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.
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#DadGoals: Lead My Family to a Legacy of Faith - PDF
June 18, 2023 21:35 - 166 KB application/pdfA legacy is what you leave for the people you care about and lives on after you die. The question is not if you will leave a legacy, but what kind of legacy are you going to leave? However, we don’t just leave a legacy, we lead our family into a living legacy every day. In this message, we will look at Psalms 127-128 for some vivid word pictures perfect for men: construction, weaponry, and gardening. Let’s dive into these two psalms to see what they say about how we can lead our family to a l...
#DadGoals: Lead My Family to a Legacy of Faith - Audio
June 18, 2023 21:35 - 39 minutes - 9.84 MBA legacy is what you leave for the people you care about and lives on after you die. The question is not if you will leave a legacy, but what kind of legacy are you going to leave? However, we don’t just leave a legacy, we lead our family into a living legacy every day. In this message, we will look at Psalms 127-128 for some vivid word pictures perfect for men: construction, weaponry, and gardening. Let’s dive into these two psalms to see what they say about how we can lead our family to a l...
#LetItGo: Create a Culture of Grace and Forgiveness - PDF
June 11, 2023 15:21 - 179 KB application/pdfThis week's #FamilyGoal is to create a culture of grace and forgiveness in our families. And to do that, we look at the dysfunctional Old Testament family of Jacob. What can we learn from this highly dysfunctional family about the power of forgiveness and how we can give and receive forgiveness in our homes?
#LetItGo: Create a Culture of Grace and Forgiveness - Audio
June 11, 2023 15:21 - 37 minutes - 9.39 MBThis week's #FamilyGoal is to create a culture of grace and forgiveness in our families. And to do that, we look at the dysfunctional Old Testament family of Jacob. What can we learn from this highly dysfunctional family about the power of forgiveness and how we can give and receive forgiveness in our homes?
#NoDrama: Communicate with Kindness - Audio
June 04, 2023 14:03 - 37 minutes - 9.27 MBAs we continue to think about setting goals for our families, let’s think about goals for how we talk to each other. One of the rules I always had on youth trips was “No drama.” What I meant by that was, no arguing over pointless things, no gossip and name calling. Drama is one of the fastest ways to ruin a trip, a friendship, or a family. How can we handle differences and make decisions as families without unnecessary drama? This was a question the church family in Ephesus needed answered. ...
#NoDrama: Communicate with Kindness - PDF
June 04, 2023 14:03 - 171 KB application/pdfAs we continue to think about setting goals for our families, let’s think about goals for how we talk to each other. One of the rules I always had on youth trips was “No drama.” What I meant by that was, no arguing over pointless things, no gossip and name calling. Drama is one of the fastest ways to ruin a trip, a friendship, or a family. How can we handle differences and make decisions as families without unnecessary drama? This was a question the church family in Ephesus needed answered. ...
#ParentingGoals: Equip our Kids for Spiritual Success - PDF
May 28, 2023 20:01 - 188 KB application/pdfDeuteronomy 6:1-9 is one of the foundational passages of Scripture for the Jewish people—defining who God is, who they are, and how they are to love and follow God as His people. I find it remarkable that so much of this passage deals with parenting! It demonstrates that how we raise our children is directly connected to our purpose in life, our identity as a people, and our relationship with our God. One affects the other in ways often overlook. I think of this passage as the Great Commissio...
#ParentingGoals: Equip our Kids for Spiritual Success - Audio
May 28, 2023 20:01 - 37 minutes - 9.25 MBDeuteronomy 6:1-9 is one of the foundational passages of Scripture for the Jewish people—defining who God is, who they are, and how they are to love and follow God as His people. I find it remarkable that so much of this passage deals with parenting! It demonstrates that how we raise our children is directly connected to our purpose in life, our identity as a people, and our relationship with our God. One affects the other in ways often overlook. I think of this passage as the Great Commissio...
#ChurchFamGoals: Love One Another as Jesus Loves Us - PDF
May 21, 2023 19:44 - 186 KB application/pdfWhat kind of goals could we set as brothers and sisters in Christ? What about working on loving one another as Jesus loves us? Jesus has set a very high bar for how we should love each other as members of God’s family! But what does that look like in our day-to-day life, as we rub elbows with each other—and the inevitable friction that happens? How can we love each other in Christlike love when we sometimes aren’t very lovely people? The NT gives us a great example and a practical look at th...
