Plymouth Haven Baptist Church

Core Truth: As Christ’s literal body on the earth, the church is called to be His living presence here and now, doing and saying the things He did, while ever remembering that its ultimate purposes – far beyond this present life - are both incredibly glorious and eternal.

Core Truth: God’s position over all things gives him clear perspective about all things and He wants to share His position and perspective with us, so that we too can learn to see things as they really are and live our lives accordingly.

Core Truth: God never promised to keep His children from trouble; However, He did promise to be with them in the midst of it and to bring them safely through to the other side, while actually using their adversities to grow their faith and show them His loving kindnesses in new and unexpected ways.

Core Truth: Only God Himself fully appreciates the influence of a Christian mother in the molding of the character of her children.(Billy Graham)

Core Truth: Of all the questions being asked about the current COVID-19 pandemic, the most rational question to be asked is: where is God in all of this and what is God saying in this current situation?

Core Truth – The same gift of faith that enabled me to first place my trust in Christ for my eternal salvation is also the faith that will carry me through life to that very goal – which leads to the question – if I can trust Him for my soul’s eternal destiny, can I not trust Him also for the demands and challenges of daily life?

Core Truth: The same gift of faith that enabled me in the first place to put my trust in Christ for my eternal salvation, is also the faith that will carry me through life to that very goal.

Core Truth: Until Christ personally opens our eyes and touches our hearts with the burning coals of His resurrection power, we really have no idea what happened that first Easter morning!

Core Truth – Everything that was done our Lord on that darkest of all days was done in our place and on our behalf – all the injustice, betrayal, scourging, mocking and death on the cross belonged to us but He lovingly took it all because of His and the Father's great love! “For He made Him to be sin for us Who knew no sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Cor.5:21)

Core Truth – The Christian martyr Dietrich Bonhoeffer once wrote: “It is by the grace of God that a congregation is permitted to gather visibly in this world to share God’s Word and sacrament. Not all Christians receive this blessing. “ Perhaps nothing is more keenly missed than those things to which we have become so accustomed that we scarcely give them thought until for some reason they are taken away.

Core Truth – Walking in obedience to the will of God does not guarantee a storm-free life, but what it does guarantee is that He will always be in the storm with us and will finally bring us safely through.

Core Truth: Trouble is part of everyone’s life and it comes in all shapes and sizes. And though we cannot prevent its arrival, we can have a strategy in place that will help maximize its divine purpose and usefulness when it does.

Core Truth: Everyone likes a good book, but there are some books whose power to shape lives and determine destinies is so significant that only a fool would disregard them.

Core Truth: Trusting God is not a magical panacea that excuses believers from all of life’s dangers. However, it does guarantee that nothing shall be allowed to happen that has not first been carefully evaluated by the One Who holds each one of us in the palm of His hand. Isaiah 41:10, 49:16

Core Truth: Just as there are sad and destructive consequences for refusing to obey God’s Word, so also there are incredible rewards for those who choose to obey it.

Core Truth: Throughout the Bible, God's promise to us is that our obedience to Him will always bring his loving-kindness and great rewards but that refusing to do so will always result in many sorrows and difficulties. As someone has said, “If you want to increase God's favor in your life, start obeying Him in every area of your life.”

Core Truth: From creation’s dawn God has taken the initiative in trying to have a conversation with mankind, but through the ages very few have actually chosen to listen and obey. However, for all who do, the rewards and benefits are extravagant been words – both now and in the life to come!

Core Truth: As important as it is to us that our God is a God who keeps His word, it is infinitely more important to Him, for as Scripture says “I will worship toward Your holy temple, and praise Your name for Your loving-kindness and Your truth; for You have magnified Your word above all Your Name. (Psalms 138:2)

Core Truth: While God has promised us His absolute sovereignty, His sure and certain guidance, His unfailing strength, His ever-present help, His all-sustaining presence and protection, and His abiding peace, at the end of it all He has also promised that He will be glorified in all that concerns us as His children, both now and in the ages to come!

Core Truth: In a world increasingly marked by trouble and chaos, the child of God can choose to live in the peace that Christ has given and trust that God really is causing all things to work together for our good and for His glory.

Core Truth: The presence and the peace of God always go hand in hand and to the extent that we can learn to abide in His presence, to that extent we will also experience His abiding peace.

