Houston's First Baptist Church
272 episodes - English - Latest episode: 14 days ago - ★★★★★ - 16 ratingsHouston's First Baptist Church is a relevant biblical community where we gather our hearts, grow our souls and give our lives as we seek to fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). This podcast provides weekly messages from Pastor Gregg Matte and others. Visit HoustonsFirst.org to learn more, and visit us in person the next time you're in Houston!
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Episodes
5 Conversations with Christ: 3 Steps to Becoming the Greatest Humble Person Ever!
August 23, 2020 05:00 - 3.43 MBHumility is not thinking less of yourself; rather, it is thinking of yourself less. Choose to live a humble life. From that position, feelings of gratitude instead of entitlement can grow. And in surrender and humility, we can trust that He will seat us and take us where we need to be.
5 Conversations with Christ: Anxiety / Worry Part 2
August 16, 2020 05:00 - 3.43 MBWe live in an age of anxiety, but the way we can push worry back is through trusting the Lord. Release control knowing that God is pleased to provide for you. It won’t always be easy and will require some heart work, but choose to take the journey with the Lord. It will lead to deeper intimacy with Jesus, and your heart and mind will be transformed.
5 Conversations with Christ: Anxiety / Worry
August 09, 2020 05:00 - 3.43 MBAnxiety can come into our lives so easily. It wears us out emotionally, and it wears us out physically. Know that Jesus can meet you right where you are. With Him, your mind can be be renewed, and He can set you on a new path.
5 Conversations with Christ: Distractions
August 02, 2020 05:00 - 3.43 MBWe live in a world of distractions. And though much of the busyness is gone, have you filled your time with more distractions or more of Jesus? Choose to lean in during this season. Make the choice of settling your heart before the Lord and cultivating a heart of worship.
God’s Word: Four Choices We Make
July 26, 2020 05:00 - 3.43 MBChoices can be seen as inflammatory these days, but there are four choices that are presented to us in God’s Word that we must make. Choose to be transformed by, submit to, and live by the Word of God. And don’t procrastinate. If you know God wants you to do something, today is the day to do it.
The Devil Wears TЯUTH
July 19, 2020 05:00 - 3.43 MBWe are in a season where we are being forced online. It is so necessary that we know the truth, so that we are not led astray. May we know the truth, may we recognize the truth, and may we be changed by the truth. It is sufficient for our lives.
“The Usefulness of God’s Word”
July 12, 2020 05:00 - 3.43 MBWill you be intentional about spending time in God’s Word? The world is in chaos right now, and God’s Word is our anchor. It gives us God’s heart and His perspective, and it is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.
“I Have Found the Book!”
July 05, 2020 05:00 - 3.43 MBOur nation came into existence during the first and second great awakenings, and we are in need of another awakening. We need to feel a burden for our nation, we need to return to the scriptures, and we have to claim the power of the blood. The next great awakening can start with you; it can start today.
Yet! We Have Hope
June 28, 2020 05:00 - 3.43 MBDisappointment is real. Yet, we can learn to walk in this life of trial and strain because God loves us. Let Go, and let God. He will take you through the grief and loss, and your test will become your testimony.
Three Things Every Dad Needs From Proverbs
June 21, 2020 05:00 - 3.43 MBDads, we want to honor you this Father's Day and tell you that you are important as men and as fathers. Even if you didn’t have a good dad, your Father in Heaven can heal every wound and show you the way to be a great dad in your own family. And families, dads need your respect, gratitude, and for you to live wisely. These things will bring refreshment to his heart and soul.
Fasting: Feeling Full from Going Hungry
June 14, 2020 05:00 - 3.43 MBFasting is to be a normal part of the Christian life. It intensifies our prayers, helps lead us to repentance, brings clarity, and many other things. Would you choose a day to fast this week? Be willing to go hungry, so that you can feel full in Him.
