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July 25, 2010
"The Fear of Worry"
"Some folk worry more than others...often needlessly. But sometimes we cannot seem to keep from worry. We worry about changes taking place...about things we cannot control...about the actions of others...and the list goes on and on. It is not so much a fear of worry as it is worry about that which we fear."
Text: Matthew 6:25-34
July 18, 2010
Baptism
"The Fear of Expectations"
"People are quick to place expectations on others. And when one fails to live up to the expectations, there is always the risk of rejection. It happens to politicians, athletes, business executives, husbands and wives, parents and children, preachers and teachers, doctors and police officers. Rejections, at any level, hurts...especially when we have sought to do the best we can do. We say we 'live for Christ,' but all too often we week to please everyone else."
Text: John 7
July 11, 2010
"The Fear of Failure"
"The fear of failure has cost many a soul 'what might have been.' As my father used to say to me 'the only people who do not make mistakes are the ones who never attempt anything.' We are not speaking here of foolish pursuits, but rather of the great challenges life offers. Every day of life is a risk. The call of God upon our lives makes our risk-taking more noble and the presence of God with us makes our risk-taking a bit less fearsome."
Text: Numbers 13:25-33; Matthew 25:14-30
June 27, 2010
Baptism
"When Life is Not Fair"
Text: I Samuel 30
June 20, 2010
Father's Day
"Navigating Life"
Text: I Samuel 28
June 13, 2010
"Shedding Past Hurts"
Text: I Samuel 26
June 6, 2010
Communion
Senior Sunday
"Wisdom and Foolishness"
"We all make choices in life. Looking back we are able to divide them into wise choices and foolish choices. But looking foward is an altogether different matter. We will all make mistakes in life, but the most egregious are those we make when we are willful."
Text: I Samuel 25
May 30, 2010
Memorial Sunday
"Friendship: Putting Others First"
"Responding to the question 'what is friendship?', one of the children in our church responded saying, 'It is when someone cares more about what you want than what they want.' Maybe that is what true friendship is all about in the first place."
Text: I Samuel 23: 15-29
May 23, 2010
Parent-Child Dedication
"The Curse of Envy and Jealousy"
"Envy and jealousy are a bit like resentment. They do nothing much to the object of our envy or jealousy, but they tear us apart. Most of us do not really like ourselves when we feel those feelings creep into our psyche, do we? The only way that curse gets lifted from our souls is when we can come to the place where we celebrate the good fortune or accomplishments of others."
Text: I Samuel 18
May 16, 2010
"The Giants That Taunt Us"
"We may not identify with a boy and a slingshot going against a giant warrior, but all of us have 'giants' in our lives that taunt us. Those giants are not always people either. All kinds of things loom over us and generate pressure in the daily living of our lives. Finances...illnesses...broken relationships...failed expectations...and the list goes on and on. Conventional wisdom calls for a certain response, but when we trust in God, conventional wisdom doesn't always work."
Text: I Samuel 17
May 9, 2010
Mother's Day
"Music to Our Ears"
Text: I Samuel 16:14-23
May 2, 2010
Communion
"Unlikely Choices"
"A friend told me recently that she had been admonished by her husband. He told her that she 'compared what she felt on her inside with what she saw in other's outside.' We must be slow to judge in the first place, but we must truly guard against judging merely on what we see on the outside. Looks can be deceiving. God does know the heart of each one of us.
Text: I Samuel 16:1-13
April 18, 2010
Celebration of 140th Anniversary of FBC Sanctuary
"Hopeful Imagination"
"This week we complete 140 years as a congregation that has worshipped in this room. That means (give or take a Sunday or two for a hurricane or a war) we have gathered in this room 7,280 Sundays to worship God. Looking back it seems as though we have always been a people of unyielding hope and creative imagination. As much fun as it is to look back, it is far more redemptive to look forward. The best is yet to be." Text: Jeremiah 29:10-11 April 11, 2010
Robert Smith Ordination
"The Journey with Jesus"
"To journey with Jesus is to be comforted without becoming comfortable...to know truth without having all answers...and to live in hope...no matter what happens." Text: II Corinthians 3:18
March 21, 2010
"God Expects...Us to Withhold Judgement"Text: Romans 14:1-12; Matthew 7:1-5
March 14, 2010
"God Expects...Us to Love One Another"
"For the follower of Jesus, love is never optional. It is at the heart and soul of what God expects of us. God says this act of loving is how the world will know that we are followers. It is not enough to love in a global sense, that is, all people. We are called to love the individual before us. How we 'love' other people defines who we are as Christians. Love is not what we feel. It is what we do."
Text: Romans 13:8-10; John 13:31-35
March 7, 2010
Communion
"God Expects...Honorable Living"
"At a time when the internet and political talk-shows have given way to fear-mongering, demagoguery, and deceit with regard to elected officials, the words of scripture are quite sobering. Government is the servant of God. it serves as a stabilizer of society. We are expected to pay our taxes...to pay our bills...to respect and honor those who serve. How then does a Christian live and speak in the public sphere?"Text: Romans 13:1-7; Mark 12:13-17
February 28, 2010
Baptism
"God Expects...Peaceable Living"
These are texts that all too often we read glibly without ever taking time to assess what they might mean for our lives.
God leaves no room for vengeance...for retaliation...but instead calls on those who follow to love their enemies...to live in harmony...
so far as it is possible...and to help those in need as well as extend hospitality to strangers who come our way. Peaceable living is active and intentional living...it is taking the initiative."Text: Romans 12:9-21; Matthew 5:38-48
February 21, 2010
Parent-Child Dedication
"God Expects...A Living Sacrifice"
"As free a gift as grace is, God does have some expectations of those who follow. The call is to be a 'living sacrifice' which is a call to give everything to God..to put all we are and all we have under the lordship of Jesus. This is not just a call to do these things in the context of the gathered church. This is how we are to live every day of our lives...everywhere we go and with everyone we meet. It all comes down to how we relate to other people."
