Billy Graham - Daily Bible Reading

"Make the Bible part of your daily life, and ask God to engrave its truths on your soul." Billy Graham

Decline in the Global North Church & Growth in the African Church

"While 4,300 people may be leaving the church everyday in Europe and North America, 16,500 are coming to faith each day in Africa alone.  The growth rate in China is just as dramatic." (Theology in the Context of World Christianity, Timothy Tennent, p.271)

Billy Graham Quote - TV vs. Bible Knowledge

"Today there are more people who know the words to a television commercial than know the words in a Bible."

Jesus' Names

Have you ever looked at the names of Jesus?  Consider Jesus' question to his disciples, "Who do you say I am?" (Mark 8:29)

Here are some Biblical names for Jesus:

Who is Jesus?

Almighty † Author & Finisher † Beloved † Branch
Bread of Life † Bridegroom † Bright Morning Star † Carpenter
Chosen One † Chief Cornerstone † Door † Emmanuel 
Eternal Father † Faithful & True Witness † Firstborn † God
Head of the Church † High Priest & Apostle † Holy One † Hope
Image of the Invisible God † Jesus † Judge & Ruler
King of Kings † Lamb of God † Last Adam † Light of the World
Lion of the Tribe of Judah † Living Water † Lord of Lords
Man of Sorrows † Master † Messenger of the Covenant
Messiah † Prince of Peace † Prophet † Redeemer
Resurrection & the Life † Savior † Shepherd † Shiloh
Son of God † True Vine † The Way, The Truth, & the Life
Wisdom of God † Wonderful Counselor † Word † Yahweh

Jesus is the Christ!  To me, He is my Lord & Savior!

Who is Jesus to you?

The Olympics & Jesus

The Olympics are a great reference to understand the purpose of life!  How?  Well, simply look at how the apostle Paul spoke about them...

 [24] Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. [25] Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. [26] So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. [27] But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27 ESV)

Races, athletics, running, boxing...involve suffering, discipline, and joy.  The prize we race for in life is Jesus.  He never fades, never loses value, and never ends.  May we endure suffering in life by resting in Him...His power...His strength.

 [12] Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12 ESV)

Let's strive after the crown of life...found in Jesus through faith in His sacrifice on the cross and resurrection from the grave.  Jesus is our crown.  Jesus is our life.  Jesus is our prize.  May we treasure Him more than any prize this world may offer!

The Importance of the Bible

"I learned the importance of the Bible and came to believe with all my heart in its full inspiration.  It became a sword in my hand to break open the hearts of men, to direct them to the Lord Jesus Christ." Billy Graham

Audio of Sermons

Here is a great place to check out the audio and outlines of our church's past messages!
http://www.southforkbaptistchurch.com/sermons/

Attitude Check (Mark 7:24-37)

Attitude Check (Mark 7:24-37)

LISTEN HERE

A Self-focused attitude…
Looks out for #1
But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. [2] For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, [3] heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, [4] treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, [5] having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. (2Timothy 3:1-5)

Doesn’t try to listen
A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. (Proverbs 18:2)

Thinks they know the answers
The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin. (Proverbs 10:8)

Is too proud to ask for help
o A fool despises his father’s instruction (Proverbs 15:5)
o Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool (Proverbs 28:26)

Is destined for destruction
o a fool is reckless and careless. (Proverbs 14:16 ESV)
o a fool flaunts his folly. (Proverbs 13:16)

Hides their foolishness
o the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth. (Proverbs 17:24)
o the way of a fool is right in his own eyes (Proverbs 12:15)

A Christ-focused attitude…
Looks for Christ
[25] But immediately a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit heard of him and came and fell down at his feet.
[24] …he could not be hidden

Listens to instruction
[35] And his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly.
Seeks the answers
[32] And they brought to him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment, and they begged him to lay his hand on him.

Is too humble not to beg for help
[26] And she begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter.
[28] But she answered him, “Yes, Lord; yet even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”

Is destined for life
[30] And she went home and found the child lying in bed and the demon gone.
Shares the foolishness of the Gospel
[36] And Jesus charged them to tell no one. But the more he charged them, the more zealously they proclaimed it
For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18 ESV)

The Love of Christ VS. The Love of Sin

"Jerome says one love extinguishes another – that is, the love of Christ much quench the love of sin."  William Gurnall

Which love are you feeding?  Watering?  Growing?

