http://www.brewsterbaptistchurch.org Mark 1:17 - The Adventure of a Lifetime Begins Here! Sun, 29 Jan 2012 20:01:16 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Wonderful, challenging, Christian sermons. Brewster Baptist Church no Brewster Baptist Church webmaster@brewsterbaptistchurch.org webmaster@brewsterbaptistchurch.org (Brewster Baptist Church) Contemporary Christian sermons http://www.brewsterbaptistchurch.org/wp-content/plugins/powerpress/rss_default.jpg http://www.brewsterbaptistchurch.org Copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved, Brewster Baptist ChurchChristian,sermon,Scalise,Brewster,Baptist,Church,Saxton,ScheerReligion & Spirituality/ChristianityChristian,sermon,Scalise,Brewster,Baptist,Church,Saxton,Scheerbrewsterbaptistchurch/OrXzhttp://feedburner.google.com http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/brewsterbaptistchurch/OrXz/~3/2hdZhfoeQ34/ http://www.brewsterbaptistchurch.org/our-confidence-in-god/#comments Sun, 29 Jan 2012 19:59:05 +0000 MiKemp http://www.brewsterbaptistchurch.org/?p=3914  “8 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set youb free from the law of sin and of death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: by sending [...]<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/brewsterbaptistchurch/OrXz/~4/2hdZhfoeQ34" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.brewsterbaptistchurch.org/our-confidence-in-god/feed/ 0  “8 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set youb free from the law of sin and of death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh,  “8 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set youb free from the law of sin and of death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and to deal with sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. January 29, 2012 Romans 8, Our Confidence in God Doug Scalise, Brewster Baptist Church 6 To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For this reason the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law—indeed it cannot, 8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you. 12 So then, brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— 13 for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. Future Glory 18 I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; 20 for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; 23 and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. 26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. 27 And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified. 31 What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, Brewster Baptist Church no 28:44 Christian,sermon,Scalise,Brewster,Baptist,Church,Saxton,Scheerhttp://www.brewsterbaptistchurch.org/our-confidence-in-god/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/brewsterbaptistchurch/OrXz/~3/tg2tt2xjLSw/ http://www.brewsterbaptistchurch.org/the-kingdom-of-god/#comments Sun, 22 Jan 2012 19:02:23 +0000 MiKemp http://www.brewsterbaptistchurch.org/?p=3903 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. [...]<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/brewsterbaptistchurch/OrXz/~4/tg2tt2xjLSw" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.brewsterbaptistchurch.org/the-kingdom-of-god/feed/ 0 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. - When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. January 22, 2012 Matthew 5, The Kingdom of God Doug Scalise, Brewster Baptist Church 8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15 No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. 17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 21 “You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You shall not murder’; and ‘whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, ‘You fool,’ you will be liable to the hell of fire. 23 So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny. 27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell. 31 “It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ 32 But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.” Brewster Baptist Church no 21:34 Christian,sermon,Scalise,Brewster,Baptist,Church,Saxton,Scheerhttp://www.brewsterbaptistchurch.org/the-kingdom-of-god/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/brewsterbaptistchurch/OrXz/~3/gZs1cQDMHRU/ http://www.brewsterbaptistchurch.org/the-greatness-of-god/#comments Mon, 16 Jan 2012 01:19:29 +0000 MiKemp http://www.brewsterbaptistchurch.org/?p=3880 “Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. 3 A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight [...]<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/brewsterbaptistchurch/OrXz/~4/gZs1cQDMHRU" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.brewsterbaptistchurch.org/the-greatness-of-god/feed/ 0 “Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. “Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. 