First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR

In this message, we conclude our series on "The Call for a King,” and we read Samuel's faithful, final warning to the nation about the dangers of their monarchy, a warning which falls on deaf ears. The post A Final Warning appeared first on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR.

In this message, we study what we're calling the farewell address of Samuel. His ministry is fading in light of Saul's ascension to the kingship – but the nation still needs to heed the wisdom of his words. The post Samuel's Farewell Address appeared first on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR.

In this message, we come to the first crisis of the new king's reign – and we see him lead as man directed by the Spirit of the Lord. And, of course, success follows. The post Kingdom Renewal appeared first on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR.

In this message, we continue to see the steps God takes to position Saul for success – this time, publicly proclaiming him king before the people. The post Saul Proclaimed King appeared first on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR.

In this message, we continue to see the personal attention God gives to Israel's new king – a man who is given every opportunity for a close relationship with Jehovah God. The post Saul Anointed King appeared first on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR.

In this message we see how God blessed Saul with the special treatment typically reserved for priests and prophets as they were called into God's service. The new king is being given every opportunity to succeed. The post Saul's Selection appeared first on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR.

In this message, we are finally introduced to the man God will use to fulfill the nation's selfish request for a king, a man who, from a worldly perspective, certainly looks the part of a king. The post Introduction to Saul appeared first on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR.

Today, we have the privilege of hearing a message from God's Word from Mike Cloud. The post The Christmas Star first appeared on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR. The post The Christmas Star appeared first on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR.

In this message, we listen as Samuel fulfills the role of a prophet and a judge for the nation of Israel – he solemnly tells them the consequences of decisions made independent of God's leadership. The post Samuel's Warning first appeared on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR. The post Samuel's Warning appeared first on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR.

In today's message, we have the opportunity to hear God's Word preached by our Pastor of Missions, Outreach and Recreation, Bread Hatfield. He and his wife, Keely, have been on our staff since 2016. The post Missions Sunday 2023 first appeared on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR. The post Missions Sunday 2023 appeared first on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR.

In this message, we launch a new series in our study of the book of I Samuel, entitled, “The Call for a King.” Israel begins to turn from the leadership of the Judges and prophets to the monarchy – all while God tries to remind them that He is their ultimate King and leader. The post Israel's Demand first appeared on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR. The post Israel's Demand appeared first on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR.

In this message, as we conclude our six-week sermon series in the book of I Samuel, “The Ark of the Covenant,” we see one final completion of the cycle repeated throughout the time period of the Judges in Israel, rebellion, retribution, repentance, and revival. Where do we find ourselves today? The post The Revival of the Ark first appeared on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR. The post The Revival of the Ark appeared first on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR.

In this message, as we continue our six-week sermon series in the book of I Samuel, “The Ark of the Covenant,” we are given a vivid reminder that God's children are held to a much higher standard than are those who do not know Him. The post The Return of the Ark first appeared on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR. The post The Return of the Ark appeared first on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR.

In this message, as we continue our six-week sermon series in the book of I Samuel, “The Ark of the Covenant,” we see the foolishness of the worship of any god or anything other than the one true God. And we also see a sort of “second Exodus,” reminding Israel of God's power and glory. The post The Philistines' Plan first appeared on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR. The post The Philistines' Plan appeared first on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR.

In this message, as we continue our six-week sermon series in the book of I Samuel, “The Ark of the Covenant,” we are reminded of a truth that those who reject God will learn, sooner or later – God is the only true God, and He is always in control. The post The Ark of Philistia first appeared on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR. The post The Ark of Philistia appeared first on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR.

In this message, as we continue our six-week sermon series in the book of I Samuel, “The Ark of the Covenant,” we finally see God's judgment fall on the high priest, Eli, and his family. But we also are challenged to determine what we value in life. Are we living for the glory of God or for our own good? The post Where is the Glory? first appeared on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR. The post Where is the Glory? appeared first on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR.

In this message, we launch a new series in our study of the book of I Samuel, entitled, “The Ark of the Covenant.” As a nation, Israel has taken God for granted – and now He begins to move to discipline them, but His discipline, then and now, is intended to lead them to repentance and revival. The post The Capture of the Ark first appeared on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR. The post The Capture of the Ark appeared first on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR.

