Grace Blog
The Gospel: The Key to a Unified Church
This past Sunday, Pastor Tom preached from 1 Corinthians 1:10-17 as a continuation in his series, “The Gospel-Driven Church” (an exposition of 1 Corinthians). His main point? “Where the gospel is properly prized, Christian unity will be persistently pursued.”
We live in a day where it is easy to follow popular preachers or get caught up in various forms of Christian “groupies.” The Corinthian believers knew something of this. Peter was used by God in preaching at Pentecost where thousands were converted. He was close to Jesus in his earthly ministry. Paul, on the other hand, was setting the world ablaze with the gospel and planting churches in some of the most influential cities in the world. Apollos was perhaps the most eloquent of them all, able to persuade and convince people of the gospel from the religious elite to the man in the marketplace. It is easy to see, then, that with such towering personalities who were known for accomplishing so much for the Lord, these believers could begin to be aligned to them, resulting in division.
As he wrote to the Corinthians, Paul did not have his ego stroked because some had regarded them as their leader. Instead, he was broken-hearted. He knew that it was not about him. His entire life was about Jesus. His passion was the gospel. So the solution for this division was not to part ways by preferences and personalities, but a strong personal exhortation to get back to the gospel which has made them the community of faith.
As God continues to bless the ministry here at Grace, we would be foolish to think that we are not faced with the same temptations and problems. We can allow ourselves to be divided over any number of things, including:
–> geographical boundaries (I’m from Ft. Myers; I’m from Punta Gorda; I’m from the Cape).
–> ethnic boundaries (I’m Hispanic; I’m African-American; I’m White)
–> socio-economic boundaries (I’m upper-class; I’m middle class; I’m lower class)
–> educational preferences (Our kids are home-schooled; our kids go to private school; our kids go to public schools)
The list could be endless because our hearts are idol factories. In the case of Corinth, it was preacher personalities. In our context with plurality of pastors/elders, that temptation for us might lead you to have preferential treatment of one leader against another. We must be on guard not to inflate the gifts of the church as though God’s work among us entirely dependent upon them.
As we seek to apply the truths we have learned, let us pray that God would so work among us through the gospel that we would all say the same thing, be of the same mind, and have the same judgment. May it never be said that God who is love is held in contempt because of the lack of love among His people. May it never be argued that the message of reconciliation (the gospel) is unconvincing because of the disagreements and divisions among God’s people who have professed to embrace that message. May the gospel which is “the power of God unto salvation” also be the great unifier that facilitates a radically diverse people to love, serve, and give our lives away for the advancement of Christ’s kingdom!
Labels: Cape Coral, Gospel, Gospel-Centered, Grace Baptist Church | posted by TimBrister at 1:36 pm | Categories: Gospel, Sermons |
2010: A Clear, Close, and Continual Looking to Jesus
I had the privilege of preaching on the first two Sunday’s of 2010, and during preparation the Lord led me to a familiar passage–Hebrews 12:1-3. Although familiar, this passage proved to be very fruitful and engaging to my own heart, and I pray that you were encouraged as well. It is my hope that this year we will have a clearer, closer, and more continual looking to Jesus. The kind of endurance we need this year is nourished in the gospel, and the danger we face each day is to allow weights to distract us or unbelief to blind us from beholding the author and finisher of our faith.
For your benefit, I am making my sermon manuscripts available here for you to download. If you would like to listen or download the audio, go here for the first sermon and go here for the second sermon.
To download my two manuscripts put into one (PDF), simply click here.
Labels: Gospel, Hebrews 12:1-3, Jesus, New Year | posted by TimBrister at 12:02 am | Categories: Jesus, Resources, Sermons |
Spiritual Warfare Series Airing on Pilgrim Radio Network
From November 2008 to May 2009, Pastor Tom Ascol preached a 16-sermon series on Spiritual Warfare from Ephesians 6:10-20. This sermon series is scheduled to air on “Extra Credit” on the Pilgrim Radio Network, weekdays from October 19 through November 9. A complete listing of message titles and airdates can be found at Pilgrimradio.com. According to their website, the sermons will air at 5AM, 5PM, and 10PM PST each weekday.
