Mount Paran Primitive Baptist Church

"What Is Our Source of Wisdom? Isaiah 8:19-20 & 9:6 - Brother Jonah Lowrance
When you need to make a decision in life, where do you find counsel? We can choose to use men's methods in which there is no light or true understanding, or we can go to Jesus Christ, the Counselor!
 
"The Logic of Suffering for Christ" • 1st Peter 4:1-5 - Elder Bryce Lowrance
After someone has found out that you believe in grace plus nothing, have they said something like this: "Well, if I believed like you, I would have my fill of sin!" Well, in this portion of scripture, Peter deals with that very statement. Those who truly see that Christ died for their sins confess that they HAVE had their oil of sin, and they don't want anymore! They see that since Christ, Who was and is in perfectly sinless, died for their sins, it only makes sense that their lives should be devoted to serving Him. 
These messages were preached on Sunday, May 17, 2026.

“Suffering For, Like, and With Christ”” •  1st Peter 3:17-22 - Elder Bryce Lowrance 
 
Peter now comes to climax of his argument why we should face troubles in this world with courage. Using Noah as the example of Christ being with him in Spirit, Peter argues that we do not face the trials of life alone because Christ is in us to bear us up and help us.
 
This message was preached on Sunday, May 10, 2026.

“Sanctify the LORD of Hosts” • Isaiah 8:11-15 - Brother Jonah Lowrance 
Isaiah prophesies about the coming captivity for Judah, and he warns them to not seek to make allies of nations around them to try to stem off the invasion. He tells them to not face adversity like the world does. He tells them to fear God only and seek to do His ways. In this immediate prophecy, Isaiah also foretells of the coming Messiah Who would deliver the Israel of God. Isaiah looked for that coming.
“Be Ready to Answer” • Isaiah 8:12-18 & 1st Peter 3:13-17 - Elder Bryce Lowrance 
Peter, having just used David as a learning example of trusting self instead of God, now give Judah, and in particular Isaiah, as an example of how we should face adversity and trial. Judah is facing captivity but Isaiah reminds them to not go into this trial thinking and acting like the nations around. Rather, Isaiah trusts in the Lord and looks for (hopes) for the coming of the Messiah. We now have the testimony that was bound up for the disciples. It is the gospel of the finished work fo Jesus Christ. We can continue to live as the elect of God even if we suffer for because we have our eyes focused on the promised return of our Savior, Jesus Christ. 
These messages were preached on Sunday, May 3, 2026

“The Good Life • 1st Peter 3:10-12 - Elder Bryce Lowrance.
Even though it is difficult for the lect of God to live in a world that is hostile to them, God did not intend for the lives of His people to be miserable. But the way to to enjoy life and see good days as child of God is different than what the world tells us. In this portion of scirpture, Peter uses David as the example of how to live that good life. David found that when he tried to do things his own way he was miserable and afraid. When he turned back to God, David found that the Lord heard his prayers and delivered him from all his fears.
 
This message was preached on Sunday, April 26, 2026.

"Trust in the Lord not in Confederacy with Man" • Isaiah 8 - Brother Jonah Lowrance.
Using the historical setting of Israel's fear of the Assyrians taking them into captivity, Brother Jonah teaches that we do not need to make deals with men or try to solve our own trouble situations. We need to put our trust in the Lord and look for His promises to deliver us.
"Finding Harmony in Holy Contrariness" • 1st Peter 3:8-9 - Elder Bryce Lowrance.
Continuing in the expository series of 1st Peter, Elder Lowrance teaches how that we should live in this ever increasing hostile world by living differently than the world. We should be the counter-culture to hate, pride, and selfishness. Our lives, especially our speech, should reflect the love of Christ that saved us. We should act contrary to the way the world acts and expects us to act.
These messages were preached on Sunday, April 19, 2026.

"Submission in the Family" • 1st Peter 3:1-7 - Elder Bryce Lowrance
The Apostle Peter continues teaching us how we ought to live our lives like Jesus Christ since we are strangers in an ever hostile world to the Christian. As we are to submit ourselves to earthly governments and employers, so God has a design in the family. The wife is to submit to her own husband as unto the Lord, and the husband is to submit to his responsibility to know his won wife well enough to care for her and tend to her needs before his own.
This message was preached on Sunday, April 12, 2026. 

“What Do You Do with the Fact that Jesus Rose from the dead? • John 20 & 21 - Elder Bryce Lowrance
Elder Bryce explains the reactions of several disciples during the few days after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In these examples, we can find our own reactions somewhere along the spectrum from belief to doubt. Elder Lowrance then challenges us to understand that, even though we do not always completely devote ourselves to God, Jesus never forsakes us for a moment. This reality ought to spur us on to deeper devotion.
This message was preached on Sunday, April 5, 2026.

“God Gives a Sign” • Isaiah 7 - Brother Jonah Lowrance
Brother Jonah speaks from Isaiah, Chapter 7 where King Ahaz does not listen to or respect the prophecy of God through Isaiah. So, God provides a sign Himself showing the history of natural Israel and a great promise of the Messiah for spiritual Israel.
This message was preached on Sunday, March 29, 2026.

“Two Views of the Heavenly Throne” • Isaiah 6 & Revelation 5 - Brother Jonah Lowrance
Brother Jonah presents two views of the throne of God that men got to see in the Scriptures. The first is Isaiah who viewed the glory of God filling the earthly temple and the LORD sitting on His throne in heaven. The second is John. He saw the same throne room but with more detail and gospel understanding. He saw that the earthly temple was taken away and Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, was in the midst of the throne as a successful Savior.
“Subject to Masters” • 1st Peter 2:18-25 - Elder Bryce Lowrance
After a brief reminder that the Bible does not endorse slavery, Elder Lowrance teaches that we are all to submit ourselves to the authority that is over us whether it be a boss, teacher, parent, etc. We are to do this whether the “master” is loving and king or cruel and hateful. We are to serve them as we serve God. When we serve in humility those who treat us wrongly, we are living our lives like Jesus Christ did. Peter reminds us that while Jesus was on trial and being crucified, He was giving us a pattern after which we should trace the steps of our lives.
These messages were preached on Sunday, March 22, 2026

“Submission to Civil Authority” • 1st Peter 2:13-17 - Elder Bryce Lowrance
Christ submitted Himself to civil earthly kings, so should His disciples. As citizens of the Kingdom of God, we should voluntarity submit to those in auhtority over us because civil government is God’s design for a peaceful society.
 
This message was preached on Sunday, March 15, 2026.