Category Archives: Sermons

You can click here to go to the Internet Archive page for this sermon, or listen to the sermon using the player below.

Pastor Bell preached on April 25 from I Timothy 2:11-15; Paul’s instructions to Timothy regarding women teaching in the church.

This is a message preached on April 18 regarding the qualifications of a bishop, found in I Timothy 3:1-7.

You can click here to go to the Internet Archive page for this sermon, or listen to the sermon using the player below.

I Introduction

1. This morning I found this prayer of Martin Luther on a web site. It certainly fits what we are talking about today: “Lord God, You have appointed me to be a pastor in Your Church. You see how unfit I am to undertake this great and difficult office,and were it not for Your help, I would long since have ruined it all. Therefore I cry unto You; I will assuredly apply my mouth and my heart to Your service. I desire to teach the people, and I myself would learn ever more and diligently to meditate upon Your Word.

Use me as Your instrument, only do not forsake me, for if I am left alone I shall easily bring it all to destruction. Amen. ” Continue reading →

You can click here to go to the Internet Archive page for this sermon, or listen to the sermon using the player below.

Introduction

1. Get out your Bibles and turn to I Corinthians 10. When I mention a verse look it up.

When you go home today consider what I preached and pray about it. Pray it in with your Bible open before you. Get this stuff into your very soul.

2. We are just about finished with our little series regarding the church. And we would be very wrong to not take a whole message to consider the only repeated ordinance given by Christ to the church. He gave two.

a. The first is baptism, which is a once in a lifetime event that a believer goes through at the time of his/her conversion, as a testimony of his union with Christ and as a strengthening of the faith as he begins his journey in life as one of the disciples of Christ.

b. The second is the one we look at today – The Lord’s Supper.

c. I wanted to do this on a Sunday when we would be having Communion but things did not work out that way and as I put the sermon together it proved out to be the providence of God at work. Two weeks between this message and the next Lord’s Supper service. Take the things delivered to you this morning about the Lord’s Supper and come in two weeks properly prepared for it.

3. A message on the Lord’s Supper. But does this really matter? In the face of child pornography, the slave trade, oil slicks in the Gulf of Mexico … Does this really matter? Shouldn’t we bother with something that impacts our lives a little more relevantly? How is this going to help me with finding a spouse, getting into university, or giving the Gospel to my neighbour, or coping at work or paying the bills …? I think as we see what the texts that we are going to look at this morning have to say about the Lord’s Supper we will see that this is very much a relevant subject for us to be involved with this morning.

4. And yet when we look at the NT we see that this is considered important. In fact, the Lord’s Supper is one of the four things mentioned in Acts 2:42 that the church formed on the Day of Pentecost was devoted to. The Lord’s Supper ranked right up there, with that early church, with the Word of God, prayer, and the fellowship of the saints. (A look at those four things reveals to us that the only one that the evangelical church today does not do every week as a part of their worship services is the Supper. We preach the Apostles’ doctrine, we pray and we fellowship together every week. But we celebrate communion once per month … ). Continue reading →

You can click here to go to the Internet Archive page for this sermon, or listen to the sermon using the player below.

Introduction

1. We are looking at what the New Testament teaches us about the church. There is no way that we are going to say everything that can be said about the church of Jesus Christ (in fact, I can already think of things that should have been said in previous messages that did not get said …). But Pastor Bell and I are trying to zero in on the most important matters as we see them given to us in the New Testament.

2. We have considered the identity of the church – disciples, the purpose of the church – worship, the mission of the church – make disciples, the first ordinance of the church – baptism, the second requirement after baptism for believers – membership in the church. We spent three four looking at leadership in the church – pastors/elders/bishops and deacons.

3. Today – gifts of the Holy Spirit in the church.

a. The most detailed teaching regarding spiritual gifts in the NT is found in I Corinthians 12 – 14.

i. The most prevalent problem in the church at Corinth was disunity/division. We see it referred to in 1:10, 3:1-4, (Note that in chapter 5 the Corinthian church is very much united in their treating sin in the church as a small thing, while fighting over other things not as important) 6:1,8, 11:18. When Paul concludes his Letter to them the last instruction he gives them is – 16:13-14 … .

ii. This problem of division had infected the Corinthian church in its understanding and practise of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. It had become such a problem that they asked Paul to teach them on this matter.

(1) We see the disunity in the matter of the gifts in verses 12-13, 15, 21, 26, 27. And especially verses 28-31

(2) The most famous text in all the Bible regarding love is in fact God telling the church at Corinth (and all churches to follow) that there is something more important than what gift a believer has. Love is more important … . Don’t focus on the gift that you or others have. The world will not know that we are the disciples of Jesus because of the gifts that we have. It will know that we are His disciples because of the love we have for one another.

