Steve Gaines

If One Member Suffers

Steve Gaines — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 14:00:45 +0000

Her blonde hair bounced as she scampered through the den. Our middle daughter, Alli, never walked anywhere when she was little. Suddenly, she let out a blood-curdling scream. When her mom found her writhing in pain on the floor, she said, “Alli, what happened?” “I browke my toe, I bwoke my toe!” she screamed. Donna asked, “Which toe is it?” With tears streaming down her face, Alli said, “The one that had woast beef!”

When a person injuries a part of his body, the entire body suffers from the pain. Even so, the Bible says that when one member of Christ’s body suffers, that ache affects all the other members (1 Corinthians 12:26). When a Christian hurts, others should rally around him to bring comfort and healing. We should weep with those who weep, just as we rejoice with those who rejoice (Romans 12:15). What happens to one believer affects us all.

It’s easy to focus on ourselves and not notice others around us who are going through difficult times. Our lives become busy and cluttered with day-to-day activities that cause us to lose sight of the needs of others. We must ask the Lord to give us His eyes of compassion and His heart of mercy to see the hurts and to feel the pain of those around us.

When we encourage each other, our heavenly Father is delighted. Just like an earthly parent, He loves to see His children minister to one another in authentic love. When we help others, we emulate Jesus. We become His extended hands of mercy.

Pray for someone in need today. Make a phone call or visit. Send a kind note. There are people who need the love that only you can give. Do not let them suffer alone.

Sharing Jesus

Craig Morris — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:39:16 +0000

Sharing Jesus is a sermon from John 1:35-42 preached by Steve Gaines in the morning Worship Service at Bellevue Baptist Church on August 29, 2010.

Video and Notes

9:30 Service

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Who is the Lord?

Steve Gaines — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 21:15:12 +0000

The sovereign God of the Universe is referred to in the Old Testament as “the Lord” or “Jehovah.” He is all-present, all-powerful, and all-knowing. His full identity as the Father of the only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, is revealed in the New Testament. There is one God, and one Mediator between Him and all men—Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:5).

The Lord is Our Strength. The psalmist said, “The LORD is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation (Psalm 118:14).”

He knew that the Lord’s will would only be realized through His Spirit’s power (Zechariah 4:6). Like Paul, he could “do all things” through Christ who strengthened him (Philippians 4:13).

The Lord is Our Song. The Lord not only empowered the psalmist, but also filled his life with joy and celebration. Because of the Lord’s bountiful grace and blessings, the psalmist celebrated with joyful singing and praise. Likewise, the Lord Jesus will become the melody of our heart and “keep (us) singing as we go.”

The Lord is Our Salvation. The Lord was the source of the psalmist’s strength and song because He had granted him eternal salvation. Even so, Jesus Christ has become our salvation. “Jesus” means “Jehovah is salvation.” We are saved when we repent of our sins and place our faith in Christ alone to forgive and cleanse us.

If you belong to Jesus, He is the same to you as God the Father (Jehovah) was to the psalmist. Make your good confession today. Say it loud, long, and confidently for all to hear: “Jesus is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation!”

Making Disciples

Craig Morris — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 14:45:41 +0000

Making Disciples is a sermon from Matthew 28:18-20 preached by Steve Gaines in the morning Worship Service at Bellevue Baptist Church on August 22, 2010.

Video and Notes

9:30 Service

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11:11 Service

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A New Beginning

Steve Gaines — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 13:00:34 +0000

God loves new beginnings. He gives hope to the hopeless and makes a way when there seems to be no way. In Isaiah’s day, Judah was facing tough times. The nation was about to be plundered by a foreign army and exiled into captivity. God’s people would be disciplined for their idolatry.

But after the discipline, He promised hope for their future, a fresh start. He said in Isaiah 43:18-19, “Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do something new; now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.”

We Must Put the Past Behind Us. When the Jewish people sinned, God disciplined them. But afterwards they did not have to dwell on the “former things.” Neither do we! God will discipline us if we sin (Proverbs 3:11-12), but if we genuinely repent, He will forgive us and wipe away the “former things” into the depths of the sea (Micah 7:19). He doesn’t make us drag the ball and chain of our past forever.

