Houston's First Baptist Church Messages (Audio): Recent Episodes
Pastor Gregg Matte
Houston's First Baptist Church is a relevant biblical community where we gather our hearts, grow our souls and give our lives as we seek to fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). This podcast provides weekly messages from Pastor Gregg Matte and others. Visit HoustonsFirst.org to learn more, and visit us in person the next time you're in Houston!
This week, we showed reverence for Memorial Day, and our study took us into Joshua and the Memorial Stones.
In this study of Titus, Pastor Gregg reminds us, in the midst of the challenges our city has faced due to recent storms, that the world's generator is nothing compared to the power of eternity's God.
In this week's study of Titus, we took a close look at the characteristics of the family of God - the church.
Pastor Gregg concludes The Ultimate Finish Line series as he encourages us to keep walking with God...be a finisher!
Pastor Gregg shares a message from 2 Timothy 4:9-13 as he encourages us to make the most of our time and to make people a priority.
Pastor Gregg delivers a message from 2 Timothy 4:6-8 and reminds us to keep the faith through perseverance and perspective.
Pastor Gregg delivers a message from 2 Tim 4:1-5 and reminds us to exercise self-control, endure, evangelize and fulfill our ministry.
Executive Pastor Dr. Stephen Trammell delivers a message from 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and shares that tough times call for healthy rhythms of spiritual and physical fitness
Pastor Gregg delivers a message from 2 Timothy 3:1-15 as he shares that tough times call for firm belief in the Bible.
President of Send Network and Founding Pastor of Hope Church Vance Pittman delivers a message called WorldChangers from Acts 1:1-14
Pastor Gregg delivers a message from 2 Timothy 2:14-19 as he shares that we need to focus on the Gospel to be an effective tool in God's hands.
Pastor Gregg shares a message from 2 Timothy 2:1-13 as he encourages us to be a usable tool in God's hands.
Pastor Gregg shares a message from 2 Timothy 1:13–18 as he encourages us to lean into the Holy Spirit to guard what God has entrusted to us and stand strong.
Pastor Gregg delivers a message from 2 Timothy 1:8-12 as he reminds us to stand strong by trusting the Gospel and by declaring who you are trusting in.
Pastor Gregg Matte delivers a message on Matthew 6:5-18 as he encourages us to emphasize more purpose, peace, passion and of our people in 2024.
Downtown Campus Pastor Leon Brooks III delivers a message from 1 Thessalonians 5 to highlight 10 things to focus on in the new year.
Pastor Gregg delivers a sermon based on Luke 17 with a focus on why faith is more valuable than stuff.
Pastor Gregg delivers a sermon based on Luke 10:38-42 and shares how contemplation, not distraction, leads to true celebration of Christmas.
Pastor Gregg delivers a special sermon as we celebrate the impact of our two-year Kainos initiative!
Minister to Singles and Metro Venue Pastor Kylen Perry delivers a message with a message on Hebrews 11:1–2 focusing on defining the concept of faith.
Pastor Gregg concludes the Application Points series with a message on 1 Timothy 6:17-21 focusing on generosity.
Pastor Gregg Matte shares a message on 1 Timothy 6:11-16 concentrating on the 3 application points that Paul shares to help us in our walk with God: flee, fight and focus.
Pastor Gregg Matte begins a new series with a message concentrating on 1 Timothy 6:6-10 and the topic of contentment.
Houston Christian University President Dr. Robert Sloan concludes our People of the Church series with a message about leaders of the church.
Pastor Gregg Matte continues in 1 Timothy with a message focused on how God’s heart is seen in how widows serve the church and how the church serves the widows.
Pastor Gregg Matte continues in 1 Timothy with a message focused on the Next Generation of believers in our church. By living rightly, leading wisely, and learning how we've been wired and gifted by God, we can live our lives "all-in" for Jesus no matter our age.
Pastor Gregg Matte shares a special Day of Baptism message from the book of Acts and invites those wishing to be baptized to come forward and follow through with believer's baptism at our Day of Baptism.
Pastor Gregg concludes our Prayer, People, and Promises series with a message based on 1 Timothy 4:1-10. Have nothing to do with entertaining godlessness and have everything to do with training in godliness.
Pastor Gregg Matte continues our "Prayers, People and Promises" series with a message on 1 Timothy 3:1-16. Pastors, Deacons and everyone else can make a Gospel impact!
Pastor Gregg Matte continues our "Prayers, People and Promises" series with a message on 1 Timothy 2:8–15. Godly men are men of prayer, character and calm and Godly women have a teachable spirit, and have great purpose to impact generations to come.
Pastor Gregg Matte begins our "Prayers, People and Promises" series with a message on 1 Timothy 2:1–7. Prayer connects our heart to God’s heart and it connects heaven and earth.
Executive Pastor Dr. Stephen Trammell concludes our “True or False” series with a message on 1 Timothy 1:18-20. Paul reminded Timothy about the fuel for the good fight. We are not fighting for victory but we are fighting from victory!
Pastor Gregg Matte continues our "True or False" series with a message on 1 Timothy 1:5-11. The goal of following Jesus is love. We miss the goal when we swerve from love and are all talk and no walk.
