First Baptist Church, Lagrange, Georgia

Discover the transformative power of faith and trust in God through powerful biblical examples and practical applications. Learn how heroes of faith like Abraham, Moses, and David demonstrated unwavering trust in God's promises despite facing seemingly impossible situations. Explore essential practices for strengthening your faith, including prayer, Bible study, and community fellowship. Understanding faith Christian living spiritual growth biblical teaching trust in God spiritual development prayer life Bible study fellowship believers Christian community spiritual journey faith heroes biblical examples religious education spiritual guidance Christian faith development personal growth inspiration motivation Christian living daily devotion spiritual transformation faith building trust building relationship with God Christian teaching biblical principles spiritual wisdom faith journey Christian walk spiritual practices religious instruction faith development spiritual maturity Christian discipleship First Bapt

Discover the transformative power of living authentically for God and learn practical steps for spiritual growth. Explore essential principles for holy living, deepening your faith, and developing meaningful relationships with others. This powerful message addresses key aspects of Christian living including spiritual disciplines, sanctification, moral purity, and community impact. Learn how to move beyond religious routines into genuine transformation, understand God's will for believers, and implement practical steps for spiritual growth. Perfect for those seeking to deepen their faith, understand biblical holiness, or grow in their Christian walk. Topics include spiritual growth, holy living, Christian relationships, biblical sanctification, moral purity, Christian community, spiritual transformation, practical faith, Christian discipleship, biblical teaching. First Baptist Church depends on faithful and generous giving. Make an impact in the lives of others and promote the gospel of Christ by making an onl

The urgency of sharing the gospel becomes clear when considering that millions in Georgia alone didn't attend church last year. This reality calls for believers to be actively engaged in spreading the message of Christ. Being guidable - remaining open and sensitive to God's direction - is fundamental to effective evangelism. This guidance comes through various channels: circumstances, supernatural means including divine appointments, and the Holy Spirit's inner voice. The more time spent in God's Word and prayer, the more natural this guidance becomes, similar to mastering a new language.True obedience to God's calling often requires stepping out of comfort zones and following His direction even when it doesn't align with human logic. Like Philip, who left a thriving ministry in Samaria for an uncertain mission on a desert road, believers must respond immediately and completely to God's guidance. Recognizing opportunities to share faith involves being attentive to those experiencing life challenges, asking sp

Discover the essential elements of building strong relationships within the church family. Learn how to overcome spiritual attacks on church unity and develop deeper connections with fellow believers. This powerful message explores four key aspects of church family love: belonging, growing, caring, and shining. Understand how to strengthen your commitment to the body of Christ, grow spiritually alongside others, and demonstrate genuine care for fellow members. Perfect for Christians seeking to deepen their church involvement, new believers learning about church community, and anyone interested in building stronger spiritual relationships. Topics include church unity, spiritual growth, Christian fellowship, church commitment, spiritual family, Christian community, biblical relationships, church involvement, spiritual warfare, Christian love, church membership, spiritual development, Christian living, and biblical teaching. First Baptist Church depends on faithful and generous giving. Make an impact in the live

Discover the essential elements of building an unshakeable Christian faith in today's challenging world. Learn how vision, mission, ministry, and sacrifice work together to create a strong spiritual foundation. Explore practical ways to produce genuine spiritual fruit and maintain your faith journey despite opposition. Understanding these key principles can transform your approach to Christian living and help you develop a more meaningful relationship with God. This message delves into the example of the early church, showing how they maintained strong faith through persecution and challenges. Perfect for anyone seeking to strengthen their spiritual walk, understand authentic ministry, or learn about perseverance in faith. Topics include spiritual growth, Christian living, faith development, ministry effectiveness, spiritual fruit, kingdom impact, Christian perseverance, spiritual foundation, biblical teaching, Christian discipleship, spiritual maturity, faith journey, Christian leadership, spiritual transfor

The early church in Thessalonica stands as a powerful example of authentic Christian living, demonstrating remarkable faith despite facing severe persecution. Unlike other early congregations that struggled with various issues, the Thessalonians fully embraced and lived out the gospel message, causing their testimony to spread far beyond their city limits. Their unwavering commitment to Christ made them Paul's model congregation.To follow their example today requires several key commitments: imitating Jesus in both words and actions, standing firm under pressure while maintaining joy, and boldly sharing faith with others. Additionally, breaking free from modern idols that compete for devotion and maintaining an eager anticipation of Christ's return are essential elements. These principles challenge believers to evaluate their own lives and identify specific areas where they can better reflect Christ to others, whether at work, home, or in their community. First Baptist Church depends on faithful and generous

