Emmanuel Baptist Church of Jacksonville - Sermons

In a world where injustice often feels calculated and unchecked, Psalm 10 pulls back the curtain on the true nature of evil. This sermon dives deep into the spiritual anatomy of "The Heart of the Wicked," exposing the cowardly instincts of those who operate in the shadows to target the innocent and exploit the vulnerable.

By examining Psalm 10:8–9 alongside Proverbs 6:16–17, we explore how wickedness thrives on secrecy and cowardice—preferring stealth to strength, and ambush over truth. Yet, as the scriptures reveal the harsh reality of human cruelty and the exploitation of the poor, God's Word directs us toward our ultimate refuge.

While wisdom calls us to be prepared, our true security never rests in human strength or strategy. Drawing from Proverbs 21:31, Psalm 118:8, and Romans 12:19, this message reminds us that safety belongs to the Lord, and vengeance remains solely in His hands. Join us as we learn to surrender our fear, place our trust in God's sovereign protection, and stand anchored in His justice.

In "The Pattern of the First Church," a passage-by-passage study of Acts 2:41–47, we examine God's timeless blueprint for a spirit-filled, healthy local congregation. Following the massive revival at Pentecost—where 3,000 newly converted souls were added in a single day—Luke records no descriptions of elaborate church buildings, complex committees, or entertainment-driven programs. Instead, Scripture highlights a vibrant community rooted in core spiritual priorities: devotion to biblical doctrine, genuine fellowship, fervent prayer, reverent worship, generous giving, and faithful evangelism.

This message challenges modern metrics of church success, demonstrating that true spiritual maturity precedes genuine increase, and that a church must prioritize grounded discipleship over hasty activity.

Key Takeaways

Discipleship Before Service: Spiritual infants require nurture before warfare. Rushing new converts into active church work before establishing them in a walk with God leads to burnout and hypocrisy. True discipleship must always precede service.

Steadfastness in Sound Doctrine: A healthy church anchors itself firmly in the scriptures. Neglecting the teaching of God's Word leads to a loss of direction, whether a congregation strays into human tradition, political distraction, or external legalistic box-checking.

Authentic Biblical Fellowship: True fellowship (koinonia) goes beyond surface-level handshakes in the foyer. It demands sharing real life with one another, bearing mutual burdens, and building transparent relationships where members can connect on a deep, heart level.

God-Driven Growth Over Human Numbers: Attendance and crowd size are not the primary markers of God's blessing. A small congregation faithful to truth brings far greater honor to God than large numbers gathered through worldly gimmicks or human effort. True growth begins on the inside before it extends outward.

"And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers."

— Acts 2:42

Central Truth: God blesses a church that remains steadfast in His Word, united in genuine love, dependent upon prayer, and fully committed to the advancement of the Gospel.

When life breaks over us, it rarely comes in a single wave—it comes as a downpour. In Acts 27 and 28, the Apostle Paul finds himself in a relentless cycle of hardship: surviving a catastrophic shipwreck, clinging to floating debris, and then, while simply trying to warm himself by a fire, being bitten by a venomous viper. If anyone knew what it meant for life to go from bad to worse, it was Paul. Yet his journey reveals a powerful truth: when it rains and pours, God still reigns.

Join us as we dive into "When It Pours, God Reigns." We will unpack how God’s promises hold true even when our "method of transportation" falls apart, why our suffering is so often misunderstood, and how to shake off the pain, fear, and offense that try to attach themselves to us in the middle of the storm. God never promised the ship would survive, but He guaranteed Paul would reach Rome. Discover how God uses the space between where you are and where you are going to reveal His purpose, transform your character, and minister to those watching how you weather the storm.

Message from Chad Hayes on August 12, 2026

None of us start from scratch. Every spiritual season we walk in is shaped by the prayers, labors, and sacrifices of those who came before us. Yet a foundation, no matter how strong, was never meant to sit empty—a foundation without a structure is just unfinished business, and a building without a foundation cannot stand.

