Why is it important that Jesus was sinless? I think most of the time, we think of it in terms of his sacrifice on the cross, that he needed to be an unblemished sacrifice. Although that idea is important, I think we really miss an important point when that is our focus. Jesus' life was a "do-over" for each of us who believes in him; where we were disobedient at every stage of life, Jesus was obedient; where we have been thoroughly sinful at every stage, he has been thoroughly pleasing to the Father. Jesus was born "under the law to redeem those under the law" (Galatians 4:4-5), and when we unite with Jesus Christ in faith, his history replaces our history, allowing God to redeem that which was previously worthless to be worthy heirs of His kingdom. Listen to the podcast below for more.
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First Baptist Church is a loving community of believers in Jesus Christ. Our history goes back for about a century of serving Jesus in our community. We have exciting ministries for people of all ages, including youth and children. You can keep up with us here for sermons, podcasts, blogs, and events.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
Prayerwalking Sunday Evening!
Place: meet at the church, then off to wherever your map takes you
Purpose: to ask God to call hearts to Himself and claim these areas for His Kingdom
Prayerwalking (or prayer-driving in areas where homes are spread out) is about "praying on-site with insight." We will see with our own eyes the places God has called us to reach, praying for God to move in these areas and do His will. In doing this, we will gain a greater vision for the task ahead and greater love and compassion for the people in our area.
We often look at outreach (especially outreach involving "marketing"-type publications and a particular emphasis like an Easter service) in human terms. You hear people say things like, "For every X number of pieces we distribute, we should see X number of responses." Beginning our Easter outreach with prayerwalking acknowledges and reminds us that the work of evangelism is God's work, and God's power is requried to accomplish it. When we take time to invite the Spirit to work, we can trust that He will--in ways we could not imagine and that go beyond the marketing statistics.
I pray that this Sunday, a large group of us will go enthusiastically into new territory and pray earnestly for our neighbors. I pray that this will be the beginning of God turning our hearts outwardly, and that new people will come into God's Kingdom because we were faithful to go and pray.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
When the Task Is Too Big for Us
This is a quick thought...
I was reading is John 6 the other day, where we read a familiar story, one of the few that is in all four gospels. Jesus was teaching a huge crowd by the sea, when the evening came. Jesus told his disciples that they should feed all these people. The first reaction, recorded from Philip, was natural: "We have no money or any other means to buy bread for these people!" In other words, "Jesus, the task you have given me is too big. I give up." Then another disciple spoke up.
I was reading is John 6 the other day, where we read a familiar story, one of the few that is in all four gospels. Jesus was teaching a huge crowd by the sea, when the evening came. Jesus told his disciples that they should feed all these people. The first reaction, recorded from Philip, was natural: "We have no money or any other means to buy bread for these people!" In other words, "Jesus, the task you have given me is too big. I give up." Then another disciple spoke up.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Heaven-Sent Savior
We believe Jesus is the only way not necessarily because of the deficiencies we see in other worldviews or religions but because of the awesome truth revealed in Jesus. We focus our belief on the greatness of Jesus, not on putting down others.
This week's sermon, taken from Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus in John 3, is a look at how Jesus is different from every other religious teacher the world has ever known.
Download this episode (right click and save)
Listen to this episode
This week's sermon, taken from Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus in John 3, is a look at how Jesus is different from every other religious teacher the world has ever known.
Download this episode (right click and save)
Listen to this episode
Friday, February 18, 2011
Ladies' Craft Day - Saturday, February 26th, 2--4 p.m.
Bring whatever craft you are interested in – scrapbooking, jewelry, quilting, etc.
Two of our talented ladies will be demonstrating how to crochet and cross stitch. So for those interested in learning a new skill, bring your hook and yarn and/or a needle and thread, as well.
The event will be in the fellowship hall of the church.
Here is the link to the Facebook "event" page.
Two of our talented ladies will be demonstrating how to crochet and cross stitch. So for those interested in learning a new skill, bring your hook and yarn and/or a needle and thread, as well.
The event will be in the fellowship hall of the church.
