Sermons
Sermons from Bay Vista Baptist ChurchSeeing, but Not Really
The Gospels record two instances of Christ’s followers who saw Him after His resurrection, but did not recognize Him at first. The reality that they thought they knew did not match up with true reality, and the reality of Christ’s presence healed the immense pain they had in their hearts.
I'm Praying for You!
Paul’s prayer for his readers gives us a model for how we should pray for others. We should pray that they are filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, that they have a full experience of the love of Christ, and that the fullness of God will help them prevail in this world.
A Dream Come True
As Paul is writing to the churches in Asia Minor, he takes a rabbit trail to explain to his readers that God had called him to share the good news of hope to the Gentiles. We, too, have the charge to share the gospel, which brings hope both through its message and its messengers.
Two Becoming One
In the tradition of those who followed God, when Jesus came, there were two divisions - the Jews, who were on the inside as God’s chosen people; and Gentiles, who were everyone else. Paul tells the church at Ephesus that these two divisions no longer exist, because Jesus Christ has torn them down. His death is the instrument that brings us peace, and through Him, we can find wholeness and move beyond the barriers our world continues to erect today.
We Now Belong
In our message from the Book of Ephesians this morning, Brother Danny explains what Paul means in chapter 2, verses 11 through 13. As Paul has just concluded his exclamation that believers are God’s masterpiece, he goes on to explain that, though the Gentiles were once NOT in covenant with God, were once NOT in relationship with God, by His will and through His Son, they are now His people. And, just as those Gentiles in Ephesus have been adopted into God’s family, so have we.
Coming to Terms With Faith and Works
Brother Danny continues taking us through Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, today in chapter 2, verses 8 through 10. In these verses, Paul expresses first the nature of our salvation; that God alone is responisble for every aspect of our salvation. Second, Paul wants his readers to understand how dear we are to the Author of our salvation. As His masterpieces, God looks at us with love and joy. Finally, Paul explains that the Christian isn’t merely saved FROM something; as Christians, we are saved FOR the good works that God has prepared for us to do.
The Way We Were
As Brother Danny takes us into chapter 2 of Paul’s letter to the Ephesian believers, he explains Paul’s statment in verse 1 of chapter 2 that all believers were, at the first, dead in ther sins. There is nothing they, or we, could do to effect our salvation. Without Christ, we would be doomed to a life of slavery. But, through an act of mercy, God reached out and changed us through His Son, Jesus Christ. Because of this salvation, believers everywhere should commit to letting our lives and our voices proclaim the good news wherever we go.
A Prayer of Thanksgiving and Truth
As Brother Danny continues taking us through the book of Ephesians, he shares chapter 1, verses 15-23 this morning. In these verses, Paul expresses his prayer of thanksgiving for the Ephesian believers. Paul thanked God for their growth, their love for other, and their love for God. As we examine this prayer of Paul’s, it would be healthy to consider whether our lives would inspire such a prayer from Paul.
The Praise of His Glory
As Brother Danny wraps up Paul’s introduction in the book of Ephesians, he reminds us that our salvation was planned by God before the foundation of the world. Gentiles were not “plan b” in the kingdom of God. Also, he shows us that it is Jesus the Son who makes the gospel of salvation, and the fulfillment of God’s plan, possible. Finally, we have the presence of the Holy Spirit as the downpayment of our salvation and the glory which we will recieve. In this the whole Godhead is present, and our response should be praise and worship.
In the Beloved
In this morning’s message, Brother Danny explains what Paul means when he says that we are in Jesus. Being in Jesus means that we are redeemed, paid for, at a very high price. Being in Jesus means that we are forgiven, the wall of sin is destroyed. Finally, being in Jesus means that we are part of His plan. From the foundations of the world, God had a plan for each of his children.