Founders Baptist

Paul’s shepherding protection of the church was expressed in more than just words. He protected the church, not only by what he taught the church, but also by how he conducted himself in ministry. 
 
In this 11th chapter Paul has turned his attention to the false teachers who continue to exert an influence in Corinth. At the same time, he addressed any within the congregation who continued to allow themselves to be influenced by those false teachers.

Paul’s shepherding protection of the church was expressed in more than just words. He protected the church, not only by what he taught the church, but also by how he conducted himself in ministry.

In this 11th chapter Paul has turned his attention to the false teachers who continue to exert an influence in Corinth. At the same time, he addressed any within the congregation who continued to allow themselves to be influenced by those false teachers.

Removing Satan's Disguise - 2 Corinthians 11:7-15

There is a sense in which all shepherding can be described as a fight for the hearts of people. 
It is not a fight on behalf of oneself. It is not a fight conducted in one’s own power. It is taking the God ordained weapons of our spiritual warfare and using those weapons to fight ON BEHALF OF GOD for the HEARTS OF PEOPLE in the interest of their SINCERE DEVOTION to God. 
It is winning them for God. 
It is winning them to Christ. 
It is devoting them to Christ. 
It is training them for Christ. 
It is watching over them for Christ. 
And that fight for the faithfulness of God’s people, is not just with outside foes. 
It is often a fight with the sinfulness that threatens those same people within their own hearts. 
Pastoring people often means appealing to people for the sake of their own soul, with truth of God’s Word, when you see they are going astray.

There is a sense in which all shepherding can be described as a fight for the hearts of people. 
It is not a fight on behalf of oneself. It is not a fight conducted in one’s own power. It is taking the God ordained weapons of our spiritual warfare and using those weapons to fight ON BEHALF OF GOD for the HEARTS OF PEOPLE in the interest of their SINCERE DEVOTION to God.
It is winning them for God.
It is winning them to Christ.
It is devoting them to Christ.
It is training them for Christ.
It is watching over them for Christ.
And that fight for the faithfulness of God’s people, is not just with outside foes. 
It is often a fight with the sinfulness that threatens those same people within their own hearts. 
Pastoring people often means appealing to people for the sake of their own soul, with truth of God’s Word, when you see they are going astray.

Fighting for Hearts - 2 Corinthians 11:1-6

The main idea of the passage before us is unmistakable. 
In verse 19, Jesus groans over a faithless generation. 
In verse 23, Jesus says that all things are possible for one who believes. 
 
In verse 24, a helpless father cries out for help acknowledging his weak faith. In verse 29, Jesus indicates that prayer plays a crucial role in spiritual work. Prayer is a faith exercise. 
 
The main idea of this miracle account is the need for faith. 
 The Christian life is a faith life. The righteous life is a life of faith. 
It is that way because it is how God has ordained it. It’s that way because GOD MAKES IT POSSIBLE. 
 
We are not believers by nature. God makes believers. God grants faith.

The main idea of the passage before us is unmistakable. 
In verse 19, Jesus groans over a faithless generation.
In verse 23, Jesus says that all things are possible for one who believes.

In verse 24, a helpless father cries out for help acknowledging his weak faith.  In verse 29, Jesus indicates that prayer plays a crucial role in spiritual work. Prayer is a faith exercise.

The main idea of this miracle account is the need for faith.
 The Christian life is a faith life. The righteous life is a life of faith. 
It is that way because it is how God has ordained it. It’s that way because GOD MAKES IT POSSIBLE.

We are not believers by nature. God makes believers. God grants faith.

A Powerful Lesson in Faith - Mark 9:14-29

Four Fruits of Biblical Giving - 2 Corinthians 9:12-15

The testimony that Paul gave concerning the extreme generosity of the Macedonian Christians was a GRACE TESTIMONY.  When Paul exhorted the Corinthians to give, he represents the act of giving as an act of grace (8:6-7).  He now informs them about the practical steps he’s taking as he makers his way to see them, and over the next two chapters he teaches them about giving as an act of grace

Biblical Giving - 2 Corinthians 9:6-11

Paul, in the midst of exhorting the Corinthians to finish an offering that they had started but not finished for poor Christians in Jerusalem, gives us a glimpse into the kind of ministry activity that was taking place in those early churches.

