Sermons on Lay Bare:

Blessed Are The Poor In Spirit Series

Contributed by Frank Lay on Oct 12, 2004

Remember, Jesus is speaking of spiritual poverty. He never condoned utter poverty as good. He is speaking to the person who has an utter sense of his own destitution in the sight of God, who can only say, "God, be merciful to me a sinner." That person

BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT Matthew 5:3 Someone has said that the beatitudes are called that because they are good attitudes to be in. Yet such attitudes are not popular today in the world or even in the church. Jesus said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:3

Denomination: Baptist

Blessed Are Those Who Mourn Series

Contributed by Frank Lay on Oct 12, 2004

The first step of a blessed life is the recognition that we are poor in spirit, that we have a deep need in our lives, a need caused by our sin. The second step is to mourn over our sin.

BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO MOURN Matthew 5:4 The first beatitude confronted us with our deep need. "Blessed are the poor in spirit." The first step towards God is the recognition that we are sinners in desperate need of a Savior. That idea is frowned upon by the world today. However it is the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:4

Denomination: Baptist

Blessed Are The Meek Series

Contributed by Frank Lay on Oct 12, 2004

The world thinks in terms of strength and power, of ability, self-assurance and aggressiveness. Yet Jesus said "Blessed are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth."

BLESSED ARE THE MEEK Matthew 5:5 Once again we have a beatitude that is completely contrary to the thinking of the modern world. It is oppossed to everything which the natural man thinks. "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth." World conquest, possession of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:5

Denomination: Baptist

What Are You Thirsty For Series

Contributed by Frank Lay on Oct 12, 2004

Just what is this righteousness that we are to hunger and thirst for? The Bible speaks of three kinds of righteousness.

WHAT ARE YOU THIRSTY FOR? Matt 5:6 D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones wrote, "If every man and woman in the world knew what it was to ’hunger and thirst after righteousness’ there would be no danger of war." We live in a world that is hungry and thirsty. The problem is that people are hungry and thirsty for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:6

Denomination: Baptist

Blessed Are The Merciful Series

Contributed by Frank Lay on Oct 12, 2004

Our God is a merciful God, and expects those of us who have received his mercy to be merciful as well.

BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL Matthew 5:7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." Are you a merciful person? Yet that is what our Lord Jesus Christ wants us to be. In Luke 6:36, our Lord said, "Therefore be mersiful, just as your Father is also merciful." Our God is a merciful ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:7

Denomination: Baptist

How Is Your Heart? Series

Contributed by Frank Lay on Oct 12, 2004

So in asking you “How is your heart?”, I am not talking about the physical organ in your body. Rather, I am asking you about your moral and spiritual nature. How are things with you spiritually?

HOW IS YOUR HEART? “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8) The psalmist asks, “Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:8

Denomination: Baptist

The Peacemakers Series

Contributed by Frank Lay on Oct 12, 2004

Jesus Christ came into the world so that we might be reconciled to God. Those he has reconciled have been called to become agents of his peace in the world. How can we become peacemakers?

THE PEACEMAKERS Matthew 5:9 Every believer is to be a peacemaker both in the church and in the community. Christians should never seek conflict or be responsible for it. Yet, we find that conflict if often the result of one’s coming to Jesus Christ. For example, a college professor shared his ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:9

Denomination: Baptist

Blessed Are The Persecuted Series

Contributed by Frank Lay on Oct 12, 2004

As we examine this beatitude, let’s note some ways true believers are persecuted and what our reaction to persecution should be.

BLESSED ARE THE PERSECUTED Matthew 5:10-12 The Apostle Paul was describing the many different persecutions he faced in his life as a preacher of the gospel. He shared how the Lord had delivered him from from them all. He wrote, “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

Denomination: Baptist

Taking Care Of Business

Contributed by Frank Lay on Nov 15, 2004

Jesus told this story to establish the fact that there would be a period of time before the kingdom would be restored. The king would go away, and then one day he would return and set up the kingdom.

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS Luke 19:11-27 As we soon begin to focus on the Christmas season and the coming of Jesus Christ into the world over 2000 years ago, I want us to focus on the fact that our Lord Jesus will some day come again. He came the first time according to the promises of the Old ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:11-27

Denomination: Baptist

The Need For Godly Leadership Series

Contributed by Frank Lay on Nov 15, 2004

Let’s examine the man God used to bring revival to the nation of Judah. As we examine this chapter we will discover the kind of person God will use to turn our nation back to the LORD.

THE NEED FOR GODLY LEADERSHIP 2 CHRONICLES 17 After the death of King Solomon, the nation was divided into two kingdoms. The Northern kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. Israel had 19 kings and every one of them was evil. Judah had 20 kings. Eight were good kings. Five of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 17:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

The Danger Of Compromise Series

Contributed by Frank Lay on Nov 15, 2004

Jehoshaphat’s friendship with Ahab led him to compromise in several ways, ways that almost led to his downfall.

THE DANGER OF COMPROMISE 2 Chronicles 18:1-19:3 In chapter 17 we found that Jehoshaphat was a man who (1) walked with God. (2) He led others to walk with God, and (3) who experienced the blessings of God. However, he was not a perfect man. The Bible does not cover up the shortcomings of His ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Weapons Of Our Warfare Series

Contributed by Frank Lay on Nov 15, 2004

We learn from the story of Jehoshaphat just what our spiritual weapons are.

THE WEAPONS OF OUR WARFARE 2 CHRONICLES 20 The apostle Paul wrote, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:1-30, 2 Chronicles 20:20-30

Denomination: Baptist

A Cry In The Dark

Contributed by Frank Lay on Apr 6, 2006

After three hours on the cross something amazing happened. The Bible tells us that, “from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land.” That would be from noon until 3:00 PM in our way of keeping time. It was a deep darkness

A CRY FROM THE DARK Matthew 27:32-54 BY FRANK LAY Jesus spoke three times during His first three hours on the cross. First, he prayed for those who were crucifying him. “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” The tense of the words indicate that Jesus prayed this prayer over ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:45-46

Denomination: Baptist

The Da Vinci Code- Truth Under Fire

Contributed by Frank Lay on May 11, 2006

Many of the New Testament epistles were written to combat false teachings that threatened the church. The epistles of John are no exception. The letter of 2 John is the shortest letter in the New Testament. Yet, this little letter speaks powerfully to

TRUTH UNDER FIRE By Frank Lay A STUDY OF 2 JOHN In John 14:6, Jesus made a statement that has become His most controversial claim. He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh unto the Father but by me.” In that declaration, Jesus claimed to be the personification of ...read more

Scripture: 2 John 1:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Prologo A 1 Juan Series

Contributed by Frank Lay on Jan 24, 2007

El apóstol Juan nos da tres ejemplos y como podemos proclamar el mensaje de Jesucristo con otros.

PROLOGO A LA PRIMERA CARTA DE JUAN 1 Juan 1:1-4 El prólogo de la primera carta de Juan es semejante al prólogo del Evangelio de Juan. El principio en Juan 1:1 se refiere al principio del tiempo. Cuando el tiempo empezó, el verbo ya existió. El principio en 1 Juan 1:1 puede ser una referencia ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:1-4

Denomination: Baptist