In Malachi 3:13-18, we see five signs that our hearts might be drifting, but the good news is God is calling us back into relationship with Him. Join us this morning as we explore how to reignite our passion for serving and obeying Him. First Baptist Church depends on faithful and generous giving. Make an impact in the lives of others and promote the gospel of Christ by making an online contribution: https://fbclagrange.org/give/CCLI Streaming+ License 21007595Visit our website: https://fbclagrange.org

Biblical financial stewardship is a crucial aspect of our relationship with God, evidenced by over 2,300 verses in scripture addressing money management. Many Christians struggle with tithing due to fear, lack of trust, misunderstanding, or rebellion, despite its significance in demonstrating faith and obedience. The practice of tithing appears consistently throughout scripture, from Abraham's example before the Law to Jesus' affirmation and the New Testament's teaching on proportional giving.God promises specific blessings to those who tithe faithfully, including opening heaven's floodgates, pouring out unmeasurable blessings, and rebuking the devourer. Conversely, failing to tithe is considered robbing God and results in missed blessings and reduced ministry capabilities. The principle remains: living on 90% with God's blessing exceeds living on 100% without it. True financial stewardship begins with recognizing God's ownership of everything and our role as managers of His resources. First Baptist Church de

In times when following God doesn't seem to yield immediate rewards, while those who reject Him appear to prosper, many believers struggle with questions about God's justice and plan. This same challenge faced the people in Malachi's time, who had returned from exile and were faithfully serving God yet experiencing hardship. Through Malachi's prophecy, God reveals that His plan remains actively in motion, even when circumstances suggest otherwise. The fulfillment of prophecies, such as the coming of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ, demonstrates God's unwavering commitment to His eternal plan. God's timing differs from human expectations, and what appears as delay is actually divine patience, giving people opportunities for repentance and salvation. The path to remaining faithful during challenging times involves holding firmly to God's Word and maintaining focus on helping others find salvation. While evil may continue temporarily, God promises to bring complete justice in His perfect timing, dealing with w

Every individual possesses influence that creates ripples affecting those around them, whether in family life, workplace interactions, or church community. Drawing from Malachi's message to the priests, we learn that poor spiritual leadership can devastate through insufficient devotion to God, teaching watered-down doctrine, showing partiality in following God's word, and living inconsistently with proclaimed faith. These negative influences can result in lost blessings, damaged relationships with God, and negative impacts on future generations. Effective spiritual leadership, however, emerges from three key elements: right worship through standing in awe of God, speaking truth effectively, and walking with integrity. By examining our spheres of influence and making intentional commitments to lead by example, we can create positive ripples that draw others toward God rather than away from Him. This might involve starting family devotions, sharing faith at work, or actively encouraging others in their spiritua

True worship is a comprehensive expression of devotion that touches every aspect of our daily lives, not just our Sunday morning activities. Many believers approach their relationship with God like a budget airline flight - seeking minimum investment while trying to maintain maximum worldly comfort. This half-hearted approach reveals a diminished view of God and results in giving Him our leftovers rather than our best.The biblical example from Malachi shows God rebuking priests for bringing diseased sacrifices, illustrating how we often give God less than we offer to our jobs, families, or other obligations. Acceptable spiritual sacrifices include offering our bodies as living sacrifices, practicing generous financial giving, maintaining continual praise and thanksgiving, performing good works, and leading others to Christ.The path to authentic worship requires moving beyond mere religious motions to experience true transformation. This involves evaluating our current patterns of worship, identifying areas wh

Many believers experience a gradual shift from passionate devotion to routine religious practice, losing sight of their first love for Jesus. This phenomenon, addressed in Revelation 2 through the church at Ephesus, reveals how a congregation can maintain good works and discernment while losing their foundational love relationship with Christ. This love should serve as both roots for nourishment and ground for building our faith.The signs of losing first love include going through religious motions without heart engagement, treating ministry as business rather than calling, and showing up out of habit rather than devotion. The path to recovery involves a three-step process: remembering our initial encounter with Jesus, repenting from empty religion, and returning to authentic works that flow from genuine love. Without this vital connection, churches and individuals risk maintaining outward appearances while lacking true spiritual life. First Baptist Church depends on faithful and generous giving. Make an impa