3 A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. 5 Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” 6 A voice says, “Cry out!” And I said, “What shall I cry?” All people are grass, their constancy is like the flower of the field. 7 The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it; surely the people are grass. 8 The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever. 9 Get you up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good tidings; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings, lift it up, do not fear; say to the cities of Judah, “Here is your God!” 10 See, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. 11 He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep.” January 15, 2012 Isaiah 40, The Greatness of God Doug Scalise, Brewster Baptist Church             Listen to Isaiah 40:12-31 and pay particular attention to the images and words used to describe God and everything that the chapter says God does for us as the Lord’s people. 12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand and marked off the heavens with a span, enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance? 13 Who has directed the spirit of the Lord, or as his counselor has instructed him? Whom did he consult for his enlightenment, and who taught him the path of justice? Who taught him knowledge, and showed him the way of understanding? 15 Even the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are accounted as dust on the scales; see, he takes up the isles like fine dust. 16 Lebanon would not provide fuel enough, nor are its animals enough for a burnt offering. 17 All the nations are as nothing before him; they are accounted by him as less than nothing and emptiness. 18 To whom then will you liken God, or what likeness compare with him? 19 An idol? —A workman casts it, and a goldsmith overlays it with gold, and casts for it silver chains. 20  As a gift one chooses mulberry wood—wood that will not rot— then seeks out a skilled artisan to set up an image that will not topple. 21 Have you not known? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? 22 It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, & spreads them like a tent to live in; 23 who brings princes to naught, and makes the rulers of the earth as nothing. 24  Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown, scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth, when he blows upon them, and they wither, and the tempest carries them off like stubble. 25 To whom then will you compare me, or who is my equal? says the Holy One. 26  Lift up your eyes on high and see: Who created these? He who brings out their host and numbers them, calling them all by name; because he is great in strength, mighty in power, not one is missing. 27  Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God”? 28     Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. Brewster Baptist Church no 26:41 Christian,sermon,Scalise,Brewster,Baptist,Church,Saxton,Scheerhttp://www.brewsterbaptistchurch.org/the-greatness-of-god/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/brewsterbaptistchurch/OrXz/~3/gzhHAlaMYb4/ http://www.brewsterbaptistchurch.org/the-joy-of-trusting-in-god/#comments Mon, 09 Jan 2012 01:32:08 +0000 MiKemp http://www.brewsterbaptistchurch.org/?p=3854 While sitting in the dentist’s office in December I was perusing a magazine and saw the following statistic: “Percentage of Roman Catholics who knew Genesis was the first book in the Bible: 41%. Percentage of Atheists and Agnostics who knew: 72 %.” I don’t mean to pick on our Roman Catholic friends in relaying that [...]<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/brewsterbaptistchurch/OrXz/~4/gzhHAlaMYb4" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.brewsterbaptistchurch.org/the-joy-of-trusting-in-god/feed/ 0 While sitting in the dentist’s office in December I was perusing a magazine and saw the following statistic: “Percentage of Roman Catholics who knew Genesis was the first book in the Bible: 41%. Percentage of Atheists and Agnostics who knew: 72 %. While sitting in the dentist’s office in December I was perusing a magazine and saw the following statistic: “Percentage of Roman Catholics who knew Genesis was the first book in the Bible: 41%. Percentage of Atheists and Agnostics who knew: 72 %.” I don’t mean to pick on our Roman Catholic friends in relaying that bit of news. The article didn’t say how many Baptists knew the first book in the Bible. The thought struck me, however, that there are chapters in the Bible every Christian should know. Genesis 1 and the description of creation would be one of them. As I thought about it more I decided I would do a little series on some of the great chapters in the Bible that a Christian should