Sovereign Grace Baptist Church

The Sermon on the Mount by Jesus teaches what the Kingdom of Heaven looks like. Those who are citizens of this kingdom are those whom God has redeemed through the blood of His son, Jesus. The redeemed are therefore the possession of the greatest power and authority over any earthly power or government. Therefore, the redeemed live meekly in the world as the possession of the greatest strength. Bib...

Jesus's Sermon on the Mount continues to connect the idea of the broken spirit to the grieving spirit. Those whom God chastens are those who will experience a Godly grief, a grief that will reveal the Kingdom of Heaven. The Apostle Paul describes the type of mourning that Jesus teaches about: "For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produ...

Jesus begins his greatest sermon with the instruction of what the Kingdom of Heaven looks like. It is not insignificant that the first of the "Beatitudes" is that a poor spirit is necessary to see and be a part of the Kingdom of Heaven. The humble and contrite heart is the condition of the poor in spirit. For in order to be a part of God's kingdom, only God's righteousness must be present. Therefo...

God speaks through Isaiah 43:16-21 to tell HIS people that HIS act of deliverance from horrible circumstances (especially sin) is not a single event of the past. Rather deliverance is an ongoing act of God that points to the supreme deliverance through Jesus Christ. As the children of Israel will go into exile under Babylonian captivity, so will they be delivered.

The prophecy of Isaiah calls for God's Servant to be a Witness for the TRUTH of God's glory. Chapter 43 now shows how God will challenge the pagan idol worshippers who will be the captors of Israel to compare witnesses. Israel will be God's faithful witness amidst the false testimonies of the Babylonian idols. Sovereign Grace Baptist Church http://sovereigngracebaptist.org

God's servant Isaiah relays words of comfort to God's people who remain faithful. When miseries overwhelm us, God reminds the faithful of who they belong to and of who God is. While we often neglect the covenant we have in Christ, God the Father never waivers from his commitment to HIS people. "Fear not, I have redeemed you, you are mine." "Fear not, for I am with you."

Disruption in our normal life can bring anxiety and fear. More importantly, when God orchestrates a 'new normal' in the lives of his elect something wonderful is taking place. The general principle in Scripture is that patient and praying believers are blessed by God through the building of faith. The wisdom of God is unsearchable and when a 'new normal' emerges, God exhibits compassion for His pe...

Anxiety and waiting are common to most of us in this season of the COVID-19 stay-at-home circumstance. But waiting on God is not uncommon in scripture. David's psalm of lament teaches us how to honestly express sorrow and impatience to God while also remembering God's loving presence in the midst of grief. During this time of uncertainty amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic, many churches in the Cookevill...

The hope of Christ's resurrection is the hope of the Christian's resurrection. The Apostle Paul teaches the truth about resurrection of the dead in 1 Corinthians 15. That as the flesh ceases, a new body (or form) is granted to the redeemed through Christ. The hope of the Christian is that upon death, the redeemed are in the immediate presence of our Lord. This interim state is a state is conscious...

Today is Resurrection Sunday ... a day of celebration for Christians that sin is now forgiven and that death no longer dominates. 1 Corinthians 15 describes in beautiful detail the gift of the resurrection to the Christian. As Christ conquered death, likewise the faithful will receive the joy of eternity. It is a promise of the gospel. During this time of uncertainty amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic,...

This podcast feed hosts the public teaching ministry of Dr. Bryant K. Owens. I am an independent scholar exploring Christian Studies in today’s secular world. I believe that thoughtful Christianity can bring meaningful change in our churches, classrooms, homes, and communities. With years of experience as both a pastor and educator, I am passionate about the historical Christian worldview and the...

Today is Palm Sunday ... a day of rich significance to the Church when Jesus's triumphal arrival in Jerusalem is remembered. In this season of isolation and social-distancing, we desire an end to the separation ... and end to the anxiety. The hope of the Christian in the midst of forced "stay-at-home" orders is that we can once again come together in joy and celebration ... Jesus' arrival in Jerus...

