Zion's Home Page

Pastor's Page

Bio, Articles, Essays, Sermons, and More

Last Updated: Wednesday, January 13, 2010


Recent Additions:
Audio Sermon (added 01/13/10): Seeking Refuge in God - Psalm 46 (Right click and choose "Save Target As..." to save to your hard drive).
Lesson outlines from Directions 4-13 of Marshall's Gospel Mystery of Sanctification
A Survey of Views Regarding the Original Language and Structure of Psalm 151 Added 09/15
Subject/Purpose Statements for Hebrews Added 09/17




 About Pastor Jones

Our Pastor, Michael R. Jones, was educated at Trinity Baptist College, William Tyndale College, and Michigan Theological Seminary. He is a graduate of William Tyndale College (Highest Honors) and Michigan Theological Seminary (Highest Honors) and is currently working on his M.Div. at MTS. While at MTS he has been responsible for publishing the student body prayer list, served as teasurer of the Student Government, and is currently president of the student government. Pastor Jones also served as a research assistant on Dr. Eugene Mayhew's Dictionary of Messianic Candidates

Pastor Jones is originally from Jacksonville, FL and moved to Michigan in November of 2000 to serve as Assistant Pastor at Zion Baptist Church. When Pastor Rule retired in February of 2003 after almost 30 years as Pastor, Michael was asked to stay on in the new position of Pastor.

Before serving in ministry, Michael worked for Chase-Manhattan Mortgage as a supervisor and, at the time of his departure was a trading analyst for Chase.

He and his wife attended Trinity Baptist Church in Jacksonville for twelve years, where Michael served as an Adult Bible Class Teacher teaching a young adult couple's class. He also taught classes on such topics as fasting and outreach in Trinity's "Institute for Christian Training."

Michael and his wife Tondra, originally from the Atlanta area, met in late 80's while they were students at Trinity Baptist College. They have two children, Spencer and Sophia.



Welcome to my Pastor's Page

Welcome to Zion Baptist Church's Pastor's page. On this page I intend to place outlines, articles, papers, and other items of interest to those who visit this site. Simply scroll down the page to see the links.

I welcome your questions and your gracious feedback. Please feel free to email me about anything you see on this page. Please be understanding if I am not able to respond as promptly as you would like.

To find out more about my beliefs about the Bible, church, ministry, and other things, please visit my blog. To find out more about the church where I am Pastor, please visit our website.

Quick Jump Menu:
Theology & Christian Living
Marshall's Gospel Mystery of Sanctification
John Owen Outlines
Various & Sundry
Philosophy & Apologetics
Books & Book Reviews
Position Papers
Sermon Briefs
Sermon Study Guides


Theology & Christian Living

Here are some things about Theology and the Christian life. I put these two topics together because they are inseparable. I will add some things I have written later but for now I will post some historic writings. If you have questions or want to dialogue, email me.

Book IV of Gill's Body of Divinity (the Covenant of Grace; the Law and the Gospel)
The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards



Outlines from Walter Marshall's The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification

Here are the outlines I used earlier in 2009 while teaching through Walter Marshall's The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification.

Direction 1: The Proper Means to the Right End(pdf)
The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification - Direction 2: Seek What is Necessary
The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification - Direction 3: Through Union With Christ
The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification - Direction 4: The Means of Union and Fellowship with Christ
The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification - Direction 5: The Importance of Union and Fellowship with Christ
The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification - Direction 6: Quit Striving and Start Trusting
The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification - Direction 7: Enjoy Christ and His Salvation
The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification - Direction 8: Holiness is Part of Salvation
The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification - Direction 9: The Comfort of the Gospel
The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification - Direction 10: The Assurance of Salvation
The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification - Direction 11: Trusting in Christ
The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification - Direction 12: Walking in Obedience by Faith
The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification - Direction 13: The Right Use of Means
Direction 14 is a summary and recapitulation of the entire book.



Outlines from Owen's Mortification of Sin

I recently taught through John Owen's Mortification of Sin. Here are the outlines I handed out during the series. There are some typos which I will correct (one day).

Note: These files are in pdf format so you will need the Adobe reader (which comes already on most computers nowadays). If the files won't open, you can download the Adobe Acrobat Reader here.

