MAY 11, 2025 IN-PERSON SERMON

Lessons from the Psalms: The Hard Work of the Christian Life

Psalm 141:1-10

1 O Lord, I call upon you; hasten to me! Give ear to my voice when I call to you!
2 Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!
3 Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!
4 Do not let my heart incline to any evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds in company with men who work iniquity, and let me not eat of their delicacies!
5 Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness; let him rebuke me—it is oil for my head; let my head not refuse it. Yet my prayer is continually against their evil deeds.
6 When their judges are thrown over the cliff, then they shall hear my words, for they are pleasant.
7 As when one plows and breaks up the earth, so shall our bones be scattered at the mouth of Sheol.
8 But my eyes are toward you, O God, my Lord; in you I seek refuge; leave me not defenseless!
9 Keep me from the trap that they have laid for me and from the snares of evildoers!
10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by safely.

If You and I Pray God's Way, Here are Five Foundational Words:
1. Confession
2. Praise
3. Thanksgiving
4. Requests
5. Intercession

I. Call on the Lord: Request His Help (Psalm 141:1-2)
1. Lift Your Voice to the Lord
2. Lift Your Hands to the Lord 

II. Call on the Lord: Seek His Wisdom (Psalm 141:3-4)
1. Speech
2. Heart
3. Actions
4. Relationships 

III. Call on the Lord: Pursue His Accountability (Psalm 141:5) 
1. Expect to be Asked the Hard Questions
2. Speak the Truth in Love
3. Learn to Receive Constructive Criticism  

VI. Call on the Lord: Declare His Victory (Psalm 141:6-7)
1. Learn the Source of Spiritual Warfare
2. Ask God to Deal with Your Spiritual Enemies
3. Continue To Speak God's Truth with Spiritual Courage   

V. Call on the Lord: Desire His Protection (Psalm 141:8-10) 
1. Keep Your Eyes on the Lord
2. Find Refuge in the Lord
3. Ask the Lord for Protection

MAY 11, 2025 STUDY GUIDE

Lessons from the Psalms: The Hard Work of the Christian Life

Psalm 141:1-10

Do you like or dislike hard work? Hard work builds character, strength, and toughness. The Bible isn't against work and sweat. As we honor mothers this weekend, take a moment and appreciate their hard work. A word of encouragement delights the soul. 

Many people believe that the Christian life is easy. If you serve in ministry, then all you do is sit around, sing songs, and share stories. Praise the Lord for times of fellowship, reflection, and testimonies. However, serving in ministry is hard work. Long hours. Bear burdens. Endless preparation. Consistent criticism. Spiritual battles.          

What do you know about prayer? Praying God's way is hard work. Jesus got up early in the morning and prayed (Mark 1:35). He spent an entire night in prayer (Luke 6:12). He prayed a personal and powerful prayer in a garden (Matthew 26:36-46). Are you satisfied with your prayer life? What is one thing you need to change about your conversations with the Lord? 

In your study group, take the time now to discuss the following five words. What do they mean? How do you practice them in your prayer life? 

• Confession

• Praise

• Thanksgiving 

• Requests

• Intercession

1. Call on the Lord: Request His Help (Psalm 141:1-2). David asked God for help. When was the last time you asked God to help you? You need to seek the Lord as a first response, not as a last resort. David prayed a bold and urgent prayer. In today's terminology, he asked God to run to him. What are you asking God to do in your life, marriage, or family? Are your prayers urgent? 

2. Call on the Lord: Seek His Wisdom (Psalm 141:3-4). David asked God to protect many things in his life. Has your mouth ever gotten you in trouble? When you open your mouth, you can get it right, or you can get it wrong. Talk about James 1:5 in your group. In these two verses, David asked God to protect four things. Can you name the four things? Are you seeking God's wisdom?  

3. Call on the Lord: Pursue His Accountability (Psalm 141:5). David testified to the spiritual value of accountability. He needed godly (righteous) people in his life. How are you accountable to the Lord and a few folks of the same gender? Pause and reflect on these questions: Who's asking you hard questions? Who's speaking truth to you in love? Are you open to constructive criticism?       

