October 29, 2023 • Dr. Mark Kemp • Ephesians 4:1–6
The church is made up of many members yet we are called to be one body in Christ. Jesus prayed on the night before He was crucified that those who believe in Him would be one so that the world would see and believe that the Father sent the Son (see John 17:20-24). Our unity has far reaching implications! It glorifies Christ, testifies to the world, and blesses us. Therefore it should be carefully guarded.
We Serve
October 15, 2023 • Dr. Mark Kemp • 1 Peter 4:7–11
Jesus came to serve and those who follow Him will serve. In the Lord's church, we have opportunity to serve one another through the abilities and power that He Himself provides. We are blessed when we serve, others are blessed through our service, and God is glorified by our service.
We Give
October 8, 2023 • Dr. Mark Kemp • Acts 4:32–37, Acts 5:1–11
When the church talks about giving we may tend to get uncomfortable. But the truth is there is not much more basic to being a Christian than giving as God has given to us. When we are part of a church, we give to the Lord through the church to further His kingdom and glory. This passage tells how the first church gave to meet a particular need. It illustrates principles that guide all Christians in faithful giving.
We Pray
October 1, 2023 • Dr. Mark Kemp • Acts 2:42, Ephesians 6:18–19
Prayer is to our spiritual life what breathing is to our spiritual life. We cannot be alive and vibrant without it. The first Christians were "continually united in prayer" (Acts 1:14) and God used them to change their world for the glory of Christ. May we have the same practice and make the same impact in our day.
We Participate
September 24, 2023 • Dr. Mark Kemp • Acts 2:41–47, Hebrews 10:23–24
We are the church when we gather for worship and when we scatter to witness. Both the gathering and scattering of the church is important. Our ability to live faithfully for Christ and serve Him in the world is largely dependent on our faithfulness to gather with other believers for worship and fellowship. Being part of the church means faithfully participating in these gatherings for God's glory, our good, and the benefit of other believers.
We Believe
September 17, 2023 • Dr. Mark Kemp • Ephesians 2:19–20, 2 Timothy 3:13–17, Acts 2:42
Because we are the church of our Lord Jesus Christ, we believe and live according to His Word as revealed in the Scripture. The Bible is foundational and profitable for the church and every believer in it. As Jesus Himself said, "Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it” (Luke 11:28).
We Are The Church
September 10, 2023 • Dr. Mark Kemp • Acts 2:36–42
This passage tells of the beginning of the Christian church. From it we learn how a church is formed, who is a part of it, and what they do. In the following weeks we'll focus on different commitments we make and things we do as the people of Christ together in His church.
Praise God
June 11, 2023 • Dr. Mark Kemp • Jude 24–25
Jude’s last word is a doxology (word of praise to God). This beautiful doxology reminds us of who God is, what He does for us, and what He deserves from
Be CAREful
June 4, 2023 • Dr. Mark Kemp • Jude 20–23
As we near the end of Jude the focus turns from warning about the dangers unfaithful people in the church pose to a call for positive action to safeguard ourselves and care for others. We "must contend for the faith" in our own lives and the lives of others. We are to do this in love with mercy. These are powerful and helpful verses for us in these times in which we live.
Don't Be Surprised!
May 28, 2023 • Dr. Mark Kemp • Jude 12–19
From time to time churches have to contend with unfaithful people who depart from the faith and influence others to join them. It happened in Jude's day and it happens in ours. The Bible clearly tells us that such people will arise in every generation. We need not be surprised but always ready to stand firm and contend for the true faith delivered to us from God in His Word.
Living Under God's Authority
May 21, 2023 • Dr. Mark Kemp • Jude 5–11
This is an intriguing and challenging passage. At the heart of it is the question of whose authority directs our lives. Certain people in the church to which Jude wrote were following the wrong authority with disastrous results. We must beware of such people and make sure that our lives are directed by God's authority.
Contend for the Faith
May 14, 2023 • Dr. Mark Kemp • Jude 3–4
The truth God has entrusted to His church is our foundation, anchor, and treasure. We must not only hold it fast but be ready to contend for it within the life of the church against those who would lead us to depart from it.
Remember Who You Are
May 7, 2023 • Dr. Mark Kemp • Jude 1–2
I'm beginning a five-week series through the often-overlooked book of Jude. This short letter contains some wonderful encouragement and needed warning for us. The opening verses contain the typical identification of the author, readers, and a greeting like we find in most of the New Testament letters. This is a rich opening that reminds us of who we are and what we have as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Hearing Check
March 26, 2023 • Dr. Mark Kemp • Luke 8:4–15
Through a parable, Jesus taught there are different kinds of hearers of God's Word, and each kind of hearer experiences vastly different results. It challenges us to consider what kind of hearer we are and how we can become a better hearer so that God's Word brings forth much fruit in our lives.
Sharing Hope from the Middle
March 19, 2023 • Dr. Steve Vernon • Mark 10:46–52
Guest Speaker: Dr. Steve Vernon
This Sunday, my friend Dr. Steve Vernon will be preaching. Dr. Vernon is the Director of Church Relations for the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. Prior to serving at UMHB, he was the Associate Executive Director of our Texas Baptist Convention and before that he pastored a church in Levelland, Texas.
A Living Sacrifice
March 12, 2023 • Garrett Hager • Romans 1:1–2
Garrett Hager ~ Minister of Discipleship
In this passage, the apostle Paul urges believers to offer their lives as living sacrifices. When we consider the many mercies of God, this is not only our reasonable response but our true worship. To do this, we must no longer be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit working in us to renew our minds to show us what is God's good, pleasing, and perfect will.
Eager for the Gospel
March 5, 2023 • Dr. Mark Kemp • Romans 1:13–17
In this passage, the apostle Paul describes his commitment and attitude toward sharing the gospel of Jesus. As those who have received the benefit of the gospel, we now have the calling and privilege to share it with others. This Scripture helps us understand and undertake this great mission as God's people today.
New Life in Christ
February 26, 2023 • Dr. Mark Kemp • Romans 6:1–14
When we are redeemed through the blood of Christ and made right with God through faith in Jesus, we are not the same old person with a second chance. The Bible says we are new persons with new life in Christ. We have a new power through Christ so that we not only experience forgiveness of sin but we have power to live in victory over sin.
The Heart of the Gospel
February 19, 2023 • Dr. Mark Kemp • Romans 3:19–26
In our Elevate series, we are looking at the bigger picture of the Gospel from the creation to the second coming. This Sunday we come to what we most likely think about when we hear the word Gospel. God’s work to save us through Christ is the very heart of the Gospel. We share it often in very simple terms but this text takes us deep into understanding the wonder of what God has done for us in Christ.
God's Promise
February 12, 2023 • Dr. Mark Kemp • Romans 1:1–6
Before sin entered the world through Adam, God had the plan to save sinners. Throughout the pages of the Old Testament, we find God's promise of a Savior repeated and expanded. The Gospel was not a new innovation that arrived with the New Testament. God long planned it, prepared for it, and promised it! We can trust, celebrate, and experience His great faithfulness to keep the most extraordinary promise ever made.
The Law and Righteousness
February 5, 2023 • Dr. Mark Kemp • Romans 7:12, Romans 2:13, Romans 3:9–20
God gave His law to Israel to guide them in the kind of holy living that was required for a people in relationship with the Holy God. This law recorded for us in Holy Scripture reveals the righteous requirements of God. We'll look at several key truths about God's law and how it relates to our lives and relationship with God.
