FBC West | First Baptist Church of West: Recent Episodes
First Baptist Church of West
These are our Sunday morning messages and Wednesday night Bible studies. Most of them are presented by our pastor, John W. Crowder.
In this week's sermon we look at Ephesians 3:16-20 and how we are united to the Lord because of and in his love. Theres lots of things that we can, should, and need to talk about at church, but ultimately, everyone needs to know the simple yet wonderful and profound truth: Jesus loves you.We are glad that you made it to this sermon! For a video component visit our youtube channel. For more information on our worship services or church as a whole, visit fbcwest.com
As we continue our sermon series "A Bigger Story," we look at the explanation of the Gospel in Ephesians 2:1-10, God's grace, how it unites us to Him, and how it unites us to one another.We're glad that you made it to this sermon! For a video component, visit our youtube channel. For more information on our worship services or church as a whole, visit fbcwest.com
In this week's sermon we start a new series called "A Bigger Story," looking at God's story of grace and redemption throughout the book of Ephesians. In this week's sermon, we look at how life is a story and how God writes it.We're glad that you made it to this sermon! For a video element, visit our youtube channel. For more information about our worship services or church as a whole, visit fbcwest.com
In this week's sermon, we look at 1 Peter 5:6-7 and how God commands us to humble ourselves before him both for his glory and for our benefit.We're glad that you made it to this sermon! For a video element, visit our youtube channel. For more information on our worship services or church as a whole, visit fbcwest.com
As we close our Summer series on biblical use of water, we look at the use of rivers and how they always represent God's provision of life and sustainability. This is true whether the river in in the Lucious garden, a desert, or in eternal life.We're glad that you made it to this sermon! For a video element, visit our youtube channel. For more information about our worship services or church as a whole, visit fbcwest.com
As we begin to wind down our Summer series on water, we look at a fairly obscure Psalm to see how understanding how big God really is leads us to a deeper relationship with him.We're glad that you made it to this sermon! For a video element, look us up on youtube. For more information on our worship services or church as a whole, visit fbcwest.com
In this week's sermon we continue our Summer series talking about water and how it shows up in Scripture. Jeremiah 17:5-8 discusses the difference between simply being alive and flourishing as we are either rooted in God's living water or simply getting it enough to merely stay alive.We're glad that you made it to this sermon! For a video component, visit our youtube channel. For more information on our worship services or church as a whole visit fbcwest.com
In this week's sermon we look at Romans 6:1-4 and discuss the idea of being raised to new life while we look at baptism.We are glad that you made it to this video! We are also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. For more information on our worship services or church as a whole, visit fbcwest.com
In this week's sermon we continue our series on the usage of water in Scripture as we look at Jesus' teaching on kindness and service to one another, as he describes providing someone with the simplicity of a cup of water.We're glad that you made it to this sermon! For a video component, visit our youtube channel. For more information on our worship services or church as a whole, visit fbcwest.com
In this week's sermon, we look at three different stories and three different responses of obedience to God's instruction, all having to do with God's healing power through water.We are glad that you made it to this sermon! For a video component visit our youtube channel. For more information on our worship services or church as a whole, visit fbcwest.com
In this week's sermon, we continue our series "Come to the Water" as we discuss sin and how it is like using a broken cistern.We're glad that you made it to this sermon! For a video component, visit our youtube channel. For more information on our worship services or church as a whole, visit fbcwest.com
In this week's sermon we continue our Summer series about the Bible's exploration and relationship to water. We look at Isaiah 43 and how in the worst and "driest" of times, God can provide a stream and aid the situation.We're glad that you made it to this video! We are also available on Spotify and Apple Music. For more information on our worship services or church as a whole, visit fbcwest.com
In this week's sermon, we take a look at our week ahead of VBS and discuss what our kids will talk about throughout the week.We're glad that you made it to this sermon! For a video element visit our youtube channel. For more information on our worship services or church as a whole, visit fbcwest.com
As we continue our Summer series in the uses of water in the Bible, we look this week at Jesus walking on water through the storm. We discuss many aspects of this story, including how to get through a storm, the idea of faith, and Jesus always being there in the midst of a storm.We're glad that you made it to this sermon! For a video component, visit our youtube channel. For more information on our worship services or church as a whole, visit fbcwest.com.
