Everyone hates Fake News. Since the day Jesus ascended into heaven, many have tried to develop Fake News of his return. John warns against such people and situations that would make you believe something that is not in the Bible. So what do we do? Remain. Remain in Christ.

When someone looks at your phone or other device and tells you “it’s time to update”. What they really mean to say is “Throw that old thing away and get a new one”. If you have been living a life without Jesus, it’s time to update. Throw away the old life and embrace the new one Jesus has for you.

God looks at the heart and considers the meditations of the heart. How is your heart? Are you keeping your eyes open to the work of God? Are your ears attentive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. This miracle at Bethsaida blessed this blind man completely healing him of his blindness. At the same time, Jesus healed this blind man, he simultaneously healed the spiritual blindness in the eyes of his followers then and now.

One of the biggest acts of God is the powerful message of salvation coming to the world through our every day lives. The power evident in Acts continues today through our very lives.

Stories are powerful. They inspire, instruct, and inform. The right story at the right time moves people to act. We seek out stories and love to share them with others. There is no story more powerful than the story of God’s love for His people. As a follower of Christ, you are part of His story. It’s your story. Tell it well.

Let’s be honest. Church life would be easy if it weren’t for all these messed up people! It’s a strange confession. We’re quick to say how much we admire Jesus and just as quick to tell stories about how we’ve been hurt by people in the church. For some, it’s an excuse to abandon one another. For others, it’s a reason to deconstruct their faith. The Bible says, “They’ll know you are Christians by your love.” As imperfect people, conflict will surely come. We can manage that tension in a way that honors God and strengthens relationships.

There is a “C” word that our culture hates right now. We hate the feeling of going into a “DTR” talk. That “C” word is COMMITMENT. Did you know that God has committed to humanity; he has committed himself to you. It’s time to Commit yourself to him!

If we are to live in radical obedience in the everyday, we must be willing to die to ourselves and live worthy of and remembering the sacrifice that Jesus made on our behalf. This odd paragraph foreshadows that sacrifice and reminds us that if we are children of God, we must act like it.

Joseph was a dreamer. His dreams reflected the promises of God. Yet his dreams were derailed over and over again. Every setback reveals Joseph’s greatest quality of character. Joseph was faithful. He was faithful to God. Faithful to those he served. He was even faithful to the people who hurt him the most. How Joseph handled temptation shows us how we can be faithful too.

If we are to live in radical obedience in the everyday, we must have FAITH in our great God. As you read the story of how God led Abraham's servant to find a wife for Isaac, Abraham's son, you begin to admire the faith of everyone involved. It almost makes you question, “where is my faith?” as I try to live my everyday life with the Lord.

The ending of the Sermon on the Mount issues a call to hear the Word and put it into practice. When God’s word is discovered, understood, and practiced, stability and endurance is the result. This passage will be both a great launching point and ending point for 2023.

I am on the journey when I actively worship with this local body, when I connect the spiritual truths of God’s word to my daily life, when I am involved in genuine Biblical community and when I am engaged with others as an ambassador for Christ.

As King, Jesus rules in such a way as not to allow sin to reign over us any longer. In the Old Testament, the monarchy was established for the peace, prosperity, and welfare of the nation. The prototype king was David. No king was ever as beloved as he was. He was God's ruling representative among the people. With David on the throne, the nation of Israel could say, "All is well." Few things comfort a nation more than having a ruler of righteousness and strength sitting on the throne of power. It was said of David that he "reigned over all Israel. And David administered justice and equity to all his people" (2 Sam. 8:15). However, we have a King greater than David. Christ came in the line of David as David's son and yet also as David's Lord (Matt. 22:42–45). He is "the ruler of kings on earth" (Rev. 1:5) and "King of kings and Lord of lords" (19:16), including David. He rules with perfect justice and equity. As our King, He has fought our battles and now rules in such a way that sin never can reign over us (Rom. 6:7–14).

Human nature is to sacrifice someone else for your own selfish gain. What God has done is completely opposite of that. God the Father sent God the Son to make a sacrifice for all humanity as THE High Priest. However, that sacrifice was his on body and blood. We have the God who sacrificed himself for all people.

As Prophet, Jesus pronounced an end to all our sin. All through history, the prophet stood as the mouthpiece for God clearly and boldly proclaiming His word to humanity. The prophet brought both messages of indictment for sin calling people to repentance and opportunities for repentance revealing the path to restoration. Jesus, as the final and sufficient Prophet entered human history bringing both warnings of judgment and the path to forgiveness. All the prophets point to Jesus as the Prophet, Priest, and King for all the world. Are you willing to submit to the prophetic voice of God?

There are things in our families that happen, and we do not know why? Whether it’s an unspoken or spoken tradition, or just something that your family has done for many years that other families do not. After a holiday, we sometimes come out of those family gathers asking the question, why does my family do “this” or “that”. The same question can be asked about a family of faith and why we baptize and do the Lord’s supper.

Whenever we wonder about our future, most of the time we are thinking about our immediate future. As in, tomorrow, a month from now, or a year from now. But when is the last time you thought about your eternal future? What does the triumphant return of Jesus mean to you?

