This message was preached on Sunday, December 17, 2023, at Seaboard Baptist Church in Seaboard, North Carolina.Zechariah’s Prophecy67 And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,For He visited and accomplished redemption for His people,69 And raised up a horn of salvation for usIn the house of David His servant—70 As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from of old—71 Salvation from our enemies,And from the hand of all who hate us,72 To show mercy toward our fathers,And to remember His holy covenant,73 The oath which He swore to Abraham our father,74 To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies,Might serve Him without fear,75 In holiness and righteousness before Him all our days.76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High,For you will go on before the Lord to make ready His ways,77 To give to His people the knowledge of salvationBy the forgiveness of their sins,78 Because of the tender mercy of our God,With which the Sunrise from on high will visit us,79 To shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,To direct our feet into the way of peace.”80 And the child continued to grow and to become strong in spirit, and he lived in the desolate regions until the day of his public appearance to Israel.(Luke 1:67-80 LSB)By His Grace is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit byhisgraceus.substack.com
This message was preached on Sunday, December 10, 2023, at Seaboard Baptist Church in Seaboard, North Carolina.The Conception and Birth of Jesus18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. 19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. 20 But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the One who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” 22 Now all this took place in order that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet would be fulfilled, saying, 23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.” 24 And Joseph got up from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, 25 but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus.(Matthew 1:18-25 LSB)By His Grace is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit byhisgraceus.substack.com
This message was preached on Sunday, December 3, 2023, at Seaboard Baptist Church in Seaboard, North Carolina.2 The people who walk in darknessWill see a great light;Those who live in the land of the shadow of death,The light will shine on them.3 You shall multiply the nation,You shall make great their gladness;They will be glad in Your presenceAs with the gladness of harvest,As men rejoice when they divide the spoil.4 For You shall shatter the yoke of their burden and the staff on their shoulders,The rod of their taskmaster, as at the battle of Midian.5 For every boot of the booted warrior in the rumbling of battle,And cloak rolled in blood, will be for burning, fuel for the fire.6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;And the government will rest on His shoulders;And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.7 There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace,On the throne of David and over his kingdom,To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousnessFrom then on and forevermore.The zeal of Yahweh of hosts will accomplish this.(Isaiah 9:2-7 LSB)Mary Magnifies the Lord46 And Mary said:“My soul magnifies the Lord,47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.48 For He has looked upon the humble state of His slave,For behold, from this time on, all generations will count me blessed.49 For the Mighty One has done great things for me,And holy is His name.50 And His mercy is upon generation after generationToward those who fear Him.51 He has done a mighty deed with His arm;He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart.52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones,And has exalted those who were humble.53 He has filled the hungry with good things,And sent away the rich empty-handed.54 He has given help to Israel His servant,In remembrance of His mercy,55 As He spoke to our fathers,To Abraham and his seed forever.”56 And Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her home.(Luke 1:46-56 LSB) By His Grace is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit byhisgraceus.substack.com
This message was preached on Sunday, November 26, 2023, at Seaboard Baptist Church in Seaboard, North Carolina.No God Besides Yahweh44 “But now hear, O Jacob, My servant,And Israel, whom I have chosen:2 Thus says Yahweh who made youAnd formed you from the womb, who will help you,‘Do not fear, O Jacob My servant,And you Jeshurun whom I have chosen.3 For I will pour out water on the thirsty groundAnd streams on the dry land;I will pour out My Spirit on your seedAnd My blessing on your offspring;4 And they will spring up among the grassLike poplars by streams of water.’5 This one will say, ‘I am Yahweh’s’;And this one will call on the name of Jacob;And this one will write on his hand, ‘Belonging to Yahweh,’And will name Israel’s name with honor.6 “Thus says Yahweh, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, Yahweh of hosts:‘I am the first, and I am the last,And there is no God besides Me.7 Who is like Me? Let him call out and declare it;And let him tell it to Me in order,From the time that I established the ancient people.And let them declare to them the things that are to comeAnd the events that are going to take place.8 Do not be in dread and do not be afraid;Have I not long since caused it to be heard to you and declared it?And you are My witnesses.Is there any God besides Me,Or is there any other Rock?I know of none.’”The Futility of Idolatry9 Those who form a graven image are all of them futile, and their desirable things are of no profit; even their own witnesses fail to see or know, so that they will be put to shame. 10 Who has formed a god or cast a graven image to no profit? 11 Behold, all his companions will be put to shame. The craftsmen themselves are mere men. Let them all assemble themselves, let them stand up, let them be in dread, let them together be put to shame.12 The man crafts iron into a cutting tool and does his work over the coals, forming it with hammers and working it with his powerful arm. He also gets hungry and has no power; he drinks no water and becomes weary. 13 Another crafts wood, he extends a measuring line; he outlines it with a stylus. He makes it with planes and outlines it with a compass and makes it like the form of a man, like the glory of man, so that it may sit in a house. 