White Rock Baptist Church

05/31/2026

We've recently had audio issues with our Facebook Live stream. While we work out the issues, please join our service on Zoom using this link: https://f.mtr.cool/qfhmmatbfs

05/28/2026

THE GIST OF THE CHURCH SCHOOL LESSON

Love that Shapes Society
Lesson: Deuteronomy 6:3-9; Matthew 19:3-9

Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe them diligently, so that it may go well with you, and so that you may multiply greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, as the LORD, the God of your ancestors, has promised you.
Deuteronomy 6:3 (NRSV)

What are our Christian obligations to family and community when it comes to the future of civilization? What is the future for our society?

The Book of Deuteronomy is the final portion of the Five Scrolls, the Pentateuch, also known as the Torah. These five books begin with the creation of all things, the call of Abram and Sarah, the period of Egyptian slavery, the exodus, and the journey to the border of the Promised Land. Moses will not let the people forget the God who has kept them on their arduous trip. There are still challenges ahead. They must conquer the nations of Canaan. But Moses warns that the greater challenge will be to maintain their faith in God once they see the what God has provided for them. The land of “Milk and Honey” is rich in natural resources and human achievements. The Israelites will gain a land with fine, large cities that you did not build, houses filled with all sorts of goods that you did not fill, hewn cisterns that you did not hew, vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant-- and when you have eaten your fill, take care that you do not forget the LORD, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery (Deuteronomy 6:10-12).

How will the Israelites resist the temptations of the Promised Land? They must keep the Word of God ever before them—physically and spiritually. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates (Deuteronomy 6:6-9). The Israelites cannot allow God’s commandments to only be words; the words must become practices, rituals, habits, routines, customs, behaviors, a lifestyle. When the people conduct themselves according to God’s statutes and ordinances, they will not resemble the nations around them. They will be distinct, a peculiar people. For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth (Deuteronomy 14:2)

We believe that a future, civilized world must be based in law and order. The rule of law must apply to every citizen, no matter their rank or privilege. But even before God laid out the Ten Commandments, the way God desires we respond the law is this: You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart (Deuteronomy 6:5-6). If we honor the first command—to love God—we can keep the command of God.

Reverend Steven B. Lawrence

05/26/2026

05/24/2026

We've recently had audio issues with our Facebook Live stream. While we work out the issues, please join our service on Zoom using this link: https://f.mtr.cool/koykbsagah

05/21/2026

Verse for Reflection

05/19/2026

THE GIST OF THE CHURCH SCHOOL LESSON

The Beauty of Dependence
Lesson: Mark 9:36-37, 42; 10:13-16

Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.” . . . People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.”
Mark 9:36-37; 10:13-14 (NRSV)

What are our Christian obligations to family and community when it comes to children? What valuable lessons do we learn from the “little ones”?

In Caesarea Philippi, Peter declared that Jesus was indeed the long-awaited Messiah (Mark 8:29). But then, on the road to Capernaum, the disciples argued about who among them was the greatest. When they arrived and no doubt went to Simon Peter’s house (1.29), Jesus asked them what they were arguing about. No one responded but Jesus knew. Jesus took a little child, who should have been with the women and who may have even been a slave in that household, and, and said, Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me (v. 37). This was a shocking statement to make about a person who was a non-person in this culture. Was this child truly the ambassador of the Father and the Son? Did welcoming this child really mean to welcome Jesus and the One who sent him? But even more, would rejecting this child mean rejecting Jesus, and God? If the disciples were discussing their status in the kingdom of God, Jesus has challenged these male adults to reconsider and look at one they counted as among the least.

It was a great honor for a holy man to bestow a blessing, especially on children. On one occasion, when mothers were bringing young children to Jesus, his disciples prevented them. The disciples are enforcing the social norm: children do not disturb a teacher and his students. Mark says the disciples sternly rebuked the mothers. When Jesus noticed this, his reaction was equally strong. He was greatly displeased, indignant. Then he spoke words that showed how much he valued the children. Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Not only were they welcome in God’s kingdom, the kingdom belonged to such as them. Jesus was not referring to childhood innocence, he was saying that the kingdom is about inclusion, not exclusion.

On another occasion Jesus said, Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:3-4). This is the beauty of dependence.

Reverend Steven B. Lawrence

05/17/2026

We've recently had audio issues with our Facebook Live stream. While we work out the issues, please join our service on Zoom using this link: https://f.mtr.cool/eifrgxloit

05/17/2026

Good Morning and Welcome to our Women’s Day Service. Today’s stream will only use one camera. Join our service via Zoom to get the full experience. Service begins at 9:55.

05/14/2026

Thoughts