Bartimaeus Baptist Temple

Message by Larry Thacker Jr from June 7: He’ll Be the Judge of That

Bartimaeus Baptist Temple — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 02:09:50 +0000

Sometimes we seem determined to find fault. I think often this is an unconscious defense against the flaws we see in our own character, but whatever the reason, it’s a destructive tendency. As we continue through our study of Paul's letter to the believers in Rome, we come to Romans 14:1-12. This passage addresses issues specific to the people and time when it was written, but it contains useful instruction for us today that goes beyond the obvious application. It’s hard to be in unity if we’re pointing out each others’ faults and presenting ourselves as somehow better or more holy. Obvious sin does need to be confronted, and Jesus gives us the process and the redemptive objective of applying it in Matthew 18, but too often we are the ones committing the greater sin with our criticism. We may be right, but it is better to be righteous. We should extend the same grace to others that we have received from God, and that’s a lot of grace.

Message by Larry Thacker Jr from May 31: The Law of Love

Bartimaeus Baptist Temple — Sat, 06 Jun 2026 16:17:48 +0000

We are continuing our study with Romans 13:8-14. Paul has provided teaching and instruction on everything from the basics of Christian theology to its application in our daily lives, and he is not finished yet. It may seem overwhelming, but in this passage he makes it simple, though in application it is anything but. He wraps it all up this way.

Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. For this, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this word, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does not work evil against a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the Law.

Romans 13:8-10 Legacy Standard Bible

Jesus Himself said something very similar when he was asked which was the greatest commandment in the law.

“‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. And the second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang the whole Law and the Prophets.”

Matthew 22:37-40 LSB

Everything God has said and done is rooted in love. All of the things against which He has warned us are contrary to love. Love put Jesus on a cross. Love raised Him from the dead! Accept no imitations. The law of love is perfect. The law of love involves sacrifice and is contrary to selfishness. If only we could all learn what true love is, both to give and to receive.

Message by Larry Thacker Jr from May 24: Government from God

Bartimaeus Baptist Temple — Sun, 24 May 2026 23:21:00 +0000

Chapter 13 of Romans begins with a statement that may be hard for us to swallow. Most of us recognize the need for law and order and don’t have a problem with the idea that we should submit to proper authority, but what about the next part? The end of verse 1 reads, “there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.” How can that be? How can a government that does evil things be established by God? As governments go ours is pretty good, but we have some real problems. Consider that Paul is writing as a citizen of Rome, hardly a model for a Godly nation. We will read from Romans 13:1-7 and apply it to our world today.

Message by Larry Thacker Jr from May 17: “Don’t Be Evil

Bartimaeus Baptist Temple — Mon, 18 May 2026 02:33:59 +0000

This week's study takes us through Roman 12:14-21. Paul continues teaching us what a living sacrifice looks like. Now we've come to some of the harder parts, especially that stuff about blessing people who mistreat us and doing good to our enemies. But if we look to Jesus as our example, we see that these are the things He did. He called out sin, especially hypocrisy, but he also uttered these famous words at His crucifixion, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”

Verse 21 reads, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.". What does it mean to be overcome by evil. Sometimes it surely seems to prevail. Were the martyrs overcome by evil? Was Jesus overcome by evil when He died on that cross? Quite the opposite. In that sacrificial act He overcame evil with good forever. It isn't going quietly, but it must go. Until that day comes, we must contend with it. To be overcome by evil is to be drawn into it. Instead of standing against it and choosing good, we become participants in it.

This passage seems to be telling us how to approach relationships with all people, not just those in the church. It humanizes our enemies and reminds us that we all start from the same place. Jesus Himself warned us that our message would not be widely accepted, but it becomes real when accompanied by behavior like this, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”

What's with that last part? The imagery doesn't seem to match the spirit of the message. Paul is quoting from Proverbs 25:21-22. It is likely a reference to an Egyptian custom of carrying hot coals on one's head as a sign of contrition. The hope is that in doing good to our enemies, we draw them to a place of repentance. We invite them to become part of God's family.

