Rockport Baptist Church

Envy was once considered one of the seven deadly sins; yet, today, we treat it with casual resignation. We do this at great peril, since this dragon is as deadly as ever. Look around and you see it wreaking havoc on hearts and homes, churches and civilizations. Having seen the beautiful virtues of the wisdom from above in the last sermon, we return to this passage to see the hatefulness of this sin and resolve to put envy to death.

Because we are family in Christ, we must treat one another with respect and dignity while seeking to encourage each member to be faithful in Christ: Older men as fathers, younger men as brother, older women as mother, younger women as sister.

Paul's call to Timothy to be intentional in the use of his gifts, in the practice of his faith and the living of His life present a model for us. We likewise must be intentional Christians who pursue Christ daily in a way that our progress and growth in the faith are evident. We must be watchful of the direction of our lives and the content of our teaching as we keep our eyes on Jesus daily. I. Be Intentional in the Use of Spiritual Gifts v 14 II. Be Intentional in the Way You Live so All May See your Growth in Christ v 15 III. Be Intentional in Watching Your Life and the Faithfulness of Your Teaching v 16

Because God's Word is true and has divine power to change lives, we who lead God's people must proclaim it faithfully and live it exemplarily while keeping it ever before the eyes and ears of our hearers. I. Keep Proclaiming the Truth with Authority v 11 II. Be the Example of the Truth You Proclaim v 12 III. Devote Yourselves to Hearing, Believing and Obeying God's Word v 13

Jesus flips upside down the culture norms and traditions of the religious leaders of the day by dining with sinners. He came to seek and save the lost by preaching good news; often at a dinner table. In his calling of Levi the tax collector, Jesus puts on full display his mission to seek out sinners that they would leave everything and follow Him

Because a God-centered life is of such supreme value both now and for all eternity, we must set our sights and our hope on knowing and walking with God, letting nothing in this silly world distract us from that pursuit. I. For a Godly Life, You Must Keep Your focus on the Life-changing Gospel v 6 II. Get Rid of the Silly Distractions that Keep You from Pursuing a God-Centered Life! vv 7-8 III. We Run this Race with Joy Because Knowing and Following Him Is Worth the Cost! vv 9-10

Because there are demonic deceivers who pervert a living faith in Christ with a dead man-centered asceticism, we must consciously embrace a life of God-glorifying gratitude that keeps our joy focused on Him. I. Be Warned: There Are Deceivers and There Are People Who Fall Away from Christ v 1 II. Beware: There are Human Deceivers Working Hard to Separate You from Faith in Christ vv 2-3 III. Be Grateful! A Shared Gladness in God Defends Us Against the Deadening Power of Unbelief vv 4-5

Because the local church is central to God's plan to uphold and proclaim the truth of the gospel, we must hold fast to it's truth, celebrating the presence of Jesus among us week after week. I. The Vital Importance of the Church (the Local Church) in the Life of Christians vv 14-15a II. The Identity of the Church: Why is the Church Such a Big Deal? v 15b III. The Gospel of Christ is not only true, it is Great! It is Awesome! v 16

Because deacons are called to serve the church as assistance to the pastors, they must be well qualified and proven to be godly servants of Christ and His people. I. A Deacon's Character v 8 II. A Deacon's Faith v 9 III. A Deacon's Testing v 10 IV. A Deacon's Wife v 11 V. A Deacon's Family v 12 VI. A Deacon's Reward v 13

Justification is the fountain head of the hymn that justified people sing. I. We rejoice in hope! II. We rejoice in our trials because they purify that hope. III. We rejoice ultimately in God who is the consummation of our hope.

Because the call to lead Christ's church is a noble task undertaken for God's glory, the elder must be a qualified man who is above reproach with a proven character of maturity and faithfulness. I. An Elder's Character Must Be Above Reproach v 2 II. An Elder's Conduct Must Be Unswervingly Faithful v 3 III. An Elder Must Have a Proven Track Record of Faithfulness at Home vv 4-5 IV. An Elder Must Be a Mature Man with a Good Reputation Outside the Church vv 6-7

Because the church matters and must be led in a God-centered, healthy way, we need God-called, faithful men serving as pastor/elder/overseers in this noble calling. I. The Importance of Faithful, God-Called Leaders in the Church II. The Office and Calling of a Pastor/Elder/Overseer III. The Noble Task of Those Called to Shepherd Christ's Church

Paul told Timothy to command the women in the church at Ephesus that they must be learners, but not the authoritative teachers of the church since that is a role God has reserved for qualified men by Creation Ordinance.

We all think we are wise. We all think we have an angle on the way the world works. This applies whether you are a lofty thinker or down to earth. The question is, "Are we?" Is the wisdom we claim real and reliable? In this passage, James corrects our tendency to equate wisdom with mere words and insists that true wisdom will be distinguished by good conduct flowing from and filled with meekness.

As the church of Christ gathers in His name, men are called to be devoted to prayer and women to dress with modesty and good works for His glory. I. Brothers, We are Called to be Men of Prayer v 8 II. Sisters, You are Called to be Godly Women of Modesty and Good Works vv 9-10

Because there is only One God and One Gospel that declares the One Mediator between God and Man, we as a church must take our stand upon this Gospel and proclaim it to all, that all may be saved. I. We Proclaim Christ Alone as Our Only Mediator v 5 II. We Proclaim Christ Alone as the One Who Gave Himself for Our Sin! v 6 III. We Proclaim Christ Alone that All Who Believe in Him May Be Saved! v 7 (THE FIRST MESSAGE IN OUR NEW LOCATION)

Because our God is the ultimate authority over all kings, we pray for him to overrule all rulers in bringing stable government that enables human flourishing and the witness of a godly church to go forward. I. The Priority of Prayer vv 1-2a II. The Purpose of Such Prayer vv 2b-3 III. The Person to Whom We Pray and in Whom We Find our Highest Joy vv 3-4

Celebrating 60 years for our church on Telegraph Road as we prepare to move to our new location on Tenbrook. Because God is good and ever-faithful we must draw near with joy-filled thanks as we look back over the years our church has enjoyed his blessing and presence in our current location, even as we prepare to move to our new location. I. Seven Exhortations to Give Joyful Thanks vv 1-4 (1) Loud Singing (2) Glad Service (3) God's Presence (4) The Knowledge of God (5) An Open Gate to Growth (6) Growth in Gratitude (7) Growth in a Life Centered on God II. The Foundation of Our Gratitude (1) The Character of God - His Goodness - His Steadfast Love - His Faithfulness to All Generations (2) An Inter-generational Faith

Because we are called to wage war against sin and error as good soldiers of Christ, we must stand firm in faith and a good conscience lest we make shipwreck of our faith as others have done. I. Faithful Soldiers Are Called to War v 18 II. Faithful Soldiers of Christ Must Stand Firm in Faith and a Good Conscience. v 19a III. Faithful Soldiers Must Be Warned: You Can Make Shipwreck of Your Faith vv 19b-20

The seventh and final message in our series on "Biblical Emotions" by Brian Borgman, "Emotions and Worship" Why do we sing?