Community Baptist Church’s Sermons

This sermon explores John 18:1-11, focusing on Jesus' arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. Unlike the Synoptic Gospels that emphasize Christ's humanity and anguish, John's account highlights Jesus' divine authority and sovereign control over the events leading to the cross. The sermon reveals how Jesus willingly stepped forward to protect His disciples and fulfill His mission, demonstrating that all believers are eternally secure in Christ because they are protected by His power and provided for through His sacrificial love. The central theme emphasizes that Jesus didn't merely endure the cross—He willingly chose it, drinking the cup of God's wrath so believers wouldn't have to face eternal judgment.

Key Points:

• John's Gospel records events to prove that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, so that by believing we may have life
• Jesus is portrayed as the second Adam who succeeds in the garden where the first Adam failed
• When Jesus declared "I am" (ego eimi), He used God's covenant name, causing the soldiers to fall to the ground—demonstrating His divine power
• Jesus protected His disciples by stepping forward and commanding the soldiers to let them go, fulfilling His promise that He would lose none of those the Father gave Him
• Peter's attempt to defend Jesus with a sword was actually disobedience to Christ's command and misunderstood the nature of God's kingdom
• Jesus willingly drank "the cup" of God's wrath on the cross, taking the judgment that all sinners deserve
• Three applications: (1) Jesus doesn't leave us when life grows hard—He leads us through; (2) Jesus doesn't leave us when we wander and fall—He forgives and restores; (3) Jesus doesn't leave us in our sin—He atones and makes us new

Scripture Reference:

• Primary: John 18:1-11
• Supporting passages: John 13:1-4 (upper room discourse), John 17:12 (high priestly prayer), John 20:31 (purpose statement), Exodus 3 (I AM), Philippians 2:9-11 (every knee will bow), Psalm 23 (the Lord leads), Psalm 75:8 (cup of God's wrath), Isaiah 51:22 (cup taken from our hand), 2 Corinthians 5:21 (the great exchange)

This sermon addresses the fundamental mission of the church as defined by the Great Commission in Matthew 28. Pastor Shawn Alexander emphasizes that the church must understand its clear mission - to make disciples of all nations - and actively participate in fulfilling it both locally and globally. He challenges the congregation to avoid becoming a "luxury tour bus" focused on comfort and maintenance, and instead embrace the urgency of an "ambulance" responding to spiritual life-and-death situations. The mission shapes everything the church does, from worship to ministry to individual Christian living. The sermon concludes by highlighting Community Baptist Church's two-fold approach: engaging the local community through relational evangelism and extending their reach globally through strategic gospel partnerships and church planting efforts. Key Points: Mission shapes everything a church does and defines its character and purpose The Great Commission is a clear imperative: "Go" and "Make" disciples with Christ's authority What's at stake is not just temporal life and death, but eternal spiritual life and death for every person Discipleship is simply moving people one step closer toward Jesus, whether saved or unsaved Churches face the danger of replacing mission with maintenance and comfort God does the saving work, but He uses His disciples as the means to accomplish His purposes Local engagement begins where you are - in your neighborhood, workplace, school, and community Global extension multiplies the gospel through church planting and strategic gospel partnerships The church must be mobilized and urgent, not passive observers on a comfortable tour Both individual and corporate participation in mission is essential Scripture Reference: Matthew 28:16-20 (The Great Commission) Colossians 1:28-29

Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, elevates the standard of righteousness beyond mere legal obedience, calling His listeners to a deeper, heart-level commitment that reflects God’s original design for marriage. He reaffirms the sanctity of marriage as a divine institution established at creation, where a man and woman become one flesh, and thus no human authority can dissolve what God has joined. While acknowledging that sexual immorality provides biblical grounds for divorce, Jesus emphasizes that reconciliation should always be the first and preferred path, not an escape from responsibility. The sermon underscores that modern cultural views of marriage—marked by unrealistic expectations and easy dissolution—contradict the biblical vision of marriage as a covenant reflecting God’s faithful love. Ultimately, Jesus calls His followers to pursue holiness, grace, and restoration, seeing marriage not as a personal fulfillment but as a sacred reflection of divine loyalty, and urging the church to uphold this truth with both conviction and compassion.

