Jesus describes our lives as houses.

The Core of the Model Family—
Forgiveness

A relationship that is unique in design.

What brings family unity?
Peace.

Our family image is framed by the attitudes that are exposed.

The Design of the Family comes from the Mindset of God.

Happiness is found when we re-discover that the facts of the past provide a new hope for the Future.

Focused Faith that reveals Salvation, Example, Completion, Believing.

Following Christ in these last days is a tough business. But God has given us at least four advantages: He has told us what will happen, He has told us what to do, He has told us where we find salvation, He has told us there is power.

A Diligent Faith leads followers of Jesus to guard their language.

A Strong Faith must be committed to service.

A Sincere Faith continues as we are reminded to keep ablaze the gift of God that we have in us.

Mission: We are moving from a mission minded church to a mission minded people.

With guest: Freddy T. Wyatt, Pastor, Gallery Church, NYC.

1st-Romans 10:9-10, 2nd-Ephesians 5:25, 3rd-2 Peter 3:18, 4th:Home Plate-John 14

Pastor Emeritus, Dr. John David Laida preaches. Dr. Laida has been preaching the Gospel for 75 years this month.

Doxa Worship

We are told to “examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith.” (II Corinthians 13:6) Nothing is more eternally important than knowing that you possess true saving faith in Christ. The book of James is the book of Wisdom Literature in the New Testament and corresponds to the Old Testament book of Proverbs. James is the application book of the New Testament and tells us how to live out a life covered by salvation by grace through faith.  Saving  faith works!  Saving faith always produces a faithful life. Saving faith will act on that faith in godly living and true ministry to others. Faith alone saves, but the faith that saves is not alone. Good works and a changed life will follow.

Doxa Worship

The book of James is the book of Wisdom Literature in the New Testament and corresponds to the Old Testament book of Proverbs. James is the application book of the New Testament and tells us how to live out a life covered by salvation by grace through faith.  Saving  faith works!  Saving faith always produces a faithful life. Saving faith will act on that faith in godly living and true ministry to others. This is the message of the book of James and is an ideal Scripture for us as we enter our initial FirstServe week of ministry to our community. From Austin Peay student move-in ministry, to ministry to Norman Smith Elementary, and to ground breaking for a new Habitat house and more, FirstServe is faith at work.

Doxa Worship

Who is He? Some Say, Just a good man, Just a teacher, or I don’t care.

The book of James was written by Jesus’ half-brother to Jewish believers who had been scattered because of persecution. Chapter One is written as an encouragement and warning to these believers of the purposes behind the trials they were facing as persecuted followers of Christ.

On the afternoon of the first Easter, a most wonderful story unfolds in Luke’s Gospel on the six mile road to Emmaus from Jerusalem. The Risen Lord appears to two disciples, Cleopas and, no doubt, his wife. How wonderful it is to us that Jesus wanted to be with all of us not just with the Apostles. He died for all of us and wants to be in daily, loving, vital, real fellowship with you and me every moment of the day. The news of the Resurrection had spread rapidly. Jesus engaged in normal real life conversation wanting to meet the disciples where thy were and bring them to where they needed to be.

The Cross is the great divide of human life. The Cross cut the calendars of earth into two parts—B.C. (Before Christ) and A.D. (Anno Domini–The Year of our Lord). At the Continental Divide in the Rocky Mountains there is a spot where the slope will carry a drop of rain water to the Pacific Ocean or the Atlantic Ocean depending on a one inch difference of where the drop falls. So it is with the Cross . . . depending on your relationship with the Cross and the Saviour determines the destiny of a soul in Heaven or Hell. The word “crux” comes from “cross” and means “the essential point or main feature of an argument.” The Cross is the crux of human life. Jesus said, “If I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men unto me (John 12:32). As He was lifted up from the earth on the Cross, He is our Victorious Lord. Let us examine our Victorious Lord from the time He came down from the Cross and began to reveal Himself to His disciples and then “draw all men” unto Himself.

We are in a time of solemn assembly and desirous to get totally right with God. What happens when God’s people really get clean before Him and earnestly pray?

Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead so we could have the knowledge of God and be a praying people. The sure sign of the conversion of Saul of Tarsus on the Damascus Road was given in Acts 9:11, “Behold, he prayeth!” For the first time in Saul’s life he really could pray. He was saved, and the doors of Heaven’s Throne Room were now opened by the blood of the Lamb.

After the coming of God in Christ to the world, the most important event in the two thousand years of church history is the conversion of Saul of Tarsus who became the Apostle Paul. Paul wrote fourteen books of the twenty-seven New Testament books. Paul established the first churches in Europe and set the course for Western Civilization. Big doors turn on small hinges. The conversion of Saul of Tarsus turned the world upside down. Every conversion is just like Paul’s and just as important. A life truly converted to the Lord Jesus Christ will still change the world.

The book of Acts is summarized in this manner . . . The Lord went up! The Spirit came down! The disciples went out! The lost came in! The Gospel conquered on! The vision of the church in every generation is to be like the first church in the book of Acts.

The church in the book of Acts was alive! They preached the resurrection of Jesus Christ with conviction. Christians were filled with the Holy Spirit, purity, and power. Like a great, mighty river, the Gospel in the church went forward rolling over every obstacle, giving salvation to all who drank from its life giving message.

“Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it.” (Ephesians 5:25) The Lord loves the church, and so should we. The church is the “bride” of Christ (Ephesians 5:31-32), the building of Christ (Ephesians 2:20-22), and the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-12). Our families are vital, and the church is the family of God. Home and church are God’s two great institutions for the welfare and blessing of humanity and each bless and come with love the third institution of government. Every person needs three homes . . . a loving earthly home, a heavenly home through Jesus, and a Bible preaching church home. We must love the church!

The book of Acts can be summarized in these statements—The Lord went up! The Spirit came down! The saints went out! The lost came in! The Gospel goes on! The book of Acts is an exciting account of the mighty works of God in establishing His church and a model for us. The church was alive! Our vision in 2011 is for the church alive being the church, the body of Christ to our needy world for God’s glory.

The Humility of Christmas—Philippians 2:5-8 The Humility of His Person—Philippians 2:5-7 The Humility of His Passion—Philippians 2:8 The Majesty of Christmas—Philippians 2:9-11 His Exalted Name—Philippians 2:9 The Bended Knees—Philippians 2:10-11 The Expectancy of Christmas—Philippians 2:12-16 Transformation in the Heart—Philippians 2:12-13 Our Sincerity—Philippians 2:12 His Sovereignty—Philippians 2:13 Tenderness in our Relationship—Philippians 2:1-4, 14 Testimony to the World—Philippians 2:15-16

Dr. Luke claims personal contact with the witnesses of the Gospel as he writes. He had interviewed Mary gaining first hand knowledge of the months before the birth of our Lord. Mary was called by God through the mighty angel Gabriel. Mary’s Christmas call from Heaven was met by her calm and determined commitment.

World Missions Month is a season where we celebrate what God is doing in using His people to fulfill the Great Commission of Jesus. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.” Matthew 28:19-20; “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” II Corinthians 5:20

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10 On the day which the world calls “Halloween,” we preach a message which give the truth about the other world, the spirit world, and life after death. Halloween often becomes a satanic interpretation of the spirit world, emphasizing ghosts, witches, the Devil, and the frightening power of evil.

“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God; praying always with all prayer . . .” Ephesians 6:16-18 The book of Ephesians tells the church what we have in Christ and how to live in Christ—

The book of Revelation is about That Day, the coming and return of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth. The information about That Day in Revelation is to bring life transformation to us Today.

Ephesians 6:10 says, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” The Christian must face the presence of evil and the personality of an Evil One which continually opposes God and ceaselessly attempts to destroy humanity and separate us from God’s love. We must be spiritually alert and spiritually strong in the Lord.

Revelation is the ultimate worship service recorded in Holy Scripture. The book of Revelation will correct the Spirit of the age and link us with God’s direction and Spirits will guide worship on earth. Remember, God promises a special blessing to those who read the Revelation. The purpose of this information about “That Day” is life transformation for today.

Dr. Randy Davis is the Executive Director of the Tennessee Baptist Convention.

The book of Revelation immediately takes us from earth to Heaven to help us live for Heaven while still on earth. Someone told G. Campbell Morgan, Pastor of Westminster Chapel in London, that the preacher must catch the spirit of the age. Immediately this great preacher answered, ‘God forgive the preacher who does that. The preacher’s business is to correct the spirit of the age.’

