Stokes Chapel Missionary Baptist Church

06/02/2026

JESUS IS THE WAY-Jn. 14:5-6, 9-10-KJV
Our awareness of Jesus and His purpose for us needs reminding. This post seeks to refresh, remind, and stir our consciousness. It does not matter about the situation that confronts us presently, Jesus is The Way. Our attention is drawn to John 14:5-6, 9-10. Of all the promises and claim that Jesus makes, this one has far reaching benefits and a sweet absoluteness. Jesus was preparing His disciples for His departure and the action of preparing a place for them. He tells them that they know the way in which He must go. Thomas responds: 5“Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?” 6Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” He makes three Bold Assertions

*Jesus is claiming to be the only way to the Father-God…I Am the Way--There are many ways in which we may gain a knowledge of God. We may study Biology and get a small glimpse of His fingerprints in a microscope. We can look around us and, in the sky, see His creative nature. (Ps. 19:1-NIRV)- “The heavens talk about the glory of God. The skies show that his hands created them.” We can take a deep breath and feel His sustaining power. (He is the reason we move and have our being-(Acts 17:28) Although there may be many ways to learn about God, there is only One way to know Him and that is Through His Son, Jesus Christ.

**Jesus is claiming to be the truth concerning the Father…” I am the Way, and the Truth” --Ever since the beginning of human history, we have wondered about the nature and character of God. The answer has come in the sinless Son of God:(John 1:16-18-NKJV)- “And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. (17) For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (18) No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.”

We have been just like Apostle Phillip. He wanted to know the nature and character of the Father and Jesus replied to his inquiry: 9“Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us The Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.” Jesus was the Eternal and Faithful God in the flesh, with a human body that sorrowed, with human hands that served and a human voice that spoke God’s Truth. So, if we want to know the True God, just simply look in the FACE of Jesus Christ, HEARTILY listen to the words that fell from His lips and Examine closely His life’s deeds and achievements.

***Jesus is claiming to be the bringer of life from the Father… “I Am the Way, I Am the Truth, and I Am the Life.” Because of our fore-parents Adam and Eve, we have lost fellowship with our Creator. Therefore, we need a New Birth. Jesus told Nicodemus that He must be born again and Nicodemus questioned the process [he could not return to his mother’s womb.] Jesus replies: Jn. 3:5 “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” The “Good News for us is found in Jn. 1:12- “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:” And because we are His Children, we have this great inheritance of ETERNAL LIFE.

We cannot get to the Father or anywhere else without Jesus, HE IS THE WAY!! He is the way OUT—from under condemnation and guilt, failure and emptiness, spiritual death. He is the Way IN—to life, love, peace and hope. Jesus is the Way THROUGH—an uncertain tomorrow, the storm that threatens our bright existence. Jesus is the Way UP—to the Father and our home ABOVE.

05/26/2026

A GOOD NAME-Proverbs 22:1-2-KJV
“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold. 2 The rich and poor meet: the Lord is the maker of them all.”

The allurements of the world have caused us to dismiss the truth of God’s Word. As followers of Christ, we must “watch and pray” (Mk.14:38) so we will not be engulfed by these allurements. Seemingly, we are confused about a “good name”. The gifts/blessings that God provides do not replace nor give a good name. A good name means a good reputation. It is the fruit of a good character. Why do we not believe/respond in the affirmative to God’s Word? Is 2Corinthians 5:17 true of us/you? [ “Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”] “if any man be in Christ…”, (trust the process: satisfaction) we have a new name. It is better than great riches because it is more precious, more powerful, and more enduring. Are we conscious of our declaration in the song: “I want to be like Jesus?” He has been given a name that is above every name.
A good name/reputation noted in verse one is not belittling wealth; it is merely noting that a good reputation is worth more than silver or gold. Desire only a good name; it manifests all the gifts of God. A good name identifies the “true worshiper”. [Phil.2:5- “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:”] A good reputation excels other blessings in life. For the same reasons, loving favor is better than silver and gold.

We are engrossed with “social distinctions” which are artificial in the sense that we have come from the same Creator and He is no respecter of person. Why are we seeking a title without having a testimony? Have we not read what God told Moses: Exodus 3:14 “And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and he said, thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you.” So, who are we in The Lord, heart wise? Class distinctions that survive in life are abolished in death. Please remember the Sovereignty of God. Regardless of our status in life, we are equally God's creation shaped in His image, the rich and the poor. We must not forget this and make value judgments. “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” 28“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:26, 28.
“THE DEVIL KNOWS YOUR NAME, BUT CALLS YOU BY YOUR SINS.THE LORD KNOWS YOUR SINS, BUT CALLS YOU BY YOUR NAME.”