4. Call on the Lord: Declare His Victory (Psalm 141:6-7). David wrestled with the realities of victory and defeat. His enemies sought to crush him. However, God wanted him to be victorious. What does 2 Timothy 3:12 mean? As a believer in Jesus Christ, you need to prepare for the battlefield, not the playground. There's victory in Jesus! What victories do you celebrate now?   

5. Call on the Lord: Desire His Protection (Psalm 141:8-10). David's eyes were on the Lord. The Lord protected David. The enemy has many trophies. He's ruined and wrecked many lives, marriages, families, and churches. Following David's example, answer these three questions: (a) Are your eyes on the Lord? (b) Is He your refuge? (c) Are you asking Him for protection?  

The Christian life is hard work. To be successful, you need to call on the Lord as outlined in this week's study. Of the five areas, which one is your strongest, and which one is your weakest? 

Take a few moments and discuss the final three questions: 

• Looking at the five ways to call on the Lord, which one is the Spirit convicting you about now? Why? 

• This week's study emphasizes that hard work in general and praying God's way are challenging. Do you agree? Why or why not? 

• What's one practical step you can take this week to strengthen the area of prayer you identified as your weakest?  

Thank you for studying God's Word with us this week. May the Lord speak to you this weekend as you worship the true and living God!   

View all of the "Lessons from the Psalms" Sermon Series Study Guides at fbct.org/psalms. 

end of school bash

Wednesday, May 21 | 5:00-6:00pm

Join us on Wednesday, May 21 from 5-7pm for our End of School Bash Church-Wide Fellowship in the Grace Parking Lot for food, games, and inflatables. In case of rain, we will move into the Laida Fellowship Hall. We can’t wait to see you there!

WEDNESDAY NIGHT GROWTH GROUPS

Check out our Midweek Growth Groups on Wednesdays from 6:00-7:15pm. Don’t miss this opportunity to grow in Christ together!

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

SAVE THE DATE: June 16-20 l 9:00am-12noon
WHO: Entering Kindergarten to Completed 5th Grade
Preschool VBS is available for Volunteer children who are PreK and younger.
WHAT: A 5-day intensive Biblical learning experience for kids that is also FUN for kids and teachers alike! Our kids kick-off the day with Worship Rally, then rotate through Bible study, Rec., Missions, Snacks, Crafts, MORE!
WHEN: June 16-20 | 9am-12noon
COST: FREE
Get Involved: Interested in joining the team as a leader or volunteer? Email vbs@fbct.org for more information.

ALL VBS Adult Volunteers will be required to pass a background check and Ministry Safe Training.

Volunteer Early to reserve your VBS shirt.
Learn more and register to volunteer at fbct.org/vbs.
Child registration is OPEN ! Register at fbct.org/vbs.

CHURCH-WIDE VBS TRAINING

We will have church-wide VBS training on May 18, 2025 from 3-5pm. We will provide childcare for volunteers with children Kindergarten age and younger. Register for childcare at fbct.org/vbs.

VBS PREP WEEK

We will also provide childcare during VBS Prep week for volunteers who have children Kindergarten and younger. Register for childcare at fbct.org/vbs.

BASKETBALL CAMP

June 16-19 | 1:00-3:30pm | FBCT Gym

Kids/Students, completed 5th grade through completed 7th grade, join us for Basketball Camp June 16-19 from 1:00-3:30pm (following VBS) in the First Baptist Gym. Cost is $10 per person. Please wear tennis shoes and bring your water bottle! Spots are limited so registration is required! Learn more at fbct.org/basketballcamp.

KIDS MUSIC CAMP 2025

THE AGAPE LEAGUE

For children in completed K through completed 5th Grade

• Auditions: May 14th | 5:00pm-7:10pm
  (for acting parts and/or singing solos)

• Music Camp: July 14th-18th | 9:00am-noon

• Musical Presentation: Saturday, July 19th at 5:00pm

Camp choir books and CDs will be available in the church office Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:00pm.

