Baptist City Blog

Finding the Faith to Avenge Adversaries

Luke 18:8

"I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?"

As Jesus told the parable of the widow and the unjust judge, He wondered aloud if when He came back to take us to Heaven if He would find faith on the Earth. He tells the story of a widow who approached a judge who had no fear of God and didn't care what man thought. This widow lady went to the judge to ask him to avenge her of her adversary. This judge wanted nothing to do with her, yet because she kept on wearying him with her request, he finally gave in and granted her request. In this parable Jesus shows us what it will take for Him to find faith.

Oppositions

God's Happy Family
Justice: God's Highest Priority
Friendship
Oppositions

Four more great sermons from the week of 07/06/14 for your summer listening pleasure!
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Abundance of Things

Luke 12:15

"And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth."

In the verse above, a man came to Jesus requesting that He would talk to his brother about dividing the inheritance. Apparently, the parents of this young man had passed away and left everything they had to his brother. This man thought that Jesus would be able to persuade his brother to split the inheritance. Instead, Jesus rebuked the young man by saying, "beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." Jesus wanted this man to understand that life filled with things will ultimately mean nothing.

Toiling with No Results

Luke 5:5

"And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net."

The disciples had fished all night and caught nothing. They were back at shore cleaning their nets when Jesus walked by and told them to "Launch out into the deep" because they there was a great draught of fish they would catch. Peter, being a professional fisherman, told Jesus that they had fished all night and caught nothing. It was as if Peter was telling Jesus, "Leave the fishing to the professionals."

The Meaning of the Cross

Mark 15:30

" Save thyself, and come down from the cross."

The cross is more than a Christian symbol, the cross carries meaning. When Jesus chose the cross, He showed the Christian how they should live their life. It is commanded in the Scriptures that the Christian should carry their cross in Mark 8:34 when it says, "And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." You will never be the Christian God wants you to be until you learn to carry your cross. So, what is the meaning of the cross?

Building Your Vineyard

Mark 12:1

"And he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country."

In the verse above, Jesus taught a parable about a man who planted a vineyard. There were many things this man did in planting a successful vineyard, but there were also some things this man did that hurt it. The desire of this man was that his vineyard would be able to produce grapes and juice for many people.

FBC Bulletin

The 07/06/14 FBC Hammond bulletin is up at Baptist City.

Finding Fault with Perfection

Mark 3:2

"And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him."

One would think it to be hard to find fault with Jesus Christ. Jesus is the sinless Son of God. Finding fault with whatever Jesus did would seem to be impossible. Yet, the Pharisees found a way to find fault in Jesus. Albeit, what they considered a fault was truly a personal problem they had with Jesus. Finding fault in perfection was detrimental to the Pharisees. What would cause people to find fault with Jesus?

Bible Thoughts by Terry Hedderman

Sunday, 6/29/14 Ps 139:16 (referring to the Psalmist when he was in the womb) Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.YOU are a Designer’s original: act special cuz you are. God has a will for every aspect of our lives. Either He communicates His wishes by commandment, principle, example, or wise common sense. If we’re unsure of what we should do, we should always err on the side of more godliness, more holiness, less carnality. These current debates about modest dress on women are absolutely retarded, in my opinion. I personally think God is rather clear on what He wants in how 21st century American women dress. If it’s unclear to you, that’s fine, but why is it that in your uncertainty, you choose the option that is “easier” on you? That makes “more sense” to you? That is closer to how the unsaved dress? That is less noticeable by the ungodly crowd? If you must choose, why not choose the more modest, the more reserved, the “holier,” option? The option that more clearly signifies that there is something different about you? The option that is unquestionably not wrong. To put it simply, I believe the debate is not a search for God’s will or what He says in His word: it’s a cover for hearts unwilling to submit to whatever He wants. Ps 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Hindrances to Your Prayer Life

Matthew 26:36

"Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder."

It was right before Jesus was to be taken when He went to Gethsemane to pray. Jesus knew that He not only needed to spend some time in prayer, but that His disciples needed the strength from prayer. When Jesus arrived at the place where He would pray, He told His disciples to wait while He went further to pray alone. To Jesus' dismay, when He came back to see how the disciples were doing, He found them asleep. Though the disciples had a sincere desire to pray, they found some hindrances that kept them from praying.