Baptists Preaching is a column from the Baptist Standard. It is not an effort to advance any one theology or style but to present what a collection of Baptists considers a word from God. Likewise, Baptists Preaching offers a repository of Baptist preaching for future study and research. To recommend a sermon to be featured in Baptists Preaching, please contact eric.black@baptiststandard.com.

Kelly Knott: Honoring Correctly (Daniel 1:8-21)

Kelly Knott, missions coordinator for the El Paso Baptist Association, challenged his hearers to do what is right before God and man, even when it’s difficult. God is faithful and will give us the strength to do what is right, he contended.

The story of Daniel and his three friends—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—provides a clear example of Knott’s challenge. Nebuchadnezzar wanted young men qualified to serve. Daniel and his friends were chosen to be prepared for service.

The preparation posed a challenge to Daniel and his friends’ devotion to God. Knott asked his hearers what direction they would turn when presented with a similar challenge. Will we do what is right or what people demand of us, Knott asked.

“What is the right thing to do?” Knott asked, answering with “to honor God and honor his word.” Knott then described what honoring God correctly means, before concluding with the declaration God honors those who honor him.

This sermon was delivered July 10, 2022, for the morning worship service of Scotsdale Baptist Church in El Paso.

A sermon manuscript is available here.

Baptists Preaching is a column from the Baptist Standard. It is not an effort to advance any one theology or style but to present what a collection of Baptists considers a word from God. Likewise, Baptists Preaching offers a repository of Baptist preaching for future study and research. To recommend a sermon to be featured in Baptists Preaching, please contact eric.black@baptiststandard.com.

Pastor Erik Vance: Resting in Jesus (Hebrews 4:1-10)

Pastor Erik Vance, Southside City Church in Fort Worth, took issue with a once-popular bumper sticker: “Jesus is my co-pilot.” People do their own thing and keep Jesus on the side, he declared. A better saying is “Jesus, take the wheel,” he said.

If a person is sick and tired of going through hardships, he or she needs to put Jesus back in his rightful position, Vance proclaimed. When they do, they will know rest. He reminded his hearers that in the world is tribulation, but in Jesus there is peace, and Jesus has overcome the world.

God wants us to enter and dwell in his rest, Vance explained. He reflected on the Israelites wandering in the wilderness as the result of their unbelief in God. Their wandering prevented them from resting.

Vance described the difference between worldly rest and God’s rest, and how a person can enter God’s rest through faith.

This sermon was delivered July 3, 2022, for the morning worship service of Southside City Church in Fort Worth.

A sermon script is available here.

Baptists Preaching is a column from the Baptist Standard. It is not an effort to advance any one theology or style but to present what a collection of Baptists considers a word from God. Likewise, Baptists Preaching offers a repository of Baptist preaching for future study and research. To recommend a sermon to be featured in Baptists Preaching, please contact eric.black@baptiststandard.com.

Clay Barton: Jesus is the Same (Hebrews 13:1-3, 7-9)

Clay Barton, senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Dripping Springs, asked his hearers to imagine what it would have been like in 1872 when First Baptist Dripping Springs started. Though much has changed there and in the world, time travelers would find a “gathering of people, a community of faith” reading Scriptures.

Hebrews 13 describes the nature and character expected of those who seek to worship God acceptably (Hebrews 12:28). God’s people didn’t choose themselves; they are family in Christ. This relationship was radical when the Christian church began during the Roman Empire, and it’s radical still today, Barton asserted.

This radical familial love is to be extended outside the church to strangers, he continued. The power to do this comes from Jesus Christ, Barton proclaimed.

This sermon was delivered June 5, 2022, for the morning worship service of First Baptist Church in Dripping Springs, as part of their 150th anniversary celebration.

Baptists Preaching is a column from the Baptist Standard. It is not an effort to advance any one theology or style but to present what a collection of Baptists considers a word from God. Likewise, Baptists Preaching offers a repository of Baptist preaching for future study and research. To recommend a sermon to be featured in Baptists Preaching, please contact eric.black@baptiststandard.com.

Todd Gray: Marks of a Faithful Follower (Philippians 1:1-11)

Todd Gray, senior pastor of Coggins Avenue Baptist Church in Brownwood, loves the book of Philippians; it’s one of his favorite books. In Philippians, Paul teaches to be in Christ means a Christian is able to choose joy, he said. Paul also communicates through the letter his affection for the Philippian church and his correction and encouragement of it.