God alone is Lord of the conscience, and He has left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are contrary to His Word or not contained in it. Church and state should be separate. The state owes to every church protection and full freedom in the pursuit of its spiritual ends. In providing for such freedom no ecclesiastical group or denomination should be favored by the state more than others. Civil government being ordained of God, it is the duty of Christians to render loyal obedience thereto in all things not contrary to the revealed will of God. The church should not resort to the civil power to carry on its work. The gospel of Christ contemplates spiritual means alone for the pursuit of its ends. The state has no right to impose penalties for religious opinions of any kind. The state has no right to impose taxes for the support of any form of religion. A free church in a free state is the Christian ideal, and this implies the right of free and unhindered access to God on the part of all men, and the right to form and propagate opinions in the sphere of religion without interference by the civil power.

A New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ is an autonomous local congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the two ordinances of Christ, governed by His laws, exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word, and seeking to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth. Each congregation operates under the Lordship of Christ through democratic processes. In such a congregation each member is responsible and accountable to Christ as Lord. Its scriptural officers are pastors and deacons. While both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture.

The New Testament speaks also of the church as the Body of Christ which includes all of the redeemed of all the ages, believers from every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation.

All Christians are under obligation to seek to make the will of Christ supreme in our own lives and in human society. means and methods used for the improvement of society and the establishment of righteousness among men can be truly and permanently helpful only when they are rooted in the regeneration of the individual by the saving grace of God in Jesus Christ. In the spirit of Christ, Christians should oppose racism, every form of greed, selfishness, and vice, and all forms of sexual immorality including adultery, homosexuality, and pornography. We should work to provide for the orphaned, the needy, the abused, the aged, and contend for the sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death.

All Christians are under obligation to seek to make the will of Christ supreme in our own lives and in human society. Means and methods used for the improvement of society and the establishment of righteousness among men can be truly and permanently helpful only when they are rooted in the regeneration of the individual by the saving grace of God in Jesus Christ. In the spirit of Christ, Christians should oppose racism, every form of greed, selfishness, and vice, and all forms of sexual immorality, including adultery, homosexuality, and pornography. We should work to provide for the orphaned, the needy, the abused, the aged, the helpless, and the sick. We should speak on behalf of the unborn and contend for the sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death. Every Christian should seek to bring industry, government, and society as a whole under the sway of the principles of righteousness, truth, and brotherly love. In order to promote these ends Christians should be ready to work with all men of good will in any good cause, always being careful to act in the spirit of love without compromising their loyalty to Christ and His truth."

It is the duty and privilege of every follower of Christ and of every church of the Lord Jesus Christ to endeavor to make disciples of all nations. The new birth of a man’s spirit by God’s Holy Spirit means the birth of love for others. Missionary effort on the part of all rests thus upon a spiritual necessity of the regenerate life, and is expressly and repeatedly commanded in the teachings of Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ has commanded the preaching of the gospel to all nations. It is the duty of every child of God to seek constantly to win the lost to Christ by verbal witness undergirded by a Christian lifestyle, and by other methods in harmony with the gospel of Christ.

Stewardship. God is the source of all blessings, temporal and spiritual; all that we have and are we owe to Him. Christians have a spiritual debtorship to the whole world, a holy trusteeship in the gospel, and a binding stewardship in their possessions. They are therefore under obligation to serve Him with their time, talents, and material possessions; and should recognize all these as entrusted to them to use for the glory of God and for helping others. According to the Scriptures, Christians should contribute of their means cheerfully, regularly, systematically, proportionately, and liberally for the advancement of the Redeemer’s cause on earth.

Are we in danger? When a Christian tells us that we need to be saved, we ask “saved from what?”. In this message we will be answering that very question because it is the most important question to answer what we need saving from and why.

When bad things happen to us, we begin to question God, others, and ourselves. We try to find an explanation that logically and emotionally helps us comprehend the bad situation we find ourselves in. Can an answer always be found?

The Holy Bible was written by men but divinely inspired and is God’s revelation of Himself to man. It is a perfect treasure of divine instruction. It I has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter. Therefore, all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. It reveals the principles by which God judges us, and therefore is, and will remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions should be tried. All Scripture is a testimony to Christ, who is Himself the focus of divine revelation.

There are so many questions that keep us up at night. One of them is the title of this message. My prayer is that we will be able to give a logical and biblical answer to a question that gives meaning to everything else that we do.

Is this world the best that it gets? Is there only one way to Heaven? We have all been sitting by the fire with our friends when the conversation turns super deep. You talk about whether or not there is life after death and much more. This message is just the beginning of attempting to answer some hard questions about life and using the Bible as a guide.

Great stories come out of great struggles. Scripture reminds us that God set our boundaries in pleasant places. Yet every day we face the pressure that comes from desires that tempt us to play outside the lines, people that push us to move the line, and an adversary that seeks to destroy us anywhere the line may fall. The pressure you experience today prepares you for the battle you face tomorrow. With firm resolve in the One who fights (and wins) every battle, you can stand.

In times of persecution and trial, the local church is one of your greatest divine gifts of help, blessing and relationships. God calls us together and intentionally puts leaders in your life to walk with you through every circumstance. When it comes to the leadership structure of churches, most people don’t really look deeply into what the Bible says about church leadership. Most people simply accept what they see without really looking deeply into scripture. God used Peter to help us understand the value of church leadership as a source of strength in difficult times.

From the very beginning time, God has pointed His people to live each day with heaven in mind. Serving the Lord naturally moves us as a church to walk together. This passage reminds of the power available when we walk with the Lord and walk together.

