First Baptist Church, Lagrange, Georgia

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

God Does Mighty Things Through Small Beginnings.In Matthew 13:31–33, Jesus paints two powerful pictures: a tiny mustard seed that becomes a towering tree and a small pinch of yeast that leavens a whole batch of dough. His message is simple but profound—God’s Kingdom often starts small but always grows big.You may feel your efforts are insignificant or your faith too small to matter. But in God’s hands, the smallest seed of obedience can produce eternal impact. He can use your quiet faithfulness to grow something beautiful—something that influences your home, your neighborhood, and even generations to come.This week, let’s trust God to work through the small things—our prayers, our service, our conversations—and believe He’s building something greater than we can imagine.

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 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

The parable of the Prodigal Son from Luke 15 reveals profound truths about our relationship with God and the nature of sin. The younger son's journey begins with dissatisfaction and a desire for independence, demanding his inheritance early—essentially wishing his father dead. He travels to a distant country, representing not just physical distance but relational separation from his father. This mirrors how sin operates in our lives, promising satisfaction but delivering destruction.After squandering his inheritance on foolish living, the son hits rock bottom during a famine, finding himself feeding pigs and longing to eat their food—a particularly degrading position for a Jewish man. The turning point comes when he 'comes to his senses' and decides to return home, prepared to be a servant rather than a son. His father's response is extraordinary—seeing him from a distance, running to him with compassion, and fully restoring him with the best robe, a ring, sandals, and a celebration feast. This demonstrates G

In Matthew 18, Jesus uses the parable of the unmerciful servant to convey profound lessons on forgiveness. Peter approaches Jesus, asking if forgiving someone seven times is sufficient, to which Jesus responds with 'seventy times seven,' signifying limitless forgiveness. The parable tells of a servant who owes an unpayable debt to his king but is forgiven out of compassion. However, this servant then refuses to forgive a fellow servant's minor debt, leading to his punishment by the king. This story underscores that, just as God forgives our vast sins, we must also forgive others' smaller transgressions. True forgiveness involves extending mercy and grace, releasing bitterness, and fostering genuine reconciliation. By embracing forgiveness, we align ourselves with God's immense mercy and transform our spiritual lives and relationships. 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://fb

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

Psalm 1 reveals that genuine happiness comes from living a life that bears fruit with eternal significance. The psalm uses the metaphor of a tree planted by streams of water to illustrate three key principles for a fruitful life. First, recognize that the source of lasting impact is a deep connection to God—just as a tree's unseen root system is its most vital component. Jesus reinforced this in John 15, emphasizing that apart from Him, we can do nothing of lasting value.Second, understand that fruit-bearing happens in seasons. God brings results in His timing, not ours, which calls us to faithful persistence even when we don't see immediate outcomes. As Galatians 6:9 encourages, we shouldn't grow weary in doing good, for we'll reap at the proper time if we don't give up. Finally, the fruitful person perseveres through adversity—their 'leaf does not wither' even in difficult circumstances. In fact, these challenging seasons often produce greater spiritual fruit, much like certain trees need cold winters to yi

Finding Joy in God's Word: The Path to a Happy LifeDiscover why the Bible matters in your everyday life and how it leads to true happiness and fulfillment. Learn how this ancient text—divinely inspired and written by about 40 authors over 1,500 years—speaks directly to your modern situations and challenges.This message explores three powerful reasons to love the Bible: it is God's direct communication to us, it helps us resist temptation like Jesus did in the wilderness, and it leads to God's blessing as promised in Psalm 1 and Joshua 1:8.Practical guidance is provided on how to develop a love for Scripture through daily personal devotions, deep meditation rather than superficial reading, and regular engagement with a community of believers. The message concludes with a simple 21-day challenge to read one chapter of John's Gospel daily, following a pattern of observation, interpretation, and application.Whether you're new to the Bible or looking to deepen your relationship with Scripture, this message offers

