Highland Baptist Church - Sermons

In our final sermon in this series, we look one last time at our call to prayer and the weapon we have against the enemy. EPHESIANS 6 : 10-18 Let’s grab 4 keys from this passage for victory this week:   V10 IN A SPIRITUAL BATTLE YOUR STRENGTHS CAN BE LIABILITIES BECAUSE YOU FORGET TO LEAN INTO GOD’S MIGHT .   V12 YOU ARE WRESTLING AT THE POINT OF BEING TEMPTED TO LIVE OUTSIDE OF THE GIFTS THAT YOU...

We have a great opportunity and responsibility in prayer. As we continue to dive into Ephesians 6, we learn the when, what, how, and for whom. WE TEND TO SEE OUR PROBLEMS AND DAILY STRUGGLES IN NON-SPIRITUAL TERMS, AND BECAUSE OF THAT, WE SEEK NON-SPIRITUAL SOLUTIONS . OUR BIGGEST PROBLEMS ARE ACTUALLY SPIRITUALLY-ROOTED. EPHESIANS 6:10-18 EPHESIANS 6:18 PRAYER IS THE DIVINELY AUTHORIZED MECHANISM...

EPHESIANS 6:10 Be strong IN the Lord, IN the strength of His might . EPHESIANS 6:11-13 EPHESIANS 6:11, 13 – YOU WILL NEED THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD 1. TO STAND AGAINST AN EVIL ENEMY 11  2. TO WITHSTAND THE EVIL TIMES 13   EPHESIANS 6:14-17 1. BELT OF TRUTH Some of his notorious lies include : 1) God doesn’t love nor forgive you. 2) Your past defines you. 3) Sin is fine if it doesn’t hurt others. 4) S...

EPHESIANS 6:10-11 We are strong in the Lord, in the strength of His might. That’s the only place we are strong - the only place of certain victory! EPHESIANS 6:12-13 WHAT ARE WE WRESTLING AGAINST ? Rulers/Authorities Cosmic Powers over Darkness Evil Spiritual Forces   WE CAN’T FIGHT THIS ON OUR OWN - WE ARE GOING TO NEED CHRIST’S STRENGTH AND HIS PEOPLE.   THREE PRACTICAL THINGS WHEN IT COMES TO T...

EPHESIANS 6:10-12 Our Enemy 1) He’s not God. 2) He doesn’t share all of God’s attributes. 3) He’s very powerful 4) He an observer of human history 5) Be careful not to make too much of him or too little of him.   What does a spiritual attack feel like? 1) Feelings of and fatigue 2) Feelings of defeat and depression Attacks will always be at the point of being tempted to live outside of the gifts t...

COLOSSIANS 2:1-4    The church is the beautifully designated bride of Jesus, the church is the uniquely designated carrier of the Gospel and the Church is the sole, survivor when the end comes. THE NEW TESTAMENT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE UNLESS YOU READ IT THROUGH THE LENS OF A LOCAL CHURCH The bulk of the New Testament is  Written to churches ( Romans, I/II Cor, Gal, Eph, Phil, Col, I/IIThess, Rev ) ....

CHRIST HAS COME THERE IS NOW A NEW WAY TO RELATE TO GOD LIGHT HAS NOW ENTERED THE DARKNESS OF OUR WORLD. MERCY IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WHO NEED IT ETERNAL LIFE WITH GOD IS NOW OFFERED ON THE BASIS OF GRACE . BECAUSE HE FAITHFULLY CAME ONCE, WE CAN TRUST HIM TO COME AGAIN .   Matthew 24:1-4, Matthew 34:5-9, Matthew 24:10-14 WHAT WILL INCREASE NEAR THE SECOND CHRISTMAS? THOSE FOLLOWING CHRIST BEI...

Teaching on Prayer What is prayer? How do I approach prayer? What should I expect? Recounting God’s Goodness Thinking back and thanking God for all He has done and given. Ascribing to God His Character Praying Scripture regarding His sovereignty, faithfulness, protection. Praying for our Community Praying over our community, its leaders, and community ministries.   Luke 18:9-14 1. PRAYER IS UNDERS...