Gray recounted the history of the Philippian church as recorded in Acts 16. He noted a woman—Lydia—was the first convert and was influential in the Philippian church. Women and men are equal in worth and have different roles in the home and the church, Gray said.

Philippi also was where Paul and Silas were imprisoned for casting a demon out of a young woman. During their night in prison, they praised God, who released them from prison miraculously. While in prison again later, Paul wrote his letter to the Philippian church, including the word joy 14 times, Gray said.

A faithful follower of Christ is marked by selflessness, gospel support and a life of intercessory prayer. Joy is a byproduct of these characteristics, Gray asserted. He developed his assertion through the second half of the sermon and concluded by leading his hearers in praying Philippians 1:9-11 over other people.

This sermon was delivered Apr. 24, 2022, for the morning worship service at Coggin Avenue Baptist Church in Brownwood as part of a series titled “Choose Joy: Philippians.”

A sermon transcript is available here.

Baptists Preaching is a column from the Baptist Standard. It is not an effort to advance any one theology or style but to present what a collection of Baptists considers a word from God. Likewise, Baptists Preaching offers a repository of Baptist preaching for future study and research. To recommend a sermon to be featured in Baptists Preaching, please contact eric.black@baptiststandard.com.

Gary Morgan: Sexual Abuse

Gary Morgan, senior pastor of The Cowboy Church of Ellis County in Waxahachie, spoke directly to the sin of sexual abuse in a sermon he preached in 2012. He preceded the sermon with a warning that the content is not appropriate for children younger than 9 or 10-years-old.

Morgan opened with an examination of what a soul is, concluding it is a person’s essence. The soul can’t be sold or stolen, but it can be profoundly damaged, such as what results from sexual abuse, he contended. He shared a video of a woman’s story of being sexually abused. That videos has been edited it out here due to its extremely sensitive nature.

Morgan discussed the definition of sexual abuse and the guilt, shame and isolation a survivor of sexual abuse experiences. He then addressed three groups of people—the survivor, the abuser and the bystander—about how each should respond to sexual abuse. His words are not easy.

This sermon was delivered July 29, 2012, for the morning worship service at The Cowboy Church of Ellis County in Waxahachie. The sermon contains content not suitable for children.

An article about this sermon was published Aug. 24, 2012, in the Baptist Standard.

A sermon outline is available here.

Baptists Preaching is a column from the Baptist Standard. It is not an effort to advance any one theology or style but to present what a collection of Baptists considers a word from God. Likewise, Baptists Preaching offers a repository of Baptist preaching for future study and research. To recommend a sermon to be featured in Baptists Preaching, please contact eric.black@baptiststandard.com.

Chris Legg: Suicide (Psalm 142)

Chris Legg, lead pastor of South Spring Baptist Church in Tyler and a licensed professional counselor, acknowledges Christians really do struggle and “face all types of challenges.” This includes suicide.

“The topic of suicide and suicidal thoughts is often oversimplified,” Legg said. Christians are famous for it, he added. Scripture doesn’t support “a simplistic understanding of suicide,” Legg asserted.

Mental illness of all kinds can be the root of suicidal thoughts. Such thoughts can be hidden for many years. One lie of mental illness is options are limited—a sense of being trapped—when in reality there are many options for dealing with emotional, mental and physical struggle.

Legg offered biblical suggestions for responding to a suicidal person. He also sought to answer the question of how suicide can be sin, while not necessarily being an unpardonable sin.

This sermon was delivered Feb. 16, 2020, for the morning worship service at South Spring Baptist Church in Tyler as part of a series titled “The Struggle is Real.”

An audio-only version of this sermon is available here.

Baptists Preaching is a column from the Baptist Standard. It is not an effort to advance any one theology or style but to present what a collection of Baptists considers a word from God. Likewise, Baptists Preaching offers a repository of Baptist preaching for future study and research. To recommend a sermon to be featured in Baptists Preaching, please contact eric.black@baptiststandard.com.

Joe Stewart: Even Though (Habakkuk)

Joe Stewart, senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Seminole, asked early in the service, “Is there a better way in the hard times?” 

Stewart led his congregation to repeat his sermon’s theme: “Even if I wonder, even while I wait, through it all I’ll worship.”