In this message, we conclude our nine-week sermon series in the book of I Samuel, “Samuel's Call.” Samuel models a truism about God's Word that still resonates today – God only gives a message in order for it to be shared. What kind of stewards are we of God's truth? The post Samuel's Ministry first appeared on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR. The post Samuel's Ministry appeared first on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR.

In this message, as we continue our nine-week sermon series in the book of I Samuel, “Samuel's Call,” we finally come to a familiar text – Samuel's childhood summons to ministry by God. But his call is best understood in light of God's silence to the rest of Israel – why would God speak when He is ignored? The post Samuel's Message first appeared on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR. The post Samuel's Message appeared first on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR.

In this message, as we continue our nine-week sermon series in the book of I Samuel, “Samuel's Call,” we encounter the first prophet in several generations in Israel – and he arrives to issue God's message of judgment on Israel's wicked priests. The post The Priests' Warning first appeared on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR. The post The Priests' Warning appeared first on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR.

In this message, as we continue our sermon series in the book of I Samuel, “Samuel's Call,” we get a lesson in parenting as we consider the wickedness of Eli's sons, Hophni and Phineas, and the servanthood of little Samuel. We're also reminded that merely growing up “around church” is no guarantee of spiritual success. The post The Priests' Wickedness first appeared on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR. The post The Priests' Wickedness appeared first on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR.

In this message, we continue our nine-week sermon series in the book of I Samuel, “Samuel's Call,” and we study what is often called, “Hannah's Song.” It's incredibly personal and rich theologically, of course, but it is also pivotal in the book of I Samuel and the plan of God for all nations. The post Hannah's Song first appeared on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR. The post Hannah's Song appeared first on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR.

In this message, we continue our nine-week sermon series in the book of I Samuel, “Samuel's Call,” and we move into the birth narrative of Samuel. Throughout Scripture, the birth of a child often marks a pivotal point in a people's history – certainly reminding us, if just on a universal level, that children are a blessing. But, for Israel, Samuel's birth was much, much more. The post Hannah's Son first appeared on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR. The post Hannah's Son appeared first on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR.

In this message, we continue our nine-week sermon series in the book of I Samuel, “Samuel's Call,” and we study the first prayer from a woman quoted in God's Word. We vividly see her heartbreak, her desire, and her incredible faith, so that we should be better equipped to invite God into our own sorrows. The post Hannah's Supplication first appeared on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR. The post Hannah's Supplication appeared first on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR.

In this message, we continue our nine-week sermon series in the book of I Samuel, “Samuel's Call,” and we draw closer to the suffering and heartache of Hannah. Her life shows us a vivid picture that God is alive and well even in the worst of our brokenness. The post Hannah's Sorrow first appeared on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR. The post Hannah's Sorrow appeared first on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR.

In this message, we begin a new sermon series in the book of I Samuel, “Samuel's Call.” But, before we meet the prophet Samuel, we are presented with a sobering portrait of the broken culture of Israel at the time in the life of Hannah – easily tying this book to the wisdom we studied in Titus. History does have a tendency to repeat itself. The post Hannah's Spouse first appeared on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR. The post Hannah's Spouse appeared first on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR.

In this message, as we conclude our sermon series in the book of Titus, “Being Christ's Church in a Broken Culture,” we're reminded again of the human agents God used to deliver His Word – we eavesdrop on some parting admonitions and personal greetings from the Apostle Paul. The post Final Instructions first appeared on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR. The post Final Instructions appeared first on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR.

In this message, we continue our sermon series in the book of Titus, “Being Christ's Church in a Broken Culture,” and we come to the summary command of the book: another call to the pursuit of good works in service of our gracious God. The post People Problems first appeared on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR. The post People Problems appeared first on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR.

In this message, we resume our sermon series in the book of Titus, “Being Christ's Church in a Broken Culture.” God's Word reminds us again of the transformative power of the Gospel, contrasting Christian behavior with worldly behavior in some vivid ways in the midst of a beautiful treatise on salvation. The post Be Ready for Every Good Work first appeared on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR. The post Be Ready for Every Good Work appeared first on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR.

The Lord is My Salvation - Mike Cloud The post The Lord is My Salvation – Mike Cloud first appeared on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR. The post The Lord is My Salvation – Mike Cloud appeared first on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR.

Bread Hatfield - The Lord is Gracious The post The Lord is Gracious – Bread Hatfield first appeared on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR. The post The Lord is Gracious – Bread Hatfield appeared first on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR.

The Lord is My Judge - Wes Akers The post The Lord is My Judge – Wes Akers appeared first on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR.