This sermon explores the nature of the church as a unified yet diverse body of believers, drawing from Paul's teaching in 1 Corinthians 12. The message emphasizes that Christians are not meant to live as isolated individuals but as interconnected members of Christ's body. The unity of the church is not based on common interests, similar personalities, or shared life stages, but on the organic life found in Christ through the Holy Spirit. At salvation, believers are fully baptized into one body and indwelt by the Spirit, making them complete members regardless of their background or maturity. The sermon challenges the Western mindset of rugged individualism and calls believers to embrace both unity and diversity within the church. True unity requires sacrifice—of preferences, comfort, time, resources, and habits—for the sake of the gospel. The message concludes by emphasizing that a diverse yet unified church becomes a powerful testimony to the watching world of God's supernatural grace and power.

Key Points:

• The church is a living organism, not merely an organization or club; members are vital parts of a body, not just participants in a group
• Unity in the church is organic, rooted in our life in Christ, not in human similarity or common interests
• At salvation, believers receive the full indwelling of the Holy Spirit and are completely united to Christ—there are no second-class Christians or partial members
• Unity does not mean uniformity; God intentionally designed the church to be diverse with many different members and gifts
• God sovereignly arranged each member in the body according to His choosing; there are no accidental or unnecessary members
• Preferences, while not sinful, become dangerous when they turn into non-negotiables and idols that threaten unity
• Real unity requires sacrifice: of comfort, preferences, resources, time, habits, and ultimately selfishness
• Cultural assumptions can be invisible to those within a culture but obvious to those outside it; we must recognize and set aside cultural superiority
• A unified yet diverse church displays God's wisdom, grace, and supernatural power to a watching world
• The church is a partnership, not a performance; members should live as connected parts sharing life together in Christ

Scripture Reference:

• 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 (primary passage)
• Ephesians 4:15-16
• Colossians 1:17-18
• Acts 9:4

Daniel chapter 7 presents a visionary apocalyptic revelation that underscores God’s sovereign control over history amid the rise and fall of earthly kingdoms. Through vivid imagery of four successive beasts—representing Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and a final, terrifying fourth kingdom—God reveals the persistent conflict between divine sovereignty and human rebellion, culminating in the ultimate triumph of the Son of Man. The vision shifts from historical narrative to cosmic judgment, emphasizing that while empires rise and fall, God’s throne remains eternal, His court sits in judgment, and His kingdom will endure forever. The passage calls believers to recognize the spiritual warfare behind worldly events, endure suffering with hope, and find comfort in the certainty that Christ’s everlasting reign will ultimately prevail over all evil. Though the details of prophecy may be debated, the central truth remains clear: God is in control, justice will be fulfilled, and His kingdom will never be destroyed.

This sermon explores the biblical principles of giving as presented in 2 Corinthians chapters 8 and 9, emphasizing that Christian giving is not governed by Old Testament law but by grace. Pastor Joe Fant addresses common misconceptions about tithing and presents giving as a spiritual discipline and act of worship rather than a legal obligation. The message challenges believers to view their financial stewardship as an expression of gratitude for God's grace, demonstrating that where our treasure is, our heart will be also. The sermon emphasizes that God cares more about the heart attitude behind giving than the amount given, and that generous giving produces a harvest of righteousness in the believer's life. Throughout, Pastor Joe maintains that giving should be voluntary, eager, cheerful, sacrificial, and expectant—reflecting the grace that believers have received through Christ.

Key Points:

• Giving is Voluntary, Not Compulsory: New Testament giving is an act of grace, not a legal requirement. Believers should give willingly from the heart, not out of obligation or coercion.

• The Tithe as Principle, Not Law: While the 10% tithe was part of Old Testament law, it continues to serve as a helpful pattern and starting point for New Testament believers, though not as a binding legal requirement.

• Giving Should Be Eager and Contagious: Enthusiastic giving in one believer or church can inspire others to greater generosity, creating a ripple effect of grace-filled service.

• Cheerful Giving Delights God: God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). Giving should flow from joy and gratitude, not reluctance or guilt.

• Sacrificial Giving in the Midst of Poverty: The Macedonian churches gave generously despite extreme poverty and persecution, demonstrating that faithful giving isn't dependent on perfect circumstances.

• Give Expectantly, Not to Get: While God promises to bless generous givers, the primary harvest is righteousness and spiritual growth, not necessarily financial return. The prosperity gospel's "give to get" mentality distorts biblical teaching.

• Where Your Treasure Is, Your Heart Will Be: Investing financially in God's kingdom work naturally directs our hearts toward heavenly priorities and loosens our grip on earthly possessions.

• Give According to Your Means: God expects us to give proportionally to what we have, which is both a comfort to those with less and a challenge to those with more.

• Primary Giving Should Be Through the Local Church: The local church provides accountability and oversight for how funds are used for gospel purposes.

• Do Your Giving While You're Living: Rather than waiting for inheritance or death, believers should give generously now to see the fruit of their giving and know where it's going.

