Messages

A message from the series "The Church and Our church." Today, we are focusing on the last few items of our Statement of Faith. What is your authority for what you believe? Can you articulate the what’s and whys of our shared faith? Pay close attention to these essentials. What difference do these make in your life?

A message from the series "The Church and Our church." Last week we began to focus on the major items found in our Statement of Faith. As members of El Calvario Ministries become part of Calvary Baptist Church both English and Spanish services are going through our membership class. We pick up today where we left off last week, turning our attention to the doctrine of Man. Bringing two or more cultures together in one ministry is exciting but also requires a lot of work, and commitment to what we say we believe. Our relationship to God and to each other stands on the Bible, God’s Holy Word. We preach it, teach it, study and follow it. We organize our lives around our Savior, Jesus. Our full and final authority for faith and life is God’s revealed Word.

A message from the series "The Church and Our church." Last week we described some important matters of unity for the local church. They included core elements of oneness such as doctrine, friendship, and philosophy of ministry. Jesus said he would be known by our oneness. His strategy includes the apologetic of the herd whose gaze is fixed on Jesus. Bringing two or more cultures together in one ministry is exciting but also requires commitment, and a lot of work because, our oneness depends upon the authority of God’s revealed Word.

A message from the series "The Church and Our church." For the next few Sundays we will be talking about church membership. We are doing this as part of our morning worship services in harmony with our sister Spanish speaking congregation. As our two churches move toward oneness as a local church we are inviting members of El Calvario to become official members of Calvary Baptist Church.

A message from the series "The Fear of the Lord." What goes through your mind when someone mentions things like election polls, racial unrest, protests, public disturbances, shortages, rationing, critical race theory, closures, $ markets, inflation, recession, depression…? Now, go to a beautiful place in your thoughts: family vacations, music that sooths or lifts your spirit, scripture that reminds you of the character and lovingkindness of God. How would you describe the metrics or rhythms of your thought life? Over the past few weeks, we’ve focused on how we think. Paul’s letter to the Philippian church has challenged me to examine my own thought patterns and invite you to do the same. The admonition found in Philippians 4:8 is clear, “…if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things.” So, let’s do that.

A message from the series "The Fear of the Lord." Judges is a depressing catalogue of unfaithfulness to God on the part of Israel. We can get enough of violence, intrigue, false religion, and immorality on the news of our day. Why would we want to study Israel’s unfaithfulness? It was philosopher George Santayana that stated, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." The book of Judges deals with the history of Israel from the death of Joshua to the beginning of the monarchy with the accession of Saul. Many call this 350 year period the Dark Ages of the Bible. But, we are not traveling to another planet when we look at the Book of Judges; we are simply looking in a mirror.

A message from the series "The Fear of the Lord." Who do you admire and what’s behind your thoughts about such people? What did Paul have in mind when, inspired by the Holy Spirit, he instructs Christ followers, regardless of the circumstances to think about whatever is admirable.

A message from the series "The Fear of the Lord." How was this past week for you? What did you see that inspired you? Beautiful art does that for some of us. Music, it is said can tame the savage soul. What kind of music did that for you over the past few days? What do you listen to that soothes you when you feel like your nerves are rattled? When was the last time you were refreshed by some of your old snapshots or you scrolled through photos on your phone…just because? We all need to take care of our thought lives. That is why we are reminded to…meditate on whatever is lovely.

A message from the series "The Fear of the Lord." Our taste buds give it away. This doesn’t taste the way I remember it. What’s different? Somebody watered it down, or added something that doesn’t agree with me. I liked it the way it was meant to be. I like it unmixed, unmodified, no variations on a theme. We like things plain and simple…just the way God intended them to be; 100% pure. Problems start with motivations. Mixed motives and selfish ambition enter the picture and the good is altered, watered down or twisted as we try to straighten things out on our own. So Paul urges us to focus on life and God as He intended for us. Think in terms of what is authentic. Meditate on whatever is pure.

A message from the series "The Fear of the Lord." Remember when someone caught you daydreaming and said, “a penny for your thoughts”? Well, what have you been thinking lately? Wisdom warns us, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. ‘Eat and drink’ he says to you, but his heart is not with you” (Proverbs 23:7, NKJV). We are what we think, more that we think we are. Have you been taking charge of your thoughts (2 Cor. 10:3-5) in the presence of the One who “…searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts,” (1 Chron. 28:9)? He is eager to help us understand His will for our everyday lives. So, let’s talk about those thoughts, our meditations. We are going to meditate on whatever anyway. Paul urges us to “meditate on whatever is true…noble…just.” Our meditations will impact the outcomes of our lives. Amen?