#ChurchFamGoals: Love One Another as Jesus Loves Us - Audio
May 21, 2023 19:44 - 34 minutes - 8.59 MBWhat kind of goals could we set as brothers and sisters in Christ? What about working on loving one another as Jesus loves us? Jesus has set a very high bar for how we should love each other as members of God’s family! But what does that look like in our day-to-day life, as we rub elbows with each other—and the inevitable friction that happens? How can we love each other in Christlike love when we sometimes aren’t very lovely people? The NT gives us a great example and a practical look at th...
#MomGoals: Lift My Family from Chaos to Calm - PDF
May 14, 2023 14:52 - 157 KB application/pdfIn this new sermon series, #FamilyGoals, we'll spend six weeks exploring topics like communication, forgiveness, faith, and more, equipping and encouraging us to thrive by embracing God’s design for healthy families. In this first message, on Mother's Day, we look to Hagar, to help us discover how we can overcome the chaos of life and find peace and calm in God’s care.
#MomGoals: Lift My Family from Chaos to Calm - Audio
May 14, 2023 14:52 - 37 minutes - 9.42 MBIn this new sermon series, #FamilyGoals, we'll spend six weeks exploring topics like communication, forgiveness, faith, and more, equipping and encouraging us to thrive by embracing God’s design for healthy families. In this first message, on Mother's Day, we look to Hagar, to help us discover how we can overcome the chaos of life and find peace and calm in God’s care.
Living a Resurrection Life - Audio
May 07, 2023 14:55 - 40 minutes - 13.4 MBThis message concludes the Easter series, "This Is Not the End." The good news is that we don’t have to wait for death to experience the power of the Risen Jesus. His Resurrection has implications for life today, not just for life after death. Maybe it can help us to see it illustrated in Luke’s account of Jesus’ Resurrection. In the post-resurrection experiences of those closest to Jesus, we see what it looks like to move from death to life.
Living a Resurrection Life - PDF
May 07, 2023 14:55 - 180 KB application/pdfThis message concludes the Easter series, "This Is Not the End." The good news is that we don’t have to wait for death to experience the power of the Risen Jesus. His Resurrection has implications for life today, not just for life after death. Maybe it can help us to see it illustrated in Luke’s account of Jesus’ Resurrection. In the post-resurrection experiences of those closest to Jesus, we see what it looks like to move from death to life.
Life After Death - PDF
April 30, 2023 14:59 - 169 KB application/pdfEaster answers the age-old question, “Is there life after death?” The Resurrection of Jesus gives us the definitive answer: "Yes!" There is life after death, for death does not get the final word—life gets the final word! Death’s turn is nearly over, and what comes next is beyond our wildest dreams. In this message, we will discover three realities of Life… after Death has lost its power. And there aren’t three better words to express these new realities than “Faith, Hope, and Love.”
Life After Death - Audio
April 30, 2023 14:59 - 36 minutes - 12.7 MBEaster answers the age-old question, “Is there life after death?” The Resurrection of Jesus gives us the definitive answer: "Yes!" There is life after death, for death does not get the final word—life gets the final word! Death’s turn is nearly over, and what comes next is beyond our wildest dreams. In this message, we will discover three realities of Life… after Death has lost its power. And there aren’t three better words to express these new realities than “Faith, Hope, and Love.”
You Ask Me How I Know He Lives - Audio
April 16, 2023 17:34 - 42 minutes - 14 MBC.S. Lewis famously said that every person must decide if Jesus was a liar, a lunatic, or the Son of God. In a similar way, either Jesus' first century followers were lying, hallucinating, or telling the truth about a Risen Jesus. In this sermon we focus in on the claims of some people that the disciples lied about Jesus' resurrection. If they did, they broke every rule for telling a convincing lie.
You Ask Me How I Know He Lives - PDF
April 16, 2023 17:34 - 195 KB application/pdfC.S. Lewis famously said that every person must decide if Jesus was a liar, a lunatic, or the Son of God. In a similar way, either Jesus' first century followers were lying, hallucinating, or telling the truth about a Risen Jesus. In this sermon we focus in on the claims of some people that the disciples lied about Jesus' resurrection. If they did, they broke every rule for telling a convincing lie.
He Has Risen! - Audio
April 09, 2023 20:05 - 34 minutes - 12.1 MBThe Cross was not the end of Jesus's story. The Tomb wasn’t the end of the story. But neither is the Resurrection—Instead, it’s a new beginning to a new story that never ends! Just as Easter allows us to look back at Crucifixion Friday and call it Good, so the reality of Christ’s Resurrection reframes all our lives going forward. We must see all suffering, grief, and fear in light of the Empty Tomb. No matter what you’ve experienced before, or what you will face tomorrow, know that “this is n...