01-Introduction
02-Why the Flesh Must be Mortified
03-The Work of the Spirit in Mortification
04-Life and Comfort Depend on Mortification
05-What Mortification Is Not
06-What Mortification Is
07-Only Believers can Mortify Sin
08-God Demands Complete Obedience
09-The Dangerous Symptoms of Besetting Sin
10-Seeing Sin for What It Is
11-A Tender Conscience and a Watchful Heart (Part 1)
11-A Tender Conscience and a Watchful Heart (Part 2)
12-Developing Humility Before the Lord
13-Wait for the Verdict of God
14-The Work of Christ and the Power of the Spirit



Various and Sundry

Some of these are things I have done in the past that I thought you might find useful. I will post these as I come across them. Any new stuff I will post whenever (how's that for a commitment?).
As always, please feel free to email me if you find them helpful or if you have any questions.

The Intertestamental Period and God's Preparation of the World for Christianity NEW!
Added 01/08/09

A Survey of Views Regarding the Original Language and Structure of Psalm 151
Added 09/15

An Overview of Proverbs

An Analysis of J. I. Packer's Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God

Exegetical Paper - Galatians 4:1-11 (minus the diagrams)

Expositional Outline of Romans 3:19-4:25 -
"Justification is by Faith in Christ Alone and Not by Keeping the Law"


Essay - The Importance of Theological Preaching

The Story of John Brown of Haddington

Subject/Purpose Statements for Hebrews




Philosophy & Apologetics

Here are some outlines, papers, articles, and even some journal entries concerning philosophy and apologetics. If you have questions or want to dialogue, email me.

Facing the Problem of Evil in a Pastoral Context
The Examined Life
Why Philosophy Matters (or Should Matter) Even to Christians


Books and Book Reviews

I love books and read many (usually several at a time). I will post here book lists that I give out at church and book reviews I have written and will write. As always, please feel free to email me if you find them helpful or if you have any ques tions.

Walter Kaiser, Jr. - The Old Testament Documents, Are They Reliable?

These two books I had to read and review for a class recently:
Gary L. McIntosh - Church That Works (pdf)
Gary L. McIntosh - One Size Fits All (pdf)

Reviews of two more books I read for class recently:
Review of John Piper's Brothers, We are not Professionals
Eugene Peterson - The Contemplative Pastor



Personal Position Papers

Position Paper on Abortion
Position Paper on Ecology and the Environment
Position Paper on Genetics and Stem Cell Research
Position Paper on Homosexuality and Gay Marriage
Position Paper on Postmodernism


Sermon Briefs



Sermon Briefs

Trusting the Lord in Difficult Times - Psalm 46 Added 01/08/09
Jesus Came to Set you Free - Mark 1:21-28 Added 01/08/09
Gospel-Driven Discipleship-Sermon on Mark 10:32-45 Added 11/13/08
Escape God's Judgment through God's Provision-Sermon from Exodus 12 Added 11/16/08
Sovereign, Suffering Savior- Sermon from John 11:45-54 Added 11/16/08


1 Timothy Sermon Briefs

1 Timothy 1:3-11 - Exegetical Outline
1 Timothy 1:3-11 - Standing Firm on God's Truth

1 Timothy 1:12-16 - Exegetical Outline
1 Timothy 1:12-16 - God's Mercy is Greater Than Your Sin

1 Timothy 1:17 - Exegetical Outline
1 Timothy 1:17 - Giving the Lord the honor Due Him

1 imothy 1:18-20 - Fighting the Good Fight of Faith

1 Timothy 2:1-7 - Exegetical Outline
1 Timothy 2:1-7 - Praying to Accomplish God's work

1 Timothy 3:1-7 - Exegetical Outline
1 Timothy 3:1-7 - A Church with a Good Overseer is Truly Blessed



Life of Abraham Sermon Briefs

Genesis 11:27-32 - Exegesis
Genesis 11:27-32 - Understanding God's Sovereign Purpose

Genesis 12:1-9 - The Obedience of Faith


Sermon Study Guides

The following are some study guides I distributed along with some Sunday morning messages. They were formatted in Word 2007 for booklet printing and so each page is the size of a half-sheet of paper (perfect for placing in most Bibles). If your printer can print duplex they should print and fold into a booklet; if not, simply print them and cut them in half. If you have trouble, email me and I will be happy to send you something you can print out. Also, please email me if you find them helpful.

I don't do these all the time, just sometimes. I will be sure to post more as they become available.

The Biblical Basis for Church Membership
The Painful Necessity of Church Discipline
Study Guide for Pentecost
Study Guide - Luke 18.1-14 "Approaching God"
Study Guide - Luke 18.9-30 "Being Accepted by God"
Study Guide - Luke 18.31-19:44 "Six Things You Need to Know About God's Kingdom"







To find out more about my beliefs with regard to the Bible, church, ministry, and other things, please visit my blog. To find out more about the church where I am Pastor, please visit our website.