First Baptist Church: Recent Episodes
Mike Popovich
In order to experience God, you have to listen to God. You have to be willing to make time to hear what it is that God is calling you to do. And then when He does, the question then becomes, "What will you do when He talks to you?" That can be scary, daunting, overwhelming - even frustrating. But as we grow in our relationship with the true, living God, we begin to understand His word, His ways and His will. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks this vital part of our walk with God as we learn to listen to Him...
Experiencing God, the study by Henry Blackaby, will be our focus for the next several weeks as we head into the fall. In addition to the teaching on Sunday, small groups will be going through the study each week. There is also a study for students in middle and high school as well as elementary age kids. Knowing and doing the will of God - that's the emphasis and the call to us as Christ followers. We hope you'll join us on this journey, and together we can impact our community for the Kingdom of God!
As we wrap up this series on Psalms, Pastor Mike takes us through the books of praise that end this great piece of Scripture. Why we praise and who we praise is pivotal in our walk with God!. NOTE: At the end of each Psalm we sang songs that supported the text. For copyright reasons they are NOT included in this recording. They are, in order, as follows: Hosanna (Praise is Rising) by Paul Baloche Indescribable by Chris Tomlin How Great is Our God by Chris Tomlin Fortress 144 by Brian Doerksen One True God by Steven Curtis Chapman How Great Thou Art arrangement by Paul Baloche
How now shall we live? That's the great question - and Psalm 100 has the answer. It all starts with a solid understanding of who God is that should lead to a joyful response, both in our worship and in serving God. Join Pastor Karl as he unpacks this beautiful book and then apply it to our daily walk with Christ...
The worship of God is about declaring the charactersitics of God that He has revealed to us about Himself. We can only truly know what He decides to reveal to us. Join Pastor Mike as he upacks this beautiful Psalm about the nature, beauty and love of God...
Psalm 118 is a great example of people going through life and still finding time to worship God. Things aren't always rainbows and butterflies, but God is constant. And He is worthy of our worship and praise in all seasons. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks this beautifully rich Psalm...
What was the deal with the people God saved from so many disasters? Why couldn't they remember His grace, provision, power, salvation - time, after time, after time. As Pastor Mike unpacks Psalm 106, we recount the many ways God showed up and saved His people....
Psalm 103 is a great reminder from David about many of the reasons why we should worship God. From forgiveness to redemption to grace - all because of the immense, unmeasurable love of God. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks this powerful Psalm...
We all know right from wrong...and we all would welcome the opportunity to exact justice on those who have wronged us. But God has said, "It is mine to avenge..." Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks this great passage that will give guidance, hope and promise for a better way of living...
Psalm 110 is pure prophecy written by David. It is the most quoted Psalm in the New Testament...join Pastor Mike as he unpacks this incredible, prophetic piece about our Savior and King!
We live in a world where the Father is being downplayed, degraded and in some case simply written off. Fathers are, as someone once said, 'a social invention'. Sad, but the lack of Godly Father figures is leading people to make up their own definition and writing them out of the picture. God's Word is clear on the role of the Father. In Pslam 78 we see a reminder and a call to Godly fatherhood...
When you find yourself in times of trouble, where do you turn? What do you look to or who do you look to for guidance, strength, wisdom? In the book of Psalms, chapter 43, we discover some keys to gaining victory over our stuggles and oppression. Join Pastor Karl as he unpacks this powerful lesson from this amazing book of life...
Who hasn't had to deal with opposition in life? That's a very short list of people, if we're being honest. As we continue in the book of Psalms we find a passage that reminds us that no matter the opposition, no matter what enemies are pursuing - we can put our hope in God, our savior. Join Pastor Karl as he unpacks this powerful passage which offers hope in our fight...
Understanding how God works...what a mouth full. We'll never fully understand God - ever. But knowing how our relationship should work according to His guidelines, and His Word, will guide our entire life...
Guilt. We all have a story or two about dealing with guilt. But understanding where it is from, what it is designed to do and how to use that can be key to an amazing life in Christ. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks some key teaching from Psalm 32 and King David's lessons learned through the process. RERECORDED DUE TO TECH ISSUES
We were made to worship God. Our hearts cry out for a relationship for God...so what does that look like? How are we to worship and who can worship this holy God? Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks Psalm 24 and answers the question, "Who may ascend...?"
When you read through the book of Psalms they can be confusing. So many emotions, so many thoughts, so many tihngs to process. But at the heart of it all lies a loving God who makes no mistakes with regard to anything. No event, no pain, no victory is wasted on the God of creation...
As we begin the series on the book of Psalms, we discover some key things about the entire book. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks some key points about this series and what to look for in the Psalms as we read and study them over these next several weeks...
Every day we celebrate and remember that Jesus died for our sins an dwas resurrected to be our Savior and Lord. And as you read through the Old Testament you will find many promises about the coming Holy One who will wave God's people and the world...
Pastor Mike will unpack a vantage point that is a little different from the norm of Palm Sunday. Looking at the state of the world up to that point in history, looking at the approach to Jerusalem and what Jesus taught along the way - all this will give us a perspective that should help us to hone in on the story of this week in a fresh new way...
What comes to mind when you think of the word faithful? Is it what should happen in relationships? Is it a level of loyalty? What is your expectation of someone who you want to be faithful? We've taken this word and forced some unrealistic, worldly expectations on it over time. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks one of the strongest attitributes of our amazing God...
Love. It's a word that has taken on all kinds of different meanings, definitions, etc. But what does the Love of God look like? What kind of love is that, exactly? Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks some key lessons about this love that only God can give...
How are we to respond to God's justice? How are we to respond to a world that says God is unjust, unfair, not a loving God? Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks the idea of justice from God's persepctive, and why it's so hard for us humans to comprehend...
Wisdom is the principal thing. So get wisdom. Pretty straight forward advice from the book of Proverbs, and still we wonder. If God is all wise - and He is - then why doesn't He give me what I pray for? Why do we have to deal with death? Why disappointment? Heartache? Perhaps we're so focused on our why that we have looked past our Who that gives life, grace, mercy, love...we need His wisdom to live life His way.
God's Holiness refers to both His majesty and moral purity. Holiness is the absolute absence of evil and encompasses and defines all that is pure, whole, righteous, and healthy in the universe...
"Nothing will come into my life today that He did not either allow or decree for my ultimate good." C. S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain. Do we see our lives that way? Do we believe that the God of the universe in complete control? Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks a huge issue with lots of needed information about the God who IS above all and IN all things...
A. W. Tozer said, "What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." How do you think about Him? Is He good? Is He loving? Is He gracious? Is He vengeful? Is He condemning? Your thoughts about Him shape the rest of your life. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks the idea of God's goodness today and begin to shape your thinking into what God desires it to be...
What comes to mind we we think about God? Whatever our mental image of God is, we tend to move toward that. What we think about God is the most important thing about us. It determines every facet of our lives. Join us we begin a new series called The Real God. In it, Pastor Mike will unpack attributes of God that will help to shape our image of the true God...
In the beginning God created...then he assianged man his duties. Nothing has changed since then. When we say YES to Jesus, we are to continue in our responsibilities, our service to the Kingdom. What that looks like is different for each person, but each persons role is VITAL to the success of the ministry of the Church. Join Pastor Mike as he wraps up the Vision series by helping you discover your role...
Stewardship. The first thing people go to is the money side. Yes, that's part of it, but the reality of stewarding our resources is they ALL belong to God. How and what we do with the resources is an indication of our committment to the Living God. The first fruits is a vital key to a full understanding of this practice. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks this key part of our worship with and for God...
How should a Christian see the world? Talk about a loaded question today...but it has always been the question that must be answered. If we see the world through the lens OF the world, we miss the mark completely. This world is only concerned about itself. Christ followers see the world as Jesus sees the world and looks for opportunities to show compassion, mercy, grace, love, service and so much more...
Prayer - staying connected to God. Prayer is an obvious critical part in our vision for First Baptist Church. Today, Pastor Mike unpacks not only the importance of prayer, but the way in which we are seeking Him in the pursuit of the vision He gave us...
Spiritual formation is a nice big theological phrase that simply means becoming like Jesus. The bigger question becomes this - do you believe in Jesus and od you walk with Him EVERY day? We cannot go through life thinking we can do life on our own and let Jesus help when we need it. It all starts at the beginning, trusting Him from the outset...join Pastor Mike as he unpacks this vital lesson for us!
As a church what are we supposed to be doing? In this new series, Pastor Mike will unpack the vision and mission of First Baptist and where we see God taking us. It all starts with talking to others about Jesus, having what we call God conversations...
Every day we have at least one opportunity to share our story of what Christ has done in us with another person. Do we always take it? If we're honest, no. But what if we committed to making that a priority for this coming year, starting with prayer and then on to not being afraid to step out when the opportunity strikes. Join Pastor Karl as he unpacks some practical, daily steps to help us not fear opportunity...
Jesus, Mary, Shepherds, Wisemen, Angels, Joseph. That's usually how the reference to Christmas goes. A closer look at what Joseph did and the part he played is much needed in our lives today. His example, his commitment, dedication - and so much more, often get overlooked. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks this latest player in the Christmas story.
The nativity scene - it looks so serene that we can miss the meaning and the story of the different pieces. And our over marketing of Christmas drowns out the real reason of this special season. Join Pastor Mike as he continues to unwrap Christmas, to look behind the curtain, if you will, at what this season truly is about...
We say it all the time - Jesus is the reason for the season. True in a sense. But why He came gets lost in all the glitter, packaging, noise and toys. The reason for the season is we're all a huge mess and are in need of a savior. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks this passage in Matthew, revealing the true reason for Jesus' coming...
Christmas. It can often be so familiar that we miss out on some key parts of the season that really matter to the story. Join Pastor Mike as he begins a new series, Christmas Unpacked. Today we look at the story as it was written, not necessarily the way we portray it or display it today...
In our day, many people are waiting for life to be delivered to them. Others believe that it's all about what YOU can do to get the life you deserve. But to live a life that is truly epic, to live a life where you live out your full, unique design is about choosing the life that God has for you. And it's a daily approach, not an instant, get it all at once kind of life. Join Pastor Mike as he wraps up 1 John with the ultimate lesson...
We all put our faith in things and people every day. Putting our faith in someone for our eternity is a whole other conversation that many people don't want to have. But we must...if we think we can make it on our own in this crazy world, we've bought the lie that we don't need God. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks a necessary topic on faith and who God is...
Living in God is one of those deep mysteries. We may not understand it, but we can know for sure when we do. When you love someone you will serve them. So counter cultural today, isn't it? God's Word is very clear on the matter of love for others in today's passage from 1 John 4. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks this vital word for today...
Sin is on full display in our world like never before. We have a choice to make on WHO we will live for and WHAT we will be known for in this world. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks a very important passage of Scripture from the book of John. Ties in with what we learned last week on Truth from 1 John 4:1-6...
Truth and lies. How the lines have blurred in our culture today. Truth is twisted, manipulated, misrepresented - and many Christians today have bought into a subtle lie that is completely contrary to the truth of the Gospel. Our foundation is in Jesus, the root and truth of the Gospel. Join Pastor Karl today as he unpacks some key text in 1 John 4 on how to test what we see and hear today...
