Plains Baptist Church: Living In Light of His Return

Maturing in the Faith Pt 3: A Prospective Walk

Raymond Smith — Sun, 11 Jan 2026 09:30:00 +0000

Maturing in the Faith Pt 3: A Prospective Walk

Series: Living In Light of His Return

Pastor: Raymond Smith

Sunday Morning

Date: 11th January 2026

Passages:

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A maturing faith lives with eternity in view. The certainty of Christ’s return shapes how believers think, choose, and walk today. Scripture ties that hope directly to the resurrection of Jesus, giving clarity about life, death, and what comes next. Those who have died in Christ have not missed anything, and those still living who have trusted in Jesus will not be left behind.

God’s promises stand for every believer, grounded in the finished work of a risen Savior. That future expectation brings real comfort and fuels a faithful walks with eternity in view.

A Maturing Faith Pt 2, A Practical Walk

Raymond Smith — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 09:30:00 +0000

A Maturing Faith Pt 2, A Practical Walk

Series: Living In Light of His Return

Pastor: Raymond Smith

Sunday Morning

Date: 4th January 2026

Passages:

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Faith grows and we mature spiritually through daily obedience lived out where life gets real. It's dangerous to stay in our comfort zone and call it holiness while real areas of growth remain stagnant. Scripture brings the focus to how we live our daily lives: how believers treat one another, respond to conflict, and refuse to let unresolved issues shape their walk.

A maturing faith keeps increasing in brotherly love, choosing forgiveness and harmony even when emotions resist. It also takes responsibility seriously, valuing honest work, quiet faithfulness, and integrity before God and others.

Spiritual growth happens when faith moves forward in consistent, deliberate steps that shape everyday life.

A Maturing Faith, Part 1: A Pleasing Walk

Raymond Smith — Sun, 28 Dec 2025 09:30:00 +0000

A Maturing Faith, Part 1: A Pleasing Walk

Series: Living In Light of His Return

Pastor: Raymond Smith

Sunday Morning

Date: 28th December 2025

Passages:

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A new year creates a natural break, but faith doesn’t deepen just because the calendar changes. A maturing faith shows up in every day life, in the way a believer lives under Christ’s authority.

It is God’s will that His people live set apart, marked by holiness rather than self-rule. When believers reject God’s commands, the issue is not preference or personality, but whether they truly submit to the One who saved them. Faith can only mature when the believer is fully submitted to God's will.

This message calls every believer to examine their walk and decide who will have authority over their life - God or self - as they move into a new year.

Persistent Faith

Raymond Smith — Sun, 07 Dec 2025 09:30:00 +0000

Persistent Faith

Series: Living In Light of His Return

Pastor: Raymond Smith

Sunday Morning

Date: 7th December 2025

Passages:

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Persistent faith doesn’t stay the same; it grows, matures, and shows up in the choices we make. The Apostle Paul felt the weight of discouragement until he heard how the Thessalonian believers stayed faithful, and their faith encouraged him. Their lives show that faith rooted in the Word keeps growing, maturing, and influences the people around us.

How is your faith? Is it growing and maturing? Is your faithfulness an encouragement to others?

A persistent faith is seen in faith that matures, love that abounds, and a live shaped by the hope of Christ’s return.

The Condition of Your Faith

Raymond Smith — Sun, 30 Nov 2025 09:30:00 +0000

The Condition of Your Faith

Series: Living In Light of His Return

Pastor: Raymond Smith

Sunday Morning

Date: 30th November 2025

Passages:

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What is the condition of your faith?

Paul raises that question because life doesn’t wait to test your faith: pressure, hardship, and opposition push hard enough to shake anyone who isn’t grounded. Faith either stands on the truth of God’s Word or gets pulled off course by the weight of circumstances and distractions of the world.

Believers must intentionally strengthen their faith by building a foundation on obedience to Scripture.

There’s no neutral ground here; your faith will either remain solidly grounded in God's word or give way under pressure. We each must honestly answer: what is the condition of your faith?

A Thankful Ministry

Raymond Smith — Sun, 16 Nov 2025 09:30:00 +0000

A Thankful Ministry

Series: Living In Light of His Return

Pastor: Raymond Smith

Sunday Morning

Date: 16th November 2025

Passages:

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You face a choice every time you hear God’s Word: treat it as information or receive it as truth that demands a response. Paul points to the believers in Thessalonica as an example of people who received the gospel personally and allowed it to shape their lives, even when it cost them something. Their salvation, their growth, and their steadfastness gave Paul and Silas reason to thank God without ceasing.

What are you trusting and following? Does God's word hold the ultimate authority in your life? Genuine belief produces endurance when opposition rises.

Watch the full message to consider what have you have with the truth God has given you.

The Model of Ministry

Raymond Smith — Sun, 02 Nov 2025 09:30:00 +0000

The Model of Ministry

Series: Living In Light of His Return

Pastor: Raymond Smith

Sunday Morning

Date: 2nd November 2025

Passages:

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Every believer is called to serve with both love and truth. From 1 Thessalonians 2, Paul uses the care of a parent as an illustration of how ministry should be carried out: with a heart that loves deeply and a commitment to guide others in truth.

Genuine love gives of itself for the good of others, and truth directs them toward spiritual maturity. Real ministry doesn’t seek recognition or reward but aims for others to walk worthy of God. You’re challenged to examine your service: does it reflect both love and truth? These two must work together in every ministry that honors Christ.

A Sincere Ministry

Raymond Smith — Sun, 26 Oct 2025 09:30:00 +0000

A Sincere Ministry

Series: Living In Light of His Return

Pastor: Raymond Smith

Sunday Morning

Date: 26th October 2025

Passages:

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People often question the motives of those who serve God; but Paul reminds the believers at Thessalonica that true ministry isn’t built on personality or gain, but on the truth of God’s Word. When accusations arose, he pointed them back to what they already knew: the gospel had changed their lives.

Paul’s example shows that sincere ministry comes from a pure motive and a right aim: pleasing God, not people. The message wasn’t softened to avoid offense or shaped to win approval; it was given in truth and love. In a world filled with mixed motives, this passage calls you to examine your own: are you serving the Lord with sincerity and truth?

The Results of Salvation

Raymond Smith — Sun, 19 Oct 2025 09:30:00 +0100

The Results of Salvation

Series: Living In Light of His Return

Pastor: Raymond Smith

Sunday Morning

Date: 19th October 2025

Passages:

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When you truly turn to Christ, everything changes. Real faith produces visible results: a transformed life, new priorities, and assurance that comes from the Holy Spirit. The gospel doesn’t just inform: it works in you, reshaping your heart, your direction, and your purpose.

Salvation isn’t about what you can do. It’s turning from your sins and accepting by faith what Jesus has already done for you. You can know you’re saved, not because of effort or ritual, but because of God’s promise and power. Have you experienced the real change that comes from knowing Christ?

The Testimony of Salvation

Raymond Smith — Sun, 12 Oct 2025 09:30:00 +0100

The Testimony of Salvation

Series: Living In Light of His Return

Pastor: Raymond Smith

Sunday Morning

Date: 12th October 2025

Passage: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-4

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In this opening message from our new series Living in Light of His Return, we see the change that salvation brings and how we are called to live in light of Jesus’ coming. Salvation is not about what you do, but about what Christ has already done for you. When Jesus saves you, there will be evidence—a changed life that reflects His work within you. Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians shows that genuine faith produces visible fruit in how you live, what you value, and where your hope rests. You can know for certain that your name is written in the Book of Life.