Stonybank Community Church with Pastor James Carroll

Why do you suppose its such a big deal that men would spend their life and fortune to explore the heavens in search of life? Because they assume that life on other planets would help support the evolutionary theories regarding the origins of life.  Mankind will always find it discomforting to think that we are alone in the universe and that man alone is the focus of a creator God.

We entered this chapter with no condemnation, we passed through our glorification and now end with no separation; what more could we ask?  Our salvation is a love story, which began when God set His affection on us, pursued us and will not now forsake us.  Many things will compete for your attention but be assured of this one thing, God will never leave us or forsake us.

Pauls asks five questions in this section for which there is only one clear response.  Each question establishes another promise of God regarding our glorious salvation.  In fact, every excuse to reject God's offer of salvation is always based upon a what and not the Who.

It was a pleasure to have Jeff and Jayne Reason with us to share their vision for church planting and Christian camp ministry they have been leading for the past 38 years.

The simple truth is that in our own strength and by our own best effort not only can we not save ourselves but it would never have occured to us in the first place.  Given every opportunity we would still be on the run since the time Adam and Eve first hid themselves. "There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God" -Romans 3:11.

R.A.Torrey called this verse "a soft pillow for a tired heart."  This verse is the common knowledge of the Christian experience. Don't live among the ignorance of the unbeliever.  The faith nurtured in this promise settles the circumstances of life by faith in the goodness of God.

What makes our present suffering bearable is the comforting contrast of our heavenly home. Even all of creation has an "earnest expectation" of our Lord's return. And the Holy Spirit makes the emotional connection from the groaning of our heart to the throne room of God where Jesus Himself is making intercession for us.

There are no participation trophies in Heaven.  Suffering is not only likely but it is necessary.  Every future glory requires present suffering.

Paul instructs us in the winning ways of a Spirit-filled Christian, which is the primary evidence that we are the sons of God; that we are no longer held captive by sin in our flesh; we are born again as a child of God; adopted by our Heavenly Father.  This pattern of doctrine first, followed by duty is not only Paul’s pattern but is unique to Christianity – every other religion and even some...

The competing contrast of the flesh and the Spirit is not just another way of looking at things but a completely different mindset. So much so that they are mutually exclusive.

Often called the greatest chapter of the Bible, today we begin our study of Romans 8.  Sin is universal, it affect is terminal and only the power of the Holy Spirit can change the outcome.  Many believers live defeated lives because while free from sin we don't think like a free person.  

This message was given on the first Sunday of our New Year (2022) as a reminder of what and why we remember the Lord's death through the communion service.  If you or others have questions about this Church Ordinance perhaps this message will help walk you through what we typically do in an abbreviated way each first Sunday of the month.

If you kept every New Year's resolution, you'd probably be healthy, wealthy and bored to death.  This world on its own can never provide you the happiness you desire.

A 12-step program to recovering the spirit of Christmas.

Whether the stars aligned or the calendars agree on the coming of Christ, one thing is certain - the place.  Another confirmation that Christ has come is the place of his birth, Bethlehem-Ephratah.  He came is such a lowly state as to renew our confidence, this is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.

We are living in the last days of Christ's first coming when He will establish His kingdom and bring peace on earth.

Paul Cowley provided a brief update from the recent graduation in Kenya.

Our hands are tied up in evil, which has poisoned most modern pursuits.  "Because I can" has become the rationale for much of what we do, which always ends up badly when first we do not consider the Lord. 

In order to have your name moved from the invitation list to the guest list you must respond to the invitation.

Ingratitude is the character equivalent of inflation - too much stuff in search of happiness.  So much stuff will lead to greed and greed will be the death of our democracy.  More stuff has never made people more happy, in fact, just the opposite is generally the case.  Wherever you may be on the economic food chain, gratitude will always improve your disposition.

In an era gone by interested parents brought bored children to church.  Then we worked hard to interest children who brought bored parents.  Families today are overstimulated and church is a boring option among many other things.  We must prioritize the church or an entire generation will be literally bored to death.

Our Lord did not pay redemption’s price just so He could anniahliate the world but to remake the world, Israel and all believer’s after His perfect plan.  Perhaps more people aren’t interested in going there because we aren’t quit sure its going to be all that exciting. I cannot promise you heaven will be everything you ever wanted but I can promise you it will not be anything you never hoped...

Pastor Don returned to celebrate our 211th Anniversary.  

An Angel's cell call, Peter's house call and God's final call are heard in a stream of messages.  Each call demands a decision where doors never represent a place to enter and stay but an opportunity to walk through.  Lessons include Angels go where no one else can, prayer does what nothing else can and death makes us think like nothing else does.

The most familiar parable, by title, in all the world.  There is plenty of pleasure to found in this world even if only for a season.  The stuff of this world will always leave you in want - taking everything you have.  And as for the older brother, don't ever forget what manner of person we are and would be apart from the grace of God.