Sermons by Tim Stephens (Page 44)
Tim Stephens is the senior pastor of Fairview Baptist Church, Calgary, Alberta. Tim grew up on a farm in Eastern Ontario, graduated with a Computer Engineering degree from Queen’s University, a Masters of Divinity degree from Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry in Expository Preaching from The Masters Seminary. He is happily married to Raquel and they have been blessed with nine children.
Past, Present, Future: How the Gospel Changes Everything
It is impossible to be reconciled to your Creator without that leaving a lasting mark on you. Colossians 1:21-23 looks at our past, our present, and our future as Christians. Praise God that salvation is of the Lord.
The Surpassing Worth of Knowing Christ
It’s time to rejoice in Christ and treasure the righteousness of God in the gospel. You will only find true joy as you count your own righteousness as loss and see the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ as the treasure that it really is. Have you used the axe of the gospel to severe the root of self-righteousness? True joy is found not in self-esteem but in esteeming the person and work of Christ!
His Name Is Jesus
Jesus came to meet humanity’s greatest need. Our greatest need is not to address climate change, eliminate the rich/poor gap, or to usher in democracy in every country. Rather the greatest need we have is to be reconciled to a holy and just God who we are born separated from because of our sin. Do you see that? Have you truly encountered the Christ through the power of the gospel? Jesus came to save his people from their sins. What…
Spiritual Leaders of God’s Flock
A repeated theme is seen the the New Testament. God has ordained that a plurality of elders or pastors be the spiritual leaders of God’s flock. Their task is to stand firm in the gospel fix their eyes on the future glory of Jesus Christ and lead the flock to do the same.
Elders and the Congregation in Concert
How are you going to obey the words of God, “Obey your leaders and submit to them”? We must understand this text, the relationship between elders and the congregation, if we are going to see us grow together as a church. God has put order into his creation and into his church. May we humbly be counter-cultural by heeding this word and submitting to God-given authority.
Elders in the Local Church
We look at the qualifications for elders (also called overseers, bishops or pastors) from this text in 1 Timothy. What we see is three main qualifications (a desire for the ministry of oversight; godly character; and the ability to lead and to teach). These qualities must be found in a man if he is to join other godly men in leading the household of God.
A Model for Our Times
Paul reminds the Ephesian elders of his own example and gives them a charge. A three-fold watch to watch themselves, the flock, and false teaching. We learn here what an elder or pastor looks like and what they do.
Flee Sexual Immorality
Sexual immorality is an especially serious sin. What are the tools to fight such sin? Laws? Will power? This passage wonderfully demonstrates how our identity in Christ is the power to fight serious sin. This text reminds us of the future bodily resurrection, our oneness with Christ, our bodies being temples of the Holy Spirit, and that God bought us with a high price. It’s remembering who we are that is going to give us the strength to flee immorality…
Such Were Some of You
We are not to be deceived, those who live immorally will not inherit the kingdom of God. A bold and stark warning. Thankfully this is not the end of the story. God has provided a way of forgiveness, a way of righteousness through Jesus Christ.
Handling Church Grievances
Want to win a fight in church? This this sermon is a must. We learn from this passage on how we are to handle grievances inside the church. Certainly all Christians must practice greater self-denial for the sake of Christ and his church.
Purging Immorality
Why do we and why must we keep the church pure by purging immoral “brothers”? This text is the longest text in the Bible about church discipline.
Dealing with Sexual Immorality
There was sexual immorality in the church at Corinth and it needed to be dealt with. Mourning and excommunication were the prescription, restoration and seeking the forgiving and transforming grace of Christ the anticipated outcome. This is not a Corinthian problem. Our sexualized culture has had a significant impact on the church. Pornography, for example, is common in our churches. We ought to mourn, we ought to deal with sin. May this text be a call to get right with…