Taylor's Chapel Baptist Church

If you have God's Word… be finding John 20. And as you are looking for it… I have a question for you. What is the only…man…made…thing…in heaven? The answer is the scars in the hands…feet…and the side of the Lord Jesus…that He took…back…to heaven… with Him! Now… he keeps those scars… as a memorial of His death! Don't ever get the idea that He no longer bears those scars… because the Bible tells us… that when He comes again…we will see those scars!

Tonight… we pick back up were we left off. Judah continues their march forward to take the Promise Land. And now they have reached the midpoint of their conquest. Why do I say that? Because in this next verse… they go with the Simeonites… to help them take the land that was promised to them. And where did their land sit? It was right square in the middle of Judah's land.

You know…I sure do enjoy watching a garden grow . About this time of year every year… as the cold winter weather sets in… I start thinking about the spring. And the further along we go into the winter… the more I long for it. And one of the things that really stokes that fire… is when I get those first seed catalogs. I start thinking about tilling up that garden and sowing some seeds. I just absolutely enjoy watching… as God makes those little ol' bitty things… spring up and grow! I just absolutely love to watch a garden grow. And as I thought about that this week… I began to think about something else. Did you know that we as Christians are gardeners? Did you know that we… as Christians… are seed sowers? This morning and next Sunday… I want to spend some time… taking a look at a parable… that we haven't visited in a while. So… if you have God's Word… turn with me to Matthew 13 … and let's begin talking about this subject, "Sowing seed!"

While many people will choose to call my generation "Generation X"… I choose to call my generation… and all those following it… "The Lost Generation". How did this happen? How did we go from "The Greatest Generation"… to a generation of immorality so quickly! How did we end up in the mud hole we are in today? What happened? And this isn't just a question concerning "Generation X"… this is a question concerning all the children of today! What is happening to our children?

Let me start off with a question this morning. If we don't know God's will as believers…what are we? Are we uninformed? Are we searching? What are we? If we don't know God's will as believers…folks… we're being foolish. You say, "Preacher…that's pretty rough! I can't believe you're gonna start out the message this morning that way! I mean…come on preacher! The Bible doesn't talk like that!" Turn with me if you will… to Ephesians 5:17…and let's see what the Bible has to say about understanding the Will of God.

One of the questions that I am asked a lot is this: "Preacher…How can I know… the will of God for my life?" Most of us are willing …to acknowledge that… God has a plan for our lives! But the problem is…many times…we have trouble trying figuring out… what that plan is!

Let me start out today by asking you a question. And I want you to answer it honestly. Are you…a growing Christian? Do you love and know the Lord Jesus Christ better today…. than you did last year or last week? A wise man once said, "To cease to be better…is to cease to be good." There are so many Christians who are saved… but they're not growing! And you'll never know the kind of victory that you ought to know…and you'll never have the kind of joy that is yours have …until you learn to be…a growing Christian.

This morning…we're gonna look a story… about a man who came to Jesus. And this man had a weak faith. Some people might call it a superficial faith…or maybe even worse…a superstitious faith. But he went from that superstitious faith… to a strong faith…to a saving faith.

Tonight…we're gonna pick up where we left off… and we are going to travel with Judah as they make their way into the Hill Country... and ultimately... into the Land of The Giants.

Tonight… we pick up where we left last week. Tonight…we continue forward in the conquest of Canaan. And we march on to a place called Debir (formerly Kiriath Sepher). And it is here… that we'll get a sneak peek at Israel's first Judge.

Tonight, we pick back up where we left off. Judah had captured the city of Jerusalem, and they press on in their efforts to take ownership of the land as God had directed. "9 After that, Judah went down to fight against the Canaanites living in the hill country, the Negev and the western foothills." (Judges 1:9 HCSB) Now we read this passage of scripture, and our general inclination is to just go on to the next verse. But have you ever wondered why these three areas? Why are these three zones called out specifically? Why where these so important to Judah's conquest?

Now, we won't read it all this morning, but sometime when you have the opportunity, I'd like for you to read Nehemiah 3 from beginning to end, because I want you to see that after these people had done everything else… I want you to see how they really began to build!

