East Cooper Baptist Church - Sermons Podcast

East Cooper Baptist Church
  • 4.8 (26)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Weekly

This is the podcast for the Sunday sermons at East Cooper Baptist Church in Charleston, South Carolina. Our senior pastor, Conrad 'Buster' Brown is normally teaching but we also have other resident pastors and guest speakers at times.

  1. Sep 27

    Ambassadorial Living: Workers for Your Joy

    "For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. But I call God to witness against me—it was to spare you that I refrained from coming again to Corinth. Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith.For I made up my mind not to make another painful visit to you. For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained? And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all. For I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.” 2 Corinthians 1:20-2:4"Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:20-21"But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.” Philippians 1:24-261. Christian joy is a good feeling produced by the Holy Spirit that is the result of our beholding and treasuring the beauty and greatness of Christ. “Father, command what you will and grant what you command.” Augustine (d. 430) (i.e. our emotions are the result of our beholding and treasuring)2. Joy → Stand Firm → In the Faith (the Centrality of Christ)“What I finally came to as I walked and prayed for you is the old, old story of getting the gospel clear in your own hearts and minds, making it clear to others, and doing it with only one motive — the glory of Christ. Getting the glory of Christ before your eyes and keeping it there — is the greatest work of the Spirit that I can imagine. And there is no greater peace, especially in the times of treadmill-like activity, than doing it all for the glory of the Lord Jesus. Think much of the Savior's suffering for you on that dreadful cross, think much of your sin that provoked such suffering, and then enter by faith into the love that took away your sin and guilt, and then give your work your best. Give it your heart out of gratitude for a tender, seeking, and patient Savior. Then every event becomes a shiny glory moment to be cherished — whether you drink tea or try to get the verb forms of the new language.” C. John Miller, Heart of a Servant LeaderThe Treasury of Merit - a Roman Catholic doctrine holding that the infinite good works of Jesus Christ, the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the surplus good works of the saints form a spiritual reservoir in heaven3. Continually remembering and rehearsing the gospel (vv. 21-22).4. We live in security and expect progress by the power of the Holy Spirit (and opposition from the devil) (2 Corinthians 4:4-5, 11:13-14).5. In working with people, we experience the gamut of emotions: affliction, anguish, tears, sorrow, joy, hope, pain…"For this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord." 1 Thessalonians 3:7-8“Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.” 1 Peter 3:7Consider... Speaker: Buster Brown

  2. Sep 20

    Ambassadorial Living: In the Presence of Christ

    "Because I was sure of this, I wanted to come to you first, so that you might have a second experience of grace. I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia, and to come back to you from Macedonia and have you send me on my way to Judea. Was I vacillating when I wanted to do this? Do I make my plans according to the flesh, ready to say 'Yes, yes' and 'No, no' at the same time? As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been Yes and No. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes. For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee." 2 Corinthians 1:15-22"Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:20-21In order to not have another painful visit to the church at Corinth, Paul changed his travel itinerary so that the church could have the opportunity to assess their attitudes towards Paul’s apostolic calling (2 Corinthians 7:6-7). And in the context of canceling his visit some detractors who were preaching a “different gospel” (11:4) were accusing Paul of being indifferent in his communication and vacillating in his decision making.The Apostle Paul has established that trust was of utmost importance (1:12 and 10:11). In this passage, he underscores the fact that all of life is lived out in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the fulfillment of all the promises of Scripture (v. 19).In building faithfulness:1. The fulfillment of all the promises of Scripture are found in the person and work of Christ (vv. 19-20). We are continually established and built up in Him (vv. 21-22).2. We have been anointed or set apart by the merciful grace of the cross and the indwelling Holy Spirit (v. 21).3. We have been sealed with the Holy Spirit as a deposit/guarantee of the glory that is to come (v. 22).Applications1. In order to be people of observable faithfulness and consistency, we always glory in the greatness of Jesus Christ, our prophet, priest, and king. 2. All the promises of the Scripture found their fulfillment in Christ."Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Psalm 23:6…because I am in Christ"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." Psalm 16:11…because I am in Christ"fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10…because I am in Christ"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1:6"Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'" Hebrews 13:5"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 Speaker: Buster Brown

  3. Sep 13

    Ambassadorial Living: How to Keep from Being Overwhelmed

    "He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many. For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you. For we are not writing to you anything other than what you read and understand and I hope you will fully understand— just as you did partially understand us—that on the day of our Lord Jesus you will boast of us as we will boast of you." 2 Corinthians 1:10-14"Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:20-21Paul spent one and a half years in Corinth establishing and nurturing the church (Acts 18). But now “a group of super apostles” (2 Corinthians 11:5)who preached “another Jesus” (11:4) were seeking to discredit Paul and his calling while causing the church to drift into error. In response to this Paul wrote a painful letter (2:4) but has now received good news that the church has repented and has fully embraced the gospel (7:6-9).“There is no safe investment. To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up sake in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket–safe, dark, motionless, airless–it will change. I will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. The alternative to tragedy, or at least to the risk of tragedy, is damnation. The only place outside of heaven where you can be perfectly sake from all the dangers and perturbations of love is hell.” C.S. Lewis, The Four LovesIn not being overwhelmed…1. Bank your hope and look to the “Father of all mercies and God of all comfort”(2 Cor 1:3); the one who “raises the dead” (v. 9) to refresh and deliver you in the midst of trials (Is. 40:28-31).2. Those who are potentially overwhelmed experience refreshment and strength through the prayers of other believers (v. 11).“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32"Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us." Romans 8:34"Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them." Hebrews 7:253. Strive to live with simplicity and godly sincerity (as you realize that your sins are covered by the work of the cross). The gospel of done. 4. Labor to have a clear conscience toward God and man (v. 12) (Acts 24:16)."If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." 1 John 1:6-105. Live in light of the glorious coming of the comin... Speaker: Buster Brown

  4. Sep 6

    Ambassadorial Living: Extending Received Comfort to Others

    "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:20-21An ambassador is a sent/authorized representative or messenger."Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort. For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again." 2 Corinthians 1:3-101. Comforters: “We despaired… therefore, we were taught to rely not on ourselves but on the power of God.” (v. 8-10)"I asked the Lord that I might growIn faith, and love, and ev'ry grace,Might more of his salvation know,And seek more earnestly his face.I hoped that in some favored hour,At once he'd answer my request,And by his love's constraining power,Subdue my sins and give me rest.These inward trials I employFrom self and pride to set you freeAnd break your schemes of earthly joyThat you would seek your all in me.”John Newton, I Asked the Lord, Stanzas 1, 3, 7"Whate'er my God ordains is right:though now this cup, in drinking,may bitter seem to my faint heart,I take it, all unshrinking.My God is true; each morn anewsweet comfort yet shall fill my heart,and pain and sorrow shall depart.Whate'er my God ordains is right:here shall my stand be taken;though sorrow, need, or death be mine,yet am I not forsaken.My Father's care is round me there;he holds me that I shall not fall:and so to him I leave it all."Whatever My God Ordains Is Right, Stanzas 3-42. Rejoicing in comfort…that we may be able to comfort others (v 4)3. Understanding the afflictions/difficulties patiently endured speaks of the power of the gospel, the sustaining gospel to others (v 6).Applications 1. Radical (total) obedience and the life of chosen suffering/affliction is one of abundantly living.“For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.”"Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles...What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, 'Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.'” 1 Corinthians 15:7,322. We should think much (ponder) on the character and grandeur of the triune God. “Our cure begins, to extend the medical analogy, when God as the Great Physician applies the medicine of the cross to the disease of our sin and nurses us through the love of the Holy Spirit into good health according to the prescriptions of his Word. The application of this divinely therapeutic balm of the gospel transforms our loves and reorders our lives. We become worshippers of God instead of idolaters. We trade in our vices for virtues. God breaks the power of our habits and addictions and undermines and propensities we may have toward violence. Our lives can only be r... Speaker: Buster Brown

  5. Aug 30

    The Ploys of the Devil: Delighting in the Jealousy of God (In the Midst of Pleasure Wars)

