FBC Port: Recent Episodes
Bill Cottrill
Listen in on the teaching from Pastor Bill Cottrill and others. Here you will find our weekly sermons from our Sunday worship services.
How do you live as a Christian in a culture and with a government that is often unfriendly towards or even against you? Paul’s invitation to the Roman Christians and to us is simple- to live lives of love. His invitation is one of both consistency and urgency- that our words and deeds would reflect the words and deeds of Jesus and that the priorities of our lives would serve as witnesses to the world of what truly matters.
In Romans 13:1-7, Paul instructs Christians to “be subject to the governing authorities,” stating that “rulers hold no terror for those who do right” and “the one in authority is God’s servant for your good.” This may sound ... wrong. But it’s important to remember the context of Romans 13, which follows Romans 12, where Christians are taught to submit to and love their enemies. What does it mean for us today—especially in our polarized political climate—to be subject to governing authorities while faithfully following Jesus?
In a culture filled with division, anger, and a desire for revenge, the teachings of Romans 12 stand in stark contrast. Christians are called to live a radically different life—blessing those who persecute them, living in harmony, avoiding arrogance, and refusing to repay evil with evil. Instead, we are called to do everything possible to live in peace and conquer evil by doing good. In this message, we challenge everyone to embrace the counter-cultural way of Jesus and overcome the darkness around us with His light.
If we really love, we will move from selfish to selfless lives in which we really help others, especially those in need. In Romans 12:11-13, Paul instructs us to “never be lazy” but instead to “work hard and serve ... enthusiastically,” to “practice hospitality” and that “when God’s people are in need, be ready to help them.” What might that look like for us today? How would it change the reputation Christians have if we practiced it? How might loving our neighbors in this way change their lives?
In a world full of dissension, conflict, and anger, the church will stand out and be an attractive city on a hill if it lives out the love of God. That’s why Paul writes, “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them” (Romans 12:9). How can we really love, and what impact could it make if we did?
Deep down, we long to be connected with others in authentic community. But for many of us, the process of building that authentic community is a mystery, or filled with memories of pain or abuse. We continue in Roman’s 12 as we discover that God has a plan for developing genuine, beautiful, intimate relationships because He wants each of us to experience that kind of connection with others.
There are three questions everyone, regardless of culture, economic status, or even religious conviction will ask themselves. Who am I? Where do I belong? And what am I supposed to do?
So many think of worship simply as singing songs to God on Sunday mornings, but Paul describes worship as offering our entire lives to God as living, holy sacrifices. What would it look like for us to actually live that way?
Paul’s heart is so motivated by the mission to tell everyone of the only One who matters. Paul’s passionate commitment to the gospel regardless of how uncomfortable it may be is what motivates his everyday for the people he meets. As a church, we have a longing and prayer to go into all the world with the hope of Jesus. We believe this is God’s heart, and this is our calling- to let go of our comfort and cross over into all world inviting everyone everywhere to call on the name of the Lord.
Paul unpacks the truth that salvation is for everyone while sharing his own personal longing and prayer of his heart for the people of Israel to be saved. Even when God’s people rejected Him, he did not revoke His promise. His proximity revealed His promise. Jesus came to live and walk among us and showed us how our proximity to God’s heart should reflect our proximity to those He loves.
Regardless of how far gone someone may seem, God’s desire is for them to know the hope and life they can find in Jesus. God has not rejected His people, and just as He went to great lengths on the cross for us, He will continue to so that someone somewhere might know Him. Who’s your one that seems too far gone? The one that God continues to put in your path that has rejected Him? Our invitation is to begin to pray for our one.
Paul unpacks the grief and passion he has for the people God has put in his path who don’t believe in Jesus. His heart is so motivated by the mission to tell everyone of the only One who matters. As a church, we want to live with this same kind of urgency, stopping at nothing so that everybody might have a chance to know Jesus.
Romans 9 unpacks the relentless love of God for the world and stands as a warning against unbelief. The story of Israel reminds us that even when we reject Him, God’s reflex is love. No matter how far gone we are and no matter what we have done, God’s promises stand sure and He doesn’t give up. He is chasing after us with a fierce love and His desire is not just for Israel, but that anyone anywhere might be called ‘children of the living God.’
In a world marked by uncertainty, suffering, and separation, the apostle Paul delivers one of the most powerful declarations of hope in all of Scripture. Romans 8:35–39 is a triumphant reminder that nothing—no hardship, no persecution, no power in heaven or earth—can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
This passage isn't a denial of pain; it's a bold proclamation that even in the face of life's fiercest storms, God's love remains constant and victorious. As believers, we are not just survivors—we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us.
In the midst of suffering, weakness, and enemies, Paul’s desire is that we would know that God is for us and with us. God has not abandoned us in this life to fend for ourselves, He is protecting and interceding for us. There is nothing that can separate us from His love that provides and protects and His invitation is that we can experience His goodness in the midst of whatever we face.
We are invited to stand firm, remaining confident in what Jesus has done for us and in the many ways God has been working long before we were ever aware that He was.
The good life is a life of confidence that God’s ways are life-giving and the identity He gives us as His children is sure. God doesn’t want us to live blown and tossed by the wind, but walking confidently in all that He has made for us. In Jesus we can be confident that God deeply loves us as His own children, and that as His children, we are living life to the full.
There is a promise for all who believe in Jesus, that there can be no comparison between the present hard times we go through and the coming good times God has set out for us. This hope allows us to wait with expectation and anticipation even if what we go through in our lives doesn’t always seem good. His invitation to us in the midst of the pain throughout our world and within our lives is to remember that the longer we wait, the deeper the joy will be when we step into all that God has promised for us. Even when we are tired of waiting, hoping, and praying, the Holy Spirit who has filled us is right alongside of us guiding our words and hearts back to God’s goodness. That’s why we can be filled with hope, and sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.
In order to know who we are, we have to know who God is and what it really means to be His children. In Him, we are chosen to receive an unbelievable inheritance that is not just reserved for heaven, but begins now. Regardless of what hard times we may go through, we are promised that by His spirit, we can enter into the good times with him in the midst of what we face. He has chosen us to be His children, and He is a good father with good gifts. The good life in Jesus doesn’t just choose us, but calls us into all that we are and all that we were made for.