If you aspire to live a moral and godly life, others will hold you accountable even though they would not consider it themselves. And when you accept Jesus as your Savior you will love others. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks this vital part of our life 'lived out' in the name of Jesus...how to give our lives as service to the King!
The saying goes, practice makes perfect. But can practice ever give way to perfection? There may be some in culture who believe we can achieve a state of perfection, but it's impossible as human beings. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks a key principle about living righteously in Christ and that perfection was and still is not the goal...
Life eternal. It's a promise from God. The question for each person is where they will spend eternity. Jesus promises eternal life in His word and carries with it some amazing truths for each of us that call Him Lord. The beauty of the whole process is that God gives each person the choice to follow, or not...join Pastor Mike as he unpacks some real, relevant truth today from 1 John...
What does it mean to live in Jesus? Our thoughts and actions will reflect on the closeness and depth of our relationship with Him. And the beauty of this relationship is that we don't ever have to do it alone! Join Pastor Mike as he takes us further on our journey through 1 John...
God's will is not what you do - it is who you are. You were created with and for a purpose. The trick is trying to figure out just what that looks like in our day to day lives. Within the culture we live it can be easy to put things ahead of or in the place where God desires us to be. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks another crucial lesson in 1 John...
The power for life is the power to be what God created you to be. To understand that means we need a relationship with Him. To access the power to live a life worthy of His calling is an amazing, exciting, scary yet fulfilling adventure...join Pastor Mike as he unpacks this key aspect of our walk with Him.
When Jesus finds His way into a heart, it changes. The light of God's love transforms the darkness of the human heart. As the classic song said, what the world needs now is LOVE - but what they need is the love of Jesus, on display and living in the lives and hearts of those who call themselves followers of Him...
To walk in truth is to walk as Jesus did while He was here. What does that really look like? Can we walk as He did? Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks this portion of 1 John to understand just how and that we can walk as Jesus did, even in our world today...
In the Bible guilt can mean to bring to light, expose, convict, convince, discipline, reproof, correctrion or rebuke. So what do we do with it? How we respond to the guilt is key to our walk with Christ. Culture says we have to learn to live with it, while Christ frees us from all guilt. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks this vital part of 1 John...
In our culture it can be easy to lose hope, to lose our joy when we look at all that is going on around us. That's why we don't base our joy on this world. We focus our joy on the One who gives it. Join Pastor Mike as he begins a new series on the gospel of 1 John...
There is power when God's people pray together, toward a common goal, a specific prayer. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks what the impact of a church praying together...
Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks 7 things God does when you pray, especially when you pray for others...and look for the PDF that lists at least 12 ways you can pray for your children. A great resource!
What is in a name? We all represent someone, some family by our name. So what about the names of Jesus in the Bible? What does it mean to pray In His Name? Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks the importance of praying in this way and what it means...
We often struggle with the idea of praying over a long period of time for something or someone. Life gets in the way...distractions happen...frustration sets ins. We miss out on what that long, patient waiting is supposed to do in us, with us...join Pastor Karl as he unpacks a lesson praying long from the book of Daniel...
Grace. What comes to mind when we first hear it? Usually a prayer for a meal for many people. But grace is at the heart of our relationship with God. If it wasn't for His grace poured into our lives, where would we be? If it wasn't for His grace on the cross, we would not have the hope we have. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks this powerful idea of grace with power...
What we pray is more important than how we pray...we learned that last week as Pastor Mike unpacked Jesus' prayer for his followers. With that prayer and a focused prayer heart, there is power. Join Pastor Mike today as he unpacks a great lesson in prayer from Nehemiah...
The world has varied views on prayer. How, to whom, what, what not to pray for, and so on. In Jesus' prayer in Matthew, he lays out a clear, honest and direct plan on how to pray AND what to pray for. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks this great teaching from God's Word...
Focus. Hard to do in our culture a lot of times. It even flows over into our church life. What does God want us to focus on? What should our mind look to for focus and clarity? Today, Pastor Stuart Stanfill will unpack a key message from Psalm 1 about just that - focus on God's Word daily...
As we wrap up Romans, Pastor Mike unpacks an overview of what the Apostle Paul was teaching throughout the entire book. It can be summed up in this weeks title, This Gospel IS For Everyone!
Most of us would look at events in life and say, "If I were God I wouldn't have done it that way." Good thing we're not God. We don't have the whole picture of what is to come - yet He does. Having faith in Him means we live with an understanding that He is in control, knows what's best for every situation, and then live a life worthy of His calling on us...so how is that done? Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks a critical part of our journey with Him in Romans 15...
When it comes to certain areas of our lives, how much trust do we have in Jesus? Peter struggled with life between the Jews and the Gentiles. So God gave Peter a vision to help him. Pastor Mike unpacks a critical part of Romans as we learn how to be strong in the faith that we do have and be able to stand up against the areas we struggle in...
By serving authority, you are ultimately serving God. Seems this is hard for many people today in our culture, churches, offices and schools - just about everywhere. But what it comes down to is the reality of Scripture - God is served by us serving, honoring and praying for those in authority. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks a look into what love looks like in this setting of authority...
For the first 11 chapters of Romans, Paul teaches the importance of understanding this thing called faith. As we begin chapter 12, we beging to dive into the practical application to our daily lives. Most notably, now we dig into how to LIVE for Christ as a follower of Him...
Rightneousness is obtained by faith, not by works. People who get caught up in the Law have not really read the Law. You see, God is relational, and wants a relationship with us. We don't attain anything by DOING good things and hoping that will get us into heaven. For is by GRACE you have been saved...join Pastor Mike as he unpacks some key text from Romans 9 through 11...
The world is a mess because the world is not Heaven. The world is a mess because we make it a mess...but as a believer our spirit is with God's Holy Spirit. We can have a new life like we've never known before, but it will take some effort on our part...if you're willing, the journey is worth every bit...
If you are doing your own thing, they you are on your own. And we all know how well that works out...and throgh in the idea of law versus grace and it gets real crazy. It's no surprise that is NOT the way God intended for life to be played out. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks a key part of our walk with Christ - dealing with sin...
How do you live a life of grace? Why would God give us grace we don't deserve - AT ALL! Pastor Mike will unpack Romans 6 today, where Paul teaches on this idea of grace and being 'set apart' for something greater than ourselves, greater than we could ever know on our own...
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the anchor to our faith. It's also been contested, challenged, even ridiculed by a critical world. Today Pastor Mike will take us to the evidence which will give us a foundation that we may have overlooked...
Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Passover when Jesus made His triumphant entrance into Jerusalem. As He approached the city, they hailed Him as King of the Jews. By the end of the week they would call for His crucifixion...
We all have the opportunity to be a part of God's family. It's not by works that we get this, but a decision to say yes to the invitation and through our belief in Christ. As we unpack the book of Romans we get a glimpse of what Paul teaches in this important part of God's story...
When we do wrong things we often have a conviction to make things right. The difference is how we MAKE things right or how we are MADE right. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks the gift of Grace that only can be found in Christ...
Religion tends to make a mess of the message. We all know what's right and what's wrong, but somewhere along the way the line gets muddied by culture, individualism, selfishness, and more. As we look into the book of Romans, Pastor Mike unpacks a tough part of the book dealing with the consequence of our decisions...
If you receive God's Word and are saved, it is the power that makes all the difference in your life. What will you do with that power? How will you allow it to impact your life? We have the opportunity - the obligation - to share the power of the Gospel in our lives with those in our world around us.
What if the church were a place where people could discover or rediscover who they are, what they were made for and could test drive their gifts, abilities and passions BEFORE they went in to the world? The church should be the safest place on the planet to test drive gifts, abilities, passions - and be the safest place to fail as well. Join Pastor Karl as he unpacks some instruction from God's Word on service and the church...
What if we viewed work as full, life long worship to and for God? How would that change the way we view, face and handle our work? Today, Pastor Karl will unpack the original plan from Genesis on what our work is designed to be, and how culture has hijacked or confused us into thinking it is something other than what we DO today...
Our mission is to work with God to give people every opportunity to meet Jesus and receive eternal life. In ourlining our vision and mission for the next several years we will have prayer as our main catalyst. Asking God to work in people's lives that we intesect with and influence...
Pasotr Mike unpacks the first parts of our vision for FBC for the next 7 years in todays message. It's important for us to be aware of what God is doing in and around us at all times, understanding that He may want to use us in that moment. We must be alert...
God wants to take what happens TO you to accomplish His work IN you so He can fulfill His purposes THROUGH you. Pastor Mike will unpack the bones of our vision going forward for First Baptist Church today. It will require each of us to answer the call to allow God to work THROUGH us to accomplish His work...
God wants to take what happens TO you, to do something IN you, to accomplish something THROUGH you. To do that you need to be close to Him, to hear His voice and prompting. As we embark on our ON MISSION series we'll also unpack the vision that is before us and the part YOU can play...
Are you an optimist or a pessimist? Great opening question from Pastor Mike today as we look at what God has for us in the new year. Will it be 'happy' or something else? Will we face adversity, and at what level? Join us as we look at how to set ourselves up for a solid start to 2018...
So much happened on that night long ago. The impact on those directly impacted and used has forever changed history. The message was delievered to an unlikely group of people, a class of people that were lowly, unworthy - the shepherds. Interesting how God chose the humble to proclaim the Good News. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks the rest of the story in What Child Is This?...
Joseph had an interesing view and role in the birth of Christ. He could have, quietly, divorced Mary and gone on to other things. But God had other plans and a master plan that not many men would have been able to carry out. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks Josephs story from a little different perspective in our series What Child Is This?
The story starts 2000 years before the birth of Jesus. God looking for a way to communicate His love for us...so how does he tell his children that he loves them? In a word - Christmas. And Joseph had a choice to make as his earthly dad. Quietly divorce Mary and look ahead to a different life, or follow the vision sent by an angel to be Jesus' dad here on earth...
Christianity rests on the adult life of Jesus and especially His death and resurrection as proof of the truth of His teachings. The back story of Jesus' life is an amazing story that many people reject. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks some historical truths that will connect Jesus to the rest of HIS-story...
Are you who the person you are looking for is looking for? That's been the driving question throughout this series. Only by committing to BE that person that GOD created you to be will you ever discover the answer to that question. Join Pastor Mike as he wraps up this series with some very practical input and insight from God's Word...
What do you do when you get hurt? HOW you respond to that question is vital to having strong, healthy relationships in your life. Not the kind of relationships that Hollywood, the media, news or any other source tells you to have. The kind of relationship that God designed for us is so much better, so much healthier, so much like His design. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks some key tools of relationship today...
That 'dirty little word' that we were told was not to be spoken of was actually designed by God and created for our pleasure, not just for making babies. Our culture has turned adulterated this gift, turned it into a business, and convinced a confused world that it's 'no big deal' to have sex outside of marraige. So what does God have to say about His precious gift? Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks this word for today...
