The Message Archive

Mom: Are You a P-21 or a P-31?

Who can find a virtuous woman? This question does not suggest that such women are nonexistent but that they should be admired because they, like noble men, are rare. They are also more valuable than rubies. For many women, today will be a day they will be celebrated because of their rarity and preciousness. Unfortunately there will be many that don’t live up to the description found in Proverbs 31. For many their lives more resemble the description found in Proverbs 21. This Sunday we are going to look at two different types of women: the P-31’s and the P-21’s. We want to celebrate the P-31’s and pray that God will begin to transform the P-21’s into the P-31’s. The question of the hour is, “Which model are you?”

message	speaker	date	watch	listen	notes
Mom: Are You a P-21 or a P-31?	Dr. Brian Saxon	5/10/2009

Reaching The Next Level

When I take a look at the growth that Second Baptist Church has experienced through the years I recognize one thing, our willingness to change. In 1980 many of you made the walk from Brooklyn Avenue to relocate to our present site and that was a significant event in your life. It was an event of change, but because of your vision our facilities are now able to provide more space in order to disciple more people.

message	speaker	date	watch	listen	notes
Reaching The Next Level	Dr. Brian Saxon	4/26/2009

How Quickly We Forget

Holy Week or Passion Week in Christianity is the last week of Lent and the week before Easter. It includes Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday (Holy Thursday) and Good Friday. Palm Sunday is when we celebrate the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem. The people celebrated Jesus as their King both by their words and their deeds. They shouted Hosanna which means, “Save now!” They were quoting from Psalm 118:25–26, and this psalm is definitely messianic in character. It has always amazed me how the people who were in Jerusalem that week for the Passover were so quick to praise Jesus on Sunday, yet were also as quick to cry out “crucify him” five days later on Friday. I want you to join me this year in celebrating Passion Week as we consider what Jesus did for us. On Maundy Thursday we are having a special service called “Passover Worship” where we will look at Jesus’ last meal with His followers and participate in the Lord’s Supper. This service is a special way you, your family and friends can continue to cry hosanna. The Jews’ hosannas quickly faded that week. Let’s not make the same mistake and quickly forget the passion of our Savior.

message	speaker	date	watch	listen	notes
How Quickly We Forget	Dr. Brian Saxon	4/5/2009

The Jesus Prayer

If you were to ask me what is missing in the life of many believers’, I would have to say prayer. I believe prayer is the most underappreciated spiritual discipline in the church today. God’s supreme purpose for prayer, the purpose beyond all other purposes, is to glorify Himself. Although nothing benefits a believer more than prayer, the purpose of praying must first of all be for the sake of God, not self. Prayer is used to line up our thinking with God. Prayer is not about changing God, but God changing us. Over the next three weeks we are going to look at The Lord’s Prayer (sometimes referred to as The Disciples Prayer, or The Model Prayer) found in Matthew chapter five.

message	speaker	date
Prayer: Asking For Ourselves and Others	Dr. Brian Saxon	3/29/2009
Prayer: Finding God's Plan	Dr. Brian Saxon	3/22/2009
Prayer: Bringing Glory to God	Dr. Brian Saxon	3/15/2009

Dare To Love

Over the next five weeks I will be preaching a series of messages on marriage. I have been burdened over the past few months for the marriages in our church. I believe Satan is working overtime to destroy our homes. As believers, we need to really begin to examine the importance of the sacred institution of marriage. A study conducted by Barna Research Group a few years ago states, “Although many Christian churches attempt to dissuade congregants from getting a divorce, the research confirmed a finding identified by Barna a decade ago (and further confirmed through tracking studies conducted each year since): born again Christians have the same likelihood of divorce as do non-Christians.” There is a battle raging for our marriages and we need to start fighting for what God ordained and keep the vows we made with God and our spouses. Do you want a stronger marriage? Do you want a marriage that will last a lifetime? Then start loving your partner. That’s right, I said love your partner! Go ahead, I dare you.

message	speaker	date
For Your Eyes Only	Dr. Brian Saxon	3/8/2009
Dare to Forgive	Dr. Brian Saxon	3/1/2009
What is Love?	Dr. Brian Saxon	2/22/2009
He Said She Said	Dr. Brian Saxon	2/15/2009

Jonah: It's Not About the Fish

The story of Jonah is a story about God and Jonah’s response to Him.

message	speaker	date
It's About Missing The Greatness of God	Dr. Brian Saxon	2/8/2009
It's About God Offering Second Chances	Dr. Brian Saxon	2/1/2009
It's About Being Rescued From Your Pit	Dr. Brian Saxon	1/25/2009
Jonah: It's Not About the Fish	Dr. Brian Saxon	1/18/2009