Finding True Happiness Through Holiness: Lessons from Psalm 1 explores the counterintuitive biblical principle that real joy comes through holy living. Discover why many people mistakenly view God's commands as happiness-restricting rather than life-giving. Learn how sin progresses gradually in our lives—from walking in wrong advice to standing with sinners to sitting with mockers—and how this pattern leads us away from true contentment. This message unpacks practical strategies for overcoming temptation: defining biblical boundaries before temptation strikes, recognizing the supernatural power available to believers, and knowing when to run from compromising situations. If you're tired of chasing happiness through wealth, possessions, or relationships only to feel empty, this message reveals the path to lasting fulfillment through alignment with God's design. Perfect for Christians struggling with temptation, those feeling spiritually stuck, or anyone questioning whether following God's ways actually leads t

Among the sins that can destroy lives, ministries, and relationships, pride stands as the most dangerous and deadly. C.S. Lewis called it 'the great sin,' and Proverbs warns that 'Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.' While Billy Graham identified love of money, sexual immorality, and judgmentalism as serious temptations, excessive pride or arrogance surpasses them all because it blinds us to our own sins that need confrontation and correction.Jesus illustrated this danger in Luke 18:9-14 through the parable of two men praying in the temple. The proud Pharisee boasted of his righteousness and looked down on others, while the humble tax collector simply asked for mercy as a sinner. Jesus concluded that the tax collector went home justified rather than the Pharisee. Pride becomes a breeding ground for destructive emotions like anger, bitterness, envy, and hatred, which wreak havoc in relationships and communities. Scientific research confirms biblical teaching that humility lead

The account of King David and Mephibosheth provides a profound picture of God's heart toward humanity. Mephibosheth, the disabled grandson of King Saul, lived in fear at Lo-debar ('land of nothing'), expecting execution from the new king. Instead, David demonstrated four aspects of God's character that apply directly to our lives today.First, David actively pursued Mephibosheth, seeking someone to bless rather than waiting to be approached. This mirrors how God doesn't wait for us to find Him but actively seeks us out, even in our hopeless moments. Second, David extended undeserved kindness based not on Mephibosheth's worthiness but on his covenant with Jonathan. Similarly, God's love isn't based on our performance but on His covenant and character. Third, David restored what was lost, giving back Mephibosheth's inheritance, dignity, and future. God likewise doesn't just forgive us but restores what sin has taken, giving us new identity and purpose. Finally, David brought Mephibosheth to eat at the king's tab

Living a Life That Matters: Lessons from Jeremiah explores how to find purpose and make a lasting impact in today's world. Discover how God has a specific plan for your life, just as He did for the prophet Jeremiah who lived during tumultuous times in ancient Israel. Learn why your perceived weaknesses and insufficiencies actually position you perfectly for God to work through you powerfully. This message unpacks how your daily choices create ripple effects that influence others toward or away from faith in Christ. Find the courage to overcome fear and opposition when standing for truth, knowing God promises to be with you. Perfect for anyone questioning their purpose, facing challenges, or wanting to make a greater impact with their life. This biblical teaching draws from Jeremiah's powerful story to show how surrendering to God's plan leads to a life of eternal significance. Includes practical application questions to help you identify specific steps toward living more courageously for Christ. Keywords: pur

Our world desperately needs more encouragers like Barnabas, whose name literally means 'son of encouragement.' True encouragement goes far deeper than simply saying nice things—it requires sacrifice, as Barnabas demonstrated when he sold his valuable property to support others. Genuine encouragers see potential when others find flaws, exemplified by how Barnabas vouched for Saul (Paul) despite his history of persecuting Christians. They are also future-oriented visionaries who recognize God's work even when it doesn't fit expected patterns.Encouragers invest in others for the long term, as Barnabas did by spending a year teaching alongside Paul in Antioch. They focus on the mission above personal glory, willingly stepping aside when others rise to prominence. When people fail, encouragers respond with patience and grace, as Barnabas did with John Mark after he abandoned their missionary journey. Finally, true encouragers understand the power of multiplication—how their investment in others creates a ripple ef

