Stapleton Baptist Church

The Christian life is about both putting off the old-self with its earthly ways and putting on the new-self that is aimed at glorifying God. We see in Colossians 3:12-17 that this "new-creation-attitude" changes how we relate to one another. It gives us the ability to bear with one another, forgive one another, and let the peace of Christ and Word of Christ rule our relationships. And it...

Can a person change who they are? For the Christian, the answer is a resounding "yes." True, life-change is only found through the transforming work of salvation in Christ. And now that we have changed we need to start living like it. So we seek the things that are above while also putting to death whatever is earthly in us. 

In Colossians 2:16-23 we get the clearest picture of the threat facing the Colossians believers. The threat was self-made religion. In self-made religion it's Jesus + something else. They recognize what God requires but then they add on additional requirements and regulations in order to please God. But that's simply man's wisdom, not God's. Instead, we are called to hold fast...

We get to know few people in the Bible as well as we get to know the Apostle Paul. In Colossians 1:24-2:5 Paul gives a sort of "philosophy of ministry." We find that Paul's main drive for ministry is to make the word of God fully known. God has spoke and has revealed truth to us. Let us live according to that truth alone!

In Colossians 1:15-23 we find that Jesus is Lord over both the first creation and the new creation; therefore, he is Lord over all. It is impossible to think too highly, love too deeply, or adore to greatly Jesus Christ. If he truly is Lord over all then we must devote our entire life to him and his service.

This Christian life is about both the destination and the journey. It's about both where you are going (heaven) and who you are becoming (more like Christ). In Colossians 1:9-14 we find Paul's continual prayer for the Colossians that they would be filled with the knowledge of the will of God in order to live lives worthy of the Lord Jesus. May we live worthy of the salvation we have rece...

This week we begin our study in Colossians. Paul wrote this letter to people he had never met in a city he had never been too, but he can rejoice and give thanks to God that the word of truth came to them, they understood the grace of God, and the gospel continues to bear fruit in their lives. May the same be said about us today!

Psalm 23 is a psalm of confidence. In these six short verses David so perfectly expresses what God is always doing for his people. He is always seeking to lead his people into restoration and refreshment. Because God is our shepherd, we lack nothing. Because God is our host, our cup is always overflowing.

In Daniel 9 we find Daniel reading God's words through the prophet Jeremiah, seeing that the time of fulfillment is near, and responds by turning to God in prayer. Daniel shows us how to pray as foreigners and exiles. He turns to God in adoration, confession, and petition.

Chapter 7 of Daniel brings us to the climax of the book. Daniel's vision sums up the message of the book: the kingdoms of this world will rise and fall, but the kingdom of God will last forever. It's no surprise that we find Jesus right at the center of this truth. He is the Son of Man who is given full and final dominion from the Ancient of Days. And we as the saints will receive and po...

This week we take a look at a principle we find developing in Daniel's story: dual citizenship. As Christians we are both citizens of an earthly kingdom and citizens of God's heavenly kingdom. What does God expect of his people as they remain faithful to him but also work for the good of the people and community he has placed them in.  Let's find out in Jeremiah 29!

Paul exhorts the elders in Ephesus to be bold in their gospel proclamation, serious in the way they approach God's Word, and generous in their relationships with others. Through beatings, imprisonment, trials, and shipwreck, Paul arrives at Rome, and boldly proclaims God's Word. He is able to do this, unhindered, because Christ is Lord and King. Believers today, taking God at His Word, c...

Paul's three years in Ephesus show us the long-term impact believers can make through daily faithfulness to Christ. Overtime, the gospel should transform both our personal lives and the communities we live in. And it happens through placing Jesus at the center of it all.

Acts 17 is noticeably absent of miracles, yet people still get saved. We find Paul reasoning with people, but doing so in an intentional and winsome way.  He engages people in three different cities, with different cultures, and receives three different responses. This chapter instructs us in how to engage the wide variety of people around us with the Gospel. 

In Acts 16 we discover the start of the church at Philippi. We see it all began with a wealthy business woman, a formerly possessed slave girl, and a Roman jail. Not necessarily your ideal church planting team! But we get to see the triumph of the gospel as it penetrates every barrier and transforms those individuals from different backgrounds and situations. We see the universal appeal and the un...

Acts 15 serves as both the technical center and the theological center of the book. The question is finally settled over what to do with the Gentiles and the Law. This account gives us a great example of godly leaders protecting the truth and purity of the Gospel while also protecting the unity and fellowship of the church.

This week we study Paul's first missionary journey found in Acts 13 & 14. We see the gospel advance and engage with different cultures, religions, and worldviews. Some people receive the truth, some people reject. But through it all Paul and Barnabas serve as godly examples of Christian determination and perseverance when it comes to the mission of God.

Between Acts 11 and 13 we get a glimpse of a new gospel community being started in the city of Antioch. We don't know exactly who started the church there, but we do know the eternal impact of their work. The church of Antioch ends up being one of the most influential churches in the history of Christianity. But what's even more amazing is that they did it through the same exact means av...

In Acts 10 we see the good news of the Gospel being extended to even the Gentiles. In fact, they receive the very same Spirit that the Jews did on the day of Pentecost. God makes it clear to the Apostle Peter that there is no longer any distinction between Jew and Gentile. Both people have now bene made into one new man through the power of the cross!

Today we look at one of the most significant events in the history of the Christian church: the conversion of Saul of Tarsus. Saul's story is one of the most spectacular and interesting accounts in the New Testament. Yet, when it comes down to it his story is not so different than ours. Though the circumstances of our salvation may look different, we all share certain aspects of conversion th...

Because we have been united with Christ, we now share in his death and resurrection. Our old self has been crucified on the cross and now we have been resurrected to new life here and now that is alive to God! All that is made possible through the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ!

In Acts 8:1-25 we see persecution scattering the church across Judea and Samaria. Rather than eradicating the church though, the persecution catalyzes the spread of the gospel. The good news spreads to the Samaritans and a magician named Simon. But Simon's profession of faith serves as a warning to us. Not all belief is true belief. Not all faith is saving faith.

In Acts 6:1-7 we get a glimpse of the early experiencing growing pains. The Lord had exponentially grown the church in a short amount of time. No longer was it only 120 people in the upper room. They now numbered in the thousands, and that growth lead to growing pains. In this passage we see the apostles addressing the problem head on and willingly change to solve the problem so the church can con...

This week in Acts 5 we see the church continue to expand like never before even after the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira. The truth is that God is the one who draws people to himself. God is the one who builds his church. We are simply called to obey what he has already commanded us: to be his witnesses and to make disciples!

In Acts 4:32-5:11, Luke puts side-by-side the accounts of Barnabas and Ananias and Sapphira. Both are examples of giving, but they are done with very different motives. God doesn't just want our obedience, our money, or our time. He wants our hearts first. Hypocrisy is a constant danger looking to take hold in the hearts of Christians.