We Must Trust God’s Path Before Us. God promised Judah that He would create a new path and provide for them in the future, even in the wilderness. That is what He desires to do for us as well. He will make our paths straight and prosperous in the midst of seemingly barren circumstances. We can trust God’s new path. He walks before us as our shield.

Have you sinned? Come home to Jesus. Repent humbly and honestly, accepting His divine discipline. Then give your past to Him and embark on His new path. Your new beginning is only a prayer of repentance away. Press forward today in Jesus’ name.

Loving People

Craig Morris — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 14:02:16 +0000

Loving People is a sermon from Acts 10 preached by Steve Gaines in the morning Worship Service at Bellevue Baptist Church on August 15, 2010.

Video and Notes

9:30 Service

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11:11 Service

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Thy Kingdom Come

Steve Gaines — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 19:56:45 +0000

When Jesus taught the disciples how to pray in Matthew 6, He taught them to pray, “Your kingdom come; Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

I think we could all agree that God’s will is not being done on earth today. But there is coming a day (Revelation 5:1-10) when the Lion of the tribe of Judah—that’s Jesus—will be given the title deed to earth. Then, as the King of Kings, He will return to earth to set up His kingdom.

Jesus is Our King. The prophets predicted that the Messiah would be a reigning king (Isaiah 9:6-7; Daniel 7:13-14). When Pilate asked Jesus if He was a king, He said, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born (John 18:37).

Jesus Has a Kingdom. When Jesus stood before Pilate, He also said, “My kingdom is not of this world (John 18:37). Jesus’ kingdom is spiritual and eternal; flesh and blood cannot inherit it (1 Corinthians 15:50). To enter His kingdom, you must be born again.

Jesus’ Kingdom Will Come. When we pray God’s kingdom to come, we are asking for His spiritual kingdom to expand on earth until Christ returns and establishes His Millennial Kingdom. God’s kingdom expands as people receive salvation. When Jesus returns, He will reign powerfully and peacefully on earth for 1,000 years. Then the kingdom will be destroyed by fire and we will live in New Jerusalem.

Like Bill Gaither’s song says, “Kings and kingdoms will all pass away, but there’s something about that name.” His name is Jesus, and He is the King of Kings! Are you part of His forever kingdom? If not, trust Him today. Then, pray for His kingdom to come until that glorious day when we see King Jesus face to face!

Loving God

Craig Morris — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 18:30:50 +0000

Loving God is a sermon from Luke 7:36-50 preached by Steve Gaines in the morning Worship Service at Bellevue Baptist Church on August 8, 2010.

Video and Notes

9:30 Service

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11:11 Service

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The Light of God’s Word

Steve Gaines — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 12:25:58 +0000

I could barely see the road as I drove our van. A dense morning fog had settled across the road. The sun had not yet risen as I progressed, slowly and steadily, with my lights on. As I traveled forward, my visibility was limited to approximately 40-50 yards. I could see ahead just far enough to continue traveling safely. My headlights were giving me the sufficient light I needed. Eventually, I emerged from the fog with the morning sun shining down. When my ability to see improved, I increased my speed and drove ahead.

Knowing and doing God’s will is a lot like that. Sometimes the Lord only reveals a portion of His will to us. Our spiritual vision is limited to only a small portion of the path before us. Psalm 119:105 compares the Bible to a lamp and a light. Through reading the Bible, our way is enlightened and God shows us just enough to enable us to move forward. As we advance along the path of life, He faithfully increases our visibility.

We make slow, steady progress as we seek God through His Word and stand on the promises we find there. Eventually, the fog of the unknown is lifted and He reveals His complete will for that portion of our journey.

Perhaps you’re traveling through a dark and hazy time of life. Don’t be alarmed. God’s Word is the lamp to light your path. Take time to read your Bible today. A Christian who neglects His Bible gropes in darkness. But you and I don’t have to travel in the dark! Reach down and turn on His light.

Bro. Steve and Ricky Skaggs

Craig Morris — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 19:06:35 +0000

During the Wednesday night Worship Service on August 4, 2010, Bro. Steve and Ricky Skaggs performed uplifting gospel music.

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