Author: Brett Baggett

All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name

VERSE 1
All hail the power of Jesus’ name! 
Let angels prostrate fall.
Bring forth the royal diadem,
and crown him Lord of all.
Bring forth the royal diadem,
and crown him Lord of all!

VERSE 2 

O seed of Israel’s chosen race

now ransomed from the fall, 

hail him who saves you by his grace,
 and crown him Lord of all.

Hail him who saves you by his grace,
 and crown him Lord of all!

VERSE 3 
Let every tongue and every tribe responsive to his call,
to him all majesty ascribe,
and crown him Lord of all.
To him all majesty ascribe,
and crown him Lord of all!

VERSE 4 
Oh, that with all the sacred throng we at his feet may fall!
We’ll join the everlasting song and crown him Lord of all.
We’ll join the everlasting song and crown him Lord of all.

PHILIPPIANS: the surpassing worth of knowing Christ

The Apostle Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi is laser-focussed on “the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus Christ” (Phil. 3:8). In this letter, he reminds the Philippians who Jesus is, what He has done, and what that means for those who belong to Him. Paul is pouring his heart out while sitting in a prison cell for the sake of the gospel. To think—one of his most encouraging epistles was written while in chains!

In Philippians Paul presents Jesus as the one who makes us saints (1:1), works in us both to will and to work for His good pleasure (2:13), and as the one who will bring us to completion when He returns (1:6) having secured our citizenship in heaven (3:20-21). In other words, He has justified us, is sanctifying us, and will one day glorify us to the glory of God the Father.

But that is not all Philippians contains. In this heartfelt correspondence, Paul explicitly reveals the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus personally. He proclaims knowing Jesus is better than being free from prison or free from suffering (1:13, 29). Being like Christ is superior to being selfish or apathetic (2:3,12). Cherishing the Lord exceeds clinging to self-righteousness or obtaining worldly gain (3:3-8). Being accepted by Christ Jesus the Lord is more desirable than living in the past with regret or living now for the praise of men (3:12-19). The great promise of Philippians is this: if you know Jesus personally you have everything you need for everlasting happiness. You can suffer, hunger, be brought low or in great need—and yet joyfully face it all through Christ who strengthens you (4:12-13).

Jesus accomplished all of this by emptying himself of his glory, taking the form of a servant, and submitting to death on a cross for our sakes (2:7-8). Great was the cost and great are the promises he bought! May God use this study of Philippians to broaden our understanding of who Jesus is, grow our desire for holiness, strengthen our hands to serve one another, and deepen our love for Jesus as the one of surpassing worth.

  1. SLAVES AND SAINTS: Philippians 1:1-5
  2. HE WILL BRING IT TO COMPLETION: Philippians 1:6-8
  3. PAUL’S PRAYER: Philippians 1:9-11
  4. THE ADVANCE OF THE GOSPEL: Philippians 1:12-14
  5. IF CHRIST BE PROCLAIMED, WE MUST REJOICE: Philippians 1:15-18a
  6. TO LIVE IS CHRIST AND TO DIE IS GAIN: Philippians 1:18b-26
  7. LIVE WORTHY OF THE GOSPEL: Philippians 1:27-30
  8. COUNT OTHERS MORE SIGNIFICANT: Philippians 2:1-4
  9. CHRIST’S EXAMPLE OF HUMILITY: Philippians 2:4-11
  10. WORK, FOR IT IS GOD WHO WORKS IN YOU: Philippians 2:12-13
  11. LIGHTS IN THE WORLD: Philippians 2:14-18
  12. FAITHFUL LABORERS (pt.1): Philippians 2:19-24
  13. FAITHFUL LABORERS (pt.2): Philippians 2:25-30
  14. TRUE AND FALSE CHRISTIANS: Philippians 3:1-3
  15. YOU CANNOT SAVE YOU: Philippians 3:4-7
  16. THE SURPASSING WORTH OF KNOWING CHRIST: Philippians 3:8-9
  17. THAT I MAY KNOW HIM: Philippians 3:10-11
  18. HOW AND WHY YOU MUST PRESS ON: Philippians 3:12-16 
  19. OUR CITIZENSHIP IS IN HEAVEN: Philippians 3:17–19
  20. WE MUST STAND FIRM IN UNITY: Philippians 4:1-3
  21. WE MUST STAND FIRM BY REJOICING, TRUSTING, AND PRAYING: Philippians 4:4-7
  22. WE MUST STAND FIRM MY THINKING: Philippians 4:8
  23. WE MUST STAND FIRM MY DOING: Philippians 4:9
  24. THE SECRET OF FACING ALL THINGS WITH JOY: Philippians 4:10-13
  25. I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME: Philippians 4:13
  26. SACRIFICES ACCEPTABLE AND PLEASING TO GOD: Philippians 4:14-23

ABORTION

A BAPTIST BODY OF DIVINITY

SERMONS ON THE BAPTIST CATECHISM

ADVENT DEVOTIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS

Beloved, I encourage you to get an Advent devotional and read through it each day with your family or by yourself if you are not married. Let us meditate upon the love of God in sending His only Son to redeem us!

