Bethel Baptist Church
A Ministry of Bethel Baptist Church 24600 Little Mack Avenue Saint Clair Shores, MI 48080 Service Times Sunday 9:30 am - Sunday School 10:45 am - Morning Worship 6:00 pm - Evening Praise Service Wednesday 6:45 pm - Youth Group 6:45 pm - AWANA (During School Year) 7:00 pm - Bible Study & Prayer More Information about Bethel Baptist Church Bethel Baptist Church bbcscssound@gmail.com Pastor Robert Cosand
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Micah: From The Days Of Eternity
12/21/2025
Micah: From The Days Of Eternity
Scripture Reading: Micah 5:1-5a There are many prophecies in the Old Testament regarding the coming of Jesus Christ in His first advent, beginning with a very early reference in Genesis 3:15. One of the wonderful predictions of the coming of Christ is found in Micah 5. Micah lived and wrote 700 years before Christ, during a time of rampant wickedness . . . idolatry (Mic 1:7), greed (2:2), thievery (2:2), injustice (3:2,3), falsehood (5:5), bloodshed (3:10). Micah sounds two great messages in this book . . . the consuming judgment of God, on one hand (1:3,4), and the compassionate mercy of God, on the other (7:18). Sooner or later every person will face one or the other of these characteristics of the Almighty. In the book of Micah, against the dark background of Israel's failure and Judah's spiritual hardness, there blazes a blinding light of hope in Micah 5:2-5a. Although the kings of Israel and Judah had not led the people to holiness and peace, a ruler would one day arise who would be like no other. He would care for His people like a shepherd, guarding them and feeding them in the strength and majesty of God (5:4). It is a message filled with relevance for our time. Our world stands, desperately, in need of a king . . . and our own hearts need a king. We need someone to guard us and lead us and feed our souls, in strength and majesty. Our hearts yearn for such a sovereign in whom we can safely rest in peace. We have such a Ruler. The baby in the manger . . . is the King of Kings.
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Revelation: Take and Eat
12/14/2025
Revelation: Take and Eat
Scripture Reading: Revelation 10:1-11 The context of this chapter is the interlude between the sounding of the sixth trumpet … in chapter 9 … and the sounding of the seventh trumpet … in the middle of chapter 11. As there was an interlude between the breaking and opening of the sixth and the seventh seals … Revelation 7 … so there is an interlude between the sounding of the sixth and seventh trumpets. These interludes have a literary function, at least, for the readers of this book … as they contemplate what has taken place … and anticipate what is coming in the unfolding of God's furious and glorious designs. A glorious, mighty angel appears in John's vision … roaring like a lion, with repeated thunders resulting from his voice. In his hand he has a 'little scroll.' The contents of this little scroll are not explicitly described, but what appears in chapters 10 and 11 give us some idea, as John and the two witnesses of chapter 11, are called on to prophesy to the nations. John is commanded to 'take and eat' the scroll. It is sweet in his mouth, but bitter in his stomach. God's offer of eternal life is sweet 'good news' to the perishing. But it becomes bitterness to those who reject God's mercy. Indeed, the Word of God is sweet to those who hear it with their ears and receive it in their hearts (Ezek 3:10). Let us strive to increasingly satisfy the longings of our hungry hearts with the bread of life.
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Revelation: They Still Did Not Repent
12/08/2025
Revelation: They Still Did Not Repent
Scripture Reading: Revelation 9:13-21 This passage contains another description of the horrors brought to humanity during the coming time of tribulation. The sounding of the sixth trumpet will bring the death of a third of the earth's population (Rev 9:18). Like the fifth trumpet, this judgment will be effected by a demonic host that will be released on the earth. The description of these beings, riding frightful horses points to the power they will possess and the lethal effect they will produce … heads like lions and tails like serpents. Whereas the judgment of the fifth trumpet brought horrible physical suffering short of death, this judgment will claim a third of the people on the earth. An interesting comment on this situation appears in Revelation 9:20,21. For all the death and suffering, the majority of the unbelievers who were left alive did not repent of their sins in a pleading with God for mercy. How enslaved the sinful human heart is to the darkness of sin. Repentance must be a work of God in the stubborn, sinful heart. It is not that the light of the truth about God is lacking, but that the light is hated. "People loved the darkness because their deeds were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light" (Jn 3:19,20). We must plead with God to do His life-giving work, deep in our souls. This is true repentance.