be aware of and at least have some familiarity with for our own spiritual journey. There are far more than four significant chapters, but I only needed four in January so I chose two chapters from the Old Testament and two from the New Testament: Psalm 27, Isaiah 40, Matthew 5, and Romans 8. I’m not saying these are the four best chapters in the whole Bible, just that they are significant in what they teach. January 8, 2012 Psalm 27, The Joy of Trusting in God Doug Scalise, Brewster Baptist Church Before I share Psalm 27, here is a little background. The Book of Psalms is unique among the books of the Bible because there is a sense in which it is not only God’s word to us, but it is the words of people to God. Like the Lord’s Prayer, the Psalms model for us how to pray and in them we see people bringing every imaginable emotion to God. The psalms are poetry and songs expressing deep longings and pain, as well as praise and trust. There are at least ten different types of psalms, but the two most common types are laments and songs of praise. This reflects the truth we’re more likely to call out to God when we’re overflowing with thankfulness and gratitude or when life is really tough so it shouldn’t be a surprise that more psalms, about a third of the book, are classified as laments than any other type (for example, Psalms 3, 12, 13, 22, 31, 39, 57, 80, 85, 88, 90, 94, and 137). There are individual laments and community laments and they are expressed as grievances or complaints against God and or an enemy. A lot of songs that we might call “the blues” that sing about the trouble someone is in are like the psalms of lament. As much as we feel life is stressful for us, stress is not unique to our lifetime. People in the past also had to deal with wars, diseases and epidemics, the death of children, constant dental and medical problems, and a host of other hardships. It’s like the poster of the classic painting of Daniel in the Lion’s Den with the caption, “Contrary to conventional wisdom, stress is not a 21st century phenomenon.” The psalms reflect a variety of difficult and stressful life situations that are threatening and disturbing and even cause people to question God or their faith. 117 Psalms have titles or superscriptions. Among these 72 are attributed to or dedicated to David and 13 refer to specific historical events in David’s life. David, the King of Israel, knew about trouble and stress. As a teenager, he defended himself against lions and bears and goliath sized opponents. As a young married man he fled for his life to escape the murderous intentions of his father-in-law Saul. Later in life he had to escape from one of his sons, Absalom who sought to seize the leadership of the country and who eventually was killed for his treason. David experienced the personal failure of betraying a loyal officer and having an affair with his wife, and ordering the death of the officer to cover his own sin. The baby born to David and Bathsheba died. David was familiar with stress, but he also knew where to turn in tough times. Psalm 27 is a prayer and song about The Joy of Trusting in God. It begins with words of faith and confidence. “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? Brewster Baptist Church no 22:58 Christian,sermon,Scalise,Brewster,Baptist,Church,Saxton,Scheerhttp://www.brewsterbaptistchurch.org/the-joy-of-trusting-in-god/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/brewsterbaptistchurch/OrXz/~3/MtLZ2xanr-Q/ http://www.brewsterbaptistchurch.org/new-day-new-you-2/#comments Wed, 04 Jan 2012 01:23:28 +0000 MiKemp http://www.brewsterbaptistchurch.org/?p=3849 Happy New Year’s. There’s always something wonderful about the first new day of the year. So many people celebrate New Year’s Eve with parties and by going places like time square…we usually watch the count down on TV if we manage to stay awake. Readers Digest &#38; Better Homes and Gardens Columnist, Bill Vaughan said, [...]<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/brewsterbaptistchurch/OrXz/~4/MtLZ2xanr-Q" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.brewsterbaptistchurch.org/new-day-new-you-2/feed/ 0 Happy New Year’s. There’s always something wonderful about the first new day of the year. So many people celebrate New Year’s Eve with parties and by going places like time square…we usually watch the count down on TV if we manage to stay awake. - Happy New Year’s. There’s always something wonderful about the first new day of the year. So many people celebrate New Year’s Eve with parties and by going places like time square…we usually watch the count down on TV if we manage to stay awake. Readers Digest & Better Homes and Gardens Columnist, Bill Vaughan said, “Youth is when you're allowed to stay up late on New Year's Eve. Middle age is when you're forced to.” He also said, “An optimist stays