A couple of weeks ago, we began talking about Nehemiah. And we talked about the biblical principles he used when he began the task of leading the effort to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. And if you'll remember, we said that when Nehemiah had received the commission from the Lord, the walls of Jerusalem had decayed. They were broken down. They had fallen to the ground. And it left the people of God without defense. It left the people of God in despair. And when Nehemiah received his call from God, he fixed his focus on that call. Nehemiah said, "God had laid something on my heart!" And when he felt the call, he fasted. He prayed. He wept. And God had told Nehemiah what to do! And we talked about the fact that God has a job for every one of us! God has a plan for every life! And if we are to ever realize that plan, we needed to spend some time praying and meditating to find the will of God for our lives! Like Nehemiah, we need to fix our focus on God's call. And then after Nehemiah fixed his focus, we said that he went out to survey the situation. He needed to find out how bad the walls were. He went out to find the facts. He arrives in Jerusalem, and rather than asking people about the condition of the people, the city, and the wall, Nehemiah goes out to see what the condition really is for himself! He saw that God's work was in ruin. This morning, I want us to spend some time talking about how, after Nehemiah had formed a fellowship to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, he fortified his faith and the faith of those around him. So let's start reading in Nehemiah 2:18.

Folks, let me say this very morning, God is calling us as a people to "Rise Up And Build". And as we read this passage of scripture, I want us to look at some truths. I want us to look at some principalsthat are laid down before us today. There are certain principlesthat are spiritual principles. And they are used when you build anything! You see, today you have a life to build! And these same principles will be truein the building of your life! You have a family to build! And these principles will be true in the building of your family! You may have a business to build! And these principles will be true in the building of your business! We have a church family and a church fellowship to build! And these same principles will be true in the building of the church family and the church fellowship!

Tonight we pick up where we left off. Judah has Adoni-bezek in chains, and they are now heading for Jersualem. The men of Judah fought against Jerusalem and captured it. They put the city to the sword and set it on fire. (Judges 1:8 HCSB)

Tonight we're gonna pick back up with our study. And we're gonna talk about what happened after this. Right after Joshua dies and Judah is appointed to take the lead in driving the Canaanites out, what do the leaders of Judah do?

Did you know that each and everyone one of us has something call a "world view"? We have some idea about our origin. We have some idea about our purpose, and about our destiny. Now, if you're a bible believing evangelical, your world view is probably pretty well settled. But knowing what you believe isn't enough. You also need to know something about what other people believe. And you need to know something about the currents that are moving us in the tide of history and how we ought to react to it.

Tonight… we pick backup where we left off last week. Joshua has died. Israel is left to carry out the commands given by God through Joshua. And a very important question is asked. What is that question? "Who of us is to go up first to fight against the Canaanites?" Why is this question so important?

Tonight...we end our journey with Paul the Apostle as he expounds one last time to the Jewish leaders in Rome on the Gospel Message of Jesus Christ.

Israel had been freed from the grips of slavery in Egypt, and they had been led by Moses to the Promise Land. Scouts were sent to explore the land, and all they had to do was take it. We now enter the preamble to the time of the Judges.

This morning, I want to talk to you about home! I want to talk to you about the family! It is so important! Listen! It is so important that we understand God's plan for the home and for the family! The family was founded by God to meet the deepest spiritual, physical, emotional, and sociological needs that all of us have.

There are so many people who have questions concerning believer's bapstims. Is it necessary for salvation? Do you have to be immersed? What does baptism mean? Why do we do it? This morning, we're gonna explore the answers to the questions and provide insight into what Believer's Baptism is all about.

Theology - The Thief - Salvation - Fear of the Lord - And Charlie Kirk Last week, we spent time talking about the thief on the cross, and the first thing we noticed about the thief on the cross was that this man understood that he deserved to die. This man realized that he was a sinner. He realized the wages of sin are death. He realized that the soul that sins will surely die. Here was a man who did not deny his sinfulness, but instead, openly and publicly admitted that he was suffering for his sin. But this morning, I want us to not only see that the thief understood that he was about to receive the wrath that he deserved, but I want us to notice the wisdom he displayed.

