Read and listen to messages
preached from the pulpit of First Baptist Church

Read and listen to messages
preached from the pulpit of
First Baptist Church

Read and listen to messages
preached from the pulpit of
First Baptist Church

The Power of Christ

When we think of the word power, our minds often go to strength, ability, success, or control. We imagine someone who can handle anything, fix anything, and rise above any challenge. But in 2 Corinthians 12, God pulls back a different curtain. He shows us that His power does not flow through our strength—but through our weakness. Christ’s power does not fall upon the self-sufficient, the talented, the confident, or the capable. It rests upon the broken, the limited, the needy, the dependent, and the weak.

The apostle Paul knew spiritual highs like few people ever will. He received visions and revelations directly from God. But with great privilege came a painful problem—a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, something that relentlessly “buffeted” him. Paul begged God three times to remove it. Instead of relief, Jesus gave him a greater gift:
“My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”
Those few words transformed Paul’s perspective. In a moment, he stopped asking for the thorn to be removed and started asking for Christ’s power to rest upon him. What he once resisted, he now embraced. What he once saw as a burden, he now recognized as the very avenue for God’s power.

This message reminds us that the power of Christ is not something we study from a distance—it’s something God longs to rest upon us. But it only comes through the doorway of weakness, surrender, and dependence. Paul goes on to show what that power looks like throughout Scripture and how believers today can experience it. Let’s look at what the Bible reveals about the power of Christ—and the three decisions we must make if we want that power resting on our lives.

1. The Power of Christ Displayed in Scripture

Christ’s power is not theoretical—it is vast, active, and undeniable.

The Power of Christ in Creation

Colossians 1:16–17 declares:
“For by him were all things created… And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”
Jesus Christ—the Word through whom God spoke the universe into being—holds creation together at every moment. The sun rises, the earth spins, your heart beats, and galaxies swirl because of His sustaining power.

The Power of Christ in Salvation

Romans 1:16 proclaims the gospel as “the power of God unto salvation.”
The power that transforms the drunk into a believer, heals marriages, restores families, and gives new life is the same power God offers to rest upon His children daily.

The Power of Christ in the Resurrection

Philippians 3:10 shows that we know Christ through “the power of his resurrection.”
Eternal life is possible only because Jesus conquered death—and His resurrection power is available to strengthen us every day.

The Power of Christ over Demons

In Luke 4:36, Jesus speaks with authority and demons flee. No spiritual force can stand against Him, and no believer needs to fear the enemy—Christ’s power is infinitely greater.

The Power of Christ to Heal

Luke 5:17 says, “the power of the Lord was present to heal.”
Christ heals physical bodies, but even more, He heals broken hearts, wounded emotions, and shattered spirits.

The Power of Christ to Keep Believers

Jude 24 says He is able “to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless.”
We do not hold onto God—He holds onto us. His power secures us, sustains us, and keeps us saved forever.

The Power of Christ Over All Things

Matthew 28:18 declares:
“All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”
Not some power. Not most power. All power. There is no problem, no trial, no fear, and no need beyond the authority of Jesus Christ.

This is the power Paul longed for—the power that not only surrounds us, but rests upon us.

2. Three Decisions for Christ’s Power to Rest Upon Our Lives

Paul discovered that God’s power does not rest on the strong—it rests on the weak. There are three responses every believer must make.

1. Acknowledge Your Weakness

Paul said, “Most gladly therefore will I glory in my infirmities.”
He didn’t hide his weaknesses, excuse them, or pretend they didn’t exist. He embraced them because they created space for God’s power.

We often fight weakness—we want to look strong, capable, put-together. But God says our weakness is not a liability. It is an invitation.

When we stop pretending we’re strong, Christ can finally show that He is.

2. Abandon Self-Reliance

Pastor Howell put it so clearly:
“The greatest barrier to the power of Christ is the power of me.”

We often:

  • Work harder instead of praying.

  • Google symptoms instead of seeking God.

  • Lean on our ideas instead of surrendering to His wisdom.

  • Try to fix ourselves instead of depending on Christ.

But self-power and Christ-power cannot occupy the same space.
When we insist on doing life in our own strength, God steps back and lets us try.
When we finally admit, “I can’t do this,” He steps in with resurrection power.

3. Accept God’s Purposed Limitations

Culture says, “Be all you can be.”
Scripture says, “You can’t be all you want—but God can be everything you need.”

Paul didn’t resent the thorn anymore—he rejoiced in it. His limitations were not obstacles to God’s plan… they were God’s plan.

Your limitations—your past, personality, family situation, health, fears, failures—are not accidents. They are carefully designed boundaries through which Christ’s power shines brightest.

Paul said:
“I take pleasure in infirmities… for when I am weak, then am I strong.”

Weakness is not the enemy. Strength without God is.

Conclusion

The power of Christ is not a distant theological concept. It is real, active, and available. But it rests only on those who surrender their strength, embrace their weakness, and depend entirely on the One who holds all power in heaven and earth.

Paul asked God to remove the problem. God offered something better—His power.

And that same offer is extended to us today.

Reflection Question:

Where in your life do you need to stop striving in your own strength and begin surrendering so that the power of Christ may rest upon you?

Read Story

Pastor JD Howell

5 min read

The Power of Christ

The Power of Christ

When we think of the word power, our minds often go to strength, ability, success, or control. We imagine someone who can handle anything, fix anything, and rise above any challenge. But in 2 Corinthians 12, God pulls back a different curtain. He shows us that His power does not flow through our strength—but through our weakness. Christ’s power does not fall upon the self-sufficient, the talented, the confident, or the capable. It rests upon the broken, the limited, the needy, the dependent, and the weak.

The apostle Paul knew spiritual highs like few people ever will. He received visions and revelations directly from God. But with great privilege came a painful problem—a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, something that relentlessly “buffeted” him. Paul begged God three times to remove it. Instead of relief, Jesus gave him a greater gift:
“My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”
Those few words transformed Paul’s perspective. In a moment, he stopped asking for the thorn to be removed and started asking for Christ’s power to rest upon him. What he once resisted, he now embraced. What he once saw as a burden, he now recognized as the very avenue for God’s power.

This message reminds us that the power of Christ is not something we study from a distance—it’s something God longs to rest upon us. But it only comes through the doorway of weakness, surrender, and dependence. Paul goes on to show what that power looks like throughout Scripture and how believers today can experience it. Let’s look at what the Bible reveals about the power of Christ—and the three decisions we must make if we want that power resting on our lives.

1. The Power of Christ Displayed in Scripture

Christ’s power is not theoretical—it is vast, active, and undeniable.

The Power of Christ in Creation

Colossians 1:16–17 declares:
“For by him were all things created… And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”
Jesus Christ—the Word through whom God spoke the universe into being—holds creation together at every moment. The sun rises, the earth spins, your heart beats, and galaxies swirl because of His sustaining power.

The Power of Christ in Salvation

Romans 1:16 proclaims the gospel as “the power of God unto salvation.”
The power that transforms the drunk into a believer, heals marriages, restores families, and gives new life is the same power God offers to rest upon His children daily.

The Power of Christ in the Resurrection

Philippians 3:10 shows that we know Christ through “the power of his resurrection.”
Eternal life is possible only because Jesus conquered death—and His resurrection power is available to strengthen us every day.

The Power of Christ over Demons

In Luke 4:36, Jesus speaks with authority and demons flee. No spiritual force can stand against Him, and no believer needs to fear the enemy—Christ’s power is infinitely greater.

The Power of Christ to Heal

Luke 5:17 says, “the power of the Lord was present to heal.”
Christ heals physical bodies, but even more, He heals broken hearts, wounded emotions, and shattered spirits.

The Power of Christ to Keep Believers

Jude 24 says He is able “to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless.”
We do not hold onto God—He holds onto us. His power secures us, sustains us, and keeps us saved forever.

The Power of Christ Over All Things

Matthew 28:18 declares:
“All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”
Not some power. Not most power. All power. There is no problem, no trial, no fear, and no need beyond the authority of Jesus Christ.

This is the power Paul longed for—the power that not only surrounds us, but rests upon us.

2. Three Decisions for Christ’s Power to Rest Upon Our Lives

Paul discovered that God’s power does not rest on the strong—it rests on the weak. There are three responses every believer must make.

1. Acknowledge Your Weakness

Paul said, “Most gladly therefore will I glory in my infirmities.”
He didn’t hide his weaknesses, excuse them, or pretend they didn’t exist. He embraced them because they created space for God’s power.

We often fight weakness—we want to look strong, capable, put-together. But God says our weakness is not a liability. It is an invitation.

When we stop pretending we’re strong, Christ can finally show that He is.

2. Abandon Self-Reliance

Pastor Howell put it so clearly:
“The greatest barrier to the power of Christ is the power of me.”

We often:

  • Work harder instead of praying.

  • Google symptoms instead of seeking God.

  • Lean on our ideas instead of surrendering to His wisdom.

  • Try to fix ourselves instead of depending on Christ.