Colossians 3:1-3, 3:4 What Paul is talking about here is the Christian approach to Kingdom culture. 1. THERE’S THE KINGDOM OF GOD (ABOVE) AND THE CULTURES OF THE EARTH (BELOW). 2. THE KINGDOM OF GOD BEGINS, NOT THE MOMENT YOU DIE, BUT THE MOMENT YOU RECEIVE JESUS . 3. CHRISTIAN, WE DON’T LIVE CULTURE UP, BUT KINGDOM DOWN . Col 3:5-6   1. Sexual immorality . 2. Impurity . 3. Passion , 4. Evil desir...

CHRIST HAS COME THERE IS NOW A NEW WAY TO RELATE TO GOD LIGHT HAS NOW ENTERED THE DARKNESS OF OUR WORLD. MERCY IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WHO NEED IT ETERNAL LIFE WITH GOD IS NOW OFFERED ON THE BASIS OF GRACE ..   JOHN 3:14-18 Mercy is God’s forgiving love.              Grace is God’s undeserving love. Peace is God’s comforting love.         Adoption is God’s choosing love. Providence is God’s car...

CHRIST HAS COME THERE IS NOW A NEW WAY TO RELATE TO GOD LIGHT HAS NOW ENTERED THE DARKNESS OF OUR WORLD. MERCY IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WHO NEED IT   God’s Mercy : 1) God forgiving the guilty and holding back the consequences   2) God giving what we need, even though we feel undeserving to ask I TIMOTHY 1:12-17 V12-13 blasphemer, persecutor, insolent opponent Even in this he 13 received mercy ....

Christ Has Come There is now a new way to relate to God Light has now entered the darkness of our world   ISAIAH 9:1    ISAIAH 9:2 / Matthew 4:12-17 THE LIGHT OF JESUS TRANSFORMS GLOOMY PLACES INTO GLORIOUS PLACES. THE LIGHT OF JESUS TRANSFORMS GLOOMY PEOPLE INTO GLORIOUS PEOPLE.   ISAIAH 9:3-5 CHRIST’S ARRIVAL MEANS INCLUSION IN A FAMILY 3 CHRIST’S ARRIVAL MEANS CELEBRATION OF JOY 3 CHRIST’S ARRI...

Christ Has Come We can now relate to God in a new way!   The Limited grace of God through the Law… Exodus 24:1-2 Access to God was for the elite. Exodus 24:3-8 God’s salvation was a symbol. Exodus 24:9-11 People knew God partially. Exodus 24:12-14 God’s Word was about rules. Exodus 24:15-18 God’s Glory showed His terrifying power. The Unlimited grace of God through Jesus… John 1:14Access to God is...

I CORINTHIANS 11:23-26   1. WE REMEMBER CHRIST’S BODY AND BLOOD AND HIS CROSS. 2. WE CONSIDER OUR SIN, BUT ALSO GOD’S GRACIOUS FORGIVENESS. 3. WE RENEW OUR COMMITMENT TO CHRIST, TO EACH OTHER, AND TO HIS MISSION. 4. WE CELEBRATE THAT JESUS HAS SET US FREE AND JESUS IS COMING BACK.

Matthew 6:25 I. THE CAUSE OF OUR ANXIETY: The cause of our anxiety is treasuring that which we cannot retain. Three Diagnostic Tests: 1. Examine what you love Matthew 6:19-21 2. Examine what you desire Matthew 6:22-23 3. Examine what you worship Matthew 6:24   II. THE CURE FOR OUR ANXIETY: The cure for our anxiety is valuing that which we cannot lose. Three-Pronged Cure: 1. Observe His providence...

I Kings 18:45-46 James 5:17 Elijah was a man just like us I Kings 19:1-2 , I Kings 19:3 , I Kings 19:4 CLOSENESS TO GOD YESTERDAY DOES NOT TRANSLATE TO CLOSENESS TO GOD TODAY. Ps 143:8 His Word comes to us in the new day    Ps 30:5 Joy comes to us in the new day Lam 3:23 Mercies come to in the new day                      Is 50:4 His voice comes to us in the new day Is 33:2 Rescue comes to us in t...

