for unbelievers, no amount of works no matter how good can save you. Are you ready to be judged? Now, let's celebrate! May we abide steadily attached to God and to each other in Peace, Love and Unity!
January 13, 2008Jesus says he is the only way to God the Father, whom we know is a vision of Heaven. Some people may argue that this way is too narrow. In reality it is wide enough for the whole world to enter through, if the world chooses to accept it. Instead of the world worrying about how limited it sounds to have only one way, we should be saying, "Thank you, God, for providing a sure way to get to Heaven!"
No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6 This is one of the most basic and important passages in all of scripture. How can we know the way to our Father's house? It's only through Jesus. As the way, Jesus is the path to the Father. As the truth, he is the reality of all of God's promises. As the life, he joins his divine life to ours both present and eternal. By uniting our lives with Jesus Christ we are uniting our lives with God. And we as believers in Jesus have a home in Heaven to look forward to. Now, let's celebrate! May we abide steadily attached to God and to each other in Peace, Love and Unity!
January 6, 2008Jesus appointed "ordained" twelve that they might be with him. Mark 3:14. The office of Christian ministry is extended not to individuals but to the whole church as an abiding body. Today we give formal appointment or recognition of those who have given proof of their spiritual qualifications as Deacon. Three men who have been chosen by the brethren as men already "full of the Spirit and of wisdom."
What is this responsibility given to these newly chosen deacons? It is to be assistant, servant and witness to the pastor, to the church and to the world. And what is the responsibility of the abiding body, Creekside Baptist Church? It is to pray for the deacons, encourage the deacons and to follow the deacons. By the laying on of hands we are saying that we approve these men, Brother Basil LaFollette, Brother Carl Martin, and Brother Bob Johnston, for the work of the ministry. Now, let's celebrate! May we abide steadily attached to God and to each other in Peace, Love and Unity!
Go to older posts--From the Heart of a Preacher...
[LOCATION] [OUR STAFF] [MISSIONS] [ABOUT US] [GOOD NEWS] |
