First Baptist Church exists to develop disciples who love God, love the church, and love others. Find out more at www.bartow.church.
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1 Peter 4:7-11 Big Question: What are the things that a church should focus on? Every church should be a praying church. (7) Every church should be a loving church. (8) Every church should be a welcoming church. (9) Every church should be a serving church. (10-11)
Joshua 1 Big Question: What should you remember during this time of transition? Change happens. (1) Change is happening Change is hard Remember the leaders involved The end of one leader’s time is not the end of God’s plans. (2-5) You may not want change You do not want to miss what God is doing Strength and courage will be needed. (2-6, 7-8, & 9) Trust the promises of God Trust the word of God Trust the presence of God The congregation matters. (17) How are you going to act during the time of transition? How will you act when the new pastor arrives? How will you act in five years?
Q: What’s your favorite Disney movie?There are a lot to choose from! Classics like Bambi and Lady and the Tramp, inspiring true stories like Miracleand Remember the Titans. New cult favorites like Tangled and Frozen. And then do you count movies fromPixar? Star Wars? Marvel?Q: Why am I asking you this; what does all of this have to do with The Heart of Evangelism?Think about the emotions you experienced (both positive and negative) as you heard those movie titles. Eachmovie casts a vision of “the good life”, teaching the next generation what to love and to pursue. And you knowwhat? This is wha
Listen to God (1) Worship together (2-5) Allow God to give you insight (6-12 (7)) Be willing to wait (11) Look for God to do what only He can do (13)
Have you ever had trouble staying on task? Most people in my family have a hard time staying on task. They’re just so excited about all the things happening in life. If I tell one of my sons to do something, I know instinctively to check in with them about five minutes later and ask, “How’s it going with what I asked you to do?” If we get off task, we’re not able to do what we should. The Lord has a task for our church, doesn’t He? He has a mission for our church. Today’s sermon is part 2 of a two-part series called “How to Thrive When Your Pastor Leaves.” Last week, we learned that we must fi
When I came to pastor this church nearly nine years ago, I walked the campus one day and thought to myself with appreciation and excitement, “I can’t believe the Lord has allowed me to pastor this church.” Now, here I am all those years later thinking, “I can’t believe the Lord has called me to leave this church.” Indeed, though we’re excited about the future, it’s difficult for me and my family. However, I know it’s difficult for many of you as well. Today, I want to talk less about me and more about the church. What is the church to do? How does a church thrive when their pastor leaves? Well
Sermon on Hosea What is the deepest wound one human being can inflict on another? It isn’t disagreement. Or distance. Or even rejection. It is betrayal. There is something uniquely painful about giving yourself completely to another person…making promises that bind your lives together…only to discover that your love has been pushed aside for someone else. Few things are more devastating than a broken marriage covenant. And that’s exactly where the book of Hosea begins. Now, marriage is a theme in the Bible The Bible begins with a marriage…and it ends with a marriage And the book of Hosea begin
I was recently around a man who was very confident in his position about something. Yet, I knew that he was wrong, at least in part. He was an older man, so I wanted to respect him (he’s not a part of our church, by the way). He stated that he didn’t like it when he heard preachers say that we should have hope in the gospel of Jesus Christ. He said, “I don’t hope that I’m saved, I know that I’m saved.” I tried to explain to him that there are different kinds of hope, including the biblical kind of hope, which means we have assurance in something that brings us joy and comfort. For example, I h
I have a routine when our family prepares for bed each night. I turn off the lights, lock the doors, and check the A/C thermostats. Well, our kids play with Lego sets, Hot Wheels cars, and all sorts of other toys, which are often left on the floor. The path of our living room has me turning off lamp #1, turning off lamp #2, locking the door, then walking back to where I started. Well, if I do that in the dark, I can have some problems because there are all sorts of toys on the ground, including Lego bricks, which can make a grown man cry if he steps on them with bare feet. So, I’ve learned to
Floridians are reminded this time of year that the sun is a powerful force. It radiates light and heat. People who visit Florida often underestimate the sheer power of the sun. Those of us who grew up here know that you can get a burn from an old vinyl car seat or a metal seatbelt buckle. When I was interviewing at my first church in Naples, I flew in from Kentucky and forgot to bring my sunglasses. While the pastor drove me around and showed me the town, all I saw was a bright light the entire time because I was virtually blinded by the sun. The sun is powerful. It’s just one of the many marv
