A Pastor's Blog

This is a continuation of a series of posts dealing with the Values of Bay Area Baptist Church.  You can find the audio explaining the importance of mission, purpose and values as well as a list of all eight values here.

The second statement that defines a value of Bay Area Baptist Church is:

“We believe that the local church is the hope of the world. It is not a cul-de-sac; it is a through street to impacting the world for Christ. It is not about us.”

While there are many that believe the influence and necessity of the local church is diminishing, we affirm that it is the local church that was established by Christ so that His work on this earth would go forward.  The Bible is clear that the only hope for a sinful world is the salvation provided through the death and resurrection of Christ and that the local church is the body of Christ on this earth.  There are several passages that we could look to and this is not by any means exhaustive, but a few of the passages that speak to this truth are found here:

Colossians 1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:

Ephesians 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

We are told that the church was so important to Christ, that He gave His very blood for it:

Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

With this truth in mind, our focus as a congregation is and will remain the local church. While there are many good and helpful organizations outside of the church, we understand that these organizations should come alongside the church to accomplish the purpose designed by God to be fulfilled by a local body of believers.  This should lead each member of Bay Area Baptist Church to understand that they have a responsibility to work together to impact this community with the message of salvation.  This local church is not about us.  It is about God working through us so that His work and His word will go forward.

Over the next several weeks I would like to discuss the eight stated values of Bay Area Baptist Church and provide a brief explanation of each.  This explanation will of course not be exhaustive but will hopefully give some substance to the stated value.  If you would like to review a previous post explaining the importance of Mission, Values and Purpose you can find it by clicking here.  If you would like to hear the message of these being presented you can find that by clicking here.

“We hold to the Bible as our guide, our standard and our authority. It is the Word of God and will be the foundation of everything that we do.”

This speaks to the ultimate importance that we place on the Bible, God’s Word.  While there are many things that a church can be involved in, we affirm that it will be the Bible alone that will set our direction, agenda, and programs.  Since the church was established by God to accomplish His work, we will use His Word as the standard for accomplishing that work.   We are told in 2 Timothy 3:16 the extent to which we should rely on the Bible for direction:

16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

It is profitable in all areas and should serve as our guide in both faith and practice.  We are also told in 1 Peter 1:23-25 that God’s word is the only word that will last forever:

23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 24 ¶ For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: 25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

While I am thankful for much of the wisdom that man has been given, we understand that both man and his wisdom will one day fade away.  I am thankful that we have God’s wisdom, infallible and eternal, as the foundation for all that we do.

While we are not perfect and will undoubtedly make mistakes, we will do all that we do for the Glory of God according to His Word!

One of my favorite holidays in this very busy holiday season is Thanksgiving.  There are so many reasons to enjoy this day. From the meals and the desserts to the time spent with family, this has always been a day that I look forward to.  Perhaps the thing that makes this holiday standout though is the fact that it is entirely focused on being thankful.  This is a time that has been set aside, not for the purpose of receiving, but for the purpose of saying “Thank You” to those that have given.

At our church we have established a “tradition” of coming together as a church family so that we can fellowship and express our thanks to the Lord for all that He has done throughout the year.  We enjoy a great meal together followed by a time of testimony that is always an encouragement.  What a blessing it is to hear the testimonies of so many in our church that have had a difficult year and through it all give praise to God. I am grateful for a church family that takes times every year to stop and give thanks to the giver of every good gift.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and
cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no
variableness, neither shadow of turning.   – James 1:17

 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in
Christ Jesus concerning you. -I Thessalonians 5:18

This week we began a new series of messages dealing with the topic of faith and asked the question, “Why is faith important.”  We looked for our answer in Hebrews 11:6 and concluded that faith is important because, “Only that which is done by faith can please God.”

But Why?

I. Without faith it is impossible to please Him

“Only that which is done by faith can please God.”

Romans 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

Romans14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

Romans 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Faith allows us to do more than we could ever do based on our own limitations.

“Only that which is done by faith can please God.”

Why? Because:

1. Faith Saves

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

2. Faith Focuses

2Corinthians 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

2Corinthians 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Faith causes us to look not at our situation or circumstance, not at the roadblocks, obstacles or excuses, but at a God that loves us, that has never failed to keep His word, and that has something bigger than we can possibly do on our own in store for us if we will put our confidence in Him instead of in us.

Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

Prayer is our expression of dependence on God.

II. He that cometh to God must believe that He is

When we do something by faith, we understand that we will be able to do more than we could ever do on our own.

“Only that which is done by faith can please God.”

But the reason that only that which is done by faith can please God, is because faith is based on who He is.

Faith is all about Him.

Faith is not blind.  Faith is not silly or stupid.  I may be in a situation that I have never been in before.  I may feel as though God wants me to do something that I have never done before.

But based on the evidence of who God is, I can sit down.  I can put my faith in Him and go forward to whatever it is that He has placed in front of me.

It is all about Him.

And only that which is done by faith can please Him.

That He is what?  He is the:

1. Creator-He has a plan for our lives.  Something that He wants to accomplish

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

2. Sustainer-He is powerful and capable. It is His desire and job to do the thing. We are responsible for our part, and then He can begin to work.

Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

1John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

3. Completer-It should be all about Him. He will do what He says He will do!

1Thessalonians 5:24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

Romans 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

“Only that which is done by faith can please God.”

Conclusion

Why is faith important?  Why is this perhaps the most important series of messages that I have ever preached?

“Only that which is done by faith can please God.”

-In your life

-In your marriage

-In your family

-In our church

“Only that which is done by faith can please God.”

“What are you attempting right now that only God can accomplish?”

Remember, “Only that which is done by faith can please God.”

Are you living a life that pleases Him?

To hear the rest of this message visit bayareabaptist.org

“Our Emmanuel Our Joy” was the Christmas musical performed by the choir and music team of Bay Area Baptist church last Sunday.  A great deal of work went into this production and I am thankful for everyone that invested so that Christ could be honored in word and song.  It was a privileged for me as the Pastor to meet several guests and know that everything that they would hear and enjoy would be about God’s great gift to His creation.  What an honor to celebrate the birth of our Redeemer!

This week we began a series of messages for entitled “I Am” that deal specifically with the deity of Jesus Christ. The first message was an introduction to simply answer the question, “Why is the deity of Christ important and why do we celebrate His birth?”

“The Reason that we Celebrate”

I. Only God can forgive your sin

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

II. Only God can establish an eternal purpose for your life

Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

This commission came after he had revealed to them that he was God by His resurrection.

Romans 1:4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

When Jesus died the purpose of His disciples went away, but when He was declared to be God by His resurrection they were able to live a dynamic life for Him turning the World upside down, many experiencing martyrdom for their faith.

A man cannot provide this eternal purpose.  Only God can provide a purpose that is eternal.

III. Only God can provide an example worth following

Philippians 2:5  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Men will fail you.  Their example is fallible.  There are good men but the best that they are is men and the best that their example can provide is from man.

The example of Jesus Christ is the example of God and is infallible, unchangeable, and eternal.

1Pe 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

Follow Christ.