First Baptist Church Thomson, GA
717 episodes - English - Latest episode: 8 days ago -First Baptist Church, Thomson, GA seeks to help people love God, love each other, and serve the world together. Our worship and sermons are designed around those three core values.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
Longing for Love - Audio
December 24, 2023 15:25 - 34 minutes - 11.5 MBLast week's messaged ended with Mary’s story. Mary conceived, carried, and gave birth to the the Word made Flesh, the God who is Love. This morning I want us to notice the ways in which God’s love can grow within us and how we should respond. Mary serves as an example for us.
Longing for Love - PDF
December 24, 2023 15:25 - 169 KB application/pdfLast week's messaged ended with Mary’s story. Mary conceived, carried, and gave birth to the the Word made Flesh, the God who is Love. This morning I want us to notice the ways in which God’s love can grow within us and how we should respond. Mary serves as an example for us.
Longing for Joy - Audio
December 17, 2023 15:29 - 33 minutes - 11.3 MBAs we look at the women listed in Jesus' family tree in Matthew 1, we look at the beautiful truth that while we may be sowing seeds of sorrow, through the grace and power of God, those seeds can miraculously produce an abundant harvest of joy! I know many people who are struggling right now with illness, grief, and financial hardships. Christmas can amplify those times of difficulty, or they can help us refocus on the One who works all things together for His glory, our good, and the furtheri...
Longing for Joy - PDF
December 17, 2023 15:29 - 187 KB application/pdfAs we look at the women listed in Jesus' family tree in Matthew 1, we look at the beautiful truth that while we may be sowing seeds of sorrow, through the grace and power of God, those seeds can miraculously produce an abundant harvest of joy! I know many people who are struggling right now with illness, grief, and financial hardships. Christmas can amplify those times of difficulty, or they can help us refocus on the One who works all things together for His glory, our good, and the furtheri...
Longing for Peace - PDF
December 10, 2023 16:39 - 178 KB application/pdfAdvent is a season of waiting in great expectation, a time of hopeful longing. What are people longing for more than anything else? Peace--Shalom--Wholeness and well-being. The peace that Jesus brings is far superior to the weak, passive version the world promises (John 14:27). We turn to Isaiah 2, 6, and 11 to discover three important aspects of the powerful, passionate peace of God that passes all understanding.
Longing for Peace - Audio
December 10, 2023 16:39 - 35 minutes - 11.8 MBAdvent is a season of waiting in great expectation, a time of hopeful longing. What are people longing for more than anything else? Peace--Shalom--Wholeness and well-being. The peace that Jesus brings is far superior to the weak, passive version the world promises (John 14:27). We turn to Isaiah 2, 6, and 11 to discover three important aspects of the powerful, passionate peace of God that passes all understanding.
Longing for Hope - PDF
December 03, 2023 20:46 - 182 KB application/pdfHope is something all people long to have. We wait for better days to come, for sorrow and pain to pass away, for new beginnings and second chances, for fresh opportunities. Isaiah 40 is written to the people of Israel, who after languishing in Babylonian exile, wondered if there was any hope that they would be restored to their land, for the temple to be rebuilt, and for their relationship with their God to be made new. As we begin Advent, we also wait. We lament the conditions of our world ...
Longing for Hope - Audio
December 03, 2023 20:46 - 23 minutes - 9.09 MBHope is something all people long to have. We wait for better days to come, for sorrow and pain to pass away, for new beginnings and second chances, for fresh opportunities. Isaiah 40 is written to the people of Israel, who after languishing in Babylonian exile, wondered if there was any hope that they would be restored to their land, for the temple to be rebuilt, and for their relationship with their God to be made new. As we begin Advent, we also wait. We lament the conditions of our world ...
Grace Enough to Give - PDF
November 26, 2023 15:54 - 161 KB application/pdfIn this final sermon in the Grace Enough series, we discover from 2 Corinthians that there is grace enough for us to give. Paul gives us three examples: the Macedonian churches, the Corinthian church, and Jesus, and helps us see that no matter our circumstances, as recipients of God's grace, we are called to excel in the grace of giving of our resources to the Lord, to meet needs and make disciples.
Grace Enough to Give - Audio
November 26, 2023 15:54 - 40 minutes - 13.2 MBIn this final sermon in the Grace Enough series, we discover from 2 Corinthians that there is grace enough for us to give. Paul gives us three examples: the Macedonian churches, the Corinthian church, and Jesus, and helps us see that no matter our circumstances, as recipients of God's grace, we are called to excel in the grace of giving of our resources to the Lord, to meet needs and make disciples.
