Community Baptist Church

📖 SUNDAY SERMON | OCTOBER 4, 2026
Community Baptist Church

⛪ Baptism & Communion: Guardians of the Church

If you missed today’s sermon or would like to watch it again, we encourage you to take some time to hear this important message!

Today, we explored two ordinances Christ gave His church: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

💧 Baptism is a public declaration of our faith in Jesus Christ. It doesn’t save us, but it is an act of obedience that reflects the transforming work God has already done in our hearts.

🍞 Communion calls us to remember Christ’s sacrifice, examine our hearts, confess our sins, and reflect on the incredible gift of salvation.

We were also reminded of the heart of the Gospel: Salvation isn’t about simply knowing who Jesus is or trying to live a better life. It’s about genuine repentance, faith in Christ, and a life transformed by the Holy Spirit.

Are we simply professing faith, or are our lives bearing the fruit of truly following Jesus?

▶️ WATCH TODAY’S SERMON HERE:
https://youtu.be/cMusg7luXtc?is=bSQZAA2FB83RdDKe

We pray this message encourages you to examine your heart, grow in your walk with Christ, and boldly share the Gospel with others.

❤️ Share this message with someone who needs to hear it!

Baptisms (10/04/2026) Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

🎃🍂 Join us for the Community Baptist Church Annual Harvest Festival on October 31st from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM!

This FREE community event is packed with fun for the whole family! Enjoy:

✅ Free Food
✅ Candy
✅ Games
✅ Hay Ride
✅ Bounce Houses
✅ Face Painting
✅ Music & More!

Bring your family, invite your friends, and come enjoy an evening of safe, wholesome fun with our community. We can't wait to see you there!

📍 777 SE Salerno Rd., Stuart, FL 34997
🌐 cbcstuart.com
📞 772-288-0777

Please share this post and help us spread the good news!

Wednesday Night Recap | Community Baptist Church

If you missed Wednesday night, watch it now—or watch it again!
https://youtu.be/SoEDCQNdcSg?is=3Pf9kle80EQtwAkD

We had a full evening of teaching and discussion as we prepared for this Sunday’s special Lord’s Day service and continued our study on government, discipleship, conscience, and the Christian life.

THIS SUNDAY — A SPECIAL LORD’S DAY

We’re looking forward to a wonderful morning together as we celebrate Baptism and Communion and enjoy fellowship as a church family.

8:00 AM — Breakfast in the gym/foyer
9:00 AM — Sunday School Sing
10:30 AM — Combined Worship Service with Baptism, Communion & a short sermon
After Service — Pizza on the grounds

There will be no evening service this Sunday.

Wednesday night, Philip reminded us that Baptism and Communion do not save us, but they are precious commands Christ has given His church.

Baptism was described as a “3-D sermon”—a public testimony of what Christ has already done in the heart of a believer. Each testimony tells the story of how the Gospel became personal and real.

Communion calls us to remember the Cross and examine ourselves before the Lord (1 Corinthians 11), laying aside the sin and distractions that so easily cling to us.

Our fellowship meal also reflects the New Testament pattern of believers sharing life together in koinonia—fellowship centered on Christ.

ROMANS 13 — FAITH & GOVERNMENT

We continued our discussion of Romans 13 by considering an important historical reality: these commands were given to Christians living under rulers such as Nero.

The discussion emphasized that difficult circumstances can become tests of genuine faith. Faithfulness in the “big tests” is developed through faithfulness in the everyday ones—in our homes, personal holiness, church life, and obedience to Christ.

We were also challenged to remember that following Jesus has a cost. Biblical Christianity is not merely comfortable or entertaining. Christ calls His people to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him.

CONSCIENCE & VOTING

With an election approaching, the conversation also addressed the relationship between Christian conviction and voting. Philip emphasized that Christ’s lordship extends into every significant area of life, while also distinguishing between convictions viewed as clear biblical boundaries and matters where Christians may reach different conclusions according to conscience.

He shared that his own conscience permits voting for what he considers the “lesser of two evils,” while respecting believers whose consciences lead them differently. The emphasis was clear: political preferences should not divide the church. Christ and His Word remain central.

THE ETHICS OF VIOLENCE & SELF-DEFENSE

The evening concluded with an introduction to a discussion that will continue next week: the biblical ethics of violence, vengeance, and protecting others.

Philip distinguished between personal vengeance—which Scripture forbids—and the use of force in defense of others. More of the biblical and theological questions surrounding this subject will be explored next Wednesday night.

We’ll see you Sunday morning as we gather to worship Christ, hear testimonies of His saving grace, celebrate Baptism and Communion, and enjoy fellowship together.