Invest

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary defines the verb invest: to commit (money) in order to earn a financial return or to make use of for future benefits or advantages.

message	speaker	date	watch	listen	notes
Moving Toward the Tithe on the Way to Generosity	Dr. Brian Saxon	1/11/2009
Invest	Dr. Brian Saxon	1/4/2009

Giving You All The Credit

Matthew chapter one provides the genealogy of Jesus. This is our Savior’s earthly lineage from Abraham, ....

message	speaker	date	watch	listen	notes
Giving You All The Credit	Dr. Nic Natale	12/28/2008

A Child of Hope

This Sunday's message is from Matthew 2:1-12.

message	speaker	date	watch	listen	notes
A Child of Hope	Dr. Brian Saxon	12/21/2008

A Child of Prophecy

The Christmas story in the Bible does not begin in Bethlehem, but several hundred years before.

message	speaker	date	watch	listen	notes
A Child of Prophecy	Dr. Brian Saxon	12/14/2008

I Am - Jesus

Series based on the 7 “I am” statements found in the gospel of John.

This Sunday I am beginning a new sermon series out of the Gospel of John. Over the next seven weeks I will be preaching about Jesus’ seven “I am” statements:

I Am the Bread of Life

I Am the Light of the World I Am the Door

I Am the Good Shepherd

I Am the Resurrection & the Life

I Am the Way, Truth & Life

I Am the True Vine

message	speaker	date
I Am The True Vine	Dr. Brian Saxon	12/7/2008
I Am The Way, The Truth, and The Life	Dr. Brian Saxon	11/23/2008
I Am The Resurrection and The Life	Dr. Brian Saxon	11/16/2008
I AM The Good Shepherd	Dr. Brian Saxon	11/9/2008
I AM The Door	Dr. Brian Saxon	11/2/2008
I AM the Light of the World	Dr. Brian Saxon	10/26/2008
I AM The Bread of Life	Dr. Brian Saxon	10/19/2008

Is There Another Way?

“What right do we have to impose our God on other cultures?”

message	speaker	date	watch	listen	notes
Is There Another Way?	Dr. Nic Natale	11/30/2008

ReFresh

Revival, like salvation, does not change groups; it changes individuals. Dr. Alvin Red says, “I like to say that I know I am experiencing revival personally when I stop confessing everyone else’s sin!” Personal revival takes place within the life of the Christian.

message	speaker	date
God's Presence-In The Face of God	Dr. Stephen Rummage	10/16/2008
Refreshing-A Recovery of Breath	Dr. Jim Austin	10/15/2008
Forgiveness-God's Eraser	Dr. Jeff Lethco	10/14/2008
Returning-Turning Toward God	Dr. Joe Brown	10/13/2008
ReFresh	Dr. Brian Saxon	10/12/2008
Repentance-Changing One's Mind	Rev. Marshall Fagg	10/12/2008

G.P.S. God's Positioning System

Far too many people journey through life without any direction. They roam aimlessly because they can’t see any purpose. God has provided direction for every life. Every person has their own route. God has provided two major boundaries for us and they are the guardrail of God’s providential will and moral will. It is in the middle of those two boundaries that we seek for that individual plan. The entire series is designed for you to use GPS to find your way through life to the ultimate destination of Heaven.

message	speaker	date
God Directs By Vision	Dr. Brian Saxon	10/5/2008
God Directs Through Giftedness	Dr. Brian Saxon	9/28/2008
God Directs Through Circumstances	Dr. Brian Saxon	9/14/2008
God Directs Through Other Believers	Dr. Brian Saxon	9/7/2008
God Directs Through His Word	Dr. Brian Saxon	8/31/2008
God Has Direction For Every Life	Dr. Brian Saxon	8/24/2008

Hope in Uncertain Times

On some days, things just seem uncertain. The financial markets were disconcerted at the beginning of the week when two financial giants on Wall Street took unexpected turns leaving the Dow and other markets around the world shaken. Hurricane Ike caused unexpected gas price increases overnight. Some prices jumped as much as $0.80 per gallon. Both presidential candidates blame the other member’s party for our economic situation and claim to have the solution that will end all this uncertainty. Sometimes, the uncertainty hits closer to home. What am I doing wrong in our marriage? Does she still love me? Can we make it until things get better? When the times seem uncertain, what can we cling too? What can possibly help through the grayest times in our lives? This Sunday, we are going to be exploring a passage that speaks directly about hope. Hope is essential in times of uncertainty.

