Zion Hill Baptist

At Christmas we celebrate the coming of the Messiah; which, in Hebrew means anointed one or chosen one. In Greek we translate it to Christos. So we when say Jesus Christ we are saying Jesus the Messiah. After the fall of Man God foretold he would send a Messiah to redeem us to him. Today we look through some of the Old Testament prophesies that reveal Jesus is the long awaited Messiah!

Have you allowed someone to steal, kill, or destroy your Joy? Have you yourself killed you joy? All too often we allow others or are our own worst enemy. But at this time of year we pause to remember that the great 'I Am' has come that we may have life and that we may have it more abundantly. Let us follow after David and repent, be obedient, and ask for the joy of our salvation to be restored unt...

Hell is real. It is the place where we are separated from God and punished for our sins. This is the default position for all mankind. The only way out, is provided through Jesus Christ. We must be saved or born again as a new creature to stay out of hell at the end of our lives. We must all enter through the narrow gate, but few will find it. Have you?

What do we know about heaven and how much of what we think we know is untrue? Today we consider what is know about heaven. We know heaven is real and that only those who are saved will be there. We know we will spend eternity with God without the impact of sin. We also know this is not automatic and many who say Lord Lord, will not enter the kingdom of heaven. In this brief sermon we try to descri...

God ordained priests during the Old Testament to serve as an intermediary between the Lord and His people. However, Christ, as the great High Priest sacrificed himself and is seated on the right hand of God. We no longer need priests, but can communicate directly to God. Those who are saved are the priesthood of believers and should make spiritual sacrifices, do good works, live as a sacrifice and...

We discuss the encounter Jesus had with the 10 Leper. All were physically healed, but only one was spiritually healed--the one who returned and was thankful. Are you thankful today? Are you publicly thankful for the spiritual things God has done in your life?

We live in the physical world and spend most of our time working for it. We labor at jobs to make money, gain status, build a resume and accumulate possessions. We often forget to grow in our spiritual work. Spiritual work are things that are not physical, but are what God requires of us: Prayer, Scripture, Faith, Teaching, Preaching, Mercy, Love, Council, Correction, Encouragement are just a few....

Jesus is the Vine and we are to depend on him for our sustenance and support. Without him we will never produce fruit, but with him we will produce much fruit. Are we dependent on Him for your direction? Are you willing to set aide what you want and to allow him to prune you so that you grow? When we do, we bring glory to our Father.

Do we know what love is? We often think it is a feeling or something you fall into. But, love is a choice and something you do. We learn in the 'Love Chapter' how we are to love and how we are not to. We are reminded in Colossians to choose to put off the old self and put on love. We also remember that Christ loved us first and is waiting and longing for us to love him back! What will you do today...

God has given each of us a talent. These are gifts directly from him and to be used for his purpose. The question is are we using his gifts or have we burred them in the ground? Today we consider the parable of the talents and invite everyone to consider the servants and their use of of what the Lord gave them. Asking are you a believer like the first two or an unbeliever like the third who was la...

What is man that you are mindful of him? The psalmist David asks and gives us the answer. We need to look up and consider the stars and moon and understand that God, even as creator of all thinks of about me and you and cares for us--individually.

Here we have the Hallel Psalms (Praise), traditionally sung during Passover. It is very likely that the hymn Jesus and the disciples sang after the Lord Supper was Psalm 118. Here we see the glorious revelation that Jesus is the chief corner stone and consider what it must have been like for Christ to lead the disciples in this song knowing it was about to be fulfilled.

God created the world and everything in it; then he made us. We are made in his image and likeness which means that we resemble him with our reason, will, acts, speaking, and knowledge. Why did he carefully craft us and breath live and spirit into us? So that we can have a relationship with Him.

We are a new creation in Christ, the old is gone, behold all things are new. Do we understand what this means? Do we live this way? Let us not return to our old ways and habits but live into the newness that Christ purchased for us.

How often do we measure and compare ourselves against ourselves or others? If we do that, then we will always be good, ahead, right, like others, cutting others out, and more. It leads to jealousy, pride, self, poor character, and other follies. What we need is to measure ourselves against a standard: the requirements of God and character of the Redeemer.

What is God's Love Language? Have you ever considered how we show God we love him? Obedience is what we are called to. By being obedient to him we prove our love for him, glorify him in a fallen world, and allow him to demonstrate his love and devotion for us. We do this not because we have to, but because we want to. Obedience above acts of service, gifts, quality time, or words of affirmation (p...

Today we celebrate and honor our Grandparents and remember that our inheritance begins now. Not one of money or property, but the gift and example of love, joy, character, wisdom, humility, obedience, legacy, a good name, knowledge, temperance, patience and so many other qualities. Grandparents, are you giving your inheritance now to your children; children are you receiving the inheritance by exa...

There is power in the Word of God. It was not contrived by men nor is it the result of man's impulse, will, or desires. It was inspired by God and written by men who were moved, influenced, and carried along by the Spirit. The Bible is true, accurate, and Holy. The scriptures can make one wise unto salvation. They are a constant source of power in this dark world and in the dark heart until the da...

As we close this series on the Christian (Incremental) Graces we are implored not to be idle or unfruitful or else we are blind, unable to see or even recognize these graces--a dangerous place to be. We may still be saved, but if we forget our sins and what the Lord has done for us. Rather we are encouraged to give diligence (haste) to make our calling and election sure. That is, having confidence...

After a saving faith in Christ we are encouraged to supplement the faith with Virtue, Knowledge, Temperance (Self-Control), Patience (Endurance), Godliness (Piety), Brotherly Kindness and Charity (Love). These Graces are discussed today with particular application to our daily lives.

Here we find that faith is presupposed as necessary and different than other the other graces. That is because His grace and our faith is what brings us forgiveness and reunites us with God. We must have experienced this saving faith if we are to continue any further. Once we have faith we are add (supplement) virtue. Virtue may be described as excellence, morality--that which is abstaining from v...

Through the precious promises of Jesus Christ we have been bestowed (or gifted, partakers) a portion of His Devine nature. We are no longer in rebellion, prideful, sinful, arrogant; have been redeemed, forgiven, reconciled, adopted, and transformed. Then gifted with his grace and virtue unto godliness. We are therefore called with diligence (haste, eagerness, swiftness) to add (enhance, supplement...

We share a precious faith with the Saint's of old and with all who will come later. It was obtained through Jesus Christ and His grace and peace are multiplied to us even though we don't deserve it. It comes through knowledge--a deep, intimate, experiential knowledge of Christ we gain through the Spirit, scripture, and time with the Lord. It is not mere head knowledge, but a heart knowledge that g...

Joshua brings Israel together at Shechem to renew the covenant and offers them a choice, serve the idols of the land or the one true God. We all worship something, it is hardwired into us, and if you are not serving God, then you are serving something (self, money, power, position, looks, alcohol, drugs, work, health, sex, environment, children--something). We cannot simply say, "God forbid" No, w...

Isaiah warns us, 'wow unto them that call evil good, and good evil'. Our culture today not only does what is wrong, but calls sin good and biblical morality bad. The truth is that things will get worse as we willingly (exchange) or ignorantly (confuse) God's commands. What is to be done? Turn to and know the scriptures and the Spirit of God that will lead us unto all truth and righteousness.