Real life is not a sitcom; it has strong headwinds and deep uncertainties. Habakkuk is a book about real life, Stewart said. Habakkuk is a story about questioning God (Habakkuk 1), waiting on God (Habbakuk 2) and continuing to worship God through it all in the midst of difficult times (Habakkuk 3).

Many people “opt out” of relationship with God when life seems to contradict belief. But “you can’t quit,” Stewart exhorted. Even though it seems like there’s no payoff for trusting God, a payoff will come—whether for you or for someone else, he proclaimed.

This sermon was delivered May 22, 2022, for the morning worship service at First Baptist Church in Seminole, which included a celebration of graduating seniors. It is part of a series titled “A Better Way.”

YouVersion notes of this sermon are available here. A sermon outline is available here.

Bautistas Predicando es una columna del Baptist Standard. No es un esfuerzo para avanzar en una teología o estilo, sino para presentar lo que una colección de Bautistas considera una palabra de Dios. Asimismo, Bautistas Predicando ofrece un repositorio de predicación Bautista para el estudio y la investigación futuros. Para recomendar un sermón que se presentará en la Bautistas Predicando, por favor envía un correo electrónico a eric.black@baptiststandard.com.

Pastor Neftali Barboza: Dios, Mi Amparo u Fortaleza (Salmo 46)

Neftali Barboza, pastor de la Iglesia Nueva Jerico en Uvalde, declaró: “El Señor es mi refugio. Él es mi fuerza”. Cuando no sabemos adónde ir o qué hacer, podemos correr hacia Dios, proclamó.

En los días posteriores al tiroteo masivo en Robb Elementary School en Uvalde, en el que murieron 19 niños y dos adultos, Barboza luchó por encontrar las palabras para su comunidad. Encontró fortaleza al señalar a las personas la palabra de Dios.

Se preparó para predicar el domingo siguiente orando y pidiendo ayuda a Dios, porque no sabía qué decir. Barboza predicó a través del Salmo 46 en tres secciones.

Cuando ocurre un desastre, Dios es una ayuda siempre presente (vs. 1-3). Dios habita en una ciudad indestructible, aunque las naciones terrenales están en caos. La presencia de Dios hace toda la diferencia (vs. 4-7). Dios pondrá fin a la guerra del pecado y restaurará el mundo (vs. 8-11). Hacemos mejor en estar quietos y rendirnos a Dios, concluyó Barboza.

Este sermón fue pronunciado el 29 de mayo de 2022, para el servicio de adoración de la mañana en la Iglesia Nueva Jericó en Uvalde. Barboza predicó en respuesta al tiroteo masivo del 24 de mayo.

El servicio completo incluyó oraciones por cada familia de alguien asesinado, por los heridos que sobrevivieron y por los niños que asistieron al servicio. También estuvieron presentes capellanes y consejeros.

Baptists Preaching is a column from the Baptist Standard. It is not an effort to advance any one theology or style but to present what a collection of Baptists considers a word from God. Likewise, Baptists Preaching offers a repository of Baptist preaching for future study and research. To recommend a sermon to be featured in Baptists Preaching, please contact eric.black@baptiststandard.com.

Pastor Neftali Barboza: God, My Refuge and Strength (Psalm 46)

Neftali Barboza, pastor of Iglesia Nueva Jerico in Uvalde, declared: “The Lord is my refuge. He’s my strength.” When we don’t know where to go or what to do, we can run to God, he proclaimed.

In the days following the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, in which 19 children and two adults were killed, Barboza struggled to find the words for his community. He found strength in pointing people to God’s word.

He prepared to preach the following Sunday by praying and asking God for help, because he didn’t know what to say. Barboza preached through Psalm 46 in three sections.

When disaster happens, God is an ever-present help (vs. 1-3). God dwells in an indestructible city, though earthly nations are in chaos. God’s presence makes all the difference (vs. 4-7). God will end the warring of sin and will restore the world (vs. 8-11). We do best to be still and to surrender to God, Barboza concluded.

This sermon was delivered on May 29, 2022, for the morning worship service at Iglesia Nueva Jerico in Uvalde. Barboza preached in response to the mass shooting on May 24. The full service included prayers for each family of someone killed, for the wounded who survived, and over the children attending the service. Chaplains and counselors also were present.