Text: Romans 12:1-8; Matthew 16:24-26
January 31, 2010
Deacon Ordination & Installation
"Holy Spirit: Doing What Rules Can Never Do"
"It has often been said that 'you cannot legislate morality.' if we could, there would never be a need for law enforcement officers or court rooms or judges. The fact is that we are human...with all the frailties that are a part of our human existence. What we need are 'changed hearts' ... and radical reorientation of our lives. The process is akin to being 'born again!' "Text: Romans 8:1-17
January 24, 2010
Baptism
"Sanctificiation: Getting Freed Up from Sin"
“When I baptize someone, as they are raised from the water, I say 'raised to walk in the newness of life.' That new life is one that calls us to shun the temptation of sin and to embrace the call to righteousness...or right living. For the wages of sin is death, but God offers eternal life. While it sounds like a simple choice and a supremely 'good deal,' it is not. But it is essential. We cannot do it on our own or by ourselves. Sanctification is the work of God."
Text: Romans 6:1-23
January 17, 2010
"Justification: A Costly Reconciliation to God"
“In the full knowledge that one day we shall all be judged, we welcome the news of our justification before God. This is not some form of "cheap grace." Rather it is the very work of Christ...remaking us...and reconciling us to God.
Text: Romans 5:1-11
January 10, 2010
"Judgment: Here and Now...Then and There"
“It is not pleasant to think about how others might judge us...let alone how God might see our lives. And while the Gospel of Jesus Christ is exceedingly 'good news' of grace and forgiveness, throughout scripture we also find the promise of judgment that will come to each of us. How do we live knowing that one day God, through Jesus Christ, 'will judge the secret thoughts' of us all?”
Text: Romans 2:1-16; Revelations 21:1-8; Matthew 12:36-37
November 22, 2009
"Triumph in Tough Times"
Dr. Lloyd John Ogilvie, former US Senate Chaplain, joins us Sunday, November 22, to bring a message of God's supernatural strength, surpassing love and superlative power, delivered in his inimitable style. Please join us for this special day of worship as we enjoy a rare opportunity to hear from this renowned speaker.
Text: Ephesians 3:13-21
November 15, 2009
Parent-Child Dedication
Pledge Sunday
"Unfinished Business "
“Broken relationships often nag at us like a weight on our shoulders. Reconciliation often requires the granting of forgiveness. It often requires asking for forgiveness. Sometimes it is impossible. But when true reconciliation happens, there is nothing more beautiful in all the world.”
Text: Genesis 45
November 8, 2009
"Jealous Hearts"
“Anyone who has had more than one child can attest to the differences between children. Even though they have the same mother, the same father, and were raised in the same environment, they are so different. Why do these differences lead to jealousy and other unseemly things in the family and in our other precious relationships?”
Text: Genesis 37
November 1, 2009
Communion
"Making Up"
“It is so very easy to ‘break up’ and so very difficult to ‘make up’. The reason for this disparity has to do with the reality that to ‘make up’ someone has to say ‘I am sorry’. Why is that so hard for us to do?”
Text: Genesis 33:1-17
October 25, 2009
"Estate Planning"
“Sibling strife is nothing new. It has erupted over and again since the beginning of time. Perhaps this is why the old saying holds true that ‘you really do not know a person until you divide an estate with them’. Why do money and possessions have such a hold on our souls? Why is this struggle so pronounced in the bonds of family?”
Text: Genesis 25:19-34
October 18, 2009
"Marriages Made in Heaven"
“What does it take to make a good marriage? It starts and ends with love…that deep, passionate desire to be together…physically, emotionally, spiritually. Married life can get terribly complicated when we disappoint and hurt one another…or when the pressures of life intrude…or when someone in the family does not like the spouse we have chosen. True love is the only thing strong enough to endure the hard times of family life.”
Text: Genesis 24
October 11, 2009
"Abraham Tested"
On Sunday, October 11, Jayne Davis read an excerpt from a letter written by Elias Azon, a man who is currently at the NHC jail and participates in the Jail Ministry offered by members of FBC. Elias wrote, "I was lead to Jesus Christ thru the First Baptist Church’s Bible study on Wednesdays at the Jail. This month on the tenth I will have been saved ten months. I’ve learned a lot from Jim, Lyn, and John in the Wednesday Bible study. The things I learned from Bible study I took back to the pod with me...."
Read full text of Elias' letter
Text: Genesis 22
October 4, 2009
Communion
"Holding On to Hope"
“There is plenty of disappointment to go around in life…a lot of it mixed in with the blessings of family life. It is often the source of great joy and profound despair. But all too often we lose hope too soon. We give up on God…or others…or sometimes, ourselves. A Christian ought to live with hope…no matter the circumstance…for if we truly trust in God, the end is already assured…even if it is not what we hope for.”
Text: Genesis 15:1-6
September 27, 2009
"Legacy Received...Legacy Left"
“The story of God’s people is passed on from one generation to the next. The same thing happens in our families. We tell stories of past generations. We long to make sure the new generations have an appreciation for the past…at least our past. The truth is that we stand on the shoulders of all our ancestors who went before us…and future generations will stand on our shoulders. Do you ever wonder what they may think of us…generations removed from now? What kind of legacy are we leaving?”
September 20, 2009
"Always the Consequence"
“For every decision we make, there is a consequence. To think otherwise is to be a fool. The consequences of some decisions are far-reaching and long lasting. The problem is that we all too often discount the impact of any single decision. We fail to think about whom it might affect and how. We think we live in some kind of insulated vacuum. Nothing could be further from the truth. There is always s a consequence… especially in the family.”
"Be My Witnesses"
“Sometimes God gives us a nudge. Heeding the nudging of the Holy Spirit can provide opportunities we do not otherwise ever know. We never know what God through the power of the Spirit has done in the life of another…getting them ready…preparing their heart…for a moment of encounter. In fact, the Holy Spirit may even be preparing our hearts for an encounter with ourselves. Some may call it chance…or is it the Providence of God…and the power of the Holy Spirit at work in us and in others?”
Text: Acts 8:26-40
June 14, 2009
"Bearing Fruit That Lasts"
“Using Jesus’ words as a backdrop, we realize that each of our lives bears fruit of some sort. In this text Jesus challenged all who would follow after him should seek to live lives that bear fruit that will last. It is important what we do with our lives…and therefore ought not to be lived carelessly. We ought to live well. And we ought to pay attention to the fruit of our lives…for they will surely last or they will rot.”
