Richmond's First Baptist Church

What's the Word? Grace and Truth

Weariness and New Life

Dr. Somerville looks at how God uses human hears to fulfull his plan of salvation for the world.  Listen in for a very unique take on a very familiar Christmas story.

(False) Expectations and Delight

We celebrate Christmas because it is something that we believe in. What if there is even more to the Christmas story than what we already believe, something we can't even imagine yet?  Maybe there is even more joy in this season than we realize.  Watch now to hear Dr. Somerville talk about this.

What's the Word? Repentance and Delight

Dr. Somerville continues his Advent sermon series today, and he talks about a kingdom, at time when a perfect king shall reign and all shall be at peace.  Can you imagine such a time and place? Do you believe that it could really be true?  Listen in to hear and understand about such a place.

What's the Word? Hopes and Fears

As we begin the Advent season Dr. Somerville talks about this being the season of expectancy.  What are we expecting?  Listen in as you begin your Advent journey this year.

Learning as We Go: King of the World

Dr. Somerville concludes his "Learning As We Go" sermon series on Christ the King Sunday as he describes what the world would consider to the the most unlikely senario for a king to save the world.  Listen in!

Learning As We Go: It's All Coming Down

Today's sermon can be a downer, especially based on the passage from the Gospel of Luke where Jesus warns of wars and uprisings, earthquakes and famine.  Where is the good news in such a passage!? Dr. Somerville digs a little deeper into the events of that time period and leaves us with a thought provoking question.  Listen in to see if you can see the nugget of good news in there.

Learning As We Go: A Place in the Resurrection

Will we be married or know our spouses in heaven?  The Sadducees were asking Jesus a similar question trying to trip him up.  Hear his answer and and why it might be important.  Listen in!

Learning as We Go: Saving the Lost

Have you always felt that your life didn't quite measure up, that you were outside of the center of acceptance?  If so, Dr. Somerville has some encouraging workds for you today.  Listen in!

Learning as We Go: What Makes Us Right?

Today Dr. Somerville uses the analogy of parables as riddles to help us understand an important point that Jesus is making.  You'll be glad you listened to this one!!

Learning as We Go: What God Is Not

Depending on how you hear and define the word 'justice' will go a long way in determining how you view it when it's mentioned in the Bible, and it's mentioned a lot in there!  Listen in as Dr. Somerville helps us hone in on what the Bible is saying when you read the word 'justice.'

Learning as We Go: One Came Back

Dr. Somerville turns his attention to day to the 10 lepers that Jesus healed.  You know the story-only one came back to express his gratitude.  There's power in gratitude, and today Dr. Somerville gives us a great look at just how much power there is.  Listen in!

Learning as We Go: Increase Our Faith!

As Dr. Somerville continues his 'Learning as We Go' sermon series, today he talks about the apostles asking Jesus to increase their faith.  Jesus' reply to them is rather odd, but maybe what he is saying is that they already have the faith, they just need to listen to him and live it.  Listen in to an encouraging sermon!

Learning as We Go: Are You Listening?

Dr. Somerville continues his 'Learing as We Go' sermon series, and today he tackles the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus.  It's a subject that touches us all and can make us very uncomfortable, but it's one we need to pay attention to.  Listen in!

Christ Will Let You Love Him

Our guest preacher for today, John Upton, shares that there is a risk to giving the gift of love, but unless we take that risk we really can't let loose the love in the world which God wants us to give, and feel.

Learning as We Go: Lost and Found

Dr. Somerville continues his "Learning as We Go" sermon series and he closes the sermon saying, "Maybe what we all really want is to be found!"  What does he mean by that?  Listen in for a very thought provoking sermon.

Learning as We Go: Demanding Discipleship

Our guest preacher, Dr. Paul Baxley, makes the case for our allegience to Jesus Christ after we have said the words at our baptisms, "Jesus Is Lord."  Listen in!

Learning as We Go: Taking Our Places

Do you ever care too much about what other people think? Ever wonder what God thinks? Listen in to find out more!

Learning as We Go: Free from Bondage

Why is it sometimes we are so bound by habit or convention that we are unable to find joy and freedom in something totally unexpected?  Listen is as Dr. Somerville has some encouraging words for those of us stuck in our lanes.

Learning as We Go: Ultimate Concerns

Dr. Somerville talks about crisis and how it is in these times we are forced to make decisions about what matters most.  What in your life might be considered 'crisis' now and how do you think you will respond?  Listen in!

Learning as we Go: Treasure in Heaven

Dr. Somerville begins a new sermon series today and the basic question that comes out of the sermon is, "In what or where to you store your treasure?"  This is a compelling sermon, so listen in! 

Building It as We Fly: Clothed with the New Self

Dr. Somerville concludes his 'Building It as We Fly' sermon series today and uses the illustration of Michelangleo's statue of David to propose that it is what we take away in life, not what we add, that reveals the beauty that is inside.  This one is well worth a listen!

Building It as We Fly: Hold Fast to the Head

Dr. Somerville continues his "Building It as We Fly" sermon series, and his theme throughout the series is building a post-pandemic church.  Today he had asked, "how we can be the kind of people Jesus would not be ashamed of?"  Tune in to hear his thoughts.