Humble Servants - 2 Corinthians 8:16-24

One of the most striking features of Paul’s explanation to the Corinthians of the mindset and motives that were at work in this letter, is the CONFIDENCE that he expresses. Paul is confident that, ultimately, the Corinthians will respond rightly. 
What is equally striking is that he doesn’t just express his confidence, he insists on the legitimate nature of it. He writes, “But just as everything we said to you was true, so also our boasting before Titus has proved true (vs.14).” And then he writes, “I have perfect confidence in you (vs.16).”

One of the most striking features of Paul's explanation to the Corinthians of the mindset and motives that were at work in this letter, ...

Legitimate Confidence- 2 Corinthians 7:13-16

Paul is calling for separation. In the immediate context, the separation had to do with the antagonists who troubled the Corinthian church. But the principles that we find in this passage, apply to a broader spectrum than just the specific situation in Corinth. In fact, some would argue, though I don’t agree with them, that Paul didn’t even have the antagonists in mind here. They would argue that he simply had the pagan culture of Corinth in mind. 
Believers are called to this kind of separation throughout the history of the church. The fact that Paul can make his argument from Old Testament Scriptures says that this kind of separation has been the responsibility of believers throughout the history of redemption. Wherever salvation has come, God’s people have been called to holiness. 
He has appealed for an open heart and this passage reveals his motive for that appeal. He wants them to open their hearts, not only because he loves them, but because he has warnings that need to be heeded. The narrowing of their affections toward the apostle puts them at spiritual risk.

Paul is calling for separation. In the immediate context, the separation had to do with the antagonists who troubled the Corinthian church. But the principles that we find in this passage, apply to a broader spectrum than just the specific situation in Corinth. In fact, some would argue, though I don’t agree with them, that Paul didn’t even have the antagonists in mind here. They would argue that he simply had the pagan culture of Corinth in mind.
Believers are called to this kind of separation throughout the history of the church. The fact that Paul can make his argument from Old Testament Scriptures says that this kind of separation has been the responsibility of believers throughout the history of redemption. Wherever salvation has come, God’s people have been called to holiness.
He has appealed for an open heart and this passage reveals his motive for that appeal. He wants them to open their hearts, not only because he loves them, but because he has warnings that need to be heeded.

Biblical Separation, Part 2 - 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1

Biblical Separation, Part 1 - 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1

It is possible to be very religious, to read the Bible and to memorize the Bible, and to miss the whole point. It’s possible to set your focus on the externals of worship and religion, and be a complete stranger to the reality of it — to the heart of it. When someone is religious but they don’t know God — when they are religiously disciplined but without spiritual life — they embody what it means to have a form of godliness but to deny the power of godliness. They are a religious shell. They are like a body that has no soul. 
 
Jesus has just answered His antagonists with truth. The Pharisees and scribes claim to be upholders of holiness when in fact they stand in opposition to true holiness. They substitute tradition for truth — human commands for divine commands. They have met the true God face to face and found Him unacceptable. What this means is that their claims to know the true God, 
and to be spiritual guides for the true God, are lies. 
 
They are self-deceived. They are hypocrites. They are blind guides of the blind. 
 
Jesus has made this clear. 
 
But what about the specific issue that they raised with Jesus? They claimed that Christ’s disciples were defiled — ritually defiled — because they did not practice the washings that the tradition of the elders required. 
 
What would Jesus say about that specific issue?

It is possible to be very religious, to read the Bible and to memorize the Bible, and to miss the whole point. It’s possible to set your focus on the externals of worship and religion, and be a complete stranger to the reality of it — to the heart of it. When someone is religious but they don’t know God — when they are religiously disciplined but without spiritual life — they embody what it means to have a form of godliness but to deny the power of godliness. They are a religious shell. They are like a body that has no soul.

Jesus has just answered His antagonists with truth. The Pharisees and scribes claim to be upholders of holiness when in fact they stand in opposition to true holiness. They substitute tradition for truth — human commands for divine commands. They have met the true God face to face and found Him unacceptable. What this means is that their claims to know the true God,
and to be spiritual guides for the true God, are lies.