Todays message is going to hit us men square in the teeth. AND it's also going to impact the women in our lives as well. But we need to have these honest discussions about how we view women today in our culture. Do we respect and value them? Or do we objectify them? God's Word is very clear on what our role is. Men, it's time to be the men that GOD is calling you to be, NOT this worlds...
The purpose of dating is... If we're not careful, we'll allow culture and other 'influences' finish that statement. If we look at the Bible and it's instructions in man-woman relationships, we'll find a plan outlined and ready to put into practice. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks these 12 steps - and fair warning, this particular lesson is a PG version...
The myth - If I marry the right person everything will be alright. As Pastor Mike begins this new series, we'll discover that, in this first message, great marriages are built on each person becomingg the right person - the person God created them to be.
Everything we can do can be a result of acting out of faith or fear. So what is faith? How can we deal, cope in todays world without some form of a faith foundation? Join Rachel Popvich, Young Adult Intern, as she unpacks a familiar piece of scripture and connects it to our walk today...
So many people will conclude there are many good things in the Bible, but hey do not depend on the Bible to be entirely trustworthy and reliable. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks this final part of our series, Reason for God...
What do you believe? The answer to this question will be the foundation of your faith...even as you ponder how science fits into the equation. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks a great question and directs us to the Word of God for instruction...
What do you believe about hell? The answer to this question will help you understand just how much God really does love us. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks this tough question and helps us to see how to answer it as we share with others the Good News of Jesus...
Truth. It seems some people 'have the market' while other search forever to find it. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks a deep look into what, rather WHO, scripture says truth is...
We've heard it said many times, "If God is a God of love, then he wouldn't allow suffering." But that's a statement that isn't well founded. We tend to focus only on the suffering, the pain, the hurt. We don't want to accept that, for instance, death is part of life. We want to compartmentalize things so we can argue against a loving God...join Pastor Mike as he unpacks, from scripture, this hard truth.
One of the main objections to Christianity is that it claims the truth exclusive of any other religion. How can this be the only true religion? Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks this question and gives us the tools to have an intelligent, heartfelt conversation....
The Gospel of Mark ends ubruplty, with a lot of unanswered questions. So you're left to wrestle with all of the facts, information, and testimony that Mark has presented. Do you believe Jesus to be the Messiah, The King, the Son of the Living God? Join Pastor Mike as we wrap up this series and look to answer this question...
In Mark 12, Jesus' teaching brings about change in 3 different areas. How we approach this change will impact our testimony to a watching world and will impact our walk with Christ. Are we willing to allow God to make those changes in us, or are we stuck in our own ways? Join Noah Hess, one of our Elders at FBC, as he unpacks this area in our series, The Gospel According to Mark.
We have no problem, mostly, with authority in our day to day lives. Teachers, bosses, parents, police, etc...but when it comes to allowing Jesus to be THE authority in our daily lives, that's a different issue all together. Join Pastor Karl as he unpacks a fresh look at the Triumphal Entry story from Mark 11 and see what we can do to allow, permit Jesus to have the proper place in our lives...
Who is Jesus? Was He a teacher? A rabbi? A prophet? Does He have a plan for me, for my life? All great questions that need answererd in order to live life His way. Join Pastor Mike as he walks us through some key text on understanding the plan God has for each of us...
The kind of authority that Jesus showed while on this planet not only astounded and amazed people, it upset many religious people. They thought they knew about the Messiah and what He would do But knowing doesn't mean you get it. Join Pastor Mike today as he unpacks some key moments in Mark 6...
The Kingdom of God is sometimes so hard to grasp or understand. But it's not really as hard as we make it out to be. WE represent the King. So we have an opportunity and privilege to show others what God's Kingdom is like by living FOR HIM in all we do. Join Austin Pettit as he unpacks Mark 4 today to help us grasp this concept of Kingdom living...
Join us as Pastor Mike unpacks a very intriguing area of study this week as we dig deeper into the book of Mark. What does creation say about Jesus? What of angels and demons in the process of creation? Who do you say that Jesus is...
We live in an anti-father culture. We don't call it that, but it exists and it's having a very negative impact on future generations. So what's the solution? How do we regain important ground today for the next generation? Join Pastor Karl as he unpacks 3 key ways to get closer to living the life that God intended for men to live...
What will you trust God with? That's the question that Pastor Mike will pose today as we wrap up the series BELIEVE. There are countless ways to answer this question, and we all struggle with giving things to God. But, if we will trust Him; if we will obey Him; if we will serve Him our lives would be incredible! So, what will you trust Him with?
Humility...our final part of the Fruit of The Spirit from Galatians. Is this particular one a sign of weakness? Showing humility meams to be less aggressive, more gentle, right? Not so. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks this powerful idea as we wrap up the BELIEVE series...
Gentleness is NOT a sign of weakness. In fact it takes great courage and strength to exhibit gentleness in our world today. Today Pastor Mike will unpack this improtant trait in the Fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-23...
We all place our faith in something or someone. In whom or what are you placing your faith? This determines our lives in so many ways that we often overlook the impact in our day to day living. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks one of the last portions of the fruit of the Spirit in the BELIEVE series...
Character - it's the expression of who we become. What does it look like to walk with God and show kindness/goodness to those around you? Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks this powerful part of the Fruit of The Spirit...
Trusting God can help us with patience. Nothing is lost when we take time to consider our response.
Hope can be a dangerous thing. Especially if it's rooted in Christ. But we often lose our hope, or so it seems. We get distracted, we get confused - we get lost. And that's when hope seems to be the hardest to reconnect to. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks a vital component of the Christian walk and why we need to be rooted in Him...
We all have choices to make in life. We can chose to follow Christ or not. We can chose to live for Christ or not. That's the beauty of the relationship with Him - it's a choice. But we have responsibilities for the choices we make, so what determines them is what really matters. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks this tough yet vital fruit of the Spirit...
The cross was meant to be a symbol of death...the most brutal of all kinds of execution. Yet God took what man intended for death and made it the ultimate symbol of love. The question then becomes, is the cross enough for you? Join as Pastor Mike unpacks this important and powerful message...
We know that people are searching for spiritual answers but they're looking in all the wrong places. The triumphal entry on Palm Sunday holds key answers to all those searching for hope, searching for the answers...Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks a familiar event in the life of the Christian church.
What does peace look like anymore? It seems we have bought into the world's idea of what peace is or should be, and lost complete sight of God's original intent of this amazing gift. Where do we find strength to battle anxiety and fear? How do we stand against the odds when they seem so unsurmountable? It is the fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5 where we find the answers...
Where does my joy come from? What is the difference between joy and happiness? How are we supposed to live a life of joy in the midst of a messed up, dark, angry and violent world? Join Pastor Karl as he unpacks some truths from Scripture to help us understand how live a joy-filled life in our day...
Love. It has become a word that gets thrown around haphazardly in our culture. "I love ice cream...I love my job...I love my car..." But what was God's original design? What does love, from God and for us look like? Join Austin Pettit as he unpacks some great insight from God's Word about how to love and live like those who follow Christ...
Sharing our faith makes many of us want to RUN! We have lots of reasong why this scares us, but the bottom line is this is why we are still here! But - it doesn't have to be scary, overwhelming, tasking, or whatever word we throw at it. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks the final part of ACT in the BELIEVE series to discover how you can actually share your faith without fear...
Anytime a giving sermon comes up people get all freaked out. "There they go again, the church wanting my money..." But giving isn't just about giving money...what if we looked at giving as an act of Grace? What would that look like? How would that impact the heart of the gift? Join one of our teaching elders, Austin Pettit, as he unpacks a well known concept from a different angle...
Is YOUR time really YOUR time? If we are God's chosen people, then our time is really NOT ours. We certainly have this backwards in our culture today, and it shows in our problems, struggles, challenges and more. So what is it that God wants? How are we supposed to live our lives if we don't control our time? Join us for this incredible conversation...
Each is a member of the body, but made up of different parts. Without all the parts doing its work, we are ineffective and not living in the way God designed for us to live. So what's your part going to be in God's design? Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks an often confusing subject for the church...
Our world is in need. People are addicted, broken, lost, and just plain stuck. If Jesus is the hope of the world, then the world needs Jesus. And we are called to be His hands and His feet.
Surrender. Not a word most of us really like. And yet it's exactly what God wants from His people - a life totally sold out, surrendered, to Him. The Psalmist warns against a divided heart, one that has dual or multiple attractions. So how do we live a life totally surrendered, totally sold out to Jesus? Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks this hard but satisfying truth...
Let's face it. We live in a time of major distractions. Everywhere we turn there seems to be something else vying for our attention. And if we're not careful, we can give that attention to the wrong things that drastically impact our relationship with God. So how do we keep focused on Him? What do we do to get our minds in the right way? Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks how to live single-minded...
Studying the Bible is something we 'make time' for. It's something we squeeze in when we remember...just being honest! What if we intentionally made time to be IN the Word, STUDY the Word and let it impact our lives in every way? Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks this important practice for all believers.
We all talk with people daily. But how often do we take the time during each day to truly talk with God? He desires that we talk with Him, that we bring Him our burdens, fears and concerns. We simply need to take the time to be still, listen and speak with Him regularly. Join Pastor Mike as he takes us through some key reminders about prayer, the why and the how of prayer...
We all worship something. Sports, jobs, family, money - but where does God fit into our lives? How often do we worship Him? Just Sundays? Throughout the week? In living a life OF WORSHIP, it requires us to ACT on something. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks this important part of our walk with Christ as we continue in the Believe Series...
We all get busy. But is the 'stuff' we're busy doing the right stuff? Have we been so busy, like the Innkeeper and others in Bethlehem, that we missed what God was doing right in front of us? God did not call us to a life of busy. His is a life of rest, dircection and purpose. We have to make time in our busy schedules to hear and follow what that is. During this Christmas season, make room for God in your schedule...
We live between 'the already' and 'the not yet'. We have salcvation but we are not there yet. So here's the problem: the longer we wait the easier it is to lose hope. Our hope is to be IN Jesus, not in things or people of this world. What do you need to do to realign your focus today?
"If you feel you need more than Jesus, then you will never be satisfied. But if Jesus is all you need, He will become all you want." Let that sink in for a minute...HE will become all you WANT. Funny how our world doesn't look at it that way. We have to do for ourselves...get for ourselves...fend for our selves...where does GOD get a say in any of that? Jesus IS all we need, but that means we must trust Him with all that we have and all that we desire...
If the birth of Jesus happened in our time the tabloids would be blasting headlines that read "Scandalous", "Outrage" and the like. But that didn't mean it wasn't still the response of the time. Joseph had every right to leave her, and perhaps even throw the first stone. But something - someone stepped in and helped them to see what was really going on around them...
Eternity - that's a long time. We were created to spend eternity with God, but it's our choice. And there is an idea that hell is going to be 'not so bad' so it's no big deal - but that's not the picture clearly given from Scripture. How much thought have you given to where you will spend eternity? And who would you want to be there with you? We really should be more about populating heaven in this life than anything else...
Any time we teach on stewardship the natural assumption is that it's about money. The sad part about this assumption is that it's only a small part of the responsibility of being a good steward. God has given us so much to care for, to steward, and if we just focus on the money side, we miss out on all that God has for us. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks a versatile understanding of stewardship...