Jesus' ministry began in Galilee and Matthew's gospel summarizes the Kingdom impact of the years that Jesus spent in this region. Matthew 4:23 tells of three main aspects of Jesus's ministry. First, he was busy going about to the 240 + villages and towns in this region of 3 million people. Secondly, he focused on teaching in the synagogues which were the center of their lives. He proclaimed forcef...

As Jesus begins his ministry, Matthew's gospel recalls that these fishermen were preparing to work by restoring the integrity of their equipment. Jesus finds them "mending nets". Likewise, Jesus calls us to follow him today as well. In the process, Jesus knows that we need to be mended too. Are these times of uncertainty being used by God to restore, prepare, or mend something in us? If so ... wha...

In the midst of uncertainty, our country and world is facing a time of unexpected turmoil due to the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, feelings of abandonment and despair can overwhelm many. But it is not an accident that Jesus begins his ministry from a place known for darkness and despair. The area in Galilee surrounding Capernaum was historically seen as a place of darkness. The prophe...

On March 3rd, 2020, Cookeville, TN suffered the worst natural disaster in its history. A tornado destroyed nearly 400 homes and took the lives of 18 people. This sermon is in response to that tragedy. Our community was suffering and many questions were left unanswered. Yet, the bible reveals to us God's sovereignty in the midst of sorrow. God's greatest power in the midst of sorrow is HIS power to...

The second of the temptations of Jesus mentioned in Matthew's gospel focuses on the temptation of self-protection with is truly a test of God's faithfulness. As Jesus rebutted Satan's first temptation with Scripture, Satan now twists Psalm 91 to tempt Jesus. But Jesus responds again with Scripture from Deuteronomy 6. What we can take away from this temptation to jump from the tower of the temple i...

The Spiritual Basics of the Faith require a substitute for our sin. Jesus is that substitute who endured and suffered the penalty for us.

Matthew's gospel describes in greater detail the forty days of temptation that Jesus faced at the hands of THE TEMPTER, Satan. These days of temptation and suffering were directed and led by the Holy Spirit as a significant part of preparation for Jesus' ministry. Matthew 4:1-4 references how Satan took advantage of Jesus' hunger following days and weeks of fasting. What Satan tried to distort, Je...

The Apostle Paul now lays out the proper response to the Gospel as God's will alone causes salvation. As the sinner is called to repentance, God the Father changes the sinful will to a repentant will. This change causes the sinner to believe. Believe and be saved.

The call by John the Baptist to repent was not a manipulation on emotion. Rather, John the Baptist was the voice of God, the last of the prophets. What God speaks is always reasonable. Come, let us reason together.

John the Baptist is called by God as the last prophet whose ministry of preparation heralded the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven. The King (Jesus) had arrived to forgive sins. Matthew 3:1-3 is John's call to repentance, not admission or confession of sin only. Biblical repentance is not merely a change of mind, but is more accurately a change of necessity through contrition (or sorrow). Godly sorr...

God speaks to a young virgin girl, Mary, through the angel Gabriel. This important message relayed God's favor for Mary. As Mary did not desire this calling of bearing the Son of God, the Messiah, we can glean the significance of God's sovereign calling and Mary's faithful submission to God's will. God wanted Mary to be the Theotokos, the "mother of God". Gabriel's final words of comfort for Mary...

The prophecy of Micah of the promised Messiah points directly to the peace that only Christ can provide. Yet the prophet speaks for God by pointing to two groups of people. Those who suffer and those who cause the suffering. The Peace of Christ is promised in Micah's prophesy for the faithful, not to the oppressors.

This podcast feed hosts the public teaching ministry of Dr. Bryant K. Owens. I am an independent scholar exploring Christian Studies in today’s secular world. I believe that thoughtful Christianity can bring meaningful change in our churches, classrooms, homes, and communities. With years of experience as both a pastor and educator, I am passionate about the historical Christian worldview and the...