Sovereign Grace Baptist Church

The fifth chapter of Ephesians provides wisdom in how to present oneself as a Christian to a fallen and sinful world. Christians are to watch how they walk as the light of Christ and be prepared for opposition to the gospel.

Christians are encouraged by Paul to imitate Christ as Children of Light. They are to avoid deceptive speech from those who seek to manipulate people to worship them. Christians seek out that which is right and true.

The Apostle Paul exhorts the Ephesian Church to live lives of morality as Christ lived purely. His caution is bold in that the kingdom of God has no room for sexual immorality, impurity, filthy language, or crude-joking. As Christ loves all people as they are made in God's image, likewise the Church is to love all people by thinking of and speaking of them as they are in God's image. Sexual immora...

The Apostle Paul exhorts the church to always imitate God this way; as Christ loved us and sacrificed himself for us, we are to love each other. Just as God causes the sun to shine on the good and the bad, we too are to love our neighbor, the good and the bad.

At the end of the first day of Christ's resurrection, Jesus commissions his disciples to carry out the purpose of the gospel. As witnesses of Christ's authority to forgive, all Christians can assure the sinner that forgiveness is possible because of the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Two attitudes exist toward Jesus Christ and his crucifixion. Either one is humble and repentant toward Christ or one remains in sin through arrogance and entitled pride.

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...

Paul enforces the teaching to the churches in Ephesus that in order to be unified as the body of Christ, the love of Christ must connect each part. Therefore, to speak truth in love is to strengthen the body. Christ's love is the glue which holds the Church together. Rather than hunting heretical teaching, the love of Christ builds the body of Christ so that the focus is on Christ-like love. If th...

Paul reminds the Churches at Ephesus that Christ poured out the Gift of Salvation as a means to equip the building of God's Kingdom. Salvation is the primary gift that results in further edification of gifts to the Church for the means to build the kingdom by engaging in evangelism and ministry.

The unity of the Church depends upon the Oneness of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As the body of Christ is one in spirit, likewise the gospel is proclaimed as one voice. Individual Christianity is not true Christianity.

The Apostle Paul exhorts the Gentile Christians at Ephesus to now live out the love of Christ that is poured out in them. The Christian is to walk out the life of Christ as Christ's love is poured into them. As the Greeks did not have a concept (or word) for humility, Paul describes humility as only that which Christ initiates.

Paul prays for the church at Ephesus in chapter 3. This prayer focuses on the desire that the Love of Christ would transcend all other knowledge for these dear saints. Since human knowledge appeals to the spiritually curious, Paul prays for what only Christ can offer in how to understand the mystery of the gospel. Without Christ's love, the interpretation of scripture is impossible. Without Christ...

Paul encourages the Gentile Christians at Ephesus that their inheritance in God's Grace is just as valuable as the Jewish Christians. The mystery of Christ is that salvation for all people is an eternal promise. Eternity is beyond our understanding, therefore salvation in Christ is a mystery to those who do not know the gospel. Yet even those in the salvation embrace of Christ still face much myst...

The importance of church membership requires a biblical understanding of covenant. Paul's letter to the churches at Corinth emphasizes the importance of genuine commitment to Christ and to each other as the church. This is required as the genuine way to participate in the Lord's Table. This recorded sermon includes a public reading of the Church Covenant for Sovereign Grace Baptist Church. This is...

The Apostle Paul reminds the Gentile Christians in Ephesus that they inherit Eternal Life as Christ promised. This inheritance is greater than the inheritance of the Sons of Abraham making all who believe in Jesus Christ receipients of the inheritance through the New Covenant by Christ's blood.

The writer of the book of Hebrews cautions the Christians not to neglect the gathering together for worship. Because Jesus purchased the church with His blood, the Church honors that covenant together in fellowship. Likewise, Moses and the people of Israel covenant together under the word of God and through the blood of covenant (Exodus 24:3-8).

In today's sermon Dr. Bill Barenkamp preaches from Ephesians 1:3-14 with a message titled, "Identity in Christ."

Paul reminds the Ephesian Church that Christ bought the Church with his own blood. God the Father obtained the Church by bringing in the outsiders into his household.

The Apostle Paul instructs Timothy in the proper ordination of Church leaders. This passage compares a Good Leader (after Christ the Good Shepherd) against the false leaders that crept into the churches in Ephesus.

As the Jerusalem Church expanded in number, tensions rose as will always happen when people learn to be together. The 12 Apostles of Jesus listened to the complaints of the Hellenists and through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, deacons were ordained. The deacons then served tables while the Apostles served the Word.

The Apostle Paul instructs Titus in ordaining qualified men as elders of the churches on the island of Crete. From this comes guidance for the modern Church in following the biblical model of Church leadership.

Jesus confronts the false shepherds (the Pharisees) by describing himself as the Good Shepherd. Jesus is the model shepherd for the pastoral role in today's church.

God calls certain men to the role of Elder/Pastor of the Church. This is especially important in times of persecution of the faithful when a strong leader of the faith can point the Church to Christ.

The effect and role of suffering varies between the Godly and the UnGodly. The Righteous (God's elect) face suffering as God's chastisement in order to grow in faith. The Unrighteous (those who disobey the Gospel) face suffering as God's punishment for disobedience.

In the midst of difficult circumstances, God is directing all things for His Glory. The Christian is blessed with the gift of salvation in Christ and as such, is called to be that beautiful light to a fallen world for God's glory. The duty of the Church is to speak as God speaks and to serve as Christ serves.