Posts by Steven Thomas

Order of Service, December 3, 2023

Introduction This Lord’s Day we conclude our study of Brandon Crawford’s revision of the Baptist Confession of Faith. The topic is, “The Last Judgments.” The sermon text (2 Thessalonians 1:5-12) gives us a glimpse of what the Lord has in store for those who trust Him and those who do not. The elements of this…

Order of Service, November 26, 2023

Introduction The 31st chapter of the Baptist Confession of Faith focuses on “The State of Man After Death.” The sermon text for this service will explore a passage in which the Apostle Paul redirects our attention from this the “light momentary affliction” that marks our current, temporal existence, to the “eternal weight of glory beyond…

Order of Service, November 19, 2023

Introduction The 30th article of the Baptist Confession of Faith explains the Lord’s Table, or Communion. In the 16th century, a conflict arose among Protestant Reformers about what happens at the Table when the church gathers to partake of the elements (the bread and cup). Far from being an archaic controversy with little relevance to…

Order of Service, November 12, 2023

Introduction It is our joy to welcome missionary Tim Dahlhausen this weekend. He and his family will participate in the evening service. The morning service addresses the Baptist Confession of Faith, Article 29: Baptism. We will draw our discussion of baptism from a passage appropriate to the missions emphasis this Lord’s Day. The elements of…

Order of Service, November 5, 2023

Introduction Chapter 28 of the Baptist Confession of Faith presents a summary of the church’s two ordinances: baptism and the Lord’s Table. Two chapters devoted to the individual ordinances follow. Our sermon plan will follow this scheme, this Lord’s Day looking at two key passages to explain the general character of the ordinances. In the…

Order of Service, October 29, 2023

Introduction This Lord’s Day we will observe one of the ordinances that Jesus bequeathed to the church by which we remember him: the Lord’s Table. PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP Prelude Call to Worship       Psalm 99:1-3 Invocation       Pastor Hamilton Explanation of the Lord’s Table       Pastor Thomas PROCLAMATION Hymn 23       How Sweet and Awful is the Place I.        …

Order of Service, October 22, 2023

Introduction The 27th article of the Baptist Confession of Faith focuses on “The Communion of the Saints.” In it, “communion” is not a reference to the Lord’s Table. It speaks of the spiritual union that exists between true believers. It is a union that exists between us because we are all united with Christ. The…

Order of Service, October 15, 2023

Introduction The 26th chapter of the Baptist Confession of Faith gives a detailed description of the church. In today’s climate, many Christians fail to understand–or worse, refuse to embrace the importance the Scriptures place on the church. In our sermon this Lord’s Day, we will see that the church lies at the heart of God’s…

Order of Service, October 8, 2023

Introduction The 25th chapter of the Baptist Confession of Faith focuses our attention on marriage. It has been an important topic in every generation, but it holds a special timeliness now. Marriage—and all the biblical truths that support it—is under assault. The message this Lord’s Day will plainly proclaim God’s truth about marriage and God’s…

Order of Service, September 30, 2023

Introduction It is a privilege to welcome Chris and Heidi Seawright and their family to HBC. They serve as missionaries in Thailand. Chris will deliver the message in our worship service. PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP Prelude Call to Worship:     Psalm 67:1-7 Invocation PROCLAMATION Hymn 27       Mighty God, While Angels Bless Thee Note: This hymn begins with…