Olivet Baptist Church

God has a purpose for what we go through. He loves Christians, and He disciplines Christians so that we would be holy. Pastor Kevin Craft

The Christian life is a marathon. That means that we need to run with endurance and make it to the finish. We do that by laying off sin and anything that weighs us down, and by looking to Jesus. Pastor Kevin Craft

Cooperation is God's idea. From the moment we become Christians, God adds us to the church so that we will grow to be more like Jesus. But we also see examples in the Bible about cooperating with other churches for proclaiming the gospel and planting churches. Pastor Kevin Craft

We need faith in every situation in life. We need faith to overcome, we need faith to endure. And every Christian is in this long line of the people of God who has this kind of faith. Pastor Kevin Craft

History gives us examples of how other Christians have contended for the faith throughout history. That encourages us to stand strong in the faith, and it also gives us reminders about some of the pitfalls that we can avoid along the way. Pastor Kevin Craft

How do we overcome fear or sin? How are we delivered and saved? Hebrews 11 reminds us that it is by faith. Pastor Kevin Craft

Who is the "catholic church" that the Nicene Creed is referring to? What does the Bible say about the true church? The answers to those questions impacts how Protestants view and use the creeds.Pastor Kevin Craft

What does it actually look like to live by faith in everyday life? This passage gives us at least 4 examples of living by faith. Pastor Kevin Craft

The main reason for the council of Nicea was to make a statement on the Arian Controversy. And from the council, we get this statement on the Son, affirming that the Trinity is one God, while maintaining that the Son is eternally begotten. Pastor Kevin Craft

Sarah didn't start out as a great example of faith. But God changed her, and by faith she was strengthened and had an impact far beyond herself. Pastor Kevin Craft

The Council of Nicea was 1700 years ago. What should we think about the Nicene Creed adn creeds in general? Does it line up with the what the Bible says on the topic of the Trinity?Pastor Kevin Craft

Our eternity depends on faith. And in this chapter of the Bible, God gives us definitions and examples of what faith is. Pastor Kevin Craft

Endurance is what we need. Maybe we're tired, facing trials, facing suffering - whatever the circumstance, we need endurance. And God tells us these truths to help us endure. Pastor Kevin Craft

The gospel is not just that Jesus died. It is that He rose from the dead. The resurrection was something that God knew would happen, so He wrote about it in the OT to get us ready to recognize the Christ. Pastor Kevin Craft

We need to be reminded of the gospel. The gospel is simple, profound, and has an impact on all of the Christian life. Pastor Kevin Craft

God gives us warnings. And we should take those warnings seriously, and change what we are doing, so that we do not face the judgment that is coming. Pastor Kevin Craft

Peter and John were aware of what they didn't have, but they focused on what they did have - they had Jesus. And they gave what they had. Pastor Kevin Craft

If Jesus has made a way for us to be with God, and if Jesus is the Great High Priest over the house of God, then we should think about each other in a certain way. Pastor Kevin Craft

The Christian life is based on doctrine. And this passage gives us 2 doctrines that should lead to 3 responses in our life. Pastor Kevin Craft

God wasn't pleased with the sacrifices in the OT. There was something else that God wanted - obedience. Pastor Kevin Craft

The Regulations for worship in the Old Covenant couldn't bring someone into the presence of God. There had to be a better sacrifice. Pastor Kevin Craft

If the Bible spends so much time talking about Jesus as the High Priest, then that must be important for us to understand. This chapter tells us one reason it is important: Christ brings a better covenant with better promises. Pastor Kevin Craft

This passage revolves around perfection. The OT law and priests weren't able to bring perfection, but there was a better priest who was perfect and can make us perfect. Pastor Kevin Craft

Abraham's life shows us that God makes and keeps promises. And knowing the promises of God is what leads to hope and encouragement in life.Pastor Kevin Craft

What does Paul talk about when he proclaims the gospel to the people in Athens? He focuses on what God is like. And as he does that, he instructs us on how to share the gospel with others. Pastor Kevin Craft

Andrew and Philip set an example of what it means to know Jesus, follow Jesus, and bring people to Jesus. And we imitate that example when we invite people to church and point people to the Bible. Pastor Kevin Craft

Paul had a desire that his people would experience salvation, and so he prayed that God would save them. And then he gave us some specifics about what his people needed to understand about God - His righteousness. Pastor Kevin Craft

Guest Preacher David Dishong

What is God like, and what should our response be? Psalm 145 gives us a clear description of God, and a clear way we should respond - we should say something to God and to other people. Pastor Kevin Craft

Blessed is the man who... delights in the law of the Lord and meditates on it day and night. Pastor Kevin Craft

The angel proclaimed the gospel (good news) to the shepherds. And that good news is the Jesus is the Savior, Christ the Lord. Pastor Kevin Craft

Christmas is not just a time for traditions and songs and gifts, but a time where we can remember the significance of Jesus being born. Pastor Kevin Craft

Before it even happened, God was telling everyone what His plan was to bring salvation. And that plan involved Jesus and John. Pastor Kevin Craft

Jesus sets the example for what a servant must be: humble, cleansed, and following Jesus' example. Guest Preacher Caleb Twachtman

Thankfulness is not only commanded, but it is good for us. It is modeled by people throughout the Bible as they give thanks to God in all circumstances. Pastor Kevin Craft

When we do not mature in our faith, we are in danger. And this passage might contain the strongest warning in the Bible about pressing on and not staying in immaturity. Pastor Kevin Craft

Jesus is the Great High Priest. That is the reason that we can be reconciled to God, and the reason that we can receive help in time of need. Pastor Kevin Craft

When we face challenges in life, we always need hope. And whenever we are helping someone else through a temptation or a trial, we want to point people towards hope. Pastor Kevin Craft

God offers us rest for our souls. But not everyone makes it to that place of rest. As we continue to strive toward heaven, God gives us help in our time of need. Pastor Kevin Craft

How do we address sexual sin in our life or help others who are facing temptations or ensarements in these areas? Pastor Kevin Craft

Christians have a heavenly calling and are on a pathway to glory. But there are still many trials and temptations that we face on the way. So how can we be sure that we will make it to the end and not fall away? Pastor Kevin Craft

Trauma is not new. People in the Bible experienced traumatic events. And as we look at their lives, we can see how they responded in faith in those moments and how the Lord helped them endure. Pastor Kevin Craft

We were created by God for glory and honor and dominion. But our sin means that we fall short of that glory. But there is one human who has received glory and honor and dominion and made the way for many to be brought to glory. Pastor Kevin Craft

What do we do in our sorrow? When we face loss of various kinds, and we are naturally sad, how does God lead us in that moment? Pastor Kevin Craft

Jesus is the Son. Jesus is superior to Angels. So pay attention to the message of Jesus. Pastor Kevin Craft

When should we bring up what someone has done against us, and when should we overlook it? The Bible gives us some helpful principles. Pastor Kevin Craft

When Jesus shows up, things change. And specifically, this passage says there is a change in how God speaks now, because now God has spoken to us through Jesus. Pastor Kevin Craft

After we have conflict, what should we focus on? Jesus doesn't tell us to focus on what the other person did wrong. Jesus says to take the log out of your own eye. Pastor Kevin Craft

What does God say about serving well? That's what we think about during this Deacon ordination service. Pastor Kevin Craft

There is a certain mindset that we strive for in the middle of conflict. And along with that mindset, the way we communicate can determine whether conflict escalates or is resolved. Pastor Kevin Craft

There are disagreements about the timeline of the end. But here at the end of Daniel, God gives us a clear statement on how all of history will result in two groups of people - the wise and the wicked. Pastor Kevin Craft