14 In order to cut cedars for himself, he takes a cypress or an oak and [l]raises it for himself among the trees of the forest. He plants a fir, and the rain makes it grow. 15 Then it becomes something for a man to burn, so he takes one of them and warms himself; he also kindles a fire to bake bread. He also works to produce a god and worships it; he makes it a graven image and falls down before it. 16 Half of it he burns in the fire; over this half he eats meat as he roasts a roast and is satisfied. He also warms himself and says, “Aha! I am warm; I have seen the fire.” 17 But the rest of it he makes into a god, his graven image. He falls down before it and worships; he also prays to it and says, “Deliver me, for you are my god.”18 They do not know, nor do they understand, for He has smeared over their eyes so that they cannot see and their hearts so that they will have no insight. 19 No one causes this to return to his heart, nor is there knowledge or understanding to say, “I have burned half of it in the fire and also have baked bread over its coals. I roast meat and eat it. Then I make the rest of it into an abomination; I fall down before a block of wood!” 20 He feeds on ashes; a deceived heart has turned him aside. And he cannot deliver his soul, and he cannot say, “Is there not a lie in my right hand?”(Isaiah 44:1-20 LSB) By His Grace is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit byhisgraceus.substack.com
This message was preached on Sunday, November 19, 2023, at Seaboard Baptist Church in Seaboard, North Carolina.Pressing On Toward the Goal12 Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself as having laid hold of it yet, but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, think this way; and if in anything you think differently, God will reveal that also to you. 16 However, let us keep walking in step with the same standard to which we have attained.(Philippians 3:12-16 LSB)By His Grace is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit byhisgraceus.substack.com
This message was preached on Sunday, November 12, 2023, at Seaboard Baptist Church in Seaboard, North Carolina.Righteousness Through Faith in Christ3 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.2 Beware of the dogs! Beware of the evil workers! Beware of the mutilation! 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and boast in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh, 4 although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless.7 But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 More than that, I count all things to be loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own which is from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God upon faith, 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.(Philippians 3:1-11 LSB)By His Grace is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit byhisgraceus.substack.com
This message was preached on Sunday, November 5, 2023, at Seaboard Baptist Church in Seaboard, North Carolina.Timothy and Epaphroditus Sent19 But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be in good spirits when I learn of your circumstances. 20 For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned about your circumstances. 21 For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus. 22 But you know of his proven worth, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father. 23 Therefore I hope to send him immediately, as soon as I evaluate my own circumstances, 24 and I am confident in the Lord that I myself also will be coming shortly. 25 But I regarded it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need; 26 because he was longing for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. 27 For indeed he was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I have sent him all the more eagerly so that when you see him again you may rejoice and I may be less concerned. 29 Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard 30 because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to fulfill what was lacking in your service to me.(Philippians 2:19-30 LSB)Thank you for listening to this sermon! Be sure to Subscribe to receive all our newest content straight to your email inbox. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit byhisgraceus.substack.com
This message was preached on Sunday, October 29, 2023, at Seaboard Baptist Church in Seaboard, North Carolina.14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 so that you will be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to boast because I did not run in vain nor labor in vain. 17 But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. 18 And you also, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.(Philippians 2:14-18 LSB) By His Grace is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit byhisgraceus.substack.com
This message was preached on Sunday, October 22, 2023, at Seaboard Baptist Church in Seaboard, North Carolina.12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.(Philippians 2:12-13 LSB) By His Grace is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit byhisgraceus.substack.com
This message was preached on Sunday, October 8, 2023, at Seaboard Baptist Church in Seaboard, North Carolina.5 Have this way of thinking in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although existing in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a slave, by being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore, God also highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.(Philippians 2:5-11 LSB) By His Grace is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit byhisgraceus.substack.com
This message was preached on Sunday, July 30, 2023, at Calvary Baptist Church in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina.God Will Fill Your Needs10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived thinking about me; indeed, you were thinking about me before, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak from want, for I learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in abundance; in any and all things I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. 14 Nevertheless, you have done well to fellowship with me in my affliction.15 And you yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church fellowshipped with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. 17 Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek the fruit which increases to your account. 18 But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I have been filled, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will fulfill all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.(Philippians 4:10-20 LSB)By His Grace is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit byhisgraceus.substack.com
