Truth Matters

In his 2003 book, City On A Hill, Leland Ryken described the condition of our culture as a “new barbarianism” characterized by relativism and narcissism. These two ideas are inseparable. A society rejects the very idea of truth (relativism) with disastrous results. Then, in a world void of absolute truth, every person does “what is right in his own eyes” (narcissism, cf. Judges 21:25). As churches uncritically embrace the culture, the new barbarianism seeps in and begins to metastasize.

This sermon series speaks to this situation. “Truth Matters” has a double meaning. It can refer to a series of truth-topics, such as the 32 articles of The Baptist Confession of Faith (these are the subjects of our new sermon series). Or, it can declare that truth is significant. Indeed, we believe that nothing matters more than truth.

2 Corinthians 5:1-10, What Comes Next?

November 26, 2023
Steven Thomas
Heaven, Hell
2 Corinthians

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 all…

First Corinthians 11:17-34, An Old Conflict That Still Matters

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 us…

Matthew 28:16-20, The Risen Christ has Given Us a Job to Do

November 12, 2023
Steven Thomas
Baptism
Matthew

The sermon 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.

Colossians 2:8-15, Union with Christ

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 sermon…

Ephesians 3:20-21, God’s Plan for Eternal Glory

October 15, 2023
Steven Thomas
Church
Ephesians

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 plan…

Genesis 2:18-25, Standing Against the Assault on Marriage

October 8, 2023
Steven Thomas
Marriage
Genesis

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 intention…

Romans 13:1-7, Civil Government Ordained by God

September 24, 2023
Steven Thomas
Church and State
Romans

Baptists have always insisted the Bible teaches the separation of church and state. By this, they mean that the government cannot interfere with the affairs of the church. That does not mean, however, that they promote anarchy. The 24th chapter of the Baptist Confession of Faith explains the biblical view of civil government. It is…

Hebrews 10:19-22, The Divinely Given, All-Prevailing Basis for Prayer (Part 1)

September 17, 2023
Ethan Hamilton
Prayer
Hebrews

We began a topical series last Lord’s Day evening on the subject of prayer. We showed how prayer is one side of a conversation between at least two parties, me and God. My part of the conversation comes to Him directly in the form of praying, and His part of the conversation comes to me…

Matthew 5:33-37, Let Your Yes be Yes

September 10, 2023
Steven Thomas
Oaths and Vows
Matthew

The 23rd chapter of the Baptist Confession of Faith deals with “Lawful Oaths and Vows.” At first glance, the topic seems to have little current relevance. However, on closer examination, it has profound significance. Jesus even devoted a portion of his famous Sermon on the Mount to this topic, placing it alongside such topics as…

Exodus 20:1-6, Does God Really Care How You Worship

The twenty-second article in the Baptist Confession of Faith is called “Religious Worship.” It strongly states that God prescribes in Scripture the way his people are allowed to worship him and that worship “according to the imaginations and devices of men” is unacceptable. The sermon text demonstrates this truth from the second of the Ten…