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Ezekiel: The Father of Lies
12/01/2025
Ezekiel: The Father of Lies
Scripture Reading: Ezekiel 28:11-19 Origin and fall of Satan Ezekiel 28:11-19 Names and titles of Satan Satan ('adversary') - Job 1,2; 1 Chr 21:1 Devil ('slanderer') - Mt 4:5; 1 Pet 5:8 Beelzebul ('lord of flies') - Mt 12:27; Lk 11:15 Belial ('worthless') - 2 Cor 6:15 Serpent - Gen 3:1; Rev 12:9 Evil One - Jn 17:15; 1 Jn 5:18 Accuser of the brothers - Rev 12:10 Prince of the power of the air - Eph 2:2 god of this world - 2 Cor 4:4 Tempter - Mt 4:3; 1 Thes 3:5 Liar, Father of lies - Jn 8:44 Angel of light - 2 Cor 11:14 Purpose of Satan - to oppose God and His purposes . . . regarding unbelievers . . . takes truth away from their minds - Lk 8:12 . . . blinds their minds - 2 Cor 4:3,4 . . . promotes false teaching - 1 Tim 4:1 1 Jn 4:1 . . . regarding believers . . . plants doubt - Gen 3:1-5 . . . tempts to sin - lying in Acts 5:3 immorality in 1 Cor 7:5 pride in 1 Tim 3:6 discouragement in 1 Pet 5:6-10 . . . infiltrates the church with false teachers and false disciples - 2 Cor 11:12-15 . . . causes division in churches 2 Cor 2:6-1 Eph 4:25-27 Conclusion Ephesians 6:10-18 Satan has schemes and subtle ways of troubling us and deceiving us. The only defenses against him are of a spiritual nature . . . salvation in Christ, prayer, the Word of God, resting in our Father.
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Revelation: The Locusts From Hell
11/23/2025
Revelation: The Locusts From Hell
Scripture Reading: Revelation 9:1-12 The seventh seal on the great heavenly scroll introduces the seven trumpets of judgment. The seventh trumpet introduces the seven bowls of final judgment. The first four trumpets bring calamity on earthly elements … land, sea, rivers, and light. The fifth and sixth trumpets … the first two of three ominous 'woes' … unleash demonic powers of destruction. Reminiscent of the prophet Joel, John describes demonic activity in terms of a plague of locusts (Rev 9:1-3). The grotesque imagery points to the diabolical power and destructive intent of these evil, spirit beings (Rev 9:7-11). In our culture there is an increasing interest in the supernatural, but it is not, for the most part, honoring to God. There is a supernatural realm, but it is cleanly divided between two domains: that kingdom which glorifies God and that kingdom which opposes Him at every turn. Satan is a real being and demons are the powerful agents of his evil will. Demons are angels who fell, along with Satan, from their position in heaven (2 Pet 2:4; Jude 6). They are called 'demons' (Mt 8:28-34), 'spirits' (often evil or unclean spirits - (Lk 8:2; 10:17-20), and even 'angels' (Mt 25:41). Let us be ever vigilant because we have an enemy who is powerful and cunningly opposes the work of Christ in the world. "We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against . . . cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places" (Eph 6:12).
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Revelation: Silence in Heaven
11/16/2025
Revelation: Silence in Heaven
Scripture Reading: Revelation 8:1-13 The opening of the seventh seal on the heavenly scroll, leads to seven trumpets of increasing divine judgment on the people of the earth … which, in turn, lead to seven bowls of further divine fury of God's holy justice against earth's wicked rebels. With the opening of the seventh seal, Revelation 8:1 says, "there was silence in heaven for about half an hour." After all the loud sounds of praise and songs by the inhabitants of heaven (cf. Rev 4:7; 5:2,9-12; 6:10), this long silence seems to be the silence of awe and anticipation of the coming judgments. The ardent, repeated prayers of the saints are mentioned for the second time in Revelation. Earlier there were prayers for God's justice to be meted out (cf. Rev 4:9-11). The answer to that plaintive cry is the outpouring of God's justice on the wicked. In considering the fury and suffering with which God will one day bring His judgments … and even in considering the suffering of so many people now … it is instructive to why God brings (or even permits) so much human suffering and death. We do not have to guess as to at least some of the reasons God does as He does. The death of the wicked is the means of bringing them into God's court of justice, from which there is no appeal. The death of the righteous is the means of bringing them into their eternal home, to enjoy eternal life in God's presence. The death of anyone is a warning to the living to turn to Christ before it is too late.
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Revelation: Sealed By God
11/09/2025
Revelation: Sealed By God
Scripture Reading: Revelation 7:1-8 In Revelation 7, we have an interlude between the sixth and seventh seals. The chapter has in mind two groups of Christians … 144,000 servants of God who are given His seal, and a "great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages." A literal and future interpretation of the 144,000 servants sees this as Jewish Christians, who are raised up, and protected from the earthly calamities, in order to proclaim the gospel during the great tribulation. They are chosen from the twelve tribes of Israel and are the "firstfruits for God" (Rev 14:4), indicating that there will be many Jewish people who will turn to Christ during this time. This is God's 'remnant' of the people of Israel, who will be saved during the final season of human history (cf. Rom 9:27,28; 11:25-27). The seal here seems to be a seal of protection from the calamites that befall the human race (cf. Ezek 9:1-8). This group is also mentioned in Revelation 14:1-5 as a redeemed group, who are sexually and spiritually pure … who "follow the Lamb wherever he goes … and in their mouth no lie was found.” The 144,000 seem to be a group of Jewish evangelists who are raised up to proclaim the gospel in all the world. This is yet a display of God's mercy to a rebellious world. Even in His horrible judgments during this season, He offers eternal life through the global proclamation of the gospel of Christ. The 'seal' of God is mentioned in Ephesians 1:13,14 and 4:30. The Holy Spirit is God's seal displaying His ownership and protection of His own. Let us rest in this comforting reality.
