The Second Advent, part 4: Final Judgment

The promise is that through Christ, God will bring peace.  Peace can come through reconciliation or through victory.  The final judgment will be God's final victory over evil and will bring justice to the world.

What do we need to know about the final judgment?

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The Second Advent, part 3: Don't Be Deceived

Jesus said Satan is the Father of Lies.  Just before Jesus returns, there is going to be a great deception that would even fool God's true people, if that were possible.  How do we prepare to know the truth from the lie?  How do we stand on truth in a society that denies objective truth?

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The Second Advent, part 2: Birth Pains

In a very literal sense, the first advent of Jesus Christ was signaled by birth pains: Mary began to go into labor, and Joseph hurried to secure a place for the baby to be born.  Jesus said that His return would also be signaled by events that come like birth pains (Matthew 24:4-8).  This picture is also used by Paul in two of his letters.  What does this image teach us about Christ's second coming?  What does it teach us about how we are to prepare and to await this return?

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The Second Advent: Waiting, Watching, Hoping

What is you attitude toward the Second Coming of Jesus?  Are you watching with anticipation?  Hope?  Dread?  Are you skeptical?  As we celebrate the first coming of Christ this Christmas season, we also watch for His return.  This week, we examined the Parable of the Ten Virgins to see what Jesus teaches about how we are to be waiting for Him to come back.

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Story of the Church - Marriage Today, part 3: Loving Your Spouse Well

What does it look like when we live by the power of the Holy Spirit in our marriages?  You will love your husband or wife well, and we will bear witness to the world about the greatness of God and the availability of His kingdom right now.

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Story of the Church - Marriage Today, part 2: God Makes One out of Two

Near the end of His teaching ministry, Jesus was challenged by the religious leaders of the day on the question of divorce.  Jesus used that opportunity to challenge the chauvinistic divorce culture of this time and to teach how the kingdom of God restores marriage to its original design.  Jesus' answer speaks directly to the marriage questions of our current culture and teaches us how God meets our deepest needs by making one out of two.

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Arkansas Baptists' Resolution on "Medical Marijuana"

This is the full text of the resolution passed by Arkansas Baptists at the annual meeting about "medical marijuana."  The campaign for these initiatives have been misleading.  This is not about distilled medicine for babies with seizures.  

Smoking a plant is not a good way to administer any benefits of the substance to a patient.  It can't be properly dosed or controlled.  It's not medicine.

If these people are really concerned about the child like the one in the commercial, they wouldn't tie her plight to a proposal that's really about legalizing recreational marijuana and marijuana edibles.

RESOLUTION NO. 5: ON “MEDICAL” MARIJUANA

Whereas, in November’s general election, Arkansas’ voters will be faced with ballot Issues 6 and 7, both of which are measures to legalize so-called “medical” marijuana; and

Story of the Church - Marriage Today, part 1: A False Gospel

The place where the church and Western culture are at the greatest divide is in the area of marriage and sexuality.  This division is not just a matter of differing viewpoints but of two different gospels.  To speak to our culture, we must first understand the false gospel of the ongoing sexual revolution so that we can respond in the love and power of the true good news of Jesus Christ.

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Story of the Church - Spirit and Worship, part 2: When We Come to Worship

"Worship" is a church word we use all the time, but it's used in a lot of different ways.  What does the Bible say about worship? What is worship?  What makes a “worship service” distinct from a bible study or Sunday school class?  Why is it important to worship?

That was our focus as we "worshiped" this past Sunday...

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The Story of the Church - Spirit and Worship, part 1: Modern-Day Pentecost?

We say we believe the stories of the Bible, but few of us have experiences with the power of the Holy Spirit as depicted in the book of Acts.  In the early 20th Century, a group of people started seeking God to reveal Himself as He did at Pentecost.  A remarkable breakthrough happened in California called the "Azusa Street Revival."  What happened there?  Was it a true move of God?  What kept it from having a broader impact in the church?  Most importantly, can we still live by the power of the Holy Spirit today?  These are some of the questions we explored this past Sunday.

