First Baptist Church Muncie Indiana

As we come to the final worship celebration of the season of Advent, we light the white Christ candle. We celebrate the fact that God broke into darkness; He came as light into the world to redeem us. This shattering of darkness took the form of a child, a son. As we gather on Christmas Eve, we celebrate this child is the one who fulfills the words of Isaiah, the promises of God from ages past. This year, the Christmas Eve service will be virtual only.

In this final Sunday of Advent, we consider the extreme faith and submission of Mary. Mary is visited by the angel Gabriel and told that her life is about to dramatically change. His news must have been disturbing and filled with uncertainty. May we be challenged to live in the same sort of all-out trust in God’s movement in our lives. Full Live Stream Video K-2nd Grade 3rd-5th Grade

The prophet speaks of the coming Messiah as one who will seal the covenant of God with His people. This covenant is rooted in the character of God and provides a permanence that is beyond our performance. Full Live Stream Video K-2nd Grade 3rd-5th Grade

In this season of Advent, we celebrate the coming of Jesus. In Isaiah 40, the prophet reminds the people that God deeply desires to rescue them. The prophet declares that God is making a highway to rescue us, we are incapable of our own rescue (we are grass), and God’s promise is good news for us. Full Live Stream Video K-2nd Grade 3rd-5th Grade

Advent is the season of waiting, yearning for God to show up. The Old Testament prophets lived in the tension of two truths. God is able to deliver His people. Yet, His people are in terrible shape. Are they beyond repair? Why would God respond to a people so far gone? It is in this tension that Isaiah calls for God to respond. In Isaiah 64, Isaiah pleads for God to do the impossible, to redeem His people. Full Live Stream Video Pre-K K-2nd Grade 3rd-5th Grade

As we approach Thanksgiving this week, it might be easy to lament the many trials of 2020. However, as we consider the many blessings, even through the difficulties, we can enter this season with a heart of gratitude. K-2nd Grade 3rd-5th Grade

As we continue a brief series on gratitude, we consider Mary’s heart of thankfulness expressed in her response to the news of her pregnancy. Mary’s response challenges us toward a similar posture in our uncertain times. Full Live Stream Video K-2nd Grade 3rd-5th Grade

The psalmist in chapter 107 instructs the reader to thank God for his intense love and marvelous deeds. Too often, we go about our days neglecting to give God credit for who He is and what he has done. As we consider this text, we are challenged to live lives with a thankful heart. Full Live Stream Video K-2nd Grade 3rd-5th Grade

As Jesus instructs his followers in Kingdom living, he uses a dramatic illustration. We are walking around attempting to remove specks from the eyes of others while a plank protrudes from our own eye. In turn, we should treat others the way we would want to be treated. Full Live Stream Video K-2nd Grade 3rd-5th Grade

Jesus uses tangible, visible illustrations to remind us of God’s provision in our lives. The birds of the air and the plants in the fields (flowers and grass) have all they need. Our Father cares for them and provides for them. As far more valuable creations, we can trust God to care for us. Jesus instructs us to relinquish our worry and place our faith in God’s supplying our essential needs, focusing our energy instead on the Kingdom of God. Full Live Stream Video

Jesus instructs us to be careful where we place our stockpiles, our treasures. He instructs us to build them in eternal places. As we do so, our hearts will gravitate toward those places. Full Live Stream Video

Jesus continues to challenge the motives of our spiritual practices. In Matthew 6:6-18, he speaks of the fasting of the hypocrites. Through this study, we learn the purpose and manner of fasting. May God challenge our intentions of our spiritual disciplines. Full Live Stream Video K-2nd Grade Sunday School 3rd-5th Grade Sunday School

In Matthew 6:5-15, Jesus teaches us how to pray. While this seems like an interruption to Jesus' point of humility in righteous acts, it helps up properly address our father who loves us and knows what we need. Full Live Stream Video

As we continue in our series on the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus challenges our motivation in giving and praying. Are we doing righteous acts to highlight our spirituality. Are we attempting to impress those around us or are we simply focused on pleasing God. As we study Matthew 6:1-6, we are challenged by Jesus instructions to act in secret. Full Live Stream Video

Jesus continues to challenge us in the Sermon on the Mount. In this week’s passage, we are commanded to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. As we take this action, we are enabled to grow up, mature in our faith. Full Live Stream Video