As we continue our sermon series "Come to the Water," we look at Jesus' baptism in Matthew 3. We use this as a template for how we begin discipleship to Christ and the need for repentance in order to do so. We're glad that you made it to this video! We are also available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. For more information on our worship services or church as a whole, visit fbcwest.com
In this week's sermon, we start a new series called "Come to the Water." In said series, we will spend the Summer looking at different stories and ways in which water is used in the Bible. This week, we look at how Jesus is like water, and how we should go about approaching him as we do water.We're glad that you made it here! For a video element, visit our Youtube channel. For more information on our worship services or church as a whole, visit fbcwest.com
In this week's sermon, our friend and the director of the Waco Regional Baptist Association, Terry Johnston, joins us to talk about how the church should be both communal and missional and how the two coincide with one another.
In this week's sermon we continue our series "Yes, You" as we look at the little known character of John-Mark in the New Testament. Though John Mark doesn't get a lot of credit, he was a key part to the start of the early church. Often behind the scenes, there are many instances in which John-Mark was present and involved in major events. Just because someone isn't front and center doesn't mean that they aren't or can't do the Lord's work and further God's Kingdom.We're glad that you made it to this sermon! Visit our Youtube Channel for a video component. For more information about or worship services or church as a whole, visit fbcwest.com
In this week's sermon we look at Joshua chapter 2 and how God was able to use Rehab, the very definition of an outsider, for his purpose and to further his kingdom. God uses people like Rahab to show that it is him who is working and doing the incredible things, not us. If God can use someone like Rahab, then all we have to do is be humble enough to allow him to use us.We're glad that you made it to this sermon! We are also available on Youtube for a video element. For more information on our worship services or church as a whole, visit fbcwest.com.
As we start a new series this week, "Yes, You," we look at David's battle against Goliath and how he was the least likely to succeed. But, he allowed God to work through him despite his own inadequacies and succeeded. We can also humbly go before GOd and allow hi to work in us, rather than trying to do things on our own and counting on ourselves.We're glad that you made it to this sermon! For a video component, click the link in the show notes. For more information on our worship services or church as a whole, visit fbcwest.com
In this week's sermon we start a new series called "What's My Purpose?" In it, we will look at Luke 14-16, and start this week with chapter 14.We're glad that you made it here! For a video component visit the youtube link in the show notes. For more information about our worship services or church in general, visit fbcwest.com
In this week's sermon we look at how this past week's total eclipse is similar in comparison to our relationship with God. Mainly, we want to see that while God serves, has done, and does incredible things for us, we ultimately exist to serve him rather than him existing to serve us. We're glad that you made it to this sermon! For a video element, click the link in the shownotes. For more information about our worship services or church as a whole, visit fbcwest.com.
Our Wednesday Night Bible study takes a much different format from our Sunday sermons that we post. We are currently studying the book of Daniel, really diving into the book and opening up all of its intricacies for discussion. In this, you will hear our pastor, John Crowder, primarily, but also questions and discussions from others in the group.Daniel is a very powerful book, and is also very applicable to Christians today as we look at people who stood firm in their faith in the midst of being outcasts facing persecution for their faith. This week we will be discussing Daniel chapter 4.We're glad you made it to this Podcast! For a video component, visit the youtube link in the shownotes. For more information on our worship services, Bible studies, or church as a whole, visit fbcwest.com
In this week's sermon we look at the "Now What?" of Easter. As we go through the books of Acts and Ephesians we see to respond to Easter and how our lives are now different because of it.We are glad that you made it to this sermon! For a video element, go to the link in the shownotes. For more information on our worship services and church as a whole, visit fbcwest.com
Our Wednesday Night Bible study takes a much different format from our Sunday sermons that we post. We are currently studying the book of Daniel, really diving into the book and opening up all of its intricacies for discussion. In this, you will hear our pastor, John Crowder, primarily, but also questions and discussions from others in the group.Daniel is a very powerful book, and is also very applicable to Christians today as we look at people who stood firm in their faith in the midst of being outcasts facing persecution for their faith as their cultures collide with others.We're glad you made it here! For a video component visit the link in the show notes. For more information on our worship services, Bible studies, or church as a whole, visit fbcwest.com
Happy Easter! In this week's sermon we look verse by verse at how the disciples and Mary Magdalene came to find the empty tomb and Jesus' resurrected body. We are thankful for what this day represents and how it changes us and gives us hope for eternity. If you haven't heard this message before, please reach out to us and we'd love to talk to you about it!We're glad that you made it to this sermon! For a video component use the link in the shownotes. For more information on our worship services and church and general, visit fbcwest.com
As we finish our series "Journey to the Cross" leading up to Good Friday and Easter, we look at Jesus' triumphal entry in Jerusalem and all of Jesus' qualities and attributes that went along with it.We're glad that your made it here! For a video component see the link in the show notes. For more information on our worship services or church as a whole, visit fbcwest.com
In this week's sermon we continue our series, "Journey to Cross," as we build up to Good Friday and Easter. In this week's sermon we look at Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, focusing in on his prayers and how he went about it.We are glad that you made it to this sermon! For a video element, visit the link in the show notes. For more information on on worship services or church as a whole, visit fbcwest.com
In this week's sermon we discuss Peter's claim that he would die for Jesus, but then turn to his outright denial of him. We look at how proximity to Jesus affects out relationship to him, and how we can do the same thing as Peter if we're not careful.We're glad that you made it to this podcast! For a video element, visit the link in the show notes. For more information on or worship service of church as a whole, visit fbcwest.com
In this week's sermon we discuss Peter's claim that he would die for Jesus, but then turn to his outright denial of him. We look at how proximity to Jesus affects out relationship to him, and how we can do the same thing as Peter if we're not careful. We're glad that you made it to this podcast! For a video component, check the link in the show notes. For more information on or worship service of church as a whole, visit fbcwest.com
In this week's sermon we continue our series "Journey to the Cross." This week we look at Mark chapter 11 as Jesus curses the fig tree and cleanses the temple. We discuss the true purpose for the temple and the church as Jesus declares that it is to be "A House of Prayer." We're glad that you made it here! For a video component to this podcast, click the link in the show notes. For more information on our worship services or church as a whole, visit https://fbcwest.com
In this week's sermon we look at John Chapter 11 where Jesus heals Lazarus. We look at how God allows us to be apart of his workings and miracles. By the end, we see the plot to kill Jesus and how this leads us to the cross. We're glad that you made it here! For a video element, click the link in the show notes. For more information on our worship services or church as a whole, visit https://fbcwest.com
In this week's sermon we begin a new series that takes us to Easter Sunday. We look at Luke chapter 9 and discuss Jesus' determination and decision to go to the cross.We're glad that you made it here! For a video element visit the link below. For more information on our worship service or church as a whole, visit fbcwest.com
This week is a little bit different as we recap and talk about our annual DNow weekend for our students. We hear from some of our students and have a sermon discussing the main themes and topics of community that we talked about over the weekend.
In this week's sermon as conclude our series on 1 Thessalonians, we discuss how find God's will, stay in communion with him, and stay focused on him.
In this week's sermon we discuss how to practice holiness and how to stand firm in it. 1 Thessalonians 4 shows us the importance of walking with God and continuing to grow in our relationship with him.
In this week's sermon we continue our series "Standing Firm" through the book of 1 Thessalonians. In an interesting chapter, we go talk through 1 Thessalonians 3 and how it prescribes certain necessities to our everyday life. Without faith and community, it is not possible to get through the inevitability of life's afflictions.
In this week's sermon we continue our series in 1 Thessalonians and look at the second chapter. In it we talk about how we read God's word, how he adopts us as his children, and how those two things power us through adversity and suffering, and how we can stay standing firm in suffering.
In this week's sermon we start a new series on 1 Thessalonians. In 1 Thessalonians 1:3, Paul talk about what Charles Spurgeon described as "The Divine Sisters:" Faith, Hope, and Love. We see how these are the signs of a person living out their Christianity, what they are, and how to display them. In doing so we see what it means to be standing firm in faith, hope, and love.
In this week's sermon, our guest preacher, Joe bailey, discusses the difference between worldly and heavenly greatness.We're glad that you made it to this sermon! For a video element, click the link in the description. For more information about our worship services or church as a whole, visit fbcwest.com
In our last week of the Advent season, we discuss the idea of Joy. Typically, love is the last week of Advent. However, we choose to discuss joy as there is now a culmination of joy with the coming of Christ. We do a deep dive into what joy is, how it is obtained, and how it is expressed. Now that Jesus has come, he has brought Joy to the World.
In this week's sermon we look at love in the third week of Advent. We see how this is God's gift and the necessity of God's love to receive said gift of grace.We are glad you made it to this page! For a video element, see the link below. For more information about our worship services or church as a whole, visit fbcwest.com
We are now in week two of the Advent season, the week in which we talk, think, and meditate on peace. This week we discuss how Jesus brought and continues to bring peace on Earth and how we are able to have it.We are glad that you made it to this sermon! For a video element, follow the link in the description. For more information about our worship services and church as a whole, visit fbcwest.com
In this week's sermon we talk about hope as we start the first week of the advent season, the time in which we recognize and celebrate the Christmas season. We talk about how God gives us hope through a sign, son, and savior.We are glad you got here! For a video element to the sermon visit the link below. For more information about our worship services or our church in general, visit fbcwest.com
In this week's sermon we discuss Philippians 1:21. We break down why Paul specifies "For me" as well as what it means "to live is Christ and to die is gain."We're glad you're here! For a video element to this sermon, visit the link below. For more information about our church and worship service visit fbcwest.com
In this week's sermon we discuss Psalm 92 and it's pertinence to not just Thanksgiving as a holiday but rather a life, worldview, and overall spirit and attitude of thankfulness.We are glad that you made it to this sermon! For a video element, follow the link below to our youtube channel. For more information about out church, visit fbcwest.com
This week we blend our series "Psalms for All Seasons" with our upcoming season of Thanksgiving. We discuss Psalm 100 and talk about both the motives and methods for giving full, wholehearted thanks to the Lord at all times. Though only 5 verses, Psalm 100 is a very loaded chapter with a lot to think and pray about.For a video element visit the link below. For more information about our church visit fbcwest.com
Psalm 8 is all about being in awe and wonder of who God is, what has done, what he is doing, and what he will do. This week we discuss how we manage to have that since of awe and wonder at all time despite our current circumstances, confusion, feelings, or perceptions.For a video component, visit the attached link. For more information about our church and worship services visit fbcwest.com.
In this week's sermon we discuss Psalm 96, communal worship, and what it means to sing a "New Song" to the Lord. This week is also our observance of the Lord's Supper, which is not included in the audio format. To participate in this, see the video link for the video element to this podcast.
Psalm 122 is a psalm that was sung as people were climbing Mount Zion in a time to be close to God. This week we talk about this and how we go about having times that are closer to God than others.
Psalm 78 is an instructional Psalm about raising our future generations in God's truth. This week's sermon covers why this is important and how to go about doing it.
This Week we discuss the 23rd Psalm, and the season of life for which it is relevant. This includes what it means, how to use it, and what we should do with it.
Psalm 1 is all about joy, blessing, and true happiness. We look this week at what that means and how we go about obtaining it.
In this week's sermon we discuss the greatest story in all of Scripture. Not because it is our opinion or a personal favorite, but because it's the most important events in the history of the world: Jesus birth, death, and resurrection.
As we wrap up our sermon series on The Sermon on the Mount, we look at was Jesus says our foundation should be and how that coincides with having wisdom and living a life that is glorifying to God and won't fall when storms come.
In this week's sermon we approach our second to last section on the Sermon on the Mount. In this we talk about what it takes to get into Heaven, and what can keep us out.
Visit our website fbcwest.com for more information about our church!
In this week's sermon we continue our series in The Sermon on the Mount. We cover the idea of false teachers and how to discern between true and false teaching.
In this week's sermon we continue our series "The Way" through the Sermon on the Mount as we now discuss the wide and narrow gates that one can enter.
In continuing our sermon series "The Way" through the Sermon on the Mount, we get to Jesus' teaching on what we often refer to as the golden rule. In this sermon we discuss what it is, what it isn't, how to go about living it out, and the effect that it can have.
We see in this week's sermon we see The Way to Powerful Prayer, how we go about it, and the positive effects that it has on our lives.
Continuing our sermon series "The Way," we discuss how to move beyond judgmentalism, why it is a sin, what it is and isn't, and the harm that it can do to us.
This week's sermon addresses Jesus' teaching on worry, it's root, what it does to us, and how to overcome it.
This week's sermon dives into Jesus' teaching on material, our heart, and where our treasure lies. When we do things for God we create Lasting Treasure.
As we go into VBS this week with our children, we discuss how we can shine Jesus' light.
Today we talk about Jesus' teaching on prayer, fasting, and giving and how these things are meant to be done for the Lord and not for ourselves.
Jesus taught us how to live in love and He gave us some powerful examples of what that looks like.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus focuses on who we are on the inside, instead of what we do on the outside. (Part 4 of the series.)