05/19/2026

JESUS HEARS US-Luke 15:1-2(NKJV)
“Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.”
Luke fifteen gives us three important stories/parables of God’s loving Grace: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son. Each story concludes with rejoicing when the lost is found. The aforementioned verses introduces these great examples of God’s Grace. Jesus gives these parables because of the “religious folks” mentality. He came to save the Lost! Why do we question others who fellowship extends beyond the “privileged” group? Jesus met with everyone and we should also. There were not any complaints from the tax collectors and sinners (non-religious folks) about Jesus’ fellowship with them; However, the complaints came from the lovers of God. We, the twenty first century lovers of God, are not far removed. There are prejudicial thoughts, words, and behavior expressed. The Reverend James Robert Jones has asked this question: “Why do folks that are saved, act like no-one else can be saved?” Our text suggests that they have a “pharisaic” mentality.

Have we not observed how the “Body of Christ” shone some people? This could be a learned cultural behavior. May this writer suggests Romans twelve, verse two: “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (NKJV) We may not be conscious of this “bad” behavior, but God knows, sees, and hears us. Can we take an honest self-inventory? Does our malady come from the “position” that we have and/or the longevity we have at the “Church”? Have we forgotten or do we practice John 3:16-17: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” Seemingly, we forget that God is omniscience. He knows about all of us. He knows our motives before we do. He simply asks us to Trust Him. When we say to Him: “Thy will be done”, we are saying: whatever decision You make God, I am satisfied. Jesus hears our murmuring and complaining about the decisions which He makes.

We must acknowledge our fragility around God’s Compassionate Grace. Have we forgotten our condition and Jesus’ help? Ephesians 1:7-10-NKJV- “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, 9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, 10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, [c]both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him.” Faith seekers, please read and remember Isaish 55:6-9-NKJV- “Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. 8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.”

05/12/2026

Sin…Saving In Nothing-John 1:8-10-NKJV
We know and understand that any activity that is against God’s will is SIN. We also know that the Pay for sin is Death. This death is permanent separation from God, living in eternal damnation in the lake of fire! Before our “new birth”, we did not consider nor care about sin’s consequence. But now, we know better. If our desire is eternal life, does not it make Good Gospel Sense to obey the Word of God? God reached out to us: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (Jn.3:16) And, in His Sonship: “…God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom.5:8)

Our response to God is given to us by the Son: “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” (Jn.14:15) Jesus’ response is a Life Altering promise: 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” (Jn.14:16-18)

We may ask the question, does not the Bible states: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (Rom.3:23)? And the answer is yes, it does. This verse is inclusive, Jew and Gentile before redemption. Now, “being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” (Rom.3:24-26)

We are justified freely by God’s Grace. “Where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Rom.5:20b-21)) “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus was baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Rom.6:1-4) We are not immune to sinning; however, it should not be intentional. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” (1Jn.1:8-10) SIN—Saving In Nothing!!
“God’s Word may make us uncomfortable, but He will never make us comfortable with a lie.” Amen!

05/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day!

Sermon Title: A Mother Knows The Truth. 1 Kings 17:24

05/05/2026

LEARNING IN THE WILDERNESS Deut.8:1-3-NKJV
“Every commandment which I command you today you must be careful to observe, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land of which the Lord swore to your fathers. 2 And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. 3 So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.”

All of us have had and/or will have a wilderness experience. The Bible records the history of the Israelites in their wilderness. The purpose for their experience and the one that approaches us is found in our text. Seemingly, it is easy to think of faith in terms of what we have to give up, however, the Bible relates a deeper story. We may have read this story many times and had negative thoughts about the children of God and possibly God. Let us rethink/discover the blessings that God affords.

God allowed hunger in the wilderness not to the harm his chosen, but to teach them the source of life. They learned that bread alone could not sustain them nor can it sustain us. God fed them with manner that them nor their fathers knew. The purpose was to let them know that “…man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.” In our wilderness, do we know that trials come to make us strong? James 1:2-4- NKJV- “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” Dependence on God’s Word is not a burden; It is a source of life.

We must not be afraid nor ashamed of the Word of God. In our effort to be like Jesus, have we not read and believed his wilderness experience? After his baptism, the Spirit led him into the wilderness where He fasted forty days and forty nights. Afterwards, Satan approaches Him: “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” 4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” [Mt.4:3-4-NKJV] What did Jesus do? He did what He knew, He spoke— “it is written.” When our wilderness experience is invaded by Satan, we must know what is written in the BIBLE. Light [God’s Word] and darkness [Satan’s tactics] cannot occupy the same space. Faith is not only about restraint. It is about being fed—learning again to receive nourishment from God himself. He Is our Good Shepherd. Trust Him! Claim Him! “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.” [Psalms 23:5-6-NKJV]

The wilderness becomes a classroom of trust, where God teaches his people to rely not just on what fills the stomach, but on what sustains the soul. Bread sustains, but does not guarantee life, the Word does. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” [Jn.1:14-NKJV] This writer’s prayerful hope is our wilderness experience will lead us to: “Trust in the Lord with all our heart And lean not on our own understanding; 6 In all our ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct our paths.” {Prov.3:5-6-NKJV-personalized}

05/03/2026

04/28/2026

Falling In Love with Jesus??
We are very familiar with the words, I fell in love, I’m falling in love. These statements may be pleasing and applicable for the world, however, they are not true nor suitable for thought or speech for “Kingdom Builders.” Proverbs 18:21 gives this truth: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.” [NKJV] There is a popular song entitled: “Falling in love with Jesus…” and our inquiry is, how can this be? The connecting clause to this statement is: “…the best thing I have ever done.”