As Paul closes his letter to the church at Philippi. He reflects on the provisions received from Epaphroditus. He is careful to express his gratitude to God without encouraging a patron relationship that was so common in the first century. We can learn much from Paul’s understanding of financial support for spiritual leaders. Full Live Stream Video

As Paul instructs the church at Philippi to resist anxiety and accept the peace of God, he urges them to consider what they observe and meditate upon. He urges them to consider all that is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. As we consider these descriptions, we are challenged to do the same. Full Live Stream Video Pre-K Sunday School K-2nd Grade Sunday School

Paul’s imprisonment is a difficult life circumstance; he is not sure if he will make it out alive. All the while, the church at Philippi is struggling with persecution and false teachers. It is into this context that Paul instructs the church to avoid anxiety by presenting their petitions to God. He assures them that God’s peace will overwhelm them and continue to protect them. Full Live Stream Video 3rd-5th Sunday School

As we flip over to chapter 4 in our Philippians study, Paul addresses the church with deep affection. He then calls out two women who seem to be in conflict with one another. Paul realizes how quickly a church family can be divided and destroyed. We can learn much from these words as we consider how we function at First Baptist Church Muncie. Full Live Stream Video Pre-K Sunday School K-2nd Grade Sunday School 3rd-5th Sunday School

Paul has learned to reframe his perspective. He looks past his current circumstances and looks forward to God’s ultimate plan to rescue and redeem His people. Like running a race, Paul has his eye on the finish line. Paul goes a step further and urges the church at Philippi to follow his example in this. Full Live Stream Video K-2nd Grade Sunday School 3rd-5th Sunday School

Paul calls out the methods of false teachers, highlights his resume in light of their tactics, but quickly crumbles it up and throws it away. He then calls the church at Philippi to take a different approach, one of knowing Jesus. Knowing Jesus involves giving up, laying down, joining Him in his sufferings. But in doing this, we will also be able to participate in His resurrection. Full Live Stream Video K-2nd Grade Sunday School

The final verses in Philippians 2 (19-30) could be seen as minor instructions pertaining to Paul’s companions. They give an indication of how Paul plans to send these fellow servants back to Philippi. But as we dig a bit deeper, we discover powerful descriptions that point us toward faithful service to Christ. These verses help us examine how we might serve God in the same sort of way. Full Live Stream Video Pre-K Sunday School K-2nd Grade Sunday School 3rd-5th Sunday School

Paul’s desire to please God far outweighs his desire for his own comfort, status, or reputation. He challenges the church at Philippi to have the same sort of mindset. In Philippians 2:12-18, Paul urges them to work out how to please God in the midst of difficult situations. In the same way, we must consider this dynamic in our lives. Who are we trying to please? Full Live Stream Video Pre-K Sunday School K-2nd Grade Sunday School

Paul turns from a discussion about his imprisonment to instruction to the church at Philippi. He prompts them to reflect on the ways in which they have benefited from Christ and encourages them to model the posture of Christ. He bids them to relinquish selfish ambition and vanity in order to take on humility and an others first mindset. In doing this, the church will complete Paul’s joy. Full Live Stream Video K-2nd Grade Sunday School 3rd-5th Sunday School

As Paul writes to the church at Philippi, he is imprisoned with an uncertain fate. Yet in this letter, he expresses joy and trust that God will provide deliverance. But in Paul’s mind, deliverance does not necessarily mean an improvement in circumstances. It might be death. Paul relentless trust in God in every circumstance prompts us to consider our response to the challenges of 2020. Full Live Stream Video Pre-K Sunday School K-2nd Grade Sunday School 3rd-5th Sunday School

As we begin our study in Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi, we consider how he re-frames the difficult circumstances of his imprisonment as well as other church problems. Paul is filled with joy in the midst of a chaotic world. He is sure that God is working and moving in the difficult situations at hand. As we consider the troublesome days of 2020, these words have incredible application to us. Full Live Stream Video Pre-K Sunday School K-2nd Grade Sunday School 3rd-5th Sunday School

Jesus’ instructions to non-retaliation are perhaps the most difficult words in the Sermon on the Mount. Our concern for justice often serves as an excuse to give people what they deserve. Yet Jesus proposes a radical, generous, forgiving posture toward those who mistreat us. Full Live Stream Video Music Videos Pre-K Sunday School K-2nd Grade Sunday School 3rd-5th Sunday School

