JUly 19, 2026 SERMON NOTES

Guest Preacher: Dr. Roger Freeman, Former Pastor of First Baptist Church Clarksville

“The Glory of His Grace” (Parable of the Eleventh Hour Servant) 

Matthew 20:1-16 (NKJV)
1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went. 5 Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day?’ 7 They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.’ 8 “So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.’ 9 And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. 10 But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius. 11 And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner, 12 saying, ‘These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.’ 13 But he answered one of them and said, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. 15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?’ 16 So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.”

I. The Rarity of Grace (Matthew 20:1-8)
Luke 4:18-19

II. The Riches of Grace (Matthew 20:8-10)
John 1:14-16, Acts 15:11, 2 Corinthians 8:9

III. The Righteousness of Grace (Matthew 20:4)
Romans 3:24-26

IV. The Rest in Grace (Matthew 20:16)
Matthew 11:28-30, Hebrews 4:16, Psalm 116:7

V. The Reach of Grace

Reflection and Applications 

• Do you identify with the early morning workers or the “eleventh-hour” workers? 

• The early morning workers are like self-righteous men claiming their good works merited more than another person’s. The eleventh-hour workers illustrate people grateful to be chosen by grace. Luke 15:18-20

• Give God the glory that all in your life is a gift of grace and that everything you are and have, even the air you breathe, are from God and His grace!  Romans 11:36

• Receive the grace of God and full forgiveness by the blood of Jesus for peace from your past sins and hope for your future. “There’s room at the cross for you.”

• Give grace to those who need it. Proverbs 17:9

• Share the Gospel even with the least likely to believe.  Luke 23:42-43

View all of the "Acts" Sermon Series Study Guides at fbct.org/acts. 

LEGACY VBS

July 27-29 | 9:00-11:40am | fbct.org/legacyvbs

Are you 55 or older and seeking a wonderful way to connect, learn, and have a blast? We invite you to our FREE Legacy Adult Vacation Bible School!

Get ready for three days packed with joy and inspiration! Dive deep into Bible study each day that will enrich your spirit, participate in engaging breakout sessions where you can share and grow together, and savor delicious snacks that will keep you energized. But most importantly, come and enjoy fellowship and fun with a community of amazing people just like you! This is a golden opportunity to strengthen your faith, create lasting memories, and forge new friendships in a warm, welcoming environment. Don't miss out on being part of this incredible journey.

Theme: Heaven 

SCHEDULE

• 9:00–9:05 AM: Welcome & Hymn 

• 9:05–9:55 AM: Bible Study on Heaven – James Sanders (50 min)

• 9:55–10:05 AM: Break 

• 10:05–10:45 AM: Breakout #1 (40 min) 

• 10:45–10:50 AM: Switch Rooms (5 min) 

• 10:50–11:30 AM: Breakout #2 (40 min) 

• 11:30–11:40 AM: Wrap-Up & Dismiss (10 min) 

MONDAY BREAKOUTS 

• Pat Van Dyke singing Old Hymns

• Bible Trivia Game

TUESDAY BREAKOUTS 

• Breakout #1: Connie Burchett - Move Well, Staying Strong & Mobile

• Breakout #2: Pam Carter - Live Well, Staying Mentally Strong 

WEDNESDAY BREAKOUTS 

• Breakout #1: Pastor Ronny - "Heart-to-Heart with Pastor Ronny”

• Breakout #2: Bro. Erdie - Understanding the Bible Translations, which ones to use.

Backpacks for
Norman Smith Elementary School

Help us bless students in need as they begin a new school year! Our church is filling 50 backpacks for children at Norman Smith Elementary School. The backpacks have already been provided—we just need your help filling them with school supplies.

Supplies needed:
No. 2 pencils, dry-erase markers, glue sticks, Crayola crayons, colored pencils, composition notebooks, wide-rule loose-leaf paper, tissues, and baby wipes.

Please place donations in the collection bins located in the Sanctuary Concourse or on the Missions Landing by Sunday, August 9. Our Student Ministry will stuff the backpacks on Wednesday, August 12.

Questions? Contact rick.thompson@fbct.org or visit fbct.org/backpacks.

Thank you for helping our local students start the school year prepared and encouraged!

Connect Group Leader Training

August 2 | 3:00–5:00 PM

Every Sunday, God places opportunities around us that extend far beyond the walls of our classroom. Join us on Sunday, August 2, from 3:00–5:00 PM for our Connect Group Leader Training, "Seeing Beyond Sunday Morning." Together, we will explore practical ways to identify and engage the people God has placed within our reach, strengthen connections with those already in our groups, and develop a greater vision for ministry beyond weekly attendance. Whether you are a seasoned leader or new to leading a Connect Group, this training will equip and encourage you to move from simply teaching a class to intentionally reaching people. Come ready to be challenged, inspired, and equipped to make a greater impact for the Kingdom. Childcare registration is required. Childcare registration closes on Thursday, July 30. Regsiter at fbct.org/training or scan the QR Code.

BACK TO SCHOOL SPLASH 

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5 | 5-7PM | GRACE PARKING LOT

We invite you and your entire family to join us on Wednesday, August 5 from 5-7pm in the Grace Parking Lot for our Back to School SPLASH! We can’t wait to celebrate the new school year with water inflatables and food that will include hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, cookies, ice cream, bottled water and sodas. We will have LOTS of water inflatables and water fun for all ages: babies-Students/adults! In case of inclement weather, we will move indoors to the Laida Fellowship Hall.

Going Beyond:
Women’s Virtual Event with Priscilla Shirer

Ladies, join us on Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. for a one-day virtual event designed to help you seek and experience Jesus in a powerful, personal way.

Together, we will hear Scripture-based teaching from Priscilla Shirer, be encouraged to walk boldly in faith, participate in intentional moments of prayer, and enjoy meaningful worship led by Anthony Evans.

Whether you come feeling spiritually dry or full of expectation, this event offers space to rest, reconnect, enjoy fellowship with other women, and be reminded of the truth and power of God’s Word.

Cost: $20 per person
Doors open at 8:30 a.m.

Childcare is available for children in 3rd grade and younger with registration by Wednesday, August 26, 2026.

Register today at fbct.org/goingbeyond!

GROWTH GROUPS

NEW Growth Groups are available, and we’d love for you to get connected! Check out all of the new 2026 Growth Groups and sign up today at fbct.org/growthgroups.

FIRST STEPS CLASS

UPCOMING CLASS: Wednesday, September 9, 2026

DINNER: 4:30-5:40PM

CLASS: 6:00PM Grace BUILDING, 3rd Floor Steeple Landing

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 meal in the Laida Fellowship Hall, 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 at fbct.org/firststeps or by 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!