Labels: Grace Baptist Church, Pilgrim Radio Network, Spiritual Warfare, Tom Ascol | posted by TimBrister at 10:15 am | Categories: News and Announcements, Sermons, Spiritual Warfare |
The Psalmist’s Dark Night of the Soul
A week from yesterday, Rick Tarter shared a powerful message from Psalm 88–what Rick called “the darkest Psalm in the Bible. In his message, Rick talked about the struggles Christians face, how “there is heartache in every corner of our lives” and how we should be open about our trials, difficulties, and hardships so that the body of Christ may genuinely listen, love, comfort, and weep with those who find themselves in Psalm 88.
While it is tempting to give “Hallmark answers” (spiritually pat answers) and encourage someone with negative statements, we are to go deeper, live messier, and make no time constraints in identifying with those who are suffering. Indeed, as Rick stated, we should be a student of suffering people, and a great introduction to that class is his message.
To listen to Rick’s message online or download the MP3, click here.
Labels: Christian Hardship, Grace Baptist Church, Psalm 88, Rick Tarter, Suffering | posted by TimBrister at 10:41 am | Categories: Sermons, Suffering |
A Great Commission Vision for Grace Baptist Church
Below is the manuscript from Sunday night’s message I delivered focusing on where we’ve been and looking to head regarding community groups and church planting. For those who could not attend, I pray this will be an encouragement and help to you as you continue to pray with us about what God has instore for Grace as we seek to reach SW Florida for Christ!
:: A Great Commission Vision for Grace Baptist Church ::
[Introduction]
I think it is safe to say that the most vivid and significant moment in the life of Grace last year was the day when Pastor Tom was struck by lightning. It was a serious and sobering time of intense prayer, genuine concern, and deep reflection on the providence of God. However, what many if not most of you may not be aware is that Pastor Tom was struck two days after he preached the message on the Great Commission and expressed his desire to see Grace Baptist Church become a church planting church. I don’t want to draw too strong of a connection between Pastor Tom’s message and the lightning strike, but one thing is for sure: the devil does not want us to be on the offensive! He does not want us to be full of faith, confident in the Spirit’s work of drawing sinners to Jesus, courageous in preaching the gospel and establishing churches! I suppose there could be numerous reasons as to why one might speculate why God allowed Pastor Tom to be struck by lightning, but in light of our recent study on spiritual warfare, we cannot forget that our enemy’s goal is to destroy the work of God wherever it is found.
The work of God here at Grace over the past few years has been a growing desire and commitment to embrace the call of the Great Commission like never before. As Pastor Tom mentioned in his message last summer, embracing the Great Commission is essentially embracing the call to be a church planting church. Knowing that Christ has promised to build His church and that “the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matt. 16:18), and knowing that God has chosen the church as the vehicle through which “the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places” (Eph. 3:10)-then we should rest assure that the advancement of the gospel through a Great Commission church is a principal target for the fiery darts of the evil one.
Labels: Church Planting, Community Groups, Grace Baptist Church, Great Commission | posted by TimBrister at 8:48 pm | Categories: Church Planting, Community, Evangelism, Gospel, Missional, Sermons, Small Groups |
Jesus Makes All Things New
On the first Sunday of the new year, Pastor Tim Brister preached a message entitled “Jesus Makes All Things New” from Matthew 9:14-17. We live in a season of the new year filled with new hopes, new resolutions, new dreams–all in pursuit of renewal. Renewal movements have existed since the creation of society and certainly were existing during the time of Jesus, including groups such as the Zealots, the Essenes, and the Pharisees. However, the only movement of hope and renewal that is lasting and eternal was created by Jesus Christ and ultimately will culminate in a new heaven and a new earth. His kingdom is established in the hearts of men who, when they repent and believe, become a new creation in Christ where the old is passing away and all things are becoming new (2 Cor. 5:17).
