First Baptist Church Thomson, GA

In a world full of storms, uncertainty, and overwhelming moments, Jesus remains our unshakable guide—our True North. Drawing from Matthew 14:22–33, this message reminds us that we can trust Jesus when we wonder, when we feel alone, when we feel powerless, and when we need hope and help. Just like Peter, we may step out in faith and still feel like we’re sinking—but Jesus reaches out immediately. It’s not about the size of our faith—it’s about the power and presence of our Savior.

In a world full of storms, uncertainty, and overwhelming moments, Jesus remains our unshakable guide—our True North. Drawing from Matthew 14:22–33, this message reminds us that we can trust Jesus when we wonder, when we feel alone, when we feel powerless, and when we need hope and help. Just like Peter, we may step out in faith and still feel like we’re sinking—but Jesus reaches out immediately. It’s not about the size of our faith—it’s about the power and presence of our Savior.

Dr. Matt Ward walks with us through some of our church's measures, that help us gauge how much we are growing in Christlikeness: Are we thinking like Jesus? Are we being like Jesus? Are we acting like Jesus? Though none of us can be exactly like Jesus, He is our standard and by holding our lives up to Him, we can see where we need to grow and change in our beliefs, character, and behaviors.

What does it mean to bear God’s image in Caesar’s world? In a time of growing division, political confusion, and cultural conflict, how should Christians think about patriotism, government, and their ultimate allegiance? In this message from Matthew 22:15–22 and Romans 13 we explore Jesus’ powerful teaching to "render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s." Discover how our identity as image-bearers of God shapes the way we live as faithful citizens of both our earthly nation and the eternal Kingdom of God.

What does it mean to bear God’s image in Caesar’s world? In a time of growing division, political confusion, and cultural conflict, how should Christians think about patriotism, government, and their ultimate allegiance? In this message from Matthew 22:15–22 and Romans 13 we explore Jesus’ powerful teaching to "render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s." Discover how our identity as image-bearers of God shapes the way we live as faithful citizens of both our earthly nation and the eternal Kingdom of God.

What does it really mean to serve others with the heart of Jesus? In this message from Galatians 5 and 6, we are challenged to resist the inward drift of selfishness by embracing gospel-centered compassion. Discover how the principles of proximity, partnership, and purpose can guide our service to meet both physical and spiritual needs — not just to do good, but to make disciples.

What does it really mean to serve others with the heart of Jesus? In this message from Galatians 5 and 6, we are challenged to resist the inward drift of selfishness by embracing gospel-centered compassion. Discover how the principles of proximity, partnership, and purpose can guide our service to meet both physical and spiritual needs — not just to do good, but to make disciples.

What difference does it make for a family when Dad brings Jesus home—not just in crisis, but every day? This Father’s Day message explores the story of Jairus to show how a father’s faith can shape his home, bless the broken, and lead his family to life in Christ.

What difference does it make for a family when Dad brings Jesus home—not just in crisis, but every day? This Father’s Day message explores the story of Jairus to show how a father’s faