First Baptist Church Longview: Recent Episodes
FBC Longview
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What do you do when you've worked hard, done everything you know to do, and still come up empty? Drawing from John 21, Cam Reynolds reflects on the disciples' fruitless night of fishing and the moment they discovered that lasting fruit comes not from competence or effort, but from listening to and depending on Jesus. He highlights how Christ met Peter at the place of his failure with grace, provision, and restoration, showing that our identity is rooted first in loving Jesus, not proving ourselves. Whether carrying disappointment, regret, or exhaustion, listeners are invited to come to Christ, receive what He provides, and follow Him faithfully without comparing their journey to anyone else's.
What are we really inviting people into when we invite them to church? Drawing from Mark 3, 1 Corinthians 12, and Paul’s teaching on the kingdom of God, Pastor Collin Bullard shows that the church is far more than a service or a building. Through Christ, people are welcomed into a family where they belong, a body where they are needed, and a kingdom where they live under a greater King. Listeners are encouraged to experience these realities for themselves and to faithfully invite others to “come sit with me” and discover the life-changing grace of Jesus.
How often do the worries of tomorrow steal the joy and peace available today? Drawing from Philippians 4:4-9, Dr. Randal Lyle reflects on Paul’s call to rejoice, pray, and resist anxiety by remembering God’s faithfulness. Rather than letting fear of the unknown dominate our thoughts, he reminds listeners that peace grows when we look back with gratitude at the ways God has already provided and cared for us. The invitation is to intentionally practice thanksgiving, trust God's character, and let His peace guard our hearts and minds even when life feels uncertain.
Katie Yoder invites listeners to consider how easily comparison can shape the way we see ourselves and others, often leaving us trapped in insecurity, envy, and the need to compete. Drawing from the story of Leah and Rachel in Genesis 29-30, he shows how a lifelong struggle with comparison led to compromise and conflict, yet God remained faithful through their brokenness. The central truth is that our worth is not found in measuring ourselves against someone else, but in receiving the love and identity God freely gives. As our eyes turn from rivalry and self-validation to the Lord, we can find freedom from the burdens of comparison and learn to rejoice in His purpose for our lives.
Pastor Collin raises a question many people quietly wrestle with: what do we do when someone hurts us and everything in us wants to settle the score? Drawing from Romans 12:14-21, he shows that followers of Jesus are called not only to reject revenge but to actively bless enemies, trusting God to handle justice perfectly. The central truth is that freedom comes when we stop trying to balance the scales ourselves and leave room for God to judge rightly. Through the example of Christ and powerful stories of forgiveness, listeners are encouraged to release old debts, pursue peace where possible, and allow God to overcome evil with good.
Have you ever read Scripture that sounds beautiful on paper but feels impossible to live out in real life? Walking through Romans 12:9–13, Pastor Collin highlights how the call to sincere love—marked by humility, zeal, patience, and generosity—reveals a standard far beyond what we can achieve on our own. The heart of the message is that genuine, Christlike love is not something we manufacture, but something God produces in us as we stay connected to Him. This leads us to stop striving in our own strength and instead come honestly before God, asking for help and trusting Him to transform our hearts from the inside out.
What if how you see yourself is shaping everything else in your life? In Romans 12:3–8, Pastor Collin shows how the gospel reshapes identity, removing pride and comparison. Each gift is given by grace for the good of others. Embrace humility and faithfully use what God has given you.
Why is real change often slower than expected? In Romans 12:2, Pastor Collin explains that transformation happens through the renewing of the mind over time. True change involves learning to desire what God desires. Fill your mind with truth and trust the process He is working in you.
Following up a performance of "Jesus in the Temple" (00:00-28:45), Pastor Collin reflects on the story of young Jesus in the temple in Luke 2:41–52, where His unexpected actions reveal a deeper commitment to the Father’s purposes. The central truth is that even when we don’t understand God’s ways, we can trust that He is always working according to His good and loving plan. This invites us to listen to the voice of Jesus, surrender our need for explanations, and trust Him faithfully in seasons of confusion or disappointment.