up until midnight to see the New Year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.” Whichever you are, celebrating the New Year is a global event. It’s fun to watch some of the celebrations from around the world. January 1, 2012 Isaiah 43: 18-19; 25, New Day - New You Mary Scheer, Brewster Baptist Church I wondered how all the traditions for the ways we celebrate got started. Did you know that; The celebration of the New Year is the oldest of all holidays. It was first observed in ancient Babylon about 4000 years ago timed with the first day of spring. The early Catholic Church condemned the festivities celebrating the New Year as paganism. But as Christianity became more widespread, the church began having its own religious observances. New Years is still observed as the Feast of Christ's Circumcision by some denominations. Have you ever wondered why a baby is used to signify a new year? That tradition started in Greece around 600 BC, when they celebrated the annual rebirth of their god Dionysus. The use of an image of a baby with a New Year’s banner was brought to early America by the Germans. Traditionally, it was thought that one could affect the luck they would have throughout the coming year by what they did or ate on the first day of the year. For that reason, it has become common for folks to celebrate the first few minutes of a brand new year in the company of family and friends. It was once believed that the first visitor on New Year's Day would bring either good luck or bad luck the rest of the year. One of the longest held New Year’s traditions is the Champaign toast at midnight to ring in the new year. Toasting can be traced back to the ancient Romans and Greeks who would pour wine, to be shared among those attending a religious function, from a common pitcher. The host would drink first, to assure his guests that the wine was not poisoned as poisoning the wine was a fairly common practice in ancient times. In those days the wine was not as refined as it is today so a square of burned bread (toast) would be floated in the wine bowl and then eaten by the last person to drink. The bread was put there to absorb the extra acidity of the wine in order to make it more palatable. To avoid being the last to drink and thus having to eat the acidic burned toast, people would drink at the same time. Eventually, the act of drinking in unison came to be called a toast. The song, "Auld Lang Syne," (Old Ang Sye) that we hear every year at the stroke of midnight was at least partially written by Robert Burns in the 1700's and from an old Scottish tune that literally means "old long ago," or "the good old days." Other traditions includes making New Year's resolutions which dates back to the early Babylonians who's most popular resolution was to return borrowed farm equipment. Speaking of resolutions, someone said, "The man who does not at least propose to himself to be better this year than he was last, must be either very good or very bad indeed, And only to propose to be better is something for there is no such thing as a stationary point in human endeavors; he who is not worse today than he was yesterday is better, and he who is not better is worse." unknown We can pretty much tell it’s New Years by all the commercials for diet programs, aimed at folks who made a New Year’s Resolution to lose weight. Every year, many folks make the same resolutions and every year many experience the same failures. Brewster Baptist Church no 16:53 Christian,sermon,Scalise,Brewster,Baptist,Church,Saxton,Scheerhttp://www.brewsterbaptistchurch.org/new-day-new-you-2/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/brewsterbaptistchurch/OrXz/~3/Krleblk2nFc/ http://www.brewsterbaptistchurch.org/schedule-for-students/#comments Thu, 29 Dec 2011 21:55:12 +0000 MiKemp http://www.brewsterbaptistchurch.org/?p=3795 Student Ministry Every Sunday – 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Middle and High School Ministry for fellowship, games and Bible Study. Please use the BBC registration page at FamilyID to register for Student Ministry (including Sunday School) What's FamilyID? You store and update your information in a single, highly secure online database and then register for [...]<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/brewsterbaptistchurch/OrXz/~4/Krleblk2nFc" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.brewsterbaptistchurch.org/schedule-for-students/feed/ 1 http://www.brewsterbaptistchurch.org/schedule-for-students/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/brewsterbaptistchurch/OrXz/~3/jOJCX8s0A-I/ http://www.brewsterbaptistchurch.org/light-in-the-darkness/#comments Mon, 26 Dec 2011 19:19:17 +0000 MiKemp http://www.brewsterbaptistchurch.org/?p=3775 “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from [...]