Rockport Baptist Church

"Show up," we are responsible to meet with God's people and, as part of his body, to help each other in our sanctification. "Speak up," let the word of Christ dwell in you richly and speak it into the lives of others, for their good and edification. "Man up" in the face of all the objections that you can think of for not obeying God, don't willingly sin! It's a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God!

As we watch faithful Barnabas encouraging others, we can learn to adopt the grace and practice of encouragement toward others. This is the final sermon in our Family Camp 2026 series.

In this message we see Scripture's testimony of John Mark's perseverance through failure, how the Lord cleansed, restored, and used him for ministry. This is the fifth message in our Family Camp 2026 series

In this passage about the Apostle Paul's young nephew, we see that God uses ordinary means, even a young boy, to work out His sovereign will. He uses ordinary means of Grace to prepare such boys. This is the fourth message in our Family Camp 2026 series

God's work in Tabitha shows us the reality of resurrection life in Christ as well as the heart, work, and result of a disciple who loves the Lord will all her heart and loves her neighbor as herself. The third message in our Family Camp 2026 series

Timothy, together with his mother, Eunice, and his grandma, Lois, show us a compelling picture of the shaping power of Scripture. As disciples of Jesus, we follow him by loving His Word - treasuring it in our hearts, teaching it to our kids, and commending it with our lives. The second message in our Family Camp 2026 series

Faithful service bears fruit, trusting Christ in His gospel work empowers and emboldens us to action on behalf of His people. This is the first message in our Family Camp 2026 series.

Because mature widows have much to contribute to the life and ministry of the church, we should encourage them to use their gifts, even as we encourage younger women to remain faithful in their calling as wives and mothers in this season of life. I. The Call to Enlist Women in the Widow Core vv 9-10 II. The Better Priorities for Younger Widows in the Church vv 11-15 III. Don't Forget to Take Care for the Widows in Your Life who have needs v 16

Because God is the Protector of Widows who provides care for those in need, we likewise as a church and as individuals must provide for those who are truly in need, and yet use discernment so that we don't prop up those who only want to live self-centered lives of luxury. I. As God's People We Are Called to Follow Him in Caring for Widows in Need v 3 II. We are to care for widows, but we must do so with wisdom in faithfulness to Christ vv 4-6 (1) Each Family has an obligation to care for its own widows (2) The Church has an obligation to care for those who are genuinely in need (3) The Church has no obligation to care for those who live to waste their lives III. We are Commanded to Care Because of our Faith in Christ! vv 7-8

The paths of three desperate people converge with Jesus. He transform them with tenderness, willingness and power.

Envy was once considered one of the seven deadly sins; yet, today, we treat it with casual resignation. We do this at great peril, since this dragon is as deadly as ever. Look around and you see it wreaking havoc on hearts and homes, churches and civilizations. Having seen the beautiful virtues of the wisdom from above in the last sermon, we return to this passage to see the hatefulness of this sin and resolve to put envy to death.

Because we are family in Christ, we must treat one another with respect and dignity while seeking to encourage each member to be faithful in Christ: Older men as fathers, younger men as brother, older women as mother, younger women as sister.

Paul's call to Timothy to be intentional in the use of his gifts, in the practice of his faith and the living of His life present a model for us. We likewise must be intentional Christians who pursue Christ daily in a way that our progress and growth in the faith are evident. We must be watchful of the direction of our lives and the content of our teaching as we keep our eyes on Jesus daily. I. Be Intentional in the Use of Spiritual Gifts v 14 II. Be Intentional in the Way You Live so All May See your Growth in Christ v 15 III. Be Intentional in Watching Your Life and the Faithfulness of Your Teaching v 16

Because God's Word is true and has divine power to change lives, we who lead God's people must proclaim it faithfully and live it exemplarily while keeping it ever before the eyes and ears of our hearers. I. Keep Proclaiming the Truth with Authority v 11 II. Be the Example of the Truth You Proclaim v 12 III. Devote Yourselves to Hearing, Believing and Obeying God's Word v 13

Jesus flips upside down the culture norms and traditions of the religious leaders of the day by dining with sinners. He came to seek and save the lost by preaching good news; often at a dinner table. In his calling of Levi the tax collector, Jesus puts on full display his mission to seek out sinners that they would leave everything and follow Him

Because a God-centered life is of such supreme value both now and for all eternity, we must set our sights and our hope on knowing and walking with God, letting nothing in this silly world distract us from that pursuit. I. For a Godly Life, You Must Keep Your focus on the Life-changing Gospel v 6 II. Get Rid of the Silly Distractions that Keep You from Pursuing a God-Centered Life! vv 7-8 III. We Run this Race with Joy Because Knowing and Following Him Is Worth the Cost! vv 9-10

Because there are demonic deceivers who pervert a living faith in Christ with a dead man-centered asceticism, we must consciously embrace a life of God-glorifying gratitude that keeps our joy focused on Him. I. Be Warned: There Are Deceivers and There Are People Who Fall Away from Christ v 1 II. Beware: There are Human Deceivers Working Hard to Separate You from Faith in Christ vv 2-3 III. Be Grateful! A Shared Gladness in God Defends Us Against the Deadening Power of Unbelief vv 4-5

Because the local church is central to God's plan to uphold and proclaim the truth of the gospel, we must hold fast to it's truth, celebrating the presence of Jesus among us week after week. I. The Vital Importance of the Church (the Local Church) in the Life of Christians vv 14-15a II. The Identity of the Church: Why is the Church Such a Big Deal? v 15b III. The Gospel of Christ is not only true, it is Great! It is Awesome! v 16

Because deacons are called to serve the church as assistance to the pastors, they must be well qualified and proven to be godly servants of Christ and His people. I. A Deacon's Character v 8 II. A Deacon's Faith v 9 III. A Deacon's Testing v 10 IV. A Deacon's Wife v 11 V. A Deacon's Family v 12 VI. A Deacon's Reward v 13

Justification is the fountain head of the hymn that justified people sing. I. We rejoice in hope! II. We rejoice in our trials because they purify that hope. III. We rejoice ultimately in God who is the consummation of our hope.