Cheraw First Baptist Chruch

1 SAMUEL 16:1-13 - Appearance is an important part of our lives. Everyone wants to look their best. According to research men spend about 30 to 45 minutes getting ready and women spend about 55 minutes. We spend a lot of time fixing up the outside, but what about the inside? Thankfully, God does not operate based on appearance. To Him our appearance neither defines us nor indicates our value. In 1 Samuel 16, Samuel continues the search for a king, a king that would be the complete opposite of the first. Today we’ll see what God looks for when selecting a king. As we look at the life of David we will learn what is and is not important to the Lord.

1 SAMUEL 8 - This week we begin a new series looking at the life of King David. David is a very important character in the Bible, as he is mentioned both in the Old Testament and the New Testament. It is through Israel’s search for a king that we are introduced to David’s life. In 1 Samuel 8 Israel is demanding a king who will protect them, prosper them, and fulfill them. David in many ways was the ideal king, but he would tragically disappoint everybody. We are then left with the question “Is David the best king we could hope for?” David’s story will point us to the King of kings and Lord of lords. Today as we look at why Israel was searching for a king, it will help us better understand the life of David. There are 3 aspects of Israel’s request I want us to examine today.

ACTS 2:46 - Have you ever felt like you were living on an island? Maybe you’ve felt isolated, lonely, and hurt, with no one to turn to. In Genesis 2:18, God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” God has created us to be relational. This morning I want us to see why living in community is important. I want to share with you 3 important reasons why we should live in biblical community together.

Acts 2:42, 46 and 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

ACTS 2:42; MATTHEW 7:7-11 - In the Christian life we need power and that power derives from our dependence on Jesus. In the book of Acts the early church devoted themselves to prayer because they understood the power that came from it. Today we too must devote ourselves to prayer. This morning I want us to focus on 3 key elements of the early church’s prayer life through various verses of scripture.

ACTS 2:42-43 - According to recent research there are approximately 130 million books in the world. Of those books the Bible is consistently the best-selling, most-read, and most-quoted book in the entire world. For some, the Bible is just another book with good teachings, and for others it is just a dust magnet. However, the early church believed in its authority, stood on its truths, and lived by it accordingly. Today God’s Word should be as important to us as it was to the early church. This morning I want us to focus on one of the foundational elements of the early church, which is God’s Word.

ACTS 2:42-47 - Today we will begin a new series based on Luke’s writings about the early church. The church has always been God’s plan for reaching the nations. However, over the course of time we have developed our own plans through programs, entertainment, buildings, etc. It is high time for the church to get back to the basic fundamental elements of what the church is supposed to be. Before we dive into the series we must first understand how the church was established. This morning I want to focus on 3 elements of the established Spirit-filled church.

EPHESIANS 6:10-20 - "Let's get ready to rumble!" Those famous words of Michael Buffer have been said all around the world introducing many different fights. This morning I want to remind you that we are in a battle, and God’s Word gives us the armor we need for the battle we face. As we prepare for a New Year may we heed to Paul’s words because the evil on is still active. Join me as we look at how we are to prepare daily for life’s battle.

LUKE 2:25-35 - Today we look at the last song of Christmas and it is Simeon’s song. Simeon had waited for many years for this moment. For years Simeon anticipated the moment that he would lay his eyes on the Son of God. Simeon was righteous and a devout believer in God. He was patiently waiting for the promises God had made to be fulfilled.

LUKE 2:8-14 - When was the last time you were really in awe of something? We can allow our culture to desensitize us from the amazing things God displays to us on a daily basis. We can also allow the Word of God to become just another book. However, it is more than a book, it is God’s spoken word to us. The word of God is powerful. The familiarity of scripture should not make us think, “I’ve heard this before.” Instead it should fill our lives with amazement that the God of the universe has given us His word to guide our lives. Although the biblical account of Jesus birth is familiar we cannot miss the awe and wonder of it. Today we will look to the shepherds to help us gain back the “awe factor.”