    "What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, 'He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us?' But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'” James 4:1-6This passage is the description of the combatants in their “pleasure wars.” One group was involved in the embrace of a worldly system which minimized the character and standards of God and led to a type of “wisdom that was earthly, spiritual, and demonic” (3.15).There was another group who pursued the Lord with a desire to worship and honor him and embrace a wisdom that is from above, that is “first pure, then peaceful, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere” (3.17).James 4:5 is a lynchpin argument in this text. It is a difficult verse to understand, but the central argument in the passage is vitally important for the believer to understand: “The specific details of the verse have been much debated, but we understand the general force to be that God is a jealous God and will brook (tolerate, allow, endure) no rivals.” Curtis Vaughn, James, pg. 86“God’s jealousy means that God continually seeks to protect his own honor…It is healthy for us spiritually when we settle in our hearts the fact that God deserves all honor and glory from his creation, and that it is right for him to seek this honor. He alone is infinitely worthy of being praised. To realize this fact and to delight in it is to find the secret of true worship.” Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology, pg. 205-206“...God’s jealousy is praiseworthy zeal on his part to preserve something supremely precious.” J.I. Packer, Knowing God, p. 189“So here’s the bottom line: the jealousy of God is the measure of zeal for happiness in him. His anger at our spiritual adultery, at having other lovers besides him, is a reflex both of his zeal for his own worth, but also of his zeal for our joy. If we turn away from him as the greatest treasure, we turn away from our greatest pleasure.” John PiperThe honoring of God and the well-being of His people are eternally linked (Deuteronomy 30:19-20; 1 Samuel 12:14; Matthew 7:24-27; Proverbs 3:4-8; Romans 8:13).1. The accurate understanding of the jealousy of God is a tonic to a life of worship and thanksgiving."You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments." Exodus 20:4-62. The understanding of the jealousy of God is an arresting (captivating, transfixing) teaching which prioritizes our pursuits.“…every preference of a small good to a great, or partial good to a total good, involves the loss of the small or partial good for which the sacrifice is made…You can’t get second things by putting them first. You get second things only by putting first things first.” C.S. Lewis, "First and Second Things," God in the Dock, pg. 280"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and... Speaker: Buster Brown

  6. Aug 23

    The Ploys of the Devil: Resist Anti-God Energy

    "You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, 'He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us?' But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you." James 4:4-10 The believer fights daily against the world (the anti-God energy and thinking that is involved in the denial of God and his standards), the flesh (indwelling sin), and the devil (the stalking, roaring lion).James 4 addresses the mindset among some professing believers who were comfortable with the embrace of the world and its anti-energy standards.  James calls for sober living, earnest obedience, and glad-hearted embrace of life; instead of the non-authentic, slap-happy, insouciant, blasé, cavalier approach to life which did not take the eternal God and the eternal truths of Scripture with utmost seriousness. The way of the non-earnest/unauthentic:An empty laughter that takes little with eternal seriousnessSpeaks maliciously against others (v. 11)Boasts about accomplishments and their coming achievements with no thought of God’s empowering presence or eternity (v.13)Rejoices in accumulated wealth as they simultaneously abuse the day laborer by refusing to pay earned wages (5:1) “We cannot attain the fullness of the Spirit without being turned inside out so that our central focus is no longer on our own growth, but the glory of God and the growth of Christ's kingdom…Faith is the main route of spiritual growth. Spiritual discipline strengthens faith by leading us to prayer and by regularly exposing us to truth, as a solar battery is charged by exposure to light. Taken alone, however, the way of discipline can encourage the delusion that spiritual renewal is a matter of individual achievement. It needs to be balanced by the awareness that we are spiritually renewed as we are refreshed by the gifts of other believers and community and as the Holy Spirit is poured out in answer to corporate prayer.” Richard Lovelace, Renewal as a Way of Life, pg. 10Those who fight the embrace of the world:1. Have a deadly, earnest, sober-minded, glad-hearted approach to life2. Very careful regarding their speech (Matthew 12:37) (James 5:11)3. Understand the precious nature of time and do not presume on tomorrow. (We are Easter people and Second Coming people.)"Out, out, brief candle! Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player, That struts and frets his hour upon the stage, And then is heard no more. It is a taleTold by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.”Macbeth, Act 5, Scene 54. Understand that all men and women are made in the image of God and are worthy of respect and Christian love.We live for two days: this day and that day.Sober-hearted or Sober-minded but Glad-hearted Reminders:The devil is stalking, prowling, lying and wants to devour me. There is a “worldly system” that is anti-God and anti-biblical, and leads to destruction and death and robs its adherents of life. I am called to submit to the Lord and resist the devil in this daily battle for my joy.As I draw near, he draws near for my joy (v. 5, 8).Live this day in light of that day (I'm not going to presume on tomorrow, on next week, next month, or next year).“Resolved, to endeavor to obtain for myself ... Speaker: Buster Brown

