First Baptist Church of Westwood

Yesterday I preached about the temptation of Jesus by the devil in the wilderness.  Jesus overcame each of the devils temptations using the Word of God.  We can learn about from these temptations regarding overcoming our own temptation to sin.   Sermon by Rev. Dan Squezello At First Baptist Church of Westwood On February 4, 2018  Title: "Fighting Off Temptation" Text: Luke 4:1-13 www.fbcwonline.info LIKE US ON FACEBOOK!https://archive.org/download/FightingOffTemptation/TheBaptismOfJesus.mp3

Yesterday I preached about the baptism of Jesus which John the Baptist said was going to take place.  John tells us in Luke 3 that Jesus will baptize us with the Holy Spirit and fire.  The reality is that we have two options; turn to Jesus or turn away from Him.  If you turn to Jesus your baptism will be that of the Holy Spirit.  If you turn away from Him the only remaining option is baptism by fire in hell.  I know that is blunt but that is the truth.  There is no getting around it.  This is why it is so important for Christians to tell others about Christ because if we don't, no one else will.Sermon by Rev. Dan SquezelloAt First Baptist Church of WestwoodOn January 28, 2018 Title: "The Baptism of Jesus"Text: Luke 3:15-22www.fbcwonline.infoLIKE US ON FACEBOOK!https://archive.org/download/TheBaptismOfJesus_1000/TheBaptismOfJesus.mp3

On Sunday I preached about John the Baptist's message of repentance and talked about how Christians can learn a lot from John's message.  To repent means to have the evidence of the change which took place within an individual.  Salvation in Christ is essential for our eternal security but what comes next?  Christians NEED to "bear fruit in keeping with repentance."Sermon by Rev. Dan SquezelloAt First Baptist Church of WestwoodOn January 21, 2018 Title: "The Message of John the Baptist"Text: Luke 3:1-14www.fbcwonline.infoLIKE US ON FACEBOOK!https://archive.org/download/TheMessageOfJohnTheBaptist/TheMessageOfJohnTheBaptist.mp3

Sunday morning I preached about the biggest missing child case in human history; when Mary and Joseph "lost" Jesus in Jerusalem following celebrating the Passover holiday and the Feast of Unleavened Bread.  I cannot even imagine misplacing my children but can you even begin to think about what was going through Mary and Joseph's minds as they were looking for Jesus?  They misplaced God!  That is a big parenting fail if I ever saw one before.  Have you misplaced Jesus in your life?  In my sermon from Sunday I make three statements which help both the Christian and non-Christian avoid misplacing or losing Jesus.    Sermon by Rev. Dan SquezelloAt First Baptist Church of WestwoodOn January 7, 2018 Title: "Finding Jesus"Text: Luke 2:39-52www.fbcwonline.infoLIKE US ON FACEBOOK!https://archive.org/download/FindingJesus/FindingJesus.mp3

On Sunday morning we continued in the Gospel of Luke and took a look at two people whom we know very little about yet we can learn so much from them.  These two people are Simeon and Anna; both of who met Jesus the Messiah within the first forty days of His life.  I pointed out to my congregation that a righteous and devout Christian will clearly be different people; standing out to both other Christians and non-Christians.   Sermon by Rev. Dan SquezelloAt First Baptist Church of WestwoodOn December 31, 2017 Title: "A Godly Example"Text: Luke 2:21-38www.fbcwonline.infoLIKE US ON FACEBOOK!https://archive.org/download/AGodlyExample_616/AGodlyExample.mp3

On Sunday evening we had our annual Christmas Eve Service.  In my short sermon I talked about how God has authority over everything.  The point I was trying to make was that even in the mist of your frustrations and confusion, God is in control.  WHY?  Because "Nothing is impossible with God."Sermon by Rev. Dan SquezelloAt First Baptist Church of WestwoodOn December 24, 2017 at our Christmas Eve ServiceTitle: "Nothing is Impossible with God"Text: Luke 1:37 & 2:1-20www.fbcwonline.infoLIKE US ON FACEBOOK!https://archive.org/download/NothingIsImpossibleWithGod/ChristmasEveService-NothingIsImpossibleWithGod.mp3

On Sunday morning we lit the final candle on our advent wreath (we lit the Christ Candle at our Christmas Eve Service.)  Joy is a powerful thing.  It is so easy to get discouraged but isn't it amazing how much joy does for someone?  Whenever I get frustrated or discouraged I like to put on a Christian comedy channel on Pandora.  People like Jeff Allen, Bob Smiley, Tim Hawkins, Ken Davis, Mark Lowey, etc. always seem to make me laugh; and lift me right up.  The greatest joy we can ever receive is the joy that comes from Jesus the Messiah.  If you do not know Christ you will never truly have joy.  In my Christmas Eve morning sermon I preached about the response the shepherds made upon receiving the joy which comes only through Christ.      Sermon by Rev. Dan SquezelloAt First Baptist Church of WestwoodOn December 24, 2017Title: "Joy from the Messiah"Text: Luke 2:15-20www.fbcwonline.infoLIKE US ON FACEBOOK!https://archive.org/download/JoyFromTheMessiah/JoyFromTheMessiah.mp3

