Pleasant Garden Baptist Church Podcast (Sermons)

On Mission Together

Revelation 5

1 And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 

2 Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?” 

3 And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it. 

4 So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. 

5 But one of the elders said to me. “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals. 

6 And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 

7 Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. 

8 Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 

9 And they sang a new song, saying:  You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals: For You were slain, 

10 And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.”

11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands,  

12 saying with a loud voice:  “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing!” 

13 And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: “Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne. And to the Lamb, forever and ever!”  

14 Then the four living creatures said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped Him who lives forever and ever.

1. Do I pray as if I believe God will answer?

2. Am I truly willing to suffer for the sake of the mission?

3. Is what I’m offering people truly the gospel?

4. Do I seek to bring the gospel to everyone?

5. What does my worship say about his worthiness?

Contentment

Philippians 4:10-20

10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 

11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 

12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 

13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 

14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 

15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 

16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 

17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 

18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 

19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 

20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Embracing Contentment for a Happy Holiday Season 

1. We embrace contentment when we sever our contentment from our circumstances (4:10-12).

2. We embrace contentment when we lean into the strength of Jesus (4:13). 

3. We embrace contentment when we celebrate the provision of Jesus (4:18-20).

35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.   ---Luke 1:35-38 (ESV)

Gratitude

Philippians 4:2-8

2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 

3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. 

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 

5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;

6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 

7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 

Expressing Gratitude for a Happy Holiday Season 

1. Gratitude should season our relationships and confrontations (4:2-3).

2. Gratitude should season our worship and prayer (4:4-6).

3. Gratitude should season our mind and meditations (4:8).

36 And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years from when she was a virgin, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. 38 And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

---Luke 2:36-38

 

Jonathan Heitman address the Trigger of Loneliness

Resetting Relationships

Philippians 2:1-18

Matthew 1:19-20, 24-25

3 Key principles on relationships:

1. Proximity determines responsibility

2. Proximity also sharpens clarity

3. The Bible deals most often with relationships in close proximity

Philippians 2:1-18 (ESV)

1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 

2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 

4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 

6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 

7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 

8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 

10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 

11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 

13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 

14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 

15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 

16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 

17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 

18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

Resetting Relationships for a Happy Holiday Season 

1. We reset relationships by chasing selflessness (2:1-4).

2. We reset relationships by concentrating on Christlikeness (2:5-11).

3. We reset relationships by constraining our conversations (2:14-18).

 

19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” ---Matthew 1:19-20

 

24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus. ---Matthew 1:24-25

Sam Welch speaks on the Trigger of Regret

Cultivating Joy

Philippians 1:12-21 (ESV)

12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 

13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 

14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.  

15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 

16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 

17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 

18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.  Yes, and I will rejoice, 

19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 

20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 

21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

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Cultivating Joy for a Happy Holiday Season 

1. We cultivate joy by keeping the gospel in focus (1:12-18).

2. We cultivate joy by choosing to rejoice (1:18-19).

3. We cultivate joy by keeping our circumstances in eternal perspective (1:20-21).

10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” ---Luke 2:10-11 (ESV

Brian Beasley speaks on the Trigger of Weariness.

The Way of Jesus (Part 2)

Matthew 7:24-29 (ESV)

24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 

25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 

26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.  

27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” 

28 And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 

29 for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

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1. Jesus exalts the wisdom of obeying his words (7:24).

2. Jesus warns that our circumstances will test our foundation (7:24-27).

3. Jesus deserves our obedience and our astonishment because of who He is (7:29)

Pastor Robert addresses the "Trigger" of fear.