Compassion. Grace. Mercy. Traits we should all, as Christ followers, be displaying in all areas of our lives. But it's hard in this culture to do so without someone second guessing the why behind it. God has given us the model for grace, mercy and compassion in His Word. All we have to do is follow it and take that to our community. Join Pastor Mike as he issues a great challenge for us all to BE that church...
How does God see us? This is a question that many people have both inside the church family and out. And it's a valid question. But we get all messed up when we try to answer this with human explanation and don't look at His Word to give us a clear answer. It's not as complicated as many make it out to be, really. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks this great question using the Bible as the guide...
The Church. In today's culture, not always associated with good things. In fact, most churches are known for what they're against and not what they're for. God's design for church was a simple one - spread the Gospel message everywhere. So what does that really mean? What does that look like? Let's take a look at how it all started and build on that...
What's in a name? To some, it's everything. To others it's just a name. But as children of the Living God, name means everything. It associates you with someone. It connects you to someone. So you have to begin with the big question first - who am I? Ormaybe complete this sentence - I am ________________________. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks a very important and valuable lesson on our identity in Christ.
One of the most contested parts of the church - the Bible. How do we know it's real, accurate, legit? Is it still relevant today? All real questions that millions of people have, had have and will have. So what about it? Join us as Pastor Mike unpacks some historical facts and information to help us understand that this IS the Word of God...
It is by grace you have been saved, through faith...it's not because of anything WE did for ourselves. That's a message that has gotten lost in today's culture. We cannot save ourselves in the realm of eternity. We are truly desperate for God to reach out to us and save us...
What do you believe about God? Is He personal, within reach? Can He hear us and help us? The answer is a resounding yes, but what should that look like? Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks some great truths about our personal relationship with God and how that can and should impact our daily lives...
What do we believe about God? Is He the one true God? Looking at scripture, both old and new testament, we'll explore this question and help you understand what we, First Baptist, believe about God. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks some pretty heavy, but important, truths about God...
We are honored to have our missionaries to the Congo, the Lowery's, here with us today. Lisen in to what God is doing through thier ministry and the impact it is having in that region. Amazing work of God going on in a very dark, broken and desperate place.
Faith, hope, love. With these three ingredients, any church can turn its community upside down. So what's your part suppposed to be? What can you do to help make this happen in your church? Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks some important truths about LOVE and the impact it can, and should, have in our community...
Just like we all need to have an assessment of our health, so to the church from time to time needs to look at itself and assess - are we healthy in the right things and ways? In the message, Pastor Mike will unpack what the Bible says about what the church should look like, from a healthy, God-centered point of view. And it all applies to our daily lives if we'll put it into practice.
life isn't fair. We've heard that all our lives. And if you look at God through that lens, you could easliy summize that God doesn't seem fair. You'd be right - because He is God. He's just, but not 'fair' as we understand it. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks this challenging yet important piece about our walk with God...
When our friends are in trouble, sometimes the worst thing we can do is give too much advice. Like Job's friends that gave advice, even though they meant it for good, they didn't consider what God might say. The best way to respond is to seek God first and then wait on Him for the rest...
How do we explain the trouble we find in this world? All around us it seems that this world is broken, far beyond repair. So how did it get so far so fast? What can be done about it today? Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks the story of Job from the Old Testament. This will help guide our response to the chaos, destruction, despair that is all around us...
The story of the Samaritan woman and Jesus in John 4 is a great picture and example for the church today on how, when, where and why we should be mixing grace with truth in order to get messy. That's an odd combination - grace and messy - but it's exactly what Jesus did when he encountered this woman. What does it look like for us today? Join Pastor Karl as he unpacks this powerful passage...
The Bible never promises that we'll live a safe life. It does, however, promise that we'll never have to go through life alone especially when things are hard and challenging. So then what does safe look like for the Christian today? What needs to change in us to live a life that is in line with the life that God has pre-ordered for us? Join one of our elders, Austin Pettit, as he unpacks this final 4 letter word today...
"For the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost." Rom 6:23 So what does that mean? Is everyone lost at some point? If we are honest with ourselves, we've all been there. Even growing up in a Christian home people are still lost, or at least searching for something, for some answers. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks some familiar words from Scripture but gives us a new perspective...
Obey. Not a word we all fall in love with, but a necessary word if you're going to have a relationship with God. And it's not about 'just rules' in obeying God. It's a heart issue first, then a believe issue and THEN it becomes obedience. So how do we get there? Join Pastor Mike for the conversation and see what God's Word has to say about this important four letter word...
What comes to mind when you hear the word holy? It usually conjures up some strict way of living, an almost impossible way. But the Bible is very clear on what it means to be holy, and give svery clear instructions on just how to live that way. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks a very real - and very doable - way of living for God.
We use this word a lot in our culture. But it's usually to tell someone where to go, right? But we don't talk about the PLACE hell and the eternal impact it will have on people who live and then die without Christ. Hell is a REAL place. Hell is a REAL eternal destination. But we have an option - a much better option. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks the Bible's instruction on hell and what we're to do about what we know...
Fear. Usually associated with what we are afraid of, what really scares us. But there is another fear that is often not spoken of, including in churches. That is a reverent fear, a holy fear of God. What does that look like? How should we live, in fear if you will, of a Holy God? Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks some great truths from God's Word about the holy fear that should be lived and talked about...
The great line from the book of Malachi, "return to me, and I will retrun to you." A reminder of how far the people - and us - have gotten from God and the way He designed and desires us to live. So how do we return? What needs to be renewed in order to get back into a right relationship with God? It has to do with not only our money, but our priorities...join Pastor Mike as he unpacks the final chapter in our study of Balanced!
We all have at least one expense that we regret. It's the one that got us into trouble and we had to figure out how to get out of it. What's worse is that it robbed us of our joy, and we missed an opportunity to partner with God and His work in our world. When we allow expenses to rule our hearts and homes, we invite danger and chaos in. That's not the plan God has for us with regard to our finances. Join the conversation today as Pastor Karl unpacks a letter to Timothy about this very subject - and the surprising response to finding that joy we lost...
When you look at your money, would you say that you have extra? Today Pastor Mike will unpack this topic of 'extra' and what the Bible instructs us on about it. We may not think that we have any extra money in our situation, but you'd be surprised to find out just where it really is...
Funny how money can be a blessing or a curse. But we lose sight of the fact that it's not the money, but what we do with it - spend, save, get in debt, lose, etc. Why does God care what we do with money? As we heard last week from Scripture - it's because its all His to begin with and He knew we'd have a lot of problems with it if He didn't give us some guidance. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks this vital step to living a balanced life...
When it comes to money, what is your overall objective? Is it to provide for your family? To make all you can? Is it to save? Is it to spend all you can? The funny thing is - it's all about God when you break it all down. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks some truths from Scripture that will help redirect and refocus our thinking about God and money...
Being out of balance looks different for different people. It is impossible to be out of balance wiht your finances and not be out of balance in your walk with God. The Scriptures are full of money talk. It was one of the most talked about topics in Jesus' ministry. When a church teaches on money, it is almost NEVER about the money, but more about the heart and what you are focused on....
Everyone will someday stand before God. No exceptions, no exemptions. What the outcome and final destination will be is up to us in this present time. We get to CHOOSE where we will spend eternity. The Good News is that, if we accept Him, there will be no more death, no more disappointment, no more sorrow, no more pain...but we must choose now. If we wait until the end...
Paul's final days were less than stellar. Imprisoned, shipwrecked, beaten - a rock star list of accomplishments, right? But watch as Paul deals with and handles all that this world threw at him. In all things he considered it 'gain' for the cause of Christ. How do we handle the pressure, the struggles, the 'persecution' that comes at us? With joy? With an eye toward Christ? Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks a lot of scripture that covers Pauls final days and his response to all that comes at him...
Talk about a transformation! From persecutor to promoter of the church...Paul's journey didn't start and end with his conversion. That truly was just the beginning - but the rest of the story is amazing. God moving - God directing - God providing - God BEING God in an amazing way. And what a comfort to know that, if God could use Saul/Paul to share the Word, what could He do with us?
It's interesting - when people don't know what to do in life, especially in a major situation, they go to church. What is it about the church that still feels somewhat 'safe'? What is the attraction? If we did church the way it was started out like, the church today would look a whole lot different and have an even greater impact. So what was the plan that was laid out? Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks what the Bible speaks to about this...
The most debated event in human history - the resurrection. Did it happen? Did Jesus really die, or was it a hoax? How do we know it's not all made up, not all fabricated? These questions, and many others like them, still come up in conversation. And they're good questions if you don't know. Join us as Pastor Mike unpacks The Word and shares from history how this is actually supported...an interesting and compellling conversation....
Jesus' earthly ministry is just about at an end. His last days are full of pain, suffering, denial and betrayal. So how does he respond? In an unselfish, amazing act of love - going to the cross and taking our place. Us - the same ones who deny Him, persecute Him, betray Him. No greater love has ever been shown...
The people in Jerusalem were looking for a different kind of king, a different kind of Messiah. When Jesus arrived people were looking for the king to lead - a king with an army, with weapons, with power. But there was a different message, a different method that Jesus would teach and lead in. Join the conversation as Pastor Mike puts out a challenge for us to be drawn to THE MESSIAH, not something else...
Ordinary. Not a word that most would use to describe Jesus. If anything, the word would be extraordinary. What he did while he walked this earth - the miracles, the teachings, the lessons - was nothing short of miraculous. And yet peopel still struggle to follow, to believe, to understand. Join Pastor Mike as he begins to unpack the early ministry of Jesus and how His story could (and should) be our story as well...
The beginning of Jesus' ministry was filled with great moments. Healing, calling, leading - all of God's goodness and glory on display. But some still questioned, some still doubted. What about us today that don't have the full impact of the miracles? Do we still doubt? Do we still struggle? Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks some vital steps in our walk with Christ...
As we continue The Story, we turn to the New Testament with the introduction of Jesus, the Messiah. Who knew we'd be celebrating Christmas in February!? What a great way to remember that we should be remembering this special time more often than just in December...
God gives us tasks to do for His glory, for His Kingdom work. And our challenge - our calling - is to DO them. Nehemiah gives us a blueprint for how to connect with God's will and to actually carry out that call. Join Pastor Karl as he unpacks the final story in the Old Testament of The Story, the challenge to not only rebuild a wall, but a way of life for those who call on the name of Gode...
Esther is known as the one book of the Bible that does not mention the name of God. And yet the presence of God and the plan of His Story are very eveident throughout. That in and of itself is a great reminder that God is always with us, never lets us go, and has an incredible plan for our lives. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks a story of courage, faith and God delivering in difficult times...
Who do you put your trust in? Do you trust in things that are not even alive? Do you worship any 'gods' that do not exist? This time in The Story we find a messed up people who, frankly, are too ignorant to see all that God has done for them and was continuing to do. So, like any parent, there were consequences...and the kingdom falls.
Things in life come to an end. That's not a surprise to anyone, but how the end comes sometimes is a bit of a surprise. Sometimes we see warning signs. Sometimes there are people around us trying to get our attention. And yes, there are times when it just happens. But that's not how God is working in this situation. As we continue through The Story, we find God has just about had enough of the people flat out ignoring his warnings. So, He does what any parent would do. There are consequences...
