Century Baptist Church Sermons

Following the King | 7.23.23

A sermon from Matthew 16:24-28
Say farewell
Pack what is necessary
Go
GOSPEL CONNECTION
Jesus has done everything He asks us to do: He denied Himself (Philippians 2:5-8), took up the cross (Romans 5:6-8, Ephesians 2:13-18), and obediently followed God's plan (Matthew 26:36-46)
 
APPLICATION
What needs to change in your daily life to live according to Jesus' command to follow Him by denying self and taking up your cross?
 
PRAYER
Lord, we praise You for who You are.  Thank You for revealing Yourself to us.  Grant us the strength to be obedient to our calling as Christians so that we can bear witness to Your faithfulness, even in the midst of life's trials. Amen.
 

Good Intentions | 7.16.23

A sermon from Matthew 16:21-23
What Jesus did
What Peter felt he had to do
What we must do
Gospel Connection
There is no forgiveness of sin without Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection. He is the perfect sacrifice for man’s sin; there is no other way (1 John 2:2; John 14:6).
Application
What will you intentionally and specifically do this week to keep your mind on God’s interests while at work? with your family? with friends?

Our Cornerstone | 7.9.23

A sermon from Matthew 16:13-20
Location
Foundation
Dominion
Gospel Connection
Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah. Jesus is the once-for-all sacrifice for sin and, as such, the foundation of the church (Greek term: ecclesia or the assembly of those who believe in Him).
Application
What will you do this week to help a friend overcome an erroneous idea about Jesus?
Prayer
Thank You, God, for Jesus, the true and only foundation of the church.

The King’s Decree | 7.2.23

A sermon from Matthew 16:5-12
Live aware
Live on purpose
Live with confidence
Gospel Connection
While physical food is vital to daily living, spiritual food determines our eternity. Jesus’ disciples were so focused on the need for physical sustenance, they missed Jesus’ teaching on the spiritual. The Pharisees’ and Sadducees’ doctrine concentrated on duty and dogmatic diligence in an effort to earn eternal life. Jesus’ teaching was God’s grace given in Himself, the Messiah (John 6:32-40).
Application
What nonjudgmental and nonthreatening step can you take this week to warn a friend who is being led astray by unsound teaching?
Prayer
My God and Savior, to you I call, asking that You grant me passion to follow You closely, a yearning to know Your Word, and discernment to differentiate Your truth from the enemy’s deception and lies.

Of Fern Seeds and Elephants | 6.25.23

A sermon from Matthew 16:1-4
A dangerous combination
An inadequate endeavor
A colossal affirmation
Gospel Connection
Two signs of God’s love for all humanity have been revealed 2,000 years ago. The first is Jesus coming to earth as a baby. Divinity took on flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). The second sign is Jesus’ crucifixion, death, and resurrection. Jesus is our advocate as the satisfaction for sins, once for all (1 John 2:1-2). Another sign will not make any difference in a person’s willingness to believe in Jesus.
Application
What has God done in your life that you can use as a sign to others?
How will you show your faith in Jesus this week that He is the Savior for your sins?
Prayer
You, eternal God, are worthy of my praise, adoration, and obedience because of who You are. I choose to follow You based on Your faithfulness, love, mercy, and forgiveness. Thank You for giving me eternal life in Jesus, Your only Son.

Beyond Belief | 6.18.23

A sermon from Matthew Matthew 15:29-39
Greater than miracles
Deeper than care
More than enough
Gospel Connection
Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” 35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” John 6:32-40
Application
What will you do this week to feed someone spiritually?
How does God want you to meet the physical needs of someone currently in your life?

Doggedness Unleashed | 6.11.23

A sermon from Matthew 15:21-28
Persistent in plea
Steady on mission
Unbroken in spirit
Gospel Connection
Jesus came to make us spiritually healthy, not personally happy. From a baby in a feeding trough, to a teaching Rabbi, to the Son of God dying on the cross for our sin, Jesus’ interest in our lives is centrally focused on our understanding of who He is, what He has done and our need for Him as the satisfaction to God’s wrath toward our sin.
Application
What principle from this passage can you apply to your life this week?
How will you use that principle to encourage another believer in their faith?
Prayer
God, I praise You for providing all I need, for Your faithfulness and interest in my life. Help me to trust You in all situations, answering my persistent pleas according to Your sovereign plan for my life.

The Thing Behind the Thing | 6.4.23 | Matt. 15:10-20

It’s about obedience.
It’s about vanity.
It’s all about the heart.
Gospel Connection
Jesus came to change our hearts, not our behaviors (Ezekiel 36:24-32; Romans 10:9-10; Hebrews 10:22). When our hearts change; when are affections change, then our behaviors will follow. The Son of God was born, lived and died a sacrificial death (for the sins of all mankind) so that by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9) you and I might be forgiven of our sin and enter into a relationship with Almighty, Holy God, our Creator.
Application
What can and will you do this week to help keep your focus on Jesus Christ rather than mere outward conformity to rules?
Prayer
Dear God, my Heavenly Father, direct me daily to keep my focus on You, the example of Jesus, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit so that I live each day in obedience to the truths of Scripture.

Doing Nothing | 5.28.23

A sermon from Matthew 15:1-9
Nothing is right
Nothing is wrong
Nothing changes
Gospel Connection
Jesus came to change our hearts, not our behaviors (Ezekiel 36:24-32; Romans 10:9-10; Hebrews 10:22). When our hearts change; when are affections change, then our behaviors will follow. The Son of God was born, lived and died a sacrificial death (for the the sins of all mankind) so that by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9) you and I might be forgiven of our sin and enter into a relationship with Almighty, Holy God, our Creator.
Application
What will you do this week to cultivate a pure, humble heart? How will you evaluate the value of church/religious traditions?
Prayer
Forgive me for the times when I have placed more value on traditions than the truth of Scripture. Help me to be a student of Your Word knowing what it says and applying it to my life daily.

In God’s Garden | 5.21.23

A sermon from Matthew 14:34-36
Matthew 14:34-36
Rich soil
Favorable conditions
Perfect sunlight
Gospel Connection
While Jesus can heal physically, He desires to heal each one spiritually by His sacrifice for sin on the cross. See 1 John 2:1-2.
Application
What will you do this week to allow Jesus to be more than someone who has the ability to heal your disease or sickness, but to bring peace and healing into your soul as you live each day?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to always remember the power of Your Son Jesus; not just His power to physically heal, but His power to change my life by conforming it to His.