Everyone draws the line somewhere.
Draw behind the crowd, you’re ridiculed.
Draw with the crowd, you’re celebrated.
Draw ahead of the crowd, you might be considered a criminal.
Scripture reminds us that God set our boundaries in pleasant places. The best lines aren’t ours to draw. Whatever the crowd may say, wherever the crowd may go, within the borders of His grace, discover the strength to stand.

A meme is a picture, video, or piece of text shared over and over again that communicates an idea or feeling that people have together. Memes illustrate moments for people when words just aren’t enough. They can be funny, serious, or pointed. In Scripture, some principles are so rich in meaning that God paints multiple pictures to help us understand the significance of His desire for us. Submissiveness is a quality of character that God celebrates and invites every believer to practice. Through a series of pictures in Scripture, God helps us understand the strength and confidence that comes when we submit to Him. Is it possible that submission helps marriage last a lifetime as we magnify the gospel story together?

A meme is a picture, video, or piece of text shared over and over again that communicates an idea or feeling that people have together. Memes illustrate moments for people when words just aren’t enough. They can be funny, serious, or pointed. In Scripture, some principles are so rich in meaning that God paints multiple pictures to help us understand the significance of His desire for us. Submissiveness is a quality of character that God celebrates and invites every believer to practice. Through a series of pictures in Scripture, God helps us understand the strength and confidence that comes when we submit to Him. Is it possible that submission helps marriage last a lifetime as we magnify the gospel story together?

A meme is a picture, video, or piece of text shared over and over again that communicates an idea or feeling that people have together. Memes illustrate moments for people when words just aren’t enough. They can be funny, serious, or pointed. In Scripture, some principles are so rich in meaning that God paints multiple pictures to help us understand the significance of His desire for us. Submissiveness is a quality of character that God celebrates and invites every believer to practice. Through a series of pictures in Scripture, God helps us understand the strength and confidence that comes when we submit to Him. Is it possible that submission helps marriage last a lifetime as we magnify the gospel story together?

A meme is a picture, video, or piece of text shared over and over again that communicates an idea or feeling that people have together. Memes illustrate moments for people when words just aren’t enough. They can be funny, serious, or pointed. In Scripture, some principles are so rich in meaning that God paints multiple pictures to help us understand the significance of His desire for us. Submissiveness is a quality of character that God celebrates and invites every believer to practice. Through a series of pictures in Scripture, God helps us understand the strength and confidence that comes when we submit to Him. Is it possible that submission helps marriage last a lifetime as we magnify the gospel story together?

We must redefine submission in a world that has distorted what it means to trust others and do good. Luckily, God has not only asked us to submission, but was the prime of example of why and how to submit. If God is the God of our bosses, who is there to fear?

Do you like talking about controversial things? This message is just the beginning of our series on what Submission means. This misunderstood topic is something people struggle with. Instead of celebrating the people who submit, we tend to ignore them, dismiss them, or even step on them because it’s a quality of character our culture simply does not respect.

Do you feel like you are stumbling through life? That is because you are walking around ignoring or rejecting God. I know it might sound crazy, but we were never meant to live a life without a close relationship with the one and only God of all things. He is the one who purifies us and gives us true purpose.

Salvation cannot be earned and it is certainly not deserved. No one can ever be good enough to earn a place in God's Kingdom. Salvation is a gift. However, after that gift is received, the Holy Spirit grows us and matures us into faithful followers of Jesus. During this process, we learn to stop doing the things connected to our sinful nature. Today, we will see some of those practices we must eliminate as spiritual growth takes place.

What was or will be your birthday wish this year? Birthday wishes are nothing but a dream. But what if we turned a dream into a real vision, we take small steps to execute? Celebrate the birth of theMission Church with us and how we wouldn’t be here without the 75th anniversary of First Baptist Owasso and the 77th anniversary of Calvary Baptist Church.

Do you feel unsatisfied with the answers you are trying to find for life? Culture tells us that the answer to life can be found in pleasure, power, and praise, but all of those come and go. The only answer that will forever satisfy humanity is to accept the love of their creator, redeemer, and sustainer, God himself.

Have you ever asked yourself why “the Cross” is a big deal? You have probably seen people hang them around their neck or house. The hype is less about “the Cross” itself, but who and what it reminds people of. The God who took my place. The God that saved my life.

“What more do you want?”. This is a valid question to ask after you have done everything possible to “prove” your point or “prove” your love to someone, yet they still don’t believe you. In this message, we see how people with unrepented hearts, wanted Jesus to “really” prove who he was even though he had already done all the signs to proclaim exactly who he was.

It doesn’t seem fair. The food that tastes the best is bad for us. The things we want to buy are more than we can afford. The life we’ve always wanted seems just outside our reach. Yet God reminds us. There’s more to this life than this moment. Every minor decision paves the way to monumental mistakes or builds memories that tell a story you can’t wait to read again. By the grace of God, your life has been transformed. You don’t have to live by the world’s rules anymore. You’ve received a noble name and with it come all the promises of God.

Why do you believe some things lose their value over time? Is it because it’s use or because it has become less meaningful to us over time? In this message, we will look at how a meaningful transformation leads to peopling living for Jesus like they mean it.

Jesus Christ has always been the hope for every one in every generation. As we celebrate two anniversaries and the birth of theMission Church - laMisión Iglesia, we remember of our place in Gods story. He is the hero and we need saving.

Every generation is different and lives through distinct struggles. However, the message of the gospel has remained the same throughout history. How do we share the historic hope of Jesus, while embracing the generational shifts ahead of us?