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Revelation: From Every Tribe and Tongue
11/02/2025
Revelation: From Every Tribe and Tongue
Scripture Reading: Revelation 7:9-17 Since 1996, one Sunday in November has been designated the "International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church." Exact statistics are hard to determine, but continuing into the 21st century, worldwide, even on the low end of estimates, tens of thousands of Christians are killed every year for the Christian faith … in places like Pakistan, Sudan, North Korea, China, Indonesia, and Iran. Revelation 7 reveals yet another scene in heaven where there is a great assembly of people "from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne" (Rev 7:9). They are "the ones coming out of the great tribulation" (Rev 7:14). Presumably, many of these are martyrs, similar to the descriptions we find in Revelation 6:9 and 13:5-7. We are commanded in the Bible to "Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body" (Heb 13:3). There are great benefits in considering, with both mind and heart, that the church elsewhere is suffering. First, it makes us bolder to share our faith with others (Phil 1:14). Second, it broadens our perspective concerning what God is doing in our world and how He is doing it. Third, it sobers us about our own faith, reminding us that we are in a deadly war and must live disciplined lives (2 Tim 1:8; 2:3). "The Voice of the Martyrs" is a free monthly magazine designed to inform us about the suffering church the world over. For a free subscription, call 1-800-747-0085. There are videos for adults in our church library produced by Voice of the Martyrs on the persecuted church in Sudan and also videos for children. The Voice of the Martyrs website address is
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Revelation: The Wrath of the Lamb
10/26/2025
Revelation: The Wrath of the Lamb
Scripture Reading: Revelation 6:9-17 In this passage, the fifth and sixth seal of the great scroll are opened, and the unleased suffering on the earth continues. The fifth seal reveals that, during this time there will be an extensive martyrdom of Christians. In this heavenly scene these martyrs are praying for God's justice to be brought, in full, on His enemies. The sixth seal releases both cosmic and natural disasters. The inhabitants of the earth, great and small, begin to realize that the horrendous troubles, relentlessly being experienced by everyone, are actually divine in origin. Rather than turn to God for mercy, they simply pray for death … blindly imagining that death is an escape from God's judgment. The wrath of God is on full display in this passage, and in the passages to come in Revelation. God's anger is His holy and controlled response against sin and against those who persist in opposing Him. His wrath rises out of His holiness and justice and, therefore, is not simply emotional, but fundamentally judicial. One definition of divine wrath is: God's holy reaction to sin and His resolve to bring judgment on those who rebel against Him. The more we understand the wrath of God and, given that we deserve it, the deeper our wonder of the mercy of God in Christ and the greater our gratitude to God and our love for Him.
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Revelation: Six Seals of Earthly Horror
10/20/2025
Revelation: Six Seals of Earthly Horror
Scripture Reading: Revelation 6:1-8 The focus in the book of Revelation changes sharply from chapter 5 to chapter 6. Chapters 4 and 5 pictured the throne of God in heaven, but in chapter 6 the scene shifts to the earth. There is a stark contrast between the glories of God's presence and the darkness of His wrath, beginning now to be described in chapter 6. Most of the remaining chapters in Revelation have in view what will take place on the earth during the wondrous and horrible time of tribulation that will befall the earth near the end of history, as we know it. The troubles described in this text have certainly been part of the history of humanity, but they will be concentrated during the great tribulation, especially during the last 3½ years of that period. One purpose of this global tribulation is a display of divine justice on the rebellious nations of the earth. 19th century English pastor, Henry Alford, described this time of divine judgment as "the beating down of earthly power, the breaking up of earthly peace, the exhausting of earthly wealth, the destruction of earthly life" (Alford, The Greek Testament, IV:613). Let us stand in awe of God's power and justice and let us be deeply thankful to be saved, by God's grace, from the fearsome fury of His justice.
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Revelation: Worthy to Open the Scroll
10/12/2025
Revelation: Worthy to Open the Scroll
Scripture Reading: Revelation 5:1-14 One thing that is revealed to us in Revelation 4,5 is this … at the center of the universe, the Almighty is seated on His throne, ruling over everything He has made. The world we live in is filled with horrors of every kind. And yet, God is governing everything that happens in the world, so that a sparrow does not fall to the ground without the hand of a sovereign God. Revelation 5 is an exaltation of God the Son, as He takes from His Father's hand a seven-sealed scroll. No one, in heaven and on earth, is able to break the seals and open the scroll. But the inhabitants of heaven sing, "Worthy are you to take the scroll and open its seals" (Rev 5:9). Interpretations regarding the contents of the scroll differ. In light of the content that is revealed in the book of Revelation, as the seals are opened, it is reasonable to conclude that the scroll represents the consummation of all of human history … including the judgment of the nations of the earth, the glorification of the people of God, the earthly reign of Christ, and the eternal state of all things. The proper response to God the Son, shown in all His glory, is praise, gratitude, and reverence. The inhabitants of heaven fell down, trembling, before the Lion of Judah, who is also the Lamb who was slain … joyfully singing His tribute … "To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever." Can we do anything less, all the days of our lives?
