Nov 19, 2020 | This Sunday in Baptist History
On this day (Nov. 22) in 1755 sixteen Baptists, originally from New England, formed the Sandy Creek Baptist church in what is now northern North Carolina. The church immediately called Brother Shubal Sterns to become their under shepherd and leader. With the blessing...
Nov 19, 2020 | Wednesday
Just before Jesus’ final earthly Passover, He gathered His disciples together for a catered meal. This was Jesus’ church, just as we believe Calvary Baptist Church is a church of Christ. So, the events of that night relate to us in several ways. Of course, those men...
Nov 15, 2020 | Sunday Morning
Let’s begin this morning with a little quiz. If I gave you a piece of paper and asked you to write Mark 15:38, how would you spell the word “veil”? The verse reads, “And the VEIL of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.” Would you spell it“veil,” or...
Nov 12, 2020 | This Sunday in Baptist History
More than eight thousand people attended the funeral service of William Knibb who died of yellow fever on this day (Nov. 15) in 1845. Bro. Knibb served as one of the first Baptist missionaries in Jamaica. When he first reached his field, he was shocked at what he...
Nov 12, 2020 | Wednesday
I am going to skip over what could potentially be an interesting lesson from chapter 11. I am skipping it because I have enough ignorance and skill to turn make it very un-interesting and tedious. But here is a quick synopsis. Scattered across Nehemiah 11 are hints of...
Nov 9, 2020 | Sunday Evening
As Paul was beginning to bring his Epistle to the Romans to a close, he commented – “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning…” If we were to paraphrase Romans 15:4 we might say “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were...
Nov 8, 2020 | Sunday Morning
One of the blessings of the Book of Acts is that it is practical. In reading Acts we can see the work of the Lord in ways that relate more directly to us than when we study some of the other books of the Bible. For example, we know the abstract principle that God is...
Nov 5, 2020 | This Sunday in Baptist History
The Cloughfold Baptist Church in England had its beginning in 1692 when two cousins, David Crossley and William Mitchel wanted to establish a “Protestant Dissenters” congregation. David Crossley was raised by a godly aunt and trusted Christ for his salvation before he...
Nov 5, 2020 | Wednesday
Obviously Nehemiah 11 follows chapter 10. And as such we could make this message is a continuation of our last lesson – which, as you know, followed logically its predecessor. Last Wednesday we looked at the promises which Israel made to God, comparing them to the...
Nov 2, 2020 | Sunday Evening
Even though we have read only one verse this evening I’d like to consider 2 scriptures separated by 3 chapters. Near the conclusion of the “sure covenant” Israel was making with Jehovah, the people promised, “We will not forsake the house of our God.” I’d like you to...
Nov 1, 2020 | Sunday Morning
The verses we have just read describe a part of the dedication service for Israel’s first priests. In some ways the sacrifice involved in this ceremony was unique. But in other ways it was much like the daily burnt offerings or any of the personal sin offerings. In...
Oct 31, 2020 | Timothy Parrow
Dear Pastor and Brethren: Midweek Services Renewed We began our midweek services again but now we are having them on Wednesday night instead of Thursday night. We originally held our midweek service on Thursdays because Bro. Dick and Connie Gaches held services at the...
Oct 29, 2020 | This Sunday in Baptist History
In 1755 a church was established in North Carolina made up of refugees from New Jersey. It was called “Jersey Settlement,” and their first pastor was John Gano. When the local Indians made life miserable for the settlers, Gano returned north and many members fled from...
Oct 29, 2020 | Wednesday
Our theme for this evening comes from the last four words of this chapter. Remember, this is a part of the “sure covenant” Israel was making with God – Nehemiah 9:38. In its conclusion, these humble, sincere, repentant Jews vowed to NOT forsake the “house of our God.”...
Oct 25, 2020 | Sunday Morning
Junior was born into a Baptist home and was taken to a small Baptist church throughout his childhood. He was a smart – precocious – an outgoing little kid, participating in his Sunday School classes, listening to the lessons and sometimes even to the sermons. He...
