The Modern Pew

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Bible teaching and preaching from the pulpit of West Georgia Apostolic Tabernacle and our online ministry The Modern Pew.

  1. FEB 25

    Pursued by a Faithful God

    In Sunday’s message titled “Pursued by a Faithful God,” Pastor Paul Bailey walked the congregation through a sweeping biblical narrative that reveals the heart of God toward fallen humanity. With careful distinction, he explained that there is a profound difference between chasing and pursuing. Chasing pressures, corners, and often drives someone farther away. Biblical pursuit, however, is relational — marked by restoration, reconciliation, and renewed fellowship. Pastor Bailey began in Genesis, immediately after the fall of man. In Genesis 3:9, when God called out to Adam, “Where art thou?”, it was not a question seeking information but an invitation to confession. Rather than storming into the garden in wrath, God created space for response. The pattern continued with Cain in Genesis 4:6–7. Before judgment fell, God reasoned. He warned before consequences. He offered opportunity before discipline. Even in conviction, God spoke gently instead of forcing compliance. That same divine posture appears in the New Testament. In Luke 15, Pastor Bailey highlighted the parable of the prodigal son. The father did not chase the rebellious son into the far country. He allowed distance but remained watchful. When the son “arose,” repentance triggered restoration. As recorded in Luke 15:20, while the son was still a great way off, the father saw him, ran to him, and embraced him. The pursuit waited for awakening. Pastor Bailey then pointed to Christ’s lament over Jerusalem in Matthew 23:37 — “I would… but ye would not.” Divine desire was clear, yet human responsibility remained intact. God longs to gather, but He does not override the will. This truth echoes again in Revelation 3:20, where Christ stands at the door and knocks. He stands patiently. He knocks persistently. He speaks personally. But the door must be opened from within. Fellowship cannot be forced. Closing in Jeremiah 31:3, Pastor Bailey reminded listeners that God’s posture has never changed: “I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” Across Scripture, the pattern remains consistent — God calls, God warns, God waits, and God draws. This message offers both comfort and conviction. When conviction comes, it is loving pursuit. When distance is felt, He is still watching. When His voice speaks, answer. When He knocks, open. “Pursued by a Faithful God” is a timely reminder that salvation is not God chasing humanity into subjection, but lovingly pursuing hearts in hope of willing surrender.

    37 min

  2. FEB 18

    The Opportunity in Offence

    In a sobering and thought-provoking message titled “The Opportunity in Offence,” Pastor Paul Bailey drew the congregation into a deeper understanding of how unavoidable offences in life can become defining spiritual moments. Preaching from Gospel of Matthew 18:7, he reminded listeners that Jesus made it clear offences “must needs come.” They are not sent by God, nor should they be blamed on Him. Rather, they are the inevitable result of living among fallen humanity. Yet within every offence lies a divine opportunity — not for retaliation, but for mercy. Pastor Bailey revisited the powerful confrontation between the prophet Nathan and King David in 2 Samuel 12. Nathan’s story of a rich man stealing a poor man’s lamb stirred David’s anger. Before realizing he was the guilty party, David pronounced severe judgment. The preacher emphasized that this was not merely a trap set by Nathan, but a moment of opportunity. David could have responded with compassion. Instead, he judged without pity. That response, Pastor Bailey suggested, revealed David’s heart and positioned him to receive judgment when the words came: “Thou art the man.” Throughout Scripture, a consistent pattern emerges: what is prepared for another often becomes the instrument of one’s own downfall. Haman’s gallows in Book of Esther 7:10 became his own means of execution. The men who heated the fiery furnace in Book of Daniel 3:22 were consumed by the very flames they intensified. Those who accused Daniel were cast into the lions’ den they had designed for him (Daniel 6:24). The message was clear — bitterness builds gallows, anger stokes fires, and unmerciful schemes often return to their architect. Turning again to Gospel of Matthew 18, Pastor Bailey examined the parable of the unforgiving servant. While the servant’s original debt was impossible to repay, forgiveness toward others was entirely within his power. The torment he experienced, Pastor Bailey proposed, was tied not to the original debt — which had been forgiven — but to mercy withheld. “What is due,” he asked, “may be the obligation of compassion.” Drawing from Epistle of James 2:13, he concluded with a resounding truth: mercy rejoices against judgment. Offences will come. But how one responds determines whether the cycle of judgment continues or is broken. Pastor Bailey urged listeners to see every offence not as a setback, but as an opportunity — an invitation to extend the very mercy they themselves have received. It is a challenging message, but one filled with hope for anyone willing to choose mercy over judgment.