It’s easy to live disordered and distracted lives. Constantly focused on what more we need to do and never seeming to amount to what we hoped we would on our own. Romans 8 calls this the life obsessed with self. It is described as a life where our thoughts, priorities and decisions lead us to think more about ourselves than about God. The reality is, this focus on self leads us to a divided and dead life. Jesus’ invitation for us is to live our lives focused on God is an invitation to a life of peace and focus. When our focus is on God, the only direction He knows is life to the full. He is a God of life and goodness, and the promise is that when our focus is on Him, we will experience the good life.
Our life without Jesus leaves us empty, exhausted and always trying to achieve something better. Jesus’ invitation is to lay down our own efforts in life and take up the grace, truth and hope of Jesus. With the arrival of Jesus into this world and the death of Jesus for this world, we can be filled with and embrace a new power- the power of His Holy Spirit, that fills and frees us to walk into the wide-open spaces of God’s love.
As we conclude this series, we are reminded of the tension Paul felt on living out this life of freedom. Even with our best intentions and purest motivations, there is sin deep within us that seeks to take charge. This life of freedom is not something we can perform our way into- we cannot will or work our way into righteousness. Only Jesus can, and Jesus does. He has set things right- and this path of freedom is nothing without him.
Jesus wants to free us in every way from the sin that captivates us, even the sin of believing we can save ourselves, the sin of believing we could ever earn our freedom. Those who live in true freedom know that it is only Jesus that frees. We don’t live this life as performance for Him, but as an offering before Him.
Before Jesus, we offered our lives to sin, allowing it to tell us how to live. But this illusion of freedom is a trap that keeps us in a life of death. Not only has Jesus broken the chains of sin, but He wants to break the chains of temptation.
The work of Jesus on the cross means this: we are no longer captive to sin’s demands! If we are included in Jesus’ sin-conquering death, it means that we can walk in His life. But that doesn’t mean sin won’t keep knocking at our door and seeking to take us captive once again…
Romans 6 begins by challenging us to live nothing like we once did- not even entertaining our old way of living. To give sin no foothold or way in, instead Romans 6 calls us to walk out this new way of life whole-heartedly. To put sin and its power where it belongs- in the tomb.
No matter the story of our past or how deep the chasm of sin that separated us from God, there is overwhelming grace found in Jesus alone. It’s not just a grace that frees us from our past, but one that unleashes us into a life of true freedom.
Every day we are met with the reality that life isn’t the way God intended. But Jesus doesn’t want us to live as slaves to a disappointed life. He wants to lift our eyes to the truth that He is the one hope that will never disappoint.
It’s a question we’ve all asked at one point in our life, but many times it’s one that we return to again and again: What does God want from me? Romans reminds us that there is one essential thing God is looking for—trust.
In fearing rejection, we ask, “Does God accept me?” Our cultural default is to say, “God accepts everyone.” But that’s not true…God accepts those who believe Him. We are made acceptable to God through faith, not our obedience or good deeds.
The death of Jesus is both the most polarizing and uniting moment in human history. But the question remains, why did Jesus have to die? Romans unpacks both the power and necessity of Jesus’ death, and how the way Jesus died informs the way we live
Sometimes we live burdened by guilt, feeling condemned by things from our past. Living wracked by guilt is something that we can experience freedom from. We can choose guilt or, through Jesus and what He did on the cross for us, we can choose grace.
How many people assume they’re good with God because they grew up in a Christian home or go to church each week? In Romans 2, Paul explains that it’s not religious traditions that matter, but a true transformation of the heart.
God has invited us to live fully aware of our sinfulness, and at the same time fully aware of God’s grace. To live with both realities protects us from self-righteousness and allows us to live out the true way of Jesus.
God designed us to do life in a certain way, but He gives the decision whether or not to do so to us. When we choose our desires and abandon God and His design, we miss out on the fullness of life God has for us.
God gave us His creation so we could know Him. Yet, instead of worshiping the Creator, Paul writes in Romans that people worshiped “idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.” How do we do this today? And how can we stop? Romans 1: 20-25
In Romans 1, we read God is angry because, despite making Himself obvious, people choose selfishness over what is self-evident, godlessness instead of experiencing God’s fullness. How would trading in our lies for God’s truth change our lives?
We need to be rescued from our sin, but we are too sinful to rescue ourselves. What’s the solution? The Gospel. The good news is for everyone—everyone who believes in Jesus can be saved. And so, everyone needs to hear it. We need to live unashamed.
We try to impress but sin in secret and are undeserving of love. What’s the solution? The Gospel. The good news is God loves us unconditionally and unreservedly. That’s why He sent Jesus. Instead of being ashamed, we can be confident and passionate.
Loneliness is an epidemic as so many people feel unincluded. What’s the solution? The Gospel. The good news means that “you are included” and “have been called to belong to Jesus Christ.” When we get invited, we’re no longer ashamed but excited.
No matter your age or relationship status, we all need friends who encourage us and point us toward Jesus. Do you have friends like that? If not, how do you find them? Let’s learn how to find community together.
Jesus didn’t come for the righteous, He came for sinners—for people in need. That’s all of us! How can we share the hope of Jesus with everyone we meet?
We believe the church isn’t a building—it’s people. And when each of those people knows who they are and what they believe, they can achieve incredible things together.
Everything in our world works against the true meaning of Christmas. With so many distractions, we might miss the message of the manger. Let’s resolve not to let this Christmas come and go without a visit to Bethlehem.
Everything in our world works against the true meaning of Christmas. With so many distractions, we might miss the message of the manger. Let’s resolve not to let this Christmas come and go without a visit to Bethlehem.
An invisible war is all around us, but so is an invisible army through prayer that will surround us on all occasions. We pray knowing that we don’t fight for victory—we fight from victory in Christ, who has already won through His work on the cross.
The majority of the spiritual attacks we face are unseen, with the battleground in our minds. God wants to equip and prepare us to stand against the enemy’s schemes. This means becoming aware of those schemes and putting on the full armor of God.
Beneath our tangible landscape lurks an invisible spiritual realm where unseen battles rage. It’s a serious enemy we are up against, and Ephesians 6 offers us a serious solution—to unlock the strength we can find in the Lord and in His mighty power.
Paul claims to know the “secret” to contentment in all circumstances. Through his experiences, both good and bad, he’s realized, and he reveals to us, the key to contentment: knowing Jesus and being filled with His power and presence.