Do you feel like your hope is dying? Do you know that it is possible to have a kind of hope that never dies? Hope has a name, and his name is Jesus Christ. His eternal living hope inspires us to praise God even if we are hurt, even if we are confused, even if we never see tomorrow, because He has saved our soul and given us an eternal inheritance in heaven.

Transformation is not something that happens by doing the same thing repeatedly expecting the same results. Transformation always takes work; work from something outside of ourselves. Without Gods intervention and work, we cannot be transformed into new human beings with a new soul, new family, new destination, and a new purpose. God’s grace is for everything, and he knows who will adore him or those who will ignore him. You can be transformed by Jesus Christ today.

You are always influencing someone. Whether you know it or not, people are always watching and learning from what you do and speak. As Ambassadors for Christ, we represent who Christ is, what he has done in our life, and the victory we have in him. We are a walking testimony of Gods grace, forgiveness, and love. As we represent Christ, we have the opportunity to display how a relationship God is the most valuable thing we can have.

The feeling of isolation is one of the worst in the world. Many times, we are surrounded by so many people but are seen by no one. God, in his triune nature, lives in community with Himself and has created humanity to live in community with us. But what is the difference between hanging out with people and living in a biblical community? Listen and find out the difference of why you need one over the other.

Do you ever feel like God is far away? Maybe it’s hard to feel like you are really connected to Him. Everyone goes through moments where they feel like this. In the next 30 minutes, I hope you are encouraged to know how to connect with God when you feel far away. There is nothing sweeter than connecting with God’s truth to your daily life.

Our church has and will continue to live theMission Life Here, There, and Everywhere. As we seek to live theMission Life, we must reflect on our established vision that helps direct who we aim to be and how we do ministry. Our vision statement is: We exist to love all people to Christ, equipping them on their journey with God and one another. To love all people to Christ, we must first be loved by Christ, love Him, then love others.
No one should get trapped serving God without first loving God.

#theMissionLife - Unless God stops me, I will be involved in church every Sunday this year.

Unrealistic expectations lead to disappoint. Jesus, the Christmas promise, will never disappointment because he has clearly told us what to expect. The Old Testament pointed to a Savior who would be born in Bethlehem. The New Testament points to this same Savior triumphally returning in amazing glory. As we wait, let us worship Jesus in expectation and prepare for his second arrival.

The Christmas Promise is about God’s perfect timing to bring exactly what humanity needed, exactly when they needed it. God could have given us an inside look to Joseph or Mary’s reaction to Jesus’ birth. Instead, He gave us an inside look of how the promise was revealed to shepherds who were unaware of what was
happening. Their response to the news discloses how they revered God’s promise and
His timing of it all.

The Christmas Promise is about Gods perfect timing to bring exactly what humanity needed, when they needed it. Do you need a Wonderful Councilor, a Mighty God, Everlasting Father, or a Prince of Peace this Christmas season? That is who Jesus is!!

I wish Nehemiah ended with a happy ending. Instead, we have Nehemiah pulling peoples hair out as he confronts them with their sin. He is so mad that they are falling back into their old ways again. Though it was a little “over the top”, Nehemiah saw the need for Israel to be purified from their sin. He was willing to purify anything and everything so that Israel could be restored and live for God. However, without his boldness to confront them, purification and restoration would have never happened.

All of us want to belong. We seek belonging in other people, places, pleasures, and prizes we receive from performing. However, humanity was created to
belong with God and will never find true belonging until they are in the family of God in Christ. As disciples of Jesus, we must understand that we ultimately belong in the family of God as children of God. For some to grasp this, it might take a [re]commitment to God, and for many, it might be a continuous [re]alignment to His ways. Whichever one it may be, I pray that you will see your need to LIVE FOR THE LORD.

The posture of repentance in Chapter 9 of Nehemiah is a big shift from
the celebration that took place in the feast of Booths. It was right to celebrate
forgiveness and deliverance, now it is important to continue to stay close to the Lord moving forward. Nehemiah 9 helps us see the real anatomy of repentance. Repentance is both a one-time calling and a continuous call. When the Holy Spirit draws us, He keeps moving us and molding us into God's image towards a lifetime of continual repentance. Nehemiah 9 breaks this down and helps us see how to faithfully come to the Lord in repentance enabling us to remain close to the Lord day by day.

The words and tone of voice that our parents or guardians have used
with us have shaped us. The voice of someone who is in authority over you, can either build you up or tear you down. In this message, we will see that the people of God desperately needed to listen to the voice of God in their life. They needed their sin to be torn down and their faith built up. With God’s voice and hand, Israel was able to [re]construction the temple and the walls. Now, it was time for God’s voice to [re]construct their hearts.

The Lord has answered your prayers! He has [re]constructed something in you, your friends, your family, or your church! That is amazing news! Now what? Though a [re]construction is beautiful, there will always be more work to do on this side of heaven. As we look at these next two chapters, I hope you find it comforting that God will help you persevere and show you that is what the Holy Spirit is in you.

Chris Wall • Nehemiah 5 ESV

Leadership is influence and whether you know it or not, you are always influencing someone. We must be careful to not become selfish leaders. These types of leaders are not called by God to [re]construct anything. If we long to see God use us to lead a reconstruct within ourselves, our homes, our church, we must be willing to lead through in-house conflict, toward an in-house commitment, as caretakers of our people. How are you leading the people around you to imitate the humble attitude of Christ by the way you are doing it yourself?