Pastor Gregg Matte leads us through 1 Timothy 1:1-5 in the first message of our new sermon series "True or False." We are called to hold to God’s plan, not man’s perspective.
Pastor Gregg Matte wraps up our "Time Together" series with a message based on Genesis 50:15-26. By discussing our relationships and making adjustments when needed, we can enjoy more time together. Our ultimate goal is to point to God in our marriages, friendships, and all relationships.
Pastor Gregg Matte shares a message from Zechariah 3 as we continue our "Time Together" series and learn about the importance of having God in front of us. When we realize that God will set the record straight through any accusations of the enemy, we will have hope through our trials and a desire to follow Him with grace-infused obedience.
Returning from his summer sabbatical, Pastor Gregg Matte leads us through Matthew 14:22-33 in the first message of our new sermon series "Time Together." When we let the waters of distraction settle and focus on Jesus, we can walk with Him and gain traction.
To conclude our My Life Verse series, guest speaker Noe Garcia leads us through his life verse of Luke 15:20 to remind us how to break the power of shame in our lives. By opening our hands to Christ and repenting from our sins, He can cover our shame - giving us freedom from our past and hope for the future.
Sharing a message based on his life verse of John 6:35, guest speaker David Nasser reminds us that Jesus is our only Bread of Life. By following Jesus' example, we can meet the immediate needs of those around us and point them to the only thing that will fully satisfy — Jesus Christ.
Guest speaker Garry Blackmon shares a message on the verses that guide his life — Colossians 1:9-10. The knowledge of God is a lifelong journey that requires wisdom and understanding. Spiritual growth begins by knowing how God wants us to live, walking in a manner worthy of His calling, and bearing fruit.
Guest speaker Grant Partrick unpacks his own life verse, Romans 12:1-2, as we continue through our “My Life Verse” series. Worshipping God is more than a song - it is a sacrifice and a response to the One who made the greatest sacrifice of all.
Guest speaker Brian McCormack continues our “My Life Verse” series by leading us through his own life verse: John 15:13. At the cross, we see the proof and measure of God’s love for us, and the model for how we should love others — sacrificially at a cost to ourselves.
Pastor Gregg Matte continues our "My Life Verse" series by teaching on his ministry life verse, 1 Thessalonians 2:8. We learn how to be difference makers by showing others that we care, we’re happy to help, and by choosing to share our lives and our Lord with others. The risk of vulnerability for the sake of God’s ministry is worth it!
Through his personal life verse of John 3:30, Pastor Gregg Matte dives into how believers can find their own verse to experience God’s guidance, joy, and encouragement through their hills and valleys. By keeping His Word ready on our hearts, we can find joy and purpose as we increase Christ and decrease ourselves!
Executive Pastor Dr. Stephen Trammell shares a Memorial Day message based on Mark 6:30-34. By responding to Jesus' invitation, embracing the place that recalibrates your pace, and serving others from your reservoir of rest, we can be people who are both productive and powerful for God's kingdom!
Sharing the last message in our months-long series in Romans, Pastor Gregg Matte dives into Romans 16:17-27 and discusses the people who are remembered for good both in Paul's letter and at Houston's First. By promoting unity, giving our lives away, and prioritizing praise, we too can leave a legacy worth remembering.
Pastor Gregg Matte shares a Mother's Day message based on Romans 16:1-16 highlighting the women Paul mentions in his farewell address to the church in Rome. Displaying a servant's heart, hard work, a mother's love, and more, these women honored Christ through their actions and set an example for us to follow.
What men made an impact on Paul? In a message based on Romans 16, Pastor Gregg Matte highlights the men that shaped Paul and made a difference in Rome and for the kingdom of God. By modeling their faithfulness, bravery, and more, we are able to live our lives for God and make a difference where He's placed us!
Guest Speaker Jaime Garcia shares a message based on Romans 15:1-13 and calls believers to live a selfless life for the glory of God. We glorify God by welcoming others well, pleasing others as Christ did, and denying ourselves so that others may know Christ and be satisfied in Him.
In a message based on Romans 14, Pastor Gregg Matte calls believers to walk in unity even when preferences and opinions differ. We shouldn't let disputed topics cause disunity, and our liberty shouldn't lead someone to stumble. As we work to promote peace in the church, we influence people toward Jesus!
Pastor Gregg Matte shares an Easter Sunday message titled "Peace + Proof > Doubt" based on John 20:24-29. Like the disciple Thomas, we're prone to doubt. Whether we have defiant disbelief or sincere doubt, God can break through either and provide us with both peace and proof that Jesus is alive!
Pastor Gregg Matte shares a message titled "Old Clothes or New?" based on Romans 13:8-14 and calls believers to love and action. We are to put on love in order to fulfill God's laws, and put off darkness and the deeds of the flesh so that Christ's ways will become our own.
Pastor Gregg Matte delivers a message from Romans 13:1-7 and shares how Christians are called to voluntarily submit to government as an act of obedience to God. Though our ultimate citizenship lies in heaven, we should do our part to obey the governing bodies God has placed over us while we're here on earth.