Paul’s goal is to “know Christ Jesus,” and he says everything else is “garbage” by comparison. May our sole goal be to walk so closely with Jesus that the way we see God, ourselves, and others is completely transformed and everything else is garbage
As followers of Jesus, our actions matter, but Paul reminds us where our actions ought to flow from and what they ought to be for. The source of our transformed lives and actions is not our own tenacious effort, but the very work of God in us.
Paul encourages us that, through Jesus, we can reframe the way we see the world, understanding that our struggles and setbacks can be used by God. Often the first step is lifting our eyes up from our situation to focus on how God is at work.
As Paul, who is writing from prison, begins his letter to the Philippians, he frames his entire life in confidence that no matter what he faces, God has purpose within it. Paul reveals a mindset that we, as believers, want to take hold of.
What's shaping you? Headlines? The world you live in? The people you're surrounded by? Is it the last movie you watched? The last conversation that you had? Everything you take in is making you who you are. Who are you becoming?
What you should be shaped by is the light and love of Jesus. You should becoming more like a child of light and love. But are you? Join us in this 8 week study in the book of 1 John as we look at the importance and need of us living a life of light and love.
What's shaping you? Headlines? The world you live in? The people you're surrounded by? Is it the last movie you watched? The last conversation that you had? Everything you take in is making you who you are. Who are you becoming?
What you should be shaped by is the light and love of Jesus. You should becoming more like a child of light and love. But are you? Join us in this 8 week study in the book of 1 John as we look at the importance and need of us living a life of light and love.
What's shaping you? Headlines? The world you live in? The people you're surrounded by? Is it the last movie you watched? The last conversation that you had? Everything you take in is making you who you are. Who are you becoming?
What you should be shaped by is the light and love of Jesus. You should becoming more like a child of light and love. But are you? Join us in this 8 week study in the book of 1 John as we look at the importance and need of us living a life of light and love.
What's shaping you? Headlines? The world you live in? The people you're surrounded by? Is it the last movie you watched? The last conversation that you had? Everything you take in is making you who you are. Who are you becoming?
What you should be shaped by is the light and love of Jesus. You should becoming more like a child of light and love. But are you? Join us in this 8 week study in the book of 1 John as we look at the importance and need of us living a life of light and love.
What's shaping you? Headlines? The world you live in? The people you're surrounded by? Is it the last movie you watched? The last conversation that you had? Everything you take in is making you who you are. Who are you becoming?
What you should be shaped by is the light and love of Jesus. You should becoming more like a child of light and love. But are you? Join us in this 8 week study in the book of 1 John as we look at the importance and need of us living a life of light and love.
What's shaping you? Headlines? The world you live in? The people you're surrounded by? Is it the last movie you watched? The last conversation that you had? Everything you take in is making you who you are. Who are you becoming?
What you should be shaped by is the light and love of Jesus. You should becoming more like a child of light and love. But are you? Join us in this 8 week study in the book of 1 John as we look at the importance and need of us living a life of light and love.
What's shaping you? Headlines? The world you live in? The people you're surrounded by? Is it the last movie you watched? The last conversation that you had? Everything you take in is making you who you are. Who are you becoming?
What you should be shaped by is the light and love of Jesus. You should becoming more like a child of light and love. But are you? Join us in this 8 week study in the book of 1 John as we look at the importance and need of us living a life of light and love.
Elijah is a Biblical hero, person of faith, and prophet who battled extreme despair, hopelessness, and a feeling of being alone. When it seemed like there was no motivation for him to move forward, God met Elijah in a whisper and cared for him.
While described as a “mighty warrior,” Gideon—selected by God to deliver the Israelites from oppression—isn’t intimidating. His fear blinds him to the fact that salvation is not dependent on the proficiency of humans but, instead, the power of God.
Samson’s arrogance takes on many forms, including, in some cases, abusing his God-given strength for personal gain. His strength, ultimately, is one of his greatest weaknesses. His metaphorical blind spot becomes the reason for his literal blindness.
The first person born, Cain blazed the trail of blind spots. Before Cain kills his brother, God warns: “Sin is crouching at your door.” But blinded to his anger, Cain makes a devastating decision, kindling the fire of violence yet to be extinguished.
Have you ever experienced rejection? It hurts. Jesus was rejected by His family, so He understands. But how He responded was revolutionary—and could help you heal from the pain holding you back. Let’s begin overcoming rejection together in this message.
Do you ever feel like people are taking you for granted? You do so much, but you often feel unseen. Jesus knows what that’s like because He’s been there. How do you respond when you feel under-appreciated? We’re talking about it in this message.
The Bible says God won't allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear (1 Corinthians 10:13). Sometimes that seems impossible—especially when temptation is so strong. Like you, Jesus has been there.
Sometimes one of the most challenging parts of faith is waiting for God. It might be hard to imagine, but Jesus knows what it’s like to wait. He understands the frustration you feel. In this message, we’ll learn how to trust God while we wait.
Have you ever been hurt by a friend? Jesus has. Maybe you feel like God isn't listening? Jesus knows what that’s like. No matter what you’re facing, Jesus understands because He’s Been There.
Are there areas of life you’re constantly trying to control? In Proverbs 3:5, the Bible tells us to trust in the Lord with all of our heart. But how is that possible? In this message, we’re learning how to give up the illusion of control and trust God.
We continue our Lent journey through the Gospel of Luke looking at the life and ministry of Jesus. Question: Have you ever gotten lost? It's near impossible to get lost these days with GPS, but feeling lost is a different story.
We will look at our lostness and look at the community that Jesus is forming through three parables in Luke 15 that he tells.
We continue our journey through the gospel of Luke as we look at the life and ministry of Jesus as we walk towards the cross during this Lent season. How do you experience joy? Happiness? Being blessed? Jesus shows us this weird path towards happiness
Have you ever felt hopeless? Have you ever felt like giving up? Maybe you are experiencing that right now, a sense of hopelessness in your life. So ... how do we respond to those struggling times? We're continuing our Lent series as we go through the Gospel of Luke looking at the life of Jesus; there are 3 stories that are recorded in Luke 5 that all share the same threads and how we can respond and live when we are feeling hopeless.
We begin our Lent journey as we will be going through the gospel of Luke to look at the life of Jesus as we prepare ourselves for Easter.
