Lenexa Baptist Church

Over the past several weeks, we have been looking at the promises and prophesies of the coming Christ. We have seen the promise made to Adam and Eve, Abraham, Judah, and David. This week we look at Psalm 2. Psalm 2 is a coronation psalm. It speaks of the coronation of a King, a descendant of David who rules from Jerusalem. It is apparent however, that no earthly king can fulfill the words of this Psalm. Whoever this King is, He is greater than David and Solomon. The words of this psalm are incredibly practical and relevant for our day. They describe our world and remind us of the security that we find in God’s Messiah. I pray that you will join us. It is going to be a very special weekend. Saturday we have performances of Kansas City Christmas at 1 and 5 pm. The 5 pm service will replace our normal Saturday night service. We will have another performance Sunday night at 5 pm. I pray that you will join us for worship as we look to the King of kings and Lord of all lords and invite men and women to know the peace, joy, and forgiveness that only He can bring. In Christ, Pastor Chad

God is great! Those words are easy to say when the skies are blue, and things are going our way. But what happens when the skies are dark and the circumstances are less than ideal? It is easy to find ourselves in situations that can cause us to question the goodness and greatness of God. In 1 Peter 1, Peter is writing to a group of people who were experiencing extreme trials. They had trusted in Christ, and life got worse. They were facing immense persecution. Yet, as Peter begins his letter, he states, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!” In other words, God is great! That’s a bold statement considering the circumstances they were facing. In fact, you can imagine how those words might have fallen on deaf ears. What Paul puts forward, however, is what undergirds our ability to say, “God is great,” no matter the circumstances. On this Thanksgiving weekend, I pray that you will join us as we praise and celebrate the greatness of our God. He is the God who has accomplished salvation for us and fills us with a heart of gratitude in Christ that overwhelms even the darkest circumstances of life. Make the decision today to worship with us this weekend as we celebrate the greatness of God. In Christ, Pastor Chad

If I were to ask you to list the top 10 most important chapters in the Bible, what chapters would you include? Surely some would include Genesis 3, Isaiah 53, John 1, John 3, Romans 8, 1 Corinthians 15, or Revelation 21. But how many of you would include 2 Samuel 7? Back when I was researching this passage for our study in Samuel, it became clear that most commentators agree that 2 Samuel 7 is one of the most vitally important chapters in all of God’s Word. This chapter is not just important for your understanding of 1 and 2 Samuel, your understanding of David’s life, or even of the Old Testament. This chapter is vitally important to the story of God in salvation history. For this reason, we better understand it. We better know it. I hope and pray you will make plans to join us this weekend as we continue to trace the thread of God’s redemptive purposes and promises in the Old Testament. We will take a deeper look at 2 Samuel 7 and the Covenant that God made with David. What God promised to David is relevant for our lives today. Remember, weekend worship is a Friday decision. Make the decision today and invite a friend to join us as we worship our Savior, the seed of the woman, the seed of Abraham, the root of David: Jesus Christ. In Christ, Pastor Chad

As Jacob nears the end of his life in Genesis 49, he calls in his children for his final words of blessing. He offers to each son not only his dying words, but also divine words. The words that he pronounces to each son are prophecy concerning that son and his family. They each receive a blessing because they are all part of the nation that God is producing through them. At the same time, there had to be a question at the back of their minds. Which son will be the son of preeminence? Which of these sons will receive the Messianic blessing? God’s sovereign choice will continue to narrow the focus and teach us more about the character of God and the nature of the salvation that He has provided. I pray that you will join us this weekend as we continue to trace the thread of God’s salvation promises and purposes in the Old Testament. We worship every Saturday night at 5 pm and Sunday morning at both 9:30 and 11:00 am. I encourage you to invite a friend, a neighbor or a co-worker. Experience and statistics tell us that most people would attend church if they were invited. Be a bringer! Come to church and bring someone with you as we worship our Savior through song and the study of His Word. In Christ, Pastor Chad

This weekend we dig into one of the most fascinating stories in Scripture: the directive from God for Abraham to sacrifice his son, Issac. Genesis 22 isn’t just a story about Abraham’s faith being tested. It’s a moment where God’s heart is revealed. It was on that mountain that God painted a picture of what’s to come, showing us that He Himself would one day provide the ultimate sacrifice. What Abraham experienced in shadow, we now see in full light through Jesus. He is the Lamb who was given so we could live.