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus forbids his followers from swearing. In the Kingdom of God, we are called to live lives of raw honesty in the light of world that devalues commitments. We should not escalate our words in order to heighten our level of honesty. We should live lives of simple honesty in all we say and do. Full Live Stream Video Music Videos K-2nd Grade Sunday School 3rd-5th Sunday School

Marriage and divorce are important and complicated issues throughout the Bible. Jesus exposes the permissiveness of the first century religious leaders in regards to divorce. He raises the standard for marriage and reconciliation. As we discuss the issue of divorce, we survey other parts of the New Testament for a more complete understanding of this complex issue. Full Live Stream Video Music Videos Pre-K Sunday School K-2nd Grade Sunday School 3rd-5th Sunday School

This has not been an easy year. With the COVID-19 Pandemic, the economic implications of the pandemic, along with the recent events surrounding the tragic death of George Floyd, our world seems out of control. At the same time, voices from all directions are speaking. How do we know who is telling the truth and who is twisting the narrative for their own purposes. How do we respond to all that we are seeing and hearing as followers of Jesus? James gives us insight into these issues. Full Live Stream Video Music Videos Pre-K Sunday School K-2nd Grade Sunday School 3rd-5th Sunday School

Jesus calls his followers to radical adherence to the Law. More than just remaining in the bounds of rules, Jesus prompts us to stop sin at the source. In Matthew 5:27-30, Jesus directs us away from lust and calls us to submit our eyes and hands to him as we seek to love one another. Full Live Stream Video Music Videos Pre-K Sunday School K-2nd Grade Sunday School 3rd-5th Sunday School

As Jesus expands and fulfills the Law, he addresses specific topics. He raises the bar on the issue of murder. While the Law forbids murder, Jesus prohibits anger. God calls us to reconcile in radical ways as we learn to live in His Kingdom. Full Live Stream Video Announcements Music Videos Pre-K Sunday School K-2nd Grade Sunday School

In Matthew 5:17-20, Jesus warns against throwing out the Old Testament in light of his life and ministry. Rather, Jesus explains his fulfillment of the Old Testament. As we read all of God’s story, from Genesis to Revelation, through the lens of Jesus, we discover how Jesus completes what God plan to restore his creation. Full Live Stream Video Music Videos Pre-K Sunday School K-2nd Grade Sunday School 3rd-5th Sunday School

On Mother’s Day, we take a break from the Sermon on the Mount series to travel a bit further back in time. We reflect on the story of Samuel’s mother, Hannah. As a barren woman she was grief stricken. God comes to her in her brokenness and provides a child. Through this story, we learn much about what it means to be a mother. At the same time, we also learn what it means to bring our heartache to God. Full Live Stream Video Music Videos Pre-K Sunday School 3rd-5th Sunday School

The familiar passage about salt and light is often simplified into Jesus’ followers serving as moral influencers in our broken world. Yet the story of God provides a greater calling for us. We are created by God in His image and called to be a kingdom of priests in our world. As we explore several passages throughout God’s story, we can read Matthew 5:13-16 as call to live out this grand purpose in the places where God has placed us. Music Videos We have several videos for you this week. We would suggest you listen in this order if you prefer traditional service style: Also, you can use this video as a meditation as you take communion: If you prefer contemporary, you can watch the video below before or after the sermon: Pre-K Sunday School K-2nd Grade Sunday School 3rd-5th Sunday School Children’s Stories We have two children’s stories on the YouTube channel from last week. If you missed them, you might want to watch them this week.

As we come once again to the passage we call The Beatitudes, we consider how counter cultural and counter religious Jesus’ description of his followers might seem. Yet as we explore why Jesus must have opened his sermon with this description, we begin to rethink spiritual success. Music Videos We have several videos for you this week. We would suggest you listen in this order if you prefer traditional service style: If you prefer contemporary, you can watch the video below before or after the sermon: This is a suggested closing video: Pre-K Sunday School K-2nd Grade Sunday School 3rd-5th Sunday School Children’s Stories We have two children’s stories on the YouTube channel now.