This message tackles one of the most complex and exciting passages in the Sermon on the Mount. (Part 3 of the series, "The Way.")
As those who have found the way, we have a responsibility to light the way for others! (Part 2 in the series called "The Way.")
In this first message of the series, we learn how Jesus began the Sermon on the Mount by presenting a whole new way of thinking and believing.
Because of the resurrection, we can be adopted into God's family. Being a part of His family helps us live out our faith.
This message was part of a service that is usually held outdoors on the Sunday following April 17. Our traditional "Outdoor Service" commemorates the Sunday we HAD to meet outdoors because we could not get to the church on the Sunday following the West explosion in 2013. Although the rain kept us from meeting outdoors on this 10th anniversary of that special Sunday, we continued our tradition of expressing our gratitude for all that God has done for us throughout our recovery.
One of the greatest obstacles to us growing in our faith is the inability to fully receive the forgiveness of God. In this message we learn to move past our past so that we can be made new.
The reality of Easter changes everything and gives us the opportunity to be made new. This is the first message in the series "Made New."
Jesus was held on the cross by the necessity of His crucifixion. It was necessary for Him to die that we might live.
As surprising as it sounds, Jesus stayed on the cross because of the "joy set before Him."
It was not the nails that held Jesus on the cross. It was His love, and His humility. He died in humble obedience to the Father.
In this first sermon of the series we learn it was not the nails that held Jesus to the cross, but God's love for us.
This message talks about something that every one of us needs to experience - God's Forgiveness.
Our friend Barry Camp presents a powerful, biblical message on the family. Pastor Barry's personal experiences, wisdom and humor provide great counsel in how we can have godly relationships.
In this annual address, our pastor discusses some of our blessings, challenges, and plans for the future.
In this week's message, Jesus used bread to teach us to look beyond our natural experience to see a deeper spiritual reality.
Our Youth Pastor Robert Hillier takes us to the well in John 4 where we meet the woman whose life was changed when she found Jesus there. The same Jesus who was there for her, is here for us today and always.
In this message we take a fresh look at John 3 and discover what it really means to be "born again."
In this message we take a in-depth look at the first miracle Jesus performed when he began His public ministry.
In this first sermon of the series, we begin getting to know Jesus better by studying the Gospel of John.
A review of the difference between a holistic faith, one where Jesus remains in everything; and a compartmentalized faith, where we pick up and put down Jesus.
In this message we find biblical principles for parenting. Some of those principles are not what people in our culture might expect, but they are all part of God's plan for families.
In this message we find biblical principles that help us build and maintain stronger marriages.
When the Kingdom of God and the culture of the world around us collide, we need to remember what Jesus has done for us.
Once we are saved, Jesus starts working on us to get us to a place where our lives are centered on Him.
John recently had a scary experience at the beach. In this message he connects his story with the great hymn and a story about Jesus at sea.
Are you in the furnace? God is with you.
Are you in the lions den? God is with you.
Are you in the presence of your ENEMY? God is with you.
We are reminded that no matter the trial, God is always with us.
In this message we acknowledge our grief over recent tragedies and find hope in the most difficult of times.
As a "Bulwark", a "Fortress", and "Lord Sabbaoth," God is more than able to take care of us. We can trust Him even in our darkest days.
Moses led God's people through the wilderness to a Promised Land. Christians also have a place that has been promised and prepared for us. We are on our way to the Promised Land of heaven.
These weird words remind us how far God has brought us and how we can depend on Him to get us the rest of the way Home.
In our series conclusion of "Fun Size: A Walk through the Bible's Shortest Books," we look at two people in the same church and determine who we should consider to be a role model.
In our continuation of "Fun Size: A Walk through the Bible's Shortest Books," we look at an example of demonstrating grace and mercy in this personal letter of Paul.
The book of Obadiah, the smallest in the OT, addresses the issue of pride and thinking that one is above the need of God. In this message, we will take this idea and apply it to our lives, seeing how we as followers of Christ can unintentionally do this.
February 25-27 our students participated in Disciple Now. This service we recapped what we did, talked about, and heard from a few of our students.
God's people can be victorious when we pray for one another, support one another, and praise the One who brings the victory.
This is a frank presentation of some of the challenges, opportunities, and blessings that are currently defining us a church.
We imitate Christ when we love as He does. This message looks at how God loves so we can be more like Him and less like the world.