Revelation 4-5 is a striking Scriptural passage which gives us a glimpse into Heaven and a holy window through which to view the glories of our eternal home. We are limited, in our current fallen state, to understand or appreciate all that is awaiting us in Heaven as redeemed, Blood bought children of God through Jesus Christ. “But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.” I Corinthians 2:9-10

The message this Lord’s Day morning is about spiritual preparation for His coming and for the day we will see Christ face to face. At the funeral of Pastor A. W. Tozer it was said, “He lived for this day!” Are you preparing and living for the day when you will see Jesus? As children we enjoyed playing “Hide and Seek” on summer nights. Children took turns being “it,” or the person who does the looking for those hiding. The person who was “it” had to count to ten, slowly and loudly, to give the “hiders” time to find a clever hiding place so they would run back to home base first. The game was on when the “hunter” cried out “Ready or not, here I come!”

On the last day of the earthly ministry of Christ on earth on the day of His crucifixion, our Lord gave two great discourses on spiritual life. In the morning on the Mount of Olives overlooking the Eastern Gate of the Temple in Jerusalem, our Lord delivered the Olivet Discourse about His Second Coming. That evening in the Garden of Gethsemane, just at the foot of the Mount of Olives, our Saviour shared the ministry and work of the coming Holy Spirit and prayer as recorded in John 14-17. At the end of that discourse in the dark night, the soldiers led by Judas, put the Saviour in chains to be delivered to His determined destiny at Calvary.

On the last day of the earthly ministry of Christ on earth on the day of His crucifixion, our Lord gave two great discourses on spiritual life. In the morning on the Mount of Olives overlooking the Eastern Gate of the Temple in Jerusalem, our Lord delivered the Olivet Discourse about His Second Coming. That evening in the Garden of Gethsemane, just at the foot of the Mount of Olives, our Saviour shared the ministry and work of the coming Holy Spirit and prayer as recorded in John 14-17. At the end of that discourse in the dark night, the soldiers led by Judas, put the Saviour in chains to be delivered to His determined destiny at Calvary.

In the first message in the series on the Second Coming and end times we began by listing ten strong Biblical reasons we should preach on, study, think about, talk about, look, and hope for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. “Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.” Revelation 1:7 A summary of those ten reasons are on our website www.fbct.org and were distributed in the “Sunday’s Coming” devotional.

A theme will be sounded in these weeks of Bible study and preaching, the theme of Explanation which leads to Expectation or Information which leads to life Transformation. We will do our best to explain many passages in the Bible on the end times from Genesis to the Revelation. Each message will then declare that the explanation we learn must lead to expectation in holy, righteous living. Biblical information we receive must lead to life transformation today. “That Day” will change us “Today.”

Dennis Pulley, Associational Missionary, Cumberland Baptist Association.

Today we will look at God’s Word in the great Ephesians 5-6 passage on Spirit-Filled Family Living. Marriage and family are about Jesus, His Gospel, and His Glory. The commands to family members “go against” our natural, self-centered tendencies. Words like “submit,” “love,” or “obey” run contrary to our Adamic nature. (We all came from Adam, the original sinner.)

In the aftermath of the 2010 Floods, listen as Pastor Freeman shares truth from God's Word.

There is a God in Heaven, and life has a purpose.

Josh Phillips, Minister to Students

Message from Dr. John David Laida, Pastor Emeritus.

Imprisonment of God’s man—Acts 12:1-4 “Herod the King killed James the brother of John with the sword and . . . put him (Peter) into prison . . . intending, after (Passover) to bring him forth to the people (to kill him with the sword).”

Ephesians 6:18 may be the most comprehensive teaching on prayer in one verse in all the Word of God. The Bible instructs us as we pray to pray “in the Spirit.” As we engage Satan in the spiritual warfare of prayer, we rely on the anointing of God on our lives in the innermost heart.

Ephesians 6:18 may be the most comprehensive teaching on prayer in one verse in all the Word of God. The Bible instructs us as we pray to pray “in the Spirit.” As we engage Satan in the spiritual warfare of prayer, we rely on the anointing of God on our lives in the innermost heart.