Discover the first promise of salvation in human history found in Genesis 3:15. This biblical prophecy reveals God's incredible plan of redemption that began in the Garden of Eden and culminated in Jesus Christ. Learn about the fall of man, Satan's deception tactics, and how sin brought brokenness into the world. Explore the immediate consequences Adam and Eve faced after their disobedience and how God responded with mercy instead of abandonment. Understand the significance of the protoevangelium - the first gospel promise - and how it points directly to Christ's victory over Satan through the cross. This message examines the spiritual warfare between good and evil, the lineage leading to the Messiah, and why sacrifice was necessary for salvation. Perfect for anyone seeking to understand biblical prophecy, the problem of sin, God's plan of salvation, or how Old Testament promises connect to New Testament fulfillment. Whether you're studying Genesis, exploring messianic prophecies, or looking for hope in difficult times, this content provides biblical answers about God's love, mercy, and provision for humanity's greatest need. Topics covered include the nature of temptation, consequences of disobedience, God's pursuit of sinners, the promise of a coming Savior, and practical application for modern believers seeking redemption and restoration.

This weekend we come to the end of our exposition in Romans. It has taken us 50 sermons to work our way through Paul’s letter to the Romans. I pray that you will give a little grace this weekend if I appear a little sad or even little emotional. This study has shaped my heart and impacted my life in profound ways. I will never be the same. Thank you for being such a wonderfully patient and encouraging fellowship of believers as God continues to work on me to round off the rough edges and conform me to the image of Christ. I often hear from many of you in response to a sermon, “Pastor, that message stepped on my toes.” Just remember that before it ran over your toes, it more than likely took a hammer to my heart. God is so good and gracious. Paul concludes Romans with a complex doxology. It is the longest of all the New Testament doxologies. And yet while it is lengthy and complex, it is profoundly simple. “Now to Him….to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever.” We end where we started: with the glory of God. These verses are a marvelous summary of Paul’s purpose in this letter. His focus and purpose have been to destroy all self-sufficiency and to fix our eyes on the sufficiency, glory, majesty, and wisdom of the great God who in Christ Jesus has brought about such a great and glorious salvation. Please make plans to join us for this conclusion in Romans. I pray that the gospel would go forth in simplicity and power. This would be a great weekend to invite a friend, neighbor, or co-worker. Be a bringer! Bring someone with you as we worship together. Prayerfully, whomever you bring will catch a glimpse of the glory of God and be drawn to Christ. See you this weekend! In Christ, Pastor Chad McDonald

Paul has spent 16 chapters outlining the grace of God in the gospel of Christ. He clearly knows that he is at the end of the letter. But then, out of left field, he gives a stern warning. At first glance, it appears to be out of place and a very puzzling way to conclude the letter. Yet for Paul, it appears there has been a concern for the Roman believers that has been lingering underneath the surface and explodes here at the end. Paul has a deep pastoral concern that false teachers might defraud them spiritually. The specific nature and teaching of these false teachers is not clear. Paul, however, does set forth some clear principles that are incredibly important for us as we seek to protect ourselves from the dangers of false teachers who might seek to defraud us of our spiritual birthright. These are incredibly practical verses for our lives and for our church. We only have two more weeks in Romans. I pray you will make every effort as we run to the finish in the study of this Romans. I hope to see you this weekend. In Christ, Pastor Chad McDonald

