bpchurch Sermons

This Sunday, God's Glory Gang (our Children's Choir) will be sharing the gospel with us! They will be performing their annual Christmas play, and this year the story is told through the eyes of Mary the mother of Jesus. Although Scripture doesn't give us many details about Mary's early life, the kids will be using their imaginations to help us consider what Mary's upbringing might have been like, and what she might have been thinking and feeling about becoming the mother of our Savior. What we do see very clearly in Scripture is Mary's response to this responsibility that God gave her, and it is remarkable. After the kids play we will be taking a few minutes to reflect on her response and what that tells us about God, and what it teaches us about our own response to Him

Last week we understood the impact of God’s sign, “the virgin shall conceive and bear a son…Emmanuel” in the context of a king who trusted in horses and chariots rather than trusting the Lord our God.  This week we’ll consider the fulfillment of that sign, in the little town of Bethlehem.  Bethlehem has already been exalted by what God has done, but there is even greater glory to come. And God has something say to us today from the little town of Bethlehem.

Advent season is a time to remember Christ’s first coming as we await his return. This year we will look at some of the familiar prophecies around Christ’s birth, with specific attention to the setting and circumstances in which these promises were given.  For instance, the prophecy of the virgin birth in Isaiah 7:14 comes at a time of serious political upheaval and personal danger.  This Sunday come and hear how our God, the midst of real and pressing fears, urges us to trust him.  Is there someone you know, for whom God might use this story to invite them from fear to faith.

Jesus’ feeding of the 5000 and then the 4000 (Mark 8:1-10) should have been the greatest thanksgiving celebrations ever!  And yet, we are not surprised that the Pharisees somehow missed the point (8:11-12).  The surprise for us is that his disciples at that time also missed the point and probably all to often his disciples today can miss it as well.  God has shown us as a church how abundantly he can multiply and provide. The danger is that we could still miss the point.  This Sunday we will hear from God’s word how his multiplying grace calls us to take a next step.

Psalm 23 tells us a lot about the Lord our good shepherd. In the Psalm, one of the flock is boasting about their shepherd. There is a lot to learn of our Lord for any who want to lead in God's flock. There also are some things to learn from the trust of the sheep in their Shepherd. The Apostle Peter picks this idea up in 1 Peter 5:1-7. He has instructions to the church, both in leading and following. He gives instructions both for shepherds and for the flock of God. Today we will look at some things God has to say to us about both leading and following well.

When was the last time you couldn't wait to tell someone about something that happened to you? Maybe it was something funny that happened at work that day, or maybe it was a big event like an engagement or pregnancy. What we are excited to talk about says a lot about what is most important to us. At the beginning of 1 John, the apostle John writes with that kind of excitement. He has seen, heard, and even touched something so real and life-changing that he must share it. Join us as we discover what John was so eager to proclaim, and why it should shape what we talk about today.

The letters from Jesus to each of the seven churches in Revelation concluded with promises to those who overcome. These are not promises to a select few, they are promises meant for the whole church. But, with our own tendencies toward temptation and sin, and our preference for comfort over sacrifice, can we really overcome and experience victory? What would that take? How would I take the next step? This Sunday come and hear a refreshing word God has for us on how those who trust Him will over come even in the worst of times.

Among the seven churches of Revelation, just as everyone wants to be the faithful and protected church in Philadelphia, no one wants to be the church Laodicea. But, if the situation in Laodicea is closer to our context than the other cities, we have more to learn from Laodicea than we might think. This Sunday come and hear what our Lord has to say to a church in the midst of the dangerously prosperous age.

A Faithful Church

When considering the seven churches in Revelation, everyone wants to be the church in Philadelphia. It's one of only two that there is no fault mentioned. The other church similarly praised is Smyrna, but they are called to suffering (Revelation 2:10), while Philadelphia will be kept from "the hour of trial" (3:10). We'd really rather be Philadelphia. But what does it mean to be like this church? What will that take? This Sunday we will see what God says about a Philadelphian level of faithfulness.

Julie and I have had the privilege of serving here at bpChurch for 20 years. Along the way, I've asked myself, "Bob, what in the world are you doing?!" As you think about serving the Lord in the church, do you ever wonder, "What is it that we're trying to do?" Or maybe the what is clear, but the direction or goal seems fuzzy. Sometimes in spiritual matters or when building a building, we may understand the what and the why, but the pressing question is "How can we ever do it?" This Sunday, from Colossians 1:24-29, let's look at what God says about the who, what, why, and how of the ministry He has given us.