Fourth Baptist Church

Walking in Wisdom

Walking in wisdom begins with worship.

True Saints

True saints are not superheroes of the faith. True saints are those who have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all -Hebrews 10-10-. True saints are not declared so by decree of a church but by the grace of God-

Christian Contentment

Christian contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to and delights in God's wise and fatherly disposal in every condition. - Jeremiah Burroughs

Standing Fast in an Unstable World

Philippians 4-1 issues the injunction to stand fast in the-Lord. Philippians 4-2-9 then offers practical advice for achieving-that spiritual stability. In this text, Paul presents five principles for-maintaining spiritual balance as we react to the movements of life -- We must resolve ...-- to cultivate Christian harmony-- to maintain a spirit of joy-- to be known for gentleness-- to pray with thanksgiving-- to think holy thoughts

Hearing the Heartbeat of God

The Passion of a Preacher

Preachers are known to sometimes talk fast, sweat -profusely, raise their voices, pound the pulpit, or even rant and -rave about a given subject. However, Philippians 3-17-4-1 -describes the passion of a preacher who exhorted a church with -tears.

Exodus: The Need for Redemption

The Book of Exodus records God's redemption of Israel.

Pursuing the Prize of Spiritual Perfection

Spiritual perfection will always be the goal, but never the achievement until the day we are glorified and ushered into Christ's presence. Pursuing the prize of spiritual perfection requires humility, effort, motivation, attitude, and consistency.

The Great Exchange

Paul's testimony- -I exchanged my own righteousness for the righteousness of Jesus Christ.-

Knowing Forgiveness

Where do we go to find the forgiveness that we need-- Psalm 103 directs us to the One who is willing and able to forgive and restore.

Evidences of a True Believer

The New Testament challenges us to examine ourselves and make certain that our salvation is genuine -1 Corinthians 13-5- 2 Peter 1-10- Matthew 7-21-23-.

Three Models to Mirror

Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. - 1 Corinthians 11-1

I Believe!

When Jesus' claims were proven true, people believed.-Do you believe in Jesus Christ--

The Twin Sins

In our culture, if the food is cold, the service is bad, the job-is poorly done, or one doesn't get his -money's worth,- it is valid-to complain- however, for the people of God, complaining and-disputing are twin sins.

The Divine - Human Synergy of Sanctification

In the process of spiritual growth -sanctification-, do we do the work -v 12- or does God to the work -v 13--- The first position is held by the Pietist-Activist- the second position is held by the Quietist-Passivist. But could it be both-Synergist--

Remembering to Praise

In the Old Testament the word -forget- does not describe a-lapse of memory so much as it describes an abandonment of God's-Word and an apathy toward God's works. According to Psalm-103-1-5, when we fail to praise the Lord, we -forget- who He is-and what He has done.

Andy Counterman: Missions Conference

Dr. Andrew Counterman-Baptist Evangelistic Ministry Endeavors - Latin America-Senior Director

The Duty and Delight of Worship

The Worthiness of God in Worship-The Works of God in Worship-- punishment of the wicked-- prosperity of the righteous

The Incomparable Christ

Jesus Christ came from the glories of Heaven to the gutters of Earth in order to redeem mankind- however, the depth of Christ's condescension -Philippians 2-5-8- is contrasted by the height of Christ's exaltation -Philippians 2-9-11- so that He remains incomparable-

The Master's Plan for Spiritual Unity

The Master's plan for spiritual unity is modeled after the Master Himself-

The Protection of the Gospel

Each believer must stand fast, strive together, and suffer for the protection of the gospel.

The Primacy of the Gospel

The precision -defined and defended- of the gospel message is important- however, the primacy of the gospel message is also important. For Paul, the gospel was at the center of his mind and mission.

The Only One

Why should anyone choose to worship and serve God--

Who Are You?

Unmerited Favor

The End of the Beginning

Death is a reality of life that we must all face- however, like Jacob, we can face it in faith because of the redemptive promises of God.

Purposes of Prophecy

In Genesis 49 Jacob issued a prophetic utterance to each of-his sons regarding their descendants and the future of their tribes.-Hebrews 11-13 tells us that all these -died in faith, not having-received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured-of them.-

The Works of God

Mature Faith

Jacob's greatest demonstration of faith did not occur during his life, but at the end of his life, on his deathbed -Hebrews 11-21-.

Old Age. New Life.

When the Infinite Became an Infant

The Gospel of John takes us back to the beginning and tells us that Jesus Christ had no beginning -- He is the infinite God.

In His Time

Although Galatians 4-4-7 is not a traditional Christmas text, it is important for our knowing the diving timing and intent of God sending His Son and His Spirit -- so that we might become His children.

Perspective Makes Perception

A Heart of Strength

A Speech to the Speechless

Because of the sovereignty of God in the sufferings of men, we can forgive one another.

Greater Than Solomon

Psalm 72 portrays a King Who is greater than Solomon.

The Final Exam

Joseph repeatedly tested his brothers in order to prick their consciences and to measure their character.

Fears and Tears

Fortune doesn't dictate our wellbeing, faith does. Joseph lived by faith in the unseen hand of God -- that is why he did well. Jacob lived in fear because he could not see God's hand -- that is why he faltered.

Update, What Happens to Christians After They Die?

Report on Germany Trip-Part 2 of sermon--Part 1 at sermonaudio.com-sermon-92723033571780-

Right Love in a Wrong Culture

God calls us to personal holiness--- personal holiness displays our unity with Christ -1 Corinthians 6-12-20--- personal holiness honors God's design for marriage -Hebrews 13-4--- personal holiness separates us from the world -Romans 13-11-14--- personal holiness pleases God -1 Thessalonians 4-1-8-

Desperate and Drowning

King for a Day

How could Joseph use his power for his brothers' benefit rather than for his own bitterness--

Forget Me Not

In the limitation and loneliness of life's circumstances, Satan will tempt us with doubts about the person and presence and promises of God.

From the Pit to the Palace

To some, Joseph experienced a -lucky break- that lifted him-from the pit to the palace, from prisoner to prime-minister. However, the Bible is clear that Joseph's -big-break- was a work of God's providence.

Joseph and the Hand of God, Part 2

God is always in control, accomplishing His purposes.

Awesome God

Psalm 68 is less about man and his circumstances-context and more about God and His character. Psalm 68 teaches us about God's attributes and activities.

Why?

In His wisdom, God preserved Genesis 38 for us, not as an interruption to Joseph's story, but as an essential development to the larger metanarrative of the Scripture.

The Worship and Work of God

A psalm of descriptive and declarative praise--What happens when we worship-- We encounter God's mercy, His blessing, and His face.-What happens because we worship-- God will be made known, praised, enjoyed, and feared.

Joseph and the Hand of God

God's hand is at work even when we don't see it.

Looking for an Answer

Desolate and desperate, David looked in four directions- inward -vv 1-2-, upward -vv 3-6-, backward -vv 7-8-, and forward to the impending battle the next morning against Absalom -vv 9-11-.

The Most Successful Failure

Esau and his descendants were some of the most successful failures in all of human history because they achieved so much in this life but rejected the One Who gave them life.