Oct 22, 2020 | This Sunday in Baptist History
Allen Wyley, a resident of Culpeper, Virginia, was born again as a young man and was baptized by David Thomas in 1765. He earnestly prayed that a Baptist preacher would come to his community to establish a church. One day when he heard that the Separate Baptist,...
Oct 22, 2020 | Wednesday
I keep referring to this man, who is leading Israel in prayer, as “our worship leader.” This evening I’m going to alter that just a bit – for this message, he is “Israel’s worship leader.” He refers to the covenant which God made with Abraham. As we shall see...
Oct 18, 2020 | Sunday Evening
A few months ago, Sister Rosemary loaned me a book. It was work of fiction based upon the Bible. The author retold the story of the last days of Christ, weaving his imagination into what the Bible tells us. It was entertaining and enlightening. I’m going to try...
Oct 15, 2020 | This Sunday in Baptist History
Massachusetts and Plymouth were two separate colonies, both established by Protestant dissenters. Over time the Plymouth colony became more amenable towards other faiths, but it was not so in Massachusetts. On this day (October 18) in 1649 the Court of Massachusetts...
Oct 15, 2020 | Wednesday
As the congregational prayer-leader was led by the Spirit of God that autumn day, he confessed many of Israel’s sins. Despite Jehovah’s blessings on that nation, her citizens had rebelled against the Lord. And now these people in Nehemiah’s day, their children, were...
Oct 9, 2020 | This Sunday in Baptist History
John Clark (not John Clarke) was born in 1758 near Inverness, Scotland. His father was a wealthy farmer, which meant that John was given a good education, including Latin and Greek. To the consternation of his mother, John left school and eventually became a sailor....
Oct 8, 2020 | Wednesday
One of the weaknesses of modern Christians is our lack of God-consciousness – God awareness. How often do we see something equally beautiful, like a flower, a sunset, or a mountain landscape and our minds go to the Creator before thinking of something else? When...
Oct 5, 2020 | Sunday Evening
As you have seen, this prayer is filled with references to Israel’s history. I will probably not deal with that history other than to say at this point – “Actions have consequences.” Israel proves that even when God’s people sin, they will be punished. God is...
Oct 4, 2020 | Timothy Parrow
Preaching Through the Gospel of John The Lord has blessed us richly through the study and preaching of the Gospel of John. In April of 2014, I began preaching and teaching this book, and next Sunday, Lord willing, I am preaching on the 20th chapter of John, verses 21...
Oct 1, 2020 | This Sunday in Baptist History
The first thing any scriptural missionary must do on the field is preach the Word. Once a soul is saved, that missionary should baptize him and then begin to teach him what it is to live for Christ. That third part of the Great Commission eventually necessitates...
Oct 1, 2020 | Wednesday
I can tell you from experience that the more a person studies the Bible, the more he will see which he has never seen before. Sometimes we learn that our doctrinal perspective is askew. But often there is just new stuff that God has not brought to our attention...
Sep 27, 2020 | Sunday Morning
I wish that I could somehow paint the scene that I have in my head. I picture several thousand hungry eyes resting on the pulpit which had been built in the Water Gate street. Ezra and Nehemiah are standing toward the back of the raised platform, and immediately in...
Sep 24, 2020 | This Sunday in Baptist History
Dr. J. H. Campbell said of Humphrey Posey, in his book“Georgia Baptists,” that he was “naturally one of the greatest of men, and for his limited opportunities, one of the greatest preachers he had ever known. His person, his countenance, his voice, the throes of his...
Sep 24, 2020 | Wednesday
This evening we’re going to deal with a word which is commonly emphasized in some denominations, but probably not mentioned enough among fundamental Baptists. For some it is an essential part of their doctrine of salvation. But for those whose salvation is based on...
Sep 20, 2020 | Sunday Evening
In a few minutes we are going to hold a baptismal service. Sadly, we don’t have the privilege of observing this ordinance often enough. So it’s important to stop and consider the subject once in a while. There are new Christians who need to be baptized and to go on in...