    1 hr

  3. FEB 11

    The Manifold Christian Life

    In The Manifold Christian Life, Pastor Paul Bailey delivers a clear and thought-provoking message on the purpose, flow, and responsibility of God’s grace in the life of a believer. Beginning with the foundational truth that God pours into many areas of our lives intentionally, Pastor Bailey reminds listeners that all grace flows from one source—God Himself. From that single divine source, every area in need of healing, restoration, or strengthening can be touched by the Creator and Savior. The Christian life, he explains, is not merely about receiving grace, but about stewarding it faithfully. Anchoring the message in 1 Peter 4:10, Pastor Bailey emphasizes the call for believers to be “good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” He explains that the word manifold speaks of variety and diversity—many expressions flowing from one source. God’s grace is not limited or single-purpose; it is designed to reach every part of the Christian life. Using the illustration of a car engine, Pastor Bailey compares God’s grace to an intake manifold. Though there is only one fuel source, the manifold distributes fuel into multiple cylinders so the engine can function as designed. In the same way, God’s grace flows inward into many areas of a believer’s life. When grace does not flow inward properly, nothing else functions as it should. Grace, he teaches, is more than favor—it is God’s influence working within the heart and mind. Pastor Bailey walks through how this inward flow of grace meets specific needs: forgiveness that leads to repentance and restoration, encouragement to endure, companionship that assures God’s nearness, love that brings security, compassion that softens the heart, and understanding that provides clarity and wisdom. Ephesians 4:7 affirms that each believer receives grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift—exactly what is needed for each situation. The message then turns outward, stressing that grace is never meant to stop with us. What God pours in must be stewarded wisely as it flows out. Returning to the engine analogy, Pastor Bailey describes how exhaust manifolds direct what flows out. When properly managed, they produce power and efficiency; when restricted, they cause damage. Likewise, grace that is governed by faithful stewardship blesses others, but grace governed by self can be misused or restricted. Drawing from Luke 12:48, Pastor Bailey reminds listeners that receiving much brings responsibility. God evaluates not just what we receive, but how we manage it—through our words, actions, priorities, and decisions. This message challenges believers to examine their stewardship of grace and encourages listeners to hear how God’s grace can flow powerfully through their lives for His glory.

    45 min

  4. JAN 21

    The God of Second Chances

    The God of Second Chances Speaker: Pastor Paul Bailey In this encouraging and reflective message, Pastor Paul Bailey presented a clear reminder that the God of the Bible is not a God who discards people when they fail, but One who restores, redirects, and renews. Drawing from Scripture across both Testaments, the sermon highlighted how failure is often the very place where God’s grace is most clearly displayed. A second chance, Pastor Bailey emphasized, is not evidence that sin is insignificant, but proof that God’s mercy is great. The message opened with Lamentations 3:22–23, affirming that it is only because of the Lord’s mercies that people are not consumed, and that His compassion is renewed every morning. Pastor Bailey framed the theme by reminding listeners that when people fail—sometimes publicly and painfully—God often steps back into their story, offering another opportunity to obey, believe, and trust Him. Transitioning into the body of the message, Pastor Bailey reflected on the story of Jonah, a familiar account often taught to children for its dramatic elements. However, he pointed out that beneath the surface lies a powerful message for adults who have struggled with rebellion, repentance, and restoration. Jonah, a prophet who clearly knew God’s voice, chose disobedience and ran in the opposite direction of God’s command. His failure brought danger to himself and those around him. Yet even after Jonah’s rebellion, God did not abandon him. After discipline and repentance, Scripture records that “the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the second time.” Pastor Bailey noted that God’s command did not change, even though Jonah failed, and that this second chance ultimately led to city-wide repentance in Nineveh. The sermon then turned to Peter, whose failure was both personal and public. Despite boldly professing loyalty to Jesus, Peter denied knowing Him three times under pressure. Broken by his actions, Peter wept bitterly, likely believing his role among the disciples was finished. However, Pastor Bailey highlighted the powerful moment after the resurrection when Jesus specifically instructed that Peter be told of His plans. Grace met Peter at his lowest point, restoring him to fellowship and service. His failure did not remove him from discipleship, and his second chance renewed both his purpose and hope. Finally, Pastor Bailey examined the disciples’ experience of empty nets in Luke 5. After working all night without success, discouragement set in. When Jesus instructed them to try again—His way—their obedience turned failure into abundance. This moment illustrated that human effort without Christ can come up empty, but obedience following disappointment can result in far more than expected. The message concluded with a series of heart-searching questions, challenging listeners to consider where they may have mistaken failure for finality. Pastor Bailey closed by reminding the congregation that God’s second chances often become many more, as He patiently calls people to seek Him, trust Him, and align their lives with His will. This sermon offers hope to anyone weighed down by past mistakes and encourages listeners to discover anew the faithfulness of the God of second chances.

