Who We Are
Keeping in Step with the Spirit
Intentional Preaching, 2010-2012

The Background
The Substance
The Schedule

The Background

People are remarkably similar in thousands of ways. But each person has a distinct identity.

The same is true of churches.

Brandywine Valley Baptist Church (BVBC) celebrates completion of a new sanctuary and adjoining spaces this fall. But what kind of church is it? What kind of distinct personality does it have?

This series of sermons tries to present the church's unique identity. Each of us who calls BVBC home will take on its unique identity to one degree or the other. It is better to do this intentionally than just to let nature take its course.

Pastor Bo's purpose in this series is for people to take on the characteristics of this church and in that way to participate in the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit, who is at work here.

The Substance

The six sermons in this series will look at the face BVBC turns toward the world, a look at the church's inner life, and finally a reflection on Jesus Christ, the reason the church exists.

The Schedule

October 18
The Story of Brandywine Valley Baptist Church
It is impossible to understand the church apart from its defining experiences of God. This sermon sketches some of them.

November 8
What the Church Does
BVBC is an active church. Planned events happen on and off its campus seven days a week. This sermon shows the coherence of all that and how it shapes people's lives.

November 15
A Community of Faith
The first two sermons show the face BVBC turns toward the world. But what happens in the secret places of its soul that makes it the church it is? One answer is its faith - what it means to have faith, and what is central to its faith.

November 22
A Community of Holy Sinners
this sermon explores the difficult challenge of holding high moral standsards and not being judgmental toward people who reject and violate those standards.

December 13
Jesus Christ: He Stooped Down to Make Us Great
The story of Jesus Christ moves relentlessly toward humility and humiliation. At the center of BVBC's life is commitment to a crucified Jewish Messiah. Why would this or any church make that central to its self-understanding?

December 27
Jesus Christ: Exaltation and the Governance of the World
The story of Jesus Christ moves relentlessly toward exaltation. As invisible and irresistible as yeast in a lump of dough, Christ is at work to achieve the global purposes of His heart that cannot be thwarted. That too is central to BVBC's self-understanding.