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The Story of the Church - Reformation, part 3: Church and State

Most of the accusations in history against Christians can be laid at the feet of an improper relationship between church and state.  Baptists have historically led the way in religious freedom and the separation of church and state, since the founding of the first Baptist churches in England and in America.  What is the biblical view of the relationship of the church to the state?  Should we seek political power?  Should we seek to establish God's standard as the law?  This week, we look at these issues...

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The Story of the Church - Reformation, part 2: To the Ends of the Earth

Yes, God is still sovereign over history.  His kingdom is advancing, despite the church's stumbles and imperfections and retreats.  Let's concern ourselves, first and foremost, with being on mission with Him.

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Story of the Church - Reformation, part 1: Martin Luther's Stand

The basis for how someone comes into a reconciled relationship with God is probably the fundamental question of religion.  The Reformation was about correcting confusion in the church about the answer to that question.  How are we saved?  The church had become corrupt, and their answer had more to do with gaining wealth and preserving power than what was taught by Jesus and the Apostles.  Then on October 31, 1517, a monk named Martin Luther took a stand for truth...

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Story of the Church - Middle Ages, part 2: The Challenge of Islam

In the Middle Ages, Islam was born and expanding rapidly and aggressively, mostly over territory that had been under the influence of the church.  The church responded with the Crusades.  They were an utter failure.  Now we face a new challenge from Islam; it is at the center of our national debate.  How can we do better than our spiritual forefathers?


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Story of the Church - Middle Ages, part 1: Human Nature

"Follow Your Heart"

It seems to be the official advice of American culture reinforced across all corners of our culture from Apple to Disney to graduation speeches.  But is it really good advice?  What does the Bible say about human nature?  Are we basically good or basically evil?  

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Story of the Church - Councils and Creeds, part 3: The Nature of Christ

Once the doctrine of the Trinity was affirmed, it led to natural questions about the nature of Christ in His humanity.  The answers to these questions give us understanding to how we can actually live like Jesus, as God has promised and as He has called us to live.


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Story of the Church - Councils and Creeds, part 1: The Canon

How do we know the Bible is God's Word?  How do we know the books we have in the Bible are inspired?  How can we trust the Bible is complete and no books were left out?  As the authority of the Bible is being questioned, we need to answer these questions by examining how the Bible came together, how it was written, and how it has been preserved.


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Story of the Church: Savage Wolves, part 3: The Persecutors

Persecution is at an all-time high worldwide, and Satan wields his weapon of fear against Christians all over the world, including right here.  "In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Timothy 3:12).

So what is the cause of this fierce opposition?  What does God expect of believers facing fearful situations?  And what is our comfort?  We looked in to Revelation and other passages to answer these questions.

(Revelation 12-13, Hebrews 10, Romans 8)


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Story of the Church: Savage Wolves, part 2: The Gnostics

When Paul was nearing the end of his ministry, he warned of the "savage wolves" that would come after and threaten the church.  Paul was primarily referring to false teachers.  This week, we looked at one set of false teachers who infected the early church called the Gnostics.

Gnosticism was a short-lived heresy with lasting effects.  In fact, the fundamental error of Gnosticism--the separation of the physical from the spiritual--still infects the beliefs of many Christians today.  This week we looked at three devastating consequences of separating the physical from the spiritual in your thinking...


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The Birth of the Church, part 9: The Apostle's Heart

It's been almost two months since we've been able to post a sermon, due to technical problems we were not able to work out.  We've got a new way to record now, so we hope that now more sermons will be missed.

What do you think of the apostle Paul?  Who was he?  What was he like?  How people answer that question often determines how they look at the church.  This week we look into the heart of the apostle Paul...


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The Birth of the Church, part 4: World-Changing News

It's the message that turned the world upside down.  The apostles' simple gospel message called the "preaching" or "kyrygma" that was repeated throughout the book of Acts and in evangelistic missions all throughout the First Century launched the church and changed the world forever.  What was the message?  How can we be faithful to the original gospel as we share Christ today?