General Agape has called the mighty Agape League together to solve a crisis in Suburbiana City, high in the mountains in the impenetrable Agape Fortress! Calling on the super-powered fruits of the spirit available to every follower of Christ, these heroes must face an enemy within their ranks when Ironblade forgets his superhero identity (self-control) and becomes entangled in the pervasive worldly culture. Things worsen when they learn that the entire group faces the same fate unless each member continues to exhibit their gifts! Will the League recover its powers? Will the citizens of Suburbia City be saved? Will the source of true power – God’s Word – finally be utilized before time runs out? Find out in the latest release from Word Kids, The Agape League: Superheroes of the Spirit! Acclaimed children’s writer Christy Semsen has delivered another high-powered production that is super-sized in every way: a high-octane story, clever dialogue, dynamic contemporary songs, and uncompromising spiritual truth.

Learn more and register at fbct.org/musiccamp.

Kids Camp 2025

Camp will be at Jonathan Creek in Hardin, KY from July 24th-July 27th, 2025.

Completed 2nd- 5th graders are invited to attend.

Early Bird Registration:
$60 deposit by June 10th, $280 total cost due by July 23rd.

Regular Registration :
June 10th - July 17th: $75 deposit, $310 total camp cost due by July 23rd.

• Current 2025 Medical Release Forms are required to attend.

• A separate form is required for each child.

We are excited to be returning to Crossings Kids Camp at Jonathan Creek for our 7th year!

Crossings Kids Camp is at Jonathan Creek located in Hardin, KY (just an hour and fifteen minutes away). Kids will experience Christ-centered worship, solid Gospel teaching, intentional small group times, exciting water sports, climbing, zip lines and more! Feel free to check out their website at gocrossings.org.

Please fill out a separate form for each child.

Sign up at fbct.org/kidscamp.

FIRST STEPS CLASS

UPCOMING CLASS: SEPTEMBER 21, 2025, 12-2pm

LOCATION: hope BUILDING, original fellowship hall

Our First Steps class is designed for new members and guests. We invite you to join our Senior Pastor, Dr. Ronny Raines, and our ministry team for our next membership class. We'll treat you to a delicious lunch and then help you discover how God wants to use you at First Baptist Church. As you attend the class, we'll cover the following subjects:

• A personal relationship with Jesus Christ

• Meaning of church membership

• Biblical baptism

• The Lord's Supper

• The church's beliefs and vision

• Opportunities to give

• Ways to serve in the church

• Ministries at First Baptist Church 

• Meet our ministry team

• Time for Q&A

• Tour our church facilities

We hope you'll join us for our next First Steps class. You can register by filling out the online form HERE or contacting Dana in the pastor's office at 931.245.0000 or dana.abee@fbct.org.

FIRST BAPTIST MUSIC

Check out all of the First Baptist Worship Team videos from our online worship services at fbct.org/music.

THE VOICE - MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

Stay up to date with all that is going with our monthly newsletter, the Voice! Visit fbct.org/voice!

MEMBERSHIP AND GIVING TOOLS

Fellowship, Worship and Discipleship are fundamental to an obedient life in Christ. First Baptist Church maintains several tools to help us stay connected, share and offer the sacrifice of praise, and grow together. Scroll to the bottom of the home page at fbct.org and click on "app" to see options for adding these tools to your phone or other device. You can use these tools to stay connected to your discipleship group, contact the church, watch past worship services and sermons, as well as support the FBC financially as the Lord directs for you and your family. There are even instructions for how to access these tools using your web browser.

Using these apps, updating your profile information to share with the church is easy. When changes occur in your family life such as a move to a new home, change in email address, etc. you can update your information to be sure that our communication with you is efficient. You can even add a picture to make it easier for your church family to put a name with a face!

Information about any groups that might be of interest to you, such as Connect Groups, teams, committees, etc will be available as well.  Group Leaders can use the tools to take attendance online and access other features.  You can contact the church through the app, read messages from group members/leaders and browse the church directory.

Check out fbct.org/app  for instructions on how to get the app and reach the membership and giving website.

LOVE the time of worship through song today? You can follow us on Spotify and listen to our playlist each week! Follow us on Spotify “First Clarksville” and sing along!