Here are my recommendations:

I) COME THOU LONG EXPECTED JESUS edited by Nancie Guthrie

Big idea: This is a collection of sermon and book excerpts both current and from church history that will help you say, “Come thou long expected Jesus.” I personally read this devotional every year leading up to Christmas. I treasure Nancie Guthrie’s books that she has edited.

((There is a book like this for the Good Friday and Easter season as well. It is called “Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross” and it specifically made me weep when I read an excerpt by Charles Spurgeon, “Then did they spit in his face.”))

II) LOVE CAME DOWN AT CHRISTMAS by Sinclair Ferguson

Big idea: “This Advent devotional contains 24 daily readings from 1 Corinthians 13. Sinclair B Ferguson brings the rich theology of the incarnation to life with his trademark warmth and clarity. We’ll see what “love” looked like in the life of Christ and be challenged to love like him.”

LINK

III) THE CHRISTMAS WE DIDN’T EXPECT by David Mathis

Big idea: “No Advent calendars for sale this Christmas can offer what lies behind the windows David Mathis opens in The Christmas We Didn’t Expect. True to its title, it is full of surprises. So, buy it, and carefully unwrap each Advent treat (no more than one a day, or you may spoil your appetite). Then let it melt slowly on your spiritual taste buds and enjoy what Isaiah (the Christmas prophet) called ‘rich food.’” — Sinclair Ferguson

LINK

In Christ alone,
Brett

OUR CITIZENSHIP IS IN HEAVEN: Philippians 3:20-21


OUTLINE

I. SAINTS SET THEIR MINDS ON HEAVENLY THINGS (v. 20a)

II. SAINTS GLORY IN THEIR SAVIOR (v. 20b)

III. SAINTS’ GOD IS THE LORD JESUS (v. 20c)

IV. SAINTS’ END IS GLORIFICATION (v. 21)

V. SAINTS SET THEIR HEARTS ON JESUS’ SECOND COMING (v. 21b)

DISCUSSION

I. In verses 20-21, how are Christians contrasted with those that walk as enemies? Think about the contrast Paul is drawing. According to verse 20, what is a Christian’s “end”? What is a Christians “god” or “Lord”? What do Christians “glory in”? Are you awaiting your Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ?

A PASTOR MUST BE QUALIFIED: 1 Timothy 3:1-7

A pastor must have the desire, character, diligence, experience, reputation, and giftedness necessary to fulfill the noble task of shepherding the flock of God that He obtained with His own blood.

INTRODUCTION

I) The words Overseer, Elder, and Pastor are used interchangeably in the New Testament (1 Peter 5:1-2)

II) There must be a plurality of Pastors (Acts 20:17)

III) Pastors must train up pastors (2 Timothy 2:2; Titus 1:5)

IV) Women are not pastors (1 Timothy 2:12)

V) Pastors must meet the God-breathed qualifications and be appointed by Pastors (Titus 1:5, 1 Timothy 4:4; 1 Timothy 5:22; Acts 13:3)

MAIN POINTS

I. AN OVERSEER MUST HAVE THE DESIRE NECESSARY TO SHEPHERD THE FLOCK OF GOD (v. 1)

II. AN OVERSEER MUST HAVE THE CHARACTER NECESSARY TO SHEPHERD THE FLOCK OF GOD (v. 2-3)

III. AN OVERSEER MUST HAVE THE DILIGENCE NECESSARY TO SHEPHERD THE FLOCK OF GOD (v. 4-5)

IV. AN OVERSEER MUST HAVE THE EXPERIENCE NECESSARY TO SHEPHERD THE FLOCK OF GOD (v. 6)

V. AN OVERSEER MUST HAVE THE REPUTATION NECESSARY TO SHEPHERD THE FLOCK OF GOD (v. 7)

VI. AN OVERSEER MUST HAVE THE GIFTEDNESS NECESSARY TO SHEPHERD THE FLOCK OF GOD (v. 2)

TWO DAY ABORTION CONFERENCE 2020

RSVP HERE

THEME: “Rescue those being carried off to death.” Proverbs 24:11

DATES: December 4th-5th, 2020

LOCATION: 700 N 4th St. Muskogee, OK 74401

OVERVIEW: This Two Day Abortion Conference exists to help you think and act in joyful obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ concerning the abortion holocaust that is ravaging our pre-born neighbors. What does God’s word have to say about abortion? What is our responsibility as Christians concerning this travesty that happens all around us? What can we possibly do? Come; learn; and be equipped to rescue those being carried off to death.

SCHEDULE:

Friday, December 4th

  • 6pm-7pm – Registration and Fellowship
  • 7pm-7:15pm – Welcome, Song, Introduction
  • 7:15pm-8pm – Session 1
  • 8pm-8:20pm – Break
  • 8:20pm-8:30pm – Song and Introduction
  • 8:30pm-9:15pm – Session 2
  • 9:15pm-10pm – A Conversation with CR Cali.

