Fourth Baptist Church

The traveler's declaration and the Lord's watchful, personal, ultimate protections

The security of our salvation is fixed; however, the assurance of our salvation is a feeling that sometimes leaves us forgetful of what God has done. It is then God's promises that keep us from stumbling!

A godly man is marked by what he flees from, follows after, fights for, and is faithful to. A godly man is motivated by the person of God Himself -- the power, promise, blessedness, sovereignty, immortality, and radiance of God.

The love of money does not bring true gain, is only a temporal matter, destroys contentment, sets a trap, results in ruin, and is a source of evil. The biblical use of money is to invest in eternity.

Specific statutes and persevering principles

Just as scientists study the pathology of physical disease in order to better address the disease, we must spiritually discern and diagnose deviations from truth, ie, diseases of doctrine.

What role do the Ten Commandments play in the lives of New Testament Christians today?

We sometimes think in terms of "secular" and "sacred"; however, for the believer, all work is a sacred service. Whether we eat, or drink, or whatever we do, we do it as to the Lord (1 Cor. 10:31; Col. 3:17).

1 Timothy 5 addresses the treatment of one another in the family of God: - older and younger men and women (vv 1-2)- widows who have need (vv 3-16) - church elders (vv 17-25)

God's special care for widows is a recurring theme inScripture (Deut 14:29; Ps 94:6; Mal 3:5). God issued specialinstruction for the care and protection of widows in the Old Testament (Deut 10:18; 24:17; Is 1:17). Similarly, in the New Testament, God has given the church a responsibility to care for widows in need (1 Tim 5:3-16; James 1:27).

Paul instructs us as the family of God, explaining how we must act, react, and interact among one another in the local church.

History is replete with examples of those who abandoned the faith. By God's grace, we will hold fast.

Selfless love is crucial and should be the motivation behind everything the church does.

Christians need to embrace their calling.

Moses was at risk of wearing himself out; in today's vernacular, we might say he was high risk for burnout.

God graced His Church with women like Priscilla, Lois, Eunice, Phoebe, Lydia, and many others (Romans 16) who are great examples of fellow-laborers in ministry.

When ordering and arranging our conduct in the church, first of all we out to pray ... as we ought.

While there were grave consequences to Israel's complaining, God demonstrated amazing grace toward His people.

Saul was the greatest enemy of the cause of Christ; however, when confronted by the grace of God in Jesus Christ, his name was changed to Paul and his life was transformed. Paul experienced the total transformation of a sinner saved by God's grace.

It is good to be in need, for then we can experience God's provision, appreciate God's glory, and know God's Messiah.

1 Timothy gives us God's guidelines for order in God's house, but before Paull addresses any practical matters, he targets the theological issues -- first things first.

An Idolatry Test:- An idolatry-free Christian heart is guarded by contentment, flowing from commitment- An idolatry-free Christian heart is guarded by sacrifice, flowing from contentment3 benefits to those who pass the idolatry test:- eternal fruit v17- God's faithful provision of earthly needs v19- ultimate glory and fulfillment of God-given purpose for life v20

As we begin a new year full of hopes and dreams and ambitions and aspirations and good intentions, we must take heed to HOW we build, lest we lean or even topple to our own destruction.

The four themes of Advent are hope, peace, joy, and love. The greatest of these is love.

Jesus is our peace!

A realization of the holiness of God enables us and compels us to serve Him.

If the matters of salvation and sanctification are attained byhuman effort, there is good reason for man to boast in himself. But if the matters of salvation and sanctification are attained by JesusChrist's work on the cross, then man can only boast in Jesus Christ and the cross.

It is the practical relationships of life that best reveal our walk.

A proper use of our Christian freedom brings glory to God.

Without the Spirit of God, we cannot live for the Lord as we ought to live. Just as salvation is a divine work, so also is sanctification. Our responsibility is to walk in the Spirit.See Fruit of the Spirit study - Summer 2017

When the singing stopped, the sinning began.

Paul writes a disclaimer to warn us that abusing or misusing our Christian liberty would bring bondage.

In Galatians 4:21-31 Paul is illustrating a truth, not interpreting a text.

Galatians 4-12 marks a change in Paul's tone, and Galatians 4-12-20-include the most warm and personal words of this letter. Paul is no-longer writing as a scholar or a theologian. Paul is no longer-presenting arguments as an apostle. Paul is no longer charging the-Galatians or condemning them for their wrong. Paul is making a-heartfelt appeal to them as his friends.

Galatians 4:12 marks a change in Paul's tone, and Galatians 4:12-20include the most warm and personal words of this letter. Paul is nolonger writing as a scholar or a theologian. Paul is no longerpresenting arguments as an apostle. Paul is no longer charging theGalatians or condemning them for their wrong. Paul is making aheartfelt appeal to them as his friends.

When you find yourself in a place of desertion and desperation, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, and then move forward in obedience at His direction. If God's direction makes no sense, trust that His mighty hand is at work.