Scripture Reference:

• Primary Text: 2 Corinthians 8:1-9:15 (entire passage read from New Living Translation)
• Supporting Passages:
  • Matthew 6:19-21 (treasures in heaven)
  • 1 Thessalonians 1:3-6 (Macedonian believers' affliction)
  • Genesis 14 (Abraham and Melchizedek)
  • Genesis 28 (Jacob's promise)
  • Matthew 23 and Luke 11 (Jesus on tithing)
  • Galatians 3 and Romans 7 (freedom from the law)

This sermon explores the nature of corporate worship through the lens of God's unshakable kingdom as presented in Hebrews 12:28-29. Pastor Ben Jacquot establishes that worship is the church's life, while gospel witness is her mission. The sermon defines the kingdom of God as "the King's power over the King's people in the King's place" and traces this theme throughout Scripture. The central argument is that acceptable worship must be built on a foundation of gratitude for receiving God's unshakable kingdom through Jesus Christ's covenant work. This gratitude, combined with reverence and awe before God as a consuming fire, characterizes proper worship. The sermon emphasizes that we enter this kingdom through the new covenant mediated by Christ's blood, which speaks reconciliation rather than vengeance. As the kingdom is already inaugurated but not yet consummated, believers live as citizens of an eternal realm that will remain when everything else is shaken and destroyed. The sermon concludes with practical applications for corporate worship, emphasizing the need to cultivate gratitude, evaluate worship biblically, and eliminate all flippancy when approaching the living God.

Key Points:

• Worship is the church's life, while sharing the gospel is her mission
• The kingdom of God is defined as the king's power over the king's people in the king's place
• We receive the kingdom through Jesus Christ as mediator of the new covenant through His blood
• Christ's blood speaks reconciliation to God, unlike Abel's blood which cried out for vengeance
• The kingdom is both "already" present and "not yet" consummated
• Everything in creation will be shaken and destroyed except God's unshakable kingdom
• Christ defeated Satan and plundered his kingdom through the weakness of the cross
• God delights to give the kingdom to His people as a gracious gift
• Acceptable worship requires gratitude as its foundation
• Acceptable worship is characterized by reverence and awe before God as a consuming fire
• Not all worship is acceptable to God; sincerity alone is insufficient
• Corporate worship should be evaluated on whether God was accurately presented and whether we responded appropriately
• Flippancy in worship must be hated and eliminated
• Gratitude flows from understanding God's grace in salvation

Scripture Reference:

• Hebrews 12:28-29 (primary text)
• Hebrews 12:18-27 (extended context)
• Exodus 19:5-6 (kingdom pattern)
• Psalm 2:7-9 (kingdom promise)
• Isaiah 53:10-12 (kingdom puzzle)
• Mark 1:14-15 (kingdom preached)
• Colossians 2:13-15 (kingdom prevails)
• Luke 12:32 (kingdom provided)
• John 4 (worship in spirit and truth)
• Romans 12:1-2 (spiritual worship)
• Genesis 1 (dominion mandate)
• Romans 8 (creation groaning)

This sermon explores the profound truth that the church is not merely an organization but the literal body of Christ on earth. Drawing from Ephesians 4:11-16, the message emphasizes that at salvation, believers receive not just a ticket to heaven but the very life of Christ—the Trinity dwelling within them. The church's purpose is to equip believers for ministry so they collectively grow into the unity of faith and knowledge of Christ, maturing into His likeness. Rather than focusing on traditions, preferences, or individual accomplishments, the church should be characterized by Christ Himself—speaking truth in love, serving one another, and living in the newness of resurrection power. When people encounter Community Baptist Church or any biblical church, they should see Jesus through the unified body of believers who are surrendered to Christ living His life through them moment by moment.

Key Points:

• The church is the body of Christ, and therefore should look like Christ and be Christ to the world
• At salvation, the entire Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—comes to dwell within believers
• The goal of equipping saints is not just activity but growing into unity of faith and knowledge of Christ
• Everlasting life (John 3:16) is not just heaven after death but the life of Christ living in us now
• Childish Christianity occurs when believers don't grow in knowing the Christ who lives in them
• True Christian living means surrendering to Christ within us, allowing Him to live His life through us
• Ministry is always fresh and new because we walk in the newness of Christ's resurrection power
• The church should be characterized by Christ's attributes: attentiveness, servanthood, and welcoming others
• Growing in grace means growing in the knowledge of Jesus Christ, not just religious activity
• The church will suffer as Christ suffered, but operates from victory, not toward victory