What truly motivates how you live each day? In Romans 12:1, Pastor Collin shows that the Christian life flows from God’s mercy, leading to lives offered fully to Him. Obedience becomes a response to grace. Surrender every part of your life as an act of worship.
Why does sharing faith sometimes feel unnatural or ineffective? Drawing from Acts 1:8 and Jesus’ compassion in Matthew 9:35–38, Pastor Collin shows that witness begins with genuine care for people. Love gives credibility to truth. Pray for others, see them as God does, and walk alongside them faithfully.
Have you wondered why lasting change feels so difficult? In 2 Corinthians 3:18, Pastor Collin explains that transformation happens by focusing on Christ, not by trying harder. We are shaped by what we behold. Fix your attention on Him and allow the Spirit to change you from within.
What if mountaintop moments with God were meant to prepare you for everyday life? Moving through moments in Matthew’s Gospel, Pastor Collin highlights how Jesus balances revelation and mission. Encounters with God are not meant to stay private. Step into the world around you with His truth and compassion.
Why do powerful encounters with God often occur alongside hardship? In Luke 9:28–36, Pastor Collin shows how Jesus’ transfiguration is connected to the coming cross. Glory and suffering are intertwined in God’s work. Seek Him through prayer, even in difficulty, and allow challenges to draw you closer.
Have you ever felt close to God one season and distant the next? In Matthew 17:1–8, Pastor Collin explains that both clarity and struggle are part of the journey of faith. High points and valleys serve to deepen trust. Remain faithful in every season, trusting God’s presence through both.
What happens when your hopes collapse and nothing seems to make sense? In Luke 24, Pastor Collin walks alongside the disciples on the road to Emmaus, showing how Jesus was present even when unrecognized. The resurrection transforms despair into hope. Trust that He is near, even in confusion.
Have you ever wished you could undo something deeply broken? Tracing from Genesis 2–3 to John 18–19, Pastor Collin shows how Jesus begins reversing the effects of the fall through His obedience and sacrifice. Redemption reaches even into the deepest brokenness. Trust Him to restore what seems beyond repair.
What would you do if you knew your time was short with those you love? In John 13, Pastor Collin reflects on Jesus washing His disciples’ feet, showing that true greatness is expressed through humble service. His love reaches even to those who betray Him. Receive that grace and live it out by serving others selflessly.
What happens when you can no longer remain neutral about Jesus? In Luke 23, Pastor Collin presents the cross as the decisive moment where each person must respond. Jesus bore sin willingly, offering forgiveness and life. Surrender control, trust His sacrifice, and follow Him fully.
What do you do when you fail in a crucial moment? Tracing Peter’s denial and restoration across John 13, 18, and 21, Dr. Kip Salser shows that failure does not cancel God’s purpose. Jesus restores those who return to Him. Face failure honestly, trust His grace, and step forward again with humility.
Why do we want God’s grace but resist His authority? Through the confrontations and parables in Matthew 21–22, Pastor Collin shows that Jesus’ authority is inseparable from His grace. Receiving Him means embracing both. Respond with surrender, allowing His love to shape both belief and obedience.
Have you ever appeared spiritually strong on the outside while something felt off within? In Mark 11:12–21, Pastor Collin points to Jesus’ interaction with the fig tree as a picture of outward religion lacking inward life. Appearances without transformation are empty. Turn honestly to Christ and remain connected to Him so real fruit grows from within.
What would it look like to give something truly costly to someone you love? In John 12:1–11, Pastor Collin contrasts Mary’s devotion with Judas’s self-interest, showing how differently people respond to Jesus. He alone is worthy of sacrificial love beyond what feels reasonable. Offer your life to Him fully, seeing devotion not as loss but as joy.
Why does the central symbol of Christianity look like weakness instead of strength? In 1 Corinthians 1, Pastor Collin explains how the cross—seen by the world as foolish—reveals God’s true wisdom and power. Humanity’s need is not improvement, but rescue through Christ’s sacrifice. Lay aside confidence in your own understanding and embrace the transforming power of the gospel.