Understanding that God is for us, not against us, is a transformative truth that impacts every aspect of our spiritual journey. Rather than seeing God as a harsh judge waiting for us to fail, we can embrace the reality that He actively supports and cheers us on. This truth is beautifully illustrated in Psalm 56, where David declares his confidence in God's support even amid great distress.God demonstrates His support through three key promises: He provides for all our needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus, empowers us to overcome sin and temptation, and carries us through life's difficulties. No temptation is too great to overcome, and He gives strength to the weary and power to the weak. Even in our darkest moments, God is working all things together for our good.This understanding revolutionizes our relationship with God, shifting our focus from performance-based acceptance to grace-based love. When we truly grasp that God is for us, we can approach Him with confidence, knowing that His love and sup

First Baptist Church depends on faithful and generous giving. Make an impact in the lives of others and promote the gospel of Christ by making an online contribution: https://fbclagrange.org/give/ CCLI Streaming+ License 21007595 Visit our website: https://fbclagrange.org

In times of turmoil and uncertainty, finding peace can feel like an insurmountable task. This message delves into the powerful stories behind two timeless hymns, 'I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day' and 'It Is Well with My Soul.' Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote the former during a period of deep despair, while Horatio Spafford penned the latter after experiencing unimaginable loss. Both hymns serve as poignant reminders of God's enduring presence and the peace that surpasses all understanding. The Apostle Paul provides a 'prescription for a tough faith' in 1 Corinthians 16:13-14, offering five imperatives: be alert, stand firm in faith, be courageous, be strong, and do everything in love. As we enter a new year, let us resolve to cultivate a tough faith that can withstand life's storms, trusting in God's guidance and strength. First Baptist Church depends on faithful and generous giving. Make an impact in the lives of others and promote the gospel of Christ by making an online contribution: https://fbclagran

First Baptist Church depends on faithful and generous giving. Make an impact in the lives of others and promote the gospel of Christ by making an online contribution: https://fbclagrange.org/give/ CCLI Streaming+ License 21007595 Visit our website: https://fbclagrange.org

Explore the powerful lessons from the story of Joseph and Mary in Matthew 1:18-25 on overcoming the fear of others' opinions. Many of us struggle with self-perception, often worrying about how others judge us. This fear can lead to poor decisions and a distorted self-image. Joseph faced a similar challenge when he discovered Mary was pregnant. Initially, he planned to divorce her quietly to avoid public disgrace, driven by fear of societal judgment. However, an angelic revelation helped him see the situation through God's eyes and follow His divine plan. This story emphasizes the importance of viewing ourselves through God's lens and relying on His Word for guidance. By embracing our true identity in Christ, we can make better decisions and live more fearlessly. Reflect on how fear of others' opinions affects your life and take steps to see yourself as God sees you. Keywords: overcoming fear, Joseph and Mary, Matthew 1:18-25, self-perception, God's perspective, divine guidance, Christian living, fear of judgm

In 'Fear Not: Finding Comfort in Uncertain Times,' we explore the story of Mary and the angel Gabriel in Luke 1:26-38. This passage offers profound insights into dealing with fear and uncertainty, especially during the holiday season. Mary, a young woman facing a life-altering message, responds with faith and obedience despite her fears. The sermon emphasizes that even godly people face scary situations and that it's normal to have questions. God comforts us in our afflictions and reassures us that nothing is impossible with Him. Key takeaways include acknowledging your fears, seeking God's comfort, trusting in His power, and walking in obedience. Keywords: Fear Not, Comfort, Uncertain Times, Mary and Gabriel, Luke 1:26-38, Faith, Obedience, God's Power, Holiday Season, Scripture. First Baptist Church depends on faithful and generous giving. Make an impact in the lives of others and promote the gospel of Christ by making an online contribution: https://fbclagrange.org/give/CCLI Streaming+ License 21007595Visi

First Baptist Church depends on faithful and generous giving. Make an impact in the lives of others and promote the gospel of Christ by making an online contribution: https://fbclagrange.org/give/ CCLI Streaming+ License 21007595 Visit our website: https://fbclagrange.org

First Baptist Church LaGrange GeorgiaNovember 10, 2024Marty Carnes, PastorCCLI Streaming+ License 21007595http://www.bible.com/events/49344182 First Baptist Church depends on faithful and generous giving. Make an impact in the lives of others and promote the gospel of Christ by making an online contribution: https://fbclagrange.org/give/CCLI Streaming+ License 21007595Visit our website: https://fbclagrange.org