God's Rest: Time (Mark 2:23-28)

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Mark 2:23-28 (ESV) One Sabbath he was going through the grainfields, and as they made their way, his disciples began to pluck heads of grain. [24] And the Pharisees were saying to him, “Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?” [25] And he said to them, “Have you never read what David did, when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were with him: [26] how he entered the house of God, in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those who were with him?” [27] And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. [28] So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.”

Accept Christ’s Gift of the Sabbath

v.28 “So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath”

Genesis 2:3 “So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.”

Exodus 20:8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.”

Exodus 31:12–13 “keep my Sabbaths, for this is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I, the LORD, sanctify you.”

John 9:16 “Some of the Pharisees said, ‘This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath.’”

Matthew 12:6-7 “I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. And if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless.”

Enter into God’s Rest

v.27 “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath”

Colossians 2:16-17 “Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.”

Hebrews 4:8-11 “For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. [9] So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, [10] for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. [11] Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.”

By Saying NO

By Saying YES

Prioritize Your Time


John 5:16-17 “And this was why the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. But Jesus answered them, ‘My Father is working until now, and I am working.’”

Colossians 4:5 “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.”

Ephesians 5:15-16 “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.”

Christ’s Authority: The Visible Creation (Mark 1:29-2:12)

Christ’s Authority: The Visible Creation (Mark 1:29-2:12)
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Come As You Are: Sick (Mark 1:29-34) ·v.30 “Now Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her.”
·v.32-33 “That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door.”

(Mark 2:17) And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Seek God’s Authority Over Sin (Mark 1:35-39) ·v.37 “Everyone is looking for you.”
·v.38 “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.”

The Centurion’s Faith - (Matthew 8:9-10) “For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith.”

Desire Cleansing: Spiritual More Than Physical (Mark 1:40-45)  ·v.40 “If you will, you can make me clean.”
·v.41 “Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, ‘I will; be clean.’”

(2 Corinthians 4:16) So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.

Value Forgiveness More Than Feet (Mark 2:1-12) ·v.5 “And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’”
·v.9 “Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’?”
·v.10-11 “’But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,’ he said to the paralytic, ‘I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.’”
·v.12 “so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, ‘We never saw anything like this!’”

(2 Corinthians 4:17-18) For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Christ’s Authority: The Invisible Creation (Mark 1:21-28)

Christ's Authority: The Invisible Creation (Mark 1:21-28)
www.southforkbaptistchurch.com

Do Not Rebel Against His Authority

• Demon: v.24 “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.”
• Angel: Exodus 23:21 “Pay careful attention to him and obey his voice; do not rebel against him, for he will not pardon your transgression, for my name is in him”
• Diotrepehes: 3 John 1:9 “I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority.”

"We need not so much to possess the message,
but to rather let the message possess us” R. Kent Hughes

Be Overwhelmed by His Authority

• v.22 “And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.”
• v25-26 “But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him”
• Matthew 28:18 “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”

Be Filled by His Authority

• v.27 “And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, ‘What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.’”
• Colossians 2:8-10 “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.”
• Luke 10:19-20 “Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Display His Authority

• v.28 “And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.”
• Matthew 28:20 “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
• Mark 3:14-15 “And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons.”
• Titus 2:15 “Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.”

Fatherhood: The Warrior Dad (Joshua 1:5-9)

Fatherhood: The Warrior Dad (Joshua 1:5-9)

“No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. [6] Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. [7] Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. [8] This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. [9] Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”(Joshua 1:5-9 ESV)

Trust in God’s Presence in Your Life & Battles

• v.5 “Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you”
• v.9 “Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go”
• “When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, ‘Are you for us, or for our adversaries?’ [14] And he said, ‘No; but I am the commander of the army of the LORD. Now I have come.’” (Joshua 5:13-14)

Lead Your Spouse

• v.6, v.7, & v.9 “Be strong and courageous”
• v.6 “for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them”
• “In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.” (Ephesians 5:28 ESV)

Protect Your Family

• v.7 “being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you”
• “And Joshua captured all these kings and their land at one time, because the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel.” (Joshua 10:42)

Focus on God’s Path

• v.7 “Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.”
• “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9)
• “and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.” (2 Corinthians 5:15)

A Believer’s Photo ID (Mark 1:1-11)

A Believer’s Photo ID (Mark 1:1-11)

“Baptism is an outward, physical symbol of the inward, spiritual conversion of Christians.” - The ESV Study Bible

Where & When?