<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/brewsterbaptistchurch/OrXz/~4/jOJCX8s0A-I" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.brewsterbaptistchurch.org/light-in-the-darkness/feed/ 0 “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. “And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. December 24, Christmas Eve, 2011 Luke 2:1-20, Light in the Darkness Doug Scalise, Brewster Baptist Church And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.” Going to Israel and Jordan in May, I will never hear the familiar words about the birth of Jesus from Luke 2 in the same way. It’s easier to picture what Mary and Joseph’s journey would have been like, leaving the hills of Nazareth and moving south from the lovely region by the Sea of Galilee toward Jerusalem and the town of Bethlehem just a few miles outside the capital city. Fortunately for us, we didn’t have to walk or ride a donkey or camel the whole way - we were on a bus. I’m sure Mary would have preferred that mode of transportation. During our visit we were told that in the seventh century after Jesus’ birth the Persians attacked Jerusalem and destroyed the churches in the area with one exception, the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. Interestingly, that church was left intact largely because of a mural on the outside over the entrance that portrayed men dressed in clothes similar to those of the invaders – the painting showed the magi from the east who came to give gifts and worship the Christ child. Omar (Umar) ibn al-Khattab (c. 581–644), the second Rashidun Muslim Caliph, traveled to Bethlehem in 637 CE to issue a law that would guarantee respect for the shrine and safety for Christians and clergy. Hundreds of years later, after the Crusaders had gained possession of Bethlehem, it was re-taken by the Muslims. Their leader at the time was puzzled that Crusaders had been riding their horses into a holy site, so he ordered that the entrance be made much smaller so no horse could enter and even people needed to bow to enter the church because a holy site should be entered humbly and reverently. That is the way it has remained ever since. Brewster Baptist Church no 19:05 Christian,sermon,Scalise,Brewster,Baptist,Church,Saxton,Scheerhttp://www.brewsterbaptistchurch.org/light-in-the-darkness/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/brewsterbaptistchurch/OrXz/~3/q-hT85an0M8/ http://www.brewsterbaptistchurch.org/god-is-still-moving/#comments Mon, 19 Dec 2011 00:43:42 +0000 MiKemp http://www.brewsterbaptistchurch.org/?p=3769 The passage I’m going to read from 2 Samuel 7 is one of the most important in the Old Testament for Christian faith yet it is not familiar to many people. In 2 Samuel 5 David becomes king of all Israel and Judah. He captures the city of Jerusalem from the Jebusites and makes it [...]<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/brewsterbaptistchurch/OrXz/~4/q-hT85an0M8" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.brewsterbaptistchurch.org/god-is-still-moving/feed/ 0 The passage I’m going to read from 2 Samuel 7 is one of the most important in the Old Testament for Christian faith yet it is not familiar to many people. In 2 Samuel 5 David becomes king of all Israel and Judah. The passage I’m going to read from 2 Samuel 7 is one of the most important in the Old Testament for Christian faith yet it is not familiar to many people. In 2 Samuel 5 David becomes king of all Israel and Judah. He captures the city of Jerusalem from the Jebusites and makes it his capital and he also defeats the Philistines in battle. Then to help unite the people north and south, to add prestige to his new capital city, named in his honor, David has the Ark of the Covenant (yes, that Ark of the Covenant, which was a sacred object to the northern tribes), brought to the city to make Jerusalem not only a political and military center, but also a religious one. So the fighting is over, David has solidified his rule, the Ark is in Jerusalem, and David was living in a lovely home made from cedar trees, a gift from Hiram, King of Tyre the neighbor to the north. David is a man of action so he starts thinking about his next project. December 18, 2011 Luke 1:26-38, God Is Still Moving Doug Scalise, Brewster Baptist Church Before I read this passage, remember a good principle to keep in mind when you are reading or studying the Bible on your own is to look for repeated words, phrases, or images because those often are clues to what a passage is about. Listen closely and you’ll notice the reading from 2 Samuel 7 is a good example of that. See if you can figure out what key words or images are used multiple times. 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 7:1 Now when the king was settled in his house, and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies around him, the king said to the prophet Nathan, "See now, I am living in a house of cedar, but the ark of God stays in a tent." Nathan said to the king, "Go, do all that you have in mind; for the LORD is with you." But that same night the word of the LORD came to Nathan: Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the LORD: Are you the one to build me a house to live in? I have not lived in a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent and a tabernacle. Wherever I have moved about among all the people of Israel, did I ever speak a word with any of the tribal leaders of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people Israel, saying, "Why have you not built me a house of cedar?" Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant David: Thus says the LORD of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep to be prince over my people Israel; and I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make for you a great name, like the name of the great ones of the earth. And I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their own place, and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall afflict them no more, as formerly, from the time that I appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. Moreover the LORD declares to you that the LORD will make you a house. Your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever.” A primary word that is repeated a lot is….”house.” King David is settled in his new house and all of a sudden he has a realization that he shares with his confidant, the prophet Nathan, “I’m living in this beautiful cedar house and the Ark of God is in a tent.” Anyone who ever saw the 1981 movie Raiders of the Lost Ark with Harrison Ford has a little idea about the Ark of God. The characteristic feature of the Ark was that it could be carried about. The Israelite Ark led the people in the desert (Numbers 10:33), was carried round the walls of Jericho (Joshua 6), and was brought into the camp during military operations (1 Samuel 4:2-4). It was kept in a tent (2 Samuel 6:17) with an attendant (1 Samuel 7:1) and used to ask God for direction (1 Samuel 14:18). According to biblical tradition, Brewster Baptist Church no 24:16 Christian,sermon,Scalise,Brewster,Baptist,Church,Saxton,Scheerhttp://www.brewsterbaptistchurch.org/god-is-still-moving/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/brewsterbaptistchurch/OrXz/~3/-DTzAqPHPqM/ http://www.brewsterbaptistchurch.org/bearing-witness-to-the-light/#comments Mon, 12 Dec 2011 21:57:08 +0000 MiKemp http://www.brewsterbaptistchurch.org/?p=3730 Did you see any of the beautiful sunsets we had earlier this past week or even yesterday? Living on Cape Cod we are blessed to be able to see the sun rise and set over the water if we choose. Seeing the beauty of a sunrise or sunset, recognizing the warmth and light the sun [...]<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/brewsterbaptistchurch/OrXz/~4/-DTzAqPHPqM" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.brewsterbaptistchurch.org/bearing-witness-to-the-light/feed/ 0 Did you see any of the beautiful sunsets we had earlier this past week or even yesterday? Living on Cape Cod we are blessed to be able to see the sun rise and set over the water if we choose. Seeing the beauty of a sunrise or sunset, Did you see any of the beautiful sunsets we had earlier this past week or even yesterday? Living on Cape Cod we are blessed to be able to see the sun rise and set over the water if we choose. Seeing the beauty of a sunrise or sunset, recognizing the warmth and light the sun provides as well as its reliability, it isn’t a surprise that many ancient cultures worshiped the sun. Obviously Christians don’t worship the sun but the God who made the sun and everything else. Connections between light and God’s power, presence, and glory are found throughout the Bible, starting in the beginning. The Bible opens saying that “the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep,” and Genesis 1:3 states, “Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.” The first act of creation is God speaking light into being and light was good and “God separated the light from the darkness” (Genesis 1:4). December 11, 2011 John 1:6-8, 19-28, Bearing Witness to the Light Doug Scalise, Brewster Baptist Church Later Psalm 27:1 affirms, “The Lord is my light and my salvation,” and Psalm 36:9 states, “With you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.” In Luke 2 the prophet Simeon, guided by the Spirit, took the baby Jesus in his arms and praised God, saying Jesus would be (Luke 2:32), “a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”  Images of light and darkness permeate John’s Gospel. John begins his Gospel by telling us that in Jesus there is life which is the light of all people and that light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not and will not