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Revelation: The Centrality of Worship
10/05/2025
Revelation: The Centrality of Worship
Scripture Reading: Revelation 4:1-11 In Revelation 4, the entire focus of the book changes … from the churches that existed during John's day, to the events which will take place in the future, indeed, at the end of human history. Before John writes about what will take place at the end of time, he describes for us the glory of God in heaven, as he saw the throne of the Almighty in his vision. Revelation 4 describes the glory of God the Father and chapter 5 describes the glory of God the Son. What is revealed in Revelation 4 is the worship that is going on in heaven … performed by angels and saints in heaven. They declare the wonders of God in specific statements and with profound humility and great passion. We learn something of the importance of worship from this passage. God is central in heaven in a way that He is not central in the events of earthly life and human history. A brief definition of worship might be "savoring the supremacy of God." To consider who God is, is to come to the conclusion that He is supreme in all the universe, in every way. His power is supreme, His majesty indescribable, His goodness unimpeachable, His mercy everlasting, His wisdom unsearchable, His truth pure and reliable, His sovereignty mysterious and all-encompassing. Savoring all that God is … reveling in Him, enjoying Him, taking pleasure in Him, prizing Him … is worship. Worship is something of an abbreviation of an old English word 'worthship.' To ascribe to God His worth is worship. Worship is not just the act of singing a song on Sunday morning or praying before you go to sleep at night. It is exulting in God, deep in our hearts, because of His value … worth … infinite worth.
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Exodus: Introducing Our Holy, Infinite, Faithful Savior Who Knows Our Sorrows
09/28/2025
Exodus: Introducing Our Holy, Infinite, Faithful Savior Who Knows Our Sorrows
Scripture Reading: Exodus 3 Have you ever thought of what preparation might go into meeting someone new? After providentially blessing and multiplying his people for some 430 silent years in Egypt, God re-introduces himself to Moses and to the people of Israel that have now multiplied to some 2.5 million people. How does He describe Himself in this re-introduction? God reveals Himself as a holy God, that is, a God who is pure, unique and supremely worthy of worship. He even commands some preparation for meeting with him so that we physically prepare for spiritual realities. I wonder if more of us might benefit from spiritual times if we did more to physically prepare for them? God reveals Himself as the infinite and faithful God: “I am” the God of your forefathers, not “I was.” The same God who made covenants with the forefathers of Israel and kept those promises, He is still God today. God may appear quiet at times, but He hasn’t left the throne. He won’t abandon His people or break His word. God reveals Himself as the God who sees our pain and hears our sorrows. He isn’t cold and distant. Not a tear goes unnoticed and not a prayer unheard. If you find yourself in a difficult place, if the world around you seems to crush you with oppression and fears, if it seems like you are alone and no one knows or understands your pain, then rest assured, my brothers and sisters: you have a God in Heaven who knows you, and He knows your situation. God reveals Himself as the God who delivers. God will save his people in a way that shows the strength of His mighty arm! He hears; He knows; His heart is touched by our pain, and He will deliver His people in His time. Wait on the Lord for His great salvation. God reveals Himself as the God who delivers by sending a covenant mediator. To Israel there in Egypt He sent Moses—an imperfect, human and even hesitant mediator. But Moses is a picture of the great covenant mediator who would someday come. God would then send Jesus the Christ, the ultimate and final mediator who joyfully endured the cross and is now exalted to the right hand of God, reigning and hearing our prayers. Have you met this God? Do you know Him as your Lord and your Savior?
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Revelation: Laodicea - Lukewarm Poverty
09/21/2025
Revelation: Laodicea - Lukewarm Poverty
Scripture Reading: Revelation 3:14-22 If ever there was a church in the Biblical setting which mirrors the church in America today, it is the church in Laodicea. Laodicea was a wealthy city, with a clothing industry, a flourishing money changing trade, and a famous medical school which was known for the development of ointment for the eyes and the ears. Banking, industry, medicine, education … Laodicea had it all. But there was a very serious problem in the church in Laodicea. Spiritually they were lukewarm (Rev 3:15,16). There was no fire in their soul for God. And His assessment of this congregation was "you do not know that you are wretched and pitiable and poor and blind and naked" (Rev 3:17). They were blind to their own spiritual lethargy. They thought they were doing well because of their material wealth, but all the time their souls were shriveled up … and they did not even know it. One of the great dangers in America, with our unbelievable wealth, is self-indulgence and self-deception. The gold and the white garments and eyesight the Lord is offering in Revelation 3:18 are spiritual wonders … faith, holiness, insight into eternal truth, delight in God. There is nothing we possess in our house that even comes close to the value of such things. May God keep us from half-hearted affections toward spiritual wealth. By His grace may He help us to be passionate about having our eyes opened to heavenly mysteries and everlasting truth. Everything else is perishing.
