Matthew 16:16-18 (KJV) Why Baptists Still Plant Churches in America

Matthew 16:16-18 (KJV)

And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

I am currently in Denver, CO, at what we have come to know as “Home Missions Conferences.” The purpose of these conferences is to promote church planting in the United States. The reasoning is simple: if we do not have strong and vibrant churches at home, we will soon be unable to support missions abroad.

At these meetings, messages are preached to encourage men who are planting churches (and it is not easy work) and to raise money to help meet their specific needs.

With as many churches as there are in the United States, a person might wonder why we feel such urgency to plant new ones. Besides the fact that many churches (of all denominations) are dwindling, Baptists particularly sense this urgent need to plant churches even in places where other congregations already exist. This conviction grows out of our belief concerning the nature of Christ’s church.

You see, we do not view congregations that are part of the Catholic movement—or its offspring in the Protestant and Reformation traditions—as fulfilling the biblical promise of Christ to “build my church.” In that system we see the work of men, influenced by the devil, seeking to undermine Christ’s promise that “the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

The conviction that drives Baptist church planting grows out of these distinctions. Baptists have historically believed that Christ’s promise in Matthew 16:18 refers to churches made up of people who personally confess Christ, just as Peter did when he said, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Because of that, Baptists have emphasized a regenerate church membership, believer’s baptism by immersion, and a church that stands free from the control of civil authority, accountable only to Christ its Head.

These convictions set Baptists apart from the Puritan and broader Protestant systems that joined church life to national identity, practiced infant baptism, and relied on civil power to support religion. For Baptists, the church Christ promised to build is a body of redeemed believers who freely confess Him, follow Him in baptism, and gather together under His authority alone.

That belief is why the work of planting new churches remains so urgent—because every generation must see congregations established that reflect the simple New Testament pattern of Christ building His church.

#UponThisRock #ChristBuildsHisChurch #NewTestamentChurch #BaptistDistinctives #ChurchPlanting

Why Baptists Still Plant Churches in America—Even Where Churches Already Exist

Christ promised, “I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” That promise still matters today.

What do you believe Jesus meant when He said those words? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment below and join the conversation.

If you enjoy Bible studies like this and want to explore more lessons on Scripture, church history, and practical Christian living, visit marvinmckenzie.org. There you’ll find articles, books, and teaching resources to help you grow in your understanding of God’s Word.

To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 7000 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
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Matthew 16:16-18 (KJV) Why Baptists Still Plant Churches in America

Matthew 26:8 (KJV) What Matters More Than Miracles

Matthew 26:8 (KJV)

But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?

I suppose others have written on this subject, but it’s not my purpose to discover all they might have said. I am reminded that John’s account includes the detail that Lazarus—whom Jesus had raised from the dead—was at this supper. Yet, neither Matthew nor Mark, who both record this anointing, even mention Lazarus, his resurrection, or his presence at the table.

I can already hear some Bible doubter claiming this is a contradiction. Surely, they would argue, if Lazarus had been resurrected and was present at the supper, every account should have highlighted it. But here’s the truth: we think that’s the “big deal.” God didn’t. It was significant enough to record once, but not so significant that it needed to dominate every telling of Christ’s life.

The lessons flood in. I won’t reach them all—and I don’t even know them all!

This is God’s Book, not man’s.
God used human penmen, but He is the Author. He decided what to include, when to include it, and what emphasis each detail deserved. That we might have written it differently is irrelevant—we didn’t write it.

The Bible is only understood correctly when the Holy Spirit teaches it. 

No man, no matter how studied, can grasp the Word of God without God. Many hate that thought, but the pure truth is: we are not as bright as we think we are. No one can truly understand what the Author intended without speaking to the Author Himself.

Notice this: the pouring of oil on Christ is mentioned three times in the Gospels, while the resurrection of Lazarus is only mentioned once. 

Even then, so many questions about Lazarus are left unanswered. Could it be that, in God’s eyes, the sacrifice given to Christ was of greater significance than the raising of Lazarus? Could it be that God would have us dwell more on our gifts to Him than His gifts to us?

Here’s how I see it: 

God’s blessings to men occur so frequently and so surely that they are not meant to be the main focus. Of course, we should be thankful. Of course, we should never take them for granted. But they are not the thing to fix our hearts upon.

Our thoughts, our prayers, our actions should be fixed on God Himself—serving Him, glorifying Him, leading others to Him.

• Not what He does for us.
• Not what we do for others in His name.

Him. Him alone.

Fix your focus on Him.

#FixYourFocusOnHim #GodsWordGodsWay #SpiritLedUnderstanding #ChristAboveAll 

What Matters More Than Miracles: Fix Your Focus on Christ Alone

✨ The Bible records the resurrection of Lazarus only once, but the anointing of Jesus three times. Why? Because in God’s eyes, worship and sacrifice to Christ matter more than even the greatest miracles.

📖 Do you focus more on God’s gifts to you—or your devotion to Him?

💬 Share your thoughts in the comments below!

