Bible Baptist Church

The Requests of Jesus Christ 2 (John 17:6-19)

PastorKeith — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 20:58:15 +0000

John 17:15 has the potential to do one of two things: It can either strike fear in the heart of a believer, as it reveals the enormous harmful potential of the “evil one”. Or, it can fill a believer’s heart with boldness and comfort as Jesus indirectly asserts that God can more than protect us from the enemy of all men. How do you interpret this passage? May the message speak courage to your soul.

The Requests of Jesus Christ ~ Part 1 (John 17:1-5)

PastorKeith — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 13:48:58 +0000

It has been said that death gives man a clearer perspective on life. Such a statement would not apply to Jesus Christ, for He was no ordinary man, but His impending death, and the prayer in light of that death may offer us a clearer perspective. May God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit be your vision.

But Be of Good Cheer (John 16:25-33)

PastorKeith — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 21:53:27 +0000

We, as humans, generally assume that we should feel encouraged, be well or live happy lives. This assumption may stem from our infancy because infants who are wet, hungry or in pain often express their discomfort by crying. Moreover, in 2007 CNN reported that a 2005 survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that the Antidepressant class of drugs was the most prescribed drugs in the U.S. We have coined terms like “comfort food” and “veg. time” to communicate our need to feel better. In light of this, a question comes to mind: Why should we be encouraged? In other words, who told us that we were supposed to feel good? Let’s not stop there…..why should we feel discouraged? Are there reasons which precipitate our emotional disposition? There are and Jesus addresses a major reason in John 16:25-33. Enjoy the study.

Is All Truth God’s Truth (John 16:12-15)

PastorKeith — Mon, 24 May 2010 01:44:58 +0000

It is common for Christians to live by internal convictions, walk by perceived feelings of peace, or decide based upon spiritual “open doors” attributed to God…….but is such a spiritual lifestyle truth? In John 16:12-15, Jesus offers His followers authentic truth. May this message glorify Christ.

The Helper(s) ~ John 16:5-11

PastorKeith — Thu, 13 May 2010 19:47:45 +0000

A few thoughts on Jesus Christ:

“He is the radiance of the glory of God….” Hebrews 1:3a
“You are beautiful beyond description, too marvelous for words” Mark Altrogge, I Stand in Awe, The Celebration Hymnal p. 80
“Not the Pope, but Christ only, is the head….” John Huss
“Take Christ from Christianity, and you disembowel it….Christ is the center of Christianity.” John Stott, Basic Christianity, p. 21
“My Jesus, my Savior, Lord there is none like You….” D. Zschech
“The rationalistic theologians could not separate the historic Jesus from the supernatural events connected with Him.” Francis A. Schaeffer, How Should We Then Live? p. 175
“Gentle Shepherd, come and lead us, for we need You to help us find our way.” Gloria and William Gaither, The Hymnal, #458

Yet, it is best for us that He went away. Why is that? Enjoy the message.

A Mother’s Heart (John 16:1-4)

PastorKeith — Mon, 10 May 2010 22:41:27 +0000

On Mothers Day we come to John 16:1-4. Although this passage is not directly about mothers, it is reminiscent of concerned mom. Notice the main point found in verse 1: “I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away.” In other words, what Jesus is saying, and has said, to His disciples is evidence of His deep and unending longing to care for them. Not that earthly fathers are careless, but a concerned mother’s direct care is glaringly or flagrantly aggressive. Reading John 16 inspires one to think that God the Son is the motivation for such a ministry. Enjoy the study.

The God of the Nations (Revelation 5:1-10)

PastorKeith — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 19:01:23 +0000

Blog 050210

Not all, but many Americans have expressed an incendiary frustration over the influx of Latinos into this country. Long before the attacks on September 11, 2001, many have felt challenged by our neighbors from the south flying, figuratively speaking, into local businesses; however this is only a mid-1960’s to present day development. Latino immigration is a relatively new issue within the context of U.S. immigration.

The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation notes: “American immigration history can be viewed in four epochs: the colonial period, the mid-nineteenth century, the turn of the twentieth century, and post-1965. Each epoch brought distinct national groups-and races and ethnicities-to the United States . During the 17^th century, approximately 175,000 Englishmen migrated to Colonial America” (Leaving England: The Social Background of Indentured Servants in the Seventeenth Century).