But self-power and Christ-power cannot occupy the same space.
When we insist on doing life in our own strength, God steps back and lets us try.
When we finally admit, “I can’t do this,” He steps in with resurrection power.

3. Accept God’s Purposed Limitations

Culture says, “Be all you can be.”
Scripture says, “You can’t be all you want—but God can be everything you need.”

Paul didn’t resent the thorn anymore—he rejoiced in it. His limitations were not obstacles to God’s plan… they were God’s plan.

Your limitations—your past, personality, family situation, health, fears, failures—are not accidents. They are carefully designed boundaries through which Christ’s power shines brightest.

Paul said:
“I take pleasure in infirmities… for when I am weak, then am I strong.”

Weakness is not the enemy. Strength without God is.

Conclusion

The power of Christ is not a distant theological concept. It is real, active, and available. But it rests only on those who surrender their strength, embrace their weakness, and depend entirely on the One who holds all power in heaven and earth.

Paul asked God to remove the problem. God offered something better—His power.

And that same offer is extended to us today.

Reflection Question:

Where in your life do you need to stop striving in your own strength and begin surrendering so that the power of Christ may rest upon you?

Read Story

Pastor JD Howell

5 min read

Sermon Series

The Power of Christ

When we think of the word power, our minds often go to strength, ability, success, or control. We imagine someone who can handle anything, fix anything, and rise above any challenge. But in 2 Corinthians 12, God pulls back a different curtain. He shows us that His power does not flow through our strength—but through our weakness. Christ’s power does not fall upon the self-sufficient, the talented, the confident, or the capable. It rests upon the broken, the limited, the needy, the dependent, and the weak.

The apostle Paul knew spiritual highs like few people ever will. He received visions and revelations directly from God. But with great privilege came a painful problem—a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, something that relentlessly “buffeted” him. Paul begged God three times to remove it. Instead of relief, Jesus gave him a greater gift:
“My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”
Those few words transformed Paul’s perspective. In a moment, he stopped asking for the thorn to be removed and started asking for Christ’s power to rest upon him. What he once resisted, he now embraced. What he once saw as a burden, he now recognized as the very avenue for God’s power.

This message reminds us that the power of Christ is not something we study from a distance—it’s something God longs to rest upon us. But it only comes through the doorway of weakness, surrender, and dependence. Paul goes on to show what that power looks like throughout Scripture and how believers today can experience it. Let’s look at what the Bible reveals about the power of Christ—and the three decisions we must make if we want that power resting on our lives.

1. The Power of Christ Displayed in Scripture

Christ’s power is not theoretical—it is vast, active, and undeniable.

The Power of Christ in Creation

Colossians 1:16–17 declares:
“For by him were all things created… And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”
Jesus Christ—the Word through whom God spoke the universe into being—holds creation together at every moment. The sun rises, the earth spins, your heart beats, and galaxies swirl because of His sustaining power.

The Power of Christ in Salvation

Romans 1:16 proclaims the gospel as “the power of God unto salvation.”
The power that transforms the drunk into a believer, heals marriages, restores families, and gives new life is the same power God offers to rest upon His children daily.

The Power of Christ in the Resurrection

Philippians 3:10 shows that we know Christ through “the power of his resurrection.”
Eternal life is possible only because Jesus conquered death—and His resurrection power is available to strengthen us every day.

The Power of Christ over Demons

In Luke 4:36, Jesus speaks with authority and demons flee. No spiritual force can stand against Him, and no believer needs to fear the enemy—Christ’s power is infinitely greater.

The Power of Christ to Heal

Luke 5:17 says, “the power of the Lord was present to heal.”
Christ heals physical bodies, but even more, He heals broken hearts, wounded emotions, and shattered spirits.

The Power of Christ to Keep Believers

Jude 24 says He is able “to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless.”
We do not hold onto God—He holds onto us. His power secures us, sustains us, and keeps us saved forever.

The Power of Christ Over All Things

Matthew 28:18 declares:
“All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”
Not some power. Not most power. All power. There is no problem, no trial, no fear, and no need beyond the authority of Jesus Christ.

This is the power Paul longed for—the power that not only surrounds us, but rests upon us.

2. Three Decisions for Christ’s Power to Rest Upon Our Lives

Paul discovered that God’s power does not rest on the strong—it rests on the weak. There are three responses every believer must make.

1. Acknowledge Your Weakness

Paul said, “Most gladly therefore will I glory in my infirmities.”
He didn’t hide his weaknesses, excuse them, or pretend they didn’t exist. He embraced them because they created space for God’s power.

We often fight weakness—we want to look strong, capable, put-together. But God says our weakness is not a liability. It is an invitation.

When we stop pretending we’re strong, Christ can finally show that He is.

2. Abandon Self-Reliance

Pastor Howell put it so clearly:
“The greatest barrier to the power of Christ is the power of me.”

We often:

  • Work harder instead of praying.

  • Google symptoms instead of seeking God.

  • Lean on our ideas instead of surrendering to His wisdom.

  • Try to fix ourselves instead of depending on Christ.

But self-power and Christ-power cannot occupy the same space.
When we insist on doing life in our own strength, God steps back and lets us try.
When we finally admit, “I can’t do this,” He steps in with resurrection power.

3. Accept God’s Purposed Limitations

Culture says, “Be all you can be.”
Scripture says, “You can’t be all you want—but God can be everything you need.”

Paul didn’t resent the thorn anymore—he rejoiced in it. His limitations were not obstacles to God’s plan… they were God’s plan.

Your limitations—your past, personality, family situation, health, fears, failures—are not accidents. They are carefully designed boundaries through which Christ’s power shines brightest.

Paul said:
“I take pleasure in infirmities… for when I am weak, then am I strong.”

Weakness is not the enemy. Strength without God is.

Conclusion

The power of Christ is not a distant theological concept. It is real, active, and available. But it rests only on those who surrender their strength, embrace their weakness, and depend entirely on the One who holds all power in heaven and earth.

Paul asked God to remove the problem. God offered something better—His power.

And that same offer is extended to us today.

Reflection Question:

Where in your life do you need to stop striving in your own strength and begin surrendering so that the power of Christ may rest upon you?

Nov 25, 2025

5 min read

Author: Pastor JD Howell

Sermon Series

Prayer in Moments of Desperation - Acts 7:58-60/Matthew 14:29-31

When we think about moments of desperation, most of us picture the times when fear swells inside us and panic rises in our chest. These are the moments when life feels unstable, when circumstances spin wildly out of our control, and when all we can do is react. What comes out of us in those moments reveals far more than emotion. It reveals our faith. It reveals what we are built upon. It uncovers who we truly trust.

Scripture gives us two striking examples of desperate prayers, and both of them show us that our reactions in crisis reflect our relationship with God long before the crisis ever arrives. One example comes from the Sea of Galilee, when Peter stepped out of a boat and found himself sinking beneath crashing waves. The other comes from the book of Acts, where Stephen—the first Christian martyr—prayed as stones crushed his body. Their situations were different, but their prayers reveal powerful truths about faith, fear, focus, and surrender. These passages challenge us to look inward and ask what kind of heart we bring into our own desperate moments.

Acts 7 tells us the story of Stephen’s final moments. As the enraged crowd hurled stones at him, the Bible says, “And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit… Lord, lay not this sin to their charge” (Acts 7:59–60). His words echo the prayers of Jesus Himself on the cross. In desperation, Stephen didn’t panic. He didn’t demand rescue. He surrendered his spirit and extended forgiveness. His response flowed naturally from the life he lived long before that day. These prayers teach us that desperation doesn’t create our faith. It reveals it.

Below are the truths drawn from these two moments—one on the water, one under the weight of stones—that help us understand what real faith looks like when life turns desperate.

1. Peter Began in Complete Dependence

Peter’s story in Matthew 14 begins with bold faith. When he saw Jesus walking on the stormy sea, he cried out, “Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee.” And Jesus simply said, “Come.” Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on water—a moment no other disciple experienced. He began in complete dependence. He wasn’t relying on his skill or strength; he was relying entirely on Jesus. Every step he took was a miracle happening under his feet.

This is what dependence looks like. It is stepping where only Jesus can sustain. Many believers have experienced similar moments in life—times of sickness, tragedy, or uncertainty when all they could do was cling to God. In those seasons, their faith was simple, genuine, and fully dependent. Peter’s beginning reminds us that the Christian life works best when we live with that kind of complete reliance on Christ.

2. Fear Shifted His Focus

But something changed. As Peter walked toward Jesus, he began looking at the waves instead of the Savior. Matthew 14:30 says, “But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.” Fear shifted his focus. And once his focus shifted, his faith followed.

Every believer knows how easily this happens. We may begin a trial with our eyes fixed on Jesus, but somewhere in the middle, the wind gets louder and the waves get higher. Our minds spiral, our hearts tremble, and our confidence in God begins to slip. The danger around Peter wasn’t the waves—it was the distraction inside him. When fear steals our focus, faith weakens.