At the end of Romans 15, Paul offers four short verses on the need for prayer. In a section on the priesthood of the believer and worldwide missions, it would only make sense for Paul to conclude on prayer. Prayer is how the work of God is done. Just because God tells us to do something does not mean that we can accomplish it on our own. The command and call of God drive us to our knees where God supernaturally provides us with the strength and resources to do what we cannot do on our own. Christianity is going into a world system that is dominated by the prince of the power of the air. Christianity calls us to a people who are spoken of as deaf and dead and enemies of Christ. Do we really think that we are going to cognitively talk them out of their lostness and into the Lordship of Christ? Unless we have a means of calling on the sovereign God of all the universe, we will not accomplish anything. I pray you will join us this weekend as we inch closer to the end of Romans and discover the ability to tap into the power of God through prayer. We will also have the opportunity to participate in the ordinance of communion. I pray that you will make plans today to join us. In Christ, Pastor Chad McDonald

For those who truly desire to live for Christ, these final two chapters of Romans are incredibly significant. Paul has absolute clarity and vision when it comes to his purpose and mission. When you know your purpose and mission, it clarifies almost everything else in your life. Paul knew the specific work God had set before him in Christ Jesus. Do you know what your mission is in Christ? Do you have a burden for missions and evangelism? Have you ever prayed, “Lord, where do I take the gospel next?” We have spent a lot of time in Romans over this past year looking into the greatness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. But let us not forget Paul’s purpose in expounding this gospel. His purpose was not so that we would simply sit back and soak in the glorious gospel of Christ, but so that we embrace the gospel mission and get caught up in the same missionary zeal that we would find demonstrated in the heart of Paul. Many have asked me recently, “What are we going to do when we finish Romans?” The most immediate response should be “missions and evangelism.” If the answer is not missions and evangelism, we have missed the reason Paul wrote Romans. I pray that you will join us this weekend as we continue this study in Romans. It is going to be a special weekend as we also announce a new mission partnership and work right here in our local community. You won’t want to miss this weekend! In Christ, Pastor Chad McDonald

Back when I was in high school, I had a pastor who was also the FCA leader for a few schools in the Tulsa area. This pastor began to meet with me and several of my buddies. He would gather us occasionally at Pizza Hut or Mazzio’s. He bought us pizza and poured into us, and then he challenged us to invite some of our friends who didn’t know Christ. He would share the gospel and then he would have us share the gospel. It was discipleship. I didn’t know what discipleship was, but that is what we were doing. In those meetings and in sharing the gospel and pouring into friends, I discovered an incredible joy. I knew the joy of knowing Christ personally, but I did not know that I got to participate in sharing Christ with others. Sure, I had heard sermons about evangelism, but I had never experienced it for myself. The great joy of being a Christian is not only in receiving Christ but also in helping others come to know Him. It is what we call the priesthood of the believer, and Paul talks about this in the latter portion of Romans 15. Paul’s master passion was not just found in knowing Christ but in sharing Christ. Paul never got over this. He never lost a sense of awe and wonder at the grace of God that saved him and invited him into a mission and a purpose that was bigger than he was. I pray that you will join us as we gather to worship this weekend. I pray that you would come with an open heart to receive from Christ’s Word and a heart to give and serve others. We all need Christ, and we all need each other. I hope to see you this weekend. In Christ, Pastor Chad McDonald

This weekend is Back to Church Sunday. What a great opportunity to invite a friend, co-worker or neighbor to church. God is at work in our country. Now is the time. Today is the day. Let’s not be fearful. Paul says in 2 Timothy 1:7, “God has not given us a spirit of fear or timidity but of sound mind and good judgment.” Let’s be bold for Christ. Step out in faith and invite someone. Step out in faith and tell someone about the difference that Christ has made in your life. God can do more than we ever thought possible. God can do more in a moment than we can do in a lifetime. Let’s take our lives, lay them down into His hands and ask Him to use us for His glory. I look forward to seeing all of you this weekend. Make the decision today. Remember, weekend worship is a Friday decision. In Christ, Pastor Chad McDonald

