02
Sep '20
One Praying Prophet
02
Sep '20
There is no doubt. We live in peculiar times. Between concerns for physical health, political agitation, and social deterioration, many are tempted to run and hide or stand swing a club. Neither option is optimal. Ask any pilot, like Bob Randolph for example, and he will tell you that when visibility is bad, you must fly by the instruments.
We must be confident in God’s Word and continue in the same. Armed with a biblical perceptive we will remember God’s past blessings which should stabilize us in present troubles and encourage us for future deliverance. In our Wednesday night study of Daniel we are learning from the prophet’s pattern of prayer. Join us tonight at 7pm for this study, and for a time of praying together.
Also at 7pm, our SHinE Kids (grades K-5) and G.O.E. Teens (6-12 grades) will meet in the Family Life Center.
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24
Jun '20
Prophecy’s Purpose
24
Jun '20
Following His crucifixion, the resurrected Jesus described that purpose like this while talking with a couple of believers on the road to Emmaus: “And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning Himself,” Luke 24:27.
Near the end of John’s visions on Patmos, the overwhelmed apostle fell at the feet of an angel in worship. That when this happened, “And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” Revelation 19:10.
Daniel 7
In our study of Daniel we have arrived at chapter seven. Beginning this evening the prophetic aspect of this book takes flight. Daniel’s first six chapters are the historical mixed together with a little of the prophetical. That is reversed in the final six chapters with prophetic visions seasoned with a bit of history. Chapter seven is a panoramic view of God’s redemptive purpose and plan. We will be taken all the way from Daniel’s day to the return of Christ.
You are invited and encouraged to join us at 7pm for our prayer time and this Bible study. Our teens will also be meeting in the Family Life Center. This is their first time back together since the COVID-19 restrictions began. Come be with us. You may also follow along online.
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17
Jun '20
Thrown to the Lions
17
Jun '20
Micah 6:8 says, “O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”
Daniel certainly epitomized this passage. There is a great need in this world for justice, mercy, and humility before God and for His purposes. Seems that is always the case. Those characteristics marked Daniel. Not due to an innate superiority uniquely his. Daniel had “an excellent spirit in him” as Daniel 6:3 says because Daniel was committed to trusting the Word of God and following the God of the Word with all his heart, mind, soul, and strength. He had made that commitment when he was a young man, and now as he was nearing the end of his race he still ran hard. Daniel determined to finish as well as he started.
Age is No Protection
There is never a time when it is easy to do the right thing. Peer pressure is not restricted to young people. Hard decisions must be made regardless of age. Daniel was in his eighties when this cockamamie conspiracy was hatched. He refused to rest on his laurels. As he had done before he would do now. He would obey the Lord and trust Him with the consequences.
This means that Daniel had a target on his back. Nothing new there. In fact, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. Expect the attack. Some will be obvious. Others covert. No need to counter-scheme. Keep calm and carry-on with confidence in the Truth. Sounds like a broken record, but it’s true all the same.
Pride ALWAYS Costs
Many times the charge must be paid by those near the prideful, not just the proud. Darius was caught up in the plot because it played on his pride. “Make a firm decree that no one may pray to anyone but you for thirty days. All of your top men think this will unify the land and honor you, O King. Live forever!”
Had he not allowed his head to swell to a gargantuan size, he may have noticed that Daniel wasn’t in the room or part of this delegation. Since Daniel was the top man of the top men, this should have signaled a problem. Darius didn’t notice because all he could see was himself.
Reminds me of the story I’ve heard about Sir. Robert Watson-Watt. The man who invented radar. Late in life, while driving in Canada, Watson-Watt was reportedly snagged for speeding in a radar trap. He would write an ironic poem about the incident:
Rough Justice
Pity Sir Robert Watson-Watt, strange target of this radar plot,
And thus, with others I can mention, the victim of his own invention.His magical all-seeing eye enabled cloud-bound planes to fly,but now by some ironic twist, it spots the speeding motorist and bites,no doubt with legal wit, the hand that once created it!
Darius was a victim of his own invention. His pride cost him, and caused Daniel to be thrown to the lions. Thankfully, that’s not the end of the story.
Tonight at 7pm we will be in Daniel 6. Join us as we study the scriptures and spend time, like Daniel, in prayer for our land and the cause of our Lord.
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03
Jun '20
Writing on the Wall
03
Jun '20
Tonight we will read and consider some divine graffiti. The finger of God scribbled a message to Babylonian King Belshazzar during the drunken orgy he hosted, during which he outrageously blasphemed God in a multitude of ways. The days of the king and his empire were numbered, weighed, and judged. This is not only true of Belshazzar and Babylon.
Join us this evening at 7pm as we first spend time in prayer, and then open up God’s Word. This is our first official Wednesday night back together. There will be no SHinE or G.O.E. Teens tonight, but kids, teens, and those ministry workers will be welcomed in the sanctuary with the rest of us. The vans are still not running. We will let you know when they begin to roll again. The service will be live-streamed.