In light of this, there may not be a legitimate reason for the anger or bitterness which at times is directed toward Latinos. It is true that illegal immigration is….illegal; therefore, supporting American laws is right. It is true that persons should not illegally enter a nation. Therefore, it is true that many American and European Christian missionaries were offenders. But such is for the law to address, not frustrated citizens. Articulating one’s frustration by demanding that persons who dwell here, must speak as those who live here may not be right.

If I were looking to relocate to Ethiopia , it would make sense for me to learn the local language, Amharic. But for persons in Ethiopia to rage against me because of a perceived lack of development or the slow pace by which I learned would be unkind. What is the point? There should be only one reason for people to feel emotional over the language issue….Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection is that reason.

A song in heaven, sang by angels begins this way: ‘Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation….” (Revelation 5:9)

God has made it a priority to reach each language. It is evident that Christ-ones, in relation to God’s will, exist to reach people groups for the glory of God. In light of this, Christians should not expect others to speak their language, but we are to learn another’s language.

What if we don’t learn another’s language? Are we bad Christians? Fortunately, we are saved by grace, and God’s desire for nations does not, in my opinion, impose a legalistic mandate for a believer to learn every language within his sphere of influence. However, the heart of a believer prefers to reach the lost, rather than to wait for the lost to reach the believer.

Christian…learn the language.

the world vs. you (John 15:18-25)

PastorKeith — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 17:55:12 +0000

The world hates you! Although such a statement may not make us feel warm and fuzzy, a Christian who accepts such a reality is one step closer to finishing his course (Matthew 24:13). An old Spanish proverb reads, “Dime con quien andas y te dire quien eres”, or “Tell me who your friends are, and I’ll tell you who you are”. We are by nature influenced by the company that we keep. In light of this, we must walk very carefully among a world which Jesus emphatically declares is an enemy of our faith (John 15:18-25). We must not allow the fact that worldly agendas seem amicable, fashion ads seem inviting, retailers will take our money and even affirm that the customer is always right, or that fast food restaurants take orders….from us. Truthfully, there is no love for us in those efforts. Don’t get tricked.

What’s So Great About THE Resurrection? (John 15:12-17)

PastorKeith — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 14:28:56 +0000

I know nothing of your usual weekend routines, but if they are anything like my family’s, they can be consumed with stuff. I would like to encourage you to try something different in light of Holy Week, Good Friday, and Resurrection Sunday (Easter). We will not be having extra services at BBC, but that should in no way keep your family and friends from meditating on the enormous value that the events surrounding these days have brought us.

Imagine the last week of Jesus’ earthly ministry. You, along with friends, family or whomever the Lord has placed in your life may sit together and read, study or pray concerning the overwhelming pressure on Christ, the anticipation of angels, the plotting of the devil or the confusion of Jesus’ disciples. The pending crucifixion of the Son of God was such a mysterious event that “none of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (1 Cor. 2:8).

You may want to read, study and pray concerning the night in which He was betrayed by Judas Iscariot with a kiss (Luke 22:47-48), the denial of Peter (Luke 22:54-61), the trials of Jesus (Luke 22:63-23:25) and the cross (Luke 23:26-49).

This, of course is to prepare our hearts for the Resurrection of the King. Whether you are in fellowship at Bible Baptist Church or elsewhere, my prayer is that your hearts are leaping with the anticipation of singing praises, embracing souls, inviting the unchurched and living the implications of The Resurrection.

He is Risen….we may live.

I Give Up! (Part 2) John 15:7-11

PastorKeith — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 16:42:23 +0000

In the Bible, specifically in 2 Corinthians 13:5, we are told to examine ourselves to see whether we are in the faith. This can seem strange for people who would say that their faith is based upon a previous profession. For example, some would say, “I know that I am ‘in the faith’ because I remember praying a prayer of trust toward Christ, and being baptized when I was seven.” There is nothing wrong with trusting Christ and being baptized at age seven. But how should we interpret the following words by Jesus in John 15: 7-8: “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples”. The fact that Jesus and Paul call for present proof should not offend or confuse us. Bible passages like 2 Corinthians 13:5 and John 15 should inspire us to learn more about the faith. Jesus uses the word “abide” (remain, continue in, etc.) several times in John 15, so when he calls for abiding Christ-ones, the implication is that we indeed began a journey with Him, were baptized and are growing by continuing to do as He did by obeying His word. Remaining with Him is the life of His disciples. In light of the world’s suction power toward all that is ungodly, there is nothing strange about Paul’s challenge for us to examine ourselves or Christ’s command that we live a life of dependence on Him alone. Just as one would have an annual physical exam or dental visit, Christians are to be checking their hearts every day in light of God’s word. It’s what we do.