Instead of living like the rest of the world we want to stand out as ambassadors for Christ
Do not conform to the world around you, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
The Prince of Peace has come to bring peace to those who are willing to find it in Him.
Jesus' birth brings hope. Biblical hope is the assurance of a better future based on the promises of God.
Gratitude does not just happen. It is choice we make. Grateful people have happier, more fulfilled lives.
Real prayer is the key that unlocks all of the other things we need in order to outlive our lives.
We can't write anyone off just because they are not important, or because they seem too far gone. Never give up on God's grace.
We live in a culture that is marked by division, but Christ empowers us to break down the walls that separate us.
To outlive your life, do good for the right reasons, the right rewards, and the right results.
In order to outlive your life, live with open eyes to see the needs of others, and open hands to help meet those needs.
We begin to outlive our lives when we start to ask the right questions, take the right steps, and tell the right story.
People who outlive their lives are regular folks who are prepared by God to intentionally live in ways that bring God glory.
This introduction to the series shows us how wisdom works and how we can best apply Proverbs to our lives.
Pentecost is the birthday of the church. The Holy Spirit of God brought the church to life and continues to empowers us today.
Our baggage ties us to our past. When we finally let go of the baggage, we are free to move on to the new things God has in store for us.
With God's help we can let go of our emotional and spiritual baggage, and learn to live free!
When God's messenger announced that Jesus was alive, he included two words that sum up the joyful story of Easter!
This is such a hectic time for all of us, it is good to know that we can rest in Christ.
From Nehemiah we learn five steps that we need to take when we are preparing to rebuild.
Have you ever needed a do over? We all have. In this message we hear how God can bring us a life-changing new start.
In the midst of the chaos we are facing now, it is important for us to remember the priorities Jesus gave us - love God and love people.
After the exile, God's people needed a fresh start, much like we do right now. In Haggai we learn what it takes to start fresh.
Even though 2020 has been difficult, we can choose to move forward with joy. To help us do that, we reviewed some of the "Even Though" verses that we talked about in 2020.
The Gospel of John tells the Christmas story in a simple yet profound way. It is the ultimate love story.
A look at the Christmas Experience from Mary's point of view enables us to see how we can respond to God's favor.
We can have hope in the dark when we trust God during the trials and hard times of life.
We all suffer from time to time. Here are three things to think about when we need hope in the midst of our suffering.
In chapter 1, Peter shows us five blessings that ensure we can have a living hope even in the darkest days.
In this introduction to the series we get to know Peter and learn why he wrote to people like us who need hope in the dark.
The old acronym is tired, but true. We can choose joy by seeing Jesus first, then putting others before ourselves.
The book of Habbakuk is surprisingly a story of hope. From his story we can learn to choose joy regardless of our circumstances.
The top two joy killers of our day are anger and anxiety. We can avoid both of them and find God's peace instead.
As believers, we are pilgrims in a strange land. We are on a journey to our heavenly home. We need to know three things to make that journey a joyful one.
These six keys to success can be applied to any area of life, but especially to our goal of becoming like Christ.
In this first message of the series, we learn that we can "Choose Joy" because we are together in fellowship, in encouragement, and in ministry.
Loving your neighbor requires sacrifices and it is not always easy, but it is always worth it.
We are called to love our neighbor and it might be surprising to find out who that includes.
God commanded us to love one another becasue real love is not natural for us. We have to work at it.
We are not on our own. Jesus returned to the Father where He is now interceding for us.
Jesus promises to send the Holy Spirit to His disciples which ensures us that we are never alone.
In the upper room Jesus assured His disciples they had His peace, would be in His place, and were on the right path.
The believer is identified by his badge -- the badge of love. That love should be what motivates our response to the Covid-19 crisis.
Jesus washed feet to introduce His last will and testement. The best way for you to serve the Lord Jesus Christ is to serve the people around you.
God has placed believers on His team. He has given us the gameplan, the play book, and a Coach to help us be the team He intended us to be.
As we enter a new year, we need to leave some things behind us. This message helps us leave the past, live in the present, and prepare for the future.
When Isaac Watts wrote "Joy to the World," he based it on Psalm 98. This message looks at the Psalm and the carol to find real Christmas joy!
The original Christmas love story is about how God expressed His great love for us by sending His Son to live among us.
The words “Thank you,” don’t mean anything unless you are actually thankful. You cannot give thanks unless you really have a thankful heart because you cannot give what you do not have!