What do you instinctively believe would make your life better—more wisdom or more money? Drawing from Proverbs’ repeated comparisons, Pastor Collin shows that while money is useful, it is temporary and ultimately unable to satisfy the deeper needs of the soul. True value is found in wisdom, which leads to peace, contentment, and a life aligned with God. Pursue Him first, live with gratitude, and handle your resources with generosity and discernment.
What would change if every word you spoke reflected complete honesty? Drawing from Proverbs, Pastor Collin shows that truthfulness extends beyond avoiding lies to include motives and everyday speech. Genuine integrity begins within the heart. Bring your life before God and commit to speaking truth with love.
How can we tell the difference between what seems right and what truly leads to life? Walking through Proverbs 9, Pastor Collin contrasts the invitations of wisdom and folly, showing that both may appear appealing but lead to very different outcomes. Lasting life flows from submitting to God’s truth. Examine your desires and follow the path that leads to Him.
Why do we have so much knowledge but still struggle to live wisely? In Proverbs 1, Pastor Collin explains that wisdom begins not with information but with reverence for God and a teachable spirit. Self-reliance blocks true understanding. Slow down, listen to God, and allow His truth to guide your decisions.
What if the story of Jesus’ birth points to something far greater than tradition? In Matthew 2, Dr. Kip Salser highlights how the Magi’s journey and fulfilled prophecies reveal Jesus as the promised Messiah. God’s plan unfolds with intentional detail across history. Respond with humility, worship, and trust in His guidance.
What does the angelic announcement mean for us today? In Luke 2:8–14, Pastor Collin reflects on how the message first reached ordinary shepherds, emphasizing that Jesus’ birth brings peace to all people. God’s grace is both personal and far-reaching. Receive that good news and carry it into the world around you.
Is there a reason to rejoice even in difficult seasons? Based on Psalm 98, Pastor Collin points to God’s saving work as the foundation for joy. His faithfulness calls for praise that extends beyond circumstances. Respond with worship and share that hope with others.
How does a small, overlooked place change history? In Micah 5:1–4, Pastor Collin shows how God brings salvation through humble and unexpected beginnings. His ways often overturn human expectations. Celebrate humility and welcome Christ into the ordinary areas of life.
Do you long for God to come near in a weary world? Drawing together Psalm 80, Isaiah 64, Gospel accounts, and 1 Peter, Pastor Collin reflects on the hope of Emmanuel. God’s coming brings both comfort and anticipation. Prepare your heart through repentance and live with expectation of His presence.
What difference does Christ’s kingship make in your life? Centered on Colossians 1:13–20, Pastor Collin highlights Jesus’ supreme authority and reconciling work over all creation. His rule brings both cosmic restoration and personal hope. Live under His authority with gratitude and a sense of mission.
Are you running on empty and in need of rest? Drawing from Matthew 11:28–29 and Sabbath principles, Pastor Collin points to Jesus as the source of true renewal. God invites His people into rhythms that restore both body and soul. Embrace rest as an act of trust and practice habits that lead to lasting refreshment.
How should Christians think about alcohol and conscience? In Romans 14, Pastor Collin explores how believers navigate gray areas by prioritizing love over personal preference. Decisions should be guided by care for others and their spiritual well-being. Live with humility, aiming to build up rather than harm those around you.
Are hidden sins stealing your joy? Addressing 1 Corinthians 6:18–20 and Romans 7–8, Pastor Collin focuses on the pathway from struggle to restoration through confession and grace. Freedom begins when sin is brought into the light and faced in community. Take honest steps toward accountability and experience the healing God provides.
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by anxious thoughts, unsure if God is present in the chaos? Looking at Psalm 22 alongside moments like Jesus in Gethsemane, Pastor Ty Gist shows that anxiety can draw us toward God rather than away from Him. Even when feelings shift, God remains faithful and near. Bring your struggles openly to Him, lean on others, and remember His past faithfulness as you learn to trust Him in uncertainty.