Do you like warning labels? They're put in place to warn us of possible dangers, negative consequences if we don't follow the 'operator's instructions' on use. But sometimes we simply ignore them, because we 'know better' than the one who created it. We have a story in The Story that lives out what happens when we flat out ignore the Creators instructions on how to live...not fun. Join us as we continue The Story.
As we pick up the Story where we left off before Christams, we find a kingdom divided. Almost like a country we live in that is divided, almost at odds with the 'other side', we see a similar story being carried out in Scripture. But what should our take away be in times of division? The obvious choice is to first turn to and trust God, to discover that a solid faith in the truth creates unity...
A baby in a manger. What does that mean to us? What could that mean to someone who is struggling in life? After all, it's just a baby... We lose sight at this time of year on what Jesus actually did for us. From the simple life of the manger stall to the brutallity of the cross, Jesus offers so much more than just a nice story. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks and reminds us what Jesus offers to a dark and hurting world today...
The name Jesus. What does it conjur up in your mind? Who would you say He is? Our culture isn't real big on His name, and perhaps it's because they don't really know what His name means, what He means to them. Listen as Pastor Mike unpacks this simple question, Who is Jesus?, and helps us to get a grasp on explaining it to others.
If God had a workshop in heaven why would He handcraft a world that would need His one and only Son to die on our behalf? Join us as we begin a new series, Christmas From Heaven's Perspective, and unwrap the Christmas story from a different view.
Even with all his wisdom, King Solomon struggled to find the true meaning of life. He thought it was in the many women he married. But that wasn't the plan for marriage that God put in place, and Solomon ignored God's warning to avoid certain women. And still he ignored God's directions. We can learn from his mistakes, especially in the area of how we live out our lives in relationship to our spouse, or soon to be spouse...
The only person in the Bible that is mentioned as a man after God's own heart is King David. You might know him as an adulterer or as a murderer. But God sees him as redeemed after he confesses his sin and repents. It wasn't without consequences. Sin always has them. How you deal with them is what sets you apart from the rest of the world. Let's join The Story with Pastor Mike and see how this unfolds..
Position. It really doesn't matter to God, not in the way the world sees it. Position, power, prestige. God turns the worlds ideas on it's head. From a lowly shepherd to a man after God's own heart, as a king. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks this familiar story of the life of shepherd David on his way to becoming a great king...
Sometimes in our lives the temptation for us is to choose power for ourselves and not the purpose of God is overwhelming. We 'can't help ourselves' by not allowing God to truly be in control. As we continue our journey through The Story, we find King Saul encountered such a time and didn't fair well. Let's learn from his lesson how NOT to do it as we unpack these chapters...
Suffering. We all go through it. But does our suffering lead us TO God or away from God? If suffering leads you TO God is that a bad thing? The story in this part of the Bible is about the redemption of the family and of a woman named Naomi. What if the blessings in life come as sufferings, as challenges - as something we didn't expect? Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks an amazing lesson from The Story...
Let's face it. It takes great courage to live the life God has called us to. And God wants you to be prepared for the obstacles that are ahead for you. In this next installment of The Story, great courage and strength is needed as God directs His people to some impossible opportunities. Impossible, that is, to man...but with God - WOW! Join us for The Battle Begins...
Have you ever tried to whine and worship at the same time? Not a very successful endeavor to say the least. Whining is all about us - not about a loving, gracious, forgiving God. When we take our focus off of who God is, what He's done, and what He deisre to do, we can easily get stuck in the 'Why me?' mode. Case in point - the whiners Moses was dealing with in the wilderness. Join Pastor Mike as he continues The Story, part 6
One of the most well known stories in the Bible, the Ten Commandments, has more to it than meets the eye. Join Pastor Mike as he digs a little deeper into what a new command and a new covenant mean to us today...
We can draw so much from the life and story of Moses. All that he went through, endured and how he was used by God should be a reminder to us that God will never leave us or forsake us. He will use us to do His work, to share His message, and He will equip us to do that which we're called to do...no matter what. Will we go? Will we, like Moses, finally allow God to use us for His glory, His purpose?
Life doesn't seem fair sometimes. What should set Christians apart from the rest of the world is how we react in those times. Joseph is an amazing example of someone who had integrity, humility and an insane amount of faith in God. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks a familiar story and helps us apply Joseph's lessons learned to our lives today...
The Story is about the big picture of what God is doing in the world. As His story unfolds, we begin to see the key players who will be used by God to begin the process of building a nation. People like Abraham and Sarah for starters...
The Story begins at, well, the beginning. God created - and from that our story begins with an amazing God who loves His creation in a way human beings will never fully comprehend or understand...
As we begin an exciting 31 week journey through the entire Bible, it's important to lay a foundation for where we're going and what we hope to accomplish. Understanding that the Bible is not made up of stories about many different people, but one story about God. It is told in 2 levels - an upper story and a lower story...it's God's story and it's our story. Join us for an amazing adventure!
You've probably been asked the question, "What does the Bible say about ______________? It could be about money, sex, relationships, integrity - you name it and someone has probably posed that question. Today Pastor Mike will tackle this issue head on in the context of what we, the church, should do when people say no to God. The response may surprise many of the critics out there. In short, we need to respond the way Christ would respond...
Just like a cornerstone of a building sets the mark for a solid, secure structure, so it is with Christ as our cornerstone. He is our base, our foundation for how we live daily. If we're anchored to Him, life has purpose, meaning, clarity. Without Him, we lack a clear direction, we have a 'shaky' foundation and we struggle. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks a great truth and applies that to our lives and the church...
What is it to be afraid? It causes a myriad of emotions, ranging from slight to extreme responses. As Christ followers, we're taught to look at things a lot different than the world does, and that includes fear. Join the conversation as Pastor Mike unpacks the simple truth about fear and the proper perspective Christ followers should have...
The late Andre Crouch wrote, "Jesus is the answer for the world today, above Him there's no other, Jesus is the way." ANY problem...ANY fear...ANY concern - HE is the answer. No matter what this world will try to do, no matter what this world will say about Him OR about us, HE is always the answer. So how do we live that out in our world today? Take a listen...
Culture has done a good job distracting men from being Godly men. So many opinions out there on what a man looks like, acts like and what he should be. What about the Bible? Doesn't it give us some clear instruction? Obviously that's a yes! Men, it's time for us to step up and be the man that God calls us to be. It's time to throw off the stereotype of Hollywood, the media, movements, etc. that say what you should/shouldn't be. Join the conversation as Pastor Karl unpacks some very specific roles in the book of Ephesians...
The secret to a great marriage, one that lasts? God. If our relationship with Jesus is where it should be, then our relationship with our spouse will take on a whole new meaning. The marriage that God designed and intended takes three to be complete. Join Pastor Mike is he wraps up our series on Designed for Relationship...
We live in a disposable society. If you don't like something, trade in for the newer, more sleek model. It's that simple. And in the case of marriage, we've done just about the same thing. You don't like the spouse you've got? File for divorce and in as little as 3 weeks you can be free of the old and pursue someone new...sad. But that's reality. What does the Bible really say about this issue of divorce? What did God mean when He gave Israel a certificate of divorce? Join an intense conversation with Pastor Mike as he unpacks the truth about this touchy subject...
We don't fully understand what adultery is, from the Biblical context. Join the conversation with Pastor Mike as he unpacks what Jesus taught about adultery, what it does and who it hurts...
Where did marriage come from? Did man invent it? Did the church impose it? What is marriage for? Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks some key Biblical principles that will help focus us on what God intended for marriage to be, and what the basis for the vows really is...
How you understand the marriage relationship will give rise to the expectations you have for marriage, yours and others. Some things you can somewhat control...others - well let's just say there can only be One in control of some things...
When two people come together in marriage, it is the idea of two lives coming together to be one. But what happens when the world gets in the way with issues, problems, challenges, crisis, etc.? We've made it to easy to just walk away when relationships get hard. But that's what makes the bond stronger...trial, honesty in struggle, relying on someone other than ourselves...But too often divorce ends up being the 'solution'. So what does the Bible say about this? How are we to deal with it today?
Trust. Not an easy topic for some people. They've been hurt, lied to, abandoned - they've been misled. In relationships, trust is key to health. How do you get that back after you've been hurt so bad? Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks this important lesson from God's Word...
What do you do when you get hurt? Retaliate? Hide? Get even? What about forgiving? As a believer and follower of Jesus Christ, YOU ARE FORGIVEN! But, until we believe that God is really for us, and not against us, we will keep running, we will keep holding onto old hurts. So how do we forgive and love like Christ? We turn to His Word for those answers as Pastor Mike unpacks some great wisdom...
Easter Sunday. The day we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus! His death, burial and resurrection were all though out ahead of time. But why? What was God's grand plan in sending Jesus to the cross? What impact does it have on our lives today? How can my life be impacted by one moment of time in history? Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks a well known story, but with some important notes that often get missed...
The last week in the earthly life of Jesus. It all started out so grand, so exciting. The question is, though, what does it mean to follow Jesus? If He is to be King of our life, what is required of us? We have a choice - to say yes to Him, or to say yes to the world. His invitation to follow is costly - just like His commitment to us was costly to God...
Stewardship and tithing are acts of Worship. So the question for many is if I make a commitment to support my church, will I be able to meet me needs? Fair question...and one that the Bible answers clearly. Listen in to understand the premise and the promise found in God's word in regards to being generous with ALL that God has given us.
One day, God will ask us to give an account of how we used what He gave us here on earth. One of those things is actually money. How did we use it to glorify Him? Did we use it to serve self or others? Were we generous? Did our gifts of money, time and service offer hope to a broken and hurting world? The CHURCH IS the hope of the world. How we function as that body will make all the difference...
Excel in the grace of giving. We have a Savior who modeled this for us in the most sacrificial and selfless way. But what does God expect of us today? Isn't 'giving' just another way for the church to 'get money' out of the people? Or is it something more? Join the conversation as Pastor Mike unpacks an important part of our relationship with God that often gets people talking...
God made man in His own image and gave man a different job description. Each of us created with specific tasks, specific 'jobs' to do that God designed for us way before we came into being. Man's basic problem today is that we forget what we were created for. God has so much to give each of us. The question is will we accept it and, if we do, what will we do with it?
The world is a stormy place. Life is a perfect example of ups and downs, highs and lows. In a word, life can be stormy. But there is a hope that this world cannot offer. There is someone who understands every emotion tied to every storm of life. The questions is, will we ask Him for the help? Will we allow Him to guide us through the storm?
Membership. It has it's privileges. When you look at this in the context of the church that Christ built, it really has some life-changing, eternal impacting benefits. It's more than just belonging or being expected to fulfill certain requirements. It's all about relationship - with Christ, the body and how it all works together.
To live as Christ in this culture seems to be more difficult and challenging than in years past. But is it really? From the beginning, we have been faced with challenges as Christians in a lost and broken world. And the issues that come up have always been around. To live the Christian life is and should be challenging and even dangerous to a certain extent. Join the conversation as we look at living dangerously.