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The Birth of the Church, part 3: When the Spirit Comes

Jesus told the disciples to stay in hiding until the Holy Spirit came upon them.  What does that tell us about our need for the Spirit as a church?  Today, we look at what we ought to see when the Spirit comes and does His work among us in His church.


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The Birth of the Church, part 2: Releasing Doubt

The Bible said some disciples still doubted, even when they were face-to-face with resurrected Jesus.  But eventually they released their doubt and turned the world upside down.  This week's message is about what it takes to release doubt and live confidently in the truth and power of the resurrection.


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The Birth of the Church, Part 1: The Morning That Changed Everything

Sunday was graduate recognition Sunday (congratulations again to Lakasha and Daja!).  When a graduate walks across that stage, she know her life has changed.  There are many moments like this in life when we think, "This changes everything."  Resurrection morning was a moment when everything really did change.  It's the most important event in human history, and it is a truth that changes everything for those who embrace it.

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The Cross of Jesus, part 4: Picture of Sin

The cross of Jesus became a symbol of the faith early in church history.  These days, it has become a decorating motif, found on everything from tattoos to necklaces to wall art.  But the biblical picture of the cross is very ugly, and not just for the blood and gore.  The story of the cross paints a picture of our sin.  And it's not pretty.  But there is hope!

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At the Cross: Jesus Sees Mary

The story of Jesus on the cross, in His final moments, looking down and seeing His mother and providing for her is one of the more touching moments in Scripture.  The story also reveals truth about the character of God, El Roi, "the God Who Sees Me."

Wherever you are in your journey as a mom or with your mom, God sees.  He sees, He cares, and He is eager to provide for you in your need.


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The Cross of Jesus: Given for You

Jesus went to the cross willingly.  His life was not taken, it was given.  And it was given as He was surrounded by sinners, among both the faithful and the skeptics.  He offered his life to all people, while we were still sinners.  What great love the Lord Jesus has for us!


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(There are some audio issues at the beginning, but most of the message came through.)

Special Guest Tee Uzoigwe, Campus Minister at UAPB

Tee, wife Erica, along with Avaria and Jon

Our special guest Sunday was Tee Uzoigwe, who serves as the campus minister at the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff for Baptist Collegiate Ministries (BCM).  Tee brought a team of students on Wednesday, April 20, and many students responded to his presentation.  On Sunday, Tee brought a powerful message about his testimony of people who loved him without judgment and what our lives ought to look like if we are true believers.

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The Cross of Jesus, part 2: The Stone the Builders Rejected

The rejection of Jesus Christ by the Jewish people is one of the tragic stories of history.  In an important parable, Jesus teaches about this rejection and what it means for all of us.


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The Cross of Jesus, part 1: Shadow of the Cross

As Jesus turned to go to Jerusalem, He knew the danger very well.  His disciples and others who followed Him were "astonished" and "afraid."  But He had to go.  The cross, as terrible as it is, was inevitable.  As we look at the reasons why Jesus went willingly to the cross, we discover that the cross is inevitable to everyone who would follow Him as well.


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Homecoming 2016

We had nearly 200 people in the building for our first homecoming service in decades.  It was a wonderful experience to welcome back many old friends and to meet new friends with whom we share a common heritage at this church.

Here is the message Bro. Bruce Murphy brought, preceded by the special music, sung by Leslie and Natalie Boyd:


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We also showed a video, sharing the things God is still doing through the church:

Here is the video we showed to report on the Alaska trips over the past four years...

Easter Message: What Is Jesus All About?

Do a Google image search for Jesus, and you will find a broad range of what people imagine when they picture Jesus.  And there are as many ideas about who Jesus really is/was and what he's all about as there are different pictures.

Some people use Jesus as a political tool.  Others think of Him as a source of religious rules and guilt.  Still others consider Him an object of fairy tales and wishful thinking.

This Easter, we looked at a Bible story where people questioned Jesus.  Their question, ultimately, was the same as ours:  What is Jesus all about?

Life of Jesus: Jesus and the Law, part 2

"Jesus, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

"Trade in your earthly treasure for treasure in heaven, then come and follow Me."