Building It as We Fly: The Hope of Glory

Dr. Somerville continues his "Building It as We Fly" sermon series today and poses this question to the church; "Who is Jesus to us?"  Listen if for a very thought provoking sermon.

Jim's View from 30K Feet

Jim Somerville responds to a recent Facebook post on our church group page that addressed the issue of why people are leaving Church (talking about all churches in general) these days, and he helps us focus our vision on what we should be doing or how we should respond.

Building It as We Fly: Transferred into the Kingdom

Dr. Somerville continues his "Building It as We Fly" sermon series and today he asks the question as to whether Christians should stand out from from the surrounding culture in ways that make it obvious that we are part of God's kingdom?  Tune in for a very insightful answer.

Building It as We Fly: Freedom in Everyday Life

Dr. Somerville continues his "Building It as We Fly" sermon series and one can almost hear him saying that freedom can only be found through submission.  Tune in to see if that's possible and why we may want to live like that. 

Building It as We Fly: What Does It Mean to be Free?

Dr. Somerville continues his "Building It as We Fly" sermon series, he has what may be some surprise answers to what freedom may look like to those who are following the leading of God's Holy Spirit.  Listen is as he explains.

Building It as We Fly: What Becomes of the Law?

Dr. Somerville continues his "Building It as We Fly" sermons series, saying that once we are baptized we all become part of God's family and we can have a unity in that which transcends politics and all of the other issues that tend to divide us these days.

Building It as We Fly: Is Jesus God?

Dr. Somerville continues his "Building It as We Fly" sermon series and asks the question, "Is Jesus God?" Listen as he related the story of Saul's conversion to Paul to formulate an answer to this question.

Building It as We Fly: What Just Happened?

Dr. Somerville begins a new sermons series today on Pentecost Sunday.  His question is, "Where is the Holy Spirit moving today, and how might that moving help us build a post-pandemic church?"

Good News for Hard Times: Come, Lord Jesus

Dr. Somerville concludes his 'Good News for Hard Times' sermon series with the words, "Come, Lord Jesus!"

Good News for Hard Times: Keep Waiting

Dr. Somerville continues his 'Good New for Hard Times' sermon series with the reminder that if we can keep our eyes fixed on the fact that one day God will make all thing new, and that in the end everything will be perfect.

Good News for Hard Times: Wait for the Ending

The Fifth Sunday of Easter. Revelation 21:1-6.

Good News for Hard Times: The Blood of the Lamb

Dr. Somerville continues his Good News for Hard Times sermon series and has a facinating take on how the book of Revelation is written in a style can can be compared to a secret code.

Good News for Hard Times: Hard Times in the Empire

Dr. Somerville begins his Easter season sermon series from the book or Revelation and assures us that no matter how hard things may seem now, one day God is going to restore all things, and all will be made right.

A Creation That Groans

Justin Pierson preaches

Words Matter: Risen

Christ is Risen!  Happy Easter! ©2022 Jim Somerville

Words Matter: Enter

Dr. Somerville concludes his Words Matter Sermon Series today.  He encourages us to not be such gatekeepers that Jesus cannot enter our lives.

Journey to the Cross April 6, 2022

Dr. Somerville continues his Wednesday even Journey to the Cross "Remembering What We Already Know: homily series. © 2022 Jim Somerville

Words Matter: Restored

Dr. Jim Somerville continues his "Words Matter" sermon series today reflecting on the word 'Restored.'  Often we are hard pressed to see how things broken, like lives, dreams, relationships, and more can be restored, but there is one who can make all things new-- the Lord!

Journey to the Cross March 23, 2022

Dr. Jim Somerville continues his Wednesday even Journey to the Cross homily series call "Remembering What We Already Know."  Tonight he talks about "There is a Purpose to Your Being." © 2022 Jim Somerville

Journey to the Cross March 30, 2022

Dr. Somerville continues his Wednesday even Journey to the Cross "Remembering What We Already Know: homily series. © 2022 Jim Somerville

Words Matter: Forgiven

Dr. Jim Somerville talks about the differences between forgive and forgiven and the peace and happiness that comes with forgiveness. © 2022 Jim Somerville

Words Matter: Satisfied

Dr. Jim Somerville continues his "Words Matter" sermon series talking about how to find satsifaction with God.

Journey to the Cross March 16, 2022

Remembering What We Already Know: God Loves the World March 16, 2022 Dr. Jim Somerville ©2022 Jim Somerville

Words Matter: Light

Dr. Jim Somerville continues his 'Words Matter' sermon series talking about Light. When life is difficult and things are their darkest, we long for the morning light-a time when things will be better.  Dr. Somerville offers us encouragement here that the morning will come!

Journey to the Cross

Remembering what we already know.

Words Matter: Shelter

Shelter is important, but often it's temporal.  Dr. Somerville is going to talk about a shelter that nothing can destroy.

"Wash"

On Ash Wednesday Dr. Somerville begins his Lenten sermon series titled, "Words Matter."  Tonight the first word is "wash."