message	speaker	date	watch	listen	notes
Hope in Uncertain Times	Dr. Nic Natale	9/21/2008

The Kingdom Focused Church

Jesus tells us to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” The word seek in this verse actually could be translated as “continually seek.” There is a lot of misunderstanding about the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God is not a resource to use, a theory to explore, or an event to await. The kingdom of God in its simplest form is the reign and rule of Jesus Christ as Lord and King in our lives. It is His Holy Spirit working in us, through us, and around us in such a way that we actually live and do the will of God. It is the fundamental reality in our world—an experience of God in daily life. In my ministry experience, I have noticed that not every church is kingdom-focused. This means they don’t have a Great Commission focus either. Jesus’ focus was clear. The central issue is the salvation of all those living on earth in any generation. Bringing people into the kingdom must be our priority above anything else. This Sunday is part one of a two part message on the kingdom-focused church. We must focus on the King and His agenda. Anything less, would not be considered focused on His kingdom.

message	speaker	date	watch	listen	notes
The Kingdom Focused Church Part 2	Dr. Brian Saxon	8/17/2008
The Kingdom Focused Church	Dr. Brian Saxon	8/10/2008

Enabled

A major theological theme for the book of Acts is the kingdom of God. Acts starts with the Kingdom of God and ends with it. It opens with a description of the ministry of Jesus during the forty days between His resurrection and ascension to heaven by saying that Jesus spoke to his apostles of the things pertaining to the kingdom (Acts 1:3). At the end of the book we find the apostle Paul under house arrest in Rome, with visitors and preaching the kingdom of God. The key verse for the book of Acts is “but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). This verse assures us that we are capable of building God’s kingdom if we rely on the Holy Spirit’s enablement. The word power is the Greek word δύναμις which means strength, power or ability. The Book of Acts is in a real sense a book for renewal. It calls the church back to our ability to accomplish God’s will through His strength.

message	speaker	date
When The Church Prays	Dr. Brian Saxon	8/3/2008
Do You Belong to the Party of Christ	Dr. Brian Saxon	7/27/2008
A Transformed Life	Dr. Brian Saxon	7/20/2008
Living the Way	Dr. Brian Saxon	7/13/2008
Listening To God	Dr. Brian Saxon	7/6/2008
Taking Control of Life	Dr. Brian Saxon	6/29/2008
Take Off The Mask	Dr. Brian Saxon	6/22/2008
A Walking Witness	Dr. Brian Saxon	6/8/2008
The Power of Pentecost	Dr. Brian Saxon	6/1/2008
You Are Able	Dr. Brian Saxon	5/25/2008

The Ambush

The family is under assault and fathers we are called to be leaders that defend them. Men we need to be on guard for the ambushes that are before us every day. The enemy wants us to fall and become a casualty of war. We are fighting for our families, our culture, our church and God’s kingdom. God has placed a great responsibility on men and we need to be prepared for the battle. This Sunday we are going to look at King Solomon and how he was ambushed. He was considered to have a wise and discerning heart yet made foolish choices. He was ambushed by another woman, money and a neglected family. In my ministry I have come to realize that these three areas are the thereof the most vulnerable areas in the life of men. It is my hope and prayer that this Sunday morning we can learn from Solomon’s mistakes and learn how we can prepare our lives so that we can be prepared for those ambushes when they come our way.

message	speaker	date	watch	listen	notes
The Ambush	Dr. Brian Saxon	6/15/2008

Building Christ�s Church in the 21st Century

A look at the modern day church, Second Baptist Church and the First Century Church.

message	speaker	date	watch	listen	notes
Building Christ's Church in the 21st Century	Dr. Brian Saxon	5/18/2008

Heart of A Mother

Where would we be without mothers? Mothers play a vital role in the in the development of their children’s lives. The Bible never commands that every woman should be a mother. However, it does say that those whom the Lord blesses to be mothers should take the responsibility seriously. Mothers have a unique and significantly important role in the lives of their children. In Titus 2:4 we read that young women are to love their husband and their children. The greatest priority in a home should be love. If a wife loves her husband and her children, she is well on the way to making the marriage and the home a success. The Greek word Paul uses for love of the children is phileoteknos. This word represents a special kind of “mother-love”. The idea that flows out of this word is that of “preferring” our children, “caring” for them, “nurturing” them, “affectionately embracing” them, “meeting their needs,” “tenderly befriending” each one as unique from the hand of God. Mothers play an ongoing role in the lives of their children, teenagers, young adults, and even fully-grown children. While the role of motherhood must change and develop – the love, care, nurture, and encouragement a mother gives should never cease. For those who are mothers, you have one of the greatest titles in the world and today we celebrate the love you give to your children.

