Calvary Baptist Church of Hiawassee Georgia

Isaac’s Desire to Abide examines Genesis 26:12–25 and the way God used conflict, displacement, and uncertainty to lead Isaac toward a place of peace and fruitfulness. After fear had led Isaac to compromise in Gerar, this passage reveals a changed response: rather than fighting to preserve every well or secure his own future, Isaac trusted God to make room for him.
As the Philistines disputed the wells of Esek and Sitnah, Isaac chose to move forward in faith. At Rehoboth, he recognized that the Lord—not Isaac’s striving—had made room for him and would make him fruitful. The message also considers God’s renewed promises at Beersheba: His presence, peace, blessing, and multiplication.
Isaac’s response provides a powerful pattern for believers today. When God spoke, Isaac built an altar, called on the Lord, pitched his tent, and dug a well. He worshiped, settled, and abided where God had led him. This episode encourages us not to confuse opposition with abandonment, but to trust that God may use seasons of contention to direct us toward the place He has prepared.
Scripture references include Genesis 26:12–25, Genesis 12:2, Genesis 26:3, Psalm 91:1–4, and 1 Peter 1:6–9.

Question and Answer Time: Rapture, Tribulation, and Judgment brings listeners into a practical Bible Q&A session focused on some of Scripture’s most significant—and frequently discussed—prophetic subjects. In this episode, questions surrounding the rapture of the church, the coming tribulation, God’s judgment, and the believer’s hope are considered through the lens of God’s Word.
Rather than treating prophecy as a source of speculation or fear, this discussion points listeners to the certainty of Christ’s return, the seriousness of eternal judgment, and the comfort available to those who know Him. The conversation considers how biblical teaching about future events should shape present-day faithfulness, holy living, gospel urgency, and confidence in God’s promises.
Whether you are seeking clarity on end-times doctrine or simply want to better understand why these truths matter for everyday Christian living, this episode offers a timely reminder: Christ is coming, God is faithful, and the right response is to be ready.

In this episode, we conclude our study of spiritual gifts with Paul’s instruction in 1 Corinthians 14:1: “Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.”
After teaching the church about unity in the body and the more excellent way of charity, Paul calls believers to pursue love above all else. Charity edifies, endures, covers, and binds God’s people together. Every gift and every act of service must be governed by a genuine love for God and others.
We also consider the call to proclaim Christ. Biblical prophecy involves declaring the truth God has given, and every believer has been commissioned as an ambassador for Christ. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the church is to use its individual gifts in unity for one shared purpose: making known the Lord Jesus Christ to the world.

In this episode, we continue our study of spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12 by refocusing on their source and purpose. Though gifts, ministries, and workings may differ, they all come from the same Spirit, serve under the same Lord, and are empowered by the same God.
Paul reminds the church that spiritual gifts are given “to profit withal”—not for personal attention, spiritual competition, or the praise of men, but for the good and unity of the body of Christ. The same Spirit who distributes gifts also bears witness that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and joins every believer into one body.
We also consider the difference between genuine service and religious pretense. God sees the heart, and Christ warns against doing spiritual things merely to be seen of men. May we use every ability and opportunity God gives us with a heart of love, humility, and a desire to make much of Jesus Christ.

In this episode, we begin a study of the contextual flow of First Corinthians and Paul’s teaching on spiritual gifts. Before correcting confusion about gifts, Paul first rescues the Corinthians from ignorance by reminding them of their former life in idolatry and directing them to the truth revealed by the Holy Spirit.
Spiritual gifts are not random, nor are they given apart from God’s purpose. In 1 Corinthians 12:1–3, Paul contrasts the emptiness of dumb idols with the direct knowledge that comes from the Spirit of God. True spiritual understanding begins with the confession that Jesus is Lord.
As we study this passage, we are reminded that God’s Spirit always testifies of Christ, leads believers into truth, and gives understanding through the Word of God.

In this message, we examine the biblical gift of tongues through 1 Corinthians 14, Acts 2, and Isaiah 28. Scripture presents tongues as real human languages and as a sign connected to God’s warning and judgment toward unbelieving Israel.
We consider why tongues appeared in key transitional moments in Acts, what Paul meant when he said that tongues “are for a sign,” and why the completed Word of God—not the pursuit of signs—is the believer’s sure foundation today.
God has not changed. The gospel still saves, the Spirit still indwells, and the Lord still answers prayer. But our confidence rests in the finished work of Christ and the finished Word of God. May we be a church that is anchored, grounded, and confident in the truth God has given.

In this episode, we continue our study of biblical transitions by examining the shift from the apostolic era to the ongoing church age. Using Hebrews 2:3–4 as our foundation, we look at how God confirmed the gospel through the apostles with signs, wonders, and miraculous gifts during the foundational stage of the church.
Were the miraculous signs in Acts meant to be the normal pattern for every generation of believers? What were “the signs of an apostle”? Why did tongues serve as a sign to unbelieving Israel? And how should churches today understand the difference between what was temporary and foundational versus what remains permanent and ongoing?
This message walks through key passages in Acts, Corinthians, Ephesians, and Hebrews to show that the apostolic era served a unique purpose in establishing the church and confirming divine revelation. At the same time, we are reminded that God still works today through His Word, His Spirit, and the ordinary means of grace.
The foundation has been laid. The Word is complete. Our confidence is not in chasing signs, but in standing firmly on the finished work of Christ and the finished Word of God.

Pastor Nathan Browning examines the major covenant transitions from Sinai to Calvary. From Hebrews 8, Hebrews 10, and Galatians 2, this sermon shows how the Old Covenant shadows pointed forward to Christ, how the New Covenant brings grace and inward transformation, and why sinners are justified by faith in Jesus Christ, not by the works of the law. This message lays the foundation for understanding Old Testament practice, New Testament grace, and the believer’s sure standing in Christ.

Pastor Nathan Browning examines the major covenant transitions from Sinai to Calvary. From Hebrews 8, Hebrews 10, and Galatians 2, this sermon shows how the Old Covenant shadows pointed forward to Christ, how the New Covenant brings grace and inward transformation, and why sinners are justified by faith in Jesus Christ, not by the works of the law. This message lays the foundation for understanding Old Testament practice, New Testament grace, and the believer’s sure standing in Christ.