They are self-deceived. They are hypocrites

Defilement - Mark 7:14-23

We’ve heard a lot in the past few years about a “war on women.” Of course, most of those making that claim embrace an idea of womanhood that is at odds with Scripture at almost every point. 
But this morning, I want us to consider a real war on women. 
It’s not a new one. It’s a very old one. 
It is an attack on women because it is an attack on God’s will for women; God’s best for women. 
It is a war waged against the Bible. It takes what God has revealed about manhood and womanhood—what He desires in men and desires in women—and mocks it; rejects it; seeks to replace it. 
It’s a serious war. It is powerful and influential. It’s something that DESERVES OUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION because our sons and daughters are living in a world that largely believes it’s lies.

We’ve heard a lot in the past few years about a “war on women.” Of course, most of those making that claim embrace an idea of womanhood that is at odds with Scripture at almost every point.
But this morning, I want us to consider a real war on women.
It’s not a new one. It’s a very old one.
It is an attack on women because it is an attack on God’s will for women; God’s best for women.
It is a war waged against the Bible. It takes what God has revealed about manhood and womanhood—what He desires in men and desires in women—and mocks it; rejects it; seeks to replace it.
It’s a serious war. It is powerful and influential. It’s something that DESERVES OUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION because our sons and daughters are living in a world that largely believes it’s lies.

The Real War on Women- 1 Peter 3:1-7

The book of Revelation is for the church. 
 
It’s not for the fantasy writer. It’s not for the movie maker. It’s not for the conspiracy theorist. It’s not for the wild imagination trying to match up the book’s message with current events. It’s the Word of God for the spiritual food and health of His people. 
 
It is a revelation of truth that would otherwise be unknowable. It reveals things present, and it reveals things future. 
 
What does it reveal?

The book of Revelation is for the church.

It’s not for the fantasy writer. It’s not for the movie maker. It’s not for the conspiracy theorist. It’s not for the wild imagination trying to match up the book’s message with current events. It’s the Word of God for the spiritual food and health of His people.

It is a revelation of truth that would otherwise be unknowable. It reveals things present, and it reveals things future.

What does it reveal?

Glory to Jesus- Revelation 1:4-7

The Day Christ saved you, you were introduced into a war. You may not have known it at the moment. But it wouldn’t be long before you knew it. It is the war within. It is the battle with indwelling sin. 
 
There are seasons in our lives when it seems that the desire to obey Christ is so strong that we are almost carried along. There are seasons where it actually seems easy. 
 
There are other seasons, when the choice to obey Christ in a particular matter feels like a hand to hand combat in which we are battling for every square inch of ground. Sadly, sometimes it feels like we are losing a lot of ground.

The Day Christ saved you, you were introduced into a war.  You may not have known it at the moment.  But it wouldn’t be long before you knew it.  It is the war within.  It is the battle with indwelling sin.

There are seasons in our lives when it seems that the desire to obey Christ is so strong that we are almost carried along.  There are seasons where it actually seems easy.

There are other seasons, when the choice to obey Christ in a particular matter feels like a hand to hand combat in which we are battling for every square inch of ground.  Sadly, sometimes it feels like we are losing a lot of ground.

The War Within - 1 Peter 2:11-17

The Christian life, the godly life, is an ordered life. It is not simply an ordered life in the sense of organized. You can be organized and not be godly. It is an ordered life in the sense that it lines up with, it agrees with, it conforms to, it submits to, it measures itself by, the standard set forth by God in His Word. 
 
It means that God’s rights as God are respected. It means that God’s instructions are followed. It means that God’s Word is believed and obeyed. 
 
This requires faith…faith in God’s wisdom and truth. 
 
This requires reverence…reverence for God’s person and authority. 
 
It is the belief that there is nothing better or safer or more rewarding or more beautiful or more honoring to God and to His creatures than God’s way.

The Christian life, the godly life, is an ordered life.  It is not simply an ordered life in the sense of organized.  You can be organized and not be godly.  It is an ordered life in the sense that it lines up with, it agrees with, it conforms to, it submits to, it measures itself by, the standard set forth by God in His Word.