Grace Enough to Serve - PDF
November 19, 2023 15:38 - 160 KB application/pdfService is a gift of grace, because it helps us keep an outward focus, to look up to God in gratitude for His generosity to us, and to look out to those around us in service so we can pass along His gifts to them. This sermon focuses on how God gives us the grace to serve others in His name, to serve the Body of Christ, and how that service helps us overcome our self-centered tendencies. (The sermon led into a deacon ordination for three men in our church, which is not included in this audio).
Grace Enough to Serve - Audio
November 19, 2023 15:38 - 21 minutes - 8.66 MBService is a gift of grace, because it helps us keep an outward focus, to look up to God in gratitude for His generosity to us, and to look out to those around us in service so we can pass along His gifts to them. This sermon focuses on how God gives us the grace to serve others in His name, to serve the Body of Christ, and how that service helps us overcome our self-centered tendencies. (The sermon led into a deacon ordination for three men in our church, which is not included in this audio).
Grace Enough for Gratitude - Audio
November 12, 2023 16:00 - 36 minutes - 12.2 MBIt's easy for us to grumble and complain in a culture focused on convenience and comfort. Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 9 and the words of Psalm 66 can help us discover that God gives us grace enough to be grateful in good times and bad, through the ups and downs of life, and how gratitude can cure us of selfishness and complaining.
Grace Enough for Gratitude - PDF
November 12, 2023 16:00 - 172 KB application/pdfIt's easy for us to grumble and complain in a culture focused on convenience and comfort. Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 9 and the words of Psalm 66 can help us discover that God gives us grace enough to be grateful in good times and bad, through the ups and downs of life, and how gratitude can cure us of selfishness and complaining.
Grace Enough to Grieve - Audio
November 05, 2023 18:12 - 38 minutes - 12.7 MBGod's grace is certainly amazing. It is also sufficient (2 Cor. 12:9), meaning it is "enough"--enough for our salvation and enough for our daily living. One gift of God's grace is our ability to grieve losses in this life, to deal with the effects of living in a sinful and fallen world, what the Old Testament often calls "lament." In this sermon, we look at King David's example to discover the times when we need to grieve and the tools God gives us to help us grieve.
Grace Enough to Grieve - PDF
November 05, 2023 18:12 - 168 KB application/pdfGod's grace is certainly amazing. It is also sufficient (2 Cor. 12:9), meaning it is "enough"--enough for our salvation and enough for our daily living. One gift of God's grace is our ability to grieve losses in this life, to deal with the effects of living in a sinful and fallen world, what the Old Testament often calls "lament." In this sermon, we look at King David's example to discover the times when we need to grieve and the tools God gives us to help us grieve.
I Am the True Vine - Audio
October 29, 2023 15:10 - 40 minutes - 13.7 MBJesus calls Himself the True Vine--He is the only way to life in God's Kingdom. And He calls us to be connected to Him, as branches to a vine. In this message, we'll discover what that means, how remaining in Jesus gives us access to His life and love flowing through us to empower and motivate us as His followers. We'll look at some ways we can stay connected with Jesus and what that connection will produce in and through us.
I Am the True Vine - PDF
October 29, 2023 15:10 - 181 KB application/pdfJesus calls Himself the True Vine--He is the only way to life in God's Kingdom. And He calls us to be connected to Him, as branches to a vine. In this message, we'll discover what that means, how remaining in Jesus gives us access to His life and love flowing through us to empower and motivate us as His followers. We'll look at some ways we can stay connected with Jesus and what that connection will produce in and through us.
I Am the Bread of Life - Audio
October 22, 2023 14:25 - 35 minutes - 12.6 MBThrough this interactive lesson Jesus has with the crowd and with His disciples after the feeding of the 5,000, we discover that Jesus, the Bread of Life, is the true and better bread. Jesus calls us to make a decision about what we will do with the Better Bread. Will we be like the ancient Israelites and grumble, complain, question, doubt, and walk away? Or will we come to learn from Him, feast on Him, and believe and know that He is the Holy One of God? To whom else can we go? Jesus has the...
I Am the Bread of Life - PDF
October 22, 2023 14:25 - 163 KB application/pdfThrough this interactive lesson Jesus has with the crowd and with His disciples after the feeding of the 5,000, we discover that Jesus, the Bread of Life, is the true and better bread. Jesus calls us to make a decision about what we will do with the Better Bread. Will we be like the ancient Israelites and grumble, complain, question, doubt, and walk away? Or will we come to learn from Him, feast on Him, and believe and know that He is the Holy One of God? To whom else can we go? Jesus has the...