Back in 1918, a boy named Howard Loomis was abandoned by his mother at Father Flanagan’s Home for Boys, which had opened just a year earlier. Howard had polio and wore heavy leg braces. Walking was difficult for him, especially when he had to go up and down steps. Soon, several of the Home’s older boys were carrying Howard up and down the stairs. One day, Father Flanagan asked Rueben Granger, one of those older boys, if carrying Howard was hard. Rueben replied, “He ain’t heavy, Father…he’s my brother.” In Romans 15, Paul continues to encourage the Roman church to “bear the weakness of those without strength.” He puts the burden on the strong to welcome, show grace and even carry their brothers and sisters in Christ who are continuing to grow in their faith. That’s not the world’s way. In the world might makes right. The mighty and strong bully people into their position. But not in the church. We bear one another’s burdens. We don’t just put up with our brother; if needed we carry him. We willingly lay down our rights and responsibilities to serve the body. And the burdens we carry and the sacrifices we make are always light as we remember, “He’s not heavy, he is my brother.” I look forward to seeing you this weekend as we continue and near the end of our study in Romans. This weekend we will also participate in the ordinance of communion and remember the sacrifice of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I pray you will make the decision today to join us for one of our many weekend worship opportunities. In Christ, Pastor Chad McDonald

If you ask most couples how they fell in love, you will often find that the two of them moved at different speeds when it came to being convinced on the matter of marriage. One of them might indicate that they knew almost immediately that they would get married. The other might indicate that it took a lot more time and convincing. The Christian life can be similar. We don’t all grasp the whole gospel instantaneously. For one person, it might take them years into their walk with Christ to become fully convinced of and believe in a particular area of doctrine or practice. But then having grasped the Bible’s teaching in this area, they will often turn around and expect another brother or sister in Christ to grasp it almost immediately. As we each grow and mature in our walk, and the gospel practically works it’s way into our lives, we must be willing to lay down our rights and privileges for the good of those who are continuing to grow. We are free in Christ. We have many rights in Christ. However, our personal rights and freedoms don’t govern our lives. Our love for God and our love for our brothers and sisters in Christ governs our lives. I pray that you will join us this weekend as we walk through Romans 14.13-23. These are very practical verses that are critical to our unity in the body and our witness to the world. I hope to see you at one of our many worship opportunities. In Christ, Pastor Chad McDonald

Romans 14 appears to be a bit out of place. Paul has been addressing how the fountain of the gospel flows outwardly into all the areas of our lives. At the end of chapter 13, he addresses how the gospel impacts our relationship to our neighbors. In chapter 15, Paul will talk about taking the gospel to Spain. He addresses local missions and then international missions. In between local missions and international missions, Paul confronts an apparent conflict related to eating certain foods and observing certain days. What does this issue have to do with missions? Paul knows that a church in conflict loses credibility in sharing a message of reconciliation with the world. We cannot peddle unapplied truth. If we are going to preach reconciliation to the world, we need to demonstrate it in the church. And while we may not have disagreements over certain foods and observing certain days, the church today has its own issues that can quickly create conflict and nullify our witness. How should we deal with these issues? Not issues of doctrine or morality but areas of personal conviction that are not clearly revealed in Scripture. This is a critical, relevant and practical text. I pray that you will make plans to join us as we gather around the Word of God and adjust our lives to His truth that we might glorify Him and love our neighbor. In Christ, Pastor Chad McDonald