The Journey begins with an invitation to discipleship, "Follow Me." That is our invitation to a life-long journey that leads all the way home.
The disciple's toolkit is full of the tools we need to serve the Lord for the other 167 hours each week.
In this study we summarize the entire Bible to show that it tells the story of redemption. Throughout scripture we see God working out His great plan of brining His people back into relationship with Himself.
John re-preached the first message he preached in West 25 years ago. The jokes are old, but the message is still true. We want to live out God's Word 168 hours each week.
The one task that best defines us during "The Other 167" hours of the week is serving the Lord. We do that by following Him and serving others.
God rarely speaks to us in an audible voice, but He definitely speaks to us through His Word. This study helps us understand how we can hear God by using scripture correctly.
You were never intended to live out the Christian life on your own. We all need to connect with other believers who can help us live out our faith. Being in a Life Group is a great way to make those connections.
Saying that God is great and good seems simple, but it is actually very complex and a powerful statement of faith.
Faith is not just a way of thinking, it is a way of life. Christianity is not about a once a week experience on Sunday, it is about trusting God every day.
In this study we discuss the Trinity and wrestle with the difficult challenge of defining the doctrine without limiting God.
We were never intended to worship God one hour a week. We worship Him through sacrificial living all 168 hours each week.
This is the first message in our series, "The Other 167." We begin this important series with a fundamental quesiton, "Who is the Church?"
With this message, we begin a new Bible study called "Core Christianity" by looking at the core doctrine that Jesus is God.
In this message we hear the disturbing phrase, "but Amnon had a friend," and we see what happened when Amnon took the advice of that so-called "friend." From Amnon's story we learn the importance of choosing the right friends and listening to wise advisers.
In this final message of the "Rooted" series, we learn that when we are made right with Him, we can flourish and grow like the trees in God's courtyard.
We all have times of sadness, grief, or depression. Like Elijah, we wind up "under a broom tree." Here are 6 things to remember when you are under a broom tree.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus used the two trees to teach us to carefully evaluate what we are learning from teachers and preachers.
This message is the third in a series called, "Rooted." In "A Cursed Tree on a Dead Hill" we look at the cross and the love that was expressed there.
Chirstianity is not intended to be shallow, Sunday morning church attendance. Instead we can be firmly planted in faith and deeply rooted in love.
The Tree of Life appeared in the first paradise in Genesis and will appear again in the final paradise described in Revelation.
In this final message of the series, we see the people who stood at the feet of Jesus as He died on the cross. This message led into the Lord's Supper.
Worshipping at His feet includes humility, eagerness, adoration, reverence, and thanks. When it comes to worship, we are to be producers, not consumers.
Praying at His feet involves such humility, faith, and reverence that it is the most powerful kind of prayer.
Revelation 18 describes the fall of the world-wide government and global economy that will be established by the anti-christ.
When we humble ourselves at His feet, we find forgiveness, grace, salvation, and peace.
Revelation 17 describes the fall of the false religion the will be established by the anti-christ and the false prophet.
The pastor shares his heart with the church. He talks about who we are as a church family, what our priorities are, and what's next for us.
The Lord's Supper is a picture of the cross. It's a picture of: 1. God's love 2. Life and a death 3. Grace 4. Atonement
It is important for us to take time to look carefully at the cross of Christ so we can better understand what He did for us there.
In this chapter we learn about the antichrist and the false prophet who will appear during the Great Tribulation.
If we are in His Kingdom, God has a plan for us. We can accomplish that plan courageously because we have access to the King.
When you are courageous enough to be real enough to stand up and stand out, there's no telling what God can do in you and through you!
This week's Hero of Faith is David. He teaches us how to fight our giants with faith, confidence, strategy, and an awareness of God's greatness.
From Samson's story we learn about the consequences of sin and selfishness, but also learn about the power of repentance and restoration.
In Revelation 12 we find some powerful imagery that tell us about the work of the enemy.
God uses ordinary people and ordinary things to accomplish How purposes and bring Him glory.
Guest teacher Dr. Larry Sparks explains the last 5 verses of Rev. 11 including Old Testament background and current events.
We can move beyond a superficial Sunday kind of faith and into a meaningful, powerful relationship with God when we are willing to wrestle with Him like Jacob did.
Our Youth Pastor, Michael Pendley, explains the story of the Good Samaritan from the perspective of prayer and then shares 6 kinds of prayer that we want to pray each day.