Wednesday Evening Q&A (9/30/26) Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

📖 SUNDAY SERMON RECAP | ROMANS 13:1–7

God Is Sovereign — So Where Is Our Hope?

This morning, we were reminded of a foundational truth: God is absolutely sovereign.

He has preserved us through another week, and as we gather as His people, we are called to set our minds on “things above” rather than allowing the cares and concerns of this world to consume us.

Our call to worship from 1 Chronicles 29 reminded us:

“Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty…”

God rules. God reigns. And that truth should shape the way Christians live in this world—including our relationship to human government.

SUBMISSION & THE CHRISTIAN

Romans 13:1–7 addresses a subject that can quickly become controversial: the Christian’s responsibility toward governing authorities.

There are two extremes we must avoid.

On one side is a view of submission that ignores the biblical circumstances in which believers must obey God rather than men. On the other is the temptation to search constantly for exceptions and loopholes so that we never really have to submit at all.

The biblical pattern calls us to something different.

Our submission is ultimately an expression of faith—not necessarily faith in the goodness of government, but faith in the goodness and sovereignty of God.

Romans 13 reminds us that human authority does not exist independently of God. All legitimate authority is ultimately delegated by the Creator.

Government, though administered by imperfect and sinful people, is also part of God’s common grace to mankind. It provides order and restraint in a fallen world.

For the Christian, then, submission is more than outward compliance. It is a matter of conscience before God.

WHAT IS GOVERNMENT FOR?

Romans 13 also gives us principles concerning the proper responsibilities of government.

Government is called to promote good and restrain evil.

It should protect the ability of people to live peaceful and productive lives—to work, raise families, possess property, and pursue what is good.

At the same time, government “beareth not the sword in vain.” It has a responsibility to restrain and punish wrongdoing for the protection of society.

The church and the government therefore have different God-given responsibilities.

The government bears the sword. The church bears the Gospel.

Government can restrain outward evil, but it cannot transform the human heart. Only the Gospel of Jesus Christ can do that.

And that is why the church must never become so consumed with temporary political concerns that we neglect our eternal mission.

WHERE IS YOUR HOPE?

This may be the most important question for us to consider:

What happens to your hope when an election doesn’t go your way?

What happens when your preferred candidate loses—or when a law is passed that you strongly disagree with?

If our peace disappears whenever political circumstances change, it is worth asking whether too much of our hope has been placed in something temporary.

Psalm 47:7–8 reminds us:

“For God is the King of all the earth… God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.”

Presidents change.
Governments change.
Laws change.
Cultures change.

Jesus Christ does not.

Our confidence is not ultimately in a political party, a candidate, a government, or a nation. Our confidence is in the eternal King who rules over them all.

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER THIS WEEK

• How am I navigating the tension between being a citizen of God’s kingdom and living under a fallen human government?

• Is my conscience being shaped primarily by Scripture—or by the constantly changing opinions of the culture around me?

• Have political concerns begun consuming attention and energy that should be directed toward Christ and His Gospel?

• Can I submit to legitimate authority as an act of worship and trust in God’s sovereignty?

• Am I faithfully praying for those in authority, asking God to enable them to restrain evil and promote what is good?

Church, our calling remains unchanged:

Trust God. Obey His Word. Pray for those in authority. Live faithfully. Preach the Gospel. Keep your eyes on Christ.

📖 SCRIPTURES TO REVISIT THIS WEEK
Romans 13:1–7 • 1 Peter 2:12–15 • 1 Chronicles 29:10–11 • Psalm 47:7–8 • Daniel 4:35

⛪ COMING UP AT COMMUNITY BAPTIST

🍕 TODAY — New Members Lunch
Join us after the service for pizza and an opportunity to learn more about pursuing membership at Community Baptist.

🏠 TONIGHT AT 5:00 PM — Small Groups
We’ll meet at the ministry house/gym for our final on-campus small group gathering before transitioning to home groups. Come ready to discuss and apply today’s sermon together!

🥞 NEXT SUNDAY AT 8:00 AM — Celebration Breakfast
Join the whole church family for breakfast in the gym as we prepare for a special morning of worship and celebration.

🌊 NEXT SUNDAY AT 9:15 AM — Baptism Service
We’ll gather for a combined morning service and family night of worship as we celebrate what God is doing in the lives of His people.

Please note: There will be no evening service next Sunday.

We look forward to another week of growing together in the Word, encouraging one another, and keeping our eyes fixed on Christ!

Watch or rewatch today's sermon:

Sunday Morning Service (9/27/2026) Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

📖 WEDNESDAY EVENING RECAP

What does faithful Christian living look like in a world of imperfect human government?