Text: John 15:12-17
June 7, 2009
"Choices from the Mouth of the Cave"
This Sunday we will recognize our high school graduates of the Class of 2009 and celebrate their accomplishment. As they emerge from high school, they enter a new chapter of their lives that will offer new freedoms and demand important decisions that will affect their future. The good news is that God has always taken frail flesh and made of it something of God's own for God's own, if only we will let God. The choices we make are the determining factor. How and to whom we consult as we make our choices is vital. Lazarus listened to Jesus. To whom do we listen?
May 31, 2009
"The Posture of Grace"
Text: John 11:38-44
May 24, 2009
Memorial Sunday
"Telling Your Story"
“Every believer has a story to tell…about what Jesus means to them. Sadly, far too few of us ever share the life-changing power of the Christ with others. The so-called ‘woman at the well’, a despised Samaritan, went back to her town after meeting Jesus for the first time. As she told her story, people began to pay attention…not because the saw a change in her behavior…but because they sensed something far deeper had taken place. This is the power of stories.”
Text: John 4:1-42 “Our lives are very much a journey...from the day we are born into this world until we breathe our last breath. While all of us experience a few solitary moments in life, most of it is lived in relationship with others. When it comes to matters of faith, we do not make that journey alone either. We all need someone to introduce us to Jesus. We all need fellow travelers on the journey, too."
Text:
May 10, 2009 -- Mother's Day
"Followers Make It Right"
“We all draw the line in different places when talk about what it takes to ‘make things right.’ Even with forgiveness so many things cannot be undone. The pain and suffering linger…sometimes forever. How much is enough in the efforts we make to settle accounts with others?”
Text: Luke 19:1-10 "Folk often glibly encourage others to 'forgive and forget.' Apart from the fact that few of us can ever forget completely when we have been hurt, it is the forgiveness part that is still so hard. While some seem to have forgiving hearts, for most of us it does not come naturally. This is why we need a heart like his...so that we might forgive as Jesus could."
Text: Luke 15:11-32 “Of all the traits to which a Christian might aspire, humility may be the most difficult. How does one work at being humble? Is it really humility if you walk about in a false sort of meekness or if you always give in to others? That was not the way of Jesus. If we are to have heart like Jesus, we will live humbly…and it will be natural for us.”
Text: “Loving God with all of our heart, soul, and mind may be easier to accomplish than at first thought after comparing it to loving our neighbors as ourselves. Jesus’ words to the lawyer were as challenging then as they are today. After all, its one thing to love God, but to love those who we randomly meet day to day, proves to be a challenge. How can we shape our hearts to be like his – full of compassion and love for all people?"
Text: Luke 10:25-37 “The closest followers of Jesus were bewildered on that first Easter morning. They had heard his words of death and resurrection, but they had either forgotten them or pushed them to recesses of their consciousness. But once they were encouraged to ‘remember’, it all came rushing back. It all made sense. It all became even more amazing …because it was true. He lived again…and so can we…but we, too, need to remember.”
April 5, 2009
Palm Sunday
"The Look That Said It All"
“Christians often fantasize about what it would have been like to journey with Jesus when he walked the dusty paths of Galilee. We imagine how loyal and steadfast we would be at his side. Peter (the Rock) had promised to stand up for Jesus, but when it became obvious what the outcome was to be for Jesus, Peter denied him and ran away weeping. As Peter was denying Jesus, the Bible says Jesus looked at him. No words… just a look…a look that said it all. Does Jesus look at us the same way?”
March 29, 2009
9 a.m. -- Youth Sunday
11 a.m.--The Passion, Resurrection and Glorification of our Lord
featuring the sacred choruses of
Messiah
by George Frideric Handel
presented by
The Chancel Choir & Chamber Orchestra
March 22, 2009
"The Kingdom Is Not the Culture"
"When it comes to wealth, who among us would not welcome 'more'...at least 'more than what we have now'? Our culture values those who have more of anything. We live in a culture of accumulation. For those who follow Jesus, we would like to live in both worlds...giving to those in need...while not giving up all that we have. How do we live out this tension in our lives in ways faithful to God's claim and call on our lives?" Text: Mark 10:17-23 Dr. Mike Queen
March 15, 2009
"The Kingdom Is for the Least"
"How do we measure greatness? All too often we check to see how we measure up against others. We call it the ‘pecking order’. Jesus never paid attention to anything that hinted of elitism. While his disciples fretted over such matters, he made sure that they knew that in his Kingdom, all ‘pecking orders’ were turned upside-down.” Text: Mark 9:33-37 Dr. Mike Queen
Along the Way
The Upside Down Kingdom
March 8, 2009
"The Kingdom Is Personal...But Not Private"
"Jesus clearly understood that faith came as a personal decision, but that it was never a private matter. This is a truth we have seem to forgotten in our day. Jesus expected his followers to be unashamed in their faith. While most of us would not say we are 'ashamed' of our faith, a lot of folk are 'uncomfortable' with their faith. Born of confusion or doubt or an inability to articulate our faith, we never share it in either word or deed."
Text: Mark 4:21-25 Dr. Mike Queen
Along the Way
The Radical Call
March 1, 2009
"The Kingdom Is Not a Democracy"
"Jesus' concept of the Kingdom of God was unlike anything the people of his day had ever heard. It was upside-down from all they had ever known. It still is for us today. The dominant culture of power and authority deceives us even in the 21st century. All leaders come and go, yet the Kingdom remains. The King...Lord Jesus...never changes. He wants to be the everlasting Lord of our lives. The Kingdom is just that...a Kingdom...not a democracy."
Text: Mark 1:14-15 Dr. Mike Queen
February 22, 2009
"Deny Yourself..."
"Of all the things Jesus said to his followers, this is one of the toughest to hear. We live in a culture that never says 'no' to itself. Who wants to 'deny one's self?' On top of that Jesus said we would have to do it on a 'daily' basis. How is such a level of discipleship even possible? There are always those who are in need around us. How is that we followers of Jesus are expected to respond in the face of unending need?"
Text: Luke 9:18-27 Dr. Mike Queen
February 15, 2009
"Put Out Into Deep Water"
"Jesus instructions for the fishermen to 'put out into deep water' were more than fishing advice. It was also a precursor of what it would mean to be a follower of Jesus. His words sounded crazy and were against all logic. Jesus had some pretty high expectations of those who would follow. His call was 'radical' in every sense of that word. He expected his followers to impact the world, and that would never happen by playing it safe. Jesus expects his followers to risk it all... and that is 'radical'..."