This morning, I want to talk to you about sound theology. And I want to show you from the Word of God how you can know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you're saved and on the way to heaven. And as we do so, I want to talk to you about salvation from the perspective of a thief.

Tonight, we pickup where we left off. After sharing the message of Jesus Christ with everybody on the Island, and after healing many in the name of Jesus Christ, God arranges to send a huge number of witness to Rome.

Last week we read Mark 14:3-9, and we said that when Mary pour the expense fragrant oil of nard on Jesus head and feet, what she was doing actually worshipping Him. And we said that when she did that, she was doing all that she could do to show him how much she loved him, and Jesus said, "She has done what she could." And we talked about how some people may have thought it was a meager work, but in actuality it was a mighty work. This morning, we are going to continue our study of what Mary did, and we are going to find out that not only was a misunderstood and meager work, but it was also a meaningful work.

So here we are at the house of Publius, the chief of the island. Paul, the crew, and all of the passengers have been taken in. And at this point-in-time, they are no longer just simply "being cared for". They are being served. They are being celebrated! Scripture says, "He welcomed us to his home and showed us generous hospitality. Now let me ask you something. Had any of these folks done anything worthy of being welcomed this way? What had they done to earn that? NOTHING! As a matter of fact, many of them probably deserved right the opposite. I doubt very many of them knew the Lord Jesus. The large majority of them worshipped false gods or no God at all. And many of them probably worshipped the same person that our world worships today. They worshipped themselves! Folks, they weren't deserving! And i'm gonna tell you something. When Jesus Christ suffered, bled, and dies on that cross to save us, we weren't deserving either. Aren't you glad it isn't about deserve? Praise God it is about the love of Christ, and not about what we deserve.

Last week we read Mark 14:3-9, and we talked about how marvelous and beautiful the account was in scripture. We said that in that passage of scripture, Jesus had recently raised Lazarus from the dead. And when you read all of the gospel accounts, you can tell that the feast that is described in Mark 14 is a celebration for Lazarus coming back to life! And we talked about how Mary opened an alabaster box of expense perfume and poured it on the head and feet of Jesus. And as she poured it on his feet, she wiped his feet with her hair and praised Him. Jesus was moved by what Mary did and Jesus said, "She has done a noble thing for Me." And then He said, "Wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told in memory of her." This important account dealt with a work that Jesus called, "a good work... a noble thing". And last week we spent time talking about how it was a misunderstood work. When Mary poured out the perfume on Jesus to anoint Him, Judas Iscariot said that it was a waste of money. But it wasn't a waste of money, because what Mary was doing was worshipping Jesus. She was realizing His worth and making everyone in the room aware of it. It was a misunderstood work. Today, we are going to talk about how it was also a meager work that became a might work.

This morning, I'm going to ask you to turn with me to Mark chapter 14, and we are going to talk about giving our best for Jesus. Now this is a beautiful episode in the life of our Lord. And it was so important that it was recorded by all four Gospel writers. So before we dive in, we need to understand the setting a little more. Jesus has raised Lazarus from the dead. Lazarus was the brother of Mary and Martha. And Mary, Martha and Lazarus were the friends of Jesus. He often spent the night in their home and took time to refresh himself there. Now Lazarus had been sick and he had died. And Jesus had revived him and brought him back to life. And as we read all of the Gospel accounts, we can tell that the feast that is described in Mark 14 is a celebration of Lazarus coming back to life. Now picture it with me. The table is set. All of the notable guests are there. Jesus and Lazarus are talking. Martha is in the kitchen serving and cooking. And Mary is sitting at the feet of Jesus. Her heart is absolutely filled with love for the Lord Jesus. And after a while, she quietly slips out of the room, and she comes back with something extremely exquisite and beautiful in her hand. It is an alabaster box, and inside there is some very expensive perfume. Mary breaks the box. She pours the perfume on the head of Jesus. She pours the perfume on His feet. And after she does this, she gets down on her knees, takes her hair and wipes the feet of Jesus and praises Him. This is where our message begins today.