📲 Hungry for more solid, biblical teaching? Visit marvinmckenzie.org for Bible studies, videos, and resources rooted in the King James Bible.

👉 Join our community in studying God’s Word and strengthening your faith.

To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 6800 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Join me at Daily Visits with God Podcast
https://marvinmckenzie.substack.com/

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

Matthew 26:8 (KJV) What Matters More Than Miracles

Matthew 25:8 (KJV) Empty Lamps, Empty Hearts, No Oil

Matthew 25:8 (KJV)

And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. We must not forget that the parable of the ten virgins, and the one following—the parable of the talents—carry heavenly truths.

One key lesson in the parable of the ten virgins is this: no one else can be saved for you. No one is responsible for your salvation except you. We must come to Christ personally, or we do not come at all. I have met many who went forward with a crowd in a preaching meeting, only to realize later that they had followed people rather than truly coming to Christ.

Each of these parables carries the same earthly concept—responsibility, industry, and diligence. In our text, the five foolish virgins all said the same thing: “Give us.”

When others are generous, it is a wonderful blessing. Yet there is something wrong when someone always expects others to give to them. Asking in times of genuine need may be appropriate, but even that can be abused, leaving a poor testimony. Demanding that others give is never right.

Notice that the foolish virgins said, “Give us.” That spirit echoes socialism, a godless system that commands, “Give them.” Such giving is almost never appreciated. (Jesus did command His disciples, “Give ye them to eat.” He was teaching His followers to be a giving people. But He was not endorsing socialism. Even when Jesus gave, many misunderstood and tried to make Him king—not because they believed on Him, but because they wanted free food.)

The bottom line is clear: “If a man will not work, neither shall he eat.” That is an earthly principle, but it points to a heavenly truth—you cannot ride into heaven on someone else’s faith. You must come to Christ alone, carrying the full weight of your own guilt. Then, lay it down at the cross. Only then will you walk away free.

#FoolishAndWise #ParableOfResponsibility #ComeToChristAlone #TrueSalvation #FaithNotSocialism

Empty Lamps, Empty Hearts, No Oil: Faith Is Yours Alone

💡 Are You Ready—or Just Borrowing Oil?

In Matthew 25:8, the foolish virgins begged the wise, “Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.” The truth is clear: you cannot borrow salvation. Faith must be your own.

👉 What about you—are you trusting in Christ personally, or leaning on someone else’s faith?

📖 If you’ve been searching for real Bible answers about salvation, heaven, and walking with Christ, I invite you to join the discussion in the comments. Share your thoughts: Do you think most people today are more like the wise or the foolish virgins? Why?

📲 Hungry for more solid, biblical teaching? Visit marvinmckenzie.org for Bible studies, videos, and resources rooted in the King James Bible.

👉 Join our community in studying God’s Word and strengthening your faith.

To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 6800 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Join me at Daily Visits with God Podcast
https://marvinmckenzie.substack.com/

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

Matthew 25:8 (KJV) Empty Lamps, Empty Hearts, No Oil

Matthew 24:4 (KJV) Stay Ready

Matthew 24:4 (KJV)

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

There are few subjects more contested than end times, especially the second coming of Christ. Truthfully, eschatology—the study of last things—is one that must be painted with a broad brush. The devil really is in these details!

I think there are some basic things that are clear enough to be confident of. They’re like the minutes on the clock. We can count them off pretty well. We just don’t know the day nor the hour, nor should we try to focus on the second hand.

Here’s the thing Jesus made abundantly clear: concerning the end, many will attempt to deceive us.

He warns us:

• Don’t be deceived by false religion (v. 5).
• Don’t be concerned by wars and rumors of wars (vv. 6–7).
• Don’t be offended by oppression and persecution (vv. 9–12).
• Don’t let your love wax cold through iniquity (v. 12).
• Don’t be silent in preaching the gospel (v. 14).

With all the deceiving possibilities out there, how can we take heed not to be deceived? The answer must be found in one way only—prayerfully read the Word of God. It is a light in the darkness. Attend a church that faithfully preaches the Word of God. It is a light in the darkness.

Beyond that, I have just one other suggestion:
Do be ready (v. 44).
Because as sure as the sun rises and sets—Jesus is coming again.

#TakeHeed #EndTimesTruth #WordOfGodLight #JesusIsComingAgain #DoNotBeDeceived

Stay Ready—Jesus Is Coming Again

⚠️ Jesus said, “Take heed that no man deceive you” (Matthew 24:4). With so many voices shouting about end times, how can you know what’s true? The answer is simple—stand on the Word of God. 📖

👉 What do you think is the greatest deception believers face today? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

📲 Hungry for more solid, biblical teaching? Visit marvinmckenzie.org for Bible studies, videos, and resources rooted in the King James Bible.

👉 Join our community in studying God’s Word and strengthening your faith.

To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 6800 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Join me at Daily Visits with God Podcast
https://marvinmckenzie.substack.com/

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

Matthew 24:4 (KJV) Stay Ready