Stormy Seas
June 07, 2020 05:00 - 3.43 MBWe’re in stormy seas as a nation right now, and we have to trust Jesus to changes hearts and lives. Begin having real conversations with those around you, and let’s trust Jesus to take us to the other side. Trust in His power, and let God do His work.
Reunion Weekend 2020
May 31, 2020 05:00 - 3.43 MBOn this Reunion Weekend, we celebrate Pentecost and the birth of the Church. As the disciples trusted and waited for the promise of the Father, we too need to trust in God’s timing and His plan. Lean in to Him, and let Him speak directly to your heart. And in turn, go out into the world to share with others.
All Things Through Him
May 24, 2020 05:00 - 3.43 MBIn order to do all things, it takes Christ in you, so that Christ can move through you. What is God calling you to do? That is where you will find the strength to do all things.
Content in Christ
May 17, 2020 05:00 - 3.43 MBJesus Christ, not circumstance, is the route of contentment. Even in the this time of uncertainty, we can walk in peace, surrendered to Him, knowing that the Lord is at work.
Right Thinking
May 10, 2020 05:00 - 3.43 MBOn this Mother’s day, we honor all the women of our church. Mom’s do such a great job of living an honorable life, and we all want to live this way. May we have right praying, which leads to right thinking, which leads to right living, so that we can live in the peace of God and shine brightly in this world.
The Favor of God
May 03, 2020 05:00 - 3.43 MBSo many of us spend our lives chasing favor not realizing that favor is actually chasing us. God’s favor is revealed, and it can be seen, in His pursuit of us and His presence with us. Whether you feel it or not, let the declared Word be your guide. As a child of God, you are favored!
Don't Worry. Do Pray.
April 26, 2020 05:00 - 3.43 MBDuring this season of COVID-19, there have been so many dos and don’ts. And in this time when worrying feels like responsibility, Paul tells us the complete opposite. Paul says to not worry. He reminds us instead to pray — knowing who we are in Christ, connecting with Him, and laying our petitions before Him with thanksgiving. And it is through prayer that the peace of Christ will fill our hearts and minds.
We the People
April 19, 2020 05:00 - 3.43 MBDuring these times when everything around us is changing, we can grow closer together and stand firm. We can rejoice and be gracious. And we can continue to stay in surrender to Christ, so that our lives can be a of reflection of His in humility and selflessness as we wait for His return.
Empty Seat, Empty Tomb, Full Hearts
April 12, 2020 05:00Jesus came, died, and rose again. And when He rose again, He offered us peace in our fears and proof of His death. Don’t live saying you need more proof. Turn your doubts into questions, your questions into prayers, and your prayers into faith. It’s time to trust Christ as your Savior, and receive forgiveness for your sins and purpose for your life.
Empty Seats, Empty Tomb, Full Hearts
April 12, 2020 05:00 - 3.43 MBJesus came, died, and rose again. And when He rose again, He offered us peace in our fears and proof of His death. Don’t live saying you need more proof. Turn your doubts into questions, your questions into prayers, and your prayers into faith. It’s time to trust Christ as your Savior, and receive forgiveness for your sins and purpose for your life.
Broken for You 2020
April 09, 2020 05:00 - 3.43 MBOn this Maundy Thursday, Jeff Struecker shared his story of serving as an army ranger in Somalia. As he and his team embarked on a very dangerous mission, Jesus stepped in and settled his heart. His eternity was secure, and he no longer had to fear death. In that moment, his life was forever changed. Have you given your life to Jesus? Don’t let one more day go by. Receive the sacrifice He paid, so that you might truly live and spend eternity with Him in Heaven.
The Plan of God and Response of Man
April 05, 2020 05:00 - 3.43 MBAs you celebrate Palm Sunday, lay down your heaviness, your fear, your worry, and your disappointments. Lay it all down before Him, and give Him your praise. Let God use your resources, your prayer, and your sharing with others to glorify His name. God has a plan, and He is turning people to Him.
