Highland Baptist Church

Recorded 9/20/2026
Pastor Larry Stephens starts a 5-week series on the elements of salvation, beginning with "Grace Alone." Through Grace alone, we remember where God has brought us from. By grace, we are now alive and intentionally set for the Kingdom. 
What Does Knowing God’s Grace Teach Us?Knowing that salvation is by Grace, Faith, and Christ alone teaches us the humble posture we take in salvation. Knowing God’s grace brings humility and reminds us that salvation is entirelyGod’s work. As opposed to the position of earning salvation by penance, Grace teaches that salvation is offered by God alone and cannot be earned. By Grace alone teaches us to have confidence in the character of God. We can have the highest confidence that God not only calls people to be saved, but will see it through and complete the work He started, Php 1:6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. We know that Jesus, as our good shepherd, will shepherd His people from start to finish. And because God has demonstrated His grace to those He has called to salvation, we also demonstrate grace to others as a foundation of good works flowing from grace and faith. Basically, sola gratia reminds us that salvation is completely a gift from God’s grace, offered from start to finish. It encourages believers to place full trust in God’s mercy, respond with heartfelt faith, and live in gratitude and obedience as a beautiful expression of His grace.

Romans 12:3-8
“A Church United: Family Resemblances”
September 13, 2026
A Church United Must Also Be Humble:
A United Church Will Use Its Gifts:
Paul is pleading with his brothers and sisters in Christ: present yourselves to God, sold out and to His service, like bringing a sacrifice to the altar, but instead like an animal to be slain and dead, one that is alive with praise and worship. His second plea? Do not be like the way of this world, with the lust of the eyes and the pride of this life. “Do not be conformed or transformed by the world but renew your mind. First, upon rebirth, there is this radical transformation (metamorpho): sinners are brought to salvation by the work of Christ. Two imperatives that James gives are to pray and to confess to one another, that your soul may be
healed from its burden.
Instead of thinking more highly of yourself, use sound judgment when thinking of God’s abundant grace. You do not deserve what we have in this life, certainly not salvation. We do not deserve ministry positions or social status; it is all filtered through the grace of God. If it was not for God’s grace, we would all be lost and undone.
Because we are in Christ and are led by the Spirit of God, we all have a family resemblance in how we love God, grow as disciples, and serve one another. These family resemblances first aid us all in looking like Christ, and puts us on in the same mission together.
How can we build up the church in unity by using God-given gifts?
Build Unity by Loving God- Loving God with all our being builds unity because it changes our heart and mind. It builds unity because, as we love God, we love others in return.
Build Unity by Growing Disciples-Unity in the church depends on growing in our relationship with Jesus and equipping others to follow Him more closely.
Build Unity by Serving Others-  One of the most visible and powerful ways to build unity in the body of Christ is to serve others.
 

Recorded 9/6/2026
Pastor Larry Stephens delivers a message reminding believers to know who they are in Christ Jesus.
The letter of Romans may be the most important letter in human history.
Pastor Larry challenges the church to proclaim the gospel message frequently and to affirm the assurance of salvation. Believers can know with certainty if they are in Christ.
 
Rom 10:12  For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.Rom 10:13  For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Recorded 8/30/2026
Pastor Larry Stephens completes the sermon series through the Letter of James on "Seeking Wisdom."
In James chapter 5, there is a challenge to pray, praise, and confess sins in gospel community. 
It is imperative for a church body to serve together, through hardships and good times, to edify and equip the church for every good work.

Pastor Larry continues the series through the Letter of James 5: 7-12 entitled "Seeking Wisdom Through Suffering."
Two points for consideration:
I. Long for Patience by Stabilizing Your Heart:
II. Count Your Blessings
 
 

Pastor Larry G. Stephens continues a sermon series through The Letter of James: 
James 5:1-6 “Seeking Wisdom in Contentment”August 16, 2026
I. The Riches of This World Will One Day Fade AwayII. True Satisfaction in Christ Yields Worshipful Stewardship
These verses will catalog the sins against those who have put their faith in their possessions. These accusations also mirror Chapter 2 on the sin of partiality. James uses the illustration of those who abuse their wealth and the poor as an example of how not to live. James is hoping that his words will instill a sense of corrigibility in his readers and worshipers, to learn from mistakes, reform, and make changes to improve. According to The Gospel Coalition, the church's greatest need today is an awareness of the Holiness of God. James directs readers and worshipers to see how those abused by the wealthy are calling out for justice. Much like what we see when Cain slew Abel, and how his blood cried out to the Lord for justice, now the wrong, harmful abuse is calling out to God.
How do we learn from the mistakes of others or even some wrong directions we have taken in life?
Why don’t we lay up treasures for the last days?
1. It contradicts the biblical intent for church finances.2. It hinders helping those in need (physical and spiritual)3. It can lead us to rely more on money rather than on God.4. It contradicts stewardship principles