Everyone likes to win. It’s fun to win a game or a race. But how do you train to win at things like marriage, health, or your relationship with God? We’re talking about it in this message.
We’ve been talking about creating new habits to build lasting change. But what about the habits we need to break? The ones that are holding us back from the life God wants for us. Let’s learn how to break bad habits for good.
We don’t always see the potential in small beginnings, but God does. In Zechariah 4:10, the Bible tells us not to despise small beginnings because the Lord rejoices to see the work begin. Let’s learn how small habits can have a big impact.
Do you ever wonder why you make certain choices? Maybe you wanted to make a change in your life but just couldn’t stick to it. In this message, we’re getting to the bottom of why we do the things we do and learning how to overcome negative thoughts.
Are you sick of being stuck? Few things in life are more frustrating than knowing you need to change, trying to change, but not changing. It’s possible to find The Power to Change and start living the life you want.
At Christmas, we celebrate the greatest gift the world has ever received. Jesus. Incarnate. God became human. With that one gift, humanity received hope - the hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people (1 Tim. 4:10 NIV). This year, as we gather for worship together, and celebrate the season, let's share the good news to a weary world. There is Hope for Humanity!
At Christmas, we celebrate the greatest gift the world has ever received. Jesus. Incarnate. God became human. With that one gift, humanity received hope - the hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people (1 Tim. 4:10 NIV). This year, as we gather for worship together, and celebrate the season, let's share the good news to a weary world. There is Hope for Humanity!
At Christmas, we celebrate the greatest gift the world has ever received. Jesus. Incarnate. God became human. With that one gift, humanity received hope - the hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people (1 Tim. 4:10 NIV). This year, as we gather for worship together, and celebrate the season, let's share the good news to a weary world. There is Hope for Humanity!
At Christmas, we celebrate the greatest gift the world has ever received. Jesus. Incarnate. God became human. With that one gift, humanity received hope - the hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people (1 Tim. 4:10 NIV). This year, as we gather for worship together, and celebrate the season, let's share the good news to a weary world. There is Hope for Humanity!
Jesus prays for God to be glorified, for believers to be unified, and for hearts to be protected by the Word—not for the world to like us. Jesus instead prays that, through seeing God’s love for us, the world would know God’s love as He does.
Having just prayed for the disciples, Jesus shifts to praying that all who would believe Him would reflect the unity and oneness of the Father and the Son. As believers, we will love the world as Christ loves us, pursuing unity, not uniformity.
Our Regional Minister, Larry Schram, is teaching the Word of God today as he speaks to us about what God has put in your hand.
Believers know if God is for us, who can be against us? Jesus prays for our protection so we can stay in but not of the world—not that we will be comfortable. He knows the world will hate all who follow Him, but He prays the Word will sustain them.
This world of brokenness is not our final home, but we live here to show the world God’s original intention. Through the cross, we step obediently into the continuing work of Jesus through the Holy Spirit, living here with eyes toward heaven.
We have to trust what Jesus says and not let our questions get in the way. There’s a lot we don’t know, but we know the One who knows all. No matter what comes through those doors, we will fully trust what Jesus says because He overcame the world.
Have you ever considered the seriousness of ingratitude? Have you thought that ingratitude needs to be repented of? We are going to look at how seriously God takes our ingratitude. Becausewe should be the most content, the most thankful, and the most grateful people because of the Gospel—because of what Jesus has done for us on the cross, because of the fact that He took the punishment that we deserved upon Himself.
Jesus knows His departure will bring His disciples tears but one day they will rejoice because He will return. We also will see Jesus face to face one day! No matter what comes through those doors, we hold on to that joy in the midst of sadness.
We may skip a guided tour thinking we know enough. The problem is we don’t know what we don’t know. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would guide us through this life. No matter what comes through those doors, we turn to the Spirit for guidance.
While independence can be seen as strength and asking for help weakness, Jesus warns us about what is coming to take the weight off our shoulders. No matter what comes through those doors, we need to depend on God instead of relying on ourselves.
“I chose you.” Jesus spoke these words to His disciples and now to us. “Chose” can also be translated as “picked up.” Jesus has picked us up, and we can be confident in His hands. He has chosen every single one of us on purpose and with a purpose.
Jack brings a word from God from Ephesians 4 as we look at the identity we have in Christ
In everything, Jesus remained filled with the love and joy of God in a way that overflowed to all around Him. He reminded His disciples that following Him would bring trouble, but reassured them that connecting to Him would produce a rooted life.
Our calling is “Be the Branch,” but the alternative is to be the stick that isn’t connected to Jesus and gets thrown in the burn pile. We don’t want to be sticks with fake fruit tied on. Our job as branches is to stay connected to the vine, Jesus.
Bonsai trees can live hundreds of years, but need intentional pruning that cuts bad and good for the better. The way of Jesus is a way of pruning, intentionality, and lifelong commitment revealing the value and distinction He makes in this world.
The word “remain” appears 11 times in John 15 as a call to faithfulness and consistency. Like in a vineyard where fruit can only come through connection, believers are called to the branch life, drawing our strength and life from Jesus alone.
The pathway of peace isn’t always peaceful, but you will have peace of mind and heart. If you don’t have both peace of mind and heart, you probably aren’t on the path. Jesus offers us peace even though our circumstances are not always peaceful.
Gauges help us understand if anything needs repair. Jesus showed the disciples that love is the gauge that shows us the way forward. He didn’t use fear or shame to convince them of what they should do but instead lived by the metric of love.
HOV lanes are the fastest way to get somewhere as long as you have someone else in the car. The Holy Spirit is meant to help us find our way. Just like the HOV lane, we cheat the Holy Spirit, finding substitutes for His presence and power.
Philip, with Jesus from the start of His ministry, asked Jesus to show them the Father. Jesus was surprised, because everything He had done had shown people the Father. We, too, need to know how to look for Jesus when it is hard to see Him.
As He talked to His closest followers in the upper room, Jesus knew He soon would be arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane. Instead of offering them reassurance about their remaining days on Earth, He reminded them this world is not their home.
Jesus began a disruptive sermon with the calming words, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.” Despite the world having changed a lot , we know where we are going because we are following Jesus.
God loves you. People say it all the time, but do you ever wonder if it's true? Or maybe you wonder why He would love someone like you. The answer to these questions could change your life.