It means that God’s rights as God are respected.  It means that God’s instructions are followed.  It means that God’s Word is believed and obeyed.

This requires faith…faith in God’s wisdom and truth.

This requires reverence…reverence for God’s person and authority.

It is the belief that there is nothing better or safer or more rewarding or more beautiful or more honoring to God and to His creatures than God’s way.

Order and the Life That Please God - 1 Corinthians 14:40

When false teachers attack faithful believers, the enmity that is so often expressed on a personal level, and in personal terms, is really theologically motivated. It is not so much an enmity explained by natural personality as it is an enmity explained by spiritual identity.

The Veil Removed- 2 Corinthians 3:12-18

Pride blinds the mind to enormous issues. Big things seem like small things to the proud in heart. When people are proud, enormous sins seem small. When people are proud, things of enormous consequences seem small. When people are proud, heavy weight statements from God fall on deaf ears. 
 
It’s a wonder if the religious leaders of the Jews who opposed Jesus, and the enormous crowds who were attracted to Jesus, had any idea of the enormity of the statement that was made when Jesus called 12 common men to Himself, and made them apostles? Do WE sense and recognize the gravity of what Jesus was doing in the verses set before us in this sermon? 
 
This is something major. This is something of tremendous importance. And we need to see that.

Pride blinds the mind to enormous issues.  Big things seem like small things to the proud in heart.  When people are proud, enormous sins seem small.  When people are proud, things of enormous consequences seem small.  When people are proud, heavy weight statements from God fall on deaf ears.

It’s a wonder if the religious leaders of the Jews who opposed Jesus, and the enormous crowds who were attracted to Jesus, had any idea of the enormity of the statement that was made when Jesus called 12 common men to Himself, and made them apostles?  Do WE sense and recognize the gravity of what Jesus was doing in the verses set before us in this sermon?

This is something major.  This is something of tremendous importance.  And we need to see that.

An Enormous Statement - Mark 3:13-19

Why would there be a contrast between the Old Covenant and the New, and why are the church’s competent servants able to be described as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit? That is what he will now explain.

Lasting Glory - 2 Corinthians 3:7-18

Three Marks of Spirit-led Ministry - Acts 13:1-12

What characterizes the true man of God, the competent minister?  What characterizes someone whose ministry can be trusted?  Paul, having to defend himself against the charges of false teachers, has been giving us a description, the qualities of a trustworthy servant.  In Part 3 of “Sufficient Ministers”, Pastor Caldwell shows us how Paul moves from the man to the message.  From the man’s character to the content of his preaching.

Sufficient Ministers, Part 3 - 2 Corinthians 3:4-6

Jesus made statements that were startling; if He was not God, they would be blasphemous. In other words, Jesus left His hearers (then and now) with no middle ground when it came to forming an opinion of Him. You either believe that He is Lord, so that you acknowledge Him as the Son of God and give Him your life, or you must reject Him as an imposter. There is no other option; no other opinion of Jesus that you can legitimately form. 
 
The more that Jesus and His disciples live out this new day and challenge the misguided ways of the religious establishment of the day—their perversion of what God had given to His people for their worship and to prepare them for the Messiah—the more they hate Jesus. 
Jesus is becoming an increasing stumbling stone for those who will reject Him. 
And one of the chief ways that Jesus bothersthese people is His rejection of their man-made Sabbath restrictions.

Jesus made statements that were startling; if He was not God, they would be blasphemous. In other words, Jesus left His hearers (then and now) with no middle ground when it came to forming an opinion of Him. You either believe that He is Lord, so that you acknowledge Him as the Son of God and give Him your life, or you must reject Him as an imposter. There is no other option; no other opinion of Jesus that you can legitimately form.

The more that Jesus and His disciples live out this new day and challenge the misguided ways of the religious establishment of the day—their perversion of what God had given to His people for their worship and to prepare them for the Messiah—the more they hate Jesus. 
Jesus is becoming an increasing stumbling stone for those who will reject Him.
And one of the chief ways that Jesus bothersthese people is His rejection of their man-made Sabbath restrictions.

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