Yet even in that moment, Peter knew where to turn. His prayer was short and unpolished: “Lord, save me.” And Jesus responded immediately. There was no hesitation, no delay, no rejection. He stretched out His hand, caught Peter, and then gently corrected him. “O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” Jesus didn’t rebuke Peter for praying. He rebuked him for shifting his eyes.

Peter teaches us that in moments of desperation, we must guard our focus. Keep your eyes on Jesus, not the storm. The waves around you are never more dangerous than the doubt within you.

3. Stephen Was a Man Full of Faith

Stephen’s moment of desperation contrasts sharply with Peter’s. Before Stephen ever faced death, Scripture already described him as “a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 6:5). Everyone who knew him knew this about him. His faith was not occasional. It was not part-time. His life was saturated with the presence of God.

Stephen’s walk with God shaped his reflex in crisis. He didn’t become faithful when stones began flying. He was faithful long before that day. He served the early church, performed miracles, preached truth, and stood boldly before leaders who hated the gospel. His character was not spiritually average. He was deeply committed, deeply grounded, and deeply surrendered.

This teaches us something important. You do not suddenly become strong in a crisis if you are spiritually weak in calm seasons. Your daily walk with God determines your instinct when trouble arrives.

4. Stephen’s Experience and Suffering Revealed His Faith

Because Stephen walked faithfully with God, his response under pressure was consistent with his character. When false witnesses accused him, Scripture says his face looked like the face of an angel. When the crowd grew violent, he lifted his eyes to heaven and saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God. In that moment, he prayed not for rescue but for surrender.

His first prayer was simple: “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” It wasn’t a cry to escape the stones. It was a declaration of trust. It was a heart fully at peace with God’s will.

His second prayer was even more remarkable: “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.” The very men crushing his body were the ones he prayed for. Forgiveness flowed from him even as he died. His words mirrored those of Jesus, who prayed, “Father, forgive them,” and “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.”

Stephen teaches us that faith in desperation is not loud or dramatic. It is steady. It is surrendered. It is anchored in God more than in survival.

5. Two Prayers, Two Hearts, Two Lessons

Peter and Stephen both prayed in moments of desperation, yet their prayers came from different kinds of faith.

Peter prayed to be rescued from the storm.
Stephen prayed to be faithful through the suffering.

Both prayers were heard. Both were answered. Both show us different ways our hearts can respond to fear.

The question is not whether God hears us. The question is what our prayers reveal about our hearts. Desperate prayers expose whether we have cultivated a walk with God that can withstand the pressure.

Peter’s prayer teaches us to cry out when we are sinking.
Stephen’s prayer teaches us to surrender when obedience costs everything.

Which prayer resembles your heart today?

Reflection Question

When your life hits a moment of desperation, do your prayers sound more like Peter’s cry for rescue or Stephen’s surrender of faith? What does your response reveal about your daily walk with God?

Nov 21, 2025

6 min read

Author: Pastor JD Howell

Sermon Series

The Hidden Beauty of Our Savior - Isaiah 53

When we think of the word beauty, most people picture sunsets, mountains, oceans, or the awe-inspiring wonders of the world. We marvel at the Grand Canyon, snap photos of sunsets, and stand amazed at the colors God splashes across the sky. Yet for all our talk about beauty, we often misidentify what is truly beautiful. We attach the word to celebrities, possessions, or outward appearances that fade and fail to satisfy.

But Isaiah 53 pulls back a different curtain. It shows us a beauty the world cannot recognize—the hidden beauty of our Savior. Isaiah presents Jesus not as attractive by earthly standards, but as One whose glory is veiled, whose majesty is wrapped in plainness, and whose deepest beauty is revealed only to those who look with eyes of faith. Isaiah writes, “He hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him” (Isaiah 53:2). At first glance, that seems jarring—how could the most perfect, sinless, glorious Person to ever walk this earth be described as having “no beauty”? But Isaiah teaches us that Christ’s beauty isn’t found in His outward appearance—it’s found in His humility, His obedience, His sacrifice, and His salvation.

Like a masterpiece hidden beneath dust and grime, the true worth of Jesus was not visible on the surface. Most who looked at Him saw only an ordinary carpenter. But beneath the scars, beneath the grief, beneath the simple frame of a servant was infinite majesty. To see the beauty of Christ, we must look past what man values and learn to see as God sees.

1. The Unimpressive Appearance of Our Savior

Isaiah emphasizes that the Messiah’s outward form would not attract crowds or impress the world. “He hath no form nor comeliness… there is no beauty that we should desire him” (Isaiah 53:2). In other words, nothing about Jesus’ physical appearance demanded attention. He didn’t possess the commanding presence of a king, the charisma of a celebrity, or the royal bearing of someone the world would follow for superficial reasons.

When artists paint Jesus, they often portray Him as striking, calm, and attractive—but that isn’t what Scripture says. Jesus came wrapped in ordinariness. The hands that shaped galaxies became the calloused hands of a carpenter. The voice that spoke stars into existence spoke in the plain dialect of a Galilean village. His beauty was hidden on purpose. If the world loved Him, it would be because of who He was, not how He looked.

This unimpressive appearance reminds us that God’s greatest works often come disguised in simplicity. Our world prizes charm, polish, and presentation, but God hides glory in the ordinary. Just as a peasant king in disguise learned what his people truly thought of him, Jesus took on humility so that people’s faith would rest in His character—not His appearance.

2. The Unseen Glory Beneath the Scars

Isaiah continues: “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3). Most who saw Jesus only saw the surface. They saw His body, His miracles, His daily interactions—but they missed the majesty beneath His suffering.

Many followed Him for bread, not for truth. Others saw His wounds but not His worth. His scars held a glory hidden from unbelieving eyes. The world saw a broken, rejected man—yet Heaven saw the Lamb of God carrying salvation on His shoulders.

Like the cracked water pot in the parable, Jesus’ outward weakness became the means of bringing beauty to others. Through His sorrow, we receive joy. Through His rejection, we have acceptance. Through His wounds, we find healing. What seemed unimpressive on the outside contained eternal glory on the inside.

3. Don’t Let Outward Appearance Define Inward Worth

One key truth from this passage is clear: we must not judge worth by appearance. Humans look on the outside—talent, confidence, attractiveness, ability. But God values the heart.

Samuel learned this when he stood before the tall, impressive Eliab and thought, “Surely this is the Lord’s anointed.” But God corrected him: “Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).

God hides His power in ordinary vessels so that He receives the glory. You may feel plain, broken, or inadequate—but God delights to use exactly those people. He hid His glory in a manger before He hid it in a carpenter. He still hides His power in ordinary saints today—people who feel weak, overlooked, or unimpressive. In God’s hands, weakness becomes a platform for His glory.

4. The Beauty of Humility Outshines Outward Success

Isaiah tells us Jesus had “no beauty,” yet every believer knows He is infinitely beautiful. Why? Because the beauty of humility outshines all outward success.

We call Him beautiful because His humility brought us salvation. Because His obedience rescued our souls. Because the power of His love transformed our lives, our families, and our eternities.

Look around any church and you’ll see the beauty of Christ everywhere—redeemed lives, restored families, delivered hearts, forgiven sinners. The world may not see beauty in humility, sacrifice, or obedience, but God does. And Jesus’ humility shines brighter than any human achievement.

Reflection Question

Are you looking at Christ—and at others—the way the world looks, or the way God looks? What hidden beauty might God be inviting you to recognize today?

Nov 21, 2025

4 min read

Author: Pastor JD Howell

Sermon Series

The Power of Christ

When we think of the word power, our minds often go to strength, ability, success, or control. We imagine someone who can handle anything, fix anything, and rise above any challenge. But in 2 Corinthians 12, God pulls back a different curtain. He shows us that His power does not flow through our strength—but through our weakness. Christ’s power does not fall upon the self-sufficient, the talented, the confident, or the capable. It rests upon the broken, the limited, the needy, the dependent, and the weak.

The apostle Paul knew spiritual highs like few people ever will. He received visions and revelations directly from God. But with great privilege came a painful problem—a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, something that relentlessly “buffeted” him. Paul begged God three times to remove it. Instead of relief, Jesus gave him a greater gift:
“My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”
Those few words transformed Paul’s perspective. In a moment, he stopped asking for the thorn to be removed and started asking for Christ’s power to rest upon him. What he once resisted, he now embraced. What he once saw as a burden, he now recognized as the very avenue for God’s power.

This message reminds us that the power of Christ is not something we study from a distance—it’s something God longs to rest upon us. But it only comes through the doorway of weakness, surrender, and dependence. Paul goes on to show what that power looks like throughout Scripture and how believers today can experience it. Let’s look at what the Bible reveals about the power of Christ—and the three decisions we must make if we want that power resting on our lives.

1. The Power of Christ Displayed in Scripture

Christ’s power is not theoretical—it is vast, active, and undeniable.

The Power of Christ in Creation

Colossians 1:16–17 declares:
“For by him were all things created… And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”
Jesus Christ—the Word through whom God spoke the universe into being—holds creation together at every moment. The sun rises, the earth spins, your heart beats, and galaxies swirl because of His sustaining power.