Guilt. A word we don't like in our vocabulary, but one that is necessary at times. Where does guilt come from? Who created guilt? Why do so many people feel guilty? All great questions that need to be answered if we're going to be living under the Tree of Life. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks these and other very pertinent questions regarding guilt...
Choice. Probably the most important attribute of the human race. All of our life experiences will challenge the values that we place on life. As Pastor Mike unpacks this message today, we will learn what value is placed on life from God's perspective and what He expects us to do with that view...
To have great ministry we need to have great relationships. It all starts with a proper perspective, a proper relationship with Christ. Out of the overflow of that relationship comes some amazing ministry, opportunity, and impact on the world around us.
Fully devoted follower. We use that phrase in our mission statement, but what does that look like in real time? Somewhere along the way we have to decide how committed, how devoted to being a follower of Jesus we are going to be. Join the conversation as Pastor Mike unpacks this important part of our walk with Christ...
The overarching theme of the Bible is this - will you live in relationship with God or will you live life on you own terms and apart from Him? We have to make a choice at some point. And the outcome of that choice will produce some kind of fruit in our lives - whether it's fruit that is productive and helpful or fruit that is self-serving. A life giving church teaches people to receive the life of God through faith in Jesus.
Gratitude. At times we don't always remember how blessed we are. Let's face it - life can be hard at times and being grateful doesn't rank high on our list. How quickly we forget all that God has done, is doing and will do for us. We get busy, we get distracted, and we get off track. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks a familiar story from the Christmas story - the wise men who brought gifts...
Have you ever noticed in your life how God uses unlikely circumstances and people to accomplish something He wanted to do? And, if we're honest with ourselves, sometimes these things bring out a little fear in us. We don't know what to expect...we can't see the intended outcome...we don't know how we're supposed to be react...and it causes us to have a little fear. Let's look at how to handle those situations, those moments when we don't know how it's all going to end. We'll take a page from the life of the shepherds in the Christmas story...
We all have doubts. It's part of how we are built, who we are. Even some of the greatest folks in the Bible faced doubt and still God used them to do amazing things. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks the issue of doubt as we look at the lives of Zachariah and Elizabeth...
Stress is part of who we are and part of our lives. Mention the word Christmas and watch the 'stress-meter' rise in many people. Christmastime brings stress in new levels and in many ways. How we deal with it is what separates us from the world. Join Pastor Karl as he unpacks the story of Mary and her encounter with the angel Gabriel, and see how she handled the ultimate stress situation.
Prayer is a funny thing. When we pray, we get answered. Maybe not in the way WE hoped it would be - but we get answered nonetheless. What is it about God and His commitment to us that makes prayer so vital, so valuable in our relationship? Join us today as we wrap up the series Jonah and the Seven C's...
Something happens whey you accept and believe God and walk with Him. Lives are changed!!
We all do it at some point. We look up at the sky and cry out to God in some form or fashion. "What are you doing, God? Where are you, God? Why now, God?" And there are many other examples. But what is about calling out to God that strengthens the relationship between Him and us? Does God really want us to do this? Join the conversation as Pastor Mike unpacks this powerful truth...
We learn the word NO at an early age. It's part of who we are and a part of us that is often hard to control. But when it comes to God, saying no to Him is not a good idea. We begin a new series on the life of Jonah and all that entails. Jump in for an exciting conversation...
What does being one look like, what does it actually mean? And how can we achieve it in our world today? We'll look at what the Bible has to say about being one with Christ AND one with each other in the body of Christ. The impact that a church, united and focused, can make is huge. But it means we have to come together and work toward some common goals...join the conversation with Pastor Mike.
Jesus has a plan for His followers. The question is do we understand that and are we pursuing His plan for our lives? Tough question with some great answers from the Word. Join the conversation as Pastor Mike unpacks how to connect to the source of life and be the people He created us to be...
We have a dream of what our church can be in the hands of God. To carry that out requires that those who call this church home will need to find their place of service within the body. But how do we find it? What are those gifts, abilities, services that are needed? And how do I get connected? Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks what it means to find your place and serve...and then get connected!
Community groups. Small groups. People groups. We have all kinds of names for the groups of people we gather with for fellowship, study, and doing life together. In fact, if we look at God, He is a natural at doing community. We, however, are not. Join the conversation today as Pastor Mike unpacks doing life together, the practice of community.
Where does the power in your life come from? What energizes you, what keeps you pumped up? Join us as we wrap up this series by seeing why it's important to stay connected to Christ and all His teachings and tap into His power...
Our past will always be with us. However, it should never be something that controls or consumes us. When it does, we miss out on all that God has for our lives. So what do we do with it, how do we learn how to let go of our past and move forward with God's plan?
We don't talk about blessing like today like they did in the Bible. We've somehow lost the meaning, the sense of what they are for. Today we'll look at restoring the idea to bless our families and others. We'll use the Bible as our guide...
Anger. It's in all of us and all around us. Even as Christians we struggle with how to deal with, how to handle, how to control our anger. But we often forget to look into scripture - REALLY LOOK into scripture to see what Jesus said about this and how to properly handle it.
God had a dream for us from day one. Was it to be sinless and live perfect lives? That was reserved for one person, Jesus. So what was our purpose in His dream? Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks what God and His dream was and still is today...
When Jesus came onto the scene, people were expecting a king that would rule in an earthly way, not so much in the way He did. They were dreaming of a new 'era' in history. But it was not what God had planned. And their dream of a new day, a new kingdom failed. What do we do when our dreams fail? What hope do we have in those moments?
Prayer and relationships. What do they have in common? We'll look today at how relationship affects our prayer life. The WHO we pray to and WHAT we expect from prayer are key components to an effective prayer life...
What is it we're here to do? Why would God care about my life and the things I do with it? How can I get great at something that will point people to Jesus? Great questions that we find answers for in an unusual place. 1 Kings 7:13-22 is the story of Huram the bronze worker. Short, but powerful illustration of what God does and why He cares about the details in our lives...
So why are we here? What is our purpose? How will we get where we want to go? In this message, Pastor Mike will unpack the vision and mission for FBC Pocatello and for us as individuals on a journey. Find out what you can do to make an impact in the community simply by having the right relationship and structure in your life...
War. It's all around us - but sometimes we don't see it for what it really is. We're in a battle for the lives of lost men and women. What we need to do is take the armor, the tools, the resources and get after the battle with Christ. Join Pastor Mike as he wraps up this series in Ephesians and helps us understand that we CAN win the battle and have already won the war!
Roles. We all have them. But what are they supposed to look like? How are they all 'played out' in the family? Is what we see on TV and in the movies really how families are supposed to function? Join the conversation as Pastor Mike unpacks Ephesians 5:21 - 6:9 to see what God's design for family really is...
Before Christ, we were just like the world. Lost, sinful, greedy, selfish, unforgiving...but as a new creation we're called to walk in His Spirit, in His strength and His power. What does that look like? Join the conversation today...
So, what does a Christian really look like? How should we respond to life as a Christian? Join the conversation as Pastor Mike unpacks the rest of Ephesians 4 and helps us to see what living like a Christian should look like...
The church, the body of Christ. What are we here for? Why is our role so important in our culture? What should your role be in the life of the church?
Names. They describe people. places, things, teams - you 'name' it and everything has a name. It represents or reflects what it is so people know in an instant what or who they are dealing with, meeting with, working with, playing with. So comes the name Christian - a new creation in Christ. How does our life reflect our new name? Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks the rest of Ephesians 3 today...
The church. God's design for taking the Gospel to the world. Not just through mission...not just through evangelism...but through our day to day lives first. And in unison with a body of believers, the church, we have the opportunity and responsibility to make a major impact. Are you willing to BE the mystery to a lost and broken world? Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks Ephesians 3 today...
We all at one time have lived utterly apart from Christ, separated from Him because of our sin. But Christ, in His great love for us, drew us to His side, near to Him and has called us his very own. What does that mean for the body of Christ? How should we function, carry on in our day to day lives? Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks truth in this installment of Ephesians...
Grace. None of us really deserve the grace that God offers. And yet He does because of a love that is immeasurable by man. But is that all there is to the gift? Do we just accept it and live our lives a certain way? Or is there more? We'll discover that out of our acceptance of grace we live by faith, which should lead us to a fruitful life...
Who do you trust? In what do you put your trust? Leaders have failed us...family has failed us...friends have failed us. But God NEVER fails. We can trust Him because of who He is and what His Word says. When storms hit us hard, where do we put our trust, our faith? Today we'll look at the last verses of Ephesians 1:15-23 to discover an amazing reality - God is in control and has an incredible plan for us...
What would you do with a large inheritance? All of our problems, all of our debts could be wiped away, so we think. But what of the inheritance that we already have in God? Join Pastor Mike as he continues to teach through Ephesians...
What is it you want out of life? What do you hope to achieve, accomplish? When it's all been said and done, what will people say of you? We go through life every day missing out on all that God has for us, simply because we don't accept what He has for us. Join Pastor Mike today as he begins a look at the book of Ephesians, realizing all that God has for us is right at our fingertips...
A man had two sons...the question today will be which one are you? As we gather to celebrate Christ on this day, Resurrection Sunday, we'll look at this story from a little different perspective. If God loved so much that He sent His only Son to die for our sins, we ask the question, what would you do for your child?
When Jesus entered Jerusalem it was a party atmosphere. People came from all over to see this new 'king'. But it was something more than - actually much BETTER - than what they thought.
We are all part of the grand human experiment. What part will you play? What part has God called you to play? Join Pastor Mike today as we discover this calling and following together...
Think about the way your life has gone. What have you settled for? What ruts have you fallen into or carved out for yourself and the groove keeps you from changing direction or even attempting a course correction? God wants our hearts...but too often 'life' gets in the way. Join the conversation today as Pastor Mike reminds us that Jesus IS the way we should be following...
What do you do when no one is watching? Are your decisions, your choices different than when you're 'in public'? We desire to be a group of fully devoted followers. We want to help other people become fully devoted followers of Jesus. And if you are following Jesus, you will have the dust of Jesus on you...
The people God is calling us to will be found in our OIKOS. God will utilize our OIKOS or 'extended family' as His initial target for evangelism. He primarily perpetuates His Kingdom through those close relational connections that we all have with eight to fifteen different people...
What do we at First Baptist want people to become? Fully devoted followers of Christ. That's our mission, our goal. That means we will have to be in relationship to others and be willing to work with them, to take them on a journey. What does that look like? Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks this for us today...
Would you play a game you simply could not lose? God wanted you to know that when you run a play for Him in the game of life and death, you cannot lose. Listen in to understand what it means to let your light shine and what that looks like in this game called life...
OIKOS - your relational world of 8-15 people that God calls into your life. What is that call? How do you care for them, love them, partner with them? Today we begin a look into OIKOS, the way we do church...
Why should we pray for other people? For starters, because God's Word calls us to do so. Beyond that, there are several things that happen only through prayer. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks this vital message on praying for other people in our lives...
Praying together. Not often talked about in our circles outside of church, small group or the like. But it is encouraged in scripture. Matthew 18:19 "...if tow of you on earthy agree about anything you ask fro, it will be done for you..." So how do you pray with outside of the 'normal' circles? Where do you go when you need strength, support?