Scripture Reference:

• Ephesians 4:11-16 (primary passage)
• 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, 27
• Ephesians 1:22
• Colossians 1:18
• John 14:16-23
• Galatians 2:20
• John 3:16
• Colossians 2:10
• Matthew 11:28-29
• 2 Peter 3:18
• Philippians 3:8
• John 15:5

This sermon provides a foundational understanding of what the church truly is according to Scripture. Pastor Joe Fant systematically dismantles common misconceptions—that church is merely a building, an event, a social club, or a service provider—and establishes three biblical definitions: the church is a gathering of God's people, the body of Christ, and heaven's embassy on earth. The message emphasizes that church membership means being a functioning body part with specific responsibilities, not just holding a membership card. Christians are called to be ambassadors carrying the message of reconciliation to a lost world. The sermon challenges believers to reorient their understanding and commitment to the local church, recognizing it as God's greatest earthly blessing and the primary vehicle through which He advances His gospel. Pastor Joe Fant calls for deeper involvement, faithful gathering, and a shift from consumer mentality to servant mentality, emphasizing that the church exists not for individual preferences but for God's glory and mission.

Key Points:

• The church is not a building, meeting place, event, concert, social club, or service provider
• The word "church" (ekklesia) means "called out gathering" - it's fundamentally about people gathering together
• The church is a body where each member is a functioning body part with specific roles and responsibilities
• Church membership means being a vital, functioning part of the body, not just holding status or a card
• The church is God's embassy on earth, and believers are ambassadors carrying the message of reconciliation
• Gathering together is not optional but commanded in Scripture (Hebrews 10:25)
• Virtual church attendance cannot replace physical gathering as the church is defined by gathering
• When believers gather, they are to hold fast to confession, stir up one another to love and good works, and encourage each other
• The church belongs to God, not to individuals, and must operate according to Scripture, not personal preferences
• Greatest earthly blessing comes through deep involvement in the local church family
• The gospel message we carry is: "Be reconciled to God"
• Hymns and traditional songs serve as the bedrock of worship, providing language for life's most important moments

Scripture Reference:

• Matthew 16:18 - "I will build my church"
• Matthew 18:15-20 - Church discipline and "where two or three are gathered"
• Romans 12:4-8 - The church as one body with many members having different functions
• 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 - Believers as ambassadors for Christ with the ministry of reconciliation
• Hebrews 10:23-25 - Command not to neglect meeting together
• Ephesians 2:19 - Fellow citizens with the saints
• Philippians 3 - Citizenship in heaven
• 1 Corinthians 10:17 - Many are one body

This sermon explores the foundational nature of the church as revealed in Matthew 16:13-20, where Peter confesses Jesus as "the Christ, the Son of the living God." The message emphasizes that the church is built upon this confession of faith in Jesus as both fully God and fully man, the only Savior who can reconcile sinful humanity to a holy God. Pastor Joe Fant stresses that salvation comes through faith alone in Christ alone, not through human works or righteousness. The sermon challenges believers to understand their vital role in building God's church through witnessing, serving, and prayer, while maintaining confidence that no force of darkness can ultimately prevail against the gospel's advance. The message calls for practical commitment in 2026 to share the gospel, serve in the local church body, and devote oneself to prayer, recognizing that God uses Spirit-empowered human effort to accomplish His eternal purposes.

Key Points:

• Jesus deliberately chose Caesarea Philippi, a pagan Roman city with false worship, to declare His authority and announce His church
• The world remains confused about Jesus' identity, but true believers confess Him as the Christ, the Son of the living God
• This confession is the foundation upon which Christ builds His church, and it comes only through divine revelation, not human reasoning
• The gospel is simple: God requires perfection, we are sinful, and only Jesus—fully God and fully man—could live perfectly, die for our sins, and offer His righteousness in exchange
• The gates of hell cannot prevail against the church; the gospel is an unstoppable offensive force, not merely a defensive position
• God builds His church through the Spirit-empowered efforts of believers who witness, serve, and pray
• Every church member has a responsibility to share the gospel, serve in the body, and commit to prayer
• The challenge for 2026: commit to sharing the gospel with two specific people in your sphere of influence

Scripture Reference:

• Matthew 16:13-20 (primary passage)
• Supporting references: Genesis 3, Isaiah 53, Deuteronomy 5, Joshua 3, Daniel, John 1:1, John 3, Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8-9, 1 Corinthians 12-13, Matthew 5-7, Matthew 18, Acts 2, 3, and 10, Colossians 4, Matthew 9, Luke 11, James 5:13