    36 min

  5. JAN 14

    The Quiet Side of Sin

    Sermon Summary – “The Quiet Side of Sin” Speaker: Pastor Paul Bailey In this thought-provoking message, Pastor Paul Bailey draws attention to a form of sin that often goes unnoticed—the sin of omission. Using James 4:17 as the foundation, he reminds listeners that sin is not only found in wrongful actions, but also in the failure to do what God has clearly instructed. According to Pastor Bailey, some of the most spiritually dangerous disobedience is not loud or defiant, but quiet, passive, and delayed. Pastor Bailey opens by challenging the common assumption that sin is always dramatic. He explains that many believers fall into a pattern of spiritual inaction—knowing what is right, sensing God’s direction, yet choosing hesitation, partial obedience, or silence instead of action. This “quiet rebellion,” he says, can be just as damaging as overt wrongdoing. To illustrate this truth, the message walks through several familiar biblical accounts. The rich young ruler is presented as a man who clearly understood Jesus’ invitation but walked away unchanged. His sin was not hostility toward Christ, but his unwillingness to obey. Likewise, King Saul’s downfall is traced not to outright rebellion, but to partial obedience. Though he carried out part of God’s command, his failure to fully obey cost him his kingdom. Jonah’s story further reinforces the theme, as his refusal to go to Nineveh demonstrates how avoiding God’s call—even temporarily—can lead to serious consequences. In each case, Pastor Bailey emphasizes the same point: the issue was not merely what these men did, but what they refused to do. Turning to the believer’s daily life, Pastor Bailey connects this idea to Romans 3:23, explaining that many people “fall short” of God’s glory not through active evil, but through spiritual neglect. Distraction, indifference, and a failure to listen can all result in missed opportunities to obey God’s voice. Sin, he notes, is often a matter of omission rather than commission. The message then shifts to hope and provision. Pastor Bailey highlights God’s promise to lead His people through the Holy Spirit. Scriptures from John, Galatians, Corinthians, and Matthew underscore that God not only warns against sin but actively provides guidance and a way of escape. The responsibility of the believer is to pray, listen, recognize the Spirit’s leading, and respond with submission. Pastor Bailey closes by urging listeners to reflect honestly on their spiritual attentiveness. God has provided everything needed for obedience—the Word, the Spirit, and grace. The lingering question, he says, is whether believers will actively seek, recognize, and follow that guidance. “The Quiet Side of Sin” is a compelling reminder that spiritual growth requires more than avoiding wrong—it demands faithful obedience to what God has already revealed.

    48 min

  6. 12/17/2025

    Deception and Corruption

    Speaker: Pastor Paul Bailey In this message from Galatians 6:7–8, Pastor Paul Bailey delivers a clear and sobering reminder about spiritual reality, personal responsibility, and the unchanging principle of sowing and reaping. Speaking with pastoral clarity and practical illustration, he warns believers against subtle forms of deception that often arise not from false teaching outside the church, but from desires and assumptions within our own hearts. Pastor Bailey explains that biblical deception is not believing an outright lie, but believing something other than what is true. Using everyday examples, he highlights how people often hope that repentance, sorrow, or good intentions will erase the consequences of sinful choices. While these responses deeply matter in restoring fellowship with God, they rarely undo the real-world outcomes of what has already been sown. Just as an accidental cut still causes bleeding, harmful actions—even when regretted—still produce real effects. Anchoring the message in Scripture, Pastor Bailey emphasizes that God’s design for the world includes order, structure, and consistency. God is not mocked, and His laws of sowing and reaping are unavoidable. Whether seeds are planted deliberately or unintentionally, the environment God created will still bring forth a harvest. Good intentions, he notes, do not override divine reality. The sermon then turns to the concept of corruption, described as contamination—something entering where it does not belong. Pastor Bailey teaches that sowing to the flesh introduces corruption not only into our external lives but also into our hearts and minds. Drawing from passages in Corinthians and James, he illustrates how corruption distorts purity, much like impurities diminish the value of gold. Some corruptions are obvious, while others are subtle and easily ignored, yet far more dangerous. Pastor Bailey explores how internal corruption reshapes desires, expectations, and satisfaction. He warns that artificial pleasures—such as substance abuse, pornography, or extreme stimulation—can dull appreciation for God’s intended joys like honest work, godly relationships, and faithful routines. Over time, this distortion can make holiness feel burdensome rather than life-giving, leading believers to grow weary in well doing. Yet the message remains deeply hopeful. Pastor Bailey points listeners toward renewal through repentance, the intentional putting on of the “new man,” and the daily renewing of the mind. Separation from corrupting influences leads back to true satisfaction, and those who faithfully sow to the Spirit will reap life everlasting in due season. The sermon closes with a heartfelt call to self-examination and intentional holiness, reminding listeners that the rewards of righteousness are real, lasting, and worth the wait. Listeners are encouraged to hear the full message and consider carefully the seeds they are planting today—and the harvest they are shaping for tomorrow.