Text: Luke 5:1-11 Dr. Mike Queen
February 8
"Call Waiting"
Luke 4:14-24; 28-30 Dr. Jim Everette
January 4, 2009
“Making Choices” “All of us make choices every day of our lives…from what we will eat to how we talk to other persons. Many of the decisions we make are of the mundane sort. But every once in a while we make choices that define us…define who we are and what we value. Such choices are not always between right and wrong. Often times they are much more clouded and unclear. The basis from which we make such choices must find its grounding in our relationship to God.”
Matthew 4:1-11 Dr. Mike Queen January 11, 2009
“Life Overhaul” “The fruit of our lives is the measure of our lives. We often stroll through life justifying ourselves by comparing ourselves to those who live lesser lives than what we suppose we live. At its worst this is hubris; at its best it is still self-deception. The standard by which we, as Christians, are to live is Jesus…not our neighbor.”
Matthew 7:15-23 Dr. Mike Queen
January 18, 2009
"Who Are You Hanging Out With?"
Text: Matthew 9:9-13 Rev. Jayne Davis
January 25, 2009
"Getting Out of the Boat"
"The depth of our faith can sometimes be measured by what we are willing to attempt for God. This, of course, can also become a slippery slope when we confuse our will with God's will. But when a sense a calling from God, it is incumbent upon us to follow as best we can. As the sign over The Cove at the Activities Center reminds us, 'great ships were created to sail the seas, not to sit in the harbor...' "
Text: Matthew 14:22-33 Dr. Mike Queen
February 1, 2009
"Go!"
"The last words of Jesus included the commandment to 'go' to the rest of the world with the Good News he had brought. We must never get too comfortable with where we are, individually or as a church. There are always those who are in need of the love and mercy of God. Jesus expects his followers to put the lives 'in gear' and to go wherever he leads...taking that love and mercy with them."
Text: Matthew 28:16-20 Dr. Mike Queen
April 12, 2009
Easter Sunday
"Then They Remembered"
May 3, 2009
"Followers Learn to Forgive"
April 26, 2009
"Followers Practice Humility"
April 19, 2009
"Followers Act with Compassion"
May 17, 2009
"Come and See"
July 26, 2009
"Throwing Stones"
“What are the stones we throw? Envy? Jealousy? Innuendo? Rumors? Prejudice? Anger? Pride? Greed? Lust? … Our stones are virtually always directed at others…at someone else. The targets of our stones often say more about us that it does of them. Beneath all the posturing of debate lies the truth. While there is usually plenty of room for differences of opinion, it is most often coming face to face with the truth that leads us to pick up a stone in the first place.”
Text: Genesis 4:1-16
September 13, 2009
"You Should Have Seen It in Color"
“The words of scripture describe some pretty amazing things. But in the black and white of the printed page, we have to use a considerable bit of imagination to even come close to a full appreciation of God’s hand at work. No where is that more true than in the story of Creation. Whether you think it took place in six 24 hour days or over the course of billions of years, family life as we know began back then…in living color.”
Text: Genesis 2:4b-25
September 6, 2009
Communion
"Captive to the Spirit"
“Not knowing the future is a scary thing for some folk. The truth is that none of us know what is yet to be. We certainly have hopes and no doubt some fears. But as Paul reminded the community of faith at Ephesus, we know life is going to be difficult if we take our faith seriously. He also reminded that we have everything we need to endure and thrive.” Text: Acts 20:13-38
August 30, 2009
Baptism
"to an unknown god"
“The ancient Athenians were not the first to worship ‘an unknown god’; and it still happens today. We have constructed our own ‘unknown gods’ that seem worthy of our worship. What are these gods?...money…success…pride…consumerism…youth…beauty…drugs… children…sex… busyness…another person…or our work. As Paul reminded, it is ‘In him we live and move and have our being.’ The Holy Spirit continues to call us to the one true God who will one day judge us all.”
Text: Acts 17:16-34
August 23, 2009
Promotion Sunday
"Can We Find Peace in the Midst of Chaos?"
“From time to time we may find ourselves in what we might deem an ‘impossible situation.’ Trapped in a predicament we cannot seem to escape, we grasp at anything in sight. Such chaos can lead us to make hasty decisions. Where and how do we find the peace to remain calm…reasoned…and trusting in God? Is this not where the Holy Spirit…the Holy Comforter wants to come to our side and gives us that abiding peace?” Text: Acts 16:16-40
August 16, 2009
"How Far Can God Reach?"
“There are always those who place limits on God and on God’s people. But with Jesus and with the coming of the Holy Spirit, those restraints were thrown off. To be sure, there can be no community without some common ground and basic tenets of faith, but our faith is a journey and often times we make our decisions by consulting the collective wisdom of the faith community as guided by the Holy Spirit. In doing so, it is important to remember that in the economy of God people are more important than rules. Grace trumps the law.”
Text: Acts 15:1-21
August 9, 2009
"Can People Really Be Changed?"
“We have often been told that ‘a leopard cannot change his spots’. This is a warning not to trust people who ‘appear’ to have been changed…who ‘claim’ to have embraced a new way of living. It is a wise word, and there is much evidence of those whose changes were neither real nor lasting. But is it possible? Of course it is. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, there are no limits to what God can do in a person’s life.”
Text: Acts 8:1-3; 9:1-19
August 2, 2009
Text: Acts 7:54-8:1
June 28, 2009
"Do You Love Me?"
“After all they had been through together, it came down to this. Jesus asked Peter repeatedly if he loved him. Over and again Peter affirmed his love for Jesus…just as we do. Finally, Jesus said to Peter…’follow me.’ How shall we respond?” Text: John 21:15-19
June 21, 2009
"That They Might Be One"
"Whether in the business world or on the field of competition or in the structure of family, all of us understand the importance of teamwork. It is a beautiful thing to in action. It was the fervent hope of Jesus that those who followed him would be of one heart. While that has not always been the witness of the church, it is the hope of Jesus. How do we find that unity in a world that demands choices and craves options?”
ext: John 17:20-24
July 25, 2010
"The Fear of Worry"
"Some folk worry more than others...often needlessly. But sometimes we cannot seem to keep from worry. We worry about changes taking place...about things we cannot control...about the actions of others...and the list goes on and on. It is not so much a fear of worry as it is worry about that which we fear."
