Bible Studies for Life Archives - Baptist & Reflector

MAY 16: LIVE THE MESSAGE

May 10, 2021

By Michael Julian
Pastor, Macedonia Baptist Church, Kenton

Focal Passage: Colossians 3:1-3,12-17

Colossians 3:1-3: These first three verses delight my soul with great comfort and encouragement. I have turned to them again and again over the years.

Paul is shifting into applying the solid doctrine that he has outlined in the first two chapters. I am incredibly thankful for the Holy Spirit inspiring these words from Paul’s pen. Though the messenger was imprisoned at the writing of this letter, the message of God can never be imprisoned. As the psalmist declares, “Forever, O Lord, your word is settled in heaven.”

We know Paul is making the transition to application because he begins chapter three with the word so. In light of what has been declared about the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, that He is the firstborn over all creation, and that all things have been created by Him who is the head of the church, then here is what we must keep on doing since we have been raised with Christ. We must seek the heavenly things above. We must seek Christ Himself. [Read more…]

MAY 9: THE MESSAGE

May 3, 2021

By Michael Julian
Pastor, Macedonia Baptist Church, Kenton

Focal Passage: Romans 10:8b-17

Unfortunately, many today might find the phrase, “Jesus saves,” to be a cliche. Oh, and I am talking about those outside the church, too. We have developed within the church the fantastic ability to take the simple and make it complex.

We have also mastered taking something profound and making it run-of-the-mill. We possess the greatest message in the world, because we serve the undisputed God of the universe, serve the incomparable risen Christ, and are led by the unmatchable Holy Spirit.

As we think upon the gospel message, we must unapologetically confess Christ as Lord. There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we can be saved. He holds the name that is above every name. He is fairer than the fairest. [Read more…]

MAY 2: OUR COMMISSION

April 26, 2021

By Michael Julian
Pastor, Macedonia Baptist Church, Kenton

Focal Passage: 1 Timothy 2:1-8

How many times have you assured someone that you were praying for them? We do this for comfort, grace, peace, health, blessing and encouragement in people’s lives.

There are other reasons, too, but let’s focus on a particular dynamic of prayer. We believe in it. We utilize it. We call for it. And we act on it. But, do we engage in praying for the salvation of others as often as we could and should?

Our second study is focusing on how to share Christ. Remember, we desire full participation in the ministry of reconciliation, making disciples as we go, while pleading with others to be reconciled to God.

This endeavor encompasses both the physical and spiritual realm, particularly the latter. Walking into this arena requires being fully prepared for the task at hand. The appropriateness of prayer as a forerunner to this endeavor cannot be overstated. The apostle Paul provides glowing insight into God’s ongoing work of the salvation of souls. [Read more…]

APRIL 25: OUR COMMISSION

April 19, 2021

By Michael Julian
Pastor, Macedonia Baptist Church, Kenton

Focal Passage: Matthew 28:18-20; II Corinthians 5:16-21

We could make a case that our subject for today ought to be the most natural thing we do as followers of Christ.

And yet, we can make a case that there is nothing else that creates more fear and intimidation as this activity. Accelerated heart rates. Nervous sweats. Fear of fumbling over our words. Worry that an unanswerable question may be asked of us. And the list goes on. And so must we.

This second study will focus on how to share Christ. Sometimes, I think we talk more about evangelism than we practice evangelism.

Don’t get me wrong, however, we need to study deep into the meaning of evangelism. That study, though, should create a thirst in us to practice what we have learned.

As you hear on Alistair Begg’s radio program, “Where the learning is for living,” may we venture into a partnership to become more faithful evangelists. [Read more…]

APRIL 18: THE RETURN OF JESUS

April 12, 2021

By Michael Julian
Pastor, Macedonia Baptist Church, Kenton

Focal Passage: Matthew 24:3-8,29-32,42-44

How certain are you that the sky is blue? How certain are you that two plus two equals four? How certain are you that the sun will rise tomorrow? How certain are you that you will be working the same job five years from now?

In our lives we deal with things and situations where we have varying degrees of certainty. Some things are readily verifiable, while others stand on shaky ground. Our Christian essential this week should be met with the highest confidence. Brothers and sisters, Jesus is coming again!

This comes to us as a direct promise from the Lord Jesus. It comes to us as sure testimony from other writers of Scripture. Some of the very last words that we find in the book of Revelation are, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Once again, these are the words of Christ. [Read more…]

APRIL 11: THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

April 5, 2021

By Michael Julian
Pastor, Macedonia Baptist Church, Kenton

Focal Passage: John 15:26-27; 16:7-15

Do you like having an advantage when engaged in competition? Let me take an example from the madness that is basketball in March. We can be sure each coaching staff has dissected every cut of film concerning their opponent in order to gain an advantage for their players on the court. Each team wants to win.

