Stonebridge Bible Church Sermons

Michael returns to his series The Big Book: Cover to Cover with the book of 2 Thessalonians.   1-2 Thessalonians are generally considered the earliest canonical Pauline letters.  2 Thessalonians is only 47 verses long, but it's a very practical book in many ways, and very applicable in our current situation. “Paul’s first letter evidently left some Thess. believers unconvinced. They still questioned whether the Day of the Lord had already come and gone, they may have been confused by other issues wrongly attributed to Paul’s teaching (2 Thessalonians 2:1–2). 2 Thessalonians is the apostle’s further clarification regarding the return of Christ. (In a way, this gives me solace; even under Paul’s teaching, people were confused about the eschaton!) Beware of deception. As to this “confusion”, we read in 2:1–12 the apostle clarification on Christ’s return, warning the Thessalonian believers should not be too easily swayed by any rumor that Christ has already returned. This event, he explains, will be preceded by a rebellion (v. 3), by the exposure of “the man of lawlessness” who is presently restrained but will proclaim himself divine (vv. 3–7), and finally by Christ’s destruction of this person (v. 8).Paul again confronts certain believers who continued their refusal to work because they felt that the imminent return of Christ rendered labor unnecessary. Citing his own ministry among them as an example to be followed (3:7–9), Paul repeats the command he had given in person that anyone refusing to work not be sustained by the others (v. 10). He then urges the idle believers to earn their living (v. 12). 2 Thessalonians may be less affectionate in tone than its predecessor, but its corrective comments on Christ’s return have admirably comforted believers through the centuries.” (From Allen C. Myers, The Eerdmans Bible Dictionary)

Guest speaker, Jonny Ardavanis, preaches on Psalm 90.

Alfy Austin preaches on the Parable of the Rich Fool.

Sanctification: Becoming more like the person of Jesus Christ, less like my sinful self and more like my savior. It’s a transformation process. We often differentiate between salvation and sanctification. The backdrop of the Thessalonian letters is found in Acts 17:1-5: Thessalonian Jewish leaders had chased Paul all the way to Berea (about 90 miles) According to Wilkson and Boa, Talk Thru The Bible: “The church at Thessalonica was in many ways a model church. Paul had many things to commend the believers for: their exemplary faith, diligent service, patient steadfastness, and overflowing joy. But in the midst of his commendation, Paul voices a word of caution. Abounding in the work of the Lord is only one step removed from abandoning the work of the Lord through complacency. Thus, Paul exhorts the Thessalonians to excel in their faith, to increase in their love for one another, and to give thanks always for all things. In short, Paul encourages them to “stay on target” as they labor for the Lord.” Listen as Michael teaches an overview to the book of 1 Thessalonians.

Written to believers in Colossae, Asia Minor or modern-day Turkey, Colossians is another of the “prison epistles” written, most likely, while Paul was imprisoned in Rome.  The letter’s intent is to correct the false teaching that had infiltrated the church of Colossae. According to Wilkinson and Boa, Talk Thru The Bible: “Colossians is one of the most Christ-centered books of the Bible. Paul stresses the supremacy of the person of Christ and the completeness of the salvation He provides in order to combat a growing heresy in the church at Colossae. Christ, the Lord of creation and Head of the body which is His church, is completely sufficient for every spiritual and practical need of the believer.” Join Michael as he teaches on Colossians, which affirms that Christ is the sovereign King of the universe, there is no other. That’s always a comfort and recalibration.  

“Philippians is the epistle of joy and encouragement in the midst of adverse circumstances. In it, Paul freely expresses his fond affection for the Philippians in view of their consistent testimony and support, and lovingly urges them to center their actions and thoughts on the person, pursuit, and power of Jesus Christ. Paul also seeks to correct a problem with disunity and rivalry, urging his readers to imitate Christ in His humility and servanthood. In this way the work of the gospel will go forward as believers seek to stand fast, be of the same mind, rejoice always, and pray about everything.” (Wilkinson and Boa, Talk Thru The Bible)  Join Michael as he teaches an overview of the book of Philippians, offering a fresh look at a text many may be familiar with.

Michael returns to The Big Book: Cover to Cover series, exploring the book of Ephesians.  What do you have to do to be saved? An overview of Ephesians offers some answers.

Michael teaches on the marks of a maturing Christian.

Wayne Wolf preaches on the peace of Christ.

Dr. Michael Easley preaches on Luke 1:68-79.