Stonybank Community Church with Pastor James Carroll

Mary, the mother of Jesus said, "whatever He saith unto you, do it."  We need mothers today who will simply say to their children, whatever Jesus says, do it, obey it, follow Him.

The blessed or happy person is revealed not by what they say but what they don't say.  Their faith is defined not by what they don't do but what they do.  And what they do is always in defense of the most vulnerable among us.  You will never find satisfaction by speaking your mind, shaming the ungodly or defending yourself and you certainly won't win hearts for Jesus.

How can we rise above the circumstances that often hold others down.  How to count it all joy; know the purpose; let God have His way; and ask for the wisdom in the moment?  Without God's word as the measure of my circumstance "having a good day" is dependent upon things turning in my favor.  All the devil need have you do is doubt His destructive intent and he will soon have you ri...

The only reason we have church and the only appeal we have is foolishness to the world but which Paul calls "the power of God unto salvation."  That God is love most accept but that He love so much to send His son to die for our sins seems absurd.  This love explained by a theologian is like a flower explained by a botanist.  However, this love explained so simply is like a child gi...

The resurrection demands a body and cannot be just spiritual.  Heaven is not just spiritual but physical beauty as God originally intended and wildly beyond our imagination.  Settle this resurrection fact in your heart and then let your imagination run wild with the things that God has prepared for those who love Him (1Cor.2:9).

Paul takes the pen in his own hand and writes this final paragraph.  He wants to mark the danger of legalism one final time.  Its not just another way of doing the same thing, its a complete contradiction to the grace of God.  He makes it very personal and direct, even calling into question their motive of wanting to claim Paul's converts for their own.  The cross is central to...

Perhaps the greatest phrase in the vocabulary of Christian living... "one another."  Most often used as in loving one another but here it is a guiding principle in Christian liberty, to "bear one another's burdens."  In chapter 6 the rubber meets the road with a simple principle to help us fulfill the law of Christ: Bear Burdens and Share Blessings.  Or in the words of Mr. Bigweld (...

Guest speaker, Bill Neff has been a friend to Stonybank for many years.  In contrast to the false shepherds (e.g. Ezek.34) Jesus is called the Good Shepherd, the Chief Shepherd (1Pet.) and the Great Shepherd (Heb.).  We are His sheep.  We are needy creatures.  He tells what He will do for His sheep.  A great message of encouragement for us today.  Pastor Neff then clo...

The law can only control (and he gives a list of things like anger and selfishness that we would all hope to limit).  Grace on the other hand can create (and he lists things like love, joy and peace which we would all hope to display).  Things of the law were crucified; things of the Spirit must be cultivated.  Like learning to walk, just put one step in front of the other and befor...

Stand fast, "therefore."  For everything Paul has laid out don't go back into bondage of the law.  Like the tip of the iceberg, circumcision is just the thing that if allowed makes you liable to the whole law.  The person who sounds reasonable and just says he wants to encourage will in fact steal everything you have in Christ if you give in on any of it.

By this ancient story with a new meaning you must answer who is your mother?  The story of Ismael and Isaac is an allegory of everything true in your Christian life.  By the end you are directed to send away the one of your flesh away and the last will become first.

Adoption makes permanent what the law could never accomplish.  Trying then to go back under the law is like trying to relive your childhood.. Our relationship to God as Father through our Lord Jesus Christ makes all the difference.  We are joint heirs all the way back to the promise God made to Abraham by adoption.

The law of Moses is in no way contradictory to the promise God gave to Abraham.  Neither is our connection to the promise "through" the law but through our Lord, Jesus Christ.  The law was a "schoolmaster" that brought us to the door and dropped us off where Jesus knocks and by faith we respond.   

A young man, Ben quoted this passage as our opening scripture reading.

Six questions that conclude that not only can the law not save us (chp.2) it cannot now keep us saved (chp.3).  We must deny the subtle claim that being justified by faith we are now sanctified by the law.  It is foolish (and dangerous) to think that having been saved one way you should now live another.

Some people have just enough religion to make them miserable, wrote Billy Sunday.  If you die under the law you are sealed in death.  However, the law has no response for the resurrection.  Therefore, we are free from the law but governed by love.  Grace that is greater than all our sin.

Paul refused to give in on anything others thought to add to grace.  However, when all the doctrinal discussions are settled, v.10 reminds us that we should be remember for doing good.  When everything is said and done, if we are only known for what we don't do, won't allow, and try to keep out, we have done very much for the kingdom.

As the saying goes, if you don't like the message, kill the messenger.  Hated by everyone this once persecutor of the church was embraced after three years in seclusion with the Holy Spirit.  Two words from his understanding are inseparable - Call and Grace.  Whenever and whoever hears the call of God, you can be certain God's grace is sufficient.

We begin our series in the book of Galatians where Paul confronts the legalistic issue of adding traditions to the gospel of grace alone.  Adding to the gospel does not make it more true and does not just make it less true, it is a poison pill that will keep you bound for destruction - "anathema."

This brief message was shared following the Slavic Missionary Baptist Church band presentation.

The Slavic Missionary Baptist Church visited our church for a special presentation of Christmas music and message on the joy of Christmas.

Beginning with why Santa must be a man and other fun facts, this message reviews several undeniable comparisons to why Christ is right choice for Christmas.  Its a busy time of the year and easy to lose focus on what is really important.

The families of John the Baptist and Jesus the Christ meet causing quite a stir, even in the womb.  Imagine the whispers of this older lady having her first child and this engaged virgin being pregnant.  But when the families compare their stories it becomes evident, this is the fulness of the time, when God would send forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

Did Mary know?  Of course she did.  But we don't know what we don't know because we are ignorant of God's word.  John confirms five fundamental facts as he closes his book.

God is love but that He SO loved the world is what no one could have expected.  The best way to restore the joy of your own salvation is to tell someone else how much God loves you.