Wadesboro Baptist Church

"The doctrine of vocation"

Galatians 5:7-14

"The doctrine of vocation"

The Doctrine of Vocation.

"The wicked flee when no one pursues them, but the righteous are bold as a lion"

The Doctrine of Vocation.

Galatians 5:1-14

Christian Calling

Galatians 4:21-31

Do you ever feel the tension between your vocation and spiritual life? If so, join us as Pastor Caleb guides us through a discussion of how to view vocation in light of the Gospel and how to find purpose and joy in our work.

Ryans exposition of Galatians 4:8-20 highlights Pauls' familial love and concern for his spiritual children. Through it we are reminded of the grave dangers of legalism, the superlative blessings of adoption, and the pursuing love of our Savior.

Galatians 4:1-7

“Ignorance of the distinction between the Law and Gospel is one of the principle sources of all the abuses which corrupt and still corrupt Christianity.” –Theodore Beza. Pastor Ryan heeds this early church fathers wisdom as he teaches us from Galatians how the law interacts with God's promise of salvation through Christ. This leads to an exultation in our identity through Christ. There is no longer any distinction when it comes to our salvation! Christ is all, and we are found in Him!

Today was a bittersweet day. This lesson marks the end of an incredible trek through one of the most precise and informative explanations of the teachings of the Bible in church history. Pastor Caleb has faithfully and skillfully held out the plain, beautiful truths of the Bible while wrestling openly with the more difficult and weighty topics. Todays lesson was no different. In chapter 32 we considered the reality of the final judgement, who is to be judged, the purpose of judgement day, and why those who have Christs righteousness will still stand to be judged on that final day.

In an age that seems to often grow tired of the sameness of Christianity, Pastor Ryan shows how the old gospel message, from an unchanging God, is exactly what this weary world needs. Ryan shows how Paul pivots his argumentation from objective ones for the veracity of his gospel to more subjective ones in order that he may persuade his hearers to stay focused on the message of pure grace for the rest of their Christian lives.

What does the Bible mean when it says that our bodies will be changed at the resurrection? Does the Second London Confession take a specific millennial view? And what are the eternal states of both believers and unbelievers after the resurrection? These questions and more are addressed in this final lecture on Chapter 31 of the Second London.

It is not enough to know the true Gospel, we must also practice it. Pastor Ryan teaches on the dangers of hypocrisy and legalism, then proclaims the unrivaled beauty of justification by faith alone.

We're back in the confession! Pastor Caleb explains the different views associated with what happens to us when we die. Then gives a Biblical and pastoral basis to what death is, why it happens, and how a Christian ought to think about death. The doctrine of death has never brought me such joy.

What if the resurrection never happened? What does it mean for me today? These are questions that we seldom ask ourselves, and when we do the answers are ones that we have heard all of our lives. But, "In so far as we are cavalier about the resurrection, so will our preaching and teaching be empty." The resurrection truly is the one event that changed everything. Pastor Caleb leads us through 1 Corinthians 15 to make sure that we remember that very thing.

In the last installment of this series we evaluate what the Bible has to say about making wise decisions in how we steward our resources concerning our neighbor. We do this by seeking God, seeking wisdom, studying God's law, and acting in faith.

After studying what scripture has to say about whom we have a responsibility to give to, we now consider to what extent we are expected to give to others. We also contemplate what it means to be responsible as a part of various groups we might find ourselves in.

Ryan walks through the first 9 verses of chapter 2 pointing us to the main point of the passage, namely, that the apostles heard the gospel Paul was preaching and "added nothing to it." This truth not only put to bed many controversies swirling around the Galatian church, but also encourages us to confront false teaching, pursue unity, and fight against legalism.

In the installment of Pastor Ryans series covering the book of Galatians we examine three facts that Paul appeals to in order to establish the authenticity an validity of the Gospel He is preaching. These truths strengthen our own trust in Gospel while emboldening our hearts to, like Paul, be ready to defend the validity and authenticity of the Gospel communicated to us in scripture and confirmed to our hearts by the Holy Spirit.

We are taking a break from studying the confession to consider the Biblical command to love our neighbor. Today we begin with a historical overview, the foundations of the discussion, and just enough of what the Bible says on the matter to leave us with more questions than answers. 