Text: Matthew 6:25-34
July 18, 2010
Baptism
"The Fear of Expectations"
"People are quick to place expectations on others. And when one fails to live up to the expectations, there is always the risk of rejection. It happens to politicians, athletes, business executives, husbands and wives, parents and children, preachers and teachers, doctors and police officers. Rejections, at any level, hurts...especially when we have sought to do the best we can do. We say we 'live for Christ,' but all too often we week to please everyone else."
Text: John 7
July 11, 2010
"The Fear of Failure"
"The fear of failure has cost many a soul 'what might have been.' As my father used to say to me 'the only people who do not make mistakes are the ones who never attempt anything.' We are not speaking here of foolish pursuits, but rather of the great challenges life offers. Every day of life is a risk. The call of God upon our lives makes our risk-taking more noble and the presence of God with us makes our risk-taking a bit less fearsome."
Text: Numbers 13:25-33; Matthew 25:14-30
June 27, 2010
Baptism
"When Life is Not Fair"
Text: I Samuel 30
June 20, 2010
Father's Day
"Navigating Life"
Text: I Samuel 28
June 13, 2010
"Shedding Past Hurts"
Text: I Samuel 26
June 6, 2010
Communion
Senior Sunday
"Wisdom and Foolishness"
"We all make choices in life. Looking back we are able to divide them into wise choices and foolish choices. But looking foward is an altogether different matter. We will all make mistakes in life, but the most egregious are those we make when we are willful."
Text: I Samuel 25
May 30, 2010
Memorial Sunday
"Friendship: Putting Others First"
"Responding to the question 'what is friendship?', one of the children in our church responded saying, 'It is when someone cares more about what you want than what they want.' Maybe that is what true friendship is all about in the first place."
Text: I Samuel 23: 15-29
May 23, 2010
Parent-Child Dedication
"The Curse of Envy and Jealousy"
"Envy and jealousy are a bit like resentment. They do nothing much to the object of our envy or jealousy, but they tear us apart. Most of us do not really like ourselves when we feel those feelings creep into our psyche, do we? The only way that curse gets lifted from our souls is when we can come to the place where we celebrate the good fortune or accomplishments of others."
Text: I Samuel 18
May 16, 2010
"The Giants That Taunt Us"
"We may not identify with a boy and a slingshot going against a giant warrior, but all of us have 'giants' in our lives that taunt us. Those giants are not always people either. All kinds of things loom over us and generate pressure in the daily living of our lives. Finances...illnesses...broken relationships...failed expectations...and the list goes on and on. Conventional wisdom calls for a certain response, but when we trust in God, conventional wisdom doesn't always work."
Text: I Samuel 17
May 9, 2010
Mother's Day
"Music to Our Ears"
Text: I Samuel 16:14-23
May 2, 2010
Communion
"Unlikely Choices"
"A friend told me recently that she had been admonished by her husband. He told her that she 'compared what she felt on her inside with what she saw in other's outside.' We must be slow to judge in the first place, but we must truly guard against judging merely on what we see on the outside. Looks can be deceiving. God does know the heart of each one of us.
Text: I Samuel 16:1-13
April 18, 2010
Celebration of 140th Anniversary of FBC Sanctuary
"Hopeful Imagination"
"This week we complete 140 years as a congregation that has worshipped in this room. That means (give or take a Sunday or two for a hurricane or a war) we have gathered in this room 7,280 Sundays to worship God. Looking back it seems as though we have always been a people of unyielding hope and creative imagination. As much fun as it is to look back, it is far more redemptive to look forward. The best is yet to be." Text: Jeremiah 29:10-11 April 11, 2010
Robert Smith Ordination
"The Journey with Jesus"
"To journey with Jesus is to be comforted without becoming comfortable...to know truth without having all answers...and to live in hope...no matter what happens." Text: II Corinthians 3:18
March 21, 2010
"God Expects...Us to Withhold Judgement"Text: Romans 14:1-12; Matthew 7:1-5
March 14, 2010
"God Expects...Us to Love One Another"
"For the follower of Jesus, love is never optional. It is at the heart and soul of what God expects of us. God says this act of loving is how the world will know that we are followers. It is not enough to love in a global sense, that is, all people. We are called to love the individual before us. How we 'love' other people defines who we are as Christians. Love is not what we feel. It is what we do."
Text: Romans 13:8-10; John 13:31-35
March 7, 2010
Communion
"God Expects...Honorable Living"
"At a time when the internet and political talk-shows have given way to fear-mongering, demagoguery, and deceit with regard to elected officials, the words of scripture are quite sobering. Government is the servant of God. it serves as a stabilizer of society. We are expected to pay our taxes...to pay our bills...to respect and honor those who serve. How then does a Christian live and speak in the public sphere?"Text: Romans 13:1-7; Mark 12:13-17
February 28, 2010
Baptism
"God Expects...Peaceable Living"
These are texts that all too often we read glibly without ever taking time to assess what they might mean for our lives.
God leaves no room for vengeance...for retaliation...but instead calls on those who follow to love their enemies...to live in harmony...
so far as it is possible...and to help those in need as well as extend hospitality to strangers who come our way. Peaceable living is active and intentional living...it is taking the initiative."Text: Romans 12:9-21; Matthew 5:38-48
February 21, 2010
Parent-Child Dedication
"God Expects...A Living Sacrifice"
"As free a gift as grace is, God does have some expectations of those who follow. The call is to be a 'living sacrifice' which is a call to give everything to God..to put all we are and all we have under the lordship of Jesus. This is not just a call to do these things in the context of the gathered church. This is how we are to live every day of our lives...everywhere we go and with everyone we meet. It all comes down to how we relate to other people."