Books mentioned in message:
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Live No Lies, by John Mark Comer
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God's Promises for Every Day, by Jack Countryman
Order of Service: Intro Video – The Tomb Were You There? – Frederick J. Work and John Wesley Work CCLI#29516 Easter Song – Anne Herring CCLI# 12279 Welcome and Opening Prayer Christ Arose – Robert Lowry CCLI#27783 Christ the Lord is Risen Today – Steve Wilkinson and Charles Wesley CCLI#2259095 Easter Reading – Isaiah 25 Amen – Richard Kingsmore, Ken Bible and Tom Fettke CCLI#2350327 Sermon Living Hope – Brian Johnson and Phil Wickham CCLI#7106807
Order of Service: Welcome (and Opening Litany) Reading and Musical Interpretation of Isaiah 53 When I Survey The Wondrous Cross (O Waly Waly) First Saying from the Cross How Deep the Father’s Love For Us Second Saying From the Cross Jesus, Remember Me Third Saying From the Cross What Wondrous Love is This Fourth Saying From the Cross When Jesus Wept Fifth Saying From the Cross Were you There Sixth Saying From the Cross Hallelujah! What A Savior Seventh Saying From the Cross Christ, We Do All Adore Thee Closing and Blessing
0:00 - Call to Worship 3:35 - I Will Bless The Lord At All Times 6:25 - Responsive Prayer 10:05 - King of Kings 15:32 - Guide Me O Great Jehovah 19:40 - Offertory Prayer 21:46 - His Eye Is On The Sparrow 26:30 - Sermon 51:31 - Invitation 54:15 - Amazing Grace
A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD A mighty fortress is our God, A bulwark never failing; Our helper He, amid the flood Of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe Doth seek to work us woe; His craft and pow’r our great And armed with cruel hate, On earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide, Our striving would be losing; Were not the right Man on our side, The Man of God’s own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He; Lord Sabbaoth, His name, From age to age, the same, And He must win the battle.
IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL When peace like a river attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, “It is well, it is well with my soul.”
Refrain: It is well, with my soul It is well, it is well with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, Let this blest assurance control That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate, And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!
Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior, still our refuge-- take it to the Lord in prayer!
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer! In his arms he'll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.
TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS O soul, are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see? There’s light for a look at the Savior, And life more abundant and free!
Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face And the things of earth will grow strangely dim In the light of His glory and grace.
Joy is a relational outcome. We were made for relationship. The relationship that will bring you the greatest joy is a relationship with your Heavenly Father, the happiness that God in Christ offers us.
Joy is a relational outcome. We were made for relationship. The relationship that will bring you the greatest joy is a relationship with your Heavenly Father, the happiness that God in Christ offers us.
Joy is a relational outcome. We were made for relationship. The relationship that will bring you the greatest joy is a relationship with your Heavenly Father, the happiness that God in Christ offers us.
Joy is a relational outcome. We were made for relationship. The relationship that will bring you the greatest joy is a relationship with your Heavenly Father, the happiness that God in Christ offers us.
Everyone experiences loss but to each one it's different. God does tremendous things in our lives through the things that hurt the most. On the other side of loss is life.
Everyone experiences loss but to each one it's different. God does tremendous things in our lives through the things that hurt the most. On the other side of loss is life.
Everyone experiences loss but to each one it's different. God does tremendous things in our lives through the things that hurt the most. On the other side of loss is life.
Everyone experiences loss but to each one it's different. God does tremendous things in our lives through the things that hurt the most. On the other side of loss is life.
Jesus evoked different responses from all different people. Everybody had their own vantage point when they met Jesus.
Jesus evoked different responses from all different people. Everybody had their own vantage point when they met Jesus.
Jesus evoked different responses from all different people. Everybody had their own vantage point when they met Jesus.
Jesus evoked different responses from all different people. Everybody had their own vantage point when they met Jesus.