(3) The problem with their understanding of gifts was that had exalted one gift in particular above all the rest – the gift of tongues. This, Paul addresses in chapter 14. The key verses for understanding what Paul is getting at when he teaches about tongues and prophecy are – verse 5, 12, 19, 22, 24-25. 9Chapter 14 closes with some practical instruction regarding how things ought to be done in a church service of worship in terms of tongues and prophecy.) Continue reading →

OOPS!! Yesterday I posted the notes from the Mother’s Day sermon but didn’t post the message itself.

You can click here to go to the Internet Archive page for this sermon, or listen to the sermon using the player below.

So here is the message “The Proverbs 31 Woman” that was preached on Mother’s Day. I’m away on a break next week. Sure hope it helps.

This week we are going to catch up with a few sermons that were preached in the month of May.  Today is the message from May 2 that Pastor Davis preached regarding the work of deacons in the church.

You can click here to go to the Internet Archive page for this sermon, or listen to the sermon using the player below.

Thistletown Baptist Church

Jesus Christ – Body Builder XIV: DEACONS

May 2, 2010

1 Tim. 3:8-13 (ESV)

Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. [9] They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. [10] And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. [11] Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. [12] Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. [13] For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

I Introduction/Review

1. We spent three weeks considering the office of pastor/elder/bishop

a. Ephesians 4:11-16 – They are called by God to equip the saints for the work of the ministry

b. I Timothy 3:1-7 – they are to be men of exemplary character

c. I Timothy 2:11-15 – Elders are men. We did not choose this topic to create controversy. We chose it because it is a commonly asked question today and needs to be addressed. And what we heard last week was an excellent explanation of a difficult text.

2. Today we go on to the second office of the church. The second and final office of the church. The Second London Baptist Confession of Faith states it thus:

a. 8._____ A particular church, gathered and completely organized according to the mind of Christ, consists of officers and members; and the officers appointed by Christ to be chosen and set apart by the church (so called and gathered), for the peculiar administration of ordinances, and execution of power or duty, which he intrusts them with, or calls them to, to be continued to the end of the world, are bishops or elders, and deacons.

( Acts 20:17, 28; Philippians 1:1 )

3. Put into contemporary English that says that a church organized in a manner pleasing to Christ has but two offices – pastor/elder/bishop (that’s one), and deacons (that’s two). I won’t be emphasizing this throughout the message so let’s say it now. Be very clear about this. There are only two offices in a New Testament church. There are more than two officers, but all the officers fit into one of two offices.

a. In our church the officers of the church are 2 Pastors, 4 elders – two of whom are the two pastors; 3 Deacons, 1 Deacon Assistants, 3 Trustees, 1 Treasurer, 1 Clerk. Biblically the deacons, deacon assistants, trustees, treasurer and clerk are deacons. And they are deacons because their work is not the spiritual direction of the church. The spiritual oversight, care and direction of the church is the work of the elders. The care of the building, finances, certain aspects of ministry development, administration etc. are the work of the deacons, trustees, treasurer, deacon assistants – or biblically – the deacons. It is deacons we are going to look at this morning.

Now then, let’s begin.

4. Daniel 6:1-7 – It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom 120 satraps, to be throughout the whole kingdom; [2] and over them three presidents, of whom Daniel was one, to whom these satraps should give account, so that the king might suffer no loss. [3] Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other presidents and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. [4] Then the presidents and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him. [5] Then these men said, “We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God.” [6] Then these presidents and satraps came by agreement to the king and said to him, “O King Darius, live forever! [7] All the presidents of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the counselors and the governors are agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an injunction, that whoever makes petition to any god or man for thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. Continue reading →

You can click here to go to the Internet Archive page for this sermon, or listen to the sermon using the player below.

Thistletown Baptist Church

Jesus Christ – Body Builder: He Gave for the Equipping of the Church

Eph. 4:1-16 (ESV)

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, [2] with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, [3] eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. [4] There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— [5] one Lord, one faith, one baptism, [6] one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. [7] But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. [8] Therefore it says,

“When he ascended on high he led a host of captives,

and he gave gifts to men.”