As we prepare for our study on the Sermon on the Mount, we explore how to read this ever important section of Matthew’s gospel. Too often, we attempt to redefine Jesus’ words in light of the ethical systems of our day. Instead, we need to understand Jesus as the authoritative Messiah who is forming a people to fulfill the mission of God in the world. Music Videos We have several videos for you this week. We would suggest you listen in this order if you prefer traditional service style: Then listen to the sermon, followed by this video. If you prefer contemporary, you can watch the video below before or after the sermon. Pre-K Sunday School K-2nd Grade Sunday School 3rd-5th Sunday School

It is Resurrection Sunday and we gather to celebrate the Risen Christ. We will explore Mark and Matthew’s accounts to get a full picture of the story. Because of the Risen Christ, death is defeated and the Kingdom of God can be established. Music Videos Pre-K Sunday School K-2nd Grade Sunday School 3rd-5th Sunday School Live Stream Recording If you would like to watch a replay of the live stream, you can watch below.

As we begin Holy Week, we will walk through the story of Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion. Jesus’ control and determination to fulfill his mission are stunning. He could have called it off at any point. Yet, he willingly steps into pain, suffering, humiliation in order to rescue us. Music Videos Pre-K Sunday School K-2nd Grade Sunday School 3rd-5th Sunday School Good Friday Story from Molly Holy Week Ideas Finally, Clif has put togteher a list of ideas for Holy Week. You can download a PDF of the ideas. Holy Week Ideas

As we venture with Jesus into the Garden of Gethsemane, we explore Jesus’ courageous prayer in contract to the failings of the disciples. We consider how God might be calling us to surrender to his will rather than following our own. Videos from Molly and Julie (organ) Videos from Caleb Rolling Pre-K Sunday School K-2nd Grade Sunday School 3rd-5th Sunday School

The story of the rich young man in Matthew 19 challenges our understanding of wealth. But more importantly, it confronts the notion that we can earn eternal life by doing some good deed. Only as we give up and follow Jesus can we discover what it means to enter the Kingdom of God.

In this video podcast, our pastor addresses the congregation at First Baptist Church in Muncie in the wake of the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic. As we explore the Bible’s teaching around fear, anxiety, and peace, we remember God’s instruction to trust and rely on Him alone. We often see how fear and faith live in contrast to one another. May God provide all that we need and guide us in this season of uncertainty.

Northern Seminary President Bill Shiell preaches on Jesus’ teaching about children. This special combined service will be at 10:45 AM.

Peter asks Jesus an honest question. He wants to know how far forgiveness can go. How many times do we forgive? Jesus answers his question with a story, a parable. In Matthew 18:21-35, we are challenged with the parable of the unforgiving servant. As we read the story, we relate to the astonishing inconsistency. For those of us who have received forgiveness, we discover the necessity to do the same for others.

The season of Epiphany ends with the story of the Transfiguration. In this story Jesus turns toward the Cross. On this dynamic occasion, Jesus takes Peter, James and John with him to the top of mountain. There they experience an impressive display of God’s power, along with an affirmation of Jesus’ identity. The Transfiguration reminds us of God’s mission through the work of Jesus on the Cross.

In the season of Valentine’s Day, we think a lot about hearts. In Matthew 5:21-37, Jesus is not talking about romantic love. He calls us to examine our hearts in terms of sin. As we continue our study on Jesus’ words, we are challenged to allow God to do the inner work of transforming our hearts. Adjusting our actions is impossible without a change of heart.

In Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus challenges His followers to be salt and light. Through these tangible symbols, Jesus describes the impact that we should make in our world. Through His power, we can change the world in which we live.

Jesus gathers his disciples on a mountainside to teach them about true happiness. His words must have surprised them; they still catch us off guard today. This well-known passage is often referred to as The Beatitudes. Join us as we explore these challenging words together. Matthew 5:1-12

In Matthew 4:12-23 Jesus leaves his hometown to begin his ministry. His actions are decisive; there is no turning back. He invites others to join Him on His mission. They too are quick to respond. They drop everything (right in the middle of their work) to join him. As we study this text together, we are reminded of what it looks like to follow Jesus.

Caleb Rolling is a student at Taylor University. He is serving as a mentee at First Baptist. Caleb is preaching from Colossians 1:15-20.

John the Baptist was deemed the greatest man every born by Jesus. He was faithful to God’s calling to live in the desert, eat locusts and honey, preach a bold and offensive message. In fact, he would be killed for this valiant message. Yet when Jesus approaches him for baptism, John’s initial response was to forbid Jesus. We will explore how John’s tendency continues to be our own experience.