Guilt. It can destroy you. It can destroy just about anything. But what if you could receive forgiveness for your actions? What if you could receive and accept grace, what would that be like? With the help of God you can experience grace in its ultimate form...
Pastor Dick Sipe, transitional/interim pastor in Blackfoot, shares his vision for growing that church into a place where Jesus Christ makes an impact in the community. He comes today with a specific call for some people to serve a short-term mission with him as they launch. Hear the passion, excitement and faith in his voice as he shares what he believes God is calling them to do...
How big is God in your life? What is it that you know He is calling you to do, but you haven't stepped up and done yet? With all that tugs at us from society, culture, family - when do you say yes to the work that God has already planned for you to do? Discover how to get started on that today in this message...
There are plenty of things in our day to day lives that can easily get us distracted and get our focus OFF of prayer and onto worry. And let's face it - it really is easier to worry than pray. In a play on words, Pastor Mike encourages us today with this question, "Why pray when you can worry?"
Prayer. Who is it for? What is its purpose? We begin a new series on what to do when the world has gone crazy - actually a series on prayer. Join us as we explore prayer and how it should impact our lives
It's hard when life hits you with a major issue - but it gets even worse when it's during the holiday season. When your world is turned upside down, it hurts. So how do you cope? What is the best way to deal with and process it during Christmas? Remember why God came first, and what His gift is to you...
We all face a certain amount of stress during the Christmas season. Pressure from family, job relationships, friends and neighbors - everyone seems to want something. That is, except, God. He has something to GIVE...
What makes a dysfunctional family? The Bible is full of examples of them...join Pastor Mike as he unpacks this message on how to deal with the family when things just don't seem to be working.
Outcast. Not a popular word. But one that is very real to many people, especially during the holiday season. So how can we cope with this? How are we supposed to handle this kind of label? For starters, we look at scripture to see if there is anyone who can relate. Surprise - we're not the only ones!
How do we live for Jesus every day? What is it that He requires of us to do? It's not always easy to live for Him, to make good choices ALL the time, to live a life worthy of His calling EVERY day...but we can. We'll look today as we conclude our series in Acts on how to be an effective witness, to live daily for Christ.
How does what you believe get lived out every day? On the 'road to becoming like Jesus', where are you? Today, Pastor Mike will take us through Acts 17 and show us how to connect the gospel to our lives, daily.
Change. It's part of life whether we like it or not. We experience change daily. And our walk with Christ is all about change. So how does this play into our daily life? How do we live in a world that doesn't always accept change as good? By letting Jesus direct, guide and lead every aspect of our lives...
Tell the Jews first, then your neighbors, then your town, your region, and then every ethnic and people group in the world. Simple, right? How would we go about doing this as a church? Paul lays out the plan in these two chapters...and we're called to execute the plan.
The amazing teaching of The Lord is the presentation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul takes his first missionary journey in Acts 13 and gives us an incredible lesson on how to share and communicate this message.
Is there anyone who is beyond God's reach? Let's face it - we all sin. Fathers, mothers, teachers, lawyers, pastors, etc. In fact we're reminded of this in Romans 3:23 where it says that "All have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious standard." But we serve a God who desires to see all come to know Him, no matter how bad we think we have become...
Is there a group of people you do not like? Is there a particular gender, age, ethnic background, cultural type of person that you dislike just because they can be described with that characteristic? Jesus broke many of the cultural barriers simply by sharing the message across boundaries...what would happen if the church truly did the same? What would that look like?
The Acts 2 church is about devotion, learning from the Word, fellowship and sharing in the breaking of bread. This what they did. Jesus taught the Apostles to be servants, and that they are to be spiritually qualified. So who better to be an example than Stephen, a man full of faith.
What does an Acts 2 Church looks like? Whether you like it or not you are a witness. You are responsible for whatever you have seen.
The perceptions of God vary on a wide scale. Is He authoritarian? Benevolent? Critical? Distant? When life is tough, we wonder where God is and why He allows things to happen. The truth is that God doesn't always give you what you ask for - He usually wants to give you more...
What do you do with 3000 new believers? In today's words we would say the church exploded with growth. What stood out for them that made it so special? Join Pastor Mike as he breaks down this key passage of scripture...
How and when did it all begin with the church? What did it look like then and what should it look like today? Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks one of the greatest passages in scripture regarding the true church...
Why does the church exist? What did Jesus put it here for? And who makes up the church? What is our part, both individually and corporately, as the church? Scripture sets it all up fairly clearly. Join Pastor Mike as he kicks off this new series in Acts...
We all build our lives on something. But what is it? What should the foundation of our lives be built on? We have been given all we need to live in God's Word.
We pick up scripture today and hear Jesus arguing with the elite Bible scholars of His time. There was much confusion as to what the Word of God was, where it was from and for whom it was written. We hear the same debates today. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks why the Bible is trustworthy...
The Bible. Best seller of all time. Known around the world as God's Word. To understand the uniqueness of the Bible we must look at the scriptures as it speaks about salvation. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks some truths about the Bible...
A fresh look at one of the most staple verses in the Bible - the 23rd Psalm. What does it look like having a shepherd today? Is this passage still relevant, important for us, as believers, today?
All you need is love...at least that's what the song says. But what kind of love? What is the definition of love that we need? Join Pastor Mike as he wraps up this series from 2 Peter 1.
Brotherly love - an odd use of words in our culture. What is it? How are we to express and show it? Brotherly love is to love whom God loves...
Godliness is not a walk in the park. All the way back in Leviticus God calls us to be holy, to live holy lives. Be holy, for I am holy...but how is that accomplished today? When others make mistakes how do we view them in our culture?
Wouldn't it be nice to just retire, not just from your job but from the grind of everyday life? Where can we escape? It that's how you're feeling, you may not like Peter's virtue for the day - perseverance. Perseverance only makes sense if you're headed in the right direction...
Continuing on in our series on 2 Peter 1, we add to our knowledge self-control. In this context, self-control has a clear purpose - to make us holy as God is holy.
How do you see the world? How do you explain the things that happen? You see we all need knowledge. But what kind of knowledge? What will be the source, the foundation of it? Today we'll look deeper into what God intended knowledge to be for us...
What does it take to be good? Can people really be good? Who we are on the outside comes from who we are on the inside. Join Pastor Mike as he continues to examine 2 Peter 1:1-9
God has no less an ambition than to take people who are captive to evil and ruined by sin and transform them, while yet on earth, into the likeness of Jesus.
God has a plan for you. He has set the race before you. We are called to run the race. As a follower of Jesus we should expect our lives to be like Jesus' life, because He is our example.
Everyone lives by faith. It's what we put our faith in that matters. This passage in Hebrews has been called Hero's of Faith, Saints' Hall of Fame and more because of the incredible acts of faith on display. But how does it play out today? Does God still call us to outrageous acts of faith? If so, what does it look like? And how should it impact our lives?
Jesus is the best and only way to God. Our confidence to approach God is that Jesus died for us and we have accepted His offer to pay for our sins with His blood. What does living for Jesus really look like? Can we do this today? Join us as Pastor Mike continues in the series in Hebrews.
Sex is a life unifying act that requires a life unifying commitment. We need to understand that sex is God given, that it is normal and that it is powerful. But what we need is God's view of how all of that gets played out in our lives.
Parents, how are you passing on the lessons of sexuality to your children? If you're not, then understand that culture certainly is. When you understand the depth and mystery of Big Sex, then you can teach that to your children.
Our mind is a God given gift. When our imaginations are connected to our sexuality, something powerful happens.
Sex - it's something you think about before it's something you do. One of today's big questions is this - do you think about God and sex at the same time? No? Then you're not thinking right. Today Pastor Mike will teach about how right thinking leads to right living.
In the 1960's we experienced a sexual revolution. The way the culture viewed and practiced sex changed. A revolution is defined as change that ushers in something better. Are we better off four decades later? What is God's design for sex? Join us for the next 5 weeks as we look at our authority from Scripture - from God.
Today we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus who IS the Christ. His resurrection proved that He was who He said He was. Jesus died for us, once and for all who would accept His invitation to receive salvation.
Palm Sunday...starts with this question today, What does a life cost? In light of the days ahead for Him, Jesus knew the answer to that question. So what does it truly mean for us today? Join Pastor Mike as he continues to unpack Hebrews...
The primary focus of chapter 8 is on the New Covenant. What made the New one so different, so much better than the Old? Join Pastor Karl as he unpacks this short but powerful chapter in the study of Hebrews.
Jesus is our high priest forever having become that high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. Join Pastor Mike as he unpacks this great passage about our High Priest and what it means for us today...
What could be worse than not knowing about Jesus and His gospel? It would be knowing about Jesus and His gospel and becoming dull towards it and never accepting it and saying yes.
Scripture is full of qualifications for the role of high priest. Jesus himself fulfilled all of the qualifications and therefore is rightly called a high priest. In short, he is perfectly qualified for the role...
We have forgotten what it really means to rest. So then what does 'rest in God' look like? How is it accomplished? God's rest is a rest from worries, being at peace with God. Today we'll look at this passage from Hebrews and discover what God's rest truly is like...
Think about and appreciate that Jesus has provided a salvation you could not work out in any way on your own. Jesus - superior in office, in work, in person....
To say Jesus is the Savior of the world, the one and only Savior, is not politically correct thing to say. Where is the truth? In Scripture we find the answer...
What's in a name? In the case of Jesus, there is much to be said and learned, from the Old Testament to the New Testament...
Jesus is superior in every way to all other revelations. He is the one and only Christ. Join us for an in-depth review of an incredible book of the Bible...
The Philippian Church was the most generous church in history. God has given us our identity, abilities, talents, resources, dollars. He expects us to be good stewards of all that He has given us...
Anxiety is based on fear, panic and concern. We need to learn more about Jesus and how we can rejoice, even in the face of it.
We all serve someone. Question is who are we serving? Why are we serving? If Christ is IN us, then we're going to live His will and purpose OUT of our lives daily. That means we serve and love people as Christ would. So why don't we?
The world is always looking for a savior. God used the prophet Isaiah to tell us about the coming savior of the world. Somehow in our culture, in our circles, we've lost the true meaning of why we celebrate this time of year...
Christmas carries His title. Jesus is the Christ. And Christmas has been a huge success in the culture of the world and grown and attracted many images and practices along the way. Are they right or wrong? Now more than ever, people need to know the message of Christmas
Why do people have such a hard time accepting the virgin birth? Does God have the 'right' to violate the laws of nature? Rules are meant to help us keep order, have continuity, know boundaries, etc. But when God breaks them, it's amazing what He can do...
How do you decide your holiday budget? We plan, we purchase, we wrap...but do we know the FULL cost of the gift involved? As we look at this in the series today, we see the wise men and how they truly weighed the cost of the gifts they prepared to bring.
What are your expectations of the Christmas holiday? Where are you looking for joy? In a culture that pushes for 'things' at Christmas, there is hope for something better...
