From the Elders of SMBC December 10, 2024 Thesis: The practice typically referred to as “Common Cup” is to be the preferred method of observing the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper (Communion). Definition of Common Cup– The sharing of One Loaf broken and distributed, and in like manner, the sharing of One Cup of wine, passed throughout the congregants for …
Sermon Series Overview – Advent
Advent of the Messiah Pastor Gabriel Render 12/11/24 Christmas season is upon us and as Providence would have it, I found myself with a 4-week slot of Sundays leading up to Holiday. As such, I thought it fitting to preach on the first Advent of Christ, the incarnation, and various Messianic prophecies. For those not familiar with the term “Advent” …
Jonah, Series Preview
Upcoming Sermon Series Book of Jonah Pastor Gabriel Render 10/19/24 With the sizeable undertaking of the Book of Daniel now complete, I will be taking us through a short series from one of my favorite minor prophets- Jonah. While Jonah and the big fish might be one of the most popular and well known Bible stories, it is infrequently preached …
Church Membership Basics
Church Membership Being a member of a biblical church is essential to the Christian faith, not an optional addition. A true church is one that faithfully preaches the Bible and rightly administers the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. And the reason being a member of a church like this is essential is because the Christian faith is all …
Jealousy and Suffering
“And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” Acts 9:3-4 Saul, on his way to bind up as many Christians as he can to drag back to Jerusalem, is met …
Blind(ed) Faith
“And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.” Acts 9:6 Saul, trembling and astonished as He beholds the glory of Christ, under the conviction of His sins against Christ, responds appropriately. Saul …
Reforming Our Music
As we seek to root ourselves and our worship in the teaching of the Bible, it’s important that we have a willingness to evaluate everything. Nothing is a given. We can never assume we are doing something the right way if it is not backed up by the Word of God. And one area I think we have made these …
Patriarchalism
The officers of Stone Mountain Baptist Church hold to and teach patriarchalism. Patriarchy means father rule. We believe that men, as men, rule, lead, and lord, wherever they are men. By man’s created nature, he has this duty, and will be judged by God for how he discharges the execution of his nature. As with many fundamental Christian doctrines, the …
Abortion
The God revealed in Holy Scripture sides with the weak and powerless (Dt. 10:18) and sets Himself against those who would harm or take advantage of the widow, the orphan or the alien (Ex. 22:22; Dt. 27:19). He is the Father of the fatherless (Ps. 68:5) and those who love Him are called to imitate Him (Jas. 1:27). Throughout Scripture, …