Pastor Tim’s main point was that, because Jesus Christ is the one who makes all things new (Rev. 21:5), the Christian life is one of both feasting in His presence and fasting for His purposes. From Matt. 9:14-17, Pastor Tim explained the three illustrations that answered one question with two truths, followed by personal application. Jesus Christ did not come to do a patch-job to the garments of Jewish traditionalism but rather came to cleanse it and renew it with the fulfillment of the new covenant promise through His blood.
To listen to the sermon, click here.
To download the sermon, click here.
To subscribe to the podcast, click here.
Labels: Jesus, Matthew 9:14-17, Tim Brister | posted by TimBrister at 9:20 am | Categories: Jesus, Reflection and Review, Sermons |
Our Greatest Need: A Fresh View of Our All-Sufficient Savior
This past Sunday, Pastor Tom Ascol preached a year-end message entitled “A Fresh Vision of Our All-Sufficient Savior” from Revelation 1:9-20. In his message, Pastor Tom articulated from Scripture that our greatest need and deepest desire should be to have a fresh view of Jesus Christ for the new year. God has blessed us (already) with every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus, and we know that He will meet our needs according to His riches in glory. Yet, many are ignorant of what God has done for them in Christ. Finding Jesus as the Treasure God has made Him to be shows us biblically what God has given us in His Son.
To listen to Pastor Tom’s sermon, click here.
To download the sermon, click here (right click, “save as”).
To subscribe to GBC Podcast, click here.
Labels: Christ, Grace Baptist Church, Jesus, Tom Ascol | posted by TimBrister at 9:13 am | Categories: Reflection and Review, Sermons |
The Birth That Changed the World
This past Sunday (December 14), Pastor Tom Ascol preached a message entitled “The Birth That Changed the World” focusing on Isaiah 9:5-7. Jesus’ birth was good news then, and it is good news for everyone who is willing to receive it. Pastor Tom’s three main points were:
1. Who He [the One who is born] is—God in flesh (incarnation)
2. What He [the One who is born] does—reigns as Eternal King
3. Why this matters
The one who is born is a Son given bearing and fulfilling the titles of Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. He came to take the government on His shoulder and expand it forever, and all this matters because of what God is doing in this world–more specifically what God has done for us. “Unto us” a child is born. This birth indeed has changed the world, and Jesus Christ continues to change lives.
Click here to listen online :: Click here to download (MP3)
Labels: Christmas, Incarnation, Jesus | posted by TimBrister at 5:34 pm | Categories: Reflection and Review, Sermons |
The Goal of Our Enemy
On Sunday, December 7, Pastor Tom Ascol continued in his series on Spiritual Warfare with a sermon entitled, “The Goal of Our Enemy.” This is the fourth sermon in the series taken from Ephesians 6:10-12, this time taking up the phrase, “the wiles of the devil.” Pastor Tom begins by asking two questions:
1. What is the goal or ultimate aim of Satan?
2. What are the strategies Satan uses to accomplish this goal?
Taking up the first question, Pastor Tom argued that “the goal of the devil is to destroy the work of God” (whenever or wherever it is found).
Satan’s identity is bound upon in his opposition to God. He is your “adversary” seeking to devour you. When Jesus explained the parable of the wheat and tares, it is explained that the devil had sown the tares among the wheat. His attack is first and foremost against God and secondly against God’s people.
There are two main arenas for the devil’s work: (1) the arena of creation and (2) the arena of redemption. In the arena of creation, we see the devil’s work from distinguishing Gen. 1-2 which as exceedingly good from Gen. 4-6 which was exceedingly evil such that God regretted that He had made man. The “x” factor is Gen. 3 where we see the devil attempting to destroy the work of God in His creation. In the arena of redemption, Satan attempts to overthrow the work of God first by attacking Jesus Christ, then individual Christians, and finally the church.
To listen or download this sermon, click here.