Life can be exhausting at times. How can there be any joy in that? As we look today at Paul's teaching from Philippians, we'll find some hope for our journey. As we become more spiritually mature, we begin to understand how to face times like these.
One of the missions teams that we support is Dale and Chris Hamilton. Listen to an engaging and challenging update from Dale...
Conflict. As a Christ follower, how are we to deal with it? What kind of response should we have? Knowing who Jesus is and understanding His ways will give us direction...
Daily we are tempted. Some are blatant, clear pictures while others are more subtle. How do you deal with temptation? What do you do when it rears its ugly head in your life?
Attitude. It's what people see whether we want them to or not. In this message, Christ is our example of what humility should look like. We're called to have the same attitude as Christ himself. But how do we do it in today's world?
If there is one thing that is certain in life, it's death. But what do we understand about death? What follows? How do we deal with it when we lose someone?
Suffering - it exposes your true motives. But can our suffering be something that shows our commitment and love for God? Can we be a witness in times of suffering? Join Pastor Mike as he breaks down Paul's perception of suffering and how it impacted his life...
Joy. What is it and can we 'get it'? In his time imprisoned, Paul shows how we can truly have joy and how it can and should impact our lives daily.
Today we begin a series out of the book of Philippians. The theme of this book is Joy. It is not about happiness, derived from our experiences in life. It is about the nature of Joy from deep within our soul. A joy that can live and soar despite the experiences in life we are facing.
We all face temptation daily. There are some misconceptions, however, about it and what impact it has on our lives. As believers of Christ we find much hope in His Word. Today we'll look at this real issue and learn how to effectively deal with it...
People will present the issue this way: there are many good things in the Bible but you shouldn't take them literally. Join Pastor Mike as he wraps up this series with a compelling and encouraging look at this question...
Are you afraid of science? How do science and faith co-exist? In order for us to get a better understanding of this topic, there are a few steps we need to take to help us shore up what we already know...
What do you believe about Hell? Is it a real place? If it is, how can you possibly reconcile the concept of a loving God and judgement in Hell? You need an understanding of the doctrine of Hell...
The argument: the Christian church has a long history of oppression. Christian people acting in the Name of Jesus Christ have engaged in systemic, economic and cultural oppression of various races, classes and especially the poor.
Here is the objection: people with absolute truth claims undermine freedom. Truth is more important than you might think. There is an absolute truth...
Why is there so much evil and suffering in the world? How do we handle evil and suffering? Join Pastor Mike as he walks us through scripture that gives us hope and encouragement...
One of the main objections to Christianity is that it claims the truth exclusive of any other religion. How can this be the only true religion? Everyone has a set of exclusive beliefs. But which set of beliefs leads to a behavior of a humble loving reconciler in the world?
A Father is a child of God who has been given the responsibility to raise another child of God. In addition, men, it's your job to win back the heart of your wife.
In order to help us discover a clear way to live our marriage, we need to start with our personal walk with Jesus first. If you do not have a real and productive walk with God, your first priority relationship, how can you have a good marriage?
Divorce - an often overlooked topic from the pulpit of many churches. But it is real. It does happen and it happens in the lives of many inside the church. What does the Bible REALLY say about this? Is there any situation where the Bible would 'allow' divorce?
At some point in our lives we've heard a definition for adultery. But what does the Bible say it really is? Who does it really hurt? Join Pastor Mike as he breaks down some well established believes and points us back to Scripture...
Where did marriage come from? Did man invent it? Did the church impose it? Marriage is for companionship and intimate fellowship. It satisfies in us the relational heart God gave us when He created us in His image. Commitment is the glue that holds a marriage together...
How you understand the marriage relationship will give rise to the expectations you have for marriage, yourself and others. Divorce is a reality, but it does not have to be the only choice when expectations are not met...
Oneness in relationship is vital - whether in a marriage or in our relationship with Christ. God's Word is very clear on why this is important. Listen to Pastor Mike as he shares some practical, do-able instruction on committing to oneness in our relationships.
What happens when relationships are broken? What if we do not want the relationship? Can it be restored? In this message Pastor Mike helps us understand why trust is crucial in the marriage relationship and how to rebuild it...
What do you do when you get hurt? Lash out? Get even? In getting to what the Bible says about marriage and divorce, we need to have the tools necessary to begin to work on our situation. Today we'll look at two key tools needed if we're going to have the relationship that God has designed for us...
What does the Bible say about marriage and divorce? How are we designed to be in relationship with others? Pastor Mike begins a 9-week series on relationships. Join us for an eye opening and life changing event...
What does it mean to be born again? Nicodemus asked and it was answered. What does it mean for us today? It starts with an understanding of WHY He came...
The people were expecting a king, someone to rule from a throne. They didn't understand that His throne would be a cross, and the Kingdom He spoke of would be different from their expectations.
Jesus gave us the model prayer in Matthew, the 'how to' of prayer if you will. But what does it really mean? How should it truly impact how we speak with and listen to God? Join us as we explore The Lord's Prayer...
To grow your faith two things have to happen: 1. Take your frustration to God. 2. Then listen for God to answer. Can you praise God despite the circumstances? Habakkuk will rejoice because of who God is and what God has done...
One book, one very simple yet direct message. The church will be attacked - from the inside - and we'll need to be able to fight (contend) for the faith. The church (body) will also face attacks from other religions and we'll need to know how to fight, in love, but fight nonetheless. A quick look at the book of Jude...
What happens when His reality interferes with our daily lives? How do we respond when our faith is confronted or challenged? Do we stand up or shrink back? Are we willing to risk relationships for the gospel or keep living a comfortable life?
When you look around, are you tuned into God and see His plan in the world? Or are you like most of us who see things that we believe God should be doing and we don't understand when He does not show up and perform as we think He should? We continue in the series on the book of Habakkuk...
It's easy to see that today's world is exceedingly frustrating. Bad things happening to good people...bad people getting away with who know what...turmoil, chaos all around. Ironically, this is the story of Habakkuk and his situation in his day...so where is God in all of it?
Beginning a study in the book of Habukkuk, we'll look at what faith is. There are two kinds of people: people who trust themselves and people who trust God...
Wrapping up the Vision series for our church, Pastor Mike tackles the issue of loving others. But not just loving others, rather loving like Jesus loved. All people, no matter the circumstance or situation, with the power and love the Christ showed us...
How much do you care for the people in your life who do not know Jesus; that you see every day; who are not like you? What did God call us to be? Join the conversation as Pastor Mike shares his vision for what and who God is calling us to be...
Hear the beginning of the vision, the dream for First Baptist Church. What we hope to be for the Kingdom, how we can make an impact in the community and what our part needs to be...
If God is God, then to follow Him will bring blessings of life. To not follow Him will be to bring the curse of life. Do you think there is anything in life that a relationship with God cannot make better? What is the risk you must take with God to fully experience life?
We are all worshipers because we all hold something or someone to an extreme level of value and worth. What does it mean to worship? You can tell what your real God is by the level of sacrifice you make...
Why was Mary a virgin? Why is that important? Jesus' mother is not to be the object of our faith, but she is an important witness and a valuable part of the story and a tremendous example of faith lived out in her culture.
How do we look at the Old Testament? Is Jesus the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah? We'll look at 24 predictions about the Messiah in this message.
The idea of a savior is all throughout popular culture. In Psalms and Isaiah it talks about One Savior. We all need saving, but from what? And who will be the One?
Impressions. We all will leave them in one form or another. What will our spiritual impression be to a watching world? What will our family have to say about the impact that our walk with Jesus had on them? Join us for a journey through a familiar passage and see what we need to do in order to leave a lasting impression...
What is worship? How do we live a life of worship? How do we take what we experience on Sunday into everyday life? If we fully understand and LIVE out a life of worship, it could be dangerous and hazardous to our relationships, our health and everything we hold dear...
What is God-pleasing faith? Is faith a tangible object - is it measurable?What does faith look like?
What does it mean to be spiritual? Am I supposed to love my enemy or seek after God to take them out? There is more to being spiritual than we might fully understand...
What happens when we trust God? We are faced with a problem and then an obvious yet challenging solution...
What blesses you? How does God want to bless you? God cannot NOT give you blessings when you follow Him. It is always a battle between a selfish heart and a generous heart.
Today we will talk about how the stuff of this world can become an idol for us. Answers to questions such as "Is money evil?" and "What should I do with money" will be answered.
Do you live with God occupying the first place in your life? God does not want to be worshiped after anything else. Do you rely on God to bless the fruit of your work by bringing what is His to begin with? Discover today what first things first is really all about...
Every time we receive an increase it is an opportunity to discuss with God what He wants us to do with it. The test begins with how you see the increase you have received. Do you trust God?
We are to love God with all our hearts. But what are the attitudes that we need to deal with and develop? How do we go about developing a generous heart? Join us as we explore what this looks like...
This is a parable about two sons, not just one. Both are alienated from the Father. Two sons - one bad, one good. There are two ways to be lost. Be very bad and be very good. This was startling to the people and the religious leaders.
All of us feel alienated from our first loves, our selves. Nobody is at home in this world. What are you relying on for your significance? The Father accepts you because of the work of our Older Brother Jesus.
We are learning from this parable how the grace of God creates a unique Christian community. What kind of community would we be if we were really good at forgiving each other? What kind of community would we be if we all practiced this gospel level of forgiveness? It is always your move...
To be a prodigal means to spend extravagantly, lavish, luxuriously, wasteful expenditure. This is how God loves us.
This parable is about how God changes us and about how God desires us to be a new community, a new society, living in new relationships. Not a community that is authoritarian. No abuse of power here. But a loving and committed confrontation.
Most people see God as one whom they need to impress, perform for and live well enough so that they can increase in worth in His eyes. What is your relationship with God? How do you see Him, relate to Him? What is it you want from God?
How would you define the word prodigal? When we hear it with associate it with the story of the prodigal son in Luke. In this series we are going to talk about God and His graceful attitude towards us.
What is childlike faith? It is hearing the voice of Jesus and going to Him. Doing what He asks you to do, and having a great relationship with Him. You would think that after hanging out with Jesus a while that He would begin to rub off on His disciples. But I think that they were a lot like us, slow learners...
Do you know the voice of God? Sit down with God and talk to Him. Do you know what you will discover? You are already free...you have a place in the presence of God to stand...you already belong to God and your mess is His mess...
What does it mean to live with grace? We can accept grace in theory but can all too easily deny it in practice. How do you know when you are living in grace or not?
Forgiveness is an act of your will. It is not something you approach feeling good about. IN fact the closer you get to the hurt in your heart the worse you feel. The pain is real and alive. But you must choose to let God take charge of the vengeance.
The answer is Jesus. No matter the question or problem, the answer is Him. This world is marked by people that feel their lives add up to less than zero.
What do you care about? Jesus looks at us and sees harassed and helpless people and He is literally moved to do something about it. When you look around your neighborhood, what do you see?
The goal of spiritual growth is that we would become more loving, life-giving people, ho naturally love God by doing His will and more naturally do loving things towards others.
Some people are afraid to get close, so we have bought the lie of this world that independence is the way to go. God wants to use this church to create a new family for you.
We are God's masterpiece covered in the mud of disobedience. Come and create a place where people can meet the God who created them.