Wednesday evening, we continued in Romans 13:1–7, considering God’s sovereignty, our responsibility toward governing authorities, and the importance of keeping the Gospel central.

We were reminded that Romans 13 gives us the rule—believers are called to live in submission to governing authorities, trusting that God remains sovereign. Scripture also gives us the exception: when man’s commands directly conflict with God’s commands, “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).

The message also challenged us to pursue genuine spiritual maturity. That doesn’t come through soundbites, endless content, or shortcuts. It comes through a steady diet of God’s Word, faithful shepherding, and endurance through the trials God uses to mature us.

And in a world filled with political and social distractions, the church must remember its unique mission: preach the Gospel. External reform cannot change the human heart—but the Gospel can.

A few questions worth carrying with us this week:

• Am I deeply meditating on truth, or simply consuming more content?
• Has news or social media caused me to fret rather than trust God?
• Am I looking for loopholes instead of seeking to be a faithful Christian citizen?
• Do I really believe preaching the Gospel is enough?

Our confidence is not in government, politics, or the direction of the culture. Our confidence is in a sovereign God. We can live courageously, obey faithfully, and leave the outcome with Him.

📺 Missed Wednesday evening—or want to hear it again? Rewatch the service here:
https://youtu.be/v_i9NeCGarE?is=A_O1CPcRW592SKFK

📖 Romans 13:1–7 | Acts 5:29 | James 1 | Hebrews 5 | Habakkuk 1–3 | Psalm 37

We look forward to seeing you Sunday!

Wednesday Evening Q&A (9/23/26) Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

What a special Sunday evening at Community Baptist Church!

We celebrated the ordination of Zach and Adam, as they were formally recognized and commissioned to serve as elders.

This service marked the culmination of years of prayer, preparation, examination, and faithful service. Throughout the evening, we heard testimonies affirming their character, biblical knowledge, humility, and readiness to shepherd God’s people.

A central reminder of the evening was that ordination is not the creation of a calling, but the local church’s recognition of a calling God has already established.

Zach was commended for his faithful leadership, excellence in administration at Community Christian Academy, and deep commitment to studying Scripture. Adam was recognized for his integrity, humility, determination to rightly divide the Word, and desire to use every platform for the glory of Christ.

The charge to these new elders centered on five tethers for a shepherd’s faith:

• The calling is from the Lord.
• Confidence is from the Lord.
• Strength is from the Lord.
• Adequacy is from God.
• You are not alone.

Their wives, Jenna and Kendall, were also encouraged in the important role they will have alongside their husbands—faithfully praying for them, supporting them, and continually pointing them to their identity in Christ.

The evening concluded with the presentation of ordination certificates and meaningful gifts, followed by the laying on of hands and prayer.

We praise the Lord for His faithfulness and look forward to seeing how He continues to use Zach and Adam for His glory and the good of His church.

Watch or rewatch Sunday evening’s service and join us in praying for these men and their families as they enter this new season of ministry.

https://www.youtube.com/live/wtmEfROaRDQ?is=hWmjB6h8PB5tuVCi

Elder Ordination Service (9/20/26) Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

What a wonderful Lord’s Day at Community Baptist Church!

This morning, we opened God’s Word to Romans 13:1–7 and considered an important question: How should Christians respond to human authority?

Scripture teaches that believers are called to submit to governing authorities, while also giving biblical examples of circumstances in which obedience to God must take priority.

During the message, we looked at five biblical principles for responding when human authority conflicts with God’s commands or abuses its power:

• Speak out — Scripture gives examples of God’s people confronting wrongdoing and abuses of authority.

• Seek exemptions — Believers may respectfully ask for accommodation when a requirement conflicts with biblical or religious convictions.

• Use legal recourse — Christians may make use of lawful appeals, courts, and other legal means, as Paul did when invoking his rights as a Roman citizen.

• Flee injustice — Scripture shows that fleeing persecution can be a faithful response rather than remaining unnecessarily in harm’s way.

• Obey God above men — When human authority commands what God forbids or forbids what God commands, our ultimate allegiance belongs to God.

At the same time, we were reminded not to spend our lives searching for loopholes around biblical submission. Even when believers faithfully take a biblical stand, Scripture does not promise an easy earthly outcome. Our responsibility is to remain faithful to Christ.

We’re also thankful for this morning’s Grandparents Day at PCA. Please continue praying for the school, its ministry, and the spiritual growth of its students.

And don’t forget: our Ordination Service is tonight at 5:00 PM in the sanctuary. This is a special occasion in the life of Community Baptist Church—only the fourth ordination service in our church’s 117-year history.