Text: Romans 12:1-8; Matthew 16:24-26
January 31, 2010
Deacon Ordination & Installation
"Holy Spirit: Doing What Rules Can Never Do"
"It has often been said that 'you cannot legislate morality.' if we could, there would never be a need for law enforcement officers or court rooms or judges. The fact is that we are human...with all the frailties that are a part of our human existence. What we need are 'changed hearts' ... and radical reorientation of our lives. The process is akin to being 'born again!' "Text: Romans 8:1-17
January 24, 2010
Baptism
"Sanctificiation: Getting Freed Up from Sin"
“When I baptize someone, as they are raised from the water, I say 'raised to walk in the newness of life.' That new life is one that calls us to shun the temptation of sin and to embrace the call to righteousness...or right living. For the wages of sin is death, but God offers eternal life. While it sounds like a simple choice and a supremely 'good deal,' it is not. But it is essential. We cannot do it on our own or by ourselves. Sanctification is the work of God."
Text: Romans 6:1-23
January 17, 2010
"Justification: A Costly Reconciliation to God"
“In the full knowledge that one day we shall all be judged, we welcome the news of our justification before God. This is not some form of "cheap grace." Rather it is the very work of Christ...remaking us...and reconciling us to God.
Text: Romans 5:1-11
January 10, 2010
"Judgment: Here and Now...Then and There"
“It is not pleasant to think about how others might judge us...let alone how God might see our lives. And while the Gospel of Jesus Christ is exceedingly 'good news' of grace and forgiveness, throughout scripture we also find the promise of judgment that will come to each of us. How do we live knowing that one day God, through Jesus Christ, 'will judge the secret thoughts' of us all?”
Text: Romans 2:1-16; Revelations 21:1-8; Matthew 12:36-37
November 22, 2009
"Triumph in Tough Times"
Dr. Lloyd John Ogilvie, former US Senate Chaplain, joins us Sunday, November 22, to bring a message of God's supernatural strength, surpassing love and superlative power, delivered in his inimitable style. Please join us for this special day of worship as we enjoy a rare opportunity to hear from this renowned speaker.
Text: Ephesians 3:13-21
November 15, 2009
Parent-Child Dedication
Pledge Sunday
"Unfinished Business "
“Broken relationships often nag at us like a weight on our shoulders. Reconciliation often requires the granting of forgiveness. It often requires asking for forgiveness. Sometimes it is impossible. But when true reconciliation happens, there is nothing more beautiful in all the world.”
Text: Genesis 45
November 8, 2009
"Jealous Hearts"
“Anyone who has had more than one child can attest to the differences between children. Even though they have the same mother, the same father, and were raised in the same environment, they are so different. Why do these differences lead to jealousy and other unseemly things in the family and in our other precious relationships?”
Text: Genesis 37
November 1, 2009
Communion
"Making Up"
“It is so very easy to ‘break up’ and so very difficult to ‘make up’. The reason for this disparity has to do with the reality that to ‘make up’ someone has to say ‘I am sorry’. Why is that so hard for us to do?”
Text: Genesis 33:1-17
October 25, 2009
"Estate Planning"
“Sibling strife is nothing new. It has erupted over and again since the beginning of time. Perhaps this is why the old saying holds true that ‘you really do not know a person until you divide an estate with them’. Why do money and possessions have such a hold on our souls? Why is this struggle so pronounced in the bonds of family?”
Text: Genesis 25:19-34
October 18, 2009
"Marriages Made in Heaven"
“What does it take to make a good marriage? It starts and ends with love…that deep, passionate desire to be together…physically, emotionally, spiritually. Married life can get terribly complicated when we disappoint and hurt one another…or when the pressures of life intrude…or when someone in the family does not like the spouse we have chosen. True love is the only thing strong enough to endure the hard times of family life.”
Text: Genesis 24
October 11, 2009
"Abraham Tested"
On Sunday, October 11, Jayne Davis read an excerpt from a letter written by Elias Azon, a man who is currently at the NHC jail and participates in the Jail Ministry offered by members of FBC. Elias wrote, "I was lead to Jesus Christ thru the First Baptist Church’s Bible study on Wednesdays at the Jail. This month on the tenth I will have been saved ten months. I’ve learned a lot from Jim, Lyn, and John in the Wednesday Bible study. The things I learned from Bible study I took back to the pod with me...."
Read full text of Elias' letter
Text: Genesis 22
October 4, 2009
Communion
"Holding On to Hope"
“There is plenty of disappointment to go around in life…a lot of it mixed in with the blessings of family life. It is often the source of great joy and profound despair. But all too often we lose hope too soon. We give up on God…or others…or sometimes, ourselves. A Christian ought to live with hope…no matter the circumstance…for if we truly trust in God, the end is already assured…even if it is not what we hope for.”
Text: Genesis 15:1-6
September 27, 2009
"Legacy Received...Legacy Left"
“The story of God’s people is passed on from one generation to the next. The same thing happens in our families. We tell stories of past generations. We long to make sure the new generations have an appreciation for the past…at least our past. The truth is that we stand on the shoulders of all our ancestors who went before us…and future generations will stand on our shoulders. Do you ever wonder what they may think of us…generations removed from now? What kind of legacy are we leaving?”
September 20, 2009
"Always the Consequence"
“For every decision we make, there is a consequence. To think otherwise is to be a fool. The consequences of some decisions are far-reaching and long lasting. The problem is that we all too often discount the impact of any single decision. We fail to think about whom it might affect and how. We think we live in some kind of insulated vacuum. Nothing could be further from the truth. There is always s a consequence… especially in the family.”
"Be My Witnesses"
“Sometimes God gives us a nudge. Heeding the nudging of the Holy Spirit can provide opportunities we do not otherwise ever know. We never know what God through the power of the Spirit has done in the life of another…getting them ready…preparing their heart…for a moment of encounter. In fact, the Holy Spirit may even be preparing our hearts for an encounter with ourselves. Some may call it chance…or is it the Providence of God…and the power of the Holy Spirit at work in us and in others?”
Text: Acts 8:26-40
June 14, 2009
"Bearing Fruit That Lasts"
“Using Jesus’ words as a backdrop, we realize that each of our lives bears fruit of some sort. In this text Jesus challenged all who would follow after him should seek to live lives that bear fruit that will last. It is important what we do with our lives…and therefore ought not to be lived carelessly. We ought to live well. And we ought to pay attention to the fruit of our lives…for they will surely last or they will rot.”