Guest Speaker Timothy (TA) Ateek unpacks John 4:1-42 and gives practical application for how we as a Christians can share our faith more regularly and with greater confidence. Through Jesus' model of conversation with the Samaritan woman in John 4, we find inspiration for starting spiritual conversations with our non-believing family, friends, and neighbors.
Executive Pastor Dr. Stephen Trammell delivers a message on Philippians 1:12-18 and shares how God uses adversity in our lives to grow us. Our response to our circumstances can advance the Gospel, add value to others, and exalt Christ.
Pastor Gregg Matte unpacks Romans 12:9-21 and shares how we as Christians should live a transformed life. Our affections, attitudes, actions, reactions, and retaliations can all be used to glorify God or our flesh. By living the way Jesus lived and loving the way He loved, we can be transformed daily by his power at work in us. Ultimately, we need to live connected to Jesus!
Pastor Gregg Matte shares truths from Romans about the parts we play in the body of Christ. We all have spiritual gifts - a God given ability to serve the church and glorify God. It is Spirit given and service driven. We are called to discover our gifts. There are seven spiritual gifts – prophecy, serving, teaching, encouragement, giving, leading and showing mercy. Realize your opportunities. Gifts are meant to be given. God uses people to meet our needs too. Learn to receive!
Guest Speaker Matt Carter shares truths from Paul’s letter to believers in Rome about being transformed by Jesus. Do not conformed to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewal of our minds. We are called to live different than the world. If you want to experience transformation, you have to renovate your mind. There are many situations are out of our control, but you can be transformed by the way that we think about that situation. Regardless of your circumstances, change your mind’s focus. Regardless of your circumstances, change the words you speak to yourself. Regardless of your circumstances, choose to believe God.
Pastor Gregg Matte shares truth from Romans to answer the questions about our response to the plans, mysteries and greatness of God. How do we respond to the plans of God? With awe and wonder. How do we respond to the mysteries of God? With humble hearts. How do we respond to the greatness of God? With worship.
Pastor Gregg Matte shares truth from Romans to answer the questions about spreading the good news of Jesus. How will people hear the good news? God has sent his people to take the Gospel to the world. How do I respond when people reject the Gospel? Focus on faithfulness, not failure. How can I be more like Jesus in the world around me? Hold out your hands. Be compelled, be equipped, and be engaged.
Pastor Gregg Matte shares questions found in Romans 9 as we continue our study of Paul’s letter to the believers in Rome. Do we have a burden for those who don’t know Jesus? We should have a heart for lost people to know Jesus Christ. Has the Word of God failed because Israel rejected Jesus? God is faithful and God’s Word is true. Is there injustice with God? God is always just in what he does. Who are we to argue with God or find fault in God’s activity? When it’s clear to God and a mystery to us, we trust God. What should we say, then? We should say “great news! Salvation is by faith in Jesus.”
Pastor Gregg Matte shares truths from Psalms 34 about committing this new year to the Lord. There will be both joy and pain in this year so we need to live in the both/and. Both bless and praise Him at all times. Both boast and proclaim Him. Both seek Him in prayer and trust Him in the trials. We also need to celebrate Him as we both taste and see the Lord is good in 2023!
Cypress Campus Pastor, Jason Swiggart, shares truth from the book of Matthew about our identities in Christ. Identity theft is satan's oldest and most effective plan. The "who" in "who am I?" informs how we think and thus how we live. Jesus' greatest weapons are His identity and the word of God.
Pastor Gregg Matte shares truth from the book of Romans about our Christmas gifts from heaven. Be amazed at the gift of God for you. Behold the gift of God with you. Believe the gift of God's love toward you. The love of god is unstoppable, constant, and unlimited.
Pastor Gregg Matte shares four heavenly gifts this holiday season from the book of Romans. We have a heavenly helper: The Holy Spirit. We are freed from the pressure of perfect prayer. Our perspective of God's activity is reframed through understanding that God's good might not be our idea of good. God works things out, not us. God's purpose is to conform us to the image of Christ. The final heavenly gift is that God always finishes what he starts.
Pastor Gregg Matte shares truth from the book of Romans about embracing the gift of perspective, letting frustration become a gift that leads us to a greater anticipation of heaven, and celebrating the gift of hope in our Savior named Jesus in part one of Christmas Gifts from Heaven!
Dr. Stephen Trammell shares truth from the books of Genesis and John, and guides us through a few of the realities from "Experiencing God" by Henry Blackaby. God is always at work around us! God pursues a continuing love relationship with us that is real and personal. God invites us to become involved with Him in His work. We come to know God by experience as we obey Him, and He accomplishes His work through us!
Pastor Gregg shares truth from the book of Romans about our adoption in Christ. We don't have to make bad choices anymore, we can walk away from our sin and choose life over death. A true believer desires to willingly follow Jesus. We shouldn't come to the things of God and feel like He's twisting our arm. We are adopted into God's family, and now have a great relationship with Dad (Abba, Father)! We receive this fatherhood relationship through our faith in Christ. Christianity involves sacrifice. We must die to ourselves so that we can live to God. Our sacrifice is for His glory!