  7. Aug 16

    The Ploys of the Devil: Resist...Firm in Your Faith

    "So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.” 1 Peter 5:1-9In fighting against the forces of the devil and the forces of darkness, we are to RESIST (set oneself against, to be hostile towards).We resist because the devil is a prowling lion and seeks to devour us.“Satan watches all opportunities to break our peace, to wound our consciences, to lessen our comforts, to impair our graces, to slur our evidences, and to damp (put out) our assurances (of salvation).” Thomas Brooks, Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices, pg. 280We resist because to leave sin unconfessed and unresisted is to give the devil an opportunity."Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil." Ephesians 4:26-27We resist because the devil's plan is to (James 1:14-15):1. lure and entice us into sin (sin is conceived).2. cause sin to be birthed in us.3. when sin is fully grown it leads to death."But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death." James 1:14-15Because the way of the nonresistance of being lulled to sleep leads to death, while life in the power of the Holy Spirit leads to life."So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live." Romans 8:12-13Heidelberg Catechism, Question 89Q: What is the dying of the old man?A: Heartfelt sorrow for sin, causing us to hate and turn from it always more and more (We are to be firm in faith (firm = strong, steadfast, not soft, but mighty)."But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: 'The Lord knows those who are his,' and, 'Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.'” 2 Timothy 2:19We are firm in faith:1. when we realize that life is a b___________.2. when we comprehend the g________ and j________ of our salvation.“The gospel is not something partial or piecemeal: It takes a whole life, the whole of history, the whole world. It tells us about the creation and the final judgment and everything in between. It is a complete, whole view of life, and many are unhappy in the Christian life because they have never realized that this way of life caters, for the whole of man's life and covers every eventuality in his experience. There's no aspect of life but that the gospel has something to say about it. The whole of life must come under its influence because it is all inclusive; the gospel is meant to control and govern everything in our lives." D. Martin Lloyd-Jones, Spiritual Depression: Its Causes and Cure, Chapter 4“We must..." comprehend, embrace and enjoy (1 Peter 1:8, 1 Peter 2... Speaker: Buster Brown

  8. Aug 9

    The Ploys of the Devil: Living Well as We Are Alert to the Enemy’s Schemes

    Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory." 1 Peter 1:1-8In resisting the devil, the Scripture says we are to be sober-minded (well-balanced, self-controlled, clear-thinking, watchful, alert, vigilant, wide-awake.We are sober-minded because:1. We continually contemplate the greatness of our salvation. "Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 1:132. Eternity is certain (and unending)."The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers." 1 Peter 4:7 "Since I am coming to that Holy room,     Where, with Thy choir of saints for evermore, I shall be made Thy music; as I come     I tune the instrument here at the door,     And what I must do then, think here before;"John Donne, Hymn to God, My God, in My Sickness 3. Right now counts forever (1 Peter 5:2-4).“There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations - these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub and exploit - immortal horrors or everlasting splendors. This does not mean that we are to be perpetually solemn. We must play. But our merriment must be of that kind (and it is, in fact, the merriest kind) which exists between people who have, from the outset, taken each other seriously - no flippancy, no superiority, no presumption.” C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory“That Man is the product of causes which had no prevision of the end they were achieving; that his origin, his growth, his hopes and fears, his loves and his beliefs, are but the outcome of accidental collocations of atoms; that no fire, no heroism, no intensity of thought and feeling, can preserve an individual life beyond the grave; that all the labours of the ages, all the devotion, all the inspiration, all the noonday brightness of human genius, are destined to extinction in the vast death of the solar system, and that the whole temple of Man’s achievement must inevitably be buried beneath the débris of a universe in ruins—all these things, if not quite beyond dispute, are yet so nearly certain, that no philosophy which rejects them can hope to stand. Only within the scaffolding of these truths, only on the firm foundation of unyielding despair, can the soul’s habitation henceforth be safely built.” Bertrand Russell, Mysticism and Logic: Including A Free Man's Worship4. So much is at stake as we live our lives. Speaker: Buster Brown

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This is the podcast for the Sunday sermons at East Cooper Baptist Church in Charleston, South Carolina. Our senior pastor, Conrad 'Buster' Brown is normally teaching but we also have other resident pastors and guest speakers at times.

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