At a time when false gospels run rampant, Galatians 1 teaches us that no matter the error there has only ever been one true Gospel. Pastor Ryan faithfully and passionately warns of the dangers of false teaching, extols the beauty of the Gospel, and calls us to carefully examine the teachings that we hear and proclaim.

Pastor Caleb concludes our study of the sacraments by teaching us from the confession the Biblical purpose, effect, and proper administration of the sacrament of the Lords Supper.

Pastor Ryan begins his series in Galatians by giving an overview of the themes and theology of the book while expositing the first 5 verses, reminding us that though we live in an evil age Christ has delivered us and secured our future with him!

Who should be baptized? How should they be baptized? When should someone be baptized? Pastor Caleb answers these questions from scripture, and gives practical advise to parents and churches as they pray through how and when to baptize those under their care

Pastor Ryan finishes his series about the New Covenant by teaching on the significance of Credo-Baptism. He gives Biblical grounds for the practice of it, and explains the great importance it holds in our understanding the New Covenant correctly.

Pastor Caleb explains the difference between sacraments and ordinances exploring the confessions use of these terms (or lack thereof.) Then walks through who is permitted to administer Baptism and The Lords Supper, when they should be administered, and where the should be administered.

Caleb arrives in his walk through the Second London at chapter 27, "On the Communion of Saints." In this lecture he attempts to show the basis upon which all Christian fellowship must be founded, and what the Scriptures demand of those in that fellowship.https://www.wadesborobc.com/the-1689-baptist-confession-of-faith/chapter-27-on-the-communion-of-saints

Many are familiar with the debate surrounding the doctrines of grace, namely whether the will of God or man is the final determining factor in salvation. Ryan shows how, in order for the doctrines of grace to be fully understood, one must understand the nature of the New Covenant. https://www.wadesborobc.com/the-new-covenant-and-the-church/the-place-of-gods-grace

Caleb finishes his series on chapter 26 of the Second London Baptist Confession. In this lecture, he explains the doctrine and practice of what is called associationism, or inter-church relations.  https://www.wadesborobc.com/the-1689-baptist-confession-of-faith/chapter-26-of-the-church-pt5

There is a relatively recent theological system known as New Covenant Theology. One of the major tenets of this system is that it denies the ongoing obligatory nature of the moral law of God in the lives of believers. Ryan goes through important passages to demonstrate that this is false and that the law and the gospel sweetly comply together. https://www.wadesborobc.com/the-new-covenant-and-the-church/the-place-of-gods-law

This morning's Sunday School lesson covered a number of topics regarding the church from the pastoral calling, ministerial pay, those gifted to preach who are not pastors, and more. Check out Caleb's understanding of the Second London's summary of the Bible's teaching on the church.

Ryan is beginning a new, short series in which he recovers the roots of Baptist Covenant Theology. This sermon series is called "The New Covenant and the Church." In this morning's sermon, he demonstrates why what is referred to as dispensationalism is faulty, and how it leads to harmful and sinful ways of viewing the church of the Lord Jesus.

How does Christ exercise his authority and power in the church? The multiple ways in which he does that are explained here.

Please do yourself a favor and listen to this greatly encouraging sermon by Pastor Ryan that touches on the problem of evil, rejoicing in the midst of trials, and much more.

Habakkuk 2:4-20

What is the church? Is it appropriate to refer to it invisible/visible? Or is more appropriate to refer to it as universal/local? Caleb attempts to shed light on these questions and more as he begins teaching on the Second London's doctrine of the church.

This sermon by Ryan Thomas gives us practical helps for dealing with painful providence.

What is the church? Is it appropriate to refer to it invisible/visible? Or is more appropriate to refer to it as universal/local? Caleb attempts to shed light on these questions and more as he begins teaching on the Second London's doctrine of the church.

1689 LBCF

Selected Texts

1 Peter 2:11-17

A summary of the work of the Holy Spirit, and the his role in the Old Testament, New Testament, and forever.

A study of the three laws as described by Edward Fisher in his classic work "The Marrow of Modern Divinity"

The parable of the shrewd manager is one of Jesus' parables that is more difficult to understand. Pastor Ryan makes it clear and applicable in this faithful sermon.