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Revelation: Philadelphia - Keepers of God's Word
09/14/2025
Revelation: Philadelphia - Keepers of God's Word
Scripture Reading: Revelation 3:7-13 We live in an age in which profit margins and statistical analyses are the methods by which almost everything is judged. Bigger is better. It is a world of Apple and Microsoft and Amazon … a world in which larger companies swallow smaller companies … a world in which something is deemed wrong if this year’s numbers are not higher than last year’s numbers. Almost everything in life is quantified and evaluated accordingly. The upshot of this statistical environment is that churches have become preoccupied with numbers. But bigger budgets do not necessarily mean spiritual growth. Bigger membership rolls do not necessarily mean more Christians. Bigger buildings do not necessarily mean more sincere worship. Certainly this is one lesson from the church in Philadelphia in Revelation 3:7-13. They were a church of ‘little power’ (Rev 3:8). They did not have the reputation of Sardis, nor the splendor of Pergamum, nor the influence of Ephesus. They were probably the smallest of the seven churches, but, according to this letter, they were the most effective of all the churches. They were obedient to God’s Word (Rev 3:8,10) and saw even some of their enemies repent and worship Jesus Christ (Rev 3:9). God’s evaluation of a church (or an individual) is based on things like faithfulness, purity, humility, perseverance, obedience … not on statistical analyses. Bigger is better? Not in the kingdom of God.
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Acts: Pay Attention to the Flock
09/07/2025
Acts: Pay Attention to the Flock
Scripture Reading: Acts 20:17-38 The account of Paul's exhortation to the elders of the church at Ephesus is one of the more moving stories in the Bible. It contains not only the evidence of Paul's love for his Ephesian brothers, but an insight into the ministry of the apostle. What we have here is a detailed description of what Paul did in serving Christ as well as the manner in which he accomplished his ministry. Two activities of ministry are presented in this passage … instruction and admonition. There is a central focus on teaching the Word of God (Acts 20:20,27,32), as Paul declares, "I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God." Second, Paul admonished the people in the church in Ephesus (20:31). This word involves counseling, encouraging, warning, advising. The manner in which Paul carried out the responsibilities of his office is highly instructive to us. He discharged the duties of his office with humility (20:19), tears (20:19,31), courage (20:19,20,27), diligence (20:31,34,35), self-sacrifice (20:22-24, 33-35), and seriousness (20:24). This passage is not simply a model for pastoral leadership … it is a model for every form of service in Christ's kingdom, both inside and outside the church … in all our activities, as people who have taken the name of Christ.
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Revelation: Sardis - Lifeless Formalism
08/31/2025
Revelation: Sardis - Lifeless Formalism
Scripture Reading: Revelation 3:1-6 The letter to the church at Sardis is the fourth letter of seven letters Christ spoke to these select churches. The problem in the church at Sardis was spiritual deadness, even though they appeared to the observer to be a church brimming with vitality. ". . . you have a name that you are alive, and you are dead" (Rev 3:1). This passage cuts to the very nature of spiritual life in a church. It is possible to have an external appearance of life through forms of worship and programs, while at the same time lack spiritual passion in the heart. God’s evaluation of a church (or a person) is not based on any external forms. It issues from the status of the heart. It is possible to sing songs without any earnest reality in the soul. It is possible to pray without any heartfelt humility or awe or longing. It is possible to go to church without any deep hunger to know God better. True worship is not something we can turn on once per week, like a light switch. Whatever our hearts are like during the week, that is what they are like on Sunday. If there is no thirsting after God on Tuesday, there will be no thirsting for Him on Sunday morning when the forms of worship are employed. Genuine worship is an overall perspective and passion of the soul. Sunday simply gives this passion corporate expression in a church service, but the longing after God is there quite independently of Sunday worship forms. If such spiritual yearning is not present within each of us, our church can look like it is alive, while all the time being dead.
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Revelation: Thyatira - Moral Impurity
08/24/2025
Revelation: Thyatira - Moral Impurity
Scripture Reading: Revelation 2:18-29 Thyatira was not a magnificent city in antiquity and was relatively obscure compared to Ephesus, Smyrna, and Pergamum. It was known for the manufacture of purple dyes and the making of cloth. In Acts 16, the first convert in Philippi was Lydia, a seller of purple fabrics, from the city of Thyatira (Acts 16:14). The commendation of the church in Thyatira is glowing and emphatic. “I know your deeds, and your love and faith and service and perseverance, and that your deeds of late are greater than at first” (Rev 2:19). But there was a serious problem in the church. There was an influential woman (she is referred to as ‘Jezebel’ in Rev 2:20) who had encouraged some of the people in the church toward acts of immorality. The church was tolerating her and these practices. In spite of the sterling qualities within the church, its purity had been compromised. The church in America today faces the same struggle. Moral purity is increasingly difficult to maintain, due to blatant sexually-charged messages everywhere. Pornography is a multi-billion-dollar business in the US alone. Let us guard our heads and hearts, lest we compromise the church’s purity and effectiveness. Let us, like Job, make a covenant with our eyes so we will not dishonor God and we will not deaden our hearts by what we see (Job 31:1). “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word” (Psa 119:9).
