In this sermon we will continue our study of the mission of the church in Titus 1:10-16. In this passage, Paul challenges us to confront dangerous errors that often try to worm their way into the church. We must fight for the truth that our salvation is based on faith alone and there is nothing we can (or need to) add to it. At the same time, God holds us accountable to live out that truth by living for Him.

As you prepare for the message, please read the passage and ask yourself,

"Why is it important to fight/stand up for the truth of salvation?" "What difference does that truth make in your life?"

The Apostle Paul challenges our church to raise up godly leaders in Titus 1:5-9. Elders are one example of those kinds of leaders, but every believer should aspire to grow in spiritual maturity.

As you prepare for the message, please read the passage and ask yourself,

"Am I growing in my love for the Lord?"

"Do I lead/inspire others to know/worship Him?"

"Does my character reflect my relationship with Jesus?"

We start a new sermon series through the book of Titus. Our focus will be on what God says our mission/goal as a church should be. In Titus 1:1-4, we'll talk about our responsibility to know the truth, live it out, and trust in the hope of eternal life.

As you prepare for the message, please read the passage and ask yourself, "How did I come to know God's truth?" "How does knowing that truth make a difference in my life?"

To kick off 2025, Stan Smith (a former church pastor, Executive Director at the Baptist Resource Network, and faithful member of our church) will preach from Colossians 3:12-17. He will challenge us to think about what we should do for the Lord and how we should grow in this new year.

As you prepare for the message, please read the passage and ask yourself, "How does the Lord want me to grow in 2025?"

Elder Tom Toone challenges us to give to the Lord and to share the good news about Him.

What do I give to the Lord? How do I share about Him?

Jesus is the Hope of Christmas.

In this sermon, we'll skip ahead to Luke 2:22-40, when baby Jesus is presented at the temple. Two senior saints (Simeon and Anna) have been longing to see the Messiah and in this story, their hopes are fulfilled. Jesus was and will be the fulfillment of our hopes as well. This Christmas, we can trust in Him.

Where have I seen God keep His promises?

How can I wait for God to fulfill my hopes?

In this sermon we look at how God showed His mercy to His people through the birth of John the Baptist in Luke 1:57-80. He showed mercy on Elizabeth and Zechariah by giving them a child and He showed mercy on His people by sending John to prepare the way for the Savior, Jesus Christ. God continues to treat us far better than we deserve and show us mercy today.

How have a seen God's mercy in my own life?

How have a responded to God's mercy?

In this sermon we return to celebrating the hope of Christmas from The Gospel of Luke. We'll focus on Luke 1:39-56 and Mary's song of praise. This song celebrates the upcoming birth of her Son, Jesus Christ, and rejoices in how He reflects the loving care of His Heavenly Father.

Why is Jesus worth celebrating? How do I celebrate Jesus?

A sermon by ESBC Eleder Daniel Long.

In this sermon, ESBC member and seminary student Stephen Howard preaches. He'll share about Mary the mother of Jesus from Luke 1:26-38. This passage will help us see that God chose to enter the world through an unlikely person from an unremarkable place. The angel Gabriel's announcement to Mary describes the Savior foretold by the prophets and demonstrates that nothing is impossible with God.

Why did God choose to enter the world through an unlikely person from an unremarkable place?
If nothing is impossible with God, how should I live?

Life can often feel discouraging. When we are in the middle of those discouraging times, it can be tempting to succumb to hopelessness. Through the story of Zechariah in Luke 1:5-25, we can discover that the good news of Jesus provides Hope for the Hopeless.

When am I tempted to feel discouraged or hopeless?

How can Jesus be a source of hope to those who feel hopeless?

The 2024 election is only a few days away. Maybe you think about it with excitement, anxiety, or relief that the political ads will stop. In this sermon, Colossians 4:2-6 will remind us that while elections are important, the daily decisions that we make to live for Christ are more important. Believers should daily decide to pray, share the good news, and walk in wisdom toward non-believers.  Why are the daily decisions I make to live for Christ so important? How can I put those decisions in the proper perspective?

In this sermon we will finish the book of Exodus with Chapter 40. The last few verses of the chapter in particular show us how God rescued His people from slavery in Egypt so that they could be in His presence. This is like how He rescues us today from our slavery to sin. God came to live with His people in the tabernacle, just like Jesus came to live with us as a human. God's presence travels with His people, just like the Holy Spirit goes with us today.

What has God done for me so that I could be in His presence? How will I respond to what God has done?

In this sermon we will look at how God's people built a place to be with and worship Him in Exodus 35-39. In particular, we'll focus on 35:4-36:7 where Moses challenges the people to give to God's work. In response, they give more than what is needed.

Do I value God's work (and what He has done for me in Jesus Christ) that I give like that?

Exodus 33:18 through the end of chapter 34 tells us about how God gave Moses a powerful glimpse of His glory. Through this event, Moses comes to a deeper understanding of God's mercy, grace, love, faithfulness, forgiveness, and justice. That experience has a profound impact on Moses and it can have an impact on us too. As we understand more of who God is, our lives are changed and other people can see the difference. What is God's character? How should drawing close to God impact my life?

Seminary student and church member Elvis Ritz shares with us from Philippians 1:27-30. He will challenge us with how we can be citizens of Heaven by practicing humility and selflessness and by being lights in the world that point others toward God. What does being a citizen of the kingdom of heaven mean? How can I practice humility and selflessness?

Elder Dan Long will be encouraging us to Pray On! Psalm 145:18-19 reminds us that the Lord is near to those who call on Him. so, let's call on the Lord every day!

Deacon and seminary student Joshua Wines shares with us from Jude 17-23. The world will have a message that is contrary to what we believe. We must be aware of this and pray to stand firm in our faith, while also being on the lookout for one another. We must persevere!

What worldly messages are you tempted to believe?

How can you persevere and remain firm in your faith?

In this sermon we will pick up the story of the Israelites and the gold calf in Exodus 32:30-33:17. In this passage, Moses attempts to restore the relationship with God. The situation becomes more desperate when God threatens to not go with them into the Promised Land. The people mourn and seek God because they realize being with God is more important than anything else. Will God go with His people? Does He go with you? Do I value knowing God and being in His presence through Jesus Christ? If so, how much do I value that relationship?