    49 min

  7. 11/19/2025

    Missing The Mark

    In this message titled “Missing the Mark,” Pastor Paul Bailey walks listeners through a powerful biblical understanding of sin—not merely as bad behavior, but as the condition of a heart aimed in the wrong direction. Drawing from Romans 5, Pastor Bailey explains that sin entered the world through Adam’s disobedience, and with it came death and separation from God for all humanity. Yet he emphasizes that this is not just about isolated sinful acts; it is about missing the mark of God’s glory and God’s will. Using the biblical languages, he notes that both the Hebrew word chata and the Greek word hamartia carry the idea of “missing the mark,” painting sin as a failure to hit the target God has set. From Romans 3:23, Pastor Bailey stresses that “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” The “mark” is not human decency or moral effort, but the very glory and perfection of God Himself. He shows that sin is just as much about what we fail to do as it is about what we do wrong—what we don’t look at, don’t listen to, and don’t obey when God speaks. He also highlights the seriousness of sins of omission, challenging listeners not to be content simply avoiding obvious outward sins while ignoring God’s voice and direction. Using the Garden of Eden account in Genesis and the story of Saul in 1 Samuel 15, Pastor Bailey underscores that God sets the mark by His commands, His Word, and His Spirit. Obedience is better than sacrifice; rebellion and stubbornness are presented as deep spiritual problems, not minor flaws. The issue is whether a person is truly aligning their life with God’s will or charting their own course. The message does not leave listeners in despair. Pastor Bailey points them to the hope found in God’s provision: His written Word, which is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, and His Holy Spirit, who guides believers into all truth. The sermon builds to a Christ-centered conclusion from Hebrews 12, calling believers to lay aside sin, run their race with patience, and keep their eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of their faith. This sermon is both convicting and encouraging, challenging listeners to examine their aim, not just their actions. Those who hear it will be stirred to pursue a life that truly hits the mark by looking to Christ, trusting His righteousness, and walking in daily obedience to God’s Word and Spirit.

    41 min

  8. 11/12/2025

    Which Way Should I Go? Part 2

    Speaker: Pastor Paul Bailey In this message, Pastor Paul Bailey continues his series on “Which Way Should I Go?”—a practical call to discern whether we are being led by the soul or by the Spirit. He frames the “soul” with a memorable acronym—M.E.W.A.D.: Mind, Emotions, Will, Attitude, and Desire—then contrasts it with the human spirit that communes with God’s Spirit. The key text is Proverbs 14:12 (KJV): “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Pastor Bailey argues that what “seems right” is often our MIWAD taking the lead—logic, moods, preferences, and impulses—whereas life and direction are found by submitting our inner life to the Holy Ghost. He underscores that Scripture never sanctions guidance that contradicts God’s Word. Echoing Romans 8, he reminds listeners that there is “no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” and that “as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” To show how even sincere believers can drift, Pastor Bailey walks through Matthew 16:16–23. Peter accurately confesses, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God,” a revelation Jesus says came not from “flesh and blood” but from the Father. Moments later, Peter resists the foretold path of the cross and is rebuked: “Get thee behind me, Satan.” The lesson: spiritual sensitivity alone isn’t enough; our spirit must stay submitted to the Spirit of God so every thought is brought “into obedience of Christ.” Turning to emotions, Pastor Bailey notes that feelings are God-given but poor leaders. Citing Ephesians 4:26—“Be ye angry, and sin not”—he adds the balancing insight: don’t be happy in sin either. Whether anger or excitement, emotion must serve obedience. From Acts 3, the healed beggar’s joy is celebrated, yet the emphasis remains: joy should follow the Spirit’s leading, not replace it. Addressing desire, he revisits Lot’s choice in Genesis 13. Lot selected what looked easy and prosperous, pitching his tent toward Sodom, only to face devastating consequences. Desire isn’t evil, but ungoverned desire deceives. Pastor Bailey clarifies that when the psalmist says God gives “the desires of thine heart,” it points to God forming our desires as we delight in Him—not rubber-stamping our wish list. The message closes pastorally with Revelation 3:20: “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock.” God’s knock is gentle; to hear it, believers must make space—turn down the noise, carve out stillness, and cultivate attentiveness. This warm, incisive teaching will encourage you to trade what “seems right” for what is right by the Spirit. Listen in and be equipped to let MIWAD serve, not steer—and to walk the straight and narrow path that leads to life.

    35 min
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About

Bible teaching and preaching from the pulpit of West Georgia Apostolic Tabernacle and our online ministry The Modern Pew.

Information

  • Creator
    From the Pulpit
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    174
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Modern Pew
  • Show Website
    The Modern Pew