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Revelation: Pergamum - Echoes of Balaam
08/18/2025
Revelation: Pergamum - Echoes of Balaam
Scripture Reading: Revelation 2:12-17 The third church in the letters of Christ to the seven churches was in the city of Pergamum. Like Smyrna, it was a center for emperor worship. There was a temple dedicated to the worship of Augustus (and subsequent Caesars) in Pergamum as well as the renowned Altar of Zeus. Christ lauds the Christians in Pergamum for their willingness to suffer and display fidelity to the Christian faith. The problem in Pergamum was that although the Christians had publicly denounced idolatry, some of the people had privately allowed immorality (Rev 2:14) because of doctrinal corruption (Rev 2:15). Doctrinal corruption always leads to behavioral corruption. It is true of many Christians today. Some condemn public evil … abortion, pornography, same sex marriage … but allow subtle sins in their own lives , like lust, hatred, neglect of prayer. The allowance of subtle sins, often, results from haziness about Biblical doctrine. Wrong thinking always leads to wrong behavior. So many of our churches today need a revitalization of precise, deep-rooted, fervent truth in their programs. Biblical truth is being replaced today, in wholesale fashion and in the name of worship, by entertainment. While we stimulate our senses we are starving our souls. We need clear, demanding truth from the eternal Word of God. This is the only way our lives and our churches will remain pure light in the darkness. He who has an ear, let him hear.
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Revelation: Smyrna - Persecuted, Enduring
08/10/2025
Revelation: Smyrna - Persecuted, Enduring
Scripture Reading: Revelation 2:8-11 Smyrna was a city of 200,000 people in the first century. It boasted a stadium, a library, and the largest public theater in Asia Minor. The sizable Jewish population and the high level of allegiance to the Roman state made it difficult to live in Smyrna as a Christian. The Jews, in particular, led the way in persecuting the Christians there. As a result of this persecution, many of the Christians in Smyrna had been rendered poor and were living in great poverty. Jesus said, "I know your tribulation and your poverty" (Rev 2:8). The letter written to Smyrna in Revelation 2 is one of two letters which does not contain any rebuke from the Lord (the letter to the church in Philadelphia was the other one). Instead, Christ praises the Christians in Smyrna for having a wealth of spirit that has nothing to do with money or possessions ("I know . . . your poverty, but you are rich"). And He reminds them that, in spite of severe persecution, there remains, for believers, an imperishable crown of life. The passage instructs us that true wealth is not material and, in fact, has nothing to do with money. We must cultivate the riches of the soul if we are to understand life at its deepest level. This passage also instructs us as to the glory of suffering for the sake of Christ. We must develop a Biblical perspective of suffering if we are to stand for the truth of God in a godless environment. Earthly suffering, borne with patience and hope, yields eternal fruit and an everlasting honor to the name of Christ.
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Revelation: Ephesus - Lost Passion
08/03/2025
Revelation: Ephesus - Lost Passion
Scripture Reading: Revelation 2:1-7 In AD 61 or 62, the apostle Paul wrote a letter to the church at Ephesus. It eloquently plumbed the depths of salvation in Christ and called the Ephesians to zeal and truth. Some 30 years later the apostle John wrote a letter to the church at Ephesus as well, recorded in Revelation 2:1-7. John’s letter included a commendation of the church and a grave warning. The commendation was that the church had maintained doctrinal purity, exposing the error of false teachers (Rev 2:2). The warning was that the people had lost their first love (Rev 2:4) and no longer had a passion for the things that once stirred their hearts. One of the dangers facing the evangelical church in America is a loss of passion for the truth. In many conservative circles the struggle is not that we do not say the right things in our doctrinal statements. The problem often is that the things we affirm do not really have any power in our lives. We have sometimes maintained theologically accuracy, but have lost our love for spiritual truth. It is possible for our heads to be right while our hearts are cold. May the Spirit of God stir our hearts so that the things that we affirm doctrinally will affect the way that we live. May He fill our heads with great truths about Himself and may He inflame our hearts with love for Him and devotion to Him. And may He help us to strive to maintain not only purity in our doctrine, but purity in our lives.
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Revelation: The Majesty of Christ
07/28/2025
Revelation: The Majesty of Christ
Scripture Reading: Revelation 1:9-20 The description of Jesus Christ, given in the first chapter of Revelation, is one of the most majestic pictures of our Savior found in the Scriptures. The awesome imagery is taken mostly from Old Testament passages and is meant to evoke from us the same reaction that this vision produced in John. While banished to the island of Patmos, John had the wondrous visions recorded in the book of Revelation. In chapter 1:12-16, he sees Christ and he rehearses what he saw for us. The person John saw was "like the Son of Man" (Dan 7:13). He was dressed in a long robe (Dan 10:5; Exod 28:4) embroidered with gold, a garment of dignity, respect, and authority. His hair was white like wool (Dan 7:9; Prov 16:31), signifying honor (Lev 19:32) and eternity (Dan :9). His eyes were like a flame of fire (Dan 10:6; Rev 19:12), displaying judgment. His feet were like polished bronze (Dan 10:6), representing glory, strength, and stability. His voice was like the sound of torrential, rushing water (Dan 10:6), symbolic of majesty and power. Out of His mouth came a sharp, two-edged sword (Rev 19:15), representing judgment. When John saw this man … God the Son in all His glory … he fell at His feet, as if all the life had gone from him. Jesus tenderly touches John and assures him that he need not be afraid. Our response to Christ ought to be both profound awe, on the one hand, and heartfelt comfort and pleasure, on the other. We hear in His voice the roar of torrential waters … and the whisper of a still small voice. "Jesus, the very thought of Thee, with sweetness fills my breast . . ."
