The Danger of Templates
I use a template document for typing my sermon notes. But I guard against a template philosophy in preparing my sermons. My church deserves fresh sermons that are prayed over and thoroughly studied for—not cycled through. Templates are great for saving time. But...New Podcast Posted: Reigniting Soulwinning Fervor in the Local Church
This lesson speaks to the very heart of local church ministry. Jesus Himself came “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). But in so many of our churches today, I see pastors fervently reading books and attending conferences, but never really settling...
Book Review: 10 Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health
How would you assess your spiritual health? Is it related to how busy you are for the Lord? How good your intentions are toward your wife? How much outward fruit is evident in your ministry? Although there are outward evidences of a rooted Christian, I don’t believe...Growth Points 006—Religion, Grace, & the Local Church
(If you cannot see this video in your RSS reader or email, you can watch it here.) Perhaps the subject most near the heart of Christ is that of the local church. He gave His life for the church (Ephesians 5:25) and purchased it with His own blood (Acts 20:28). So what...
How to Prepare for Revival
I was saved in 1972, and since then, I’ve been to more revival services than I can remember. Over the years, I have found there to be a common delineator between the revivals when I sense God’s mighty work in my heart and the revivals when I haven’t. The key?...
Voluntary Pain
One of the side effects of growth is discomfort. I’m challenging our church this year to be “Rooted in Christ” to experience growth in Him. But I’m also challenging myself. I want 2012 to be a year of growth in every area of my life. Unfortunately, growth often...Growth Points 005—Thoughts on Separation
As Baptists, we know that we stand for separation. But why? And to what extent? There is the obvious separation from paganism commanded in 2 Corinthians 6:17: “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and...Growth Points 004—Sunday School Teacher Visitation
The Sunday school is the church organized to fulfill the purpose of the church. Here at Lancaster Baptist Church, we state our purpose in three phrases: loving God, growing together, serving others. About a week ago, I recorded a video for the Sunday school teachers...
Book Review: Lectures to My Students
One of the first books I received as a college student was Lectures to My Students by Charles Spurgeon. This was the text for my Pastoral Theology class and has been one of my favorites throughout the years. Although I have probably read Spiritual Leadership by Oswald...
The Resilient Life
Overcome the Crises and Anxieties of Life through Christ
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Pastor Paul Chappell
Dr. Paul Chappell is the senior pastor of the Lancaster Baptist Church and president of West Coast Baptist College in Lancaster, California. His biblical vision has led the church to become one of the most dynamic independent Baptist churches in the nation. He has been married to his wife, Terrie, for over forty years and is the father of four married children all serving in Christian ministry.
No system of laws can change hearts. We hold the world’s only answer, but we must be faithful to share it. #DailyDevotion https://vist.ly/3n4mhfc