message	speaker	date	watch	listen	notes
The Heart Of A Mother	Dr. Brian Saxon	5/11/2008

Sowing The Gospel

The past few weeks God has been moving in my life with the wonder of the Gospel message. When you begin to look at the story of the good news of Christ, you are quickly motivated to tell someone about it. Sometimes in the church we get so close to the message, yet we are so far from its impact. The impact of the gospel is life changing and should absolutely motivate us to share that message. I believe we sometimes get so familiar with what is holy that we lose our since of wonder and worship. If we can ever really capture the holy truth of the Gospel, we will passionately spread the name of Jesus. It is my prayer that we begin to spend time in prayer and meditation on what the Gospel really means to us as individuals and what it means for unbelievers in our circle of influence. We all have a circle of influence, and I am asking you to begin to use that influence to share and persuade people with the story of Jesus. We are not to be ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of a world that is desperately looking for answers. Christ is the answer! So let’s stop talking about sharing Christ, and begin to change Lancaster with the transformational message that is found in the Gospel. As summer approaches we are going to have ample opportunities to share the gospel through many of the ministries here at Second. We have a personal responsibility to share our faith as individuals every day, and as a church we have the responsibility to partner with each other to impact our community. Please continue to read the Sentinel and listen to announcements of how you can be part of our ministries as we endeavor to make known the name of Jesus.

message	speaker	date	watch	listen	notes
Sowing the Gospel	Dr. Brian Saxon	5/4/2008

Imagine the Impact

Over the next five weeks we will be looking at Biblical stewardship. Some of you are actually sighing as you read this article. Some are asking, “Why five weeks on stewardship?” In actuality I could preach an entire year on how we are to use what God has provided to us. God wants us to be faithful in not only managing but also serving. We are managers that are given the ability to make decisions and those decisions are governed by a servant’s heart that desires to act in the interest of God. We serve Christ, not ourselves. Biblical stewardship begins with the understanding that all of us, and all we have, belong to Christ. Once we get that settled, we begin to see what God requires from us as stewards. Perhaps one of the deeper insights into the identity we find from God is the discovery of His plan for our lives. “All my days were written in your book and planned before a single one began” (Psalm 139:16 HCSB). Faithful stewardship involves deliberately using all the resources entrusted to us by God in order to fulfill His purpose for our lives. Ultimately, the meaning and satisfaction we experience n our lives results in living for Him.

message	speaker	date
Commitment Sunday	Dr. Brian Saxon	4/27/2008
It Is Not About The What But The Why	Dr. Brian Saxon	4/20/2008
Living Stones, Living Sacrifices	Dr. Brian Saxon	4/13/2008
Eternal Investment	Dr. Brian Saxon	4/6/2008
One Life To Give	Dr. Brian Saxon	3/30/2008

Empty

Our world is filled with emptiness. People have empty dreams, empty pursuits, empty expectations, empty hopes, empty relationships, empty….. I could go on and on about the empty lives that are wandering around aimlessly today. It reminds me of the song “People Need the Lord.” This first verse of that song says:
Every day they pass me by,
I can see it in their eyes.
Empty people filled with care,
Headed who knows where?

Have you seen them? Those empty lives. Empty people are everywhere. Obviously the unbeliever is empty because of the void of Christ in his or her life, but there are also many believers who are not finding fulfillment in Christ. There is a great danger in missing out on God’s purposes for your life. If you are out of God’s will, you will feel that emptiness. Paul warns: “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ” (Colossians 2:8).

message	speaker	date
Empty Tomb	Dr. Brian Saxon	3/23/2008
Empty Memories	Dr. Brian Saxon	3/16/2008
Empty Lives	Dr. Brian Saxon	3/9/2008

The Deeply Committed Church

Most of my ministry I have used the expression “Keep the main thing the main thing.” I use that expression because I know we are prone to drift into apathy and complacency when it comes to remaining faithful in following God. Take the entire history of Israel recorded in the Old Testament and we see a great picture of inconsistency in following God’s plan. A healthy church is a persistent church. We persevere in doing the will of God. We must realize that Jesus gave us the stewardship of the gospel. It is our responsibility to take the saving name of Jesus to all people groups. I am still amazed at how often we lose sight of our mission. Please, don’t lose your love for Jesus. If you love Jesus you will be driven to share His story with the world. As great as that recognition was for our church, we must never become complacent about the mission. I believe that every member is a missionary. As a believer you have a story to tell. That story is about your new life that was born out of your faith in Jesus Christ. Go tell that story! Saint Francis of Assisi once said, “Preach Christ at all times, and sometimes use words.” Remember our lives are to be lived in a way that people have no doubt to whom we belong.