Pastor Gregg Matte shares truth from the book of Romans about our identity in Christ. We have a new identity and are free in Christ! There is a struggle to live the Christian life due to sin. As believers, our desires have changed and we allow Jesus to live through us. We are grateful for our savior! The war is over but the battle continues. Jesus has already won the victory!
Pastor Gregg Matte shares truths from the book of Romans about choosing righteousness over sin. We are to make righteous choices backed by God’s eternal power. Sin grows greater and greater. Sin is enslaving and produces shame and death. True freedom is found in righteous living for God!
Pastor Gregg Matte shares truth about grace found in Paul's letter to the Romans. Abundant grace is motivation to sin less, not sin more. Through grace, we are united with Christ. Our old self has been crucified and now we live in resurrection power. If you are in Christ, you are new. You are Kainos!
Downtown Campus Pastor Leon Brooks III shares truths from the book of Romans about the sacrifice that Jesus made for our sins. Jesus died for the weak, and the ungodly. Jesus died for the sinner. The result of Jesus’ sacrifice is our reconciliation with the Father as Jesus is the only way to the Father. Jesus did much more for us than we can even imagine!
Pastor Gregg shares truth on how justification declares sinners righteous on the basis of faith in Jesus Christ alone. There are five benefits that come from the overflow of justification. Having peace with God, obtaining access to God, learning to rejoice in hope and affliction, cultivating God-honoring character, and possessing God's love within. We have every benefit of justification because when God looks at us as believers in Christ, it's just as if we'd never sinned.
Pastor Gregg share truths about how to live out our Christian faith found in Paul’s letter to the Romans. Even the best are saved by belief. Faith humbles. Faith receives salvation as a gift, not a wage. We need to place our faith in Christ first then walk in obedience in His works. It is a simple faith and it is a faith in which we can be saved by faith, too.
Pastor Gregg share truths about how to live out our Christian faith found in Paul’s letter to the Romans. Even the best are saved by belief. Faith humbles. Faith receives salvation as a gift, not a wage. We need to place our faith in Christ first then walk in obedience in His works. It is a simple faith and it is a faith in which we can be saved by faith, too.
Pastor Gregg shares how the bad news that Paul shared in his letter to the Romans turned to good news. The bad news is that no one can attain righteousness before God. We all fall short of the glory of God. There is no exception, no distinction, and no comparison. God cannot ignore our sin. The good news is that the guilt of sin is gone, the debt is paid and the wrath of God was satisfied. Salvation is available today and to all!
Pastor Gregg shares how the bad news that Paul shared in his letter to the Romans turned to good news. The bad news is that no one can attain righteousness before God. We all fall short of the glory of God. There is no exception, no distinction, and no comparison. God cannot ignore our sin. The good news is that the guilt of sin is gone, the debt is paid and the wrath of God was satisfied. Salvation is available today and to all!
Pastor Gregg leads us through Paul’s letter to the Romans and looks at a topic at Paul addressed – homosexuality. Paul explains that sin turns God’s created order upside down and that man’s negation of creation removes accountability. The Romans are active in and applauding of sin. Paul sets homosexuality apart from the list of other sins and so has our society. The biblical view of sex is abstinence or faithfulness in marriage. The good news is that our primary identity is far deeper than our sexuality. We are created in the image of God! We all need Jesus to love our neighbors by listening, loving and sharing truth.
Pastor Gregg leads us through Paul’s letter to the Romans and looks at a topic at Paul addressed – homosexuality. Paul explains that sin turns God’s created order upside down and that man’s negation of creation removes accountability. The Romans are active in and applauding of sin. Paul sets homosexuality apart from the list of other sins and so has our society. The biblical view of sex is abstinence or faithfulness in marriage. The good news is that our primary identity is far deeper than our sexuality. We are created in the image of God! We all need Jesus to love our neighbors by listening, loving and sharing truth.
Pastor Gregg Matte shares how Paul writes in his letter to the Romans about the unrighteousness of humankind and the wrath of God. Suppression of God’s truth, negation of creation, and negation of gratitude to God all lead to a place of sin. The results of sin includes darkened thinking and exchanging heaven for earth. The effects of sin include physical, spiritual and eternal death. Jesus died for our sins so in that in Him, we may become the righteousness of God.
Pastor Gregg Matte shares how Paul writes in his letter to the Romans about the unrighteousness of humankind and the wrath of God. Suppression of God’s truth, negation of creation, and negation of gratitude to God all lead to a place of sin. The results of sin includes darkened thinking and exchanging heaven for earth. The effects of sin include physical, spiritual and eternal death. Jesus died for our sins so in that in Him, we may become the righteousness of God.
Stephen Mackey shares truths on how to encourage a discouraged world. The way we speak to people matters and our words should be helpful, not hurtful. We should see the best, not the worst, in people. We should serve people with the best of ourselves. We should allow people to serve and encourage us as well. We can also encourage others in the way we point them to Jesus through our words and actions.
Stephen Mackey shares truths on how to encourage a discouraged world. The way we speak to people matters and our words should be helpful, not hurtful. We should see the best, not the worst, in people. We should serve people with the best of ourselves. We should allow people to serve and encourage us as well. We can also encourage others in the way we point them to Jesus through our words and actions.