Have you ever tried to do something alone, but it seems like you always fail? You may say, "I can do almost anything alont. I don't need anyone's help." But you do need God's help. Do you think we can do anything without God? The answer is simple. The answer is "No".

When last we met, Paul the Apostle, the crew, and the passengers had jumped overboard and made a swim for their life. And if you will remember, miraculously (and as God had promised), not a single person died. But once they got to shore, they still needed another miracle to save them. They had fought the currents. They had been inundated with with cold weather and bone chilling water. They were exhausted, and they were in need of help as they lay on the shore decimated by weather conditions, circumstances, and extreme measures that had been undertaken to stay alive. People on the island of Malta, found Paul, the crew, and the passengers, and with extraordinary kindess, they cared for them. They gave them shelter, clothing, food, and warmth around the fire. And as the stranded passengers recuprate, Paul the Apostle begins pouring his heart out to them through service. He begins helping the locals gather firewood to warm those who were exhausted and trying to warm themselve by the fire. and it is here that God begins demonstrating once again who He is.

The Bible says, "Do not be deceived, God is not moccked; for whatever a man sows he will also reap!" This morning we are going study the old principle that you've probably hear or read a thousand times. "You reap what you sow!"

Tonight we pick up were we left off last week. The passengers on the boat have made it to shore, but they are in terrible need of help.

Tonight, Paul prepares the crew, the soldiers, and the passengers for the swim of their life. The shoreline is within sight. And God has given them everything they need to get there, even his promise that not a single person will lose their life.

This morning, we're going to continue our study of what I consider to be some of the most terrifying an awesome verses in all of the Word of God. These are the words of Jesus Christ. And these words tell us of a sin so terrible, so awful, and so horrible that if you commit that sin, you will never be forgiven.

This morning, I'm going to read what I consider to be some of the most terrifying an awesome verses in all of the Word of God. These are the words of Jesus Christ. And these words tell us of a sin so terrible, so awful, and so horrible that if you commit that sin, you will never be forgiven.

When last we met, Paul the Apostle was on a boat heading for Rome. But that boat ran into a massive storm calle a "Nor'easter". The ship was trying to sail west, but ferocious winds pummeled that big ol'ship and forced it sout into open seas. All hope was disappearing, and all teh leaders shrunk back. Nobody had any answers to offer, only doom and gloom. Then Paul the prisoner becomes Paul the Leader. Paul steps forward on that sinking ship with everyone facing certain destruction, and he says the words that everybody is longing to hear. He says, "Everyone is going to be okay." Then he follows it with, "...but we must run aground on a certain island." This is were tonights message picks up.

When last we met, Paul the Apostle, the crew, and the passengers were on a boat that had gotten lost at sea during a storm. The waves were pounding the hull of the ship. The sky had grown black, and nobody could see anything. The boat was slowly sinking and literally coming apart. The crew heard what they thought might me waves crashing on a shoreline or rocky cliff. They had taken soundings and the water was getting more and more shallow by the minute. There was no way to tell whether the ship was about to run aground on a sandy beach, ride up on a bed of boulders, or be smashed against the face of a rock cliff. The crew dropped all anchors. And they were waiting on daybreak so they could verify the layout of the shoreline. If it looked safe, they would raise the anchors and allow the waves to drive them straight in so they could safely beach the ship. But until they could see, they had to hold tight were they were and pray. The problem was not everybody was willing to listen to Paul. Not everybody believed Paul. Not everybody was willing to be patient and wait.

God is going to reward you for your works. Now, I know we are not saved by works. But listen to me, we are rewarded according to our works! "If anyone's work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward". Your works don't lead you to heaven, but they most definitely follow you there. And folks, when you face the fire, it's going to be a time of revelation, a time of reward, and what we are going to talk about today, a time of regret!.

