1. Thy First Love (Revelation 2:1-4; Acts 18 & 19)
Revelation 2:1-4; Acts 18 & 19 • Today’s sermon is titled “Thy First Love” and begins a series of sermons based on Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians. Elder Lowrance’s first message in this series begins in the book of Revelation as Jesus confronts this church for leaving their first love. He then traces the history of the founding of the church at Ephesus in the Book of Acts to show that this love was their passion for Christ and for one another in the church. This message was preached at Mount Paran Primitive Baptist Church on April 5, 2020 during the early weeks of the Covid-19 Pandemic.
2. The Will of God (Ephesians 1:1-11)
Elder Bryce preaches beginning in Ephesians chapter one contrasting the the will of man and the will of God. With several scriptural proofs he shows that the Bible has very little, if any, good thing to say about the will of man. However, the Bible is filled with glorious examples of God fulfilling his will by His power according to His pleasure. In this sermon, we are charged to discover the will of God in His word and live thereby. This message was preached at Mount Paran Primitive Baptist Church on April 26, 2020.
3. To the Saints and Faithful (Ephesians 1:1-2)
Ephesians Series • 3. To The Saints and Faithful (May 3, 2020) Elder Bryce continues his series on Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus. Today’s sermon explores the two titles that Paul uses for the members of this church. First of all, he calls them saints. A saint is not an award given by men. It is a title given by God to all His children when He set them apart in election. Secondly, Paul calls them faithful. Not only were these members children of God, they were active in the church with a passion for one another and the Lord. Elder Lowrance closes this sermon with a charge for us to be busy in the kingdom of God.
4. Adoring God (Ephesians 1:3-6)
Ephesians Series • 4. Adoring God (May 10, 2020) /Ephesians 1:3-6/ Elder Bryce continues in Ephesians chapter 1 where the Apostle Paul writes a doxology about the grace of God. Contrary to the contemporary praise songs sung in so many churches today, the Apostle doesn’t just say “God is blessed” and repeat that chorus multiple times. Paul says that God is blessed, and then he gives reasons why! The doctrines of election, predestination, justification, etc. are given as the basis for singing praise to God for His sovereign grace.
5. How Do I Know That I Am in Christ (1st John 2)
Ephesians Series • 5. How Do I Know That I Am in Christ? (May 17, 2020) /1st John 2:3-10/ Last week we joined the Apostle Paul in a doxology about God’s will in the covenant of redemption. We learned that God secured the eternal destiny of all His children by a sovereign work of grace. This week Elder Bryce explains to us how we can know that we are part of the elect family of God.
6. In Whom We Have Redemption (Ephesians 1:7)
Ephesians Series • 6. In Whom We Have Redemption (May 24, 2020) /Ephesians 1:7/ Today’s message followed an introduction by Brother Jonah Lowrance describing the natural state of man with God’s grace. Build upon that premise, Elder Bryce teaches that our redemption is not by our will or works, nor is it a choice we made for Christ. Our redemption is based on the fact that God chose us in Christ before the word began. Therefore, our redemption is in HIM and solely by the will and pleasure of God.
7. Sealed with that Holy Spirit of Promise (Ephesians 1:8-14)
Ephesians Series • 7. Sealed with that Holy Spirit of Promise – Ephesians 1:8-14 (May 31, 2020) Having seen that we are saved by grace plus nothing in the first seven verses of the letter, Elder Bryce shows that our belief of the gospel is the key to our joy and peace. Being sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise only comes when we trust Jesus.
8. Paul’s Prayer (Ephesians 1:15-20)
Ephesians Series • 8. Paul’s Prayer – Ephesians 1:15-20 (June 7, 2020) In this message from the expository series on the Letter to the Ephesians, Elder Bryce describes God’s design for the pastor of a local church. It is through the local church, with God guiding an undershepherd, that He feeds His children. God gives the man a heart for the people he pastors so that he will be willing and able to teach the things they need the most in their lives.
9. The Church Is Everything (Ephesians 1:19-23)
Ephesians Series • 9. The Church Is Everything – Ephesians 1:19-23 (June 14, 2020) Elder Bryce preaches from the last few verses of Ephesians chapter 1 showing us how precious the church is to Christ. The local assembly is the Bride of Christ. He cares for it and loves it. The most important things to God is His church. Therefore, the church should have priority in our lives.
10. Why Do We Go to Church? (Ephesians 2:1-10)
Ephesians Series • 10. Why Do We Go to Church? – Ephesians 2:1-10 (June 21, 2020) Because we are in Christ by the grace of God, all of our blessings are “in Christ.” Since God loved us long before we ever existed, we are able to love Him. We owe our very lives to Christ. God has commanded that we worship Him. Therefore, we ought to be in church actively thanking Him for His amazing grace!