Baptists Preaching is a column from the Baptist Standard. It is not an effort to advance any one theology or style but to present what a collection of Baptists considers a word from God. Likewise, Baptists Preaching offers a repository of Baptist preaching for future study and research. To recommend a sermon to be featured in Baptists Preaching, please contact eric.black@baptiststandard.com.

Maddie Rarick: What Shall We Do? (Colossians 1:15-20)

Maddie Rarick, pastor of Meadow Oaks Baptist Church in Temple, likened Scripture to letters she has kept, both for their encouragement and to remember formative moments in her life. Paul’s letters, such as Colossians, are formative and encouragement.

When Rarick approaches Scripture, she asks, “What does this text say about God?” In Paul’s letter to the Colossians, he describes Christ as “the image of the invisible God.” Additionally, Christ is Creator of all things and supreme over everything.

Further still, Christ is the reconciler and redeemer of all things. This did not “come from an ascent to power, rather it came from the one who had all power giving it up … from sacrifice, from self-giving,” Rarick asserted. In this way, Christ made us alive.

Being people made alive in Christ, “what shall we do?” Rarick asked. By God’s grace and in God’s Spirit, we are to let some things and ways in us die, and we are to put on God’s ways—such as compassion, kindness, bearing with each other, and love.

This sermon was delivered June 28, 2020, for the morning worship service at First Baptist Church in Waco, where Rarick was ministry associate for benevolence and administration.

A sermon manuscript is available here.

Baptists Preaching is a column from the Baptist Standard. It is not an effort to advance any one theology or style but to present what a collection of Baptists considers a word from God. Likewise, Baptists Preaching offers a repository of Baptist preaching for future study and research. To recommend a sermon to be featured in Baptists Preaching, please contact eric.black@baptiststandard.com.

Pastor Steve Jaquez: Persistent Prayer (Luke 18:1-8)

Esteban Jaquez, pastor of Segunda Iglesia Bautista de Corpus Christi, encouraged his congregation to be persistent in prayer, even when—especially when—it seems God isn’t listening. He offered Jesus’ story of the widow who pestered the judge as the model.

Jaquez challenged his hearers to consider what happens when they give up praying. He asked them if they ever feel alone in their prayers. The widow went to the judge by herself and didn’t stop going. The fact she was a woman with little money is important to the story, Jaquez explained.

Jaquez shared his own experience of needing to pray without giving up and encouraged his hearers with the promise, “God has an answer.” Furthermore, God doesn’t get tired of his children asking him for things. These promises are built on a primary aspect of God’s nature Jaquez also described.

An English translation of his sermon manuscript is available here. El manuscrito en español de su sermón está disponible aquí.

This bilingual sermon was delivered Apr. 24, 2022, for the morning worship service of Segunda Iglesia Bautista de Corpus Christi.

Baptists Preaching is a column from the Baptist Standard. It is not an effort to advance any one theology or style but to present what a collection of Baptists considers a word from God. Likewise, Baptists Preaching offers a repository of Baptist preaching for future study and research. To recommend a sermon to be featured in Baptists Preaching, please contact eric.black@baptiststandard.com.

Pastor Esteban Jaquez: Oración persistente (Lucas 18:1-8)

Esteban Jáquez, pastor de la Segunda Iglesia Bautista de Corpus Christi, alentó a su congregación a ser persistente en la oración, incluso cuando—especialmente cuando—parece que Dios no está escuchando. Ofreció como modelo la historia de Jesús de la viuda que molestó al juez.

Jáquez desafió a sus oyentes a considerar lo que sucede cuando dejan de orar. Les preguntó si alguna vez se sienten solos en sus oraciones. La viuda fue sola al juez y no dejó de ir. El hecho de que ella fuera una mujer con poco dinero es importante para la historia, explicó Jaquez.

Jáquez compartió su propia experiencia de la necesidad de orar sin darse por vencido y alentó a sus oyentes con la promesa: “Dios tiene una respuesta”. Además, Dios no se cansa de que sus hijos le pidan cosas. Estas promesas se basan en un aspecto principal de la naturaleza de Dios que también describió Jaquez.

El manuscrito en español de su sermón está disponible aquí. An English translation of his sermon manuscript is available here.

Este sermón bilingüe fue entregado el 24 de abril de 2022 para el servicio de adoración matutino de la Segunda Iglesia Bautista de Corpus Christi.