Could you name at least five people in your life right now who don’t know Christ? People you bump into at work, at Walmart, at school, in your neighborhood or at the coffee shop? If we could each name five people, then our church touches over 15,000 people every week. That is a huge opportunity to make an impact for Christ. But how do we relate to them? How do we engage the lost world around us? Church history has been filled with tension over this very issue. Some would argue that we should separate from the world and hole up in caves. Others would have us capitulate to the moral issues of our day to fit in and get along with the world around us. Some might want us to go back to Old Testament law and live completely by rules so that we would become irrelevant to culture. How should we relate to the non-believing world around us? As Paul has discussed how our relationship with Christ flows outward into our relationship with God, fellow members of the body of Christ and our enemies, he now gives us practical direction on how we relate to our neighbor. Make plans to join us for one of our many weekend worship opportunities today. Weekend worship is a Friday decision. Make the decision today to worship with the body of Christ. We all need Christ, and we all need each other. — Pastor Chad McDonald

Beginning in Romans 12, Paul describes the fountain of blessing that flows from the life of a person who is in Christ. The gospel changes us. It renews our minds and changes our thinking. It changes how we think about God, ourselves and our brothers and sisters in Christ. The gospel teaches us that no one and no thing in the fellowship of the body is beneath us. Christ left the glory of heaven to die for me. He did not consider me beneath Him. When that truth impacts my mind, it ultimately changes my disposition towards others. The gospel creates a divinely beautiful fellowship in the church that cannot be duplicated in the world. But Paul doesn’t stop there. When this kind of transformation takes place in the church, it will eventually burst the doors of the church and get carried out into the world. Our attitude towards Christ and each other in the body sets the agenda for how we respond to evil and those who persecute us. The Christian brings blessing and harmony in the body but also overcomes evil in the world. These verses have never been more practical for the believer’s life. I pray that you will make plans to day to join us for worship this weekend. This is an exciting time to be a part of LBC. Get plugged in and find a place ot fellowship and service as we continue to bring the message of hope to the heartland. — Pastor Chad McDonald

From Belief to Baptism | Matthew 18:18-20 This weekend we will take another one week break from Romans to focus on the ordinance of baptism. There is a vast array of thoughts and opinions pertaining to this ordinance. Who should get baptized? When should baptism occur? Is it appropriate to sprinkle or immerse? What about infant baptism? This weekend we will look to God’s Word to find clarity on this issue. I pray you will join us for one of our many weekend worship opportunities. Every year we set aside some time to examine God’s Word pertaining to this ordinance and to open the door for anyone to trust Christ and be baptized. It has become one of the most special services of the year. Please pray in advance for these services and plan to attend. May Christ be glorified and men and women drawn to Him. — Pastor Chad McDonald

Living a Life Transformed | Romans 12:3-8 In the opening two verses of Romans 12, Paul has commanded us not to follow the spirit of the age but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. In Christ, we have been brought into a new humanity that God is remaking into the likeness of His Son. God’s great passion and purposes are to mold us into the likeness of the Lord Jesus Christ. Then Paul gets very practical. What does this look like in practice? How does this affect all the different spheres of our lives? As we continue in our study of Romans this week, Paul will pick up this theme revealing to us how belonging to a new humanity in Christ changes everything. I pray you will plan to join us this weekend as we study God’s Word and seek to live a transformed life that glorifies Christ. — Pastor Chad McDonald

In 1990 Pastor Steve Dighton and his family loaded up their belongings and made the journey from Piedmont, OK to Lenexa, KS to serve as the first Senior Pastor of the newly constituted Lenexa Baptist Church. Over the next 26 years, Pastor Steve would lead a small congregation of less than 100 people meeting in local schools, to a congregation of over 3,000 with multiple campuses. His ministry is marked by parked compassionate pastoral care, humble service, and biblical preaching. Prayerfully, these qualities continue define the ministry of Lenexa Baptist. Much of what we know here at Lenexa Baptist, we owe to the bold faith and sacrificial service of Pastor Steve. This weekend Pastor Steve will lead us in the study of God’s Word from Psalm 90. I pray that you will make every effort to join us for worship this weekend. Your attendance is a way of expressing gratitude to Pastor Steve for his faithful service to the Lord. Let’s pack every room and every service as we come with great anticipation to hear from the Lord through one of His faithful shepherds in the study of God’s Word. — Pastor Chad McDonald