One time a couple of guys tried to mug Chuck Norris with a pocketknife. Seriously. And for centuries, the people of Israel abandoned the Living God to worship lifeless stone and blocks of wood. Sometimes we just don't know why people do the things that they do. It's not really important to try to understand what was going on in the heads of the guys who make the "dumb criminals" stories, but to understand the Old Testament, we need to understand the pull toward idols that the people of Israel could not overcome. That's what this six-week sermon series that we started Sunday is all about. We begin this week with how God introduced himself to his people, and what that meant for the people who were supposed to worship and represent him among the nations.
Listen to this episode
Download this episode (right click and save)
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, June 27, 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
VBS is Next Week!
When: Mon.-Fri. June 27-July 1, 6-8 p.m.
Where: First Baptist Church of Stephens
What:
-- Great Music and Worship
-- Bible Stories
-- Arts and Crafts
-- Games and Snacks
-- and lots of FUN!!!
To Pre-Register, call Liz Suffron at (870) 786-9117
Don't forget Parents' Night!
-- Friday, July 1st at 6:30 p.m.
-- Music performances by the kids
-- Slide Show
-- Awards
-- Refreshments following
Dude, it's all about Jesus!
Monday, June 20, 2011
A Blueprint for Spiritual Leadership
You never know what you will run across when you are reading your Bible. I normally kind of skim through those last parts of Paul's letters where he sends greetings to people we otherwise don't know about, but sometimes he throws a little nugget in there that really has a lot packed in. Several months ago, I cam across 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 and God showed me that in those short little verses, we find a great blueprint for what it takes to be an effective spiritual leader.
Listen to this episode
Download this episode (right click and save)
**As a Fathers' Day gift to me, my 3-year-old son Joseph sang the special music. This is only the audio (so you miss his dance number during the musical interlude), but I hope you enjoy it as much as I did and are blessed as much as I was.
Listen to this episode
Download this episode (right click and save)
**As a Fathers' Day gift to me, my 3-year-old son Joseph sang the special music. This is only the audio (so you miss his dance number during the musical interlude), but I hope you enjoy it as much as I did and are blessed as much as I was.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
A Vision of Jesus
14 The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. 15 His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.
-- Revelation 1:14-16
On Sunday, I spoke about how one reason we must share the Gospel of Jesus Christ is that Jesus is worthy of worship, and that when we think about Jesus, truly understanding who he is, we realize how offensive it is that Jesus does not get his due recognition from the world.
But we have to remind ourselves as well. This morning, I read this vision of Jesus from Revelation, and it is a good tool for really meditating on his greatness.
Monday, June 13, 2011
One Name, One Truth
When we take a long look at Jesus, as we have over the last six months, it is impossible not to stand in awe of all that Jesus is, what he has done, and the glory and grace of God revealed in him.
There are also some nagging questions. Is Jesus really the only way of salvation? Will people be saved without placing their faith in Christ? In this sermon, we talk about how these tough questions are answered only by looking at Jesus, who is the Truth of God revealed. God has revealed his Truth in one Name, Jesus Christ. And that Name is worthy of the worship of all people; that Truth is worthy of selling everything, even your very life, to take hold of it; and through that Name, God extends to everyone an offer of life.
Listen to this episode
Download this episode (right click and save)
This is the last sermon of 26 on the identity and work of Jesus. If you haven't listened to them all, click on the "Sermons" tab and every one of them is available to you from this site for download or just to listen. We want you to know Jesus. And I pray that this series has (and will) help you grow in your knowledge of him and more than that, your obedience to him and to the gospel.
*Note: the original recording had dropped, for some reason, the opening illustration. I had to re-record it from my desk and add it in, so it sounds different.
For spiritual help any time of the day, call 1-888-Jesus20
There are also some nagging questions. Is Jesus really the only way of salvation? Will people be saved without placing their faith in Christ? In this sermon, we talk about how these tough questions are answered only by looking at Jesus, who is the Truth of God revealed. God has revealed his Truth in one Name, Jesus Christ. And that Name is worthy of the worship of all people; that Truth is worthy of selling everything, even your very life, to take hold of it; and through that Name, God extends to everyone an offer of life.
Listen to this episode
Download this episode (right click and save)
This is the last sermon of 26 on the identity and work of Jesus. If you haven't listened to them all, click on the "Sermons" tab and every one of them is available to you from this site for download or just to listen. We want you to know Jesus. And I pray that this series has (and will) help you grow in your knowledge of him and more than that, your obedience to him and to the gospel.
*Note: the original recording had dropped, for some reason, the opening illustration. I had to re-record it from my desk and add it in, so it sounds different.
For spiritual help any time of the day, call 1-888-Jesus20
Monday, June 6, 2011
H-E-Double-Hockey-Styx
Why do Christians say they are "saved"? To hear most preaching, there is nothing Christians are saved from except possibly an addiction, a failed marriage, or maybe just a mediocre life. There are two parts to preaching and understanding the gospel, and if we never think about what it is that we are saved from, we will never truly appreciate our salvation and our passion for sharing the gospel will always be diminished. This week's sermon is about hell.
Listen to this episode
Download this episode (right click and save)
For spiritual help any time of the day, call 1-888-Jesus20
Listen to this episode
Download this episode (right click and save)
For spiritual help any time of the day, call 1-888-Jesus20
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)