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Acts: Proclaim Jesus!
07/21/2025
Acts: Proclaim Jesus!
Bethel Baptist Church is pleased this Sunday to host Stephan and Ginger Jordan. The Jordans are transitioning from their previous decades long ministry in the Phillipines to a new opportunity with Ethnos360:
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Revelation: A Kingdom Of Priests
07/14/2025
Revelation: A Kingdom Of Priests
Scripture Reading: Revelation 1:5,6 What glories are contained in the description of the people of God, to whom the book of Revelation is expressly written. In Revelation 1:5,6, we have a declaration of what Jesus has done for those who belong to Him … and some results of what He has done. John reminds believers that Christ "loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood." Because of His love for us, Christ has set us free from the penalty we deserve for our sins. This He did by His substitutionary death. The just died for the unjust that He might "bring us to God" (1 Pet 3:18). In this marvelous work Christ has made us 'a kingdom' and 'priests'. John Calvin says that we are "associates of His kingdom and partakers of His priesthood." As priests we are representatives of God in the world, commissioned to "proclaim the excellencies of him who called [us] out of darkness into his marvelous light" (1 Pet 2:9). Further, as priests we are to "offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" (1 Pet 2:5). The living of our lives ought to be a daily, perpetual honor to the God whose name we proclaim. Paul says we are to be 'living sacrifices' in Romans 12:1. "He chose us, when he could find nothing in us but filth and vileness; he makes his peculiar possession from worthless dregs; he confers the honor of the priesthood on the profane; he brings the vassals of Satan, of sin, and of death, to the enjoyment of royal liberty" (Calvin, New Testament Commentaries, 12:266).
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Revelation: The Ruler of Kings on Earth
06/30/2025
Revelation: The Ruler of Kings on Earth
Scripture Reading: Revelation 1:1-8 From the first line in the book of Revelation, John exalts Christ. Then, in the first chapter, he describes Christ in majestic terms. Christ is the "faithful witness" … the "firstborn from the dead" … the "ruler of the kings on earth" (Rev 1:5). Christ loves us and has freed us from our sins and made us a kingdom of priests. This prompts John's heart and pen to surge into a doxology … "to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen" (Rev 1:5). The words "I am the Alpha and the Omega" in Revelation 1:8 are words from God the Father. But those same words are echoed by Christ in Revelation 22:13. To say that Christ is the ruler of kings on earth is to declare His sovereignty, by which He governs everything that rulers do. "Kingship belongs to the LORD, and he rules over the nations" (Psa 22:27). "The heart of the king is in the hand of the LORD . . . he turns it wherever he will" (Prov 21:1). "Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand" (Prov 19:21). To say that Christ is the Alpha and the Omega is to declare His eternality and self-existence. Our response before Christ should be reverential fear and ecstatic delight and thankful adoration. "There is none like you, O LORD; you are great, and your name is great in might. Who would not fear you, O King of the nations? For this is your due" (Jer 10:6-7).
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Revelation: To Him be Glory and Dominion
06/23/2025
Revelation: To Him be Glory and Dominion
Scripture Reading: Revelation 1:1-8 This marvelous book, with which the New Testament (and the Bible) ends, is what its name implies. It is the revealing, uncovering, displaying of the person of Jesus Christ, in all His glory. Though some of the details in Revelation, presented in the form of symbolism, are not always well-defined, the overall message of the book is clear. This book is the prophecy of the end of human history. The end of the age culminates with the second coming of Christ, the final judgment of all things, and the eternal state of all creation. John wrote this book "to the seven churches that are in Asia" (1:4). The number 'seven', occurring over 50 times in Revelation, seems to represent fullness or completeness, and so these seven churches are representative of the universal church of Christ in all ages. The first chapter of Revelation contains an extended, glorious description of Christ. It is so rich and comprehensive, John Walvoord wrote, "If no more had been written than that contained in this introductory portion of chapter 1, it would have constituted a tremendous restatement of the person and work of Christ such as found in no comparable section of Scripture" (Walvoord, The Revelation of Jesus Christ, 40). The book displays the ultimate and final victory of God over Satan … and righteousness over evil … and heaven over hell. To know that human history is moving according to an inexorable divine plan keeps us from deadening pessimism and works in our souls a calm and hope in the face of every earthly turmoil and heartache.
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2 Samuel: David's Final Song
06/16/2025
2 Samuel: David's Final Song
Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 23:1-7 What people say while they are dying is very significant. They don’t talk about the weather or the stock market or the game on television. They talk about eternal matters. David, “the sweet psalmist of Israel,” wrote a song just before he died. The book of Psalms contains 73 Psalms bearing David’s name, but this song is found only in the book of 2 Samuel. The content of this song is highly instructive for us. This poem does not contain the ruminations of an old king as he looks back on bygone days of glory and the excitement of “the good old days.” This song is an account of the majesty of the infinite God. David lauds what God had done in his life, namely to take David from the shepherd’s field and place him on the throne of Israel and inspire him to write sacred Scripture for the ages (2 Sam 23:1). But outshining the glory of what God had done for David during his life is what God would do through David, long after he was gone. God would raise up a King who would rule in perfect righteousness and the fear of God (2 Sam 23:2-5). In contrast, the unrighteous, God will “thrust away like thorns” which are worthless (2 Sam 23:6,7). How full are our hearts when we consider the majesty of God both in what He has done in our lives and, even more wondrous, in what He will do in the ages to come . . . because of Jesus Christ and His work on our behalf! Do we not declare, with David, that this King is the source of “all our salvation and all our desire” (2 Sam 23:5)? Let us meditate on our Lord until we can honestly say it.