Have you ever had moments where you know that you're experiencing the presence of God? The Bible says He will never abandon us (Deuteronomy 31:6). So why are there times when God feels far away? Let's find out this week in our series, Ever Wonder Why?
Join our guest preacher, Henry Schade as he teaches us from God's Word. He will be doing a teaching out of the book of Ephesians
Do you have a bad habit that you can't seem to break? Do you ever wonder why you can't stop? Maybe there's a deeper reason that's making it tough to quit. We're talking about it as we continue our series, Ever Wonder Why?
Do you ever wonder why you should trust God? Or if it's even possible given everything you're facing? Let's learn how to build our faith and trust as we continue our series, Ever Wonder Why?
The Bible tells us that with God, all things are possible (Matthew 19:26 NIV). But if that's true, why didn't God answer your prayer? Does it mean you did something wrong? Or that He doesn't care? Let's talk about it as we continue our series, Ever Wonder Why?
Have you ever had a question so hard you wouldn’t even say it out loud? Or a doubt so big you didn’t feel like you could share it—especially at church? Maybe it’s time to ask the tough questions together. Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in the demands of the day. But when you start to take eternity seriously, it changes the way you live today. We’re learning more in this message.
Have you ever had a question so hard you wouldn’t even say it out loud? Or a doubt so big you didn’t feel like you could share it—especially at church? Maybe it’s time to ask the tough questions together in our new series, Ever Wonder Why?
The resurrection of Jesus changed the world forever. Without it, we’d still be stuck in our sins with no hope beyond the grave. But this week, we praise God that the sadness of Friday leads through the sorrow of Saturday to the celebration of Sunday.
Did you know there was actually quite a lot of things that happened during that final week leading up to the cross? Over the next several weeks we will be looking at some of those big events that took place after Jesus entered into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and how the cross impacted them.
Did you know there was actually quite a lot of things that happened during that final week leading up to the cross? Over the next several weeks we will be looking at some of those big events that took place after Jesus entered into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and how the cross impacted them.
Did you know there was actually quite a lot of things that happened during that final week leading up to the cross? Over the next several weeks we will be looking at some of those big events that took place after Jesus entered into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and how the cross impacted them.
Did you know there was actually quite a lot of things that happened during that final week leading up to the cross? Over the next several weeks we will be looking at some of those big events that took place after Jesus entered into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and how the cross impacted them.
Did you know there was actually quite a lot of things that happened during that final week leading up to the cross? Over the next several weeks we will be looking at some of those big events that took place after Jesus entered into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and how the cross impacted them.
Is there something you’ve been tempted to give up on? Don’t quit! God has a special word of encouragement for you in this message.
We are know the power behind words, even just ONE word. That one word has the power to change the trajectory of our lives either towards the positive or the negative. Today, we will be talking about the one word that stands above all words that has the power to change your life.
Do you ever feel like you'd be happier if you could make a little more money, buy that car, or land that job? The Bible tells us it's more blessed to give than to receive. But how is that possible? We'll find out in this message.
Do you want to start getting closer to God? This message is the perfect place to start! We’re learning how to become fully devoted to God’s plan for our lives.
If you have a lot of good intentions but struggle to follow through, you won't want to miss this message. We're learning the quality that can help us achieve every goal God puts on our hearts.
Have you ever given in to temptation and then regretted it? Most of us have. The Bible says God won't allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear. In this message, we’ll learn how to overcome temptation before we face it.
Do you realize that God is doing a new thing? And inviting you to join Him in it ... we have guest speaker Marilyn Burrows bringing God's Word to us today from Isaiah 43
What if becoming the person you want to be starts before you make a decision? Before you click "buy," or before you take one more bite. Can the decisions you make today help you live the life you want tomorrow? Let’s learn together in this new message.
Would you like to have a miracle on your street this Christmas? Could you use a visit, not from a jolly man with reindeer, but a mighty Lord of Angels? If so, make it your aim to consider the story of the birth of Jesus Christ.
Would you like to have a miracle on your street this Christmas? Could you use a visit, not from a jolly man with reindeer, but a mighty Lord of Angels? If so, make it your aim to consider the story of the birth of Jesus Christ.
Would you like to have a miracle on your street this Christmas? Could you use a visit, not from a jolly man with reindeer, but a mighty Lord of Angels? If so, make it your aim to consider the story of the birth of Jesus Christ.
Have you had IT at some point in your life? God seemed like he was all around you, you prayed and know He heard your prayers and you would often see him respond? The question we are looking at is: Is there a time in your life that you are closer to God then, than you are now? Like is there a part of your life where you were closer to God then than you are currently right now? The idea that you had it, but you lost it. Well, we are looking in Revelation 3 at a church in Sardis and will listen to what Jesus said to them and says to us to how to get it back.
This week we are talking about the Leadership Style of the Messiah. As Jesus and the disciples are on their way to Jerusalem (on their way to the cross), Jesus explains to them once again exactly what is going to happen to him in Jerusalem as he prepares them for their next task at hand when he leaves them - servant leadership.
Most “messiahs” focus on all the benefits of following them. Jesus reminds us that if we follow him, there are costs as well. Huge costs.
We are all facing some storms right now. We’re in the midst of a economic crisis that doesn't seem to be going away any time soon. We’re in the midst of a troubling conflict in Ukraine and are even more troubled about the outcomes of that. In addition to that, some of you may be facing some personal storms. A financial storm. A physical storm. A relational storm. Jesus is the power to calm the storms.
We’re starting a new series this weekend entitled Messiah. It’s a study in the gospel of Mark. This is the perfect follow-up to our study of Isaiah. The prophet Isaiah keeps reminding the Israelites that God has not forgotten them. A Messiah is coming. Redemption is coming. Hope is coming. The gospel of Mark tells us the rest of that amazing story. In our current culture that is filled with “messiahs” who promise to bring healing to our broken world, Mark reminds us of the one Messiah who can actually deliver on that promise
When it feels like there are areas of our life that are kind of in the ruins, it can cause us to ask some big questions. Questions like: Where is all of this heading? Does God still have a plan for my life? Does God still have a plan for this broken, sinful world? Or is life just about moving from circumstance to circumstance? Those were the same questions the Israelites were asking while they were in Babylonian exile. Even in the midst of their disobedience and idolatry, they remembered something about being the chosen people of God. They remembered something about God having some kind of ultimate plan and that they were somehow a part of that plan. This chapter helps us clearly see what God had in mind.