I Am the Resurrection and the Life - PDF
October 15, 2023 16:05 - 176 KB application/pdfJesus’ first recorded miraculous sign in John’s Gospel was at a wedding, and His final one was at a funeral. Both were meant to manifest God’s glory and to strengthen our faith. Jesus' statement, "I Am the Resurrection and the Life" is spoken in the context of this seventh and final of Jesus' miraculous signs in John (aside from His own resurrection).
I Am the Resurrection and the Life - Audio
October 15, 2023 16:05 - 32 minutes - 11.9 MBJesus’ first recorded miraculous sign in John’s Gospel was at a wedding, and His final one was at a funeral. Both were meant to manifest God’s glory and to strengthen our faith. Jesus' statement, "I Am the Resurrection and the Life" is spoken in the context of this seventh and final of Jesus' miraculous signs in John (aside from His own resurrection).
I Am the Gate for the Sheep - Audio
October 01, 2023 15:14 - 34 minutes - 12.4 MBIn this next "I Am" statement, Jesus further expands on the ideas we looked at last time in John 7-9. In this message, we look at the first of two "I Am" statements in John 10--"I Am the Gate for the sheep." What does Jesus mean by referring to Himself as the “gate” or door for the sheep? We must look at how shepherds corralled their sheep at night in biblical times in Israel. Then we will look at four implications of this profound claim.
I Am the Gate for the Sheep - PDF
October 01, 2023 15:14 - 180 KB application/pdfIn this next "I Am" statement, Jesus further expands on the ideas we looked at last time in John 7-9. In this message, we look at the first of two "I Am" statements in John 10--"I Am the Gate for the sheep." What does Jesus mean by referring to Himself as the “gate” or door for the sheep? We must look at how shepherds corralled their sheep at night in biblical times in Israel. Then we will look at four implications of this profound claim.
I Am the Light of the World - PDF
September 24, 2023 13:54 - 200 KB application/pdfWe are looking at Jesus' "I Am" statements in John's gospel so we can discover who Jesus is...in His own words. Today, we look at Jesus' statement, "I Am the Light of the World" from John 8:12 in the broader context of John 7-9. We will see that this profound pronouncement comes with three precious promises and is supported by one powerful proof--giving sight to a man born blind!
I Am the Light of the World - Audio
September 24, 2023 13:54 - 38 minutes - 13.4 MBWe are looking at Jesus' "I Am" statements in John's gospel so we can discover who Jesus is...in His own words. Today, we look at Jesus' statement, "I Am the Light of the World" from John 8:12 in the broader context of John 7-9. We will see that this profound pronouncement comes with three precious promises and is supported by one powerful proof--giving sight to a man born blind!
I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life - PDF
September 17, 2023 14:21 - 195 KB application/pdfWe are beginning a series of messages from John’s Gospel on the I AM sayings of Jesus. One of the key themes of John’s Gospel is to tell us WHO Jesus is. The best person to hear from to know who Jesus is, to evaluate our beliefs against—is Jesus Himself! So through these sermons, we will explore what Jesus said of Himself—His I AM statements allow us to hear who Jesus is in His own words. In this message, we unpack the astonishing statement from Jesus that He is the Way, the Truth, and the L...
I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life - Audio
September 17, 2023 14:21 - 35 minutes - 12.6 MBWe are beginning a series of messages from John’s Gospel on the I AM sayings of Jesus. One of the key themes of John’s Gospel is to tell us WHO Jesus is. The best person to hear from to know who Jesus is, to evaluate our beliefs against—is Jesus Himself! So through these sermons, we will explore what Jesus said of Himself—His I AM statements allow us to hear who Jesus is in His own words. In this message, we unpack the astonishing statement from Jesus that He is the Way, the Truth, and the L...
Go for Christ to Make Disciples - PDF
September 10, 2023 15:26 - 283 KB application/pdfIn this final message of this series, we complete the circle of our Disciple’s Path by fully turning outward as we answer the Great Commission to Go for Christ to Make Disciples. Without the outward journey of making disciples, the inward journey of being disciples only leads to stagnation and stunted spiritual growth. In this sermon we walk through a few key moments in the book of Acts to see how we can go in the power of the Spirit to make disciples.