The Lord is My Hope - Justin Myrick The post The Lord is My Hope – Justin Myrick appeared first on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR.

The Lord is My King - Larry Walker The post The Lord is Good – Larry Walker appeared first on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR.

In this message, we continue our sermon series in the book of Titus, “Being Christ's Church in a Broken Culture." We study Paul's list of necessary character traits and qualities of those entrusted with leadership within the church. The post A Few Good Men appeared first on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR.

In this message, we continue our sermon series in the book of Titus, “Being Christ's Church in a Broken Culture,” and we get the theological basis for the Christian lifestyles God's Word has been emphasizing in the first four weeks of this study. The post God's Grace and Glory appeared first on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR.

In this message, we continue our sermon series in the book of Titus, “Being Christ's Church in a Broken Culture,” and God's Word gets personal – it breaks down what healthy households should look like in terms of various stages, ages, and roles. The post The Power in The Pew appeared first on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR.

In this message, we continue our sermon series in the book of Titus, “Being Christ's Church in a Broken Culture,” and we encounter the opposite of the previous week's text: rather than a list of leadership qualities, we get a list of the kind of behaviors the church must avoid. The post Those Who Must Be Silenced appeared first on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR.

In this message, we begin a new sermon series in the book of Titus, “Being Christ's Church in a Broken Culture.” As we start with the introductory verses of this letter from Paul to the church at Crete, we immediately see how timely the book is for the church in 2023. The post Saved to Serve appeared first on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR.

In this message, we conclude our journey through the Gospel of Luke. We see how the events we've studied – Christ's ministry, death and resurrection – connect to the ongoing mission of the early church, as well as the church today. The post The Way Forward appeared first on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR.

In this message, as a part of our Graduate Recognition, we have the privilege of hearing from our Pastor to College and International Students, Justin Myrick. He has served on our FBC staff for the last thirteen years. The post Remembering The Truth appeared first on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR.

In this message, we get one of the greatest lessons in the supremacy of Scripture, anchored by the backdrop of the crucifixion, the disciples' temporary heartbreak, and the good news of the resurrection. The post The Road to Emmaus appeared first on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR.

In this message, we begin our final sermon series in Luke, “Eucatastrophe: The Triumph.” And we start with the key event of the third day: Christ's resurrection. Our study of Christ would be relatively meaningless had the tomb not been empty! The post The Third Day appeared first on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR.

In this message, we take a brief, one-week look at, “Eucatastrophe: The Tomb.” The tomb has its place in the plan of God – however fleeting it was. Too often, we race from the Cross to the resurrection and fail to see the significance of the faithful actions of several of Christ's followers. The post Jesus' Burial appeared first on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR.

In this message, we conclude our sermon series, “Eucatastrophe: The Tree,” and we consider the incredible final moments of Christ's life, as well as the significant events that occur as He passes from life into death. Thankfully, Easter reminds us that death is not the end. The post The Lamb Who Was Slain appeared first on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR.

In this message, we have the great privilege to hear from our partners in ministry, Gideons International, and our guest speaker, Neal Martin. He is from Conway, Arkansas, and first became involved in the Gideon ministry back in 2011. The post Gideon International – Neal Martin appeared first on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR.

In this message, we begin a new sermon series, “Eucatastrophe: The Tree.” We begin with a clear look at the Cross of Christ and the way the Word of God emphasizes the reasons for Christ's suffering over the details of His pain. The post The Cross of Christ appeared first on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR.

Mike Cloud - Associate Pastor The post You Must Be Born Again – Mike Cloud appeared first on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR.

In this message, we conclude our sermon series, “Eucatastrophe: The Trials.” Events move to their inevitable conclusion: Pilate turns Christ over to his soldier for execution, and even in that verdict Christ takes the place of a man who was truly worthy of the sentence. The post Pilate's Compromise appeared first on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR.

In this message, we continue our sermon series, “Eucatastrophe: The Trials,” and we study events of Christ's appearance before Pilate and Herod – again seeing evidence regarding His true identity dismissed that we would be wise to consider ourselves. The post The Civil Trials appeared first on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR.

In this message, we continue our sermon series, “Eucastrophe: The Trials,” and we consider Christ's trial before the Sanhedrin. We're forced to reexamine the evidence regarding Christ's identity that they refused to consider. The post Before the Sanhedrin appeared first on First Baptist Church, Russellville, AR.