See you tonight at 7pm.
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Starting Back on Wednesday Night Services
Remember, tomorrow night, Wednesday, June 3 we will be “open” for corporate worship. Until now we have only gathered for Sunday morning worship. We are in the process of slowly transitioning back to our usual schedule.
As of right now, there will be no SHinE or G.O.E. Teens on Wednesday, and we are still not running the vans, but we will be open for our mid-week prayer time and Bible study. That’s tomorrow night – Wednesday, June 3 – at 7pm.
We need to spend time together in prayer. Do we ever. We will also spend time in Daniel 5. In that chapter the hand-writing was on the wall for a mighty and majestic empire.
We will still be live-streaming, but be prepared and plan to get back into the right routine of gathering together on Wednesday evenings.
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20
May '20
Grace is Greater
20
May '20
God’s grace is greater than your sin. That’s what the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 5:20, “Moreover the law entered, that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.”
All those who have experienced this great news are eager to share it with as many people possible. This is true whether you’re an ordinary person or royalty. Nebuchadnezzar ruled an empire renowned for its military, cultural, and artistic superiority. What could possibly be greater than building and ruling such a kingdom?
Nebuchadnezzar discovered that answer. When he did, he enthusiastically shared the news with the entire empire. This evening at 7pm we will read and learn from Nebuchadnezzar’s testimony. We also learn, once again, from Daniel’s example. You see, the truth about God’s amazing grace will only be truly appreciated by the one who recognizes his utter sinfulness. In other words, the Good News is so good because the bad news is so bad. Daniel did not shrink back from communicating the TIMELESS TRUTH of God’s grace to his king. That required him to also be willing to describe why his king – like all of us – required grace.
Our text tonight will be Daniel 4. The Bible study will be live-streamed. While we have not officially relaunched the Wednesday night service, you are free to join us and welcomed.
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13
May '20
Nebuchadnezzar Testifies
13
May '20
A humble heart pleases God. The Lord has said this through His prophet Isaiah, “To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word” (66:2b) We read in the Psalms:
- 34:18, “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”
- 51:17, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”
Christ Jesus began the Sermon on the Mount with the Beatitudes, the first four having to do with humility.
There is no doubt. Humility pleases God. The humble person may enjoy fellowship with their Creator. Sadly, humanity has always viewed humility as our current culture views smoking, something that is hazardous to your health and should be restricted. We live in a world preoccupied with brains, bodies, and bank accounts. The by-product of all that is a perpetual and persistent self-love fest.
I Want it My Way!
“Love yourself” is a popular mantra. Not a new one, just one that has become mainstream. Our schoolchildren are encouraged to write essays on “Why I am important” or “Why I love myself.” Advertising campaigns encourage us to spend our extra money, or even money we don’t have, on ourselves because, “You’re worth it.” We drive around with bumper stickers that boast about our elementary student who has made the honor roll. The only humor in this is that it all transpires during an age of participation awards! Society has taken “Ol’ Blue Eyes” at his word, and everyone sings to himself, and anyone who will listen, “I did it my way!” Or if they haven’t done anything, “I want it my way!”
But in a list of seven things which Almighty God hates (Yes, such a list exists. Just follow the link.), pride is listed first. We also read from the wisdom of Proverbs 16:5a, “Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord…” and “A high look, and a proud heart…is sin” (21:4). To drive home the point we have the example of King Uzziah, who the Chronicler says was “marvelously helped, till he was strong. But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction,” (2 Chronicles 26:16).
God’s Way is Best
Daniel 4 is the text for this evening’s Bible study. Here we have King Nebuchadnezzar enjoying the golden years of his life and rule. The world was conquered, the borders were secure, and all the economic indicators were strong. He had palaces, power, and prosperity. Despite all that, he had a problem. He was troubled, once again, by an awful dream.
Daniel was the Lord’s instrument. He interpreted the King’s dream and identified Nebuchadnezzar’s principal problem as pride. Up to this point he had failed to acknowledge that it is ultimately God who rules. The king’s world was bound up in himself. Nebuchadnezzar’s problem was not low self-esteem. He esteemed himself too highly, and did not esteem God at all. That had to change. What was the remedy? Verse 25 provides it. Nebuchadnezzar needed to acknowledge “that the Most High rules in the kingdoms of men.” Nebuchadnezzar must look away from himself, and look to Almighty God. This is the proper therapy for all who suffer from a proud heart.
Nebuchadnezzar’s testimony is powerful. Not because he was a powerful man but because he finally acknowledged that heaven rules!
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06
May '20
Would You Bow Down?
06
May '20
Everybody lives by faith in something or someone. The difference between a true believe and an unbeliever is not the presence of faith but the object of their faith. Daniel 3 is the text for today’s study and this evening’s sermon. There we find that leaders and influencers from across the great Babylonian Empire were assembled to worship the 90′ high and 9′ wide golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar had erected. He wanted to unify his diverse empire by means of religion and fear. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Faith Tried by Fire
Trials are used by God to develop our faith. The same trials are used by the enemy to destroy us. During such times we will either be drawn closer to the Lord or further away from him.