This week we are looking at Isaiah 58:1-12. It’s a reminder that life "beyond the ruins" is not just about going through the motions of religiosity. It’s about bringing heaven to earth. It’s about living out Jesus’ prayer that God’s kingdom would come on earth as it is in heaven. In First Baptist as it is in Heaven. It’s a radical and counter-cultural calling that will change us, change our community and change the world.
Isaiah uses two metaphors to help us better understand this new kingdom that the “servant of the Lord” is building and the impact it has on our lives.
The focus on the second half of Isaiah is someone he calls “the servant of the Lord.” This is part of what is generally referred to as the “servant songs.” In these “servant songs” Isaiah prophesies about this mysterious figure that is coming in the future who is going to bring Israel out of the ruins and bring the salvation of God not just to the Israelites but to the world.
The next part of the story begins in chapter 42. The people are in Babylon. Everything that they have known from their past has been destroyed. And just like most of us would be doing, they are wondering where is God in all of this? But God will not leave his people in the midst of the ruins. The Servant of the Lord is coming. God is doing a new thing and his people will sing a new song.
Isaiah hears the call to communicate a difficult message that the city will one day lie in ruins. Yet, he accepts the call by answering, “Here I am, send me!” He comes face-to-face with the holiness of God that shifts his focus inward instead of outward and because of that is given the courage to speak out and use his voice.
Life is hard, but there are promises to grip, strategies to employ. Flee evil and pursue intimacy with your Creator. Uproot what is broken and cultivate what is life-giving. Make war on what is destructive and rest in the God who loves you.
The only solution to spiritual, emotional, and physical exhaustion is a spiritual, emotional, and physical rhythm of rest. Jesus, our Shepherd, invites us to join Him in a new type of life where our souls can be truly refreshed.
God created humans, and in the very next scene, He rested. From the beginning of human history, He has been training us to live to the beat of His heart, resting in Him before all else. We were created to work out of our rest, not rest from our work.
Unlocking your inner conqueror. Stare down your fears, shatter your insecurities. Shake off the apathy trying to hold you back. You’re not a prisoner—you’re a Conqueror. What you fear the most reveals what you value the most. In the fourth and final week of Conqueror, we will emphasize the importance of overcoming fear and trusting God.
Unlocking your inner conqueror. Stare down your fears, shatter your insecurities. Shake off the apathy trying to hold you back. You’re not a prisoner—you’re a Conqueror. The longer we wear a label, the less it describes our past and the more it describes our future. In Week 3 of Conqueror, we are taught that labels may describe us, but it’s our identity in Christ that defines us.
Unlocking your inner conqueror. Stare down your fears, shatter your insecurities. Shake off the apathy trying to hold you back. You’re not a prisoner—you’re a Conqueror.
Many things will catch your attention—few things capture your heart. In Week 2 of Conqueror, we discuss the importance of overcoming apathy and finding your purpose.
Unlocking your inner conqueror. Stare down your fears, shatter your insecurities. Shake off the apathy trying to hold you back. You’re not a prisoner—you’re a Conqueror.
The fastest way to kill something special is to compare it to something else. Join us to discover the dangers of comparing yourself to others, and learn how you can find contentment in seeing yourself through God’s eyes.
Paul declares that the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile is shattered in Christ. Christ breaks down the walls of prejudice in every area of culture and reconciles all believers to God and to each other.
The 'Prison Letters' are messages to the faithful about what God intended the church to be and to do. It is a clarification of the church’s mission and identity. Paul is basically saying to the church, “THIS IS US. This is who we are.” Paul’s prayer for all of these believers is that they would grow in their knowledge of God and of the things of God. He prays that they would know the hope and the inheritance that is theirs in Christ. And he prays that they would know the resurrection power that is available to them for accomplishing the mission to which they have been called.
The 'Prison Letters' are messages to the faithful about what God intended the church to be and to do. It is a clarification of the church’s mission and identity. Paul is basically saying to the church, “THIS IS US. This is who we are.” All of us need an advocate and all of us need to be an advocate for others. In Christ, we are recipients of the former and we are empowered to live out the latter.
The 'Prison Letters' are messages to the faithful about what God intended the church to be and to do. It is a clarification of the church’s mission and identity. Paul is basically saying to the church, “THIS IS US. This is who we are.” Living out God’s calling on our lives doesn’t always lead us to the places or the situations we had envisioned. It certainly didn’t for Paul. Sometimes, like Paul, we find ourselves in situations where our initial response is “I don’t want to be here.” But God can use even our hardships for his glory and give us overwhelming joy as we live out God’s mission for our life
In the midst of the storms and the darkness, there’s a strength greater than our own. There’s a redemption deeper than any pain. Sing with us a song of hope—How Sweet the Sound! As we wrap up this series we will explore the hymn "It Is Well With My Soul" and recognize and understand that in the middle of your pain, God is still present.
Guest speaker Henry Schade is bringing God's Word to us today. Be strengthen, comforted and encouraged by God's Word.
Guest speaker Henry Schade is bringing God's Word to us today. Be strengthen, comforted and encouraged by God's Word.
In the midst of the storms and the darkness, there’s a strength greater than our own. There’s a redemption deeper than any pain. Sing with us a song of hope—How Sweet the Sound!We will explore the importance of hope for eternity and urgency for today through the hymn I’ll Fly Away.
In the midst of the storms and the darkness, there’s a strength greater than our own. There’s a redemption deeper than any pain. Sing with us a song of hope—How Sweet the Sound! Prayer may or may not change your circumstances, but prayer always changes you. In Week 2 of How Sweet the Sound, we explore the hymn What a Friend We Have in Jesus.
In the midst of the storms and the darkness, there’s a strength greater than our own. There’s a redemption deeper than any pain. Sing with us a song of hope—How Sweet the Sound! If you are in Christ, you are no longer what you once were. Join us as we examine the lyrics and meaning behind the hymn Amazing Grace.
“Dead man walking” is a poignant way to describe the incarnate life and ministry of Jesus. His death was so imminent, so certain, so real that it loomed over every step he took toward Jerusalem and the cross. As the time drew closer, Jesus spoke about it with his disciples.