It's a familiar story, one most Christians have heard.  It's an important story, recorded in three different Gospels.

But what is it about?  The importance of giving to charity?  The "gospel of wealth"?  Today we looked at how this story is really about our relationship with the law and with God.

Life of Jesus: Jesus and the Law, part 1

Why did God create us?  That's one of the most important questions of life, and it is the question that religion attempts to answer.  What does God want from us as His creatures?  Many religions answer that God somehow needs us--our belief, our sacrifices, our service.  Others answer that God created us simply to obey His rules.  Jesus reveals something else.  This week, we look at how Jesus clashed with the religious leaders of His day over the purpose and use of the law, and what He reveals is one of the key theological truths that defines the nature of our everyday relationship with God.

Life of Jesus: Making Disciples

Most of us can think back to one or two coaches, teachers, or mentors that really made a difference in our lives.  One of the primary purposes of the ministry of Jesus was to teach and train His disciples.  Making disciples is also one of our primary missions as Christians.  Today we look at how Jesus taught His disciples and what we can learn about being and making disciples.

Homecoming 2016

We are inviting all of Stephens and anyone who has been touched by our church through the years to join us for a special Homecoming Weekend, April 2-3, 2016.

If you want more information, please visit the Homecoming tab on this website.

Please RSVP for the fellowship meal by March 19 by calling 870-786-5468 or emailing steve@fbcstephens.org.  Follow news at the Facebook event page.

Sign up for the Stephens RoadRunner 5K, visit www.runsignup.com/stephens5k.  Keep up with race news at the race page on Facebook.

Life of Jesus: Compassion for the Crowds

We've been looking at the life of Jesus through the lens of the Gospel of Mark.  One unique aspect of Mark's Gospel is the vivid depiction of the crushing crowds that Jesus faced.  No matter how much Jesus tried to have time alone or with His disciples, the crowds constantly found Him.  I don't know about you, but that would get old for me really quick.

This week we found three principles that emerge as we look at how Jesus interacted with the crowds around Him.

Life of Jesus: Jesus, Friend of Sinners

None of us can stand before a holy God.  We are all in the same boat when it comes to sin.  We are all guilty and disgraced, powerless to overcome sin.  How does Jesus meet us as sinners?  How can we follow His example in the way we treat our fellow sinners in this world?

Life of Jesus: Christlike Authority

This week, we finished our 3-week look at the authority of Jesus, which is a central teaching in the Gospel of Mark.  This week, we look at how Jesus used His authority, and how He serves as an example to us as we relate to people in our lives.

Life of Jesus: Four Stories, Four Reactions

The thing that people noticed about Jesus right away in His ministry was how He demonstrated authority: authority in teaching, in casting out demons, in healing, and even forgiving sins.  Many people were simply amazed.  Others reacted negatively to this new authority revealed in Jesus.

There is a natural instinct in us to reject authority, and in these four stories, we see that instinct manifested in four different reactions we still see and experience today as we encounter Jesus.  How can we reject these negative reactions and embrace Jesus and His Kingdom?

Life of Jesus: Undercover Boss

There was nothing physically about Jesus that made Him look different from any other man.  He didn't have a supernatural glow, "no beauty or majesty that we might be attracted to him" (Isaiah 53:2).  But when He began to teach, people immediately realized that this was no ordinary man.  He was different from their teachers of the law, and He is different from every other religious figure who ever walked the earth.  Why?  His authority.  For the next few weeks, we'll be examining how Jesus revealed His authority during His ministry on earth.

Life of Jesus: Stepping Into the Calling

All of the story we've told so far--from creation to the promises given to Abraham and the Israelites, every heroic victory and every humbling disaster--culminates in the life of Jesus.  "In the past, God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son..." 

We will be going through the life of Christ by studying the Gospel of Mark.  This week, we looked at how, even though Jesus did not need to repent from sin, He still lived as our perfect example for repentance and stepping into the invitation to take hold of the Kingdom of God.

Re-Focusing for 2016

This past Sunday, we had our annual vision message.  This year, it was simple: let's re-focus on the covenant we affirmed at the beginning of last year.