One of these days we're all gonna face the torch test. The is going to be a time of revelation. For for some...it will be a time of reward! And i'm glad because there are alot of obscure but precious saints who get no credit down here! And they receive very little credit and recognition for their service to Jesus Christ! But one day...things are going to be re-evaluted! And many who are first down here...are going to be last up there! And many who are last down here are going to be first up there!

When last we met, Paul the Apostle was on a boat heading for Rome. But the boat ran into a massive storm called a "nor'easter". The ship was trying to sail west...but those ferocious winds pummeled that big ol' ship and forced it south into open seas. The ship was being pounded and was beginning to sink. People were scared and had lost all hope, but God was still in control, and he had already chosen a leader to take control. The name of that leader was Paul the Apostle.

Have you ever wanted to see God's temple? Do you want to know what God's temple looks like? If you do, don't look around at this building because it's nothing more than a meeting house. If you want to see God's temple, you're gonna need to go home and look in teh mirror because YOU are the temple of God! God lives in you! And the question I have this morning is this: If you are the Lord's temple, and He lives in you, what have you built his temple with?

God siad, "Let there be light...and there was light." God said, "Let there be this...and there was this." God said, "Let there be that...and there was that." When God spoke...it was so! The World was created by His Word, and the world and everything in it is sustained by His Word. Folks...there is tremendous power in the spoken Word!

This morning we are going to talk about another abuse of the tongue. It is an abuse of the tongue that mames and destroys people and churches left and right. And the abuse of the tongue that we are going to begin talking about today is something called "unchristian criticism"

This is Memorial Day weekend. And as I think about it, I believe many people have forgotten what Memorial Day is all about.

The Bible has a lot to say about the use and the abuse of the tongue. As a matter of fact, two of the Ten Commandments deal with the use of the tongue. The first one is, "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord Thy God in vain." And the second one is, "Thou shalt not bear false witness." And many of the other commandments are impacted by the use of the tongue. Today, we are going to spend some time talking about the incredible power of the spoken word. And more specifically, we are going to talk about "the negative power of the tongue".

Paul the Apostle is on a boat headed for Rome. The boat had just recently encountered strong winds that had battered both the ship and the crew. God was gracious and allowed the boat to dock. They were spared and had been given an opportunity to find safety in the port of Fair Haven through the winter. But everyone's wants pressed against God's grace. Paul advised the captain and crew to stay in Fair Haven. He said that if they didn't they would most certaily lose everything. But they wouldn't listen. Now... God has to put everyone on their backs to force them to look up.

This morning, I want you to see how Satan tempted Jesus. And he tempted him in all ways that he could. He tempted Jesus with "the lust of the flesh", "the lust of the eyes", and the "pride of life". And you can rest assured that if he tempted Jesus Christ in all these ways, he will tempt you in all these ways as well.

So here we go. Paul is about to board the boat to Rome. He is clearly viewed as worthless. He is a prisoner. He has no rights. He has no authority. He has no responsibilities. His job is to wear shackles and chains...keep his mouth shut...stay out of everybody's way... and try not to take up anybody's space...time...or oxygen.He didn't get to decide which boat he would board. He didn't get to decide which seat he would sit in. He didn't get to decide when he would go to bed. He didn't get to decide when he would get up. He didn't get to decide anything! Rome had placed him on a boat of their choosing. And they had decided who would have authority over him while he traveled. Let's hear what Dr. Luke had to say.

Last week we talked about Paul the Apostle as he boarded the boat to Rome. And we talked about Paul's health and how he was in bad shape. We said that the Roman Centurion, Julius, looked at Paul and saw that he needed medical care...and he allowed Paul to go to his friends in Sidon. Now if Paul made a run for it...Julius would have been executed! But somewhere along the journey...the Holy Spirit had made Julius' heart tender. Paul had most likely spent time talking with him. And the Lord grew a trust and respect for Paul in Julius' heart. Tonight...we pick back up where we left off. Paul is about to board the boat again...but this time... a storm's coming.

If you have God's Word...turn with me to Luke 4. And this morning... we'll be talking about... temptation. You know when it comes to temptation...there are three ways that you can handle it. Two of them are wrong. And only one is right.