Core truth: Weariness is a part of life - weariness of body, mind, soul and spirit - and it happens to even the strongest among us. However, God promises that He will be our strength and that he will never leave or forsake us, no matter what challenges life may bring our way.

Core Truth: As we venture into another year in a world filled with great apprehensions and uncertainties, it is wise to remember some promises that God has spoken to us and to His people throughout the ages, realizing that to this very moment there has not failed one word of His good promise which He promised unto Israel. (Joshua 21:43)

God came to us!

Core Truth: God has always delighted in confounding the wisdom of men and acting in ways that challenge human logic and disarming even the wisest so that “no flesh can glory in His presence.”

Core Truth: Names are supposed to mean something and nowhere is this truer than in the names given to our Lord!

Core Truth: While each year at this time we rightly celebrate the wonderful things that happened that first Christmas, the greatest things were not angels singing, nor shepherds worshiping, nor stars appearing, nor wise men traveling from afar. Rather, it is what God the Father did in sending His Son to earth that changed man’s hopes and aspirations forever.

Core Truth: A thankful heart must be cultivated; it is not something most people come by naturally. Our natural tendency is to ignore or completely miss the good things God has given us, while focusing on the things we don’t have but think we should.

Core Truth: In the end, there is only one thing that matters – our willingness to do whatever it takes to gain what matters most and thus secure true success in this life and in the life to come!

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Even winds and seas obey Him.

Core Truth: Christ’s purpose was not primarily to end suffering here on earth through miraculous cures but rather to preach the Good News that would lead us to Salvation in Heaven where every wound will be healed when we are united unto God’s love. In the meantime, we are to remember those in prison as if we were found with them, and those who are mistreated as if we were suffering with them.

Core Truth: True Christian stewardship is far more inclusive than just our money and our checkbook; our Lord’s example makes it clear that everything – even the very breath we breathe – is His gracious gift to us and is to be used for His purposes while we are here on earth.

Core Truth: We say we believe in Christ’s return – but too many Christians seem to live as though it’s probably not going to happen anytime soon and, truth be told, would prefer that it not!

Core Truth: As life-altering as Christ’s first coming was, the impact of His second coming will stagger mankind’s imagination and change life upon the earth forever! However, a loving God has told His children ahead of time what to expect, how to prepare for it, and what we are to be doing in the meantime.

Core Truth: It is impossible to measure the benefits of committing oneself totally to the will of God in Christ; it is equally impossible to measure the profound loss of failing to do so.

Core Truth: To truly surrender to God is to put oneself completely at His disposal and be willing to live only for that which pleases Him and advances His kingdom in the world.

Core Truth: It is far too easy for us to miss the real secret of our Lord’s life and ministry here on earth. His power over demons, diseases, discouragements, and difficulties was not due to His divine nature, but rather to His total surrender to the Father’s will.

Core Truth: Because of who we are, where we are headed, and what is waiting for us when we get there, there are some things Christ is calling us to do here and now which will make our journey far more enjoyable and our effectiveness for Him here and now far greater, while preparing for us eternal rewards beyond our dreams in the life to come.

Core Truth:It is only the life that is built upon the solid rock of God’s eternal Word that can ever hope to survive life’s storms. Jesus said “…everyone who hears these words of mine and obeys them, will be like a wise man who built his house upon the rock, and the rain fell and the floods came and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.

Core Truth: It is only the life that is built upon the solid rock of God’s eternal Word that can ever hope to survive life’s storms. Jesus said “… everyone who hears these words of Mine and obeys them, will be like a wise man who built his house upon the rock, and the rain fell and the floods came and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.”

Core Truth: The storms of life are never meant to harm or destroy us; rather they are intended to uncover our weaknesses, correct our disobedience or deficiencies of faith, and force us to decide what really matters most in life.

Core Truth: While it is quite possible to find ourselves in the middle of storms of our own making, it is also true that some of life’s worst storms come to us not because we are out of God’s will, but rather because we are in it.

Core Truth: Our Adversary is not after our money or our stuff. He wants our mind … our hearts. We must understand that we are not being attacked over tangible things in our lives; the enemy is fighting us over the things we cannot see … our relationships, our priorities, and the things with which we find ourselves preoccupied in our daily lives.

