Sardis Baptist Church

09/01/2026

" Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."

Paul tells us that it's hardship thats taught him contentment separate from circumstance. He tries to explain to us that he has found contentment with temporary situations because his hope is in an eternal condition. In another place we're told to be okay with what we have because Jesus will never leave us or forsake us. Those who desire to have more can end up in a very sad state of mind and all war is said to come from wanting what we do not have. We're told not to covet because that is to complain or question God's provision. To be okay with where God has us and what He's provided takes resurrection faith. If our heart is not set in the future we're doing nothing but watching things disappear Into the past. The answer to all Christians for all suffering is that in Christ Jesus it will always be temporary. For us the afflictions of this present age are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed in us at the appearing of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

09/01/2026

09/01/2026

"Genesis 4:9 And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?"


God knows us and keeps us because of His love for us. The foundation of God stands sure in this that He knows who are His. He seeks us and finds us because of love. God is love, a love that can only be grasped by a faith that is absolutely nothing without love. Paul tells us that we could have faith that can move mountains and a charity they gives all we have, and even our life, but if we do not have love it is worth nothing. If we have all knowledge so that we understand all mysteries but have not love then it profits us nothing. He then goes on to own to describe all the different attributes of love, first and the foremost the fact that it will never fail or cease to be. What we love we keep in our heart and it comes out of mouth. Too bad it won't come out and stay out but the truth is it actually radiates from a source that is permanent and that is why God promised to give us a new heart. A new heart can only function in a perfectly pure vessel and that is why God provided Jesus Christ the first of many brethren. A Forerunner who takes us on a path of perfect purity because of a past victory in his Perfect Purity. The key is the past victory and the fact that what has been done cannot be undone by our failures. The penalty cannot be paid at any other time than when Christ was crucified and the unlimited atonement there cannot be questioned. If Christ is in our heart then we can have what he has earned and we will seek what he has lost and yearn for what he yearns. We will be our brother's keeper and we will keep those we love close and all of those who are in Christ Jesus we will strive to love the most. We will be the one in the field asking where the fallen brother is. It is the one who is in our heart who seeks the sick and dying.

09/01/2026

" Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

Looks like a reward promised for those who simply don't get tired of doing right. Right before this Paul said be not deceived God is not mocked, whatsoever a man soweth that will he also reap. It's the same spiritual principle we found in Romans where the grace of God shows us the safest path rather than just protecting us on the worst path. A God who loves us enough to lead us away from what cost more than we can afford to an abundant life where the reward is enough for everyone we know. A path where God works in us both to will and to do of His pleasure.

08/25/2026

" Ephesians 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."

In John 15 Jesus tells his disciples they are clean by the word that he has spoken to them. The purging that removes the old growth and encourages the new is the word of faith we hear from God. We should be more careful with what we get on ourselves.
We just heard a pastor say that when it comes to cleaning the dishes our mind is like that old sponge by the sink sometimes soaking up and spreading more germs than it is eliminating. The word of God is like a mirror as any body of water is reflective until we disturb it. We are to deal with and be aware of the filth that is in us so God sometimes separates it from us to place it in our field of vision in order for us to see it. Praying preadventure God will grant us repentance to the acknowledging of the truth. Without the belt of truth on we're just awash in the sea of our own imagination. There is a clear direction in Jesus. All we need is love.

08/25/2026

Colossians 2:23 things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh."

The final verse in a chapter where Paul is explaining the difference between the outward circumcision of the flesh in contrast with the inner circumcision of the heart. One version actually translates this verse as" they do indeed have the outward appearance of wisdom with their self-imposed religious observances, false humility and asceticism, but they have no value at all in restraining people from indulging in their old nature." In other words our outward rituals are not really making an impact on our inward war against having it our way so another version actually renders it this way "obeying these rules may seem to be the smart thing to do. They appear to make you love God more, and be very humble and to have control over your body, but they don't really have any power over your desire" again we need to read the letter and understand the difference between a religion that says touch not taste not handle not, and a love that completely changes what we want to touch taste and handle. A true love that will not insult God by believing that we earn by our actions but rather a love that understands the unconditional everlasting nature of God's love regardless of what we have done causing us to search for something to do in gratitude. The love of God is this that we keep His commandments and they are not grievous. Love is looking for every opportunity to express itself We love Him because He first loved us. He loved us when we were His enemies. We do not give to get response but rather respond to all that God has given us with Thanksgiving.

08/22/2026

"Colossians 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

We should read this little book again because it says too much to take apart without understanding what he's trying to say from the very beginning about what Christ has done for us. The message is something to write songs about and at the end of this chapter Paul says that we should admonish one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs singing with grace in our hearts to the Lord. If we go back to the first chapter of the book we will find that the celebration begins with thanks to the Father who has delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of His son Jesus Christ. There's such an exaltation of Christ in the first chapter it very possibly could be the song he's singing through the whole book. We are saved our debt is paid by Jesus Christ