Sinopsis
Bay Leaf Seeks To Help Every Generation Find Genuine Fulfillment Through Life Anchored In Christ.
Episodios
-
10-5-25 // Life Is Hard; God Is Good! // Lamentations 3 // Finding Hope When Life Hurts
07/10/2025 Duración: 39minAddressing a congregation grieving seven recent deaths, including a 17-year-old young man, Pastor Jared Richard turns to Lamentations 3 to provide Biblical guidance through sorrow. He explains how Jeremiah, after witnessing unimaginable suffering during Jerusalem's fall to Babylon in 586 BC, found hope in the midst of despair. The sermon centers on the profound truth that "life is hard, but God is good," offering three hope-giving truths from Scripture: God's steadfast love never ceases, His mercies never come to an end but are new every morning, and the Lord Himself is our portion and inheritance. Pastor Jared then challenges believers to respond to these truths by actively seeking the Lord, crying out to Him in honest lament, and examining their ways—practical steps that transform grief into hope-filled faith. 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 anythin
-
9-28-25 // Wisdom & the Word of God // James 1:18–27 // How Does God’s Word Save and Shape Us?
30/09/2025 Duración: 41minIn this sermon on James 1:18-27, Pastor Jared Richard explores how God works through His Word to both save and sanctify believers. The passage reveals that God "brought us forth by the Word of truth" (James 1:18), emphasizing that salvation comes through the gospel message being proclaimed and received through the Spirit's work. However, this new birth is only the beginning; God intends believers to become "a kind of firstfruits of his creatures," living testimonies of His redemptive work. Pastor Richard explains that while salvation is entirely God's work, sanctification requires our participation. Christians must position themselves before Scripture by hearing the Word (being "quick to hear"), receiving it with meekness, and obeying it rather than merely hearing it. True reception of God's Word manifests in three key areas: controlled speech that reflects Christ, putting away worldliness and sinful behaviors, and demonstrating "pure and undefiled religion" by caring for orphans and widows. The sermon conclu
-
9-21-25 // Wisdom in Trials // James 1:2-18 // How Can We Count It All Joy in Hardship?
23/09/2025 Duración: 43minPastor Jared Richard's sermon on James 1:2-18 examines the strange pairing of joy and trials that James introduces in his letter. Just as some unexpected combinations work well together (like French fries and milkshakes), joy and trials can coexist when viewed through the lens of godly wisdom. Pastor Jared explains that God uses trials to reveal genuine faith and strengthen it as He prepares believers for future glory. The sermon outlines two possible paths when facing trials: the path of wisdom and the path of foolishness. The path of wisdom sees trials as tests from a good Father who wants us to succeed, leading to endurance, perseverance, and ultimately Christian maturity. This perspective allows believers to "count it all joy" (James 1:2) amid difficulties. Conversely, the path of foolishness views trials as temptations, leading to sinful desires, actions, and ultimately death. Pastor Jared reminds us that God is unchanging and good, that He "gives generously to all without reproach" (James 1:5), and that
-
9-14-25 | Wisdom From Above
16/09/2025 Duración: 34minIn this sermon on James 3:13-18, Pastor Jared Richard explores the theme of "godly wisdom in the midst of exile." He explains that as believers, we are exiles in this world, and James is calling us to pursue true wisdom rather than worldly wisdom. True wisdom is rightly applied knowledge that seeks God's glory, evidenced by meekness, peace, and purity. In contrast, worldly wisdom is characterized by jealousy and selfish ambition, leading to disorder and chaos. Pastor Jared emphasizes that we need this godly wisdom because it produces a "harvest of righteousness" (James 3:18) within the church and serves as a powerful witness to a world weary of the contradictions of worldly wisdom. This true wisdom is found in Jesus Christ himself, who is the embodiment of God's wisdom. When we pursue Christ through His Word and through Christ-honoring community, we have everything we need to live for God's glory in this broken world. WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! Take a moment to fill out our digital connection card here: ht
-
9-7-25 | The Kind of Church God Uses