I KINGS 18:16-18 YOU BRING DIFFICULTY ON YOURSELF AND OTHERS WHEN YOU ABANDON GOD’S WAYS .   I KINGS 18:19-25   Elijah says “you go first”  I KINGS 18:26-29   Elijah’s turn: He soaked his offering in water, filled the trench around it 12 jars – no tricks here, no smoke and mirrors. Prophet steps forward and prays, Short prayer…God’s not impressed by eloquence. I KINGS 18:36-37   Then , I KINGS 18:...

Let me catch you up. I KINGS 17. -      Elijah appears on the scene out of nowhere V17:1 -      God, in 2-7, comes to Elijah and tells him to go live by the brook Kerith, -      Right as the creek is dried upthe word of the Lord comes to Elijah, and moves him to Zarephath 8-16. -      The widow’s son dies, and Elijah brings him back to life, 17-24   I KINGS 18:1-4 GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF HIS PEOPLE,...

When we submit to the Truth of Scripture and see God as He is meant to be seen, our lives will be forever changed. Isaiah 43:1-2 Who is God? -God is our Creator (v. 1a)      Genesis 1:26-27       Knowing our value in relation to God as our Creator is one of the most valuable sources of identity we can ever find. -God is our Redeemer (v. 1b)       God’s ownership as our Redeemer is both personal an...

Zechariah 8 Two important questions: 1. Who is God? 2. What do I think about Him? “What comes to mind about God is the most important thing about us.” -A.W. Tozer WHO SITS UPON THE THRONE? 1. A KING WHO LOVES UNCONDITIONALLY (v1-2) - God is consumed with passionate love for you and me.  2. OUR SELFLESS RESCUER (v3-8, 13) - A future rescue to come.  -A present rescue for us now.  -Our world doesn’t...

I Kings 17:1 James 5:17 Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. GOD USES INSIGNIFICANT PEOPLE IN UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES FOR HIS ETERNAL PURPOSES . FOLLOWING GOD PUTS US IN OPPOSITION TO THE CULTURE WHICH IS RISKY FOR COMFORT .   VS17:2-7 GOD’S PLANS DO NOT CONFORM TO OUR LOGIC .   V8-9 V9-16 GOD HAD HIS P...

HEBREWS 6:13-20.   OUR THOUGHTS OF GOD ARE TOO HUMAN – Martin Luther   Let me show you 4 things this passage is saying, and then 4 steadfast truths in here where our hope is permanently anchored! 1) OUR HOPE IS ONLY AS STRONG AS OUR VIEW OF GOD 13, 16, 17 2) A PROMISE IS ONLY AS GOOD AS THE ONE WHO MAKES IT 13-16 3) GOD GUARANTEES HIS PROMISES ON TWO UNCHANGEABLE THINGS 17-18 1.  HIS CHARACTER – W...

HEBREWS 10:19-23 Exodus 19:9-13   Exodus 19:16-19 OLD WAY: Limited, terrifying, once-a-year, only one person could enter based on his uncertain work. NEW WAY: Unlimited, peace-giving, at any moment, anyone can enter based on Christ’s certain work.   HERE IS WHAT WE HAVE IN CHRIST: Confidence A Way to Enter A Priest Nearness to God THE OLD WAY SAID STAY BACK, THE NEW WAY SAYS DRAW NEAR! Total Forgi...

I NEED GOD // HOPELESS DAYS MAKE ME RUN TO THAT TRUTH OR FLEE FROM THAT TRUTH   WHAT IS HOPELESSNESS?   1. HOPELESSNESS IS DISORIENTING Nothing makes sense 7 Not just discouraged, helpless! 2. HOPELESSNESS FUELS TEMPTATION TO DOUBT GOD 3. HOPELESSNESS FEELS LIKE GOD IS DISTANT… 9A God seems to have left us or seems indifferent to what is happening. PSALM 10 " Why, O Lord, do You stand far off? Why...

I PETER 1:1-5 Peter starts off by telling us who God is and who we are. Arguably the two most important questions in life to be answered. Who is God and who am I? 1-2 Elect Exiles – that labels lands on us as Christians. God has chosen us, and this isn’t our place. Hope isn’t blind optimism, it is not wishful thinking  – HOPE IS, COME WHAT MAY, MY GLADNESS IS SECURE IN JESUS   1:3     YOU CAN'T LO...