Pastor Gregg shares lessons from Paul about being unashamed of the Gospel. Simply put, the Gospel is “Good News.” One may be ashamed to share the Gospel because of inadequate, inaccurate and incomplete information. The Gospel holds God’s power and God’s power is what frees us from being ashamed of the Gospel. Being unashamed is rooted in the greatness of of the Gospel. The Gospel welcomes everyone and reveals God’s righteousness.
Pastor Gregg shares lessons from Paul about being unashamed of the Gospel. Simply put, the Gospel is “Good News.” One may be ashamed to share the Gospel because of inadequate, inaccurate and incomplete information. The Gospel holds God’s power and God’s power is what frees us from being ashamed of the Gospel. Being unashamed is rooted in the greatness of of the Gospel. The Gospel welcomes everyone and reveals God’s righteousness.
Pastor Gregg shares lessons on how to love others well in Paul’s letter to the Romans. Make showing gratitude to others a priority. Make gratitude personal and make it happen. Pray for and with the people in your life. Be impactful and impacted with the Gospel. Wherever you are, whatever you are and whoever you are with, strive to make an impact and make a difference for the Gospel. Grateful leads to prayerful and prayerful leads to impactful.
Pastor Gregg shares lessons on how to love others well in Paul’s letter to the Romans. Make showing gratitude to others a priority. Make gratitude personal and make it happen. Pray for and with the people in your life. Be impactful and impacted with the Gospel. Wherever you are, whatever you are and whoever you are with, strive to make an impact and make a difference for the Gospel. Grateful leads to prayerful and prayerful leads to impactful.
Pastor Gregg begins our journey through the book of Romans, Paul’s love letter to Rome. The book starts off with the truth that God’s people are called and set apart. A believer in Christ is strategically placed for a significant purpose. A key to fulfilling your calling is the courage to be set apart. It is through Christ’s power that we can live the Christian life. This letter was to the people of Rome, not just the church, as Paul encourages them that they are loved by God. If you know Jesus Christ, you are saint because of your belief, not your behavior. We are called, set apart, and loved by God not through our own efforts, but through the grace and peace of Jesus Christ.
Pastor Gregg begins our journey through the book of Romans, Paul’s love letter to Rome. The book starts off with the truth that God’s people are called and set apart. A believer in Christ is strategically placed for a significant purpose. A key to fulfilling your calling is the courage to be set apart. It is through Christ’s power that we can live the Christian life. This letter was to the people of Rome, not just the church, as Paul encourages them that they are loved by God. If you know Jesus Christ, you are saint because of your belief, not your behavior. We are called, set apart, and loved by God not through our own efforts, but through the grace and peace of Jesus Christ.
Pastor Gregg shares wisdom from Paul’s Baptism. Baptism was Paul’s first priority as a believer. He became a Christian and then he was baptized. It is your personal decision as a believer to be baptized by immersion. It is an outward expression of an inward change. It is a significant symbol of the salvation that you received in Christ. Baptism shows a beautiful picture of the death, burial, & resurrection of Jesus.
Pastor Gregg Matte shares wisdom from Paul’s time in the desert. The desert is a place of preparation. The desert pushes us from self to service, cultivates trust in God’s power, calms our hearts and increases our faith. If you are in a desert, keep the faith and keep walking, drink the living water of Jesus and realize that God uses the desert to blossom fields of His Glory.
Pastor Gregg Matte shares wisdom from Paul’s time in the desert. The desert is a place of preparation. The desert pushes us from self to service, cultivates trust in God’s power, calms our hearts and increases our faith. If you are in a desert, keep the faith and keep walking, drink the living water of Jesus and realize that God uses the desert to blossom fields of His Glory.
Paul's past was filled with misdirected passion. But when God showed up, Paul was radically changed. God forgave Paul and used him to be one of the greatest Christians in the history of the faith. If God forgave Paul and set him apart in his mother's womb by grace, God can forgive anyone and give them purpose. Paul changed the world because he allowed God to change him.
Paul's past was filled with misdirected passion. But when God showed up, Paul was radically changed. God forgave Paul and used him to be one of the greatest Christians in the history of the faith. If God forgave Paul and set him apart in his mother's womb by grace, God can forgive anyone and give them purpose. Paul changed the world because he allowed God to change him.
Jeff Struecker reminds us that we are all warriors in God’s Great Army and our mission is to accomplish the Great Commission. We must have faith and rely on God to move forward with that mission. God favors the people who follow Him. God leads the people who love Him. God promotes the people who proclaim Him. Take the first step in following Jesus, get serious about the Great Commission and pray for those who serve in our U.S. military regularly.
Jeff Struecker reminds us that we are all warriors in God’s Great Army and our mission is to accomplish the Great Commission. We must have faith and rely on God to move forward with that mission. God favors the people who follow Him. God leads the people who love Him. God promotes the people who proclaim Him. Take the first step in following Jesus, get serious about the Great Commission and pray for those who serve in our U.S. military regularly.