The Power of Christ in Salvation

Romans 1:16 proclaims the gospel as “the power of God unto salvation.”
The power that transforms the drunk into a believer, heals marriages, restores families, and gives new life is the same power God offers to rest upon His children daily.

The Power of Christ in the Resurrection

Philippians 3:10 shows that we know Christ through “the power of his resurrection.”
Eternal life is possible only because Jesus conquered death—and His resurrection power is available to strengthen us every day.

The Power of Christ over Demons

In Luke 4:36, Jesus speaks with authority and demons flee. No spiritual force can stand against Him, and no believer needs to fear the enemy—Christ’s power is infinitely greater.

The Power of Christ to Heal

Luke 5:17 says, “the power of the Lord was present to heal.”
Christ heals physical bodies, but even more, He heals broken hearts, wounded emotions, and shattered spirits.

The Power of Christ to Keep Believers

Jude 24 says He is able “to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless.”
We do not hold onto God—He holds onto us. His power secures us, sustains us, and keeps us saved forever.

The Power of Christ Over All Things

Matthew 28:18 declares:
“All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”
Not some power. Not most power. All power. There is no problem, no trial, no fear, and no need beyond the authority of Jesus Christ.

This is the power Paul longed for—the power that not only surrounds us, but rests upon us.

2. Three Decisions for Christ’s Power to Rest Upon Our Lives

Paul discovered that God’s power does not rest on the strong—it rests on the weak. There are three responses every believer must make.

1. Acknowledge Your Weakness

Paul said, “Most gladly therefore will I glory in my infirmities.”
He didn’t hide his weaknesses, excuse them, or pretend they didn’t exist. He embraced them because they created space for God’s power.

We often fight weakness—we want to look strong, capable, put-together. But God says our weakness is not a liability. It is an invitation.

When we stop pretending we’re strong, Christ can finally show that He is.

2. Abandon Self-Reliance

Pastor Howell put it so clearly:
“The greatest barrier to the power of Christ is the power of me.”

We often:

  • Work harder instead of praying.

  • Google symptoms instead of seeking God.

  • Lean on our ideas instead of surrendering to His wisdom.

  • Try to fix ourselves instead of depending on Christ.

But self-power and Christ-power cannot occupy the same space.
When we insist on doing life in our own strength, God steps back and lets us try.
When we finally admit, “I can’t do this,” He steps in with resurrection power.

3. Accept God’s Purposed Limitations

Culture says, “Be all you can be.”
Scripture says, “You can’t be all you want—but God can be everything you need.”

Paul didn’t resent the thorn anymore—he rejoiced in it. His limitations were not obstacles to God’s plan… they were God’s plan.

Your limitations—your past, personality, family situation, health, fears, failures—are not accidents. They are carefully designed boundaries through which Christ’s power shines brightest.

Paul said:
“I take pleasure in infirmities… for when I am weak, then am I strong.”

Weakness is not the enemy. Strength without God is.

Conclusion

The power of Christ is not a distant theological concept. It is real, active, and available. But it rests only on those who surrender their strength, embrace their weakness, and depend entirely on the One who holds all power in heaven and earth.

Paul asked God to remove the problem. God offered something better—His power.

And that same offer is extended to us today.

Reflection Question:

Where in your life do you need to stop striving in your own strength and begin surrendering so that the power of Christ may rest upon you?

Sermon Series

Prayer in Moments of Desperation - Acts 7:58-60/Matthew 14:29-31

When we think about moments of desperation, most of us picture the times when fear swells inside us and panic rises in our chest. These are the moments when life feels unstable, when circumstances spin wildly out of our control, and when all we can do is react. What comes out of us in those moments reveals far more than emotion. It reveals our faith. It reveals what we are built upon. It uncovers who we truly trust.

Scripture gives us two striking examples of desperate prayers, and both of them show us that our reactions in crisis reflect our relationship with God long before the crisis ever arrives. One example comes from the Sea of Galilee, when Peter stepped out of a boat and found himself sinking beneath crashing waves. The other comes from the book of Acts, where Stephen—the first Christian martyr—prayed as stones crushed his body. Their situations were different, but their prayers reveal powerful truths about faith, fear, focus, and surrender. These passages challenge us to look inward and ask what kind of heart we bring into our own desperate moments.

Acts 7 tells us the story of Stephen’s final moments. As the enraged crowd hurled stones at him, the Bible says, “And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit… Lord, lay not this sin to their charge” (Acts 7:59–60). His words echo the prayers of Jesus Himself on the cross. In desperation, Stephen didn’t panic. He didn’t demand rescue. He surrendered his spirit and extended forgiveness. His response flowed naturally from the life he lived long before that day. These prayers teach us that desperation doesn’t create our faith. It reveals it.

Below are the truths drawn from these two moments—one on the water, one under the weight of stones—that help us understand what real faith looks like when life turns desperate.

1. Peter Began in Complete Dependence

Peter’s story in Matthew 14 begins with bold faith. When he saw Jesus walking on the stormy sea, he cried out, “Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee.” And Jesus simply said, “Come.” Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on water—a moment no other disciple experienced. He began in complete dependence. He wasn’t relying on his skill or strength; he was relying entirely on Jesus. Every step he took was a miracle happening under his feet.

This is what dependence looks like. It is stepping where only Jesus can sustain. Many believers have experienced similar moments in life—times of sickness, tragedy, or uncertainty when all they could do was cling to God. In those seasons, their faith was simple, genuine, and fully dependent. Peter’s beginning reminds us that the Christian life works best when we live with that kind of complete reliance on Christ.

2. Fear Shifted His Focus

But something changed. As Peter walked toward Jesus, he began looking at the waves instead of the Savior. Matthew 14:30 says, “But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.” Fear shifted his focus. And once his focus shifted, his faith followed.

Every believer knows how easily this happens. We may begin a trial with our eyes fixed on Jesus, but somewhere in the middle, the wind gets louder and the waves get higher. Our minds spiral, our hearts tremble, and our confidence in God begins to slip. The danger around Peter wasn’t the waves—it was the distraction inside him. When fear steals our focus, faith weakens.

Yet even in that moment, Peter knew where to turn. His prayer was short and unpolished: “Lord, save me.” And Jesus responded immediately. There was no hesitation, no delay, no rejection. He stretched out His hand, caught Peter, and then gently corrected him. “O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” Jesus didn’t rebuke Peter for praying. He rebuked him for shifting his eyes.

Peter teaches us that in moments of desperation, we must guard our focus. Keep your eyes on Jesus, not the storm. The waves around you are never more dangerous than the doubt within you.

3. Stephen Was a Man Full of Faith

Stephen’s moment of desperation contrasts sharply with Peter’s. Before Stephen ever faced death, Scripture already described him as “a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 6:5). Everyone who knew him knew this about him. His faith was not occasional. It was not part-time. His life was saturated with the presence of God.

Stephen’s walk with God shaped his reflex in crisis. He didn’t become faithful when stones began flying. He was faithful long before that day. He served the early church, performed miracles, preached truth, and stood boldly before leaders who hated the gospel. His character was not spiritually average. He was deeply committed, deeply grounded, and deeply surrendered.

This teaches us something important. You do not suddenly become strong in a crisis if you are spiritually weak in calm seasons. Your daily walk with God determines your instinct when trouble arrives.

4. Stephen’s Experience and Suffering Revealed His Faith

Because Stephen walked faithfully with God, his response under pressure was consistent with his character. When false witnesses accused him, Scripture says his face looked like the face of an angel. When the crowd grew violent, he lifted his eyes to heaven and saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God. In that moment, he prayed not for rescue but for surrender.

His first prayer was simple: “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” It wasn’t a cry to escape the stones. It was a declaration of trust. It was a heart fully at peace with God’s will.

His second prayer was even more remarkable: “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.” The very men crushing his body were the ones he prayed for. Forgiveness flowed from him even as he died. His words mirrored those of Jesus, who prayed, “Father, forgive them,” and “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.”

Stephen teaches us that faith in desperation is not loud or dramatic. It is steady. It is surrendered. It is anchored in God more than in survival.

5. Two Prayers, Two Hearts, Two Lessons

Peter and Stephen both prayed in moments of desperation, yet their prayers came from different kinds of faith.

Peter prayed to be rescued from the storm.
Stephen prayed to be faithful through the suffering.

Both prayers were heard. Both were answered. Both show us different ways our hearts can respond to fear.

The question is not whether God hears us. The question is what our prayers reveal about our hearts. Desperate prayers expose whether we have cultivated a walk with God that can withstand the pressure.

Peter’s prayer teaches us to cry out when we are sinking.
Stephen’s prayer teaches us to surrender when obedience costs everything.

Which prayer resembles your heart today?

Reflection Question

When your life hits a moment of desperation, do your prayers sound more like Peter’s cry for rescue or Stephen’s surrender of faith? What does your response reveal about your daily walk with God?