Have you ever thought about repentance being one of our loudest praises to God? As humans who live in the presence of sin and fall into sin, we must be quick to repent. The faster we are to turn away from sin, the faster we find grace. We
must recognize that repentance is obedience to the God who has asked us to be holy as He is Holy. Repentance is our loudest praise because it is in repenting that we acknowledge our need for the grace of God.

As we celebrate the 75 th Anniversary of our church in 2022, we need to
seek Gods’ wisdom on how we will approach the next 75 years of gospel centered
ministry in the Greater Tulsa Area. This sermon aims to demonstrate how God realigns His people in Ezra and how we must realign our church. The way to accomplish that is to take our Next Steps Together.

Should someone receive a blessing for being disobedient? I know it seems like a silly question, but we are people who really like to disobey. There is something we must realize from this passage in Ezra, there is a blessing that we miss
when we are not obedient to God. Throughout the Old Testament, we see God give wisdom and favor on those who trusted His Word. In our day, we must know God’s Word (the Bible) so we know how we must obey.

It was James who reminded us to count it joy when tough times come. JOY??? It is true that the most difficult circumstances produce some of the greatest and most memorable moments with the Lord. It is right to stay close to the Lord even when circumstances seem to be falling apart. God had moved so powerfully and had orchestrated incredible circumstances, but now there is intense opposition. Powerful leaders are now opposing what God is doing and God’s people are again powerless to stop it. But God works in and through His people.

We must trust and praise the Lord through the process. What process? Any process that might come our way. The process of having a child or looking for a job to name two. God is faithful through every stage of life. As humans, we like to think back at the things God has done in the past or what He will one day do in the future. But how many times do we stop and praise God for what he is doing right now? As we look at Israel’s historic return to Jerusalem, let’s [re]envision what it looks like to worship the Lord for the here and now.

Have you ever wanted a restart? Maybe you are longing to repent from your sin and walk a different direction but don’t know how. Maybe it’s time. It’s time to
repent and ReEnvision what life can be like with a God who has promised something better than the world can offer. God has shown every time, that he is not the giver of bad things, but he is gracious enough to take bad things and make them good for all who love Him. Those who love God are called out of captivity and into a family. Will you answer the call? Will you come back to the family?

Everything in this world has an ending. But God, the complete embodiment of love, is forever. Though our physical and mental states wither away, God’s nature and character will never change. The extravagant love of God challenges us because it gives us more than we deserve, and it takes us further than we want to
go.

How do you love? Love is not only a decision we make, but an action we
take. We have seen what love is, now it’s time to see what love does. Love is a strong
word because of what it means for the person who says it. If we dare say that we love
someone else, we must be prepared to sacrifice ourselves and honor them. The
moment is now to understand that love put into practice is a love that honors.

God extends restoration to all of humanity because He loves them. That kind of restoration comes through forgiveness and payment. Though it is hard to
forgive others who have wronged us, God has asked all His children to be holy and honest because that leads to a lifestyle of forgiveness. Here is something worth thinking about. We will never have the right to stop forgiving others, until God stops forgiving us.

Where do you love? This is a question that confuses many individuals because most point to their chest, but quickly realize that the organ that pumps the
blood to the body is not actually where the love is. Though in different areas, thinking and feeling are done with the same brain. With this in mind, let’s look at how believersmust be biblically thoughtful in how they love. It is biblical thinking that biblical peace comes into all relationships, especially those that feel as if they are at “war” with each other.

Have you ever tried to love someone by being jealous of them? When is the last time you felt loved by someone because they never stopped talking about their muscles, trophies, or super car? You see, we must remember Who love is in a world that has distorted what love is. Love is not an attribute of who God is, God Himself is the perfect embodiment of love. God clearly defines what love IS and what it IS NOT in one little verse.

The world’s standard for love is conditional. It’s limited. But the love God has for you is something far better. God’s love is not measured by what you’ve
done for Him but by what He’s done for you. Because God loved you first, you can be filled to the full with love for others. You can be the first to show love for someone else. You can have deep, meaningful, and significant relationships with people. With patience and kindness, the gift of God’s love began for you. They are gifts you can give to others. You don’t have to wait to reciprocate. You can be the one to initiate. Patience and kindness are where love begins.

It’s the most sought-after thing in all creation. It embarrasses young children, captures star-crossed couples, trips up the confident, and inspires the timid.
Poets and prophets try to define it. People risk everything to have it. It is the motivation for our most noble acts and the cause of our fool-hardy exploits. Nat King Cole once sang, “The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is to love and be loved in return.” Love is more than a feeling. There’s more to love than what the world may ever know. Love is a choice to share the character of God with someone else…whether they deserve it or not.

A seed must die for a plant to grow. What must die in you for you to grow? It might sound like a harsh question, but without this process, transformation
cannot occur. Though God forgives and restores humanity through the person and work of Jesus, humanity must die to their self-longing to be God and acknowledge Jesus as LORD of all. Once we experience the grace of God, we realize the reality of how Jesus’ victory is our victory. That is something worth celebrating and living out with true clarity.

Because you are made in the IMAGO DEI, the image of God, your identity is a remarkable gift. Your identity gives you purpose. Everyone you’ll ever meet
is a reflection of who He is. Yet the identity of humanity is broken by sin. Can this sin be overcome? Can our identity be renewed? Can these relationships -- with God and one another -- be restored?

Jesus Christ is the hope of the world. His love transforms all the broken spaces of our lives. Now, as those who have “put on Christ”, we have received this noble gift and calling of reconciliation. We can stand divided or -- in the grace of God -- we can be instruments of His grace. Just walk across the room.

