Sermons on Brian Mavis:

Steps To Spiritual Renewal Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 21, 2003

The first myth is that the Bible is too confusing to read. In verses 1-8, we’ll see that the Bible, instead of being confusing, is actually a book that you and I can comprehend ­ You can understand it!

Steps to Spiritual Renewal I received an email this week from Janelle Becker, one of our missionaries serving in the Philippines. She’s been there for about 10 weeks and is learning the language and beginning to understand the culture. In her email, she forwarded what her co-worker wrote about a ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 7:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Making Investments That Last Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 21, 2003

This morning we’re going to learn about 4 vows, or promises, that the people of God made in Nehemiah 10.

Making Investments That Last I heard about this man who bought a parrot. It was a beautiful parrot but he had a really bad mouth. He could swear for five minutes straight without repeating himself. The man was embarrassed because the bird was driving him crazy in front of people. He tried to ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 10:1-39, Nehemiah 10:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Taking Time To Give Thanks Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 21, 2003

In Nehemiah 11, we come across a situation where the people are faced with a national referendum. They didn’t believe in “luck” or “chance.” They actually were so committed to the sovereignty of God that they knew God would direct the outcome of the lot

Taking Time to Give Thanks You made a good decision this morning to come to church because I have some inside information about the recent presidential election that you will not hear on CNN. With all the intrigue and controversy surrounding the final tally, coupled with the waiting that we’ve had ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Standing By Our Promises Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 21, 2003

We all fail to keep our pledges, don’t we? Our good intentions and plans often fall by the wayside. Sometimes we blatantly break our promises but other times, we just kind of drift away, a little at a time.

Standing By Our Promises As many of you know, I really like Snicker bars. For the past year, whenever I would go to Dairy Queen, I would always order a Snicker Bar Breeze. All I had to do was walk in and one of the workers would start filling a cup with chunks of tasty nougat. It was automatic ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 13:1-31

Denomination: Baptist

The Lamb Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 21, 2003

This morning we’re going to focus on Jesus as the Lamb. Jesus is the lamb slain before the foundation of the world. Even before God began to construct creation, he made provision for the sins of a fallen race. Instead of camping in one passage, I want to

The Lamb Most of us are buzzing around at warp speed this Christmas season. We’re filled with stress and anxiety. It’s like we’re stuck on "fast forward" as we race toward Christmas Day. Bill Flick, a columnist for The Pantagraph, has compiled some crazy stories that have taken place during the ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:8-14, Exodus 12:1-51

Denomination: Baptist

Born Again

Contributed by Brian Chavarria on May 26, 2003

What it means to be born again

I. To become a TRUE Christian One must be born again. 1. John 3:1-7 a. We must be born of the water and the Spirit. This water is not speaking of water baptism but of the Word of God (1 Pet. 1:23; James 1:18; 1 Cor. 4:15; Eph. 5:25-27). b. There is only ONE avenue into heaven ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-7

Salvation

Contributed by Brian Chavarria on May 26, 2003

Assurance of salvation

I. God’s Word gives us assurance of our salvation 1. 1 John 5:13; John 20:31 2. The epistle of John was written to those who are already born again, in other words, those who have accepted Christ as saviour. We must learn to believe what God’s Word says about our salvation. a. ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 5:13

Death Of Christ

Contributed by Brian Chavarria on May 26, 2003

Understanding the death of Christ

I. The Wrath Of God Upon Sin 1. Man’s transgression brought sin and death into the world. a. Gen. 2:17; Rom. 3:9-18, 23; 5:12, 19; 6:23; 1 Kings 8:46; Gal. 3:22; Isa. 53:6 2. God is a HOLY God. He cannot overlook sin and allow it to go unpunished. All sin is a transgression of ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

What Will Your Memorial Be?

Contributed by Brian Atwood on May 27, 2003

What others will remember us for - according to Jesus.

What will your memorial be? If someone looks back on your life years from now, what will they remember about you? None of us will probably have our names in the history books of the future. What is more likely to happen is that we will be remembered by those whose lives we’ve touched. The woman ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:6-13

Denomination: Baptist

Making A Marathon Marriage Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 29, 2003

The Lord calls us to keep the covenant of marriage. We must guard ourselves so that we do not break faith with our marriage partner.

Making a Marathon Marriage After breaking up with his fiancée, a young man realized the error of his ways when he wrote: “Dearest Marie, No words could ever express the great unhappiness I’ve felt since breaking our engagement. Please say you’ll take me back. No one could ever take your place in ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 2:10-16

Denomination: Baptist

Living In Light Of The Future Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 29, 2003

The certainty of the Lord’s return should cause us to grow in holy living. His promises will come true. (a continuation of Making a Marathon Marriage)

Living in Light of the Future As I mentioned last week, because of the depth of practical help for “Making a Marathon Marriage” in Malachi 2, I want to take some extra time this morning to lay out six building blocks of marriage. We’ll conclude by getting back on track with our outline next ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Owning The Mission Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 29, 2003

Do we value the same things that Jesus places a value on? While people are eternally lost apart from Christ, these same people are of tremendous worth in God’s eyes. Amazingly, God chooses us to be involved in redemptive relationships in such a way tha

Owning the Mission Rev. Brian Bill 1/28/01 Jim had a passion for God, a love for people, and a burden to communicate the gospel. But he wrestled with the question of how to bring the message of Christ into a setting that seemed so far from him. How could he help people see and embrace the truth ...read more

Scripture: John 20:21, Luke 20:21

Denomination: Baptist

How To Be Ready Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 29, 2003

The key in becoming infectious in our faith is to make sure that we have set apart Christ as Lord in our lives. When we are striving to live under the control of Christ, people will notice and will then ask us to explain the reason for the hope that we h

How To Be Ready Rev. Brian Bill 2/4/01 It’s fun to compare how life today is different from life 500 years ago. Some of the expressions we use, and the things we do, are based on life in the 1500’s. For instance, did you know that…? • Most people got married in June because they took their ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:15, 1 John 3:1, 1 John 3:11-24

Denomination: Baptist

What We Are Called To Be Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 29, 2003

Jesus uses two metaphors to describe our influence in the world today. As salt, we are to make people thirsty for Jesus. As light, we have the privilege of pointing people to the true light of the world. Our challenge is to make sure we are “out of the

What We’re Called to Be Rev. Brian Bill 2/11/01 A Peanuts cartoon showed Peppermint Patty talking to Charlie Brown in which she said, “Guess what, Chuck? The first day of school, and I got sent to the principal’s office. It was your fault, Chuck.” Charlie Brown responds, “My fault? How could ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

Denomination: Baptist

Discovering Your Style (Part 1) Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on May 29, 2003

One of the keys to participating in evangelism is to figure out how God can use your personality and gifts to make an impact in the lives of others. While Peter was quite confrontational in his approach, Paul utilized a more intellectual line of reasonin

Discovering Your Style, Part 1 Rev. Brian Bill 2/25/01 Sometimes pastors take some heat for speaking too long. One long-winded minister was preaching away when a woman remembered that she had left the Sunday dinner in the oven. She hastily wrote a note and slipped it to her husband, who was an ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:14-41, Acts 17:16-34

Denomination: Baptist