Jesus is intentional. He invites us to follow Him, He attracts others, and He declares truth. How can we be as intentional as Jesus? We must connect with outsiders and we must live on a mission. We must care less about selfish ambition and more about the Great Commission.
Christians are stronger in their faith when they are in community with others. There is no strong Christian apart from the Church. We need each other. You need other people holding you up and making you strong in your faith. Strong Christians draw near to Christ in prayer, hold on to hope in Christ, and provoke one another in love.
God’s plan to reach the nations is the Church and the Church is essential for three reasons. The Church is not a human construct but was created by Jesus. Jesus is the founder of the Church and we are His members. And the Church is called to be on mission to spread the Gospel and be God’s ambassadors.
Life is made up of a series of moments and it is important that you cultivate moments that matter. Recognize your humanity and that you are made in the image of God. Be a person of integrity and know that God's way is the best way. Leave a legacy by living a legacy. Jesus' life made us right with God. He took on our humanity, lived a life of integrity, and died in our place to ensure our eternal legacy.
Solomon was known as a wise man and you can learn three things from the wise and unwise choices he made. Wisdom wins the day so ask God for wisdom daily. Tenderness wins the heart so work on tenderness in your relationships. Our focus determines our finish so remain faithful in your walk with God.
David was a humble shepherd who God chose to be king and you can learn three things about God from David's life. God can use anyone, God can forgive anyone who repents of their sins, and God should be worshipped by everyone. Through it all, David was a man after God's own heart.
Remembering God's faithfulness in your life is imperative to your faith walk. To remind you of what God has done in your life, create memory markers like the remembrance stones in the book of Joshua. Memory makers are physical reminders of God's legacy in your life, that your past defeats have been rolled away and a sign to others around you that God is faithful.
Marriage is a journey where a husband and wife lean on the Lord and each other. On that journey, wholeheartedly commit to each other! As you do, be sure to jealously protect your marriage, trust God for help, value rightly, and walk purely and protectively. Together, you'll build a lasting love and live happily (most of the time) ever after.
In a crazy world, choose God's template for marriage. Serve each other with your words and actions, and prioritize each other with your time. Don't let your heart become stale or sour. Choose God's way for your marriage, and watch young love mature and deepen.
When we live anchored in the Lord, we can smile at the future and what is to come. We live from God’s love, and we freely give that love to others, through our kind words and time and attention. When we live in this way and with this intentionality, we will walk in abundant life and leave a legacy and blessing for those to come.
We all experience conflict in our lives, and it can come in all shapes, sizes, and sources. We need to learn to work through it. We need to learn to respond and not react, and we need to choose commitment. On a foundation of commitment, you can remember what you love about the other person and work through your differences.
Song of Songs gives us a picture of God’s way leading up to the wedding and God’s way after the wedding. It shows us the beauty of a marriage covenant lived God’s way. Let’s teach the next generation God’s way, and for those married, let’s embrace it for our own lives.
Heaven knows what you need. We need the cross and the resurrection to bring peace, purpose, and joy to our lives. And it's from a relationship with Him that we can live with motivation and comfort because we know that He goes before us in all things. Yield to His Lordship today or surrender afresh because He worthy and knows just what you need.
If you’re married, you need a table for two with your spouse. There needs to be space for connection in your marriage and a value of its importance. Let’s be men and women of God that remove distraction and that use our words rightly, praising each other. As we honor the Lord and honor marriage, we will see God do His work in our lives.
In the book Song of Songs, we can see that attraction can be like a magnet. If you’re single and longing for a spouse, be patient, learn to value what the Lord values, and walk with Him. If you’re married, continue to treasure that relationship. Men, especially, continue to treasure that relationship by the kindness of your words, your patient demeanor, and your value of the family.
We are to live our lives on mission. We aren’t guaranteed it will be easy, but we do know He’ll never leave us. Let’s live yielded, obedient, faithful lives and make the most of every day, every week, and every year.
God has wired us for relationship, and we need godly men and women in our lives to strengthen and sharpen us. We need people in our lives that we are discipling and that are discipling us. If you are noticing ineffectiveness, stagnancy, or sluggishness in your walk with the Lord, invite people into your life and you will see your walk with the Lord reignited.
In a sex-crazed culture, we all need to protect our purity. God’s Word gives us the wisdom to beware of sin’s outcome and steer clear of decisions that can turn a spark into a forest fire. Let’s all daily pursue intimacy with the Lord, and if married, be intentional to daily pursue intimacy with your spouse.
Walking in victory requires walking in wisdom because Satan has an agenda, culture has current, and your flesh has an appetite. We must pay close attention to what our ears hear, our eyes see, our heart feels, and where our feet go. We must bring our lives into full submission under the authority of Jesus. As we yield our life to His control and care, the Lord will lead us into His victory.
To gain a heart of wisdom, we need the Lord. When we walk in the fear of the Lord, honoring Him above all else, we position ourselves before Him to gain wisdom and understanding. Let’s walk with the Lord; let’s depend on Him; and let’s allow His wisdom to be the rudder for our lives.