Staying Still in Times of Crisis
March 30, 2020 05:00 - 3.43 MBGod is going to see us through. Let's be people of prayer. Let’s let God do something great in us and through us. In these days of staying at home, be still and know that He is God. He will be exalted among the nations. The Lord almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Certainty in the Midst of Uncertainty
March 22, 2020 05:00 - 3.43 MBWe are going to make it! We are going to see God do some great things in and through us. Walk with hope, for our God is a refuge and ever present help in time of need.
During Empty Times: Fill-Up With Christ
March 15, 2020 05:00 - 3.43 MBIn the midst of the Coronavirus and all that is happening in our city, nation, and world, you are probably experiencing a lot of emptiness: empty shelves, empty stadiums, empty classrooms, and empty churches. As your emptiness is revealed, you can trust in the fullness of Christ. Make Him your refuge, and ask Him to fill you up so that you can help others do the same.
Living in His Power
March 08, 2020 06:00 - 3.43 MBBy looking at Philippians 3 through an accounting perspective, Paul shows us not the balance sheet but the imbalance sheet of knowing Jesus. There is nothing we can do to balance the sheet, and our resume will never be good enough. It is Jesus alone that erases our debt. Surrender to Him, and live in His power.
20:20 Vision Triangle
March 01, 2020 06:00 - 3.43 MBIf our pace and our perspective are the foundation of our lives, and if Jesus Christ is our heartbeat, then we are going to be able to make a difference in people’s lives around us. Who’s your one? Continue to pray and share with them, and make it your aim to walk with Jesus in 2020.
Legacy: Limited or Launched?
February 23, 2020 06:00 - 3.43 MBIs your legacy limited or launched? Pride can limit your legacy, but faithfulness and a heart that elevates the Lord can launch you. Let’s keep our heart and focus on the Lord, and let’s celebrate all that God is doing in our lives and the lives of others.
Victory in Our Battles
February 16, 2020 06:00 - 3.43 MBWe will all face battles this year. Give your battle and your fear to the Lord. Trust in His presence, worship Him, and wait to see His victory. Through it all, God is making you more and more like Him.
Don't Fear
February 09, 2020 06:00 - 3.43 MBWe all know the feeling of fear; It’s part of the human experience. Invite God into your fear and allow it to draw you closer. What was once troubling will be transformed into a comforting fear and reverence of Him.
Treasuring God's Word
February 02, 2020 06:00 - 3.43 MBWhat importance do you place on the word of God in your life? It will shape not only your future but also your present. Let this be the year that you are closer to Jesus than you have ever been, and do this by treasuring His word.
2020 Rest-olutions & Resolutions: Wrap Up
January 26, 2020 06:00 - 3.43 MBHow is your faith? Is it wobbly? Are you daily knowing Him, praying in His power, living in His love, and longing for His return? These four things give you solid a foundation for our final resolution of 2020 — walking in His strength.
Rest-olutions and Resolutions, Part 3: Meaningful Relationships
January 21, 2020 16:20 - 3.43 MBWe all need meaningful relationships, especially in this time where loneliness is at an all time high. First, begin with Jesus. He is the truest friend you will ever experience. And upon that solid rock of Jesus, be the spouse, be the parent, be the kid that you were called to be.
Rest-olutions and Resolutions to Live by in 2020
January 12, 2020 06:00 - 3.43 MBWe began this decade with rest-olutions — a call to rest and sabbath in the Lord. From that place, we move to resolutions. This year, instead of filling our resolutions with to-dos, let’s have our resolutions be more about who we want to be, and let the to-dos naturally flow from that.
The Home: Sabbath
January 05, 2020 06:00 - 3.43 MBWhat is the state of your heart? Is it hurried or at peace? Make a resolution this year to rest. The sabbath is God’s provision for us, and we need it. Pray for courage to remove what is needed to create margin, and ask for faith to truly rest.