11. Reconciled in One Body (Ephesians 2:11-22)
Ephesians Series • 11. Reconciled in One Body Ephesians 2:11-22 (July 5, 2020) In the midst of the Covid-19 Pandemic, political unrest brought tension and riot to the streets of America. Hatred, racism, and violence filled the streets and the media. In response to all the rhetoric, Elder Bryce turns to scripture to show that all the horrible things occurring in the world are nothing new. All the things we see are the symptoms of a much larger problem – sin. Jesus Christ broke down the wall between God and His children. At the same time, He broke down the walls between men. The answer to any tension we have is not found in politics. The answer is the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
12. The Promise of the Church (Ephesians 3)
13. Walk Worthy (Ephesians 4:1-3)
14. Unity of the Spirit (Ephesians 4:1-6)
15. One Body (Ephesians 4:7-12)
16. Instruction in Walking (Ephesians 4:17-32)
17. Follow Like Children (Ephesians 5:1-17)
18. Redeeming the Time (Ephesians 5:15-21)
19. Submission (Ephesians 5:21-33)
20. Children & Parents (Ephesians 6:1-4)
21. Servants & Masters (Ephesians 6:5-9)
22. Be Strong in the Lord (Ephesians 6:10-13)
23. Loins Girt About with Truth (Ephesians 6:14a)
Ephesians Series • 23. Loins Girt About With Truth Ephesians 6:14a (October 18, 2020) The pandemic, upheaval in local and federal government, and riots in the streets of America’s largest cities shows that we are definitely enduring a battle with the forces of darkness in high places. Through all of this turmoil, many are claiming to speak the truth and persuade the masses to follow them. In today’s message, Elder Bryce reminds us that what the Bible says is true. We need to have Biblical truth as the foundation of our lives or we can be easily fooled into following dangerous false doctrines.
24. Breastplate of Righteousness (Ephesians 6:14b)
Ephesians Series • 24. The Breastplate of Righteousness Ephesians 6:14b, pt. 1 (October 25, 2020) Elder Bryce continues to look at Paul’s charge to us to put on the whole armor of God in order to be prepared as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. We need natural armor to fight natural warfare. We also need spiritual armor to fight spiritual battles. Much like a bullet-proof vest, the breastplate of righteousness protects are heart. Our understanding of righteousness is very vital to how we live every day.
25. Feet Shod with the Gospel (Ephesians 6:15)
Ephesians Series • 25. Feet Shod with the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace Ephesians 6:15 (November 1, 2020) It is not just the preacher’s job to prepare to preach the word. It is the duty of all children of God to prepare to receive the word, apply the word, and live the word. Scripture tells us who we are and where we stand. It also tells us Who God is and what He has done for us. When we see the marvelous grace of God in our lives we want to follow Him. The Bible shows us exactly how to do that as well.
26. The Shield of Faith (Ephesians 6:16)
Ephesians Series • 26. The Shield of Faith Ephesians 6:16 (November 8, 2020) One of the oldest tactics of warfare has been the use of flaming arrows to attack the enemy from a great distance. The biggest advantage to this tactic is that the general does not put himself or his troops in harms way while he inflicts damage to his enemy. This tactic is also used by our adversary, the devil. He shoots at the children of God from a distance and very often does quite a bit of damage to those who are alone and wandering away from the fellowship of the saints. The best defense against this dangerous assault is regular worship and church fellowship. Just like the “testudo” defense of shields used by the Roman army, the shield of faith of the church provides a dome covering where the members protect one another.
27. The Helmet of Salvation (Ephesians 6:17a)
28. The Sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17b)
Ephesians • 28. The Sword of the Spirit(November 29, 2020)NOTE: The audio on this sermon was accidentally recorded from a cellphone in the pew rather than the pulpit microphone. You can still hear the audio but the congregation sound is more prevalent. Elder Bryce continues teaching about the whole armor of God found in Ephesians chapter 6. In this sermon, he describes the 7th element of the armor – prayer. We are taught to have a “life attitude” of prayer, and specifically to be praying for others. By doing this, we effectively wear and use the whole armor of God to fight the good fight of faith in love.
29. Praying Always (Ephesians 6:18-20)
Ephesians Series • 29. Praying Always (December 6, 2020) Today’s sermon completes the look at the elements of the whole armor of God found in Ephesians Chapter 6. Elder Bryce teaches us that prayer for one another is the specific kind of prayer that brings us all together to fight the good fight of faith.
30. Paul’s Farewell (Ephesians 6:21-24)
Ephesians Series • 30. Paul’s Farewell (December 13, 2020) In his final message from the Ephesian letter, Elder Bryce gives a brief review of the epistle and then gives the same charge that Paul gave to this church. We are to act on our faith in love. We are to discover more of our faith by loving one another. When we do this, we find true peace.
Mount Paran Primitive Baptist Church 