Go for Christ to Make Disciples - Audio
September 10, 2023 15:26 - 33 minutes - 11.4 MBIn this final message of this series, we complete the circle of our Disciple’s Path by fully turning outward as we answer the Great Commission to Go for Christ to Make Disciples. Without the outward journey of making disciples, the inward journey of being disciples only leads to stagnation and stunted spiritual growth. In this sermon we walk through a few key moments in the book of Acts to see how we can go in the power of the Spirit to make disciples.
Serve Christ Out of Love - Audio
August 27, 2023 17:23 - 38 minutes - 12.6 MBJesus said that we serve Him as we love and serve others in His name. Service is as vital to our spiritual growth as is coming to worship and growing in groups as we study the Bible. We can think of serving as a connecting trail from the more upward and inward focus of worship and spiritual growth to the outward focus of making disciples.
Serve Christ Out of Love - PDF
August 27, 2023 17:23 - 192 KB application/pdfJesus said that we serve Him as we love and serve others in His name. Service is as vital to our spiritual growth as is coming to worship and growing in groups as we study the Bible. We can think of serving as a connecting trail from the more upward and inward focus of worship and spiritual growth to the outward focus of making disciples.
Grow Into Christlikeness in Groups - Audio
August 20, 2023 13:39 - 33 minutes - 11.5 MBLooking at Paul’s words to the Philippians, we discover two important truths about our discipleship journey into Christlikeness. While we are chiefly responsible for our own spiritual walk, we do not--and cannot--walk alone. We are saved into a community: the Family of God. And we believe the relationships forged in small group Bible studies are the best way to experience that community.
Grow Into Christlikeness in Groups - PDF
August 20, 2023 13:39 - 191 KB application/pdfLooking at Paul’s words to the Philippians, we discover two important truths about our discipleship journey into Christlikeness. While we are chiefly responsible for our own spiritual walk, we do not--and cannot--walk alone. We are saved into a community: the Family of God. And we believe the relationships forged in small group Bible studies are the best way to experience that community.
Come to Christ in Worship - PDF
August 13, 2023 15:20 - 192 KB application/pdfSadly, worship is one of the most divisive and misunderstood functions of churches today. So-called "worship wars" break God's heart, harm our witness, and misunderstand the nature and purpose of worship. Using Paul’s words to the Colossian church, we will focus on the importance of how we worship together on Sundays as the gathered Body of Christ.
Come to Christ in Worship - Audio
August 13, 2023 15:20 - 39 minutes - 12.8 MBSadly, worship is one of the most divisive and misunderstood functions of churches today. So-called "worship wars" break God's heart, harm our witness, and misunderstand the nature and purpose of worship. Using Paul’s words to the Colossian church, we will focus on the importance of how we worship together on Sundays as the gathered Body of Christ.
Walking the Disciple's Path - Audio
August 06, 2023 14:55 - 33 minutes - 11.6 MBToday we begin a sermon series on The Disciple’s Path as we consider how we should follow Jesus on a lifelong journey of discipleship to become more like Him and less like the world. We’ll look at our church’s four-fold process of discipleship: Come to Worship, Grow in Groups, Serve in Love, and Go and Tell. But first, let’s think about this spiritual journey Jesus calls us to follow when we put our faith and trust in Him.
Walking the Disciple's Path - PDF
August 06, 2023 14:55 - 231 KB application/pdfToday we begin a sermon series on The Disciple’s Path as we consider how we should follow Jesus on a lifelong journey of discipleship to become more like Him and less like the world. We’ll look at our church’s four-fold process of discipleship: Come to Worship, Grow in Groups, Serve in Love, and Go and Tell. But first, let’s think about this spiritual journey Jesus calls us to follow when we put our faith and trust in Him.
Beloved, We Will Endure to the End - PDF
July 30, 2023 17:19 - 180 KB application/pdfThese last two verses of Jude's letter are a doxology, turning our focus up to God in praise and adoration. They also serve as an encouragement for believers to endure the attacks of the ungodly with hope, not giving up in keeping ourselves in God’s love. We are reminded that those who truly belong to the Lord, the Beloved who are contending for the true and holy faith, will endure to the end--not because of who we are or what we do, but all because of who God is and what He has done.
Beloved, We Will Endure to the End - Audio
July 30, 2023 17:19 - 33 minutes - 9.83 MBThese last two verses of Jude's letter are a doxology, turning our focus up to God in praise and adoration. They also serve as an encouragement for believers to endure the attacks of the ungodly with hope, not giving up in keeping ourselves in God’s love. We are reminded that those who truly belong to the Lord, the Beloved who are contending for the true and holy faith, will endure to the end--not because of who we are or what we do, but all because of who God is and what He has done.