ever overcome it. Jesus is the true light which enlightens everyone. In John chapters 8 and 9, Jesus declares he is “the light of the world” and demonstrates the truth of his statement by giving light to the eyes of a man born blind. John the Baptist, who had a significant number of followers himself, is portrayed in John’s Gospel as clearly identifying himself as a witness who came to testify to the light who is Jesus. Listen to John 1:6-8, 19-28,   “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, "I am not the Messiah." And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the prophet?" He answered, "No." Then they said to him, "Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?" He said, "I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord,'" as the prophet Isaiah said. Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, "Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?" John answered them, "I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal." This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.”  John the Baptist “came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.” “Witness” is a word that we still hear all the time today. A witness in the practice of law is one who speaks from personal experience about what happened to oneself or another. In the Bible, this may occur at a trial (Deuteronomy 17:6; Proverbs 19:28; Mark 14:63) or in a legal transaction (Isaiah 8:2; Jeremiah 32:10). Bearing false witness is roundly condemned (Exodus 20:16; Proverbs 12:17; Acts 6:13) and can bring severe reprisal (Deuteronomy 19:16-21; Proverbs 21:28). Sometimes in the Bible a pillar or altar of rocks is built as a visible witness to a convenantal agreement (Genesis 31:44; Joshua 22:27, 34; Isaiah 19:19-20). Brewster Baptist Church no 20:29 Christian,sermon,Scalise,Brewster,Baptist,Church,Saxton,Scheerhttp://www.brewsterbaptistchurch.org/bearing-witness-to-the-light/ http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/brewsterbaptistchurch/OrXz/~3/m5Yywamkvw4/ http://www.brewsterbaptistchurch.org/congregational-prayer-12-4/#comments Sun, 11 Dec 2011 16:28:57 +0000 MiKemp http://www.brewsterbaptistchurch.org/?p=3718 Dear Lord Jesus, As we come to worship you this morning, we have thoughts of waiting for advent in our hearts. The Israelites waited so long for their Messiah to come&#8211; and then you came. We have waited so long for you to come again, and still we wait. So much of our lives are [...]<img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/brewsterbaptistchurch/OrXz/~4/m5Yywamkvw4" height="1" width="1"/> http://www.brewsterbaptistchurch.org/congregational-prayer-12-4/feed/ 0 Dear Lord Jesus, - As we come to worship you this morning, we have thoughts of waiting for advent in our hearts. The Israelites waited so long for their Messiah to come-- and then you came. We have waited so long for you to come again, Dear Lord Jesus, As we come to worship you this morning, we have thoughts of waiting for advent in our hearts. The Israelites waited so long for their Messiah to come-- and then you came. We have waited so long for you to come again, and still we wait. So much of our lives are spent waiting for one thing or another. Yet, how we choose to wait shapes the contours of our lives. It's as if the "waiting" is a chisel that can either sculpt us into the image of your son, or deform us into the reflection of those who wait without hope. We pray that you help us to wait, sustained by the power of your peace, and clinging to your holiness as answers linger. As your children, we-never-have-to-wait-alone. While we wait for you, we have the comfort and serenity of waiting with you. You are always there... only a breath away; the breath of a prayer. Like those on our prayer sheet Lord, many of us are waiting to hear from you about the important things in our lives. We pray for those who are waiting for a breakthrough healing, like Brian, Jean, Doris, Omega, and Kristi's friend. We pray for all those, who like Lisa are waiting for good test results. We lift up people like Kelly and Helen who are in a period of waiting for the security and peace of a new home, whether here on earth or with you in heaven. We pray for those who are waiting for pain to subside: pain from surgeries, like Betsy; from searing grief, like the Gebreth's. Please be with all those who are experience any kind of pain. Thank you for answered prayers this week. Thank you for your guidance and your love. Be with us this morning and throughout the week as we wait for you and with you. Amen Brewster Baptist Church no 1:52 Christian,sermon,Scalise,Brewster,Baptist,Church,Saxton,Scheerhttp://www.brewsterbaptistchurch.org/congregational-prayer-12-4/ Copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved, Brewster Baptist ChurchBrewster Baptist ChurchnonadultContemporary Christian sermons