In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon shares wisdom on living and dying well. He encourages us to understand the end of all things and to remember our Creator in all our days, especially our youth. It’s a call not meant to depress us but to inspire us to live well and for what truly matters. When we live for the Lord today, we walk secure; we walk inspired; and we are prepared to meet Him tomorrow.
Life goes by fast, so live today in a way that counts. Work and live wisely, and allow the Lord to heal your heart. The biggest blessing comes when you walk with God, so stay in step with Him and you will savor the sweetness of life along the way.
We only have one life to live, and though we can’t begin to understand God in all His ways, it’s only in Him that we can live our life to its fullest. One day we won’t be here, so let’s live our lives for Him today with all the fullness of joy and purpose it brings
We want to be a people who sees things deeply and walks with God faithfully in the wisdom He provides. Whether in joy or in pain, make the decision to trust God and let Him guide your path. In this life, we won’t always be ale to figure it all out, but we can trust His sovereignty and know that He is with us.
May we enjoy our labor and the fruit of it, but it must never be our savior and priority. Money will never satisfy, and we won’t take it with us when we’re gone. Jesus is the only one who brings true joy in life, so let’s make Him our priority and invest our lives in what matters most.
How do we worship when life is unfair? Yes. Different times call for different styles of worship before the Lord in each of us. In every season and every situation, let’s remember to prepare our hearts. Let’s all come in reverence and humility before the Lord, ready to worship, ready to listen, and ready to align our heart to His.
Life isn’t always fair because we live in a broken and sinful world. There will be both good and bad in this life, but with Jesus, and by following His ways, we will make it through.
We are creatures of time, and all of us are restless trying to figure out why we are here. It’s only in God that we find rest, and it’s only in God that we find our purpose. Let’s trust God with our days, and let's live this life with eternity in mind.
Pointless living is the result of elevating the temporary at the expense of the eternal. If we instead prioritize the eternal and are connected to God, a life of contentment, meaning, and joy will be found.
On his last Sunday on staff at Houston's First, Dr. Self encourages us that, even though the world may have walked away from these four foundations, we should examine our own lives to be sure that we are standing for truth, for salvation, for unity, and for God's mission.
This Christmas isn’t about presents, it’s about the Presence of God. Since the beginning of time, Jesus Christ, of the line of King David, had in mind to come and save our souls. And in Christ, we are grafted into His very lineage. This Christmas, let’s remember Jesus Christ who came, so that in Him you might have life. His Presence is the real present, and in Him, our past, present, and future are under control.
The bucket list that satisfies the heart is fulfilling the purposes of God. As we fall in love with Him more, seek to know Him, and remain faithful to Him, His purposes will find us. From that space, we can die “done” with a bucket list checked and a life fulfilled.
What really fires you up? Jesus Christ has come to save our souls and live inside of us. Let’s get loud! Let’s celebrate the Lord with sincerity and from our hearts! Our rejoicing here is just a precursor to Heaven.
God’s faithfulness is to all generations, and we can learn lessons through the lives of those that went before us. When we face trials and tribulations in our lives, let’s choose obedience; let’s be courageous; and let’s be thankful. When we keep our eyes on the Lord, living surrendered, we can trust that He is working out all things for our good.
As we head into the holidays, we might be intersecting with people we are less than excited about seeing. Let’s go before the Lord and ask Him to search our hearts. Life is too short to live with strained relationships. Choose forgiveness. It sets you free, and it honors God.
Today is a new moment, a Kainos moment, to honor the Lord with our generosity. Humbly bowed low, let’s give Him our best and live from His Presence. It’s in His Presence that true joy is found. As we honor the Lord in this new Kainos moment, we get to celebrate together!
We want to see God do new new things in and through us. Everything we are and have is His, so let’s give our best back to the Lord. Take the next step in generosity, and let’s be a part of God’s amazing work.
Wherever we are on the journey of generosity, let’s take the next step. When we do that, we find the joy of giving, and we allow the Lord to do something great.
The blessing of giving to things of God brings the greatest joy. Let’s allow the Lord to do heart work in us, so that we can take the next steps. Let’s give the Lord our best and see what He will do.
Kainos is a God-sized task. Let's give our best before the Lord, and Jesus will do something amazing through us. In unison and faithfulness, let's take a courageous step of faith, knowing that God’s hand is upon us because His heart is before us.
Adversity in life is guaranteed, but what will you do when it comes? Will your world fall apart, or will you hold onto the one who holds the world together? Fear wants you to focus on your enemies, but faith brings your gaze upon the Lord. Cry out to the Lord, and as your faith arises, the fear will fall.
When Nathan confronts David, what was hidden and gnawing away at David became revealed. In that moment, David chose cleansing over covering-up his sin, and God forgave him. Bring your sin to Jesus, and let Him cleanse you, forgive you, and restore you. The voice of sin may be loud, but the voice of forgiveness is always louder.
As we look at the life of David this week, we see the power of sin and temptation, and we see how one night of pleasure can lead to a lifetime of pain. We all have clay feet, so let's confess our sin before the Lord, give it to Him, and ask Him to protect us and fill us.
In life, battles will come. Let your focus be on God — not on yourself and your own life — and abide in Him. His power will come to you and through you, and you will shine in such a way that captures hearts for the Kingdom of God. The battles we fight and win today are our legacy and investments for tomorrow.
