First Baptist Church of Phillipsburg Sermons

Hebrews 12:1-2

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Ephesians 5:15-21 & Colossians 3:16

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Colossians 3:16-17

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

2 Timothy 3:10-17

You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, 11 my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. 12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Psalm 107

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,    for his steadfast love endures forever!2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,    whom he has redeemed from trouble3 and gathered in from the lands,    from the east and from the west,    from the north and from the south.

4 Some wandered in desert wastes,    finding no way to a city to dwell in;5 hungry and thirsty,    their soul fainted within them.6 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,    and he delivered them from their distress.7 He led them by a straight way    till they reached a city to dwell in.8 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,    for his wondrous works to the children of man!9 For he satisfies the longing soul,    and the hungry soul he fills with good things.

10 Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death,    prisoners in affliction and in irons,11 for they had rebelled against the words of God,    and spurned the counsel of the Most High.12 So he bowed their hearts down with hard labor;    they fell down, with none to help.13 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,    and he delivered them from their distress.14 He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death,    and burst their bonds apart.15 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,    for his wondrous works to the children of man!16 For he shatters the doors of bronze    and cuts in two the bars of iron.

17 Some were fools through their sinful ways,    and because of their iniquities suffered affliction;18 they loathed any kind of food,    and they drew near to the gates of death.19 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,    and he delivered them from their distress.20 He sent out his word and healed them,    and delivered them from their destruction.21 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,    for his wondrous works to the children of man!22 And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving,    and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!

23 Some went down to the sea in ships,    doing business on the great waters;24 they saw the deeds of the Lord,    his wondrous works in the deep.25 For he commanded and raised the stormy wind,    which lifted up the waves of the sea.26 They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths;    their courage melted away in their evil plight;27 they reeled and staggered like drunken men    and were at their wits’ end.28 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,    and he delivered them from their distress.29 He made the storm be still,    and the waves of the sea were hushed.30 Then they were glad that the waters were quiet,    and he brought them to their desired haven.31 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,    for his wondrous works to the children of man!32 Let them extol him in the congregation of the people,    and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

33 He turns rivers into a desert,    springs of water into thirsty ground,34 a fruitful land into a salty waste,    because of the evil of its inhabitants.35 He turns a desert into pools of water,    a parched land into springs of water.36 And there he lets the hungry dwell,    and they establish a city to live in;37 they sow fields and plant vineyards    and get a fruitful yield.38 By his blessing they multiply greatly,    and he does not let their livestock diminish.

39 When they are diminished and brought low    through oppression, evil, and sorrow,40 he pours contempt on princes    and makes them wander in trackless wastes;41 but he raises up the needy out of affliction    and makes their families like flocks.42 The upright see it and are glad,    and all wickedness shuts its mouth.

43 Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things;    let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord.

Micah 5:1-6 and Matthew 2:1-11

Now muster your troops, O daughter of troops;    siege is laid against us;with a rod they strike the judge of Israel    on the cheek.2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,    who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,from you shall come forth for me    one who is to be ruler in Israel,whose coming forth is from of old,    from ancient days.3 Therefore he shall give them up until the time    when she who is in labor has given birth;then the rest of his brothers shall return    to the people of Israel.4 And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord,    in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great    to the ends of the earth.5 And he shall be their peace.

When the Assyrian comes into our land    and treads in our palaces,then we will raise against him seven shepherds    and eight princes of men;6 they shall shepherd the land of Assyria with the sword,    and the land of Nimrod at its entrances;and he shall deliver us from the Assyrian    when he comes into our land    and treads within our border.

Matthew 2:1-11 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;for from you shall come a ruler    who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.

Galatians 4:4-5

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

Jeremiah 23:1-6 and Romans 3:9-26

Jeremiah 23:1-6 “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” declares the Lord. 2 Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who care for my people: “You have scattered my flock and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for your evil deeds, declares the Lord. 3 Then I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. 4 I will set shepherds over them who will care for them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing, declares the Lord.

5 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 6 In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’

Romans 3:9-26 What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, 10 as it is written:

“None is righteous, no, not one;11     no one understands;    no one seeks for God.12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;    no one does good,    not even one.”13 “Their throat is an open grave;    they use their tongues to deceive.”“The venom of asps is under their lips.”14     “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood;16     in their paths are ruin and misery,17 and the way of peace they have not known.”18     “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

19 Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

2 Corinthians 6:14 – 7:1

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said,

“I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them,    and I will be their God,    and they shall be my people.17 Therefore go out from their midst,    and be separate from them, says the Lord,and touch no unclean thing;    then I will welcome you,18 and I will be a father to you,    and you shall be sons and daughters to me,says the Lord Almighty.”

7 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.

2 Corinthians 6:1-13

6 Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says,

“In a favorable time I listened to you,    and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”

Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 3 We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4 but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; 6 by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; 7 by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8 through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.

11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. 12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. 13 In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also.

2 Corinthians 5:16-21

From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.