Here is the link to the Facebook "event" page.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Our Father in Heaven
A lot of people wonder why there seems to be a difference between the God of the Old Testament and the God of the New Testament. I think, first of all, it has to do with the law. The law casts God as the King and Judge of the world; it pronounces us guilty and rebellious, and God is the Judge who pronounces our guilt and the King against whom we have rebelled. His abounding love is seen everywhere in the Old Testament, but that message is overshadowed by the wrath that breaks out against guilty, rebellious humanity. The second reason for this perceived difference, I think, is that the Fatherhood of God, toward not only humanity in general or Israel in general but to individual people, is really revealed for the first time in Jesus. The Fatherhood of God and our adoption into God's family is possibly the most beautiful and moving picture of God's love in Scripture. And as you can tell by listening to the message, I have a hard time not getting weepy talking about it...
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Listen to this episode
Monday, February 14, 2011
More Free Stuff
I will try to pass along free stuff that I think is pretty good, so that you can enjoy them, too. I haven't read this yet (I just found out about it today), but I expect it to be really good.
Free booklet download: Discouragement: Reasons and Answers, by K.P. Yohannan
I became familiar with Gospel for Asia through the offer of the free book in print (also available free as an audiobook download or as a PDF... I have all three), Revolution in World Missions. I encourage everyone to order a free book by clicking this link:
http://www.gfa.org/offer/freebook/
Gospel for Asia has a lot of free stuff available. I've only read Revolution in World Missions, so I can't speak for anything else with certainty, but it is definitely worth checking out:
http://www.gfa.org/resource/
May these resources rekindle your passion for spreading the gospel around the world!
Free booklet download: Discouragement: Reasons and Answers, by K.P. Yohannan
I became familiar with Gospel for Asia through the offer of the free book in print (also available free as an audiobook download or as a PDF... I have all three), Revolution in World Missions. I encourage everyone to order a free book by clicking this link:
http://www.gfa.org/offer/freebook/
Gospel for Asia has a lot of free stuff available. I've only read Revolution in World Missions, so I can't speak for anything else with certainty, but it is definitely worth checking out:
http://www.gfa.org/resource/
May these resources rekindle your passion for spreading the gospel around the world!
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Repentance and Godly Sorrow
"Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done..."
-- 2 Corinthians 7:10-11
The message this week was about repentance. My hope is that as you listened to the message, the Holy Spirit worked in your heart to reveal areas in your life that you need to further turn over to God's control. And as I was reading my regular bible reading this morning, I came across a Scripture that I believe that is a very important follow-up to what we talked about Sunday.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Repent... the Kingdom of God is Near
In the movie Superman II, there was a man on the street walking along with a sandwich board that said, "Repent, the Kingdom of God is Nigh" (or something very similar). I don't think he was supposed to be representing a stable, respected character. This was my first encounter (as a small child) of this message and the common perception of it. In movies and television, that particular central message is put in the mouths of many people, ranging from evil cult leaders to some lunatic on the street, but never a respectable, level-headed speaker.
Yet, the phrase is taken from the central message of Jesus' first sermons presented in Mark 1:15 and Matthew 3:17. It is not an extreme, crazy message. It is the central message that Jesus brought to earth: in light of his teaching on the Kingdom of God, there is just one reasonable response: change your heart, change your direction, change your mind, change your goals--repent!
Download this episode (right click and save)
Listen to this episode
Yet, the phrase is taken from the central message of Jesus' first sermons presented in Mark 1:15 and Matthew 3:17. It is not an extreme, crazy message. It is the central message that Jesus brought to earth: in light of his teaching on the Kingdom of God, there is just one reasonable response: change your heart, change your direction, change your mind, change your goals--repent!
Download this episode (right click and save)
Listen to this episode
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Free Audiobook downloads: God as Father
An upcoming message will focus on the concept of God as Father. There are two free audiobook downloads on ChristianAudio that speak to this subject. I will be downloading them today, and I suggest you do the same, so we can learn together new insights into God's great love He has lavished on us, that we should be called the sons and daughters of God!
Adopted for Life by Russell Moore
God as Father by C.J. Mahaney
Enjoy!
Adopted for Life by Russell Moore
God as Father by C.J. Mahaney
Enjoy!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
The Preaching Project: Treating the "Unpresentable" with Modesty
The Preaching Project: Treating the "Unpresentable" with Modesty: "'...those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with specia..."
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