Bay Leaf Baptist Church Weekly Sermons

8-17-25 | Devoted to the Fellowship

In this sermon on Acts 2:42-47, Pastor Jared Richard addresses the concerning decline in church attendance among American Christians, emphasizing that God created the church for our good and His glory. The early believers were devoted not only to Jesus but to one another, gathering together daily for worship, meals, and mutual support. Pastor Richard explains that this fellowship isn't optional but essential, as God is forming a people, a family with purpose.

Drawing from 1 Peter 2:4-10, he describes how believers are "living stones" being built into a spiritual house to proclaim God's excellencies. The church provides three vital gospel benefits: it deepens our joy in the gospel through shared worship, helps us evidence the gospel's power through meeting needs and extending forgiveness, and strengthens our hope by giving us glimpses of heaven. Pastor Richard challenges believers to resist autonomy by gathering faithfully, resist anonymity by pursuing meaningful relationships, and resist apathy by practicing gratitude for God's design of the church.

 

WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!

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We hope you enjoy this programming and please let us know if there is anything we can do to be of service to you.

 

ONE CHURCH. TWO LOCATIONS. ONE MISSION.

Bay Leaf at Falls Lake: 12200 Bayleaf Church Road, Raleigh, North Carolina 27614

Bay Leaf at 540: 10921 Leesville Rd, Raleigh, NC 27613

 

SERVICE TIMES

Come join us on Sundays at Bay Leaf at Falls Lake (8:30 AM or 11:00 AM) or at Bay Leaf at 540 (10:00 AM)!

 

CONTACT

www.bayleaf.org

(919) 847-4477

#BayLeafLife #Worship #Inspiration

8-10-25 | Devoted to the Apostles' Teaching

In this sermon on Acts 2:42-47, Pastor Patrick Austin revisits the four devotions of the early church—the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer—as Bay Leaf Baptist Church prepares to launch its second campus. Pastor Austin focuses specifically on devotion to the apostles' teaching, explaining that we must remain committed to Scripture because it reveals Christ to us, helps us in our journey toward Christ-likeness, and equips us for the mission of gospel saturation.

When we remain devoted to the apostles' teaching, four significant things happen: our love for God deepens as we're continually reminded of His love for us; our walk with God matures as we submit to His Word; our boldness for God increases as we follow the example of the apostles; and God brings flourishing and growth to His church. As the Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 2, we are to "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you both to will and to work for his good pleasure."

WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Take a moment to fill out our digital connection card here: https://www.bayleaf.org/connect

We hope you enjoy this programming and please let us know if there is anything we can do to be of service to you.

ONE CHURCH. TWO LOCATIONS. ONE MISSION.

Bay Leaf at Falls Lake: 12200 Bayleaf Church Road, Raleigh, North Carolina 27614

Bay Leaf at 540: 10921 Leesville Rd, Raleigh, NC 27613

SERVICE TIMES

Come join us on Sundays at Bay Leaf at Falls Lake (8:30 AM or 11:00 AM) or at Bay Leaf at 540 (10:00 AM)!

CONTACT

www.bayleaf.org

(919) 847-4477

#BayLeafLife #Worship #Inspiration

8-3-25 | The Power of Gospel Friendships

In Pastor Billy Driver's sermon "The Power of Gospel Friendships," he explores Romans 16 to reveal how our capacity for relationships reflects God's image. Drawing from Paul's extensive greetings to 26 individuals in Rome, Pastor Driver emphasizes three key aspects of gospel friendships: they strengthen us in service, keep us unified in the church, and encourage us to worship God.

Gospel friendships are characterized by being "in Christ" rather than defined by race, gender, or social status. These relationships are cultivated through serving together, as Paul's list demonstrates with diverse believers united in ministry. Pastor Driver warns that these same friendships protect us from divisive people and false teaching, as Paul cautions in Romans 16:17-20. When we know God's Word deeply, we can recognize counterfeits and stand firm together. Ultimately, these gospel friendships lead us to worship, as we rejoice in God's saving work through Christ, echoing Paul's doxology in Romans 16:25-27: "Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel...to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ. Amen."

WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!

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7-27-25 | We Have Work To Do!

In this sermon from Romans 15:14-21, Pastor Jared Richard challenges Bay Leaf Baptist Church to continue the legacy of global missions exemplified by both the Apostle Paul and William Carey. Pastor Richard reminds us that while Christianity is growing globally with nearly 3 billion Christians alive today, approximately 5 billion people remain unreached, with less than 2% of their population knowing Christ. The sermon coincides with the commissioning of a missionary family from Bay Leaf, emphasizing that God's promise in Isaiah 52 that "those who have never been told of him will see" is still being fulfilled today.

Paul's ministry demonstrates three principles we should follow: expecting great things from our great God, attempting great things for His glory, and watching God do great things through our obedience. Like William Carey who said, "I will go down if you'll hold the rope," we all have a part to play in global missions—some by going to the nations and others by supporting through prayer, encouragement, and financial giving. The Great Commission wasn't a suggestion but a command that requires our collective commitment.

WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!

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7-20-25 | Abounding in Hope

In this sermon on Romans 15:8-13, Pastor Jared Richard explains that Christian hope differs fundamentally from worldly hope. While worldly hope expresses desire for uncertain possibilities, Christian hope is a confident expectation in guaranteed promises. This hope is rooted in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and is a gift from "the God of hope" (Romans 15:13).

Pastor Richard outlines how the entire Trinity works to build this hope in believers: the Father sent the Son, inspired Scripture to be written, and sent the Spirit to empower our hope. This divinely-given hope serves two crucial purposes. First, it keeps believers together in unity, as they recognize God's plan to unite people from all nations in worship. Second, it keeps believers going through suffering and persecution, enabling them to experience joy even in the darkest circumstances, as exemplified by Richard Wurmbrand who danced for joy in his prison cell despite brutal torture. Through faith in Christ, believers can have this abounding hope that sustains them in all circumstances.

WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!

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7-13-25 | Love in the Family of God (Part 2)

In this sermon on Romans 14:13-15:7, Pastor Jared Richard addresses how Christians should handle differences of opinion on disputable matters. He explains that while mature believers understand their freedoms in Christ, they have a spiritual obligation to restrain those freedoms when they might cause spiritual harm to weaker believers. Using examples like Charles Spurgeon giving up cigars when he realized his public example might lead others into sin, Pastor Richard emphasizes that being together in faith is more important than being isolated in individual freedom.

The pastor reminds us that "the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17). Our ultimate joy is found not in our freedoms but in Christ himself, who modeled this sacrificial love by giving up heaven's glory to save us. The goal is church unity where together we "may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 15:6).

WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!

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7-6-25 | Love in the Family of God (Part 1)

Pastor Jared Richard's sermon on Romans 14:1-13a examines how the church can maintain unity despite differences in matters of conscience. Drawing from Paul's letter to the Romans, he identifies the problem of division between "weak" and "strong" believers over issues like food restrictions and special days. This division threatens both the church's witness and mission.

Pastor Jared explains that the solution is found in three Gospel demands: accepting those whom God has accepted in Christ, individually living under the lordship of Christ, and anticipating God's perfect judgment. He introduces the concept of "theological triage," distinguishing between essential Christian beliefs (dogma), denominational differences (doctrine), and personal convictions (disputable matters). The sermon concludes with a powerful reminder that while we don't have to agree on everything, we must welcome one another just as God has welcomed us in Christ, keeping the main things central while giving freedom in matters of conscience.

WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!

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6-29-25 | Christ Loves Us, and Christ Will Come For Us!

Romans 13:8-14 • Dr. Jared Richard

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6-22-25 | The Christian and Governing Authorities

Romans 13:1-7 • Patrick Austin

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6-15-25 | Living Out the Gospel in Love

Romans 12:9-21 • Dr. Jared Richard

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