[9] ( In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? [10] He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.) [11] And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, [12] to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, [13] until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, [14] so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. [15] Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, [16] from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

I Introduction

1. Today we return to our considerations of the church.

a. So far – the marks of a disciple. The church is made up of disciples of Christ. Disciples are those who follow Jesus Christ. They are those who believe in Jesus and have turned away from their sin. They have taken up their cross and followed Him. They love Him more than they love anyone else, even father and mother, sister and brother, husband or wife. They are those who love one another. They are those who are opposed, persecuted, ostracised, misunderstood … in various ways because of their loyalty to Jesus Christ. They are those who are obedient to the call of Christ upon them, the first command being to be baptized. The last time we were together in this matter we looked at the truth that those who are disciples of Jesus Christ, who have the true marks of a follower of Jesus Christ and have been baptized as believers in Jesus Christ, join themselves to a local assembly of Jesus Christ. Disciples of Christ belong to churches.

b. The point of the message was that there are no lone star Christians in the world. A believer not affiliated with a local church is an oxymoron. We spent most of the time last time looking at the incredible things that the New Testament says about the church, especially the “one anothering” texts. The church is a fellowship of saved people who love one another and serve one another … . It is one of the chief things that God gives us so that we will not have sinful unbelieving hearts that turn away from the living God. If you do not meet with, pray with, worship with, other believers you are asking for trouble. The church is the place where your gifts are to be used. The church is the only vehicle for the proclamation of the gospel in the New Testament. There is no Christian faith without the church. It just does not exist.

2. Today we start looking at leadership in the church. We are in Ephesians 4:1-16. If you have your Bible with you I want you to open it to Ephesians 4. If you did not bring a Bible with you grab a pew Bible and turn to page 788. Follow along.

a. Overview of Ephesians

i. The two chief divisions in Ephesians

b. The Christian Walk – 4:1 – 6:9

i. walk in unity – 4:2 -16

ii. walk in holiness – 4:17-32

iii. walk in love – 5:1-6

iv. walk in light – 5:7- 14

v. walk in wisdom – 5:15 – 6:9

II  Walk in Unity – Ephesians 4:1-16

1.

a. 1-6 – Keep the Unity of the Spirit

i. Note verses 3, 4, 5, 6. The point could not be driven home any plainer.

b. 7-16 – Unity in Diversity

i. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism and we are to keep the oneness of the Spirit in the bond of peace. But that does not mean that there is not something for each of us to do. Grace is given to each one.

(1) Don’t lose sight of this dear ones. If you are a believer God has graced you with gifts for the sake of this church. The purpose of that gift is – I Cor. 12:7, Romans 12:5, I Peter 4:9. Your gift is not for show. It is not for demonstrating how talented you are. It is not for starting up some big ministry that will capture the attention of the world, Christian or secular. It is for the glory of god and the benefit of the people you worship with

(2) Note how the use of gifts here is part of the Letter to the Ephesians that has to do with unity. See again I Cor. 12:12-13, 22-23, 24-25; Romans 12:4-6a

(a) Dear believer in Jesus Christ: what are you doing with the talents and gifts that God has given you that contribute to the unity of this assembly of believers? We are about to look at the leaders mentioned in this text – but note what the ministry of the leadership is to accomplish – verses 12 – “for the building up of the body of Christ”. Then see 13 “until we all attain to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God…”. And then note this about verse 13 – it says that we “attain to mature manhood”. Literally it states “to a full grown /mature man”. The word for “man” in verse 13 is gender specific. But it does not mean that only men can become mature, it means that we all together become one mature man. The church is not a conglomeration of individuals who grow up. It is a man who grows up. Then see verse 15 “we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head…”. Then see verse 16 “when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” That is what the proper use of your gift is to accomplish. That is the goal. Have you ever given that thought? Continue reading →

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Good Friday

Jesus Prays in the Garden

Matthew 26:36-46 (ESV) – Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” [37] And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. [38] Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” [39] And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” [40] And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? [41] Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” [42] Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” [43] And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. [44] So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. [45] Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. [46] Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”

1. His hour has come.

a. Twice in the Gospel of John we read that the hour for which Jesus was here had not yet come.

i. John 7:30 – So they were seeking to arrest him, but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come.

ii. John 8:20 – These words he spoke in the treasury, as he taught in the temple; but no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.

b. And then we are told that it has

i. John 12:23 – And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.

ii. John 12:27 – “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour.

iii. John 13:1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

iv. John 17:1 – When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you,

The hour is the hour of His glorifying God through His death and resurrection. That hour has come. We find ourselves in that hour this morning and the part of that hour that we focus on is Jesus’ prayer in the garden. Continue reading →

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There are no Sermon Notes for this Message

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Acts 2:41 – So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

I Introduction

1. Review: The church is made up of disciples of Christ. Disciples are those who follow Jesus Christ. They are those who believe in Jesus and have turned away from their sin. They have taken up their cross and followed Him. They love Him more than they love anyone else, even father and mother, sister and brother, husband or wife. They are those who love one another. They are those who are opposed, persecuted, ostracized, misunderstood … in various ways because of their loyalty to Jesus Christ. They are those who are obedient to the call of Christ upon them, the first command being to be baptized.

2. Today we consider the third essential mark of disciples of Jesus Christ. They are part of a church that worships and serves God together. We are going to use Acts 2:41 as a starting point, a catalyst, if you will to get us to seeing the importance and value of formal church membership. Continue reading →