This message was preached on Sunday, November 20, 2022, in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina.Do Not Forget Yahweh Your God8 “The entire commandment that I am commanding you today you shall be careful to do, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land which Yahweh swore to give to your fathers. 2 And you shall remember all the way which Yahweh your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. 3 And He humbled you and let you be hungry and fed you with manna which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of Yahweh. 4 Your clothing did not wear out on you, nor did your foot swell these forty years. 5 Thus you shall know in your heart that Yahweh your God was disciplining you just as a man disciplines his son. 6 So you shall keep the commandments of Yahweh your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him. 7 For Yahweh your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing forth in valleys and hills; 8 a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey; 9 a land where you will eat food without scarcity, in which you will not lack anything; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills you can dig copper. 10 And so you will eat and be satisfied, and you shall bless Yahweh your God for the good land which He has given you.11 “Beware lest you forget Yahweh your God by not keeping His commandments and His judgments and His statutes which I am commanding you today; 12 lest you eat and are satisfied and build good houses and live in them, 13 and your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and gold multiply, and all that you have multiplies, 14 and your heart becomes lifted up and you forget Yahweh your God who brought you out from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 15 He led you through the great and fearsome wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water; He brought water for you out of the rock of flint. 16 In the wilderness He fed you manna which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do good for you in the end, 17 lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand made me this wealth.’ 18 But you shall remember Yahweh your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. 19 Now it will be, if you ever forget Yahweh your God and walk after other gods and serve them and worship them, I testify against you today that you will surely perish. 20 Like the nations that Yahweh makes to perish before you, so you shall perish, because you would not listen to the voice of Yahweh your God.(Deuteronomy 8 LSB)By His Grace is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit byhisgraceus.substack.com
This message was preached on Sunday, May 29, 2022, at Calvary Baptist Church in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina.The Great Commission16 But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. 17 And when they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to keep all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”(Matthew 28:18-20 LSB)By His Grace is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit byhisgraceus.substack.com
Soli Deo Gloria - All Glory To God Alone!By His Grace is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit byhisgraceus.substack.com
Solus Christus - It is by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ alone that our sins are atoned for.By His Grace is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit byhisgraceus.substack.com
Sola Gratia - It is by grace alone that we are saved. It is not by our works but by the grace of God.By His Grace is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit byhisgraceus.substack.com
Sola Fide - Faith alone is required to be justified by God the Father. It is not by works.By His Grace is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit byhisgraceus.substack.com
This message was preached on Sunday, January 26, 2020, at Fellowship Baptist Church in Willow Spring, North Carolina.Jonah Flees from Yahweh’s Presence1 Now the word of Yahweh came to Jonah the son of Amittai saying, 2 “Arise, go to Nineveh, the great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before Me.” 3 Yet Jonah arose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of Yahweh. So he went down to Joppa, found a ship which was going to Tarshish, and paid its fare and went down into it to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of Yahweh.4 But Yahweh hurled a great wind on the sea, and there was a great storm on the sea so that the ship gave thought to breaking apart. 5 Then the sailors became fearful, and every man cried to his god, and they hurled the cargo which was in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. But Jonah had gone down below into the innermost part of the vessel, lain down, and fallen deep asleep. 6 So the captain came near to him and said to him, “How is it that you are deeply sleeping? Arise, call on your god. Perhaps your god will be concerned about us so that we will not perish.”7 Then each man said to the other, “Come, let us have the lots fall so we may know on whose account this calamitous evil has struck us.” So they had the lots fall, and the lot fell on Jonah. 8 Then they said to him, “Tell us, now! On whose account has this calamitous evil struck us? What is your occupation? And where do you come from? What is your country? From what people are you?” 9 And he said to them, “I am a Hebrew, and I fear Yahweh, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.”10 Then the men became greatly fearful, and they said to him, “What is this you have done?” For the men knew that he was fleeing from the presence of Yahweh because he had told them. 11 So they said to him, “What should we do to you that the sea may become quiet for us?”—for the sea was becoming increasingly stormy. 12 So he said to them, “Lift me up and hurl me into the sea. Then the sea will become quiet for you, for I know that on account of me this great storm has come upon you.” 13 However, the men rowed desperately to return to dry land, but they could not, for the sea was becoming increasingly stormy against them. 14 Then they called on Yahweh and said, “Ah! O Yahweh, we earnestly pray, do not let us perish on account of this man’s life, and do not put innocent blood on us; for You, O Yahweh, as You have pleased You have done.”15 So they lifted Jonah up and hurled him into the sea, and the sea stood still from its raging. 16 Then the men greatly feared Yahweh, and they offered a sacrifice to Yahweh and made vows.17 And Yahweh appointed a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the stomach of the fish three days and three nights.(Jonah 1 LSB)By His Grace is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit byhisgraceus.substack.com
Sola Scriptura - Scripture alone is the sole and infallible rule of faith for Christians and the church.By His Grace is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit byhisgraceus.substack.com
This message was preached on Sunday, September 1, 2019, at Calvary Baptist Church in Emporia, Virginia.By His Grace is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit byhisgraceus.substack.com