The question arises, Is it common practice to fall intentionally? Webster gives many definitions for Fall. The song invokes meaning four from Webster’s Dictionary { 4a: to leave an erect position suddenly and involuntarily (slipped and fell on the ice) b: to enter as if unawares : stumble, stray (fell into error) (We fell into a trap.)} John 14:15-16-NCV does not validate a person falling in love with Jesus. Our love for Jesus must be intentional, purposed, and submitted: “If you love me, you will obey my commands. 16 I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper to be with you forever.”

Why do we not consider what is being said or sung before we repeat it? Do we not realize our focus is drawn from Jesus, who Is the Truth? When we echo the words falling in love with Jesus, we are saying, ‘I really didn’t mean to.’ 1 Cor. 8:3 NKJV- “But if any man love God, the same is known of him.” Eph.5:2-NKJV- “And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour.”

Falling in love with Jesus is contrary to the Word of God. Firstly, the Bible is clear: John 6:44-NKJV- “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.” 2 Thessalonians 3:5--“And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.” 1 John 3:1- “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore, the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.” Secondly, we are indwelled with The Holy Spirit that empowers us to be Strong Soldiers in this warfare. It is time for all followers of Christ to “watch and pray” [ Mk.14:38], “study to show thyself approved unto God” [2Tim.2:15], and “contend for the faith.” [Jude 3] Speaking the oracles of God is our mandate. Be bold in doing so!: 2 Timothy 1:7-“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” We have the authority to “equip the saints.” [Eph.4:12] - “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” [1 John 3:16] We do not fall in Love with Jesus; we grow in love through faith and all is a gift of God’s Grace. We are given this great exhortation: Jude 1:21 “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” Amen.

04/26/2026

Stokes Chapel Men’s Day

Guest Speaker: Minister Willie Earl Lee

04/21/2026

Speculation versus the Now! Acts 1:6-8 NKJV

“Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Msg.- 6 When they were together for the last time they asked, “Master, are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel now? Is this the time?” 7-8 He told them, “You don’t get to know the time. Timing is the Father’s business. What you’ll get is the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the world.”

An area of our life which we do not consider very often is speculation. Before Jesus ascended back to His Father, He addressed this ailment. This post seeks to unravel speculation and move us into the NOW as Jesus instructed. What does speculation entail? [the activity of guessing possible answers to a question without having enough information to be certain:** a conclusion or opinion reached by such contemplation.** Synonyms: hypothesis, theory, view,] (English Dictionary)

Jesus did not scold the disciples for their speculation; however, He did make them aware of their thoughts. Perhaps the disciples were thinking of the coming of the Spirit. They remembered that the prophet Joel spoke of the outpouring of the Spirit in connection with the Messiah’s glorious reign (Joel 2:28- “And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions.”). They therefore, possibly concluded that the Lord would set up His kingdom soon, since He had first said that the Spirit would be given “not many days from now.” [Acts 1:5] Their question revealed that they still expected Christ to set up His literal earthly kingdom immediately. Because we have access to the entire story, our thoughts must not be like the early disciples. Their hope was justified but, He simply told them they could not know when His kingdom would come. The date had been fixed by the Father’s sole authority, but He had not chosen to reveal it. It was information that belonged exclusively to Himself.

All the information about Jesus’ return and reign is on/in route sixty-six, The Bible. Reading, believing, and following The Word will erase Speculation. We will know about Jesus’ return and the establishment of His Kingdom. Thus, He directs his disciples to think about what they are responsible for NOW! Note, the expression times or seasons is used in the Bible to refer to various events foretold by God that are yet to come to pass in connection with the nation of Israel.

Jesus suppressed their curiosity as to the future date of this kingdom; He directed their attention to what was more immediate—[the Now] the nature and sphere of their mission. As to its nature, they were to be witnesses; as to its sphere, they were to witness in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. He has also commissioned us: Matthew 28:19-20- “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen” They could not go nor can we without receiving power—the Power of The Holy Spirit. This power is the grand indispensable of Christian witness. We may be highly talented, intensively trained, and widely experienced, but without spiritual power we are ineffective. The “Good News” is this: we may be uneducated, unattractive, and unrefined, yet being endued with the power of the Holy Spirit our witness will provoke a change in our environment.

Their witness was to start right where they were, in Jerusalem. Our witness is to begin in our home, 1Tim.5:8- “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” We do not know the time or the day when Jesus will return, thus, we must stop speculating and wait patiently and expectantly. While we are doing so, our posture must be one of “up and during” [Kingdom Building]!! There is no Speculation about His return. Also, there is no Speculation about our mandate. Jesus has commissioned, empowered, and commanded us: “If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever--17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.” [John 14:15-17]
“The Bible is the Only book that can never finish, It’s Alive!! We will See New Things every time we Study it.”