In 1 Corinthians 3:1–15, the Apostle Paul reminds us that while God uses faithfully called servants to plant and water, Jesus Christ is the only true foundation. Moses prepared the people, but Joshua led them in. One generation clears the ground; the next must build the house. To leave the foundation bare is to dishonor the labor of those who paved the way.

Join us as we explore our calling to build on what God has already established. We will look at:

Honoring the Foundation: Recognizing Christ as our bedrock while honoring the men and women God used to lay the groundwork.

Our Generational Responsibility: Why sitting idle wastes the legacy we inherited—and how failing to build dishonors past sacrifice.

How We Must Build: Teaching the uncompromised truth, investing in the next generation, and choosing materials—gold, silver, and precious stones—that survive the test of time.

The Builder’s Account: Understanding that God will one day examine our work by fire to test its quality and motive.

At the end of the day, the vital question for our church and our families isn't just, "What did our fathers do?" It’s "What will our children inherit?"

What happens when a heart becomes consumed by self? In Psalm 10, David paints a vivid picture of the wicked: a brazen face reflecting a heart that leaves no room for God. Driven by a pride that treats others poorly and prioritizes personal gain over the harm it causes, the wicked operate out of a fallen, self-centered nature. But as Charles Spurgeon noted, a brazen face and a broken heart never go together.

In stark contrast, believers are called to walk in humbleness of mind—the very mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5–8). Join us as we explore the destructive path of spiritual pride and discover how dying to self, relying on God’s wisdom, and surrendering to His power allows Him to work through us to love and serve others.

Message from Chad Hayes on August 5, 2026

Are you living in the past tense?

When God spoke through the prophet Isaiah, Israel was hopelessly fixated on yesterday. God didn't ask them to erase their history, but He issued a clear challenge: stop clinging so tightly to yesterday that you miss what He is doing today.

Too often, we let our fondness for the past become a hurdle to today’s blessings. We collect all the "stuff" that looks like church—our preferred traditions, routines, and physical comforts—yet fall far short of the heart of worship God actually intended. When our traditions become more important than His message, we risk making the Word of God of no effect (Mark 7:13).

God is raising up a church that is willing to change for His purpose. While our mission and His Word never change, our traditions and methods must adapt if we want to reach the next generation.

Join us as we learn how to surrender the past, refocus our worship entirely on Jesus Christ, and step boldly into the new thing God is doing in our lives and in our church!

Why do the wicked seem to prosper while the vulnerable suffer? In a world that often feels upside down, Psalm 10 pulls back the curtain on the nature, scheme, and ultimate fate of those who walk in wickedness. Join us as we dive into God’s Word to examine the spiritual blind spots of the ungodly, the traps they set, and the unfailing justice of a God who sees it all.

Before God launched His Church to transform the world, He called His disciples to do one of the hardest things in the Christian life: wait.

In a world driven by instant results, many believers long for God's power without committing to God's preparation. But trying to do God’s work without God is a quick path to spiritual burnout. In Acts 1:12–26, we follow the disciples during a crucial ten-day waiting period between Christ’s ascension and Pentecost. Here, they learned the essential difference between simply waiting and waiting patiently in obedience, prayer, and scripture.

Key Highlights & Sermon Themes

The Discipline of Obedience (vv. 12–13): The One who gives the commission has the authority to dictate the timing. The disciples immediately obeyed Christ’s command by returning to Jerusalem to wait for the Holy Spirit.

Devoted Prayer & True Unity (v. 14): Waiting was not passive—it was spent united in prayer. True church unity doesn't require everyone to be identical, but it does require everyone to share the same heart and goal. Prayer isn't about informing God; it's about depending on Him.

Submission to the Scriptures (vv. 15–20): For every challenge the church encounters, God has provided answers in His Word. The early church turned directly to Scripture to navigate their loss and guide their next steps.

Trusting God’s Sovereignty (vv. 21–26): Having been blindsided by Judas, the disciples knew they couldn't trust outward appearances. They sought a leader chosen by the God who knows the hearts of all men, stepping forward in faithful obedience before the blessing was fully revealed.

Obedience always precedes blessing. Before God uses us in power, He prepares us in patience. Join us as we explore how letting Scripture govern our decisions and surrendering our timing to God positions us to receive His full power and direction.