He Has Risen! - PDF
April 09, 2023 20:05 - 169 KB application/pdfThe Cross was not the end of Jesus's story. The Tomb wasn’t the end of the story. But neither is the Resurrection—Instead, it’s a new beginning to a new story that never ends! Just as Easter allows us to look back at Crucifixion Friday and call it Good, so the reality of Christ’s Resurrection reframes all our lives going forward. We must see all suffering, grief, and fear in light of the Empty Tomb. No matter what you’ve experienced before, or what you will face tomorrow, know that “this is n...
Words at the Finish - Audio
April 02, 2023 17:32 - 32 minutes - 11.9 MBIn this message, I finish this sermon series with a focus on the last two words from Jesus before He died on the Cross. Together these two words are spoken at the finish, as Jesus completes the race He came to run, finishes the work He came to accomplish, reveal two truths about Jesus's saving work, it's finality, its completion, and the promise of future rest for all who believe in Him.
Words at the Finish - PDF
April 02, 2023 17:32 - 187 KB application/pdfIn this message, I finish this sermon series with a focus on the last two words from Jesus before He died on the Cross. Together these two words are spoken at the finish, as Jesus completes the race He came to run, finishes the work He came to accomplish, reveal two truths about Jesus's saving work, it's finality, its completion, and the promise of future rest for all who believe in Him.
Forsaken and Frail - Audio
March 26, 2023 16:55 - 35 minutes - 12.5 MBIn his first three sayings from the cross, Jesus focused on those around Him—forgiveness for those putting Him to death, a promise of eternal life to the thief at His side, and provision for His mother. The next two sayings continue to reveal Jesus’s human and divine nature, of the eternal weight of our sin, the incomprehensible grace of our God, and how Christ meets our great physical and spiritual needs.
Forsaken and Frail - PDF
March 26, 2023 16:55 - 168 KB application/pdfIn his first three sayings from the cross, Jesus focused on those around Him—forgiveness for those putting Him to death, a promise of eternal life to the thief at His side, and provision for His mother. The next two sayings continue to reveal Jesus’s human and divine nature, of the eternal weight of our sin, the incomprehensible grace of our God, and how Christ meets our great physical and spiritual needs.
Forgiveness, Future, Family - Audio
February 26, 2023 16:03 - 39 minutes - 13.5 MBThe seven words, or statements, Jesus made from the cross bear special significance because they are the words spoken from this place of death, spoken at the conclusion of His earthly ministry, spoken by a man who was about to die. They can be summed up in two categories: the first three Jesus spoke for others, while the last four concerned Himself. In this message, we focus on the three statements Jesus made about those around Him while He hung on the cross.
Forgiveness, Future, Family - PDF
February 26, 2023 16:03 - 179 KB application/pdfThe seven words, or statements, Jesus made from the cross bear special significance because they are the words spoken from this place of death, spoken at the conclusion of His earthly ministry, spoken by a man who was about to die. They can be summed up in two categories: the first three Jesus spoke for others, while the last four concerned Himself. In this message, we focus on the three statements Jesus made about those around Him while He hung on the cross.
Be Alert in All Prayer - PDF
February 19, 2023 20:49 - 303 KB application/pdfThe final two commands in Ephesians 6:10-20 are to Pray and Be Alert. These are indispensable parts of God's battle plan for the believer. John Bunyan called it the Weapon of "All-Prayer," and it is how we take up and put on the Full Armor of God. Paul gives us six qualities of prayer that are necessary to stand firm against Satan.
Be Alert in All Prayer - Audio
February 19, 2023 20:49 - 37 minutes - 12 MBThe final two commands in Ephesians 6:10-20 are to Pray and Be Alert. These are indispensable parts of God's battle plan for the believer. John Bunyan called it the Weapon of "All-Prayer," and it is how we take up and put on the Full Armor of God. Paul gives us six qualities of prayer that are necessary to stand firm against Satan.
The Sword of the Spirit - Audio
February 12, 2023 18:56 - 41 minutes - 13 MBIn this sermon series, we've learned that there is a spiritual battle happening all around us, and even within us. We must know our enemy and identify his strategies. So far, our strategy has to been to stand firm and resist Satan's schemes. To that end, God has gifted us with spiritual armor, which we are responsible to take up and put on. Up to this point all the parts of God’s Armor have been defensive. We’ve looked at the satanic schemes each are meant to help us withstand. Now, finally,...
