Sandy Creek Baptist Church

Sandy Creek Baptist Church Join us as we seek to serve Christ and serve each other.

Founded in 1844, Sandy Creek Baptist church has remained faithful to preaching the word of God, making disciples and reaching into our community with the love of Jesus.

06/03/2026

Acts 13:52: Puzzling Joy

And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Acts 13:52

Paul and Barnabas were teaching in the synagogue of Pisidian Antioch (in modern-day Turkey).

People were responding by the thousands. So much that “almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord” (Acts 13:44). But of course, there was opposition.

The Jewish leaders who rejected the gospel message were jealous (Acts 13:45). So they stirred up influential people in the city, rallying them to persecute Paul and Barnabas and throw them out of the city.

Then, Acts 13:52 shares a puzzling detail: they were “filled with joy”!

Have you ever wondered why the disciples consistently responded to persecution with joy?

It’s counterintuitive.

Counterintuitive Joy in Acts 13:52
Think about us, today. What Christian who gets blasted and defamed on social media drops a heart emoji? Who claps when they’re mistreated or lied about?

I’m sure there are some who do—but I know it wouldn’t be my first response. Would it be yours?

Here’s one of the reasons for their puzzling joy.

The disciples' mission was not acceptance and approval—it was faithfulness and effectiveness.

Acts 13:52 shows the disciples' mission was not acceptance and approval—it was faithfulness and effectiveness.

If their goal was cultural acceptance there would be no joy. But because it was obedience and fruitfulness, getting lied about, beaten up, thrown in jail, and kicked out of cities was proof they were hitting the mark.

And because they were filled with the Holy Spirit, they had an unshakeable source of joy unlike any other we can find in this world.

Aligned With Christ in Acts 5:41
Acts 5:41 sheds even more light on their surprising reactions:

“The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.”

Jesus was persecuted, betrayed, suffered injustice, and crucified. He was disgraced by the world and they expected treatment no different.

To be like Jesus means to stand opposed to the powers and principalities at war against the Kingdom of Heaven. And those dark powers have influence over culture.

The same is true today.

Acts 13:52 is a guiding light for how we should view persecution.

Now, that’s really easy for me to right in my warm house and safe American neighborhood. However, the disciples point the way for us.

So to whatever degree you face rejection, betrayal, criticism, or persecution, hold onto verses like Acts 13:52 and ask the Holy Spirit to help you be filled with this same puzzling joy.

06/02/2026

Nothing But Jesus

And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

1 Corinthians 2:1-2 ESV

Paul was straightforward with the church in Corinth. He didn’t yammer on endlessly; he cut straight to the source of life. As Christians, we should be all about Jesus. We should wake up with a craving to be like Jesus everyday and we should long to walk as He walked.

But how exactly did He walk?

Great question.

He walked through mobs of people shouting, spitting, and jeering at Him while carrying a cross.

That’s how Jesus walked, that’s how Jesus lived. He allowed Himself to be humiliated, mocked, and ridiculed all for our good. Paul realized a simple yet powerful truth: when we know Jesus, our pride should evaporate.

There is no room for arrogance when you’ve met Jesus. Paul didn’t need to use impressive words or flex his vocabulary, he needed to proclaim nothing but “Jesus Christ and him crucified.”

This mindset can work in us in two different ways:

Firstly, if we’re constantly looking to impress others with our knowledge or holiness, we’ve completely missed our purpose. The point is not us, it’s Jesus.
Secondly, we’ve also missed it if we neglect sharing Jesus with others because we’re worried that we don’t know enough. If we do this, we’ve also missed the heart of the matter. Again, the point is not us, it’s Jesus!
Get to know Jesus, get excited about Him. The point of our lives is to point to Him.

06/01/2026

5 Things to Remember in Prayer

Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.”

Luke 11:1 ESV

If you could travel back in time and ask Jesus one question, what would it be?

I love questions like this because they help me prioritize where I have room to grow.

When we look at the disciples—who asked Jesus questions all the time—today’s verse is a powerful question, indeed.

They asked, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.”

Have you ever wondered how to pray? Here is an excellent place to start: with Jesus!

Prayer starts from intimate relationship.

Jesus began his famous prayer by saying, “Our Father…”

Prayer is about our loving relationship with our great Father, God himself. It isn’t a wish list or grovel session between us and a distant figure in the sky.

Prayer is a two-way conversation.

In prayer, we should understand that:

God is a perfect Father who wants to hear from us.
God is a “Holy Father” who is powerful enough to intervene in our lives.
God is a willing Father who wants to both deliver and work through us.
God is our provider and everything we have is from him.
God transforms us through prayer, renewing our mind and directing our steps.
Spend time in conversation with God today: both talking and listening.

05/31/2026

Brother Gary Watson's message this morning covered Luke 14:16-24.

05/31/2026

Our bible reading today focused on Deuteronomy 31:8. Adin Stewart will give our next bible reading.

05/28/2026

Tonight's bible study focused on James 2:14-26.

Real faith is visible! If someone examines your life, would they see your faith?

What area of your life is God calling you to act in faith?

1)Forgiveness
2)Obedience
3)Serving
4)Trusting
5)Surrendering

Are you looking for a community where faith is vibrant, unencumbered by tradition, yet rooted in timeless values, and wh...
05/27/2026

Are you looking for a community where faith is vibrant, unencumbered by tradition, yet rooted in timeless values, and where every voice converges in joyful worship of Christ? A place where belonging feels like coming home, and you're empowered to be your best self? Where the pursuit of spiritual growth and the celebration of life's journey unite to create an atmosphere of hope and anticipation? If so, consider making Sandy Creek Baptist Church your spiritual home, where you're valued as family and inspired to reach your full potential.

05/18/2026

Brother Dale Paul's Sunday evening bible study was on Ephesians 5:22-33. Please come out and join us. You don't have to be a member of Sandy Creek Baptist Church to participate in bible study. We would just enjoy meeting you. God bless each and every one.

Address

1125 Line Road
Ponce De Leon, FL
32455

Opening Hours

Wednesday 6pm - 7pm
Sunday 10am - 12pm
6pm - 7pm

Telephone

+18508306634

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