Recorded 8/9/26
Pastor Larry Stephens brings a message on examining motives. The question is, "What kind of legacy do you want to leave?"
Examine the Atmosphere of Your Life Today:
James writes the equivalentof “Come on Now," or “Consider carefully what you are saying.” There seem to be some business people who have first stubbed their nose at the poor, and now seem to be setting up their practice to see what they can get out of the people in town.”
How is it that we seek wisdom for tomorrow and leave a lasting legacy?1. Demonstrate Your Faith Daily, Not Just at Church- Show your beliefs through acts of love, forgiveness, and compassion. Matthew 5:16 reminds us to let our light shine with good deeds, inspiring others to praise God.2. Teach Your Children God’s Word- Actively instruct children and those around you in understanding biblical principles. Proverbs 22:6 advises to train a child in the right way, hoping it creates a lasting positive impact.3. Prioritize Serving and Community- Invest in family, friends, and community through mentorship, guidance, and open dialogue. Paul’s reflection on Timothy’s grandmother and mother (2 Timothy 1:5) exemplifies the significance of generational faith.
4. Pass Down Wisdom and Knowledge- Provide biblical insights and practical wisdom to help others face life’s challenges. Proverbs 4:7 highlights the significance of seeking wisdom, as it reinforces the foundation of your legacy. Leaving a godly legacy for tomorrow happens today.

Run Away from Selfish Ambition (vss. 1-5):
Submit Yourself to the Lord (vss. 6-12):
Do you ever wonder why there are so many church divisions over trivial things? Do you ever wonder why people in church culture fight and quarrel over things that make no sense? James asks this, but then answers. He identifies this fight as warfare (armed conflict); the origin of a war or any quarrel is sometimes hard to find, but James touches the sore spot here.
 
If the believer was taming the tongue, as James advises, they would not allow the sin of envy as self-centeredness rule in their lives and churches. It is your passions that drive you. Same word used here where we use the word “hedonism.”
 
We run from selfish ambition and run to Him. You are either in Christ Jesus and led by the Spirit of God, or void of the Spirit of God and lost and a friend to the system of the world. Now, James is writing to believers, so his words still echo, “these things ought not to be named among you.”
 
James then reminds the readers to resist, “resist the devil and he will flee from you.” The interesting word for resist carries the meaning to “stand against the devil.” One does not “stand against the devil” in their own power.
Acknowledge that God is the Lord of all—over your life, your decisions, and your circumstances. This entails comprehending that His ways are superior to yours (Isaiah 55:8-9) and that nothing is your own apart from Him (Psalm 24:1). Understanding this serves as the foundation for submission.
 
How do we resist worldliness and submit to Christ?
Acknowledge God is in Control (Sovereign):
Live in Obedience to His Word:

James 3: 13-18 “Seeking Wisdom from Above
July 26, 2026
Seeking Wisdom from Above While Separating from Jealousy and Selfishness
Seeking Wisdom from Above and Bearing Good Fruit
James hopes that everyone in the communities he speaks to will take his warnings about having the right kind of wisdom to heart and reflect on their own lives. This kind of wisdom will build up and not tear down.
“Zeal” can either be a good, bad, or “foolish zeal.” In this case, “jealousy” or “envy” is used in the negative connotation. The word “jealousy” is only used positively in Scripture when referencing good jealousy, and it is when referring to God as a jealous God.
If ungodly wisdom (demonic)is left to fester, it will cause all types of division in the church.  Human ungodly interests in the church serve satanic interests, sometimes happening unaware. Do you know the fastest way to get to this place as a church? When we put our personal preferences over godly Christ-centered motivations.
In contrast to unfruitful and demonic “wisdom,” which is hardly wisdom, James lays out wisdom that is edifying to the Kingdom of God. Wisdom that is pure, which leads to bearing fruit for the Kingdom of God. This is wisdom from above that brings peace. The mark of a true peacemaker in the church is one who makes peace without compromising truth and does so for the unity of the church.
 
How do we nurture wisdom from above?
 Seek to be like Christ in Peacefulness, Gentleness, Reasonableness, Mercy, and hospitality. (Mat 11:29,Php 4:5,John 4).

Recorded 7-19-2026
Pastor Larry Stephens brings a sermon from James 3:1-12 on the importance of taming the tongue.
I. Seeking Wisdom in Taming the Tongue: Evaluating Responsibilities to Truth (vss. 1-6):
II. Seeking Wisdom in Taming the Tongue: Evaluating Consistency (vss. 7-12):
 
What are some ways that we can live a consistent life in Christ?
1. Fix Your Eyes on Jesus First.
2. Be Slow to Judge Others.
3. Extend Grace to Others, as It Has Been Given to You.