“Dead man walking” is a poignant way to describe the incarnate life and ministry of Jesus. His death was so imminent, so certain, so real that it loomed over every step he took toward Jerusalem and the cross. As the time drew closer, Jesus spoke about it with his disciples.
“Dead man walking” is a poignant way to describe the incarnate life and ministry of Jesus. His death was so imminent, so certain, so real that it loomed over every step he took toward Jerusalem and the cross. As the time drew closer, Jesus spoke about it with his disciples.
“Dead man walking” is a poignant way to describe the incarnate life and ministry of Jesus. His death was so imminent, so certain, so real that it loomed over every step he took toward Jerusalem and the cross. As the time drew closer, Jesus spoke about it with his disciples.
“Dead man walking” is a poignant way to describe the incarnate life and ministry of Jesus. His death was so imminent, so certain, so real that it loomed over every step he took toward Jerusalem and the cross. As the time drew closer, Jesus spoke about it with his disciples.
“Dead man walking” is a poignant way to describe the incarnate life and ministry of Jesus. His death was so imminent, so certain, so real that it loomed over every step he took toward Jerusalem and the cross. As the time drew closer, Jesus spoke about it with his disciples.
Pride makes us vulnerable, so the devil is eager to use it to destroy our lives. You know the proverb: “Pride goes before the fall.” Learn how to avoid this trap in Week 3 of When the Devil Knocks
There’s a way to overcome your guilt and shame. In Week 2 of When the Devil Knocks, we see how Jesus Christ is our advocate in our battle against the accusations of the enemy.
Who is the devil? He’s a deceiver who questions and twists God’s Word. In Week 1 of When the Devil Knocks, Pastor Bill teaches us how to fight back using biblical truth.
How would you define your relationship with Jesus? Close enough for the benefits but not to require sacrifice? He wants completely committed, radically resilient, sacrificially sold-out followers who will give their lives to His everyday mission.
The book of Acts is a powerful display of Jesus’ commands, God’s power, and the Holy Spirit’s presence colliding as ordinary people are unleashed into the world. Like Lydia, some of us have worshiped God but have never really opened our hearts to the message of Jesus shaping our everyday life. But, as with Lydia, we are truly unleashed when we open every aspect of our lives to Kingdom significance.
The book of Acts is a powerful display of Jesus’ commands, God’s power, and the Holy Spirit’s presence colliding as ordinary people are unleashed into the world. Like Philip with the Ethiopian eunuch, the Holy Spirit moves us from a life of routine to one that takes risks. Given the power of the Spirit within us, we want to be people who catch its wind in our everyday lives and are moved to faithful action.
The book of Acts is a powerful display of Jesus’ commands, God’s power, and the Holy Spirit’s presence colliding as ordinary people are unleashed into the world. God can use anything and anyone; He simply calls us to radical commitment to Him.
The book of Acts is a powerful display of Jesus’ commands, God’s power, and the Holy Spirit’s presence colliding as ordinary people are unleashed into the world. Peter and John were described as unschooled and ordinary. Yet, God used these words to unleash them. Their courage and confidence were the byproduct of a life with Jesus. Acts tells us the key to being unleashed is spending time with Jesus.
Have you lost the wonder that at one time captured your heart as a child? Have you found your attention captured by things that don’t satisfy and even leave you feeling a deeper sense of longing for purpose, hope and deep relationships? God placed in the human heart a sense of wonder that is only met fully in Himself. Join us as we unpack the true wonder that is Christ with us!
Have you lost the wonder that at one time captured your heart as a child? Have you found your attention captured by things that don’t satisfy and even leave you feeling a deeper sense of longing for purpose, hope and deep relationships? God placed in the human heart a sense of wonder that is only met fully in Himself. Join us as we unpack the true wonder that is Christ with us!
Have you lost the wonder that at one time captured your heart as a child? Have you found your attention captured by things that don’t satisfy and even leave you feeling a deeper sense of longing for purpose, hope and deep relationships? God placed in the human heart a sense of wonder that is only met fully in Himself. Join us as we unpack the true wonder that is Christ with us!
Daniel is a reminder that people of faith can exist and even thrive in the midst of darkness, rebellion and even gloom. It encourages us and has been a source of hope that not only is there a day coming when evil will finally end, but that God is at work even in the midst of the most difficult and trying of times.
Daniel is a reminder that people of faith can exist and even thrive in the midst of darkness, rebellion and even gloom. It encourages us and has been a source of hope that not only is there a day coming when evil will finally end, but that God is at work even in the midst of the most difficult and trying of times.
Daniel is a reminder that people of faith can exist and even thrive in the midst of darkness, rebellion and even gloom. It encourages us and has been a source of hope that not only is there a day coming when evil will finally end, but that God is at work even in the midst of the most difficult and trying of times.
Kingdoms is a four-week series on the Old Testament book of Daniel. Daniel is a reminder that people of faith can exist and even thrive in the midst of darkness, rebellion and even gloom. It encourages us and has been a source of hope that not only is there a day coming when evil will finally end, but that God is at work even in the midst of the most difficult and trying of times.
Do you have hope for the future? Do you know what the next life has for you? Listen as we venture into the dialogue of what is to come and how we can experience heaven.
To continue moving forward with spiritual growth, you need a spiritual workout plan. Join us as we learn how to feed our spirit
Overcoming the appetites of the flesh and living by the Spirit isn’t easy. Learn through prayer to the Holy Spirit how to rely on the power and prompting of God.
What doors to temptation are you keeping cracked open that you need to slam shut? This week we focus on how to resist temptation by breaking the cycle that binds us to it.
Temptation is the seductive little voice that twists what you want into what you need. It distorts your thoughts until you’re trapped. That’s not the time to listen to yourself. Put your trust in someone who knows A Way Out. We all experience times of temptation, but in 1 Corinthians 10, Paul assures us that there is always a way out.
As a church it should be our desire for us to be a church that grows up so we can build up others and I can’t think of a better way to do that than by studying about the 3rd person of the Trinity – the Holy Spirit. Now and throughout the summer we will be discussing the beautiful images left for us to think about and understand more deeply the presence of Christ on earth today; the invisible but undeniable force of the Holy Spirit
How do you feel about silence? Does it stress you out? Makes you uncomfortable? God came to Elijah in a quiet way, lets see how Elijah responded and what we can learn from him.