08/09/2025 Duración: 41minIn this sermon celebrating Bay Leaf Baptist Church's expansion to two campuses, Pastor Jared Richard reflects on the church's 145-year history while looking to the Biblical church in Antioch as a model for continued effectiveness. Drawing from Acts 11-13, Pastor Richard identifies four qualities that made Antioch a church God used powerfully. First, God uses churches that evidence His grace—where His transformative work is so evident that it causes rejoicing, as when Barnabas visited Antioch and "saw the grace of God" (Acts 11:23). Second, God uses churches whose people live noticeably different lives, as evidenced by the Antioch believers being "first called Christians" (Acts 11:26) because their Christ-centered identity was unmistakable. Third, God uses churches that position themselves to hear from Him through worship, fasting, and prayer. Finally, God uses churches that respond in obedience even when it's costly, as the Antioch church did when sending out their best leaders, Barnabas and Paul. Pastor Rich
-
8-31-25 | Devoted to Prayer
02/09/2025 Duración: 34minIn the final message of the "Devoted" series, Pastor Patrick Austin explores the early church's commitment to prayer as described in Acts 2:42-47, highlighting how this core value should shape Bay Leaf Baptist Church, especially as they prepare to launch their second campus. Pastor Austin establishes that Jesus Himself was deeply devoted to prayer, which directly influenced the disciples and early church to make prayer central to their community life. Pastor Austin identifies three characteristics of a praying church: they pray worshipfully (delighting in communion with God rather than just making requests), proactively (before crises arise, not just reacting to problems), and expectantly (truly believing God will answer). He provides practical applications for developing a vibrant prayer life, including praying Scripture, creating prayer calendars, and using guided prayer resources. The sermon concludes with a challenge to pray "big prayers" that focus on kingdom advancement rather than just personal comfort
-
8-24-25 | Devoted to the Breaking of Bread
26/08/2025 Duración: 36minIn this sermon, Pastor Jared Richard explores the significance of "breaking bread" as one of the four pillars of the early church found in Acts 2:42. He demonstrates how Jesus intentionally used meals throughout His ministry to teach about His kingdom and sacrifice. From dining with tax collectors in Luke 5 to instituting the Lord's Supper in Luke 22, Jesus transformed ordinary tables into gospel opportunities. The early church continued this practice, using both formal meals (the Lord's Supper) and informal gatherings to remember Christ's sacrifice and demonstrate gospel unity. Their shared meals crossed social, economic, and ethnic boundaries, proclaiming that all believers belong at Christ's table. Pastor Richard challenges us to redeem our tables for gospel purposes by using mealtimes to remember God's provision, deepen our love for one another, and invite unbelievers to experience Christ. As he concludes, "What better way to saturate North Raleigh with the gospel than by saturating it with bread... and g
-
8-17-25 | Devoted to the Fellowship
19/08/2025 Duración: 39minIn 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
-
8-10-25 | Devoted to the Apostles' Teaching
12/08/2025 Duración: 36minIn 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 LO
-
8-3-25 | The Power of Gospel Friendships
05/08/2025 Duración: 35minIn 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
-
7-27-25 | We Have Work To Do!
29/07/2025 Duración: 39minIn 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
-
7-20-25 | Abounding in Hope
22/07/2025 Duración: 43minRomans 15:8-13 • Dr. Jared Richard WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! Take a moment to fill out our digital connection card here: https://www.bayleaf.org/connect
-
7-13-25 | Love in the Family of God (Part 2)
15/07/2025 Duración: 38minIn 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 HEA
-
7-6-25 | Love in the Family of God (Part 1)
07/07/2025 Duración: 45minPastor 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.
-
6-29-25 | Christ Loves Us, and Christ Will Come For Us!
30/06/2025 Duración: 38minRomans 13:8-14 • Dr. Jared Richard Fill out this form here: https://www.bayleaf.org/connect we look forward to hearing from you.
-
6-22-25 | The Christian and Governing Authorities
24/06/2025 Duración: 37minRomans 13:1-7 • Patrick Austin Fill out this form here: https://www.bayleaf.org/connect we look forward to hearing from you.
-
6-15-25 | Living Out the Gospel in Love
16/06/2025 Duración: 41minRomans 12:9-21 • Dr. Jared Richard
-
6-8-25 | One With the Body of Christ
10/06/2025 Duración: 44minRomans 12:3-8 • Dr. Jared Richard Fill out this form here: https://www.bayleaf.org/connect we look forward to hearing from you.
-
6-1-25 | Taking Hold of the Transformed Life
03/06/2025 Duración: 35minRomans 12:1-2 • Dr. Jared Richard Fill out this form here: https://www.bayleaf.org/connect we look forward to hearing from you.
-
5-25-25 | The Greatness of God
26/05/2025 Duración: 33minRomans 11:33-36 • Dr. Kyle Graham Fill out this form here: https://www.bayleaf.org/connect we look forward to hearing from you.