In the Christian life, we seek an advantage. We seek victory. Our adversary, the devil, prowls about looking for targets to devour. We do not seek to live according to the flesh, but we seek to live according to the Spirit of God. And there is our decided advantage. The Holy Spirit. He is a person and not an impersonal force, like you would find in the Star Wars movies. God is calling us to yield to and walk by His promised and provided Spirit.

John 15:26-27: At the end of chapter 14, Jesus says it is time to arise and go from where they are. In the opening of chapter 18, the Word informs us that after He spoke these words they traveled over the ravine of the Kidron and entered a garden. [Read more…]

APRIL 4: THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS

March 31, 2021

By Michael Julian
Pastor, Macedonia Baptist Church, Kenton

Focal Passage: John 20:3-9,19-23,27-29

Happy Resurrection Day! Doesn’t it feel good to say those words of truth and reality? That the stone was rolled away, not so Jesus could escape, but that we should be let in to see the empty tomb. A crucified Jesus. An empty tomb. A risen Savior. Hallelujah!

Let us reason together over these events. The fear, pain, and confusion of crucifixion Friday still hovers above the followers of Jesus. Hopes have been dashed against the rocks.

Potential deliverance from Rome slips into quiet nothingness. Then the uneasiness and silence of Saturday takes hold. A day of rest and peace is haunted by cries and screams and images locked into many consciences. Sunday is on its way, but no one seems to be truly prepared for what they will discover on this auspicious day.

John 20:3-9: Our entry point here follows Mary Magdalene fleeing from the empty tomb. She runs to Peter and John to inform them of this troubling development. [Read more…]

MARCH 28: THE DEATH OF JESUS

March 22, 2021

By Michael Julian
Pastor, Macedonia Baptist Church, Kenton

Focal Passage: John 19:8-11,16b-18,28-30

Our calendars tell us that next week is Easter Sunday. We have explored the grand subject of the nature of God. Here we are again exploring a grand subject, the death and resurrection of Jesus. This knowledge is seminal and critical to our faith.

While we assert that forgiveness is now possible because of Jesus dying a substitutionary death, we must also peer further into the Holy of Holies. The possibility of forgiveness presupposes an oft forgotten or neglected antecedent. Forgiveness is necessary. We have offended a holy, righteous, sovereign God.

Therefore, one who is perfect in righteousness entered the fray of humanity and lived in perfect obedience to the Father for my sake and yours. This entrance into a robe of frail, bleedable, bruisable, and breakable flesh culminated in His seemingly shameful death upon a cruel cross on a hill called Calvary.

John 19:8-11: Following the context, we know that Jesus has already been arrested, been before the priests, been scourged by the soldiers and dressed in a purple robe, and now is before Pilate again. [Read more…]

MARCH 21: THE NATURE OF SIN

March 15, 2021

By Michael Julian
Pastor, Macedonia Baptist Church, Kenton

Focal Passage: Isaiah 59:1-13

Isaiah 59:1-5: Having begun with the nature of God and then having moved to the existence and purpose of man, this next essential follows suit. What went wrong? How did man, created by God with a purpose and a divine stewardship, find himself wrecked, ruined, and ravaged by sin?

The question is both haunting and daunting. Haunting because man’s sin now separates him from his Creator. Disobedience to the Creator’s word introduced the pervasive cancer of sin.

All men suffer this reality. And remember, man encompasses male and female. But it is also daunting because man stands unable to reconcile himself to his God. Hopelessness abounds. Separation and isolation grate upon the heart and mind. But, praise be to God there is a remedy. [Read more…]

MARCH 14: THE PURPOSE OF HUMANITY

March 8, 2021

By Michael Julian
Pastor, Macedonia Baptist Church, Kenton

Focal Passage: Genesis 1:1-5,26-31

We are journeying through a study on the essentials of Christianity. We began last week where all things begin, with God. The logical follow up to this revelation is the existence of humanity. How did we arrive on this earth? Where did this earth come from? What does it mean to be human? Do we have a divine purpose?

Genesis 1:1-5: The first verse of the Bible sets the tone for everything that follows. “In the beginning God created,” smacks us right in the face. Interestingly, the last book of the Bible repeats in chapter 4 that God created all things, and because of His will they existed and were created. This means that God created all things with a purpose in mind. We are not an accident, and neither is this universe a random and fortunate gathering of objects into a sustainable solar system.

God decided by His sovereign will to create all things. This truth instills hope and meaning into the life of every person. Unfortunately, so many cover up this truth. Their unbelieving minds are blinded by the god of this age that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. [Read more…]

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