As a church it should be our desire for us to be a church that grows up so we can build up others and I can’t think of a better way to do that than by studying about the 3rd person of the Trinity – the Holy Spirit. Now and throughout the summer we will be discussing the beautiful images left for us to think about and understand more deeply the presence of Christ on earth today; the invisible but undeniable force of the Holy Spirit
As a church it should be our desire for us to be a church that grows up so we can build up others and I can’t think of a better way to do that than by studying about the 3rd person of the Trinity – the Holy Spirit. Now and throughout the summer we will be discussing the beautiful images left for us to think about and understand more deeply the presence of Christ on earth today; the invisible but undeniable force of the Holy Spirit
As a church it should be our desire for us to be a church that grows up so we can build up others and I can’t think of a better way to do that than by studying about the 3rd person of the Trinity – the Holy Spirit. Now and throughout the summer we will be discussing the beautiful images left for us to think about and understand more deeply the presence of Christ on earth today; the invisible but undeniable force of the Holy Spirit
As a church it should be our desire for us to be a church that grows up so we can build up others and I can’t think of a better way to do that than by studying about the 3rd person of the Trinity – the Holy Spirit. Now and throughout the summer we will be discussing the beautiful images left for us to think about and understand more deeply the presence of Christ on earth today; the invisible but undeniable force of the Holy Spirit
If you ever feel like worry and anxiety taking over your life, you aren't alone. But how do we overcome the constant worry? Discover the power that prayer has to transform your life.
Do you ever wonder how to escape the negativity around you? Maybe it’s not your circumstances that need to change—it’s your mindset. Learn how to change your perspective and change your life.
Does it ever feel like you have the wires crossed in your mind? Our lives are always moving in the direction of our strongest thoughts. Learn how to rewire your brain to think thoughts that lead to a changed life.
Thoughts are powerful. They change our perspective, impact our decisions, and influence our habits. What do we do when we become trapped by our thoughts? Learn how to take your thoughts captive and win the war in your mind.
As a church it should be our desire for us to be a church that grows up so we can build up others and I can’t think of a better way to do that than by studying about the 3rd person of the Trinity – the Holy Spirit. Now and throughout the summer we will be discussing the beautiful images left for us to think about and understand more deeply the presence of Christ on earth today; the invisible but undeniable force of the Holy Spirit
As a church it should be our desire for us to be a church that grows up so we can build up others and I can’t think of a better way to do that than by studying about the 3rd person of the Trinity – the Holy Spirit. Now and throughout the summer we will be discussing the beautiful images left for us to think about and understand more deeply the presence of Christ on earth today; the invisible but undeniable force of the Holy Spirit
As a church it should be our desire for us to be a church that grows up so we can build up others and I can’t think of a better way to do that than by studying about the 3rd person of the Trinity – the Holy Spirit. Now and throughout the summer we will be discussing the beautiful images left for us to think about and understand more deeply the presence of Christ on earth today; the invisible but undeniable force of the Holy Spirit
As a church it should be our desire for us to be a church that grows up so we can build up others and I can’t think of a better way to do that than by studying about the 3rd person of the Trinity – the Holy Spirit. Now and throughout the summer we will be discussing the beautiful images left for us to think about and understand more deeply the presence of Christ on earth today; the invisible but undeniable force of the Holy Spirit
As a church it should be our desire for us to be a church that grows up so we can build up others and I can’t think of a better way to do that than by studying about the 3rd person of the Trinity – the Holy Spirit. Now and throughout the summer we will be discussing the beautiful images left for us to think about and understand more deeply the presence of Christ on earth today; the invisible but undeniable force of the Holy Spirit
As a church it should be our desire for us to be a church that grows up so we can build up others and I can’t think of a better way to do that than by studying about the 3rd person of the Trinity – the Holy Spirit. Now and throughout the summer we will be discussing the beautiful images left for us to think about and understand more deeply the presence of Christ on earth today; the invisible but undeniable force of the Holy Spirit
As a church it should be our desire for us to be a church that grows up so we can build up others and I can’t think of a better way to do that than by studying about the 3rd person of the Trinity – the Holy Spirit. Now and throughout the summer we will be discussing the beautiful images left for us to think about and understand more deeply the presence of Christ on earth today; the invisible but undeniable force of the Holy Spirit
We have giants in our life that we not only need to be aware of, but ready to battle against them. We are reminded that if we trust God that we will have victory over them.
God's Word is worth living in and living out every day of our lives. Our success—both individually and as a church—is ultimately gauged by our faithfulness to Scripture.
In a culture that hides from God behind bitterness and pride, we have a unique identity as witnesses to Jesus' heart-changing power.
In God's hands, your life has the power to shape the future of the world—beginning with your family. The best legacy you can pass on to others is a vibrant model of faith.
No one follows God faithfully by being passive in the process. Leaning in to Jesus' calling on our lives requires intentional planning and perseverance, using His gifts in His strength.
Paul's letters to young Timothy can be summarized in two words: Lean in. In a world of apathy and opposition, followers of Jesus must live with a power and a passion that express themselves through action. Even if we feel unqualified or overwhelmed, we can trust the promises of God's Word, knowing He can use us to make a difference. When we lean, we declare our dependence. When we lean in, we unite in forward movement. Now's not the time to step back to fade away—it's time to lean in.
If we want to make a difference as followers of Jesus, we need to trust in His strength and power. Our calling as Christians looks less like striving and more like surrender.
Connection - there is something about it that we deeply desire. We don't like to feel separated, rejected or alienated. Why is that? What type of connections to you currently have in your life? There is one connection in life that changes everything! Our connection to Christ's death, burial and resurrection and through that we feel His love
A study through Hebrews 12:1-3 as we look at the key phrase and learn together in the importance and need of fixing our eyes on Jesus
A study through Hebrews 12:1-3 as we look at the key phrase and learn together in the importance and need of fixing our eyes on Jesus
A study through Hebrews 12:1-3 as we look at the key phrase and learn together in the importance and need of fixing our eyes on Jesus
A study through Hebrews 12:1-3 as we look at the key phrase and learn together in the importance and need of fixing our eyes on Jesus
A study through Hebrews 12:1-3 as we look at the key phrase and learn together in the importance and need of fixing our eyes on Jesus
A study through Hebrews 12:1-3 as we look at the key phrase and learn together in the importance and need of fixing our eyes on Jesus