Message by Larry Thacker Jr from May 10″ Let Your Love Be True

Bartimaeus Baptist Temple — Tue, 12 May 2026 01:12:55 +0000

In Romans 12:9-13, Paul is continuing his teaching about what a living sacrifice looks like. Verse 9 begins, “Let love be without hypocrisy—by…” I only found one version, the Legacy Standard Bible, that reads this way. I admit to not knowing Greek, but a bit of research suggests that this is how it should read. Now a series of loosely connected exhortations becomes connected to a purpose. Let your love be true. Doing these things will draw your heart to His, and you will “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (12:2)

Message by Larry Thacker Jr from May 3: Tools of Transformation 1

Bartimaeus Baptist Temple — Thu, 07 May 2026 01:11:57 +0000

What does it mean to be a living sacrifice? How can we renew our minds and thus be transformed? These are the first two instructions we find as Paul moves from theology lesson to application (Romans 12:1-2.) In the last message we explored what they mean and how we might begin to follow them, but we really don't have to guess. Paul is going to tell us. The short version might be put this way. Get busy using your God-given gifts to the max, but remember where they came from and stay humble. Our text is from Romans 12:3-8.

Sunday Share by Priscilla Whitmore from April 26

Bartimaeus Baptist Temple — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 00:46:06 +0000

Priscilla urges us to trust the Lord regardless of circumstance

Message from April 26: Mind Control

Bartimaeus Baptist Temple — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 01:51:13 +0000

As we continue our study of the book of Romans, we have come to a point of transition. Paul has finished his theology lesson and now moves into application. It begins with the famous "therefore." IN light of everything we now know, this is how we should live. If you have followed us over the past few years, you will recognize the teaching. It is something we come back to often because it is so important for us to understand.

Therefore I exhort you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a sacrifice—living, holy, and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may approve what the will of God is, that which is good and pleasing and perfect. (Romans 12:1-2)

A sacrifice that remains alive must constantly choose to stay on the altar. This requires a mindset totally opposite of the world, and of our own natural inclination. It requires a transformation, and that requires that our minds be made over. Over the next few lessons we will see what that looks like.

Message from April 19: It’s Not a Mystery

Bartimaeus Baptist Temple — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 01:43:28 +0000

When we speak of a mystery, we refer to something that is unknown. A mystery is a puzzle we hope to solve. Once solved, it's no longer a mystery. WE know who did it. We found that illusive answer.

So when Paul writes of a mystery, translated from a very similar Greek word, we might come to the wrong conclusion about what he is saying. The word doesn't have quite the same meaning in his context. It refers to something that has been hidden, but is now revealed. And that is what he has spelled out for us in his letter to the Roman believers. The revelation that he documents here is God's plan to save both Jew and Gentile by means of His people, Israel. And they will return to Him, just as Isaiah prophesied.

Our study continues with Romans 11:25-36. Paul caps off his epic theology lesson and offers a fitting tribute to our infinite and merciful creator. The next few chapters will focus on practical advice for living in the light of what we have learned.

Message from April 12: Words to the Wild Ones

Bartimaeus Baptist Temple — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 02:18:39 +0000

Our study continues with Romans 11:16-24. In the last 3 chapters, Paul has been explaining the significance of Israel in god's plan of redemption. They rejected their messiah, and that rejection led to salvation for all who will believe, Jew and Gentile. Beginning in verse 13, Paul turns his attention specifically to the Gentiles. He Warns us not to think too highly of ourselves, reminding us that we draw life from Israel's root. The wording of this warning raises questions for some. Is Paul really saying that it is possible for a believer to be "cut off"?

Introducing the fight of the centuries! In the blue corner, Jacobus Arminius 1560–1609.) As he enters the ring, you can hear his supporters shouting, "FREE WILL!" He would say that it is possible for someone to lose, or more properly throw away, his salvation. God gives everyone enough grace to decide, and they are predestined only in the sense that God knows the choice before they make it.

In the red corner, John Calvin (1509–1564.) The champion of the modern reformed movement, he is most widely known for the view that we are all predestined and that there is not really any such thing as free will. God chose who would believe from the moment of creation and those who are offered His grace cannot refuse.

As you can see from the dates, these men did not live at the same time and could not have opposed one another directly, but their fans are still duking it out. I wish we wouldn't. In fact these teachers are not so far apart as we might think. Arminius was a 2nd generation student of Calvin. The purpose of this message is not to explore their theology in depth, but to expose believers to the roots of the argument and briefly summarize the scripture that each side will reference. I've expressed an opinion, but I've provided references from both sides, freely admitting that I am not so confident as to insist that mine is the right one.

To anyone truly seeking the Lord even as you struggle to make the right choices, fear not. He died and rose to save you. He will not let you fall. To those who cling to a life of sin, turn around before it is too late. Maybe you walked the isle or said a prayer one day and somebody told you that got you in. If they didn't tell you the rest, they lied! Give your heart to Jesus before it is too late. Believe that He died for your sin and was raised. Accept Him as Lord.