Galilee Baptist Church

A Baptist Church in Tyler TX

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“Our Ebenezer Stone”

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SERMON RECAP: SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2025

Based on the sermon by Pastor Anthony Williams

Anchor Scripture

“Then Samuel took a stone and placed it between Mizpah and Shen, and named it Ebenezer, saying, ‘Thus far the Lord has helped us.’”
— 1 Samuel 7:12 (NASB 2020)

Pastor Williams guided us to reflect on our own “Ebenezer stones”—the markers in our lives that bear witness to God’s faithfulness. Just as Samuel set up a stone as a reminder of God’s deliverance, we too are called to recognize how God has helped us “thus far.”

This message invites us into remembrance, gratitude, and renewed commitment as a church and as individuals.

1. The Reason for the Ebenezer Stone

Samuel’s stone was not simply a monument, it was a testimony. It reminded the nation of Israel that victory came only through God’s intervention. Pastor Williams reminded us that every believer has moments when God stepped in, guided, protected, or carried us. Our own Ebenezer stones mark God’s undeniable help.

2. Remembering Our Church History

Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, like Israel, has its own story of deliverance, provision, and growth. We stand on the prayers, sacrifices, and faith of generations before us. Reflecting on where God has brought us is part of how we remain grateful and grounded.

3. The Reality of God’s Present Faithfulness

While we honor the past, we also celebrate the faithfulness we see right now. God is continually active in our church, our community, and our personal lives.

Pastor Williams connected this with Scriptures like:

  • “LORD, You have been our dwelling place in all generations.” — Psalm 90:1

  • “For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion… He shall set me up upon a rock.” — Psalm 27:5

God has not stopped showing up for His people.

4. Remaining Relevant in the Future

Just as Samuel led the people forward, our church must continue to move faithfully into the future. This means being spiritually relevant, community-focused, mission-minded, and committed to the work God has called us to do. The Ebenezer reminds us that the God who helped us before will guide us ahead.

5. Recognizing God’s Faithfulness in Your Life

Pastor Williams encouraged each of us to pause and ask:
Where has God helped you “thus far”?
Your Ebenezer may be a moment, a testimony, a deliverance, a healing, a breakthrough, or even a quiet season where God sustained you. What God has done personally is just as important as what He has done corporately.

Journaling Questions

  1. What “Ebenezer stones” can you identify in your own life, moments when God clearly helped you?

  2. Why is it important for you to remember God’s past faithfulness?

  3. What steps can you take to help Galilee remain spiritually relevant in the years ahead?

  4. What testimony could you share that would encourage someone else this week?

  5. Where is God calling you to set a “stone of remembrance” in this season of your life?

“The Danger Of Not Knowing God”

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Sermon Summary from Sunday, September 28, 2025

In Exodus 5:2, Pharaoh defiantly asked, “Who is the LORD that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, and besides, I will not let Israel go.” Pastor Williams reminded us that Pharaoh’s words reveal not just ignorance, but a willful rejection of God’s authority. His refusal to know God brought devastation, and the same danger exists today when we fill our lives with knowledge of many things but remain ignorant of the One who matters most.

Pastor Williams’ sermon walked us through five powerful points:

  1. Catastrophic Consequences
    Pharaoh’s rebellion shows that not knowing God is never neutral—it is destructive. From Pharaoh’s plagues to the rich fool in Luke 12 to Paul’s warning in Romans 1, Scripture reveals that ignoring God always leads to loss and ruin.
  2. Contemporary Examples of Modern Knowledge Without God
    We live in an Information Age where people know sports stats, song lyrics, and trivia—but spend little time in prayer or God’s Word. Our culture treats God as irrelevant, echoing Pharaoh’s question: “Who is the Lord that I should obey Him?”
  3. The Contrast of Knowing About vs. Knowing God
    There’s a difference between head knowledge and heart knowledge. Knowing about God can puff us up, but truly knowing Him transforms our lives. Jesus warned in Matthew 7:22–23 that many will claim His name, yet hear Him say, “I never knew you.”
  4. Consider the Transformative Power of Knowing God (Testimonies)
    True relationship with God changes everything. Paul counted all else as loss for Christ, Augustine found rest only in God, and countless modern testimonies bear witness to freedom, peace, and restored lives that flow from truly knowing the Lord.
  5. Conclusion: From Knowledge to Relationship
    Pharaoh’s ignorance led to devastation, but we are invited to something greater—an intimate, saving relationship with God. In the end, it won’t matter what earthly knowledge we’ve accumulated; what will matter is whether we can say with confidence: “I know the LORD, and I have followed His voice.”

Journaling & Introspective Questions

  1. Pharaoh asked, “Who is the Lord that I should obey Him?” How do I sometimes ask this same question in my actions or attitudes?
  2. What consequences have I seen in my own life or others’ lives when God is ignored?
  3. What “modern knowledge” tends to crowd out my time with God?
  4. Do I see areas where I only know about God rather than truly know Him?
  5. How has truly knowing God, not just facts about Him, brought transformation in my life?
  6. What one step can I take this week to move from surface-level knowledge to a deeper relationship with Him?

“Stay Close, Stay Clean, or Be Good For Nothing.”

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Sermon Date: Sunday, September 21, 2025
Preacher: Senior Pastor Anthony Williams

Sermon Summary: Jeremiah 13:1-7 — Stay Close, Stay Clean, or Be Good for Nothing

This week’s sermon, based on Jeremiah 13:1-7, used the imagery of a ruined belt to illustrate the dangers of spiritual complacency. The belt, meant to cling closely to its owner, represents Israel’s relationship with God. When hidden and neglected, it became ruined and useless, symbolizing the consequences of drifting away from Him.

Pastor Williams challenged believers with the message: “Stay Close, Stay Clean, or Be Good for Nothing.” He emphasized the importance of prayer, moral integrity, and active church involvement. Neglect in these areas leads to spiritual ineffectiveness and division within the body of Christ.

The sermon highlighted three critical areas of complacency:

  • Prayerlessness – separates Christians from God’s presence and perspective.

  • Moral compromise – erodes unity and trust.

  • Lack of church engagement – fosters division and leaves ministry needs unmet.

The call to action is clear: recommit to prayer, renew moral integrity, and reengage in service to restore unity and effectiveness in the church. The message closed with hope, reminding believers that God’s grace makes renewal and restoration possible, urging us to cling to Him and one another to fulfill our purpose as His people.

Reflection Questions

1. How does spiritual complacency manifest in your daily life, and what steps can you take to address it?

2. In what ways can prayer strengthen unity within a church community?

3. What small compromises in your life might be leading to moral decay, and how can you reverse them?

4. How can you move from being a spectator to an active participant in your church’s ministry?

5. What practical actions can you take to foster unity and avoid division within the church?

6. How can we improve our prayer life as a community?

Weekly Meetings

SUNDAYS:   10:00am: Sunday School
11:00am: Worship Service

WEDNESDAYS:   7:00pm: Bible Study (virtually via dial-in number 903-705-1352)

FRIDAYS:   7:00pm: Prayer Call (virtually via dial-in number 903-705-1352)

Physical Address

15876 CR 1113
Flint, TX 75762
Get Directions
(430) 351-1003
galileembctyler@gmail.com

Mailing Address

P.O. Box 4066 Tyler, TX 75712

Meet Our Pastor

Pastor Anthony Williams

On October 15, 1989, Anthony L. Williams accepted the call as pastor of Galilee Baptist Church. … Read More.