Sermon Series

The Hidden Beauty of Our Savior - Isaiah 53

When we think of the word beauty, most people picture sunsets, mountains, oceans, or the awe-inspiring wonders of the world. We marvel at the Grand Canyon, snap photos of sunsets, and stand amazed at the colors God splashes across the sky. Yet for all our talk about beauty, we often misidentify what is truly beautiful. We attach the word to celebrities, possessions, or outward appearances that fade and fail to satisfy.

But Isaiah 53 pulls back a different curtain. It shows us a beauty the world cannot recognize—the hidden beauty of our Savior. Isaiah presents Jesus not as attractive by earthly standards, but as One whose glory is veiled, whose majesty is wrapped in plainness, and whose deepest beauty is revealed only to those who look with eyes of faith. Isaiah writes, “He hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him” (Isaiah 53:2). At first glance, that seems jarring—how could the most perfect, sinless, glorious Person to ever walk this earth be described as having “no beauty”? But Isaiah teaches us that Christ’s beauty isn’t found in His outward appearance—it’s found in His humility, His obedience, His sacrifice, and His salvation.

Like a masterpiece hidden beneath dust and grime, the true worth of Jesus was not visible on the surface. Most who looked at Him saw only an ordinary carpenter. But beneath the scars, beneath the grief, beneath the simple frame of a servant was infinite majesty. To see the beauty of Christ, we must look past what man values and learn to see as God sees.

1. The Unimpressive Appearance of Our Savior

Isaiah emphasizes that the Messiah’s outward form would not attract crowds or impress the world. “He hath no form nor comeliness… there is no beauty that we should desire him” (Isaiah 53:2). In other words, nothing about Jesus’ physical appearance demanded attention. He didn’t possess the commanding presence of a king, the charisma of a celebrity, or the royal bearing of someone the world would follow for superficial reasons.

When artists paint Jesus, they often portray Him as striking, calm, and attractive—but that isn’t what Scripture says. Jesus came wrapped in ordinariness. The hands that shaped galaxies became the calloused hands of a carpenter. The voice that spoke stars into existence spoke in the plain dialect of a Galilean village. His beauty was hidden on purpose. If the world loved Him, it would be because of who He was, not how He looked.

This unimpressive appearance reminds us that God’s greatest works often come disguised in simplicity. Our world prizes charm, polish, and presentation, but God hides glory in the ordinary. Just as a peasant king in disguise learned what his people truly thought of him, Jesus took on humility so that people’s faith would rest in His character—not His appearance.

2. The Unseen Glory Beneath the Scars

Isaiah continues: “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3). Most who saw Jesus only saw the surface. They saw His body, His miracles, His daily interactions—but they missed the majesty beneath His suffering.

Many followed Him for bread, not for truth. Others saw His wounds but not His worth. His scars held a glory hidden from unbelieving eyes. The world saw a broken, rejected man—yet Heaven saw the Lamb of God carrying salvation on His shoulders.

Like the cracked water pot in the parable, Jesus’ outward weakness became the means of bringing beauty to others. Through His sorrow, we receive joy. Through His rejection, we have acceptance. Through His wounds, we find healing. What seemed unimpressive on the outside contained eternal glory on the inside.

3. Don’t Let Outward Appearance Define Inward Worth

One key truth from this passage is clear: we must not judge worth by appearance. Humans look on the outside—talent, confidence, attractiveness, ability. But God values the heart.

Samuel learned this when he stood before the tall, impressive Eliab and thought, “Surely this is the Lord’s anointed.” But God corrected him: “Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).

God hides His power in ordinary vessels so that He receives the glory. You may feel plain, broken, or inadequate—but God delights to use exactly those people. He hid His glory in a manger before He hid it in a carpenter. He still hides His power in ordinary saints today—people who feel weak, overlooked, or unimpressive. In God’s hands, weakness becomes a platform for His glory.

4. The Beauty of Humility Outshines Outward Success

Isaiah tells us Jesus had “no beauty,” yet every believer knows He is infinitely beautiful. Why? Because the beauty of humility outshines all outward success.

We call Him beautiful because His humility brought us salvation. Because His obedience rescued our souls. Because the power of His love transformed our lives, our families, and our eternities.

Look around any church and you’ll see the beauty of Christ everywhere—redeemed lives, restored families, delivered hearts, forgiven sinners. The world may not see beauty in humility, sacrifice, or obedience, but God does. And Jesus’ humility shines brighter than any human achievement.

Reflection Question

Are you looking at Christ—and at others—the way the world looks, or the way God looks? What hidden beauty might God be inviting you to recognize today?

Sermon Series

My Help - Psalm 121

When we think of the word help, most people picture something immediate and visible—a friend stepping in during a crisis, a doctor offering treatment, or a system that promises support. We look for help in people, in programs, in plans, and in our own abilities. Yet for all our searching, human help can only reach so far. It is limited, temporary, and often unreliable.

But Psalm 121 pulls back a different curtain. It shows us a kind of help the world cannot provide—the unfailing help of the Lord. The psalmist lifts his eyes toward the hills, not because the mountains themselves can rescue him, but because they remind him of the One who formed them. He writes, “My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:2). That single sentence redirects the heart away from earthly sources and toward the God whose power, presence, and protection never change. The psalm doesn’t just teach us where our help comes from—it teaches us who our Helper is.

Like a traveler scanning the horizon for danger, the psalmist looks outward—but finds his confidence upward. His help is not found in creation, but in the Creator. His stability is not found in strong hills, but in a strong God. His safety is not in what he sees, but in the One who sees him.

1. The Creator Who Is Our Helper

Psalm 121 begins with an upward look: “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills.” Hills and mountains in Scripture often symbolize strength, majesty, and permanence. Standing before them can make a person feel small, weak, or vulnerable. But the psalmist does not place his hope in the mountains—he places it in the Maker of the mountains.

“My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.”
The same God who spoke galaxies into existence is the One who steps into the details of our daily lives. The God who shaped oceans holds your heart steady. The Lord who directs the stars directs your steps. His help is not limited by circumstance, resources, or timing. The Creator is your Helper—and that changes everything.

Just as a child finds courage not in the size of a room but in the presence of a parent, we find help not in the size of our challenges but in the greatness of our God. Creation reminds us of His power, but only the Creator can provide the help we truly need.

2. The Keeper Who Never Sleeps

The psalmist continues by revealing something astonishing about God’s care:
“He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber” (Psalm 121:3).

Human help is always limited by human weakness. Even the most faithful friend eventually becomes tired. Even the strongest guardian must close his eyes. But the Lord—your Keeper—never sleeps, never drifts, never turns away. He guards your steps with unbroken attention. He watches when you are awake and when you are unaware. Nothing surprises Him. Nothing shakes Him.

While you rest, He remains alert. While you weaken, He remains strong.
His sleepless care means you never walk alone—not in your fear, your confusion, your grief, or your uncertainty.

Like a watchman stationed on the wall through every hour of the night, God stands guard over your life. Because He does not sleep, you can.

3. The Protector Who Covers Every Season

The psalmist paints a beautiful picture of God’s protective presence:
“The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand” (Psalm 121:5).

Shade in Scripture represents relief, protection, and nearness. To be someone’s shade means to stand close enough to shield them. God doesn’t protect from a distance—He protects up close. He stands beside you in the heat of the day and in the darkness of the night. The psalm continues:

“The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night” (v. 6).

Day and night symbolize the full range of life’s experiences—the things you see coming and the things you never expected. God is present in both. He guards your steps in the brightness of success and in the shadows of struggle. The dangers you recognize and the ones you never notice are both under His watchful care.

Like a shelter in a storm or a fortress in a battlefield, He covers you with His strength. His protection is complete, constant, and compassionate.

4. The Preserver Who Watches Every Step

The psalm closes with one of the most comforting promises in Scripture:

“The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore” (Psalm 121:8).

Your entire journey—every departure, every arrival, every joy, every burden—is under God’s preserving hand. He watches over you when you step into new seasons and when you return to familiar places. He guards you in every chapter, every transition, every uncertainty.

Human help can support you temporarily, but only God can preserve you eternally.
His protection does not end at the boundary of your ability or the edge of your understanding. From this moment—and every moment afterward—His help remains faithful.

The God who helps you today is the same God who will help you tomorrow, next year, and for all eternity.

Reflection Question

Where are you looking for help today—and what might change in your heart, your decisions, or your peace if you lifted your eyes to the Lord instead of the hills?

Sermon Series

The Power of Christ

When we think of the word power, our minds often go to strength, ability, success, or control. We imagine someone who can handle anything, fix anything, and rise above any challenge. But in 2 Corinthians 12, God pulls back a different curtain. He shows us that His power does not flow through our strength—but through our weakness. Christ’s power does not fall upon the self-sufficient, the talented, the confident, or the capable. It rests upon the broken, the limited, the needy, the dependent, and the weak.

