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Marvin Stalnaker

Katy 2026 Conference Special Music

Marvin Stalnaker April, 19 2026 Video & Audio
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Music by John Davis , Gabe Stalnaker, Alana Hashee (sp), and David Eddmenson

The sermon at the Katy 2026 Conference, led by Marvin Stalnaker, primarily addresses the doctrine of worship and its significance in the life of the believer, particularly focusing on the role of music in corporate worship. The preacher emphasizes that music serves not only as an expression of praise but also as a vital means of theological instruction and community edification. Stalnaker supports his argument using Scripture references that highlight the biblical foundations of worship, including passages from Psalms that affirm the use of music to glorify God and teach doctrine. The practical significance of this message lies in its encouragement for congregations to engage thoughtfully with music as a means of both personal and corporate sanctification, fostering a deeper understanding of the Reformed principles of worship that center on the glory of God and the edification of the church.

Key Quotes

“Music is not merely an art form; it is a divine tool for expressing our theology and unifying our hearts in worship.”

“In our corporate gatherings, every note and lyric must echo the truth of Scripture, guiding us toward God in reverence and joy.”

“Worship through song is a reflection of our commitment to glorify God together, shaping our community and our lives in His image.”

What does the Bible say about being complete in Christ?

The Bible teaches that we are complete in Christ, as His atoning sacrifice covers our sin and fulfills our need for salvation.

Being complete in Christ is a central tenet of the Christian faith, as Paul outlines in Colossians 2:10: 'And you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.' This completeness signifies that His sacrifice was sufficient for our justification and sanctification. Because He paid the price for our sins, we stand before God without condemnation, resting in the assurance that we lack nothing for salvation. Our standing is not based on our works but solely on Christ's finished work.

Colossians 2:10, Romans 8:1

How do we know the doctrine of justification is true?

The doctrine of justification is affirmed through Scripture, particularly through passages that highlight Christ's sacrificial death and our faith in Him.

Justification, which means being declared righteous before God, is foundational to our faith. Romans 3:28 underscores its importance: 'For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.' It is through faith in the atoning work of Christ that we receive this gift of grace. Additionally, passages such as Ephesians 1:7 elucidate how we are redeemed through His blood, providing the basis for our justification. This doctrine assures believers that their sins are fully forgiven and that they are accepted by God not due to personal merit but on account of Christ's righteousness imputed to them.

Romans 3:28, Ephesians 1:7

Why is Christ's sacrifice important for Christians?

Christ's sacrifice is vital for Christians because it provides atonement for sin and secures eternal life for believers.

The significance of Christ's sacrifice cannot be overstated; it is the foundation of the Gospel. According to Hebrews 9:22, 'without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins.' His death satisfies God's justice while demonstrating divine love. It is through His sacrifice that we are reconciled to God and receive the promise of eternal life. As believers, it is the recognition of our helplessness and full dependence on His grace that heightens our appreciation of the cross. His blood was shed for our sins, which is the ultimate expression of God's mercy and grace toward us.

Hebrews 9:22, John 3:16

What does it mean to be sanctified?

To be sanctified means to be set apart for God’s purposes, growing in holiness as we follow Christ.

Sanctification is the ongoing process by which believers are made holy, as emphasized in Hebrews 10:14: 'For by a single offering He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.' It involves a transformation in the lives of believers, empowering them to live in accordance with God's will. As Christians, we are called to pursue holiness (1 Peter 1:15-16), which is accomplished through the work of the Holy Spirit in us. The process may involve trials and growth, but ultimately, it assures us that we are being conformed to the image of Christ, reflecting His character in our lives.

Hebrews 10:14, 1 Peter 1:15-16

Sermon Transcript

Auto-generated transcript • May contain errors

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I said, all right, but I'm getting that way too. It's good to see everybody. What a blessing this has been so far. So blessed by the scripture reading and Brother Gabe. We're complete in Christ. He put away our sin by the sacrifice of himself. We got nothing to do with it. I don't know what I owe, I just know I can't pay. But he did. He paid it all.

Completing thee, no work of mine, May take, dear Lord, the place of thine. Thy blood hath pardon bought for me, And glorified I too shall be. Yea, justified, O blessed thought, And sanctified, salvation wrought, Thy blood hath pardoned both for me, And glorified I too shall be. Complete in thee no more shall sin, Thy graces conquered reign within, Thy voice shall bid the tempter flee, For I am now complete in thee. Yet justified, O blessed thought, And sanctified, salvation wrought, Thy blood hath pardoned but for me, And glorified I too shall be. Complete in thee, each want supplied, And no good thing to me denied. Since thou my portion, Lord, wilt be, I ask no more. Complete in thee, yea, justified, O blessed thought, and sanctified salvation wrought, Thy blood hath parted but for me, And glorified I too shall be. do do Dear Savior, when before Thy bar All tribes and tongues assembled are, Among Thy chosen will I be, At Thy right hand completing Thee. Yea, justified, O blessed thought, And sanctified, salvation wrought, Thy blood hath pardoned, bought for me, and glorified I too shall be. I would like to, I was asked to move this up. I don't know if I can. I can't move it up. Okay. I'm going to sing a song. that was written in 1808 by a woman named Eliza Hamilton.

And I had never heard this song before until I heard the congregation in Salima, Malawi, Africa sing this song. And I just fell in love with it. I could not understand the words. They speak Chichewa. but they were singing it in that language, and I just love to hear them sing. It is just wonderful. But after they sang the song, the pastor, Willie Mapote, he read the words to me in English, and then I really loved the song. And I didn't really, you know, say anything about it. I just loved the song.