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2 Samuel: Pride in Numbers
06/09/2025
2 Samuel: Pride in Numbers
Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 24 - (1 Chronicles 21) We know David for his great victories and songs . . . and for his great sins. One rather obscure passage about one of David’s sins is 2 Samuel 24 (repeated in 1 Chr 21). David wanted to number his army, but not for the usual reason, which was to fight a war. It seems that David simply wanted to see how many men he had for personal delight (2 Sam 24:3). What he did, displeased the Lord (1 Chr 21:7) and God severely judged the people of Israel (2 Sam 25:15-17). One lesson we can draw from this story is that it warns us not to take pleasure in our strength or victories apart from our delight being firmly and centrally rooted in our God. We can delight in our bank accounts or in the value of our house or in the longevity of our lives or in the attendance in our church or in the number of missionaries we support . . . and find more pleasure in these things than we do in the Giver of these things. We are so programmed to evaluate everything in terms of numbers that we have the tendency to feed our delight more on our accomplishments than on the excellencies of Christ. The subtleties of pride are particularly beguiling when it comes to us in this way. A second lesson from this story is drawn from the fact that this sin of David’s pride does not appear to be a “youthful indiscretion.” That this story is found in 2 Samuel 24 indicates that this grievous sin was committed near the end of his reign and life. To be older is no automatic safeguard against sin. We must be ever vigilant, even ruthless, to guard our hearts against pride or greed or lust or sharp tongues. “Your word I have hid in my heart, that I might not sin against You" (Psa 119:11).
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2 Samuel: A Rock And A Lamp
06/02/2025
2 Samuel: A Rock And A Lamp
Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 22 (Psalm 18) Someone once said, “There are two main things we need to learn . . . how to live and how to die.” Having conquered the fear of death, in Christ, sometimes it is life which defeats us . . . namely the multiplied sorrows, sicknesses, emotional turmoil, losses, anxieties we all experience. David knew the strains of life intimately. In his song in 2 Samuel 22:5,6 he describes his trouble in the following way . . . “waves of death ... torrents of destruction … cords of Sheol … snares of death." David’s experience was filled with heartache. But this song, which is virtually repeated verbatim in Psalm 18, is not a song of despair. It is a hymn of joy and strength. There are many images presented in this song of strength, but two of them are particularly comforting. It is the idea that the Lord is our ‘rock’ and our ‘lamp’. When David calls God his ‘rock’ (2 Sam 22:2,3,32,47), it is a term implying refuge. For many years, David hid in the caves as he ran from his enemies. To hide in the rocks of Palestine meant safety. David understood, as we must, that God, alone, is security. He is our rock. A second image in this wonderful song (and there are more images) is the idea that God is our ‘lamp’ (2 Sam 22:29). The reality of this figure of speech is that God is our guide, showing us the way to live. He enlightens the darkness of doubt and confusion and spiritual ignorance. May the Lord deeply teach us that Christ, alone, is our security that we might know safety in our souls. And may we learn that Christ, alone, is our light, that we may have understanding as we live our days.
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1 Chronicles: The Glory of the Temple
05/26/2025
1 Chronicles: The Glory of the Temple
Scripture Reading: 1 Chronicles 29:10-20 Near the end of his reign, King David desired to build a temple for the Lord. For 400 years, since the exodus from Egypt, the central place of worship in Israel had been the tabernacle. The tabernacle was a tent which the Jews carried through the wilderness. Now David wanted to build a permanent structure as the main place of worship for Israel. His desire was denied by God. David could make the plans, but could not be the builder of the temple because his reign had been characterized by the bloodshed of war (1 Chr 28:2-6). David’s son, Solomon, whose name means ‘peace’, would be the builder. Though David was not allowed to build the temple, before he died he laid elaborate plans, including the personnel to oversee and care for the temple and its activities. There were 38,000 Levites to oversee the operation of the temple, caring for everything from singing to counting money to baking bread for the Table of Showbread in the Holy Place (cf. 1 Chr 23-27). When David had finished preparations, he addressed the people and Solomon (1 Chr 28) and prayed a stirring prayer in 1 Chronicles 29. In David’s prayer, we see a reflection of the purpose for the temple. First, it was to be a reminder to the people of the person of God and so David lauds the character of God in his prayer . . . God’s greatness, power, glory, victory, and majesty (1 Chr 29:10-13). Second, the temple was to be a reminder of the necessity of humility before the Lord and obedience to Him (1 Chr 29:14-19). Churches exist today, whether they have buildings or not, to reflect to our world the matchless glories of God and the pleasure of worshipping him in holiness and wonder and joy.
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