Core Truth: As “aliens and strangers” (1Peter 2:11) in this present world, we are called by God to take a strong stand against the powers of darkness and the cultural forces that would silence our voices or get us to alter our message.

Core Truth: The only true freedom is that freedom which can only be found in Christ; all other supposed freedoms are mere illusions.

Core Truth: Surrounding us is a spiritual war … but amazingly, most believers live as if this conflict were not even happening, as if the “battle of the ages” was just a fantasy or sci-fi story . Until we recognize that our struggle is not with man but with spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places, we will never begin to live in victory. (Dr. Tony Evans)

Core Truth: Our position as a believer is based upon His position of authority.

Core Truth: In the waging of effective spiritual warfare on behalf of our families, the godly leadership of a Christian father cannot be overstated. Toward his wife, he is called to be a loving servant; toward his children, a firm but kind ruler; before the family at large, an example of godly living.

Core Truth: The Bible identifies three specific sources of spiritual warfare, each requiring its own particular response, and our ability to wage effective warfare will be determined by recognizing each source and knowing how to combat it effectively.

Core Truth: Satan has no problem with those who believe in his existence but do not practice warfare against him. His greatest trouble comes from those who understand how he works and have learned how to oppose him effectively.

Core Truth: While each Memorial Day it is fitting that we pause to remember those who have paid the ultimate price for our freedoms, let us also remember the One Who purchased the greatest freedom of all – freedom from the power and the eternal penalty of sin.

Core Truth: The ability of the early Christians to “turn their world upside down” had nothing to do with their own social status, personal skills or abilities; rather it was the result of their immediate obedience to the Lord’s commands and their reliance on and cooperation with the Holy Spirit Who had come upon them as Christ had promised.

Core Truth: Both history and Scripture are filled with examples of the important role mothers have played in teaching the faith to their children, and in today’s message we reflect on “some of the things our mothers taught us.”

Core Truth: The reality of the Empty Tomb has consequences His followers are obliged to do something about. We are called to tell the story, to tell it correctly, and to tell it everywhere!

May the Lord help us live sent lives – reaching people with the message that saves.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.

Core Truth: God has provided us a spiritual wardrobe to wear as we enter into battle each day. Today’s message will show us all the components of that armor and why each piece is essential to our being ready to war effectively in the Spirit.

Core Truth: Waging effective spiritual warfare requires us to understand that though invisible to our human eyes or senses, there is another realm that is very real and portends great danger unless we learn to battle it effectively.

Core Truth: There is a great difference between “working for the Lord” and allowing Him to do His work through us. To promote the cause of Christ in the flesh rather than the Spirit is distracting and even destructive, regardless of how satisfying it might be to our own ego or how good it might make us look in the eyes of others.

Core Truth: The way Christ wants to live His live through us is by the presence, wisdom, grace and power of the Holy Spirit Who upon the day of our New Birth came to abide with us forever.

Core Truth: We truly allow Christ to live His life through us when we allow His Spirit and His Word to guide our minds, our emotions, and our wills.

Core Truth: The key to living a truly effective Christian life is to simply allow Christ to live His life THROUGH us.

Core Truth: When we cannot solve problems, heal hurts, change circumstances or win our own battles, we must kneel in prayer, then stand to see what He will do. We must leave room for God, staying calm and giving Him time to work. – Robert J. Morgan

Core Truth: Christ living within us is God's guarantee that He will never leave us - not even for a single moment - until He has brought us safely home.

Core Truth: Union with Jesus Christ is the central truth of the doctrine of salvation and the whole purpose of God’s plan for every believer.

Core Truth: No warrior enters a battle, a runner a race, or a boxer the ring without intending to win and being willing to prepare oneself accordingly; but being a slave may be the most fitting analogy of what it means to be a true Christian.

Core Truth: Both as a church and as individuals, there is a very real sense in which our willingness to stay close to God and to allow His Presence to lead us will determine what we will experience in 2019.

Core Truth: Whatever the past year may have given us, whether blessings or sorrows or a combination of both, the lessons offered in them can be great help in entering the new year if we are willing to believe that “… all things DO work together for good for those who love God and who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

Core Truth: God has incredible love for His world and for everyone of us.

Core Truth: God not only usually uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things, He also chooses some of the most unlikely places to accomplish His will. As Dr. Francis Schaeffer has written: “With God there are no little people, and as there are no little people in God’s sight, so there are not little places.”