If you missed this morning’s service—or would like to watch it again—you can view the full service here:

👉 WATCH OR REWATCH THE SERVICE HERE: https://youtu.be/vkEorJJmfO0?is=WsaJQzc_OvZTY7DY

We pray the message encourages you to remain faithful to Christ and His Word in every area of life.

“We ought to obey God rather than men.” — Acts 5:29

Heavenly Citizens, Earthly Authority: Part 1 (Romans 13:1-7)) Message brought by Pastor Phillip Smith in our exposition of Romans...

📖 WEDNESDAY RECAP | Community Baptist Church

Tonight, we heard from Zach and Adam as they prepare to be ordained as elders at CCommunity Baptist Church

We learned more about the biblical foundation for a plurality of elders, the years of preparation that go into this responsibility, and heard Zach and Adam share how the Lord has worked in their lives and led them toward ministry.

🙏 Church family, please pray for Zach and Adam as they complete their final examinations and prepare for ordination.

To watch or rewatch, please use this link:
https://www.youtube.com/live/eu8ZBsj5NT4?is=Cc8ULtNim3rHYOY-

📅 Join us Sunday at 5:00 PM for their Ordination Service in the sanctuary. We’d love to have our church family there to support and encourage them!

We’re thankful for what the Lord is doing at CBC and for His continued faithfulness to our church.

Wednesday Evening Q&A (9/16/26) Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

📖 SUNDAY SERMON RECAP | OVERCOMING EVIL WITH GOOD

How do Christians respond when someone hurts us, opposes us, or treats us unfairly?

Romans 12 gives us an answer that goes against our natural instincts: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” — Romans 12:21

This Sunday at Community Baptist Church, we were reminded that biblical love is more than an emotion—it is a way of living that becomes especially important when relationships are difficult.

Romans 12:17–21 gives us practical direction:

• Never repay evil for evil. Wrong does not become right simply because someone wronged us first.

• Respect what is right in the sight of all. Our response should demonstrate the character of Christ, even to those who do not believe.

• Pursue peace. As far as it depends on us, we are called to live peaceably with others without compromising biblical truth.

• Reject personal vengeance. Justice belongs to God. We can trust Him to judge perfectly rather than taking revenge into our own hands.

• Do good to our enemies. Biblical love does not merely avoid retaliation—it actively seeks opportunities to do good.

• Overcome evil with good. We cannot allow someone else’s sin against us to turn us toward sin ourselves. Our greatest weapon is not retaliation—it is the Gospel.

Jesus Christ is our perfect example. When He suffered, He did not retaliate. He entrusted Himself to the Father who judges righteously. Even while we were His enemies, Christ demonstrated His love toward us.

THIS WEEK, ASK YOURSELF:
When I am wronged, do I immediately want to even the score—or do I trust God with justice?

Would someone watching my response to conflict see the strength and grace of Christ, or the bitterness of the world?

Is there a strained relationship where I can pursue peace without compromising truth?

And is there someone who has opposed me whom I can intentionally serve and show the love of Christ?

🙏 Don’t just prepare for conflict when it arrives. Decide now that your response will be rooted in the Gospel.

If you missed Sunday’s message—or want to hear it again—watch or rewatch the full sermon here:

▶️ WATCH THE SERMON: https://youtu.be/X4wrifjE1Tc?is=x4zq_3p_ySbTdSm5

📖 Key Scriptures: Romans 12:1–2, 9–21 • Psalm 95:1–7 • 1 Peter 2:21–25 • Romans 5:20 • 1 Samuel 24 • Ephesians 6:12

How Love Acts With Tough People (Romans12:17-21) Message brought by Pastor Phillip Smith in our exposition of Romans...

Wednesday 9.9.26 evening service recap:

What does it look like to remain faithful through decades of ministry, change, hardship, and growth?

We were blessed to hear from John Nelson as he reflected on more than 50 years of service at CBC and shared lessons the Lord has taught him along the way.

From the importance of life-on-life discipleship and staying grounded in God’s Word, to walking faithfully through difficult seasons and investing in the next generation, this conversation was a powerful reminder that our goal isn’t simply to grow in numbers—it’s to grow in spiritual maturity.

We were also challenged to be a “shining light” wherever God has placed us—in our homes, workplaces, neighborhoods, and community—and to remain faithful even when the road is difficult.

As Hebrews 10 reminds us, we are not those who shrink back, but those who live by faith.

***If you weren’t able to attend, haven’t had a chance to watch yet, or would simply like to watch it again, you can view the full session here:

🔗 https://youtu.be/aCLIVhq6Vxo?is=_u-Gpl1hHK9XGZ5Y

May we continue to pursue depth over numbers, invest in one another through discipleship, remain faithful through every season, and always ask, “What saith the Lord?”

Wednesday Evening Q&A (9/9/26) Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.