The Sword of the Spirit - PDF
February 12, 2023 18:56 - 223 KB application/pdfIn this sermon series, we've learned that there is a spiritual battle happening all around us, and even within us. We must know our enemy and identify his strategies. So far, our strategy has to been to stand firm and resist Satan's schemes. To that end, God has gifted us with spiritual armor, which we are responsible to take up and put on. Up to this point all the parts of God’s Armor have been defensive. We’ve looked at the satanic schemes each are meant to help us withstand. Now, finally,...
The Shield of Faith - PDF
February 05, 2023 16:38 - 290 KB application/pdfIn this sermon, we discover Satan's three-fold strategy to steal, kill, and destroy. We identify the flaming arrows he shoots to attempt to steal God's Word from our hearts, kill the fruit and work of God in our lives, and destroy our witness. And we see how the shield of faith protects us from each of these attacks.
The Shield of Faith - Audio
February 05, 2023 16:38 - 42 minutes - 13.2 MBIn this sermon, we discover Satan's three-fold strategy to steal, kill, and destroy. We identify the flaming arrows he shoots to attempt to steal God's Word from our hearts, kill the fruit and work of God in our lives, and destroy our witness. And we see how the shield of faith protects us from each of these attacks.
The Helmet of Salvation - Audio
January 29, 2023 16:04 - 40 minutes - 12.6 MBThe Helmet of Salvation protects us in similar ways as the Belt of Truth and the Breastplate of Righteousness. We need to protect our mind from Satan’s deceiving lies and false teachings—it is after all a helmet meant to protect the head. But it specifically deals with our salvation, which like the Breastplate of Righteousness, assures us against Satan’s accusations meant to discourage us and cause us to doubt our relationship with God and our usability to Him and His Kingdom. So the Helmet o...
The Helmet of Salvation - PDF
January 29, 2023 16:04 - 234 KB application/pdfThe Helmet of Salvation protects us in similar ways as the Belt of Truth and the Breastplate of Righteousness. We need to protect our mind from Satan’s deceiving lies and false teachings—it is after all a helmet meant to protect the head. But it specifically deals with our salvation, which like the Breastplate of Righteousness, assures us against Satan’s accusations meant to discourage us and cause us to doubt our relationship with God and our usability to Him and His Kingdom. So the Helmet o...
The Sandals of the Gospel of Peace - Audio
January 23, 2023 15:47 - 34 minutes - 11.4 MBShoes go with readiness, and for soldiers they are vital parts of their armor, enabling them to stand their ground in combat and move forward their objectives on the battle field. As Christians, God has given us Gospel shoes--to make us ready to stand and to go, to make our feet beautiful as we share the Good News of God's peace.
The Sandals of the Gospel of Peace - PDF
January 23, 2023 15:47 - 230 KB application/pdfShoes go with readiness, and for soldiers they are vital parts of their armor, enabling them to stand their ground in combat and move forward their objectives on the battle field. As Christians, God has given us Gospel shoes--to make us ready to stand and to go, to make our feet beautiful as we share the Good News of God's peace.
The Breastplate of Righteousness - Audio
January 15, 2023 19:36 - 35 minutes - 11.6 MBContinuing to look at the Full Armor of God, given to us so we can withstand Satan's attacks and resist his schemes, we turn from what seems like the least coverage—the belt—to what appears to offer the most coverage, the breastplate. We will discover how the Breastplate of Righteousness can guard our hearts from the accusations of the Devil, who wants Christians to live defeated and discouraged lives.
The Breastplate of Righteousness - PDF
January 15, 2023 19:36 - 246 KB application/pdfContinuing to look at the Full Armor of God, given to us so we can withstand Satan's attacks and resist his schemes, we turn from what seems like the least coverage—the belt—to what appears to offer the most coverage, the breastplate. We will discover how the Breastplate of Righteousness can guard our hearts from the accusations of the Devil, who wants Christians to live defeated and discouraged lives.
The Belt of Truth - PDF
January 08, 2023 18:09 - 241 KB application/pdfThe first piece of the Full Armor God that Paul presents is the belt of truth. Belts may not seem like a vital piece of armor, but the belt is what holds the rest of the pieces together. It is what the sword and shield hang on. Truth is what all the parts of our spiritual armor hang on. It is what holds us and our faith together. We need the Belt of Truth to help us stand firm against Satan's scheme to deceive our minds and seduce our hearts.