Though we love to ask people what their favorite things are in life,
God’s word is clear that showing favoritism toward one human opposed to another is sin. Especially if favoritism is applied because of a particular outward appearance. Sin produces selfishness; selfishness produces favoritism and favoritism distorts and devalues the reality that all human beings are made in the image and likeness of God. All human beings are made by the same God with the same ultimate purpose; to love God and love others. Therefore, God does not have a favorite version of humanity. He longs to transform the selfish version of us.

 Is it possible to share a love that transcends color or culture? What is at the root of our racial tensions? Everyone you’ll ever meet is made in the IMAGO DEI - the image of God. In the image of God, we find our identity. In the image of God, we find our purpose. In the image of God, we discover the value of every human life. Our world will change when you see you the way God sees you. Our world will change when you see others the way God sees you.

Whenever we get off the phone with someone, we tend to say all kinds of final greetings. Paul does the same thing in letter form and even gives special shout
outs to people. He encourages people and the church to continue moving forward as a unified body in Christ. This same encouragement is for the church today because it is vital to move forward in Christ as a family, friends, and with faithfulness.

If we are going to honor the Lord at work, we need to be able to recognize how the Spirit is working in the workplace. Because God is sovereign in everything, He puts us in the right place, gives us the right perspective and calls us to
the right purpose. When it comes to a proper understanding of work there are some critical things to understand.
 
●      We work for the Lord, not for ourselves. We need to see our Monday-Friday as an act of Worship and not just a senseless job.
●      There is a divine purpose in our work relationships. God not only uses our job to provide for our financial needs, but He also puts in intentional relationships with others. Our boss, our co-workers, our employees are all gifts from the Lord and people we should be constantly taking to the Lord in prayer.
●      Christians should work with enthusiasm and skill. Proverbs 22:29 – “DO YOU SEE A MAN SKILLED IN HIS WORK, HE WILL SERVE BEFORE KINGS.”
Followers of Christ should not only work hard, they should also work to become
skillful at their job.

We see it in the movies all the time. Against all odds, the athletic underdog unexpectedly ends up on the select team. The awkward teenager develops
abilities that transform him from zero to hero. The lonely orphan discovers she’s the one to lead her people to victory. Every story ever told points to one significant truth. We all want to be chosen.

There’s a reason these stories are so compelling. That longing in your heart is a cry for something more. Scripture reminds us that every follower of Christ is chosen by God for a purpose. Can others see His character in you? Will you walk with the people He calls His own? Do you know His words and follow His ways? Can you hear the sound of salvation falling? You’ve been recruited. When you know who you are you’ll know what to do.

It’s been said that people don’t change until they have enough, know
enough, or hurt enough. So, how would your life be different if you had $100 million dollars? It’s fun to dream about the possibilities. What are the odds that, with that kind of money, your life wouldn’t change at all? I’m guessing they’re pretty slim. As a follower of Christ, you’ve received a gift that’s far greater than anything money can buy. With Christ, all the promises of God have their YES. You are free from sin. With Christ, you don’t have to live by the world’s rules anymore. The question is, will you? “If then you have been raised with Christ…” then everything changes. When you know who you are, you’ll know what to do.

People struggle every day with the overwhelming guilt of shame. Encounters from your past become the decisions you try to hide, the skeletons in your
closet you hope no one ever discovers. They are the parts of your story that tempt you to become a liar for life. The Apostle Peter experienced the incapacitating effects of shame. Because of his betrayal of Jesus and in spite of seeing the resurrected Christ face-to-face, Peter couldn’t believe he would ever be useful to God again. Yet the grace of God is greater. When you experience the crippling effects of shame, Jesus meets you where you are. To heal. To forgive. To restore. Do you love Him? Follow Him today.

After the resurrection, followers of Christ saw Him face-to-face. He ascended into heaven and they continued to tell the world how Jesus died on the cross
and rose from the dead so that we might be forgiven. This challenged the established religious system. Along comes Saul - the best and brightest of his age. Yet Saul, like us all, was broken by His sin. As a man out-of-time, Jesus met Saul on the road to Damascus to correct his misguided sincerity and give him life everlasting. You may know about Jesus, but have you met him face-to-face? In Jesus, there is hope...on this broken road.

Your first job. Getting engaged. The birth of your grandkids. We’ve all
had encounters we can’t wait to talk about. On the flip side, some of our most tragic decisions create encounters we hope no one ever uncovers. The gospel story is an encounter you can’t ignore. Jesus predicted His death. He promised His resurrection. He prepared a way for you to have life everlasting. In the last chapters of the Gospel of Matthew, we find three groups of people with very different reactions to the resurrection of Jesus. How will you respond when you experience a resurrection encounter?

Have you ever had someone completely miss the point of what you were clearly trying to explain because they were stuck on one word that you had said at
the beginning? Same! These situations can be annoying because some people either intentionally or unintentionally have selfish hearing. In a similar fashion, James and John completely missed the point of Jesus clearly announcing His own death and resurrection. This passage will show us more about our selfish hearts and our need for a selfless Savior.

It is impossible to go through life without seeing how incredible and beautiful the earth is. I would even argue that it is impossible to go through life confronting the reality of God Himself. We have the privilege of encountering God in His
creation but also in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. God has used true stories, experiences, divine writings, history, and Spirit to give all human beings an opportunity to encounter the most climatic moment in human history: The Resurrection.