2019 will be a great year for the community of West and for our church. Our theme for 2019 is "The Year of the Family." This message helps us see the importance of family and gives us a vision of how we can help strengthen families in the coming year.
Todd Ewing looks at the 4th and 5th trumpets that describe the awful time known as the Great Tribulation.
On this first Sunday of Advent we celebrated the hope that we can have since God is With Us.
The church is beautifully depicted in the image of Christ as the Vine and believers as the branches. In this message we celebrate the 15th anniversary of our sanctuary and we discuss our church's theme verse.
After celebrating our 160th anniversary, it's time to ask, "What's Next?"
In this message we learn about the 4 steps that we must take now in order to move forward under God's leadership.
Our guest teacher, Dr. Larry Sparks, covers the 5th chapter of Revelation and teaches some of the major themes in the book.
In preparation for our 160th anniversary celebration, this message looks at the time Joshua looked back at Israel's history and called the people to choose whether they would serve the Lord or some other god.
In this study we look at Rev. 4 where John begins to talk about the things that are to come. This chapter has an amzing view into the throne room of God.
This Bible study includes the letters to the churches at Thyatira and Sardis.
We have called them the "Liberal Church" and the "Lifeless Church."
In this message we learn that it is important for us to listen to our consience, but the conscience has to be informed by other God-given resources.
This study includes the letters to the churches at Smyrna and Pergamum. We have called them the "Loyal Church" and the "Lax Church."
Many people believe we become angels when we die, but the Bible doesn't say that! This message looks at what the Bible actually says about angels.
It is unbiblical to think that everything that happens must be God's will. He does not want bad things to happen, but He can use those things for our good.
The Bible doesn't say we have to forgive and forget. Instead, we need to learn to forgive even though we can't forget.
This "Introduction to Revelation" is the first session in our Wed. night Bible study series on the book of Revelation. We meet each week at 7:00 p.m.
Most people think the Bible tells Christians not to judge. Actually it tells them they should judge, but only with the right motive and purpose.
"God won't give you more than you can handle" is not a biblical concept. What the Bible teaches is actually even better than that familiar statement.
"God helps those who help themselves" is not in the Bible and it's only partially true. Let's look at what the Bible actually says about who God helps.
This short message describes the Tree of Life, the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, and the Tree of Calvary. It then asks an important, life-changing question, "Where are you?"
Our Exec. Pastor, Todd Ewing, preached this message from Hebrews 4 about the rest we can find when we know Jesus as our Savior, our Redeemer.
We can too easily take God for granted. Many of us have lost what Roy Fish used to call a "Holy Wow."
This message helps renew our awe of an Almighty God and challenges us to magnify Him accordingly.
In this overview of VBS, we learn that Jesus rescues us when we are lonely, worried, struggling, or powerless, and even when we need a second chance.
"The truth will set you free." What does that actually mean? In this message we learn how Jesus sets us free for real!
It would be good to hear that God can use us in spite of our brokenness, but the better news is, He uses us because of our brokenness.
"Spiritual brokenness" is about a personal humility that enables us to come to God and be real with Him. In this message, we learn what David discovered as he cried out to God in Psalm 51. God looks past our religion and He sees our brokenness. Then God uses our brokenness in amazing ways.
-
My brokenness reveals the power of God.
-
My brokenness reveals the presences of God.
-
My brokenness reveals the person of God's Son.
Our Mandate -- Shine!
Our Motivation -- God's Glory!
Our Mission -- Influence!
Our Method -- Love!
This is the 4th message in the "IMPACT" series.
We can have a bigger impact on our community when we connect with the church and work together as a team.
I can have an IMPACT on my community when I learn the power of generosity.
I can generously use my time in a way that honors God. I can generously use my talent in a way that honors God. I can generously use my treasure in a way that honors God.
I have been blessed so I can bless others.
We can live lives of significance when we have enough compassion to impact the world around us. That happens when we make four commitments:
I will remember God's compassion for me. I will recognize the needs around me. I will take action and serve others. I will embrace a selfless life.
This is the part 1 of the series, "IMPACT: the power of a significant life."
In this message, we discover the power of belief that is based on the Bible.
We can trust the Bible because it is:
Inspired by God Reliable Relevant to our lives
We can worship God even in tough times because:
Worship is a choice. Worship is about focus. Worship is about Him.
Worship is about what we do for God, not what the church does for us!