Core Truth: God isn’t looking for extraordinary people to do great things. Rather, He is looking for ordinary people through whom He can do extraordinary things, and a field full of despised shepherds was about as ordinary as you could get!

Core Truth: While some Christians (even some pastors) argue that we should not celebrate Christmas, I am not among them! Instead, in light of today’s materialistic, secularized and self-centered culture the need to celebrate the impact and meaning of our Lord’s birth is greater than ever.

Core Truth: Streams of living water will flow from within anyone who believes in Jesus.

Core Truth: We need to be as quick to thank God for His blessings as we are to ask Him for His help.

Core Truth: Contending for the faith is not only the work of theologians; it is also the responsibility of every believer and the cost of failure in the task is profound at every level.

Core Truth: Contending for the faith is not only the work of theologians; it is also the responsibility of every believer and the cost of failure in the task is profound at every level.

Core Truth: When Jehovah said "You shall have no other gods before (in place of) Me", He wasn't just talking to the people of ancient Israel; He wasn't just talking to the people of ancient Israel; He was talking to us as 21st Century Christians as well.

Core Truth: “If a person gets his attitude toward money straight, it will help straighten out almost every other area his life.” Billy Graham

Core Truth: God owns everything – our time, talents, treasure, relationships, jobs, families – everything, and we get to manage it for Him, and management of all these God-given responsibilities and resources is called stewardship.

Core Truth: God owns everything – our time, talents, treasure, relationships, jobs, families – everything, and we get to manage it for Him, and management of all these God-given responsibilities and resources is called stewardship.

Core Truth: God’s greatest desire for us as His children is that we come into the fullness of the joy and freedom of a life that is fully focused on Him.

Core Truth: If we could ever fully comprehend the benefits of a life completely sold out to Jesus Christ we would wonder why in the world we waited so long to do it, and we would not waste another moment giving everything we have, are, or ever hope to be to Him to do with as He pleases.

Core Truth: God calls us to worship Him and Him alone – not because He needs it, but because He knows that it is the key to our own safety, peace , and fulfillment.

Core Truth: “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13). Our Creator made us with certain appetites or “hungers” that can only be satisfied by a wholehearted and irrevocable decision to pursue Him and Him alone, no matter what the cost.

Core Truth: In the confusion and uncertainty of today’s world, we can learn to rest in the certainty of our hope in Christ and in the fact that God has already given His final word on all things pertaining to this life to come!

Core Truth: In the confusion and uncertainty of today’s world, we can learn to rest in the certainty of our hope in Christ and in the fact that God has already given His final word on all things pertaining to this life to come!

Core Truth: Without Christ, there is no hope. But with Him, there is hope and enough to spare; hope enough to share with all those who otherwise find themselves without hope, without God, and without Christ in the world.

Core Truth: God is bigger than all our worries and problems, we must realize this if we are to have victory in our lives. Each of us suffers with difficulties; however, the Lord is faithful to lift us out of our troubles.

Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

Core Truth: Trouble is part of everyone’s life and it comes in all shapes and sizes. And though we cannot prevent its arrival, we can have a strategy in place that will help maximize its divine purpose and usefulness when it does.

Core Truth: Loving God with all our strength means loving Him with all our capacities – our physical energy and strength, our thoughts and emotions, our abilities and talents, and our time and material resources.

Core Truth: “The bland assumption that the Church’s life will continue to be fruitful so long as we go on praying and cultivating our souls, irrespective of whether we trouble to think and talk Christianly, and therefore theologically, about anything we or others may do or say, may turn out to have dire results. The Christian mind is the prerequisite of Christian thinking, and the Christian thinking is the prerequisite for Christian action.” Harry Blamires, “The Christian Mind: How Should a Christian Think?”

Core Truth: Our soul is that invisible and eternal part of us that makes us different from all other forms of life on earth and according to our Lord’s own words is the most valuable of all our possessions. Therefore, it is the one thing above all that should never be up for any sort of trade or barter for the things of this world.

Core Truth: To love God with everything means that I make Him the highest priority of my life and find my greatest satisfaction in doing that which pleases Him.

Core Truth: Fatherhood is an identity-shaping vocation. Whether he does so consciously or not, a father tells his child what to become and those who have been given such a great responsibility are wise to learn from the one Who is the Father of us all.