At the church in Colossae, these gnostic teachers were bringing some legalistic heat. For these guys, their doctrines combined an odd mixture of Jewish legalism, oriental mysticism and some of their favorite Christian teachings. Because of their background, Jewish preferences became the standard of real spirituality. In this passage, Paul points to the preeminence of Christ over the bondage of legalism. More than ever, this is still true today. Mankind is incredibly creative in making up religious rules. We have got to help our people understand the true freedom that we experience in Christ. Of course, this does not mean the way we live does not matter. It matters a great deal. However, Christ has come to free us from the chains of religion giving us the gift of a relationship with Him that is real and personal. We get to live every day in union with Christ because the Holy Spirit dwells in us.

Our generation is fascinated by 'est'. In sports, we debate over who's the G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time). We celebrate the biggest, the brightest, the tallest, the fastest, the coolest...Our unquenchable thirst for the highest high often depresses us into our lowest low. Yet in Scripture we find the deepest truth. Jesus isn't simply prominent. He is preeminent. With four simple principles, keep your ‘est’ in perspective. It all begins when you realize Jesus is greater than.

Every single one of us have most likely asked this question; can I really be
fulfilled in life? This question haunts mankind because we are all looking to be fulfilled in life by finding our place. The next 30 minutes present an opportunity for God to reveal to you that true eternal fulfillment can only come from one person: the author, creator, sustainer, and redeemer of the visible and invisible. Is it possible that you would give attention to why it makes logical and spiritual sense that all fulfillment is found in the person and work of Jesus

Have your felt like your suffering was worth it? Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus definitely thought so. He understood that there was a blessing that came to
his life when he suffered. Especially because he suffered for the sake of Christ and His church. As we suffer for Christ, we know that we are comforted and completed by Christ Himself. His hope is greater than our hurt. We should not be surprised when suffering comes, and through it all, we must rise up and urgently proclaim the message of Jesus!

Do you want to know how our Tulsa Campus is going to work together to see people become part of the global and local body of Christ? Take a moment to listen because as children of God, we are called to live with a missionary mindset. Such a mindset inspires and compels us to move according to Gods direction. It is time to move with a clear path forward under the Lordship of Jesus at First Baptist Owasso – Tulsa Campus. May we be willing and available to create intentional spaces and places for God to build His church.

The false teachers in Colossae, much like the false teachers of our day won’t deny the importance of Christ. Though they would give him prominence, they do not give him preeminence. To these false teachers and others throughout history, they see Jesus as one of the manifestations of God but not as the only way to heaven. 

This new sermon series called “Greater Than” is going to be one that is vital for our church. In a time where people think that all roads lead to heaven, we must proclaim that Jesus is Greater Than any road or anyone because He alone is the only one who can transform us. This means that there is no one greater that we can walk hand in hand with in a life that is full of unknowns.

Do you have a word or phrase that you choose every year? We do too! Each year, our Senior pastor and staff prayerfully develop a word or a phrase that our church focuses on throughout the entire year. One could consider it our “theme”, but we like to call it our “Gospel Adventure”. Our heart is to inspire the people of our church towards a certain direction or action. This year’s Gospel Adventure will encourage us to live with a Missionary Mindset.

Remembering our past, helps us understand the present, and prepares us for the future. My prayer for 2020 was that we would all experience spiritual refinement and revival in our homes. Though the hardships of this year weighed all of us down, I believe it gave everyone an opportunity to see that prayer come alive. As we look beyond 2020, we don’t look to 2021. We look beyond our time on earth and toward perfect days with our Heavenly Father.

More investigation has been done into the factual history and spiritual significance of the life of Jesus than any other person in history. You might say that the life of Jesus is on open public display. He is the Word of Life who was predicted in prophecy, experienced by eyewitnesses, and proclaimed to this day by followers who would rather die than dishonor Christ. Find life. Follow Him.

Christmas is the time of the year where most people miss the mark as to why Christmas is worth celebrating. It is during this time that believers must redirect their hearts and lead the way to reclaim the truth of why Christmas is worth celebrating in the first place. As we reclaim these truths, we must remember to tell the entire story of the Glory that came to earth; some will accept Christ Jesus as Savior, others will accept him as Senseless.

Christmas. It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Yet somehow 2020 seems different. The effects of a global pandemic, the uncertainty of economic instability, the conflict of a culture in crisis all amplify the desperation of this present darkness. But there is hope. There is a light that shines in the darkness. It’s greater than the spurious sentiments of Hallmark movies or the nostalgic comforts of a Norman Rockwell holiday. It’s a baby, wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. He is the light in the darkness. Follow Him and Reclaim Christmas.

Every great gardener will tell you - the key to growing great fruit is cultivating a great environment. The Church is a greenhouse for growth. As we gather, God creates a climate where people can experience His presence, walk in His Spirit, and be strengthened by one another. The fruit that grows here is abundant and you can be filled to the full with its goodness.

What’s your brand? Our world is filled with familiar brands that represent everything from footwear to chicken, phone companies to entertainment giants. A brand is an image or icon that represents our vision, values, and virtues. Who or what do you represent? Through Jesus, God has made right what once went wrong and of all the ways He could have chosen to share His love with the world...He chose you. You are His BRAND: New. 