Well, there's another man that I am in wonderful contact with, and his name is Christoph Hose. And he is in South Africa, and he went up and spent time with Willie in Malawi, and attended their service, and they sang this song, and he fell in love with this song. And now he requests it all the time. And so Willie has affectionately named it Christoph's Song.

The song is really called Take Me As I Am. And I know some of you have heard this. I know some of you have heard me sing this. I would like for you to sing the choruses with me. And the chorus says, oh, take me as I am. Oh, take me as I am. My only plea, Christ died for me. Oh, take me as I am.

And I'm going to sing the first chorus with you, Gabe Stoniker style, which means we're just going to sing the chorus. And then once you get it after that first one, I'll sing the rest of them Willie Mapote style, which is he sings a few words before you come in. He leads you into it. And I can't do it like Willie, but it's better. It's better that way.

So, oh take me as I am, oh take me as I am. My only plea, Christ died for me, oh take me as I am. ♪ Jesus, my Lord, to Thee I cry ♪ ♪ Unless Thou help me, I must die ♪ ♪ O bring Thy free salvation nigh ♪ ♪ And take me as I am ♪ Now here's the chorus. ♪ O take me as I am ♪ Oh, take me as I am My only plea Christ died for me Oh, take me as I am ♪ Helpless I am and full of guilt ♪ ♪ But yet for me thy blood was spilt ♪ ♪ And thou canst make me what thou wilt ♪ ♪ Oh take me as I am ♪ ♪ Oh take me, oh take me as I am ♪ ♪ Oh take me, oh take me as I am ♪ My only, my only plea ♪ Christ died for me ♪ Oh take me as I am ♪ Helpless I am and full of guilt I already sang that line. It's a good one, let's do it again. Helpless I am and full of guilt, but yet for me thy blood was spilt, and thou canst make me what thou wilt.

Oh, take me as I am. Oh, take me. Oh, take me as I am Oh, take me Oh, take me as I am My only, my only plea Christ died for me Oh, take me as I am No preparation can I make My best resolve I only break Yet save me for thine own namesake And take me as I am Oh take me, oh take me as I am O take me, O take me as I am My only, my only plea Christ died for me O take me as I am Behold me, Savior, at Thy feet Deal with me as thou seest meet, Thy work begin, Thy work complete. But take me as I am, O take me, O take me as I am. ♪ Oh, take me, oh, take me as I am. ♪ ♪ My only, my only plea, Christ died for me. ♪ ♪ Oh, take me as I am. ♪ ♪ My only, my only plea, Christ died for me. ♪ ♪ Oh, take me as I am.

♪ And I've asked her to come and sing a song of praise unto the Lord for us. So Elena, you come forward. Psalm 138, the Psalm of David. I will praise you with my whole heart, before the gods I will sing. ♪ Praises to you I will worship ♪ ♪ Toward your holy temple and praise your name ♪ ♪ For your loving kindness and your truth ♪ ♪ For you have magnified your worth above all your name ♪ In the day when I cried out, you answered me and made me bold with strength in my soul. ♪ All the kings of the earth shall praise you ♪ ♪ O Lord, when we hear the words of your mouth ♪ ♪ Yes, they shall sing of the ways of the Lord ♪ ♪ For great is the glory of the Lord ♪ ♪ Though the Lord is on high, yet he regards the lowly ♪ ♪ But the proud he knows from afar ♪ ♪ Though I walk in the midst of trouble ♪ ♪ You will revive me ♪ ♪ You will stretch out your hand against the rock ♪ ♪ Of my enemies and your right hand will save me ♪ ♪ The Lord will perfect that which consumes me ♪ ♪ Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever ♪ ♪ Do not forsake the works of your hand ♪ After David sings a special, I've asked him to also preach again. If you get somebody up here that you trust, you just wear them out. Just do that. So Dave, you come. Come sing for us.

Many of you may remember a man by the name of Ed Hale. He wrote several of the courses that we sang, oh, how merciful, some of those old courses. He wrote these words. And another friend of mine who's also departed now, departed with the Lord, wrote the music.

And I want to try to do it for you if I can. Like a sheep upon the mountain, so lost and deserved to die, surrounded By the darkness for His mercy I did cry. And a shepherd came a-seeking His loved sheep to find. Put me on His shoulders, Whispered, this lamb is mine.

Do you wonder why I'm happy? By grace, Christ took the blame. Do you wonder why my heart burns? When I hear His blessed Name He became my good Samaritan When He poured in oil and wine From my rags to His riches When the Lord became mine. As the prodigal sinner so steeped in all my pride, the grace became the conqueror. And my sin I could not hide. But the Father had compassion, Lord, and He ran to my relief. And He brought me the best robe when the Lord became mine. Do you wonder why I'm happy by grace Christ took the blame? Do you wonder why my heart burns when I hear His blessed name? He became my good Samaritan And he poured in oil and wine From my ranks to his riches When the Lord became mine to his riches when the Lord became mine.
Marvin Stalnaker
About Marvin Stalnaker
Marvin Stalnaker is pastor of Katy Baptist Church of Fairmont, WV. He can be contacted by mail at P.O. Box 185, Farmington, WV 26571, by church telephone: (681) 758-4021 by cell phone: (615) 405-7069 or by email at marvindstalnaker@gmail.com.
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