The Babylonian authorities showed up because of the King’s commands. They all stood up for the image’s dedication. When the music played they all bowed down. All except for three. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to break God’s Law. They had already proven a willingness to cooperate with their new pagan leaders, but they would not compromise the clear commands of scripture. Instead, they were willing to pay the price that comes with trusting God.
I wonder if the Apostle Peter had these three men in mind when he wrote 1 Peter 1:7; 4:12:
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
Shadrach, Mechach, and Abednego were confident in the Lord’s control of their situation. They stood tall when everyone else bowed low.
Would you bow down?
That is a question to ask and answer as we work through Daniel 3 tonight at 7pm.
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15
Apr '20
Now is the Time
15
Apr '20
The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever. The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose. Ecclesiastes 1:1-5
Not an encouraging outlook on life, but one that does echo in many hearts. Ecclesiastes is a textbook on the true philosophy of existence. The Preacher speaks like a philosopher. He uses the observable facts of this life “under the sun” to reveal the truth that lasting happiness and genuine satisfaction cannot be found in what this world has to offer alone. Pursue happiness and satisfaction under the sun only and you will find what Mick Jagger discovered. “I can’t get no satisfaction.”
The Preacher had tried. He thoroughly explored three different avenues of life. He tried the streets of…
Intellectualism
He sought to expand his mind and learn all that was humanly possible. He succeeded. There has not been one wiser than Solomon, but he learned that information alone cannot fill the needs of the heart or satisfy the soul. Our minds matter, but our own intellect and scientific rationalism cannot provide the ultimate answers to life. Education is a good thing but turn it into your god and it will leave you in despair.
Hedonism
Since knowledge and information were unable to satisfy the soul, the Preacher indulged himself in every pleasure. He didn’t hold back. No one drank more, had more sex, enjoyed more art, or laughed at more comedians than the Preacher, but all of that just proved to be another dead-end street. Pleasure is a good thing, but because of the Fall, it is not a trustworthy life guide. Turned into a god, pleasure becomes slavery.
Workaholism
The Preacher was a master builder. His projects were magnificent and to be envied. While hard work is a virtue, workaholism is as ultimately satisfying as plowing water. Industriousness is a great characteristic, but a miserable god.
The Preacher explored all these avenues of living and found each of them to unhappy dead-end streets. He ultimately discovered that all his intelligence, indulgences, and industriousness were meaningless under the sun.
That’s the first eleven chapters, and in chapter twelve, the last of the book, he brings his talk to a conclusion by driving home four foundational truths. That will be out focus tonight for the livestream. Here are your viewing options:
- Follow this link to view the livestream directly from our Vimeo page. If you search for our feed on Vimeo use “bbc church.”
- Click the “Watch Video” button on the church’s Facebook page.
- Watch us on Facebook Live
- Watch us on YouTube If you search for us on YouTube use “Bible Baptist Church, Mt. Vernon.”
All of these options are available because we want to make it easy for you to follow along. Please set aside the time to tune in at 7 pm. Have your Bibles open.
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08
Apr '20
This Church and This Crisis
08
Apr '20
The Church as an Institution
The Lord Jesus said to Peter in Matthew 16:18, “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter [Petros – a rock or stone], and upon this rock [petra – a massive rock; a foundation; Jesus was referring to Himself] I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
The Apostle Paul wrote to his protégé Timothy, who was pastoring the church at Ephesus, “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” (1 Timothy 3:15)
In chapter 3:14-21 of his letter to that Ephesian church, Paul recorded a prayer he often offered to God for them. He ended that prayer with these words, “Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”
The Church as an Assembly
The writer of Hebrews said this about the weekly church gathering in 10:24-25, “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
In 1 Corinthians 11:18-31 Paul instructed the church at Corinth on the Lord’s Supper. Five times in those fifteen verses Paul references “coming together.” That makes sense, because the Greek word translated “church” in the New Testament is ekklēsia and it means “a called out assembly.” By definition, an assembly must come together.
But BBC isn’t Assembling
Bible Baptist Church is an assembly that hasn’t been assembling. What gives? Bible Baptist Church also observes the Lord’s Supper each year before Easter, but we won’t be “coming together” this year. What gives?
That’s what we will be discussing with our Bibles open tonight at 7pm during our livestream Bible study. You have viewing options:
- Follow this link to view the livestream directly from our Vimeo page. If you search for our feed on Vimeo use “bbc church.”
- Click the “Watch Video” button on the church’s Facebook page.
- Watch us on Facebook Live
- Watch us on YouTube If you search for us on YouTube use “Bible Baptist Church, Mt. Vernon.”
All of these options are available because we want to make it easy for you to follow along. Please set aside the time to tune in at 7 pm. Have your Bibles open.
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