David was unlikely as a shepherd, and now we see him anointed as king. And while we may not be kings, each of us is a leader because each of us has influence. As we learned through the life of David, let’s keep our eyes on the Lord and follow the leadership He gives. When we are positioned in a place of surrender, we can live in both success and adversity well.
If you want to become a person after God’s own heart, there are habits you can pursue to move in that direction. Whatever you give your life to habitually is what you’ll become, and what you are becoming has eternal implications. Pursue God and His will above all else, and know that God will meet just where you are on your journey.
Pastor Gregg highlights 4 times in David's life when demonstrated how to be a God-honoring friend. We are encouraged to come to Jesus. It is because of the friendship we have in Him that we can be a good friend to someone else.
In David’s life we see that he had an unlikely trial, an unlikely teacher, and unlikely timing. Like David, we all face unlikely trials in our life and seasons of wilderness. Let the wilderness teach you to put your hope in God and trust Him and His timing completely.
What is one giant in your life? Give it to the Lord, and trust that, in His timing and in His power, the giant in your life will fall. Victory is in the Lord!
The choosing of David shows us that the obvious choice is not always God’s choice. Just as David was unlikely, so are we, but God chose us! Let’s be faithful where we are and know that God sees our hearts and can take us wherever He wants us to be.
There is an existential crisis in the world today, and we need to care. We need to speak the word of life and share our lives. As we invite people in to see the gospel lived out in our own lives, a city and a culture can change. Ask the Lord for open doors this week and the courage to walk through them.
In life, we won’t always have clarity nor understanding, but we can trust. We can trust God and walk by faith because God sees it all; He understands it all; and He is all together good. In whatever your area of need, trust Him and obey Him in full surrender today.
How do we have unshakeable confidence? It is in our God’s provision, presence, and promise. Let’s get our confidence in Him and pass it on, so that we can make a difference in our city, nation, and world.
When you are walking in the will of God, you can expect opposition to come. Choose to remain focused on your assignment though, and guard your heart and your mouth. Live for the audience of one, and when the naysayers come, just keep walking.
On Independence Day, Dr. John Tyler from Houston Baptist University looks at how America's founding documents reflect a desire to pursue the Great Commission. He shares stories of people who persevered against great odds to ensure religious liberties, and how believers must continue to do so today.
There are circumstances in each of our lives that are harder than we thought or taking longer than we thought. In these things, you need perseverance and you need focus. Fix your eyes on the race set before you and keep the end in mind. In Jesus there is provision of His power, His strength, and His joy. Stay close to Him, and just keep walking.
As we celebrate Father's Day today, we want to encourage fathers to let their heart, soul, and mind be fully for the Lord. Your parenting will flow from that. Pray for your family; encourage your family; spend time with your family; and have fun with your family! You won’t always get everything right, but there is grace and forgiveness along the way. Just keep walking with the Lord.
There are going to be moments when there is great pain in your life. In those times, you have to get up and keep walking. Embrace perseverance in the suffering, allow your character to shaped, and rest in hope in Him. Know that the love of God will come and heal your heart, so keep walking and keep trusting in Him.
You may be in a difficult place in your life, but trust the train engineer to bring you through that dark tunnel. Persevere and know that you are being conformed to His image, and He will use this for His glory.
If you find yourself in a pigpen of sin right now, know the Father is looking to see if you will take steps back to Him. Reflect on your sin, let your repentance lead you back to the Father, and see how He brings restoration in your life.
In finishing our study on Revelation, we can know that there is a plan, a future, and a hope! And God’s heart in these end times is “come!” He wants all to come and receive His life giving grace. We won’t always be in this present church age, so come to Jesus and join the bride in longing for His return!
The Spirit and the bride say come! Turn from what you were, and bend the knee and come. Jesus is the way and the gate, and people from all nations will gather in unity and live in the blessing of His Presence.
Is your life an act of worship to the Lord? Do you keep His Word? Live your life here on earth in light of what is to come. Trust Jesus and let the world know about the great things God has done. His great love for you never ceases, and He is coming soon.
As we look towards Heaven, it is something we can be excited about! The beauty is unmatched, and we will finally live in the light of His Presence. We can truly see that there is a plan, a future, and a hope in Him.
In Revelation we get to see all things made new! There is a new Heaven and new Earth, and there will be no more death, no more grief, and no more pain. It is all about being with Him; that is what makes it heavenly. We know not everyone will be there, but there is still grace available today.
Each of us will one day pass away. If as an unbeliever, relying on our own works, there will judgement and a lake of fire. If as a believer, relying on what Christ did on the cross, we will be welcomed into Heaven and rewarded based on our lives here on earth. Give your life to Jesus, and live for him today. It touches His heart, and it blesses your life.
As we study Revelation 20, we can see the amazing victory! The enemy will be bound, there will be bliss in the 1000 year reign, and the enemy will be defeated in the last battle. We don’t know all the details, but we know it will all pan out. The most important thing is that you know Jesus. Don’t just be around the things of God; make sure that you know Him in your heart.