Six Keys to Good Decision Making
December 29, 2019 06:00 - 3.43 MBBartimaeus was a man that suffered so much, but in the moment of crisis, he stood tall, he spoke up, and he ran to Jesus. He didn’t let anything hold him back. May we be the same kind of people who throw off restraints and are willing to intercede fervently for God and His heart for our lives.
Relating with Relatives
December 22, 2019 06:00 - 3.43 MBWhether the family you will see over Christmas is difficult or easy to be with, arrive filled up and show genuine concern. Let offenses roll off your back, and let your proven character shine.
Shine as You Shop
December 15, 2019 06:00 - 3.43 MBAs you navigate this busy Christmas season, interact with people in such a way that makes a difference in their life. Put grumbling and complaining aside, and let God work in you so that He Shines through you.
More Than a Baby
December 08, 2019 06:00 - 3.43 MBJesus may have come as a baby, but He is so much more. He lived and died a sinless life, so that we can worship Him in our hearts as King. Is He your focus this holiday season? When He is, the tension and stress can give way to His peace.
Responding to God's Greatness
December 01, 2019 06:00 - 3.43 MBWhen you think about your life and the things God has done for you, does your heart respond appropriately to God’s work? Pray God would help you to have a heart with a vertical focus that responds in thanksgiving and praise.
Look Up!
November 24, 2019 06:00 - 3.43 MBThere is so much above us. Yet, in God’s choosing, He made us but a little lower than the heavens. We are made in His image, and we were created with purpose. Let this cause you to look up in awe and live from a place of humble surrender before Him.
There's a Reason for your Season
November 17, 2019 06:00 - 3.43 MBThere is a reason for the season that you are in. No matter the trials or blessings, trust the Lord and give Him your yes. Make it a point to rest in the Lord and encounter Him in whatever season you’re in.
Boomers: Our Life's Legacy
November 10, 2019 06:00 - 3.43 MBIf we want to leave a legacy, we have to pay attention to how God made us and to God’s will. This life, more than anything, is about being shaped into the image of the Lord Jesus Christ to the glory of God the Father. That is all that is going to matter when we stand before Him at the end of our life.
Midlife
November 03, 2019 05:00 - 3.43 MBIf you’re feeling frustrated in midlife, give it to the Lord and experience the freedom of knowing that God has something more for you. There is a reason for the season that you’re in. Lean into trusting the Lord, and lean into the relationships that God has placed in your life.
Parenting — Part 2
October 27, 2019 05:00 - 3.43 MBParents, as you lead, steward your child’s heart and not just their behavior. Lead them in trust of the Lord and a generous life. And recognize that not every lesson has to come from you; allow life and the Lord to bring instruction and discipline as well.
Parenting — Part 1
October 20, 2019 05:00 - 3.43 MBParents, your children don’t need perfection, they need your presence. God wants to use you uniquely in their lives through the ups, downs, joys, and struggles. Make your family a priority and your home a place where their hearts are built up. To find the cellphone contract mentioned in the message, click the message notes link in the message details block below or use the the link below the message details block.
Marriage
October 13, 2019 05:00 - 3.43 MBMarried couples, let’s enjoy marriage. Have some fun. Prioritize prayer and encouragement. Walk in the ways of God. Learn to fight fair. When you do these things, you will grow in your relationship, and you will begin to look more like Jesus.
Marriage: Love & Respect — Part 1
October 06, 2019 13:00 - 3.43 MBOne of God’s last words to the church on marriage involved two commands. A husband is to love his wife, and a wife is to respect her husband. While this may seem simple, these two commands are contrary to our nature. If we don’t walk with empathy and a heart that seeks to understand the goodwill of one another, we will find ourselves on what Dr. Emerson Eggerichs calls the "crazy cycle." Listen to part 2 of this message, and learn how to get off the crazy cycle.
Marriage: Love & Respect — Part 2
October 06, 2019 05:00In marriage, we can sometimes find ourselves in the crazy cycle, and though it may not seem like it, there is a way out. We can break the cycle when we realize marriage is about loving and respecting Jesus through our spouse and living for His “well done.”