The apostle Paul knew spiritual highs like few people ever will. He received visions and revelations directly from God. But with great privilege came a painful problem—a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, something that relentlessly “buffeted” him. Paul begged God three times to remove it. Instead of relief, Jesus gave him a greater gift:
“My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”
Those few words transformed Paul’s perspective. In a moment, he stopped asking for the thorn to be removed and started asking for Christ’s power to rest upon him. What he once resisted, he now embraced. What he once saw as a burden, he now recognized as the very avenue for God’s power.

This message reminds us that the power of Christ is not something we study from a distance—it’s something God longs to rest upon us. But it only comes through the doorway of weakness, surrender, and dependence. Paul goes on to show what that power looks like throughout Scripture and how believers today can experience it. Let’s look at what the Bible reveals about the power of Christ—and the three decisions we must make if we want that power resting on our lives.

1. The Power of Christ Displayed in Scripture

Christ’s power is not theoretical—it is vast, active, and undeniable.

The Power of Christ in Creation

Colossians 1:16–17 declares:
“For by him were all things created… And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.”
Jesus Christ—the Word through whom God spoke the universe into being—holds creation together at every moment. The sun rises, the earth spins, your heart beats, and galaxies swirl because of His sustaining power.

The Power of Christ in Salvation

Romans 1:16 proclaims the gospel as “the power of God unto salvation.”
The power that transforms the drunk into a believer, heals marriages, restores families, and gives new life is the same power God offers to rest upon His children daily.

The Power of Christ in the Resurrection

Philippians 3:10 shows that we know Christ through “the power of his resurrection.”
Eternal life is possible only because Jesus conquered death—and His resurrection power is available to strengthen us every day.

The Power of Christ over Demons

In Luke 4:36, Jesus speaks with authority and demons flee. No spiritual force can stand against Him, and no believer needs to fear the enemy—Christ’s power is infinitely greater.

The Power of Christ to Heal

Luke 5:17 says, “the power of the Lord was present to heal.”
Christ heals physical bodies, but even more, He heals broken hearts, wounded emotions, and shattered spirits.

The Power of Christ to Keep Believers

Jude 24 says He is able “to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless.”
We do not hold onto God—He holds onto us. His power secures us, sustains us, and keeps us saved forever.

The Power of Christ Over All Things

Matthew 28:18 declares:
“All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”
Not some power. Not most power. All power. There is no problem, no trial, no fear, and no need beyond the authority of Jesus Christ.

This is the power Paul longed for—the power that not only surrounds us, but rests upon us.

2. Three Decisions for Christ’s Power to Rest Upon Our Lives

Paul discovered that God’s power does not rest on the strong—it rests on the weak. There are three responses every believer must make.

1. Acknowledge Your Weakness

Paul said, “Most gladly therefore will I glory in my infirmities.”
He didn’t hide his weaknesses, excuse them, or pretend they didn’t exist. He embraced them because they created space for God’s power.

We often fight weakness—we want to look strong, capable, put-together. But God says our weakness is not a liability. It is an invitation.

When we stop pretending we’re strong, Christ can finally show that He is.

2. Abandon Self-Reliance

Pastor Howell put it so clearly:
“The greatest barrier to the power of Christ is the power of me.”

We often:

  • Work harder instead of praying.

  • Google symptoms instead of seeking God.

  • Lean on our ideas instead of surrendering to His wisdom.

  • Try to fix ourselves instead of depending on Christ.

But self-power and Christ-power cannot occupy the same space.
When we insist on doing life in our own strength, God steps back and lets us try.
When we finally admit, “I can’t do this,” He steps in with resurrection power.

3. Accept God’s Purposed Limitations

Culture says, “Be all you can be.”
Scripture says, “You can’t be all you want—but God can be everything you need.”

Paul didn’t resent the thorn anymore—he rejoiced in it. His limitations were not obstacles to God’s plan… they were God’s plan.

Your limitations—your past, personality, family situation, health, fears, failures—are not accidents. They are carefully designed boundaries through which Christ’s power shines brightest.

Paul said:
“I take pleasure in infirmities… for when I am weak, then am I strong.”

Weakness is not the enemy. Strength without God is.

Conclusion

The power of Christ is not a distant theological concept. It is real, active, and available. But it rests only on those who surrender their strength, embrace their weakness, and depend entirely on the One who holds all power in heaven and earth.

Paul asked God to remove the problem. God offered something better—His power.

And that same offer is extended to us today.

Reflection Question:

Where in your life do you need to stop striving in your own strength and begin surrendering so that the power of Christ may rest upon you?

Sermon Series

Prayer in Moments of Desperation - Acts 7:58-60/Matthew 14:29-31

When we think about moments of desperation, most of us picture the times when fear swells inside us and panic rises in our chest. These are the moments when life feels unstable, when circumstances spin wildly out of our control, and when all we can do is react. What comes out of us in those moments reveals far more than emotion. It reveals our faith. It reveals what we are built upon. It uncovers who we truly trust.

Scripture gives us two striking examples of desperate prayers, and both of them show us that our reactions in crisis reflect our relationship with God long before the crisis ever arrives. One example comes from the Sea of Galilee, when Peter stepped out of a boat and found himself sinking beneath crashing waves. The other comes from the book of Acts, where Stephen—the first Christian martyr—prayed as stones crushed his body. Their situations were different, but their prayers reveal powerful truths about faith, fear, focus, and surrender. These passages challenge us to look inward and ask what kind of heart we bring into our own desperate moments.

Acts 7 tells us the story of Stephen’s final moments. As the enraged crowd hurled stones at him, the Bible says, “And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit… Lord, lay not this sin to their charge” (Acts 7:59–60). His words echo the prayers of Jesus Himself on the cross. In desperation, Stephen didn’t panic. He didn’t demand rescue. He surrendered his spirit and extended forgiveness. His response flowed naturally from the life he lived long before that day. These prayers teach us that desperation doesn’t create our faith. It reveals it.

Below are the truths drawn from these two moments—one on the water, one under the weight of stones—that help us understand what real faith looks like when life turns desperate.

1. Peter Began in Complete Dependence

Peter’s story in Matthew 14 begins with bold faith. When he saw Jesus walking on the stormy sea, he cried out, “Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee.” And Jesus simply said, “Come.” Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on water—a moment no other disciple experienced. He began in complete dependence. He wasn’t relying on his skill or strength; he was relying entirely on Jesus. Every step he took was a miracle happening under his feet.

This is what dependence looks like. It is stepping where only Jesus can sustain. Many believers have experienced similar moments in life—times of sickness, tragedy, or uncertainty when all they could do was cling to God. In those seasons, their faith was simple, genuine, and fully dependent. Peter’s beginning reminds us that the Christian life works best when we live with that kind of complete reliance on Christ.

2. Fear Shifted His Focus

But something changed. As Peter walked toward Jesus, he began looking at the waves instead of the Savior. Matthew 14:30 says, “But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.” Fear shifted his focus. And once his focus shifted, his faith followed.

Every believer knows how easily this happens. We may begin a trial with our eyes fixed on Jesus, but somewhere in the middle, the wind gets louder and the waves get higher. Our minds spiral, our hearts tremble, and our confidence in God begins to slip. The danger around Peter wasn’t the waves—it was the distraction inside him. When fear steals our focus, faith weakens.

Yet even in that moment, Peter knew where to turn. His prayer was short and unpolished: “Lord, save me.” And Jesus responded immediately. There was no hesitation, no delay, no rejection. He stretched out His hand, caught Peter, and then gently corrected him. “O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” Jesus didn’t rebuke Peter for praying. He rebuked him for shifting his eyes.

Peter teaches us that in moments of desperation, we must guard our focus. Keep your eyes on Jesus, not the storm. The waves around you are never more dangerous than the doubt within you.

3. Stephen Was a Man Full of Faith

Stephen’s moment of desperation contrasts sharply with Peter’s. Before Stephen ever faced death, Scripture already described him as “a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 6:5). Everyone who knew him knew this about him. His faith was not occasional. It was not part-time. His life was saturated with the presence of God.

Stephen’s walk with God shaped his reflex in crisis. He didn’t become faithful when stones began flying. He was faithful long before that day. He served the early church, performed miracles, preached truth, and stood boldly before leaders who hated the gospel. His character was not spiritually average. He was deeply committed, deeply grounded, and deeply surrendered.

This teaches us something important. You do not suddenly become strong in a crisis if you are spiritually weak in calm seasons. Your daily walk with God determines your instinct when trouble arrives.

4. Stephen’s Experience and Suffering Revealed His Faith

Because Stephen walked faithfully with God, his response under pressure was consistent with his character. When false witnesses accused him, Scripture says his face looked like the face of an angel. When the crowd grew violent, he lifted his eyes to heaven and saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God. In that moment, he prayed not for rescue but for surrender.

His first prayer was simple: “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” It wasn’t a cry to escape the stones. It was a declaration of trust. It was a heart fully at peace with God’s will.

His second prayer was even more remarkable: “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.” The very men crushing his body were the ones he prayed for. Forgiveness flowed from him even as he died. His words mirrored those of Jesus, who prayed, “Father, forgive them,” and “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.”