The Belt of Truth - Audio
January 08, 2023 18:09 - 44 minutes - 13.5 MBThe first piece of the Full Armor God that Paul presents is the belt of truth. Belts may not seem like a vital piece of armor, but the belt is what holds the rest of the pieces together. It is what the sword and shield hang on. Truth is what all the parts of our spiritual armor hang on. It is what holds us and our faith together. We need the Belt of Truth to help us stand firm against Satan's scheme to deceive our minds and seduce our hearts.
The Combat-ready Christian - Audio
January 01, 2023 21:38 - 40 minutes - 12.6 MBThe United States Army has four pillars for combat-readiness; four things necessary to be fully prepared for war: Manning, Training, Equipping, and Leader Development. In Ephesians 6:10-13, Paul gives Christians our own Four Pillars of Readiness. As we identify these pillars, let us evaluate ourselves—Are we combat-ready for the spiritual battles we face every day?
The Combat-ready Christian - PDF
January 01, 2023 21:38 - 198 KB application/pdfThe United States Army has four pillars for combat-readiness; four things necessary to be fully prepared for war: Manning, Training, Equipping, and Leader Development. In Ephesians 6:10-13, Paul gives Christians our own Four Pillars of Readiness. As we identify these pillars, let us evaluate ourselves—Are we combat-ready for the spiritual battles we face every day?
Worship to the Newborn King - Audio
December 18, 2022 21:25 - 33 minutes - 9.52 MBFrom local lowly shepherds to royal wise men from afar, to the heavenly host, as we think about the worshipful response of God’s coming into the world to redeem lost sinners, let’s think this morning about some basic truths of worship. Just as it’s easy for the message of Christ’s birth to get lost amidst the tinsel and trees, the gifts and parties of Christmas…so it is easy for us throughout the year to let the truth about biblical worship to get lost among the musical styles, traditions, an...
Worship to the Newborn King - PDF
December 18, 2022 21:25 - 177 KB application/pdfFrom local lowly shepherds to royal wise men from afar, to the heavenly host, as we think about the worshipful response of God’s coming into the world to redeem lost sinners, let’s think this morning about some basic truths of worship. Just as it’s easy for the message of Christ’s birth to get lost amidst the tinsel and trees, the gifts and parties of Christmas…so it is easy for us throughout the year to let the truth about biblical worship to get lost among the musical styles, traditions, an...
Service to the Newborn King - Audio
December 11, 2022 15:22 - 39 minutes - 10.9 MBAdvent is as much about preparing ourselves for Jesus' Second Coming as it is celebrating His first. Peter tells us that "the end of all things is near," and gives us five actions we should embrace to help prepare ourselves for the Second Coming of our King. These are spiritual marks of readiness. Which do you need to focus on this Advent?
Service to the Newborn King - PDF
December 11, 2022 15:22 - 176 KB application/pdfAdvent is as much about preparing ourselves for Jesus' Second Coming as it is celebrating His first. Peter tells us that "the end of all things is near," and gives us five actions we should embrace to help prepare ourselves for the Second Coming of our King. These are spiritual marks of readiness. Which do you need to focus on this Advent?
Faith in the Newborn King - PDF
December 04, 2022 18:24 - 178 KB application/pdfHebrews 11, called the “Hall of Faith” chapter, details the stories of the deeds of faith-filled men and women, but the focus is on WHY they did what they did. Their motivation, priority, and nonnegotiable was faith in God’s promises. As we think of having faith in God's promise for the Newborn King and all He would accomplish, let's look at the essence of faith and how we can exercise our faith in King Jesus.
Faith in the Newborn King - Audio
December 04, 2022 18:24 - 40 minutes - 11.1 MBHebrews 11, called the “Hall of Faith” chapter, details the stories of the deeds of faith-filled men and women, but the focus is on WHY they did what they did. Their motivation, priority, and nonnegotiable was faith in God’s promises. As we think of having faith in God's promise for the Newborn King and all He would accomplish, let's look at the essence of faith and how we can exercise our faith in King Jesus.
The Promise of the Newborn King - Audio
November 27, 2022 18:32 - 22 minutes - 7.12 MBOn this first Sunday of Advent, we look at Isaiah 9:1-7, where the prophet was speaking words of hope to the people of Judah who were facing God's judgment for their wickedness. They were walking in darkness, feeling hopeless and helpless. But Isaiah promised that their King was coming, who bring light into darkness and bring them from gloom into joy.
Winning the Wanderer - Audio
November 20, 2022 19:46 - 37 minutes - 12.9 MBJames calls us to look out for one another as we struggle, stumble, and sometimes fall. Out of the overflow of God’s mercy in our lives, we should mercifully get in each other’s way, and turn one another back when we begin to drift off course.