Text: John 15:12-17
June 7, 2009
"Choices from the Mouth of the Cave"
This Sunday we will recognize our high school graduates of the Class of 2009 and celebrate their accomplishment. As they emerge from high school, they enter a new chapter of their lives that will offer new freedoms and demand important decisions that will affect their future. The good news is that God has always taken frail flesh and made of it something of God's own for God's own, if only we will let God. The choices we make are the determining factor. How and to whom we consult as we make our choices is vital. Lazarus listened to Jesus. To whom do we listen?
May 31, 2009
"The Posture of Grace"
Text: John 11:38-44
May 24, 2009
Memorial Sunday
"Telling Your Story"
“Every believer has a story to tell…about what Jesus means to them. Sadly, far too few of us ever share the life-changing power of the Christ with others. The so-called ‘woman at the well’, a despised Samaritan, went back to her town after meeting Jesus for the first time. As she told her story, people began to pay attention…not because the saw a change in her behavior…but because they sensed something far deeper had taken place. This is the power of stories.”
Text: John 4:1-42 “Our lives are very much a journey...from the day we are born into this world until we breathe our last breath. While all of us experience a few solitary moments in life, most of it is lived in relationship with others. When it comes to matters of faith, we do not make that journey alone either. We all need someone to introduce us to Jesus. We all need fellow travelers on the journey, too."
Text:
May 10, 2009 -- Mother's Day
"Followers Make It Right"
“We all draw the line in different places when talk about what it takes to ‘make things right.’ Even with forgiveness so many things cannot be undone. The pain and suffering linger…sometimes forever. How much is enough in the efforts we make to settle accounts with others?”
Text: Luke 19:1-10 "Folk often glibly encourage others to 'forgive and forget.' Apart from the fact that few of us can ever forget completely when we have been hurt, it is the forgiveness part that is still so hard. While some seem to have forgiving hearts, for most of us it does not come naturally. This is why we need a heart like his...so that we might forgive as Jesus could."
Text: Luke 15:11-32 “Of all the traits to which a Christian might aspire, humility may be the most difficult. How does one work at being humble? Is it really humility if you walk about in a false sort of meekness or if you always give in to others? That was not the way of Jesus. If we are to have heart like Jesus, we will live humbly…and it will be natural for us.”
Text: “Loving God with all of our heart, soul, and mind may be easier to accomplish than at first thought after comparing it to loving our neighbors as ourselves. Jesus’ words to the lawyer were as challenging then as they are today. After all, its one thing to love God, but to love those who we randomly meet day to day, proves to be a challenge. How can we shape our hearts to be like his – full of compassion and love for all people?"
Text: Luke 10:25-37 “The closest followers of Jesus were bewildered on that first Easter morning. They had heard his words of death and resurrection, but they had either forgotten them or pushed them to recesses of their consciousness. But once they were encouraged to ‘remember’, it all came rushing back. It all made sense. It all became even more amazing …because it was true. He lived again…and so can we…but we, too, need to remember.”
April 5, 2009
Palm Sunday
"The Look That Said It All"
“Christians often fantasize about what it would have been like to journey with Jesus when he walked the dusty paths of Galilee. We imagine how loyal and steadfast we would be at his side. Peter (the Rock) had promised to stand up for Jesus, but when it became obvious what the outcome was to be for Jesus, Peter denied him and ran away weeping. As Peter was denying Jesus, the Bible says Jesus looked at him. No words… just a look…a look that said it all. Does Jesus look at us the same way?”
March 29, 2009
9 a.m. -- Youth Sunday
11 a.m.--The Passion, Resurrection and Glorification of our Lord
featuring the sacred choruses of
Messiah
by George Frideric Handel
presented by
The Chancel Choir & Chamber Orchestra
March 22, 2009
"The Kingdom Is Not the Culture"
"When it comes to wealth, who among us would not welcome 'more'...at least 'more than what we have now'? Our culture values those who have more of anything. We live in a culture of accumulation. For those who follow Jesus, we would like to live in both worlds...giving to those in need...while not giving up all that we have. How do we live out this tension in our lives in ways faithful to God's claim and call on our lives?" Text: Mark 10:17-23 Dr. Mike Queen
March 15, 2009
"The Kingdom Is for the Least"
"How do we measure greatness? All too often we check to see how we measure up against others. We call it the ‘pecking order’. Jesus never paid attention to anything that hinted of elitism. While his disciples fretted over such matters, he made sure that they knew that in his Kingdom, all ‘pecking orders’ were turned upside-down.” Text: Mark 9:33-37 Dr. Mike Queen
Along the Way
The Upside Down Kingdom
March 8, 2009
"The Kingdom Is Personal...But Not Private"
"Jesus clearly understood that faith came as a personal decision, but that it was never a private matter. This is a truth we have seem to forgotten in our day. Jesus expected his followers to be unashamed in their faith. While most of us would not say we are 'ashamed' of our faith, a lot of folk are 'uncomfortable' with their faith. Born of confusion or doubt or an inability to articulate our faith, we never share it in either word or deed."
Text: Mark 4:21-25 Dr. Mike Queen
Along the Way
The Radical Call
March 1, 2009
"The Kingdom Is Not a Democracy"
"Jesus' concept of the Kingdom of God was unlike anything the people of his day had ever heard. It was upside-down from all they had ever known. It still is for us today. The dominant culture of power and authority deceives us even in the 21st century. All leaders come and go, yet the Kingdom remains. The King...Lord Jesus...never changes. He wants to be the everlasting Lord of our lives. The Kingdom is just that...a Kingdom...not a democracy."
Text: Mark 1:14-15 Dr. Mike Queen
February 22, 2009
"Deny Yourself..."
"Of all the things Jesus said to his followers, this is one of the toughest to hear. We live in a culture that never says 'no' to itself. Who wants to 'deny one's self?' On top of that Jesus said we would have to do it on a 'daily' basis. How is such a level of discipleship even possible? There are always those who are in need around us. How is that we followers of Jesus are expected to respond in the face of unending need?"
Text: Luke 9:18-27 Dr. Mike Queen
February 15, 2009
"Put Out Into Deep Water"
"Jesus instructions for the fishermen to 'put out into deep water' were more than fishing advice. It was also a precursor of what it would mean to be a follower of Jesus. His words sounded crazy and were against all logic. Jesus had some pretty high expectations of those who would follow. His call was 'radical' in every sense of that word. He expected his followers to impact the world, and that would never happen by playing it safe. Jesus expects his followers to risk it all... and that is 'radical'..."