As human beings, it is our sinful nature to divide ourselves over anything and everything. It is vital to look at what the Bible says about being unified in Christ amongst our differences. Such differences could be ethnic, economic, musical taste, etc. Yet, in Christ, people from a variety of backgrounds are unified together under the Lordship and Kingship of Jesus Christ and see each other as His children with value. The local church is made up of individuals who are connected to Christ and are willing to collaborate with one another in service and seek life transforming community.

What’s your determined purpose? What pursuit in life is worth giving your all? The most amazing claim of Scripture is that the Creator of the Universe can be known - personally, intimately, and in a way that we can understand. Through Jesus Christ, God has made Himself known to His people. As the church, our determined purpose is to know Him and make Him known.

God is writing a remarkable story in His people through His church. By His grace, His people have been adopted into His family, called to a significant purpose, and transformed to reflect His character. This creates an intriguing attraction for people who are far from God. When you know who you are, you’ll know what to do. 

Jesus Christ is the hope of the world and the Church is His plan for sharing that hope with the world.
We gather as the Church to spur one another to love and good deeds.

Together, our unity shines;
Our purpose, defined;
Our love, refined;
And the world will never be the same.

History has it's eye...on the Church.

To Gather in a Changing World.

Jesus Christ is the hope of the world and the Church is His plan for sharing that hope with the world.
We gather as the Church to spur one another to love and good deeds.

Together, our unity shines;
Our purpose, defined;
Our love, refined;
And the world will never be the same.

History has it's eye...on the Church.

To Gather in a Changing World.

Jesus Christ is the hope of the world and the Church is His plan for sharing that hope with the world.
We gather as the Church to spur one another to love and good deeds.

Together, our unity shines;
Our purpose, defined;
Our love, refined;
And the world will never be the same.

History has it's eye...on the Church.

To Gather in a Changing World.

Jesus Christ is the hope of the world and the Church is His plan for sharing that hope with the world.
We gather as the Church to spur one another to love and good deeds.

Together, our unity shines;
Our purpose, defined;
Our love, refined;
And the world will never be the same.

History has it's eye...on the Church.

To Gather in a Changing World.

Jesus Christ is the hope of the world and the Church is His plan for sharing that hope with the world.
We gather as the Church to spur one another to love and good deeds.

Together, our unity shines;
Our purpose, defined;
Our love, refined;
And the world will never be the same.

History has it's eye...on the Church.

To Gather in a Changing World.

At every time in the history of the world, in every country around the globe, the Kingdom of God continues to advance. Though we have an updated, technical and modern society, God is still transforming lives through the gospel. From a human standpoint, we are facing certain uncertainty.

But in the midst of global instability, the Holy Spirit is moving and the gospel message continues to make a difference.

At every time in the history of the world, in every country around the globe, the Kingdom of God continues to advance. Though we have an updated, technical and modern society, God is still transforming lives through the gospel. From a human standpoint, we are facing certain uncertainty.

But in the midst of global instability, the Holy Spirit is moving and the gospel message continues to make a difference.

At every time in the history of the world, in every country around the globe, the Kingdom of God continues to advance. Though we have an updated, technical and modern society, God is still transforming lives through the gospel. From a human standpoint, we are facing certain uncertainty.

But in the midst of global instability, the Holy Spirit is moving and the gospel message continues to make a difference.

At every time in the history of the world, in every country around the globe, the Kingdom of God continues to advance. Though we have an updated, technical and modern society, God is still transforming lives through the gospel. From a human standpoint, we are facing certain uncertainty.

But in the midst of global instability, the Holy Spirit is moving and the gospel message continues to make a difference.

To obey is better than to sacrifice.

It's not a fairy tale or an ancient story of kingdoms long forgotten. It's the story of us.

It's not a fairy tale or an ancient story of kingdoms long forgotten. It's the story of us.

It's not a fairy tale or an ancient story of kingdoms long forgotten. It's the story of us.

It's not a fairy tale or an ancient story of kingdoms long forgotten. It's the story of us.

It's not a fairy tale or an ancient story of kingdoms long forgotten. It's the story of us.

It's not a fairy tale or an ancient story of kingdoms long forgotten. It's the story of us.

It is the Good News that Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead. By His grace, we are forgiven. Our relationship with God has been restored. We have received the righteousness of God through faith.

Have you heard of the Good News? Will you share the Good News with others? As we prepare our hearts during this Season of Lent, discover the Good News that Jesus Christ has come to save His people from their sin.

It is the Good News that Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead. By His grace, we are forgiven. Our relationship with God has been restored. We have received the righteousness of God through faith.

Have you heard of the Good News? Will you share the Good News with others? As we prepare our hearts during this Season of Lent, discover the Good News that Jesus Christ has come to save His people from their sin.

It is the Good News that Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead. By His grace, we are forgiven. Our relationship with God has been restored. We have received the righteousness of God through faith.

Have you heard of the Good News? Will you share the Good News with others? As we prepare our hearts during this Season of Lent, discover the Good News that Jesus Christ has come to save His people from their sin.

It is the Good News that Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead. By His grace, we are forgiven. Our relationship with God has been restored. We have received the righteousness of God through faith.

Have you heard of the Good News? Will you share the Good News with others? As we prepare our hearts during this Season of Lent, discover the Good News that Jesus Christ has come to save His people from their sin.

It is the Good News that Jesus Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead. By His grace, we are forgiven. Our relationship with God has been restored. We have received the righteousness of God through faith.

Have you heard of the Good News? Will you share the Good News with others? As we prepare our hearts during this Season of Lent, discover the Good News that Jesus Christ has come to save His people from their sin.