Abraham's story stands as one of the Bible's most powerful examples of faith, yet even this spiritual giant struggled with partial obedience. Coming from an idolatrous background in Ur, Abraham was called by God to leave his country, relatives, and father's house to journey to Canaan. However, Genesis reveals that Abraham only made it halfway, settling comfortably in Haran until his father's death before completing his journey.This pattern of partial obedience is dangerously common in our spiritual lives. We often find ourselves at crossroads between deeper devotion to Christ and familiar worldly ways, attempting to navigate both simultaneously. We may attend church while neglecting spiritual growth at home, or meet minimum faith obligations without pursuing complete surrender. The deception lies in the comfort these halfway measures provide - like Abraham in Haran, we can prosper and feel satisfied while missing God's best for our lives. As C.S. Lewis noted, we settle for mud pies when God offers us a holida

Priscilla stands out among women of faith in Scripture for her remarkable influence and spiritual leadership in the early church. As a tentmaker who worked alongside her husband Aquila and the Apostle Paul, she demonstrated extraordinary devotion despite facing persecution when Emperor Claudius expelled Jews from Rome. What makes her particularly notable is that her name often appears before her husband's in biblical references—unusual for first-century writings and indicative of her significant impact.Priscilla's life teaches us three vital aspects of devotion. First, she was deeply committed to Christ's church, opening her home for gatherings and even risking her life for Paul's ministry. Second, she was devoted to sound doctrine, possessing such theological depth that she could graciously correct and expand the understanding of eloquent teachers like Apollos. Third, she invested in discipling others, not keeping her knowledge to herself but pouring into those who would continue spreading the gospel. Her ex

The biblical account of Leah presents a powerful narrative about finding purpose when life takes unexpected turns. As Jacob's first wife through deception, Leah lived with the pain of being unloved while watching her husband favor her sister Rachel. Despite these challenging circumstances, her story demonstrates how God works through our disappointments and struggles.Leah's experience teaches us several crucial lessons about navigating life's difficulties. First, we must accept that life in this broken world will have its share of disappointments. Second, maintaining focus on God's presence during hard times provides essential strength and comfort. Finally, living beyond ourselves by investing in others can give meaning to our struggles. Through Leah's lineage and legacy, we see how God can use our challenging circumstances as part of His greater plan.Her story encourages us to trust in God's purposes even when we can't understand our current situation. It reminds us that hope remains available in hard times,

The account of Rebekah in Genesis 24 provides a compelling model of godly character through three primary attributes. While Scripture acknowledges her physical beauty, it emphasizes that her true attractiveness stemmed from her inner qualities - moral purity and reverence for God. This serves as a powerful reminder that genuine beauty flows from godly character rather than external appearances.Rebekah's interaction with Abraham's servant showcases extraordinary kindness and diligence. When asked for water, she went above and beyond by offering to water his camels as well - a task requiring 80-100 trips to the well and carrying approximately 2,000 pounds of water. Her actions demonstrate that followers of God should consistently show grace to others through friendly interactions, humble service, and genuine hospitality. In a world pursuing comfort and ease, her example challenges believers to embrace hard work and dedication in serving others, while maintaining a character that reflects Christ. First Baptist C

In the tumultuous period following Joshua's death, Israel faced oppression under King Jabin and his general Sisera for 20 years. During this time of spiritual decline, God raised up Deborah as both prophetess and judge over Israel. When God chose Barak to lead the army, he refused to go without Deborah, leading her to step forward with remarkable courage despite it not being her intended role. Her faith and leadership proved crucial in Israel's victory.The story takes an unexpected turn when Sisera, fleeing from defeat, seeks refuge in Jael's tent. Though a Gentile woman, Jael courageously fulfilled God's prophecy through her bold actions. These two women exemplify how God uses unlikely people to accomplish His purposes through courageous faith. Their story teaches vital lessons about confronting fear, dealing decisively with evil, and trusting completely in God's plan, even when it seems improbable. Their examples challenge us to identify areas where fear holds us back and to take bold steps forward in faith

Relationships in the body of Christ are not casual or optional — they are essential. In 1 Thessalonians 5, Paul urges believers to honor their leaders, live in peace, encourage the weak, be patient with everyone, and never repay evil for evil. Real love in the church requires real effort. It’s more than showing up; it’s giving our best to one another for Jesus’ sake.In this message, we’ll explore how giving our all in relationships reflects Christ’s love, strengthens the church, and shapes a life of true joy and holiness. God has called us to more than attending — He’s called us to belong, to build, and to bless. Will you give your all? 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