LUKE 1:67-79 - When it comes to first lines of a song, Zechariah's song should be one we reflect on during the Christmas season. It is through his song that we see two words which lie at the heart of the Christmas message.

LUKE 1:46-55 - Can you believe it is almost Christmas? In just three weeks we will celebrate Christmas with our family and friends. The spirit of Christmas comes alive with Christmas trees, lights, nativity scenes, shopping, food, and music. Whether we want to admit it or not Christmas is coming. The gospel of Luke gives us four songs of Christmas to reflect on from the first Christmas. This Christmas season we will examine these wonderful songs. “Luke doesn’t give us these songs, or poems, for them to wash over us, but for them to change us. This is a playlist that helps us to prepare for Christmas properly, and to celebrate Christmas joyfully.”[1] The first song we will examine is Mary’s song. Through her song we will be reminded of what God is like. Mary provides for us three specific insights into what God is like. [1] Begg, Alistair. Christmas Playlist: Four songs that bring you to the heart of Christmas (Kindle Locations 57-58). The Good Book Company. Kindle Edition.

EPHESIANS 6:5-9 - Have you ever had a job you absolutely disliked? Did you know that through our work we display the gospel to our employers and co-workers? In the season of thanksgiving we should be thankful for the job we have. As followers of Christ we are to live and work differently than non-believers. In this text Paul gives us specific principles to apply to our lives especially in the work we do.

EPHESIANS 6:1-4 - Children are a great blessing, but also a great responsibility. As a parent or a member of the local church we have a great responsibility of raising the next generation. In this text Paul delivers essential truths to both children and parents about their roles. What are we as parents and church leaders teaching the rising generation about God and His role in the family? My prayer is that we as parents and children will evaluate our responsibilities and align them with Scripture. None of us are perfect and we need the best guidance we can get. This guidance is found throughout God’s Word. Today we will look at 3 specific words of guidance in our text.

EPHESIANS 5:18-33 - Have you ever wanted to know the answers to a test? Or love when a professor gives a detailed study guide for the final? We love knowing the answer before the problem ever arises. When it comes to marriage we want to know how to have a healthy marriage. The concept of marriage has been ruined by our culture through social media, television, and magazines. We have totally betrayed the original design of a biblical marriage. Paul gives us several truths about marriage in Ephesians 5.Today we will explore 3 of these truths about marriage.

EPHESIANS 5:1-17 - How do we live in light while residing in darkness? Romans 13:12 says, “The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light" (ESV). As followers of Jesus Christ we are commanded to live differently. In this text Paul gives us 3 ways in which we can walk in light.

EPHESIANS 4:17-32 - The fall and winter seasons are finally upon us, and that means a change in wardrobe. For most of us we will not wear our shorts, flip flops, and bathing suites this time of year. As the seasons change so does our wardrobe. We have often been told that our clothes define who we are. However, when you become a Christian, you get a new set of clothes. “You are clothed in Christ, and these clothes make the man or woman.” In this text Paul tells us about our identity in Christ and we live in light of it. Through our identity in Christ we are changed in two specific ways as Paul describes it to us.

EPHESIANS 4:1-16 - If we were to survey members of different congregations in Cheraw and ask them to describe their definition of the ideal church, we would have hundreds of different answers. Some would say the music is most important. Others may say that preaching is because they don’t want to be bored in church. Some might say, “I’m looking for a church where the people are at the same place in life as I am.” Then there are those who would say missions, evangelism, or a great children’s ministry. There are numerous different responses to what we may believe is the ideal church. However, Paul emphasizes one particular description found in a healthy church and that is UNITY. Unity is mandatory within the local body. Paul gives us 3 ways we are to be unified.

EPHESIANS 3:1-13 - All followers of Christ suffer. Either we have, we will, or we are suffering. Suffering is difficult to handle. However, through our suffering we are drawn closer to Christ. Unfortunately, there are times we tend to lose heart during our suffering. Suffering often knocks us off balance causing us to lose heart and become discouraged. In this passage Paul encourages us not to lose heart during the sufferings of this life. Today I want to share 3 of those ways with you.

EPHESIANS 2:11-22