message	speaker	date	watch	listen	notes
The Deeply Committed Church	Dr. Brian Saxon	3/2/2008

Love in the Home

On February 3rd I will begin a new sermon series entitled “Love in the Home.” Since February is traditionally considered the month of love, I want to define love for us in the context of the home. In this series I will discuss the love of the husband, wife, parent and child. The definition for love will be the same for each sermon, but the application of that love will be different. Our homes are under attack and so many families are falling apart. According to the National Marriage Project at Rutgers University (led by David Popenoe and Barbara Dafoe Whitehead), the most authoritative group tracking and analyzing these numbers, “The American divorce rate today is more than twice that of 1960.” The question we need to ask: “What has happened?” Obviously there has been a change in the morality of our culture and part of that moral change is a redefining of love. This will be a great opportunity for you to invite neighbors or friends to Second Baptist who are having troubles in their home. Be assertive! If the church can’t reach out and help couples save their home, who will? Your invitation can be the life preserver that saves a marriage or even the life of a child.

message	speaker	date
Love of the Parent	Dr. Brian Saxon	2/24/2008
The Love of The Wife	Dr. Brian Saxon	2/17/2008
A Romantic Heart	Dr. Nic Natale	2/10/2008
Love of the Husband	Dr. Brian Saxon	2/3/2008

Faith For the Journey

This is the beginning of a new year and we all know what that means - resolutions! It seems everybody makes them. As a believer, one that always makes its way to the top of the list is to establish a stronger faith. Life is filled with ups and downs and each year holds its own experiences. Through those experiences we should always be able to trust God. The nation of Israel knew something about ups and downs. When you take a look at the last chapter of Deuteronomy you find Moses on Mount Pisgah, gazing down at the land long promised, the land he will never enter. We can imagine him weary and worn from years of leadership. Moses died there in Moab, and the Israelites wept over his death for 30 days. What an honorable tribute it was to hear of his relationship with God. The story does not end there. God’s relationship with His people did not end with Moses’ death. Joshua 1:1 picks up the drama of the people of God and their move to the Promised Land. As we study the book of Joshua we will discover a book about possession of the land of plenty and blessing. The people were moving into the land that God had promised Abraham. However, the people of God soon found out that the land could be possessed only when they walked in obedience to God’s direction and when they depended on His strength, not their own. It was a lesson they would see again and again.

message	speaker	date
From Holy Ground to Shoutin' Ground	Dr. Brian Saxon	1/27/2008
Spiritual Markers	Dr. Brian Saxon	1/20/2008
A Promise Made, A Promise Kept	Dr. Brian Saxon	1/13/2008
If I Only Had Courage	Dr. Brian Saxon	1/6/2008

When God Calls For Change

Our prayer for you is that God will speak to you in new ways as we worship together. This Sunday's message focuses on how God calls us to change. We will not be talking about changes that the church ministering in today’s world needs to make, or about the negative changes that seem to plague our society, or the changes other people need to make in order to get their life back on track. No, we will be exploring how God often calls a person to make significant changes in his or her own life. A personal, transformational change that last; as we are standing at the closing of 2007 and the emerging possibilities of 2008, it seems like it is an opportunistic time to seek the Lord’s will for our lives. Change is difficult. And we often resist it. In order for us to become more like Him, however, we need to trust Him and follow Him no matter where He leads.

message	speaker	date	watch	listen	notes
When God Calls for Change	Dr. Nic Natale	12/30/2007

The Gift You Won't Return

Beginning with the first Christmas, gifts were a part of the celebration. After the birth of Christ, magi came from the east searching for the one born King of the Jews. After an encounter with King Herod they followed the star and after “entering into the house, they saw the child with Mary His mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” They brought gifts because “The Gift” that was given. Indeed the best gifts given are from those who know and love you deeply, and want to give you the very best they have. This Christmas discover the greatest gift of all-God’s gift of His Son that very first Christmas. We have all received gifts, that we wanted to return, but once you have received Christ He is a permanent part of your life. Christ is truly the gift that keeps on giving. This series of messages will help you marvel at the meaning of that gift.

message	speaker	date
The Gift of Immanuel	Dr. Brian Saxon	12/23/2007
The Gift of Appreciation	Dr. Brian Saxon	12/16/2007
The Gift of Interruption	Dr. Brian Saxon	12/9/2007
The Gift of Giving	Dr. Brian Saxon	12/2/2007

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