Stephen teaches us that faith in desperation is not loud or dramatic. It is steady. It is surrendered. It is anchored in God more than in survival.

5. Two Prayers, Two Hearts, Two Lessons

Peter and Stephen both prayed in moments of desperation, yet their prayers came from different kinds of faith.

Peter prayed to be rescued from the storm.
Stephen prayed to be faithful through the suffering.

Both prayers were heard. Both were answered. Both show us different ways our hearts can respond to fear.

The question is not whether God hears us. The question is what our prayers reveal about our hearts. Desperate prayers expose whether we have cultivated a walk with God that can withstand the pressure.

Peter’s prayer teaches us to cry out when we are sinking.
Stephen’s prayer teaches us to surrender when obedience costs everything.

Which prayer resembles your heart today?

Reflection Question

When your life hits a moment of desperation, do your prayers sound more like Peter’s cry for rescue or Stephen’s surrender of faith? What does your response reveal about your daily walk with God?

Sermon Series

The Hidden Beauty of Our Savior - Isaiah 53

When we think of the word beauty, most people picture sunsets, mountains, oceans, or the awe-inspiring wonders of the world. We marvel at the Grand Canyon, snap photos of sunsets, and stand amazed at the colors God splashes across the sky. Yet for all our talk about beauty, we often misidentify what is truly beautiful. We attach the word to celebrities, possessions, or outward appearances that fade and fail to satisfy.

But Isaiah 53 pulls back a different curtain. It shows us a beauty the world cannot recognize—the hidden beauty of our Savior. Isaiah presents Jesus not as attractive by earthly standards, but as One whose glory is veiled, whose majesty is wrapped in plainness, and whose deepest beauty is revealed only to those who look with eyes of faith. Isaiah writes, “He hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him” (Isaiah 53:2). At first glance, that seems jarring—how could the most perfect, sinless, glorious Person to ever walk this earth be described as having “no beauty”? But Isaiah teaches us that Christ’s beauty isn’t found in His outward appearance—it’s found in His humility, His obedience, His sacrifice, and His salvation.

Like a masterpiece hidden beneath dust and grime, the true worth of Jesus was not visible on the surface. Most who looked at Him saw only an ordinary carpenter. But beneath the scars, beneath the grief, beneath the simple frame of a servant was infinite majesty. To see the beauty of Christ, we must look past what man values and learn to see as God sees.

1. The Unimpressive Appearance of Our Savior

Isaiah emphasizes that the Messiah’s outward form would not attract crowds or impress the world. “He hath no form nor comeliness… there is no beauty that we should desire him” (Isaiah 53:2). In other words, nothing about Jesus’ physical appearance demanded attention. He didn’t possess the commanding presence of a king, the charisma of a celebrity, or the royal bearing of someone the world would follow for superficial reasons.

When artists paint Jesus, they often portray Him as striking, calm, and attractive—but that isn’t what Scripture says. Jesus came wrapped in ordinariness. The hands that shaped galaxies became the calloused hands of a carpenter. The voice that spoke stars into existence spoke in the plain dialect of a Galilean village. His beauty was hidden on purpose. If the world loved Him, it would be because of who He was, not how He looked.

This unimpressive appearance reminds us that God’s greatest works often come disguised in simplicity. Our world prizes charm, polish, and presentation, but God hides glory in the ordinary. Just as a peasant king in disguise learned what his people truly thought of him, Jesus took on humility so that people’s faith would rest in His character—not His appearance.

2. The Unseen Glory Beneath the Scars

Isaiah continues: “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3). Most who saw Jesus only saw the surface. They saw His body, His miracles, His daily interactions—but they missed the majesty beneath His suffering.

Many followed Him for bread, not for truth. Others saw His wounds but not His worth. His scars held a glory hidden from unbelieving eyes. The world saw a broken, rejected man—yet Heaven saw the Lamb of God carrying salvation on His shoulders.

Like the cracked water pot in the parable, Jesus’ outward weakness became the means of bringing beauty to others. Through His sorrow, we receive joy. Through His rejection, we have acceptance. Through His wounds, we find healing. What seemed unimpressive on the outside contained eternal glory on the inside.

3. Don’t Let Outward Appearance Define Inward Worth

One key truth from this passage is clear: we must not judge worth by appearance. Humans look on the outside—talent, confidence, attractiveness, ability. But God values the heart.

Samuel learned this when he stood before the tall, impressive Eliab and thought, “Surely this is the Lord’s anointed.” But God corrected him: “Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).

God hides His power in ordinary vessels so that He receives the glory. You may feel plain, broken, or inadequate—but God delights to use exactly those people. He hid His glory in a manger before He hid it in a carpenter. He still hides His power in ordinary saints today—people who feel weak, overlooked, or unimpressive. In God’s hands, weakness becomes a platform for His glory.

4. The Beauty of Humility Outshines Outward Success

Isaiah tells us Jesus had “no beauty,” yet every believer knows He is infinitely beautiful. Why? Because the beauty of humility outshines all outward success.

We call Him beautiful because His humility brought us salvation. Because His obedience rescued our souls. Because the power of His love transformed our lives, our families, and our eternities.

Look around any church and you’ll see the beauty of Christ everywhere—redeemed lives, restored families, delivered hearts, forgiven sinners. The world may not see beauty in humility, sacrifice, or obedience, but God does. And Jesus’ humility shines brighter than any human achievement.

Reflection Question

Are you looking at Christ—and at others—the way the world looks, or the way God looks? What hidden beauty might God be inviting you to recognize today?

Sermon Series

My Help - Psalm 121

When we think of the word help, most people picture something immediate and visible—a friend stepping in during a crisis, a doctor offering treatment, or a system that promises support. We look for help in people, in programs, in plans, and in our own abilities. Yet for all our searching, human help can only reach so far. It is limited, temporary, and often unreliable.

But Psalm 121 pulls back a different curtain. It shows us a kind of help the world cannot provide—the unfailing help of the Lord. The psalmist lifts his eyes toward the hills, not because the mountains themselves can rescue him, but because they remind him of the One who formed them. He writes, “My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:2). That single sentence redirects the heart away from earthly sources and toward the God whose power, presence, and protection never change. The psalm doesn’t just teach us where our help comes from—it teaches us who our Helper is.

Like a traveler scanning the horizon for danger, the psalmist looks outward—but finds his confidence upward. His help is not found in creation, but in the Creator. His stability is not found in strong hills, but in a strong God. His safety is not in what he sees, but in the One who sees him.

1. The Creator Who Is Our Helper

Psalm 121 begins with an upward look: “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills.” Hills and mountains in Scripture often symbolize strength, majesty, and permanence. Standing before them can make a person feel small, weak, or vulnerable. But the psalmist does not place his hope in the mountains—he places it in the Maker of the mountains.

“My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.”
The same God who spoke galaxies into existence is the One who steps into the details of our daily lives. The God who shaped oceans holds your heart steady. The Lord who directs the stars directs your steps. His help is not limited by circumstance, resources, or timing. The Creator is your Helper—and that changes everything.

Just as a child finds courage not in the size of a room but in the presence of a parent, we find help not in the size of our challenges but in the greatness of our God. Creation reminds us of His power, but only the Creator can provide the help we truly need.

2. The Keeper Who Never Sleeps

The psalmist continues by revealing something astonishing about God’s care:
“He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber” (Psalm 121:3).

Human help is always limited by human weakness. Even the most faithful friend eventually becomes tired. Even the strongest guardian must close his eyes. But the Lord—your Keeper—never sleeps, never drifts, never turns away. He guards your steps with unbroken attention. He watches when you are awake and when you are unaware. Nothing surprises Him. Nothing shakes Him.

While you rest, He remains alert. While you weaken, He remains strong.
His sleepless care means you never walk alone—not in your fear, your confusion, your grief, or your uncertainty.

Like a watchman stationed on the wall through every hour of the night, God stands guard over your life. Because He does not sleep, you can.

3. The Protector Who Covers Every Season

The psalmist paints a beautiful picture of God’s protective presence:
“The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand” (Psalm 121:5).

Shade in Scripture represents relief, protection, and nearness. To be someone’s shade means to stand close enough to shield them. God doesn’t protect from a distance—He protects up close. He stands beside you in the heat of the day and in the darkness of the night. The psalm continues:

“The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night” (v. 6).

Day and night symbolize the full range of life’s experiences—the things you see coming and the things you never expected. God is present in both. He guards your steps in the brightness of success and in the shadows of struggle. The dangers you recognize and the ones you never notice are both under His watchful care.

Like a shelter in a storm or a fortress in a battlefield, He covers you with His strength. His protection is complete, constant, and compassionate.

4. The Preserver Who Watches Every Step

The psalm closes with one of the most comforting promises in Scripture:

“The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore” (Psalm 121:8).

Your entire journey—every departure, every arrival, every joy, every burden—is under God’s preserving hand. He watches over you when you step into new seasons and when you return to familiar places. He guards you in every chapter, every transition, every uncertainty.