Saturday, December 5th

  • 9am-9:15am – Welcome, Song, Introduction
  • 9:15am-10am – Session 3
  • 10am-10:20am – Break
  • 10:20am-10:30am – Song and Introduction
  • 10:30am-11:15am – Session 4
  • 11:15am-11:20am- Lunch announcement
  • 11:20am-12:20pm – Lunch
  • 12:20pm-12:30pm – Song and Introduction
  • 12:30pm-1:15pm – Session 5
  • 1:15pm-1:30pm – Break
  • 1:30pm-2:30pm – Panel Discussion (Murder Mill Ministry)
  • 2:30pm-2:50pm – Break
  • 2:50pm-3:00pm – Song and Introduction
  • 3:00pm-3:45pm – Session 6
  • 3:45pm – Dismiss with Doxology

Q9. ARE THERE MORE GODS THAN ONE?

ANSWER: There is but one only, the living and true God. (Deuteronomy 6:4; Jeremiah 10:10)

My aim is to give you three points of instruction and seven points of application concerning God being the only God—the living and true God.

INSTRUCTION

I. THERE IS ONLY ONE GOD

“There is but one only.”

Deuteronomy 6:4 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.”

II. THERE IS ONLY ONE TRUE AND LIVING GOD 

“the living and true God.”

Jeremiah 10:10 “But the Lord is the true God; he is the living God and the everlasting King.”

Psalm 71:19 “Your righteousness, O God, reaches the high heavens. You who have done great things, O God, who is like you?”

III. THERE ARE MANY SO-CALLED GODS THAT ARE FALSE

1 Corinthians 8:5-6 “For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.”

I) There are traditionally named false gods. 

In the Scriptures: Amon (the chief god of Egypt), Asherah (a Canaanite goddess), Ashtoreth (a goddess of war and fertility), Baal (a Canaanite and Phoenician god of fertility and rain), Baal-Zebub (a popular deity of the Philistines), Bel (the chief deity of Babylon), Chemosh (the chief god of Moab), Dagon (worshipped in Babylonia and Philistia), Molech (the chief deity of Ammon), Tammuz (a Babylonian fertility god) Zeus and Hermes (Zeus was the patron god of the city of Lystra and his temple was there. Hermes was Zeus’ attendant and spokesman). Artemis (Artemis was the Greek name for the Roman goddess, Diana). Castor and Pollux (the two “sons of Zeus”, regarded as the guardian deities of sailors). 

II) There are created things that are trusted and bowed down to as false gods

Power, entertainment, popularity, beauty, comfort, substances, family, religion, science, sex, money, self.

III) There are perversions of the one true God in the theological cults.

Mormonism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, the New Apostolic Reformation (2 Corinthians 11:12-15).

IV) There are perversions of the one true God in the minds of men.

In the beginning, God created man in His own image, and man has been trying to return the favor ever since.

APPLICATION

I. IF YOU TRUST IN ANYTHING OTHER THAN JESUS, YOU ARE TRUSTING IN SOMETHING WORTHLESS

Jeremiah 2:5 “Thus says the Lord: ‘What wrong did your fathers find in me that they went far from me, and went after worthlessness, and became worthless?’”

II. IF YOU TRUST IN ANYTHING OTHER THAN JESUS, YOU ARE TRUSTING IN SOMETHING THAT CANNOT PROFIT

Jeremiah 2:11 “Has a nation changed its gods, even though they are no gods? But my people have changed their glory for that which does not profit.”

Mark 8:36 “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?”

III. IF YOU TRUST IN ANYTHING OTHER THAN JESUS, YOU ARE DOING GREAT EVIL

Jeremiah 2:13 “for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.”

IV. YOU MUST TURN FROM IDOLS TO SERVE THE LIVING AND TRUE GOD THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST

1 Timothy 2:5-6 “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.”

1 Thessalonians 1:9 “[Christians have] turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.”

Acts 14:15 “we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.”

V. IN CHRIST, GOD MUST BE THE CENTER OF YOUR AFFECTIONS, LOVE, FEAR, AND JOY

Deuteronomy 6:4-5 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”

VI. IN CHRIST, YOU MUST BE THANKFUL THAT JESUS HAS SAVED YOU BECAUSE THERE IS NO OTHER GOD THAT CAN SAVE

John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me.”

VII. IN CHRIST, YOU MUST TELL OTHERS THAT THERE IS ONE GOD AND ONE MEDIATOR BETWEEN GOD AND MAN, JESUS CHRIST

John 3:36 “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”

SING THE GOSPEL

Ekklesia Muskogee is a reformed baptist church that gathers for worship in Muskogee, Oklahoma. We confess the 1689 second London baptist confession of faith. We affirm the five solas of the Reformation as well as the doctrines of grace (otherwise known as the five points of Calvinism), and each of our pastors would not be ashamed to be called a Calvinist. We are a church led by elders, of which there is a plurality (also called pastors and overseers in the Scriptures). Our mission is to make disciples, love cities, and plant churches.