Text: Luke 5:1-11 Dr. Mike Queen
February 8
"Call Waiting"
Luke 4:14-24; 28-30 Dr. Jim Everette
January 4, 2009
“Making Choices” “All of us make choices every day of our lives…from what we will eat to how we talk to other persons. Many of the decisions we make are of the mundane sort. But every once in a while we make choices that define us…define who we are and what we value. Such choices are not always between right and wrong. Often times they are much more clouded and unclear. The basis from which we make such choices must find its grounding in our relationship to God.”
Matthew 4:1-11 Dr. Mike Queen January 11, 2009
“Life Overhaul” “The fruit of our lives is the measure of our lives. We often stroll through life justifying ourselves by comparing ourselves to those who live lesser lives than what we suppose we live. At its worst this is hubris; at its best it is still self-deception. The standard by which we, as Christians, are to live is Jesus…not our neighbor.”
Matthew 7:15-23 Dr. Mike Queen
January 18, 2009
"Who Are You Hanging Out With?"
Text: Matthew 9:9-13 Rev. Jayne Davis
January 25, 2009
"Getting Out of the Boat"
"The depth of our faith can sometimes be measured by what we are willing to attempt for God. This, of course, can also become a slippery slope when we confuse our will with God's will. But when a sense a calling from God, it is incumbent upon us to follow as best we can. As the sign over The Cove at the Activities Center reminds us, 'great ships were created to sail the seas, not to sit in the harbor...' "
Text: Matthew 14:22-33 Dr. Mike Queen
February 1, 2009
"Go!"
"The last words of Jesus included the commandment to 'go' to the rest of the world with the Good News he had brought. We must never get too comfortable with where we are, individually or as a church. There are always those who are in need of the love and mercy of God. Jesus expects his followers to put the lives 'in gear' and to go wherever he leads...taking that love and mercy with them."
Text: Matthew 28:16-20 Dr. Mike Queen
April 12, 2009
Easter Sunday
"Then They Remembered"
May 3, 2009
"Followers Learn to Forgive"
April 26, 2009
"Followers Practice Humility"
April 19, 2009
"Followers Act with Compassion"
May 17, 2009
"Come and See"
July 26, 2009
"Throwing Stones"
“What are the stones we throw? Envy? Jealousy? Innuendo? Rumors? Prejudice? Anger? Pride? Greed? Lust? … Our stones are virtually always directed at others…at someone else. The targets of our stones often say more about us that it does of them. Beneath all the posturing of debate lies the truth. While there is usually plenty of room for differences of opinion, it is most often coming face to face with the truth that leads us to pick up a stone in the first place.”
Text: Genesis 4:1-16
September 13, 2009
"You Should Have Seen It in Color"
“The words of scripture describe some pretty amazing things. But in the black and white of the printed page, we have to use a considerable bit of imagination to even come close to a full appreciation of God’s hand at work. No where is that more true than in the story of Creation. Whether you think it took place in six 24 hour days or over the course of billions of years, family life as we know began back then…in living color.”
Text: Genesis 2:4b-25
September 6, 2009
Communion
"Captive to the Spirit"
“Not knowing the future is a scary thing for some folk. The truth is that none of us know what is yet to be. We certainly have hopes and no doubt some fears. But as Paul reminded the community of faith at Ephesus, we know life is going to be difficult if we take our faith seriously. He also reminded that we have everything we need to endure and thrive.” Text: Acts 20:13-38
August 30, 2009
Baptism
"to an unknown god"
“The ancient Athenians were not the first to worship ‘an unknown god’; and it still happens today. We have constructed our own ‘unknown gods’ that seem worthy of our worship. What are these gods?...money…success…pride…consumerism…youth…beauty…drugs… children…sex… busyness…another person…or our work. As Paul reminded, it is ‘In him we live and move and have our being.’ The Holy Spirit continues to call us to the one true God who will one day judge us all.”
Text: Acts 17:16-34
August 23, 2009
Promotion Sunday
"Can We Find Peace in the Midst of Chaos?"
“From time to time we may find ourselves in what we might deem an ‘impossible situation.’ Trapped in a predicament we cannot seem to escape, we grasp at anything in sight. Such chaos can lead us to make hasty decisions. Where and how do we find the peace to remain calm…reasoned…and trusting in God? Is this not where the Holy Spirit…the Holy Comforter wants to come to our side and gives us that abiding peace?” Text: Acts 16:16-40
August 16, 2009
"How Far Can God Reach?"
“There are always those who place limits on God and on God’s people. But with Jesus and with the coming of the Holy Spirit, those restraints were thrown off. To be sure, there can be no community without some common ground and basic tenets of faith, but our faith is a journey and often times we make our decisions by consulting the collective wisdom of the faith community as guided by the Holy Spirit. In doing so, it is important to remember that in the economy of God people are more important than rules. Grace trumps the law.”
Text: Acts 15:1-21
August 9, 2009
"Can People Really Be Changed?"
“We have often been told that ‘a leopard cannot change his spots’. This is a warning not to trust people who ‘appear’ to have been changed…who ‘claim’ to have embraced a new way of living. It is a wise word, and there is much evidence of those whose changes were neither real nor lasting. But is it possible? Of course it is. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, there are no limits to what God can do in a person’s life.”
Text: Acts 8:1-3; 9:1-19
August 2, 2009
Text: Acts 7:54-8:1
June 28, 2009
"Do You Love Me?"
“After all they had been through together, it came down to this. Jesus asked Peter repeatedly if he loved him. Over and again Peter affirmed his love for Jesus…just as we do. Finally, Jesus said to Peter…’follow me.’ How shall we respond?” Text: John 21:15-19
June 21, 2009
"That They Might Be One"
"Whether in the business world or on the field of competition or in the structure of family, all of us understand the importance of teamwork. It is a beautiful thing to in action. It was the fervent hope of Jesus that those who followed him would be of one heart. While that has not always been the witness of the church, it is the hope of Jesus. How do we find that unity in a world that demands choices and craves options?”
ext: John 17:20-24 | | | | | | | |
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