Human help can support you temporarily, but only God can preserve you eternally.
His protection does not end at the boundary of your ability or the edge of your understanding. From this moment—and every moment afterward—His help remains faithful.

The God who helps you today is the same God who will help you tomorrow, next year, and for all eternity.

Reflection Question

Where are you looking for help today—and what might change in your heart, your decisions, or your peace if you lifted your eyes to the Lord instead of the hills?

Sermon Series

He Went to the Father - Luke 15

Every one of us has had moments when we looked around and wondered, “How did I get here?” We find ourselves far from the Father — in places we never meant to go. In Luke 15, Jesus tells one of the most well-known stories in Scripture — the parable of the prodigal son — but as Pastor Abraham Olorunlowo reminds us, this is more than a story about a runaway son. It’s about a running God.

The prodigal son thought freedom meant leaving his father’s house and doing life on his own terms. He asked for his inheritance, packed his bags, and “took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living” (Luke 15:13). But when the money ran out, the friends disappeared, and the famine came, he found himself empty, alone, and broken. Then, the Bible says, “When he came to himself…” (Luke 15:17). That phrase marks the turning point. Somewhere between the mud and the misery, the son remembered who he was — and more importantly, whose he was.

This parable is a picture of us running from God, chasing what we think will satisfy, and ending up in bondage instead of freedom. But the story doesn’t end there. The prodigal son decided, “I will arise and go to my father” (Luke 15:18). That one decision changed everything. This parable shows us five steps we must take when it’s time to “arise and go back home.”

1. His Realization

Before the son could get up, he had to wake up. He realized where his choices had taken him — from a place of privilege to a pigpen. Sin often looks like freedom but ends in bondage. The young man remembered not only who he was, but whose he was: a son of a loving father.

As believers, we too must remember our identity. We belong to God, not the world, not our past, not our mistakes. As 1 Peter 2:9 says, “Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people.” When we forget who we are, we start living beneath our calling. But when we “come to ourselves,” we realize it’s never too late to turn back.

2. His Repentance

Realization led to repentance. The prodigal son said, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee” (Luke 15:18). That’s not self-pity — that’s repentance. Repentance isn’t about informing God; it’s about transforming us. It’s not simply saying “I’m sorry,” but saying, “I’m done.”

True repentance changes direction. The prodigal didn’t rationalize his sin or try to excuse it. He rehearsed his confession before he even reached home because repentance comes with readiness. When we sin, Satan tries to use shame to keep us away from God. But God invites us to come — not with excuses, but with honesty. The road home always begins with the words, “I have sinned.”

3. His Return

Once he repented, the son took action. “He arose, and came to his father” (Luke 15:20). But before he ever reached the gate, the father saw him from a distance — because the father had been watching all along. Scripture says, “When he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran” (Luke 15:20).

What a picture of our heavenly Father! God doesn’t just wait for us — He runs to meet us. Mercy moves faster than our mistakes. When we take one step toward God, He takes a thousand toward us. Aren’t we glad that God still runs to us when we run to Him?

4. His Restoration

When the son came home, the father didn’t put him on probation. He put a robe on his shoulders, a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet — symbols of full restoration. The father said, “Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him”(Luke 15:22). Grace doesn’t do leftovers. God doesn’t halfway forgive; He restores completely.

The robe covered his shame. The ring restored his status. The shoes reinstated his sonship. When we confess our sins, “He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). When we return, God doesn’t just clean us up; He brings us back into full fellowship.

5. His Rejoicing

The story began with rebellion but ended in rejoicing. The father declared, “For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found” (Luke 15:24). That’s what grace does — it finds you when you’ve gone too far, stayed too long, and done too much. We are reminded of John Newton, the slave trader turned preacher who wrote Amazing Grace. Like the prodigal, Newton was lost — but grace found him.

Conclusion

Maybe you’ve wandered far from God. Maybe you’ve drifted spiritually, away from your peace, your prayer life, or your purpose. The good news is that no matter how far you’ve gone, you can still arise and go to the Father. He’s waiting — not with anger, but with open arms.

Reflection Question:Have you come to yourself yet? If you realize you’ve been living in a “far country,” what’s stopping you from taking that first step home today?

Sermon Series

Keep Growing - 2 Peter 3:8

Growth is one of the simplest concepts in life, yet it can be one of the hardest to sustain. We celebrate growth in children, in gardens, in businesses—but when it comes to spiritual growth, we often overlook how essential it is. In 2 Peter 3:18, Scripture gives one of the clearest commands in all the Bible: “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” It’s a command Peter repeats at both the beginning and the end of his letter because it’s a truth every believer needs to hear again and again. Spiritual growth is not optional. It’s not seasonal. It’s not something you “catch up on later.” It’s a continual, lifelong process.

Peter’s message reminds us that salvation is just the beginning of the Christian journey. The moment you trusted Jesus Christ as your Savior, God did a miracle—He forgave you, redeemed you, and made you His child. But He did not save you so that you could stay the same. He saved you to transform you. Grace is not only the doorway into salvation; it is the power by which we grow day by day. Yet too often, believers settle into routines and slowly become spiritually stagnant. The Bible becomes a chore. Worship becomes familiar. Church becomes predictable. We still show up, but our hearts grow cold. Jesus warned of people who honored God with their lips while their hearts were far from Him, and that warning still resonates today.

Peter’s call to “grow in grace” is a wake-up call to believers who may be drifting. Growth is ongoing. It is active. It is intentional. The command in the original language carries the sense of “keep on growing”—not just once, not just when you feel like it, but continually. Whether you’ve been saved for five years or fifty, the Christian life is never meant to plateau. We grow because we haven’t “arrived” yet. When we compare ourselves to others, we might feel confident—but when we compare ourselves to Christ, we quickly realize how much we still need His grace to shape us.

1. The Context of Growth

Spiritual growth begins with grace. We are saved by grace, and we continue to grow by that same grace. As Ephesians 2:8–9 reminds us, “For by grace are ye saved through faith… not of works.” God’s grace is undeserved, unearned, unlimited kindness poured into the life of a believer. Peter’s challenge is not just to receive grace but to continue in it. Once you’ve been set apart by God—sanctified—you are meant to walk a path shaped by His Word, His purposes, and His presence.

Growth involves listening when God speaks, responding when God moves, and allowing Him to shape every area of life. Church becomes more than a gathering; prayer becomes more than a ritual; Scripture becomes more than information—it becomes transformation. But when believers lose their spiritual “temperature,” everything begins to dull. The fire fades. The routines take over. Christians grow cold when they stop giving attention to growth.

2. The Command to Grow

The instruction to “grow in grace” is not passive—it is a command. Growth is not automatic just because you attend church, listen to sermons, or carry a Bible. It requires deliberate obedience and consistent pursuit. The Christian life is compared to being born again, and just as physical birth is followed by physical growth, spiritual birth should result in spiritual growth. Peter emphasizes that this growth must continue every day, every year—“present, active, imperative.”

This growth protects believers from being “led away” by false teaching, distractions, or spiritual apathy (as Peter warns in verse 17). Many Christians stop growing because they feel they have arrived, or because they compare themselves to others instead of Christ. But growth requires humility—the humility to recognize that God still has work to do in you, the humility to respond when He convicts you, and the humility to obey even when it’s uncomfortable.

3. The Challenge of Growth

Growth is challenging because complacency is easy. It is possible to look good outwardly while drifting inwardly. You can fool people, but you cannot fool God. He “seeth not as man seeth” because “man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” Growth requires honesty before God—honesty about your struggles, your attitudes, and your willingness to change.

And growth often requires humility in action. There is the example of a teenager who was convicted to apologize to someone he had wronged. That simple act of obedience became a powerful testimony that convicted an adult believer. Growth isn’t measured by perfection but by responsiveness—how quickly you obey when God nudges your heart. Too many believers resist that voice, saying “no” when they know they should repent, forgive, serve, or surrender. But the grace that saves us is the grace that empowers us to do what we could never do alone.

Conclusion
Peter ends his letter with a simple but life-changing command: keep growing. Don’t settle. Don’t stagnate. Don’t let the embers of your faith cool because of complacency. God saved you for a purpose, and His grace is still working in you. Growth is not a chapter—it is a lifelong calling.

Reflection Question:Are you growing in grace today, or have you allowed your heart to grow cold? Where is God calling you to take your next step of growth?

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About Pastor JD Howell

Pastor J.D. Howell is a faithful and passionate servant of God whose heart beats for preaching the truth of God’s Word and shepherding God’s people with love and integrity.

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About Pastor JD Howell

Pastor J.D. Howell is a faithful and passionate servant of God whose heart beats for preaching the truth of God’s Word and shepherding God’s people with love and integrity.

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Subscribe now to get timely updates and in-depth insights designed to keep you in touch with First Baptist Church.

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About Pastor JD Howell

Pastor J.D. Howell is a faithful and passionate servant of God whose heart beats for preaching the truth of God’s Word and shepherding God’s people with love and integrity.

Home

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Contact

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Subscribe now to get timely updates and in-depth insights designed to keep you in touch with First Baptist Church.

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