On Sunday we lit the third Advent Candle (The Angel's Candle or the Peace Candle).  We looked at the amazing announcement of Jesus' birth to the shepherds and specifically Luke 2:14 which says, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."  Those of us who follow Jesus and have accepted Him as our Lord and Savior have true peace in our lives.  While we might face discord in this world we know that we will have peace in the future when we are in heaven.  Despite the hardships of this life we also have peace through Christ.    Sermon by Rev. Dan SquezelloAt First Baptist Church of WestwoodOn December 17, 2017Title: "The Peace of the Messiah"Text: Luke 2:8-14www.fbcwonline.infoLIKE US ON FACEBOOK! https://archive.org/download/ThePeaceOfTheMessiah/ThePeaceOfTheMessiah.mp3

On Sunday we lit the second Advent Candle (Mary's Candle or the Love Candle).  We studied through the beginning of Luke and the foretelling and birth of Christ.  In my sermon I point out that Mary showed devotion and love for God and her people (the Israelites.)  I told my group that Christians are called to love God and love others.  Check it out!  Sermon by Rev. Dan Squezello At First Baptist Church of Westwood On December 10, 2017 Title: "A Savior's Love"Text: Luke 1:26-2:7 www.fbcwonline.info LIKE US ON FACEBOOK! https://archive.org/download/ASaviorsLove/ASaviorsLove.mp3

Yesterday we took a break from 1 Corinthians to start a four week study on the birth of Christ.  Ever since I was a young boy one of my fondest memories of Christmas was the lighting of the Advent Candles.  I remember being told what they stood for but not giving this much thought to it at the time.  Well, starting yesterday and going right through Christmas Eve we will be studying the meaning behind each Advent Candle; starting with "The Prophet's Candle."  The overall theme of this candle was the hope we receive from the Messiah.  I preached through Isaiah 9:1-7 told my group that "We have hope in Jesus, the Messiah."Sermon by Rev. Dan Squezello At First Baptist Church of Westwood On December 3, 2017 Title: "FROM GLOOM TO HOPE: The Messiah Has Come!"Text: Isaiah 9:1-7 www.fbcwonline.info LIKE US ON FACEBOOK! https://archive.org/download/FromGloomToHopeTheMessiahHasCome/FromGloomToHope.mp3

Yesterday we finished off 1 Corinthians 11 and Pal's thoughts on the Lord's Supper.  I believe that, in my text, Paul says Christians have two options: (1) worthy worship of God or (2) unworthy worship of God.  When we examine ourselves and make sure our walk with God is one focused on Him instead of ourselves we are worshipping Him in a worthy way and are prepared to partake in the Lord's Supper.    Sermon by Rev. Dan Squezello At First Baptist Church of Westwood On November 26, 2017 Title: THE LORD'S SUPPER PART 3: "Preparation for the Lord's Supper"Text: 1 Corinthians 11:27-34 www.fbcwonline.info LIKE US ON FACEBOOK! https://archive.org/download/TheLordsSupperPart3preparationForTheLordsSupper_254/TheLordsSupperPart3-PreparationForTheLordsSupper.mp3

Yesterday we studied through 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 and Paul's depiction of Jesus instituting the Lord's Supper.  The Lord's Supper (or Communion) is to be a reminder of Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross to forgive us of our sins.  His body was broken and His blood was shed so that our transgressions can be atoned for.  Praise God for the body and blood of Jesus!  Sermon by Rev. Dan Squezello At First Baptist Church of Westwood On November 19, 2017 Title: THE LORD'S SUPPER PART 2: "The Purpose of the Lord's Supper"Text: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 www.fbcwonline.info LIKE US ON FACEBOOK! https://archive.org/download/TheLordsSupperPart2-ThePurposeOfTheLordsSupper/TheLordsSpperPart2-ThePurposeOfTheLordsSupper.mp3

Yesterday I began what will be either a three or four week study on the Lord's Supper according to the Apostle Paul in the book of 1 Corinthians.  In the first part of this study, 1 Corinthians 11:17-22, Paul addresses divisions within the church (of which there were many).  He tells the church that the divisions and factions that have formed within the church have hindered their worship of God.  Christians need to avoid fighting with each other because all arguing and fighting within the church does is divide the body of Christ and hurt our worship of God.   Sermon by Rev. Dan Squezello At First Baptist Church of Westwood On November 12, 2017 Title: THE LORD'S SUPPER PART 1: "Proper Worship of God"Text: 1 Corinthians 11:17-22 www.fbcwonline.info LIKE US ON FACEBOOK! https://archive.org/download/TheLordsSupperPart1-ProperWorshipOfGod/TheLordsSupperPart1-ProperWorshipOfGod.mp3

Yesterday I began what will end up being a series of sermons through the 11th chapter of 1 Corinthians.  We will be discussing worship, the Lord's Supper, and (as was the topic of this sermon) Christian marriage. Check it out.  Sermon by Rev. Dan Squezello At First Baptist Church of Westwood On November 5, 2017 Title: Christian Marriage and Worshipping God Text: 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 LIKE US ON FACEBOOK! https://archive.org/download/ChristianMarriageAndWorshipingGod/ChristianMarriageAndWorshipingGod.mp3