A Battle Plan for the Beloved - PDF
July 23, 2023 13:31 - 176 KB application/pdfJude concludes his criticism of the ungodly and moves to some commands for the beloved, those of us who are called and loved by God and kept for Christ Jesus. He gives us a battle plan for contending for the faith, and it involves three essential steps: remember, remain, and rescue.
A Battle Plan for the Beloved - Audio
July 23, 2023 13:31 - 41 minutes - 11.8 MBJude concludes his criticism of the ungodly and moves to some commands for the beloved, those of us who are called and loved by God and kept for Christ Jesus. He gives us a battle plan for contending for the faith, and it involves three essential steps: remember, remain, and rescue.
Beware the Way of the Wicked - PDF
July 16, 2023 14:54 - 177 KB application/pdfJude concludes the first half of his letter, explaining the challenge that faces churches in his day: false teachers who have infiltrated the faith by stealth. They may look good on the outside and talk a good talk, but inwardly they are dangerous and toxic. Jude gives us one final warning before he moves on to how we are to contend for the faith against these challenges. He tells us to watch out for the way of the wicked, because if we’re not careful, we might follow their example and discov...
Beware the Way of the Wicked - Audio
July 16, 2023 14:54 - 39 minutes - 11.2 MBJude concludes the first half of his letter, explaining the challenge that faces churches in his day: false teachers who have infiltrated the faith by stealth. They may look good on the outside and talk a good talk, but inwardly they are dangerous and toxic. Jude gives us one final warning before he moves on to how we are to contend for the faith against these challenges. He tells us to watch out for the way of the wicked, because if we’re not careful, we might follow their example and discov...
The Nightmare of Godless Dreams - PDF
July 09, 2023 19:53 - 166 KB application/pdfJude accuses the false teachers of “relying on their dreams.” The Bible has a balanced view of dreams and visions—sometimes they are from God, and sometimes they are not. Spiritual wisdom and discernment are found in knowing the differences. Jude warns us that when we follow godless dreams, we all end up in a nightmare. But it’s not too late for us to wake up and see what is happening for what it really is.
The Nightmare of Godless Dreams - Audio
July 09, 2023 19:53 - 35 minutes - 10.2 MBJude accuses the false teachers of “relying on their dreams.” The Bible has a balanced view of dreams and visions—sometimes they are from God, and sometimes they are not. Spiritual wisdom and discernment are found in knowing the differences. Jude warns us that when we follow godless dreams, we all end up in a nightmare. But it’s not too late for us to wake up and see what is happening for what it really is.
A Helpful Reminder about Sin and Judgment - PDF
July 02, 2023 14:29 - 182 KB application/pdfIn our human sinfulness and pride, we tend to forget God’s truth and neglect to learn from the lessons of the past, and so we need to be reminded. The three examples from the Old Testament in Jude 5-7 can remind us today how serious God takes sin, and the certainty of His judgment on those who seek to deceive God’s People, Distort God’s Grace, and Deny God’s Son.
A Helpful Reminder about Sin and Judgment - Audio
July 02, 2023 14:29 - 38 minutes - 11.1 MBIn our human sinfulness and pride, we tend to forget God’s truth and neglect to learn from the lessons of the past, and so we need to be reminded. The three examples from the Old Testament in Jude 5-7 can remind us today how serious God takes sin, and the certainty of His judgment on those who seek to deceive God’s People, Distort God’s Grace, and Deny God’s Son.
The Faith Delivered Once for All - Audio
June 25, 2023 15:03 - 38 minutes - 10.9 MBWe begin this sermon series in Jude, A Faith Worth Fighting For, by looking at how Jude1-4 defines who we are and what we have in Christ, what we must believe about "The Faith" and how we must beware of those who seek to deceive God's people, distort God's grace, and deny God's son. Jude calls us to contend for the faith, and it's an urgent call for us today.
The Faith Delivered Once for All - PDF
June 25, 2023 15:03 - 180 KB application/pdfWe begin this sermon series in Jude, A Faith Worth Fighting For, by looking at how Jude1-4 defines who we are and what we have in Christ, what we must believe about "The Faith" and how we must beware of those who seek to deceive God's people, distort God's grace, and deny God's son. Jude calls us to contend for the faith, and it's an urgent call for us today.