• Acts 2:41 “So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.”
• Acts 8:36-38 “And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, ‘See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?’ And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.”
• Acts 16:33 “and he was baptized at once’

Who?

• Mark 1:2 “I send my messenger before your face…”
• Matthew 3:14 “John would have prevented him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?’”

SFBC’s Statement of Faith: The Baptist Faith & Message

• “Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer's faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, the believer's death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus. It is a testimony to his faith in the final resurrection of the dead. Being a church ordinance, it is prerequisite to the privileges of church membership and to the Lord's Supper.” www.sbc.net/bfm

Matthew 3:13-17; 28:19-20; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22; John 3:23; Acts 2:41; 8:35-39; 16:30-33; Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12.

What about baptism? Why is it so important?

The Meaning

• Matthew 3:15 “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”
• Mark 1:10-11 “when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

The Message

• Mark 1:4, 5 “proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins… confessing their sins”
• Mark 1:8 “I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit”

The Mission

• “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.” Romans 6:3-5
• Matthew 28:19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”

“Upon your profession of faith, I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, & the Holy Spirit. Buried with Jesus by baptism into His death, raised to walk in newness of life”

Motherhood: From Fairytale to Reality (Luke 1:26-28)

Motherhood: From Fairytale to Reality

A Glimpse into Mary’s Life as the Mother of Jesus

Mary was not….

• A mediator between God & men
• To be worshiped, enshrined, or idolized
• A perpetual virgin
• Sinless (Immaculate Conception, 1854)
• Bodily ascended into Heaven (Assumption, 1950)

Mary was…

A Mother in Tough Circumstances: Luke 1:26-38

• “But she was greatly troubled…” v.29
• “Do not be afraid, Mary…” v.30
• “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” v.34
• "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife” (Matthew 1:20)
• “And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother…’and a sword will pierce through your own soul also’”(Luke 2:34-35)
• “And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, ‘Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.’ [49] And he said to them, ‘Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?’ [50] And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them.” (Luke 2:48-50)

Favored & Blessed

• “you have found favor with God” v.30
• “For nothing will be impossible with God.” V.37
• “that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.”(Matt.1:20)
• “For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed [49] he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.” (Luke 1:48-49)

Trusting & Obedient

• “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” v.38
• “My soul magnifies the Lord, [47] and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior (Luke 1:46-47)

Raising Her Son to Love & Obey God

• And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (Luke 2:22)
• And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him. (Luke 2:40)

A Sinner, yet Christ-focused: John 2:1-5

• “When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” [4] And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” [5] His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” v.3-5

A Disciple First, A Mother Second: Matthew 12:46-50

• “And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! [50] For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” V.49-50
• “his mother treasured up all these things in her heart.” (Luke 2:51)

Loved & Cared for by Her Son: John 19:25-27

• “but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. [26] When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, behold, your son!’ [27] Then he said to the disciple, ‘Behold, your mother!’ And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.”

Loved & Cared for by Her Husband: Matthew 1:18-25

• “And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.” (Matthew 1:19)
• “knew her not until he had given birth to a son.” (Matt.1:24)

The Whole Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-20)

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The Whole Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-20)

[10] Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. [11] Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. [12] For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. [13] Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. [14] Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, [15] and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. [16] In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; [17] and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, [18] praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, [19] and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, [20] for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
(Ephesians 6:10-20 ESV)

BE STRONG in the Lord

• Who?
• Whose?
• “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”(1 John 4:4)

PUT ON the whole armor of God

• Why?
• you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil
• we do not wrestle against flesh and blood
• but against: the rulers, the authorities, the cosmic powers over this present darkness, the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places

“8Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings” (1 Peter 5:8-9)

What?
BELT: Truth
BREASTPLATE: Righteousness
SHOES: Gospel of Peace
SHIELD: Faith
HELMET: Salvation
SWORD: Word of God

How?
“7Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:7-8)