Labels: Grace Baptist Church, Spiritual Warfare, Tom Ascol | posted by TimBrister at 3:02 pm | Categories: Reflection and Review, Sermons, Spiritual Warfare |
Knowing Your Enemy, Part 2
On Sunday, November 30, Pastor Tom Ascol continued in his series on spiritual warfare with his third message from Ephesians 6:10-12 focusing on primarily on verse 12. Paul writes:
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Pastor Tom’s outline addresses each description of the enemy’s army, namely (1) princes and principalities, (2) powers, (3) rules of he darkness of this age, and (4) spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places. Satan has a kingdom, and every human being is either under the rule of Christ or under the rule of the devil. There is no spiritual neutral zone. Jesus said, “He is not with me is against me.” Those who have not come to Jesus are under he deceptive power and domain of darkness of the devil.
Yet the conquest of the cross was the overthrow and defeat of the prince and power of the air. There is a real danger in thinking that God and Satan and dueling interlocutors who are fighting for supremacy. This dualism is nowhere found in Scripture. God is sovereign, and the devil is God’s devil. Although the world in which we live today embraces the ruler of darkness, his kingdom will come to an end, and those who belong to the kingdom of light in God’s beloved Son, take ground by the force of the gospel.
To listen or download this sermon, click here.
Labels: Grace Baptist Church, Spiritual Warfare, Tom Ascol | posted by TimBrister at 9:35 am | Categories: Reflection and Review, Sermons |
Praising God When Life Gets Hard
This past Sunday, Pastor Tom Ascol preaching a timely Thanksgiving message entitled “Praising God When Life Gets Hard” from the book of Habakkuk. In his message, Pastor Tom shared that a heart rooted in the goodness, wisdom and sovereignty of God will have reason to rejoice and be thankful during difficult times. He gave six ways of living with faith and hope from the text which I have outlined below for your benefit:
1. Faith enables us to look honestly at life (1:2-4)
2. Faith enables us to look honestly at God (1:12-13)
3. Faith enables us to humbly listen to God (2:1)
4. Faith enables us to pray fervently to God (3:1-2)
5. Faith enables us to recognize that God’s sovereign purpose are, and will continue to be, revealed in history (3:3-16)
6. Faith enables us to enthusiastically rejoice in the work of the Lord (3:17-19)
Because there is hope in the risen Savior, we should hitch our joy in Him, not our circumstances. When our hearts are where God’s is, then we can rest in Him in the midst of pain, difficulty, and loss. God indeed will move heaven and earth to accomplish His purposes, so let us have a deep rooted joy in the God of our salvation!
To download Sunday’s sermon, click here.
To listen online, click here.
Labels: Habakkuk, Sermon, Thanksgiving, Tom Ascol | posted by TimBrister at 12:13 pm | Categories: Reflection and Review, Sermons |
Spiritual Warfare: A Fight You Can’t Avoid
This past Sunday, Pastor Tom Ascol started a series on spiritual warfare from Ephesians 6. The introductory message to this series, “A Fight You Can’t Avoid” (Eph. 6:10-12) was preached this past Sunday at the gathering of Grace Baptist Church. The pre-recorded video below contains a message for all Christians as well as non-Christians. You are in a fight for your very life!
Labels: Grace Baptist Church, Spiritual Warfare, Tom Ascol | posted by TimBrister at 8:21 am | Categories: Sermons, Spiritual Warfare |
Eternal Perspectives on the Presidential Election
This past Sunday, Pastor Tom Ascol preached a message entitled “Eternal Perspectives on the Presidential Election” from Psalm 2. In this very important time in the life of our country, it is crucial that believers in Jesus Christ have an eternal perspective on the current presidential election. The video below is the pre-recorded video of the message which we hope will be an encouragement for everyone, especially those who know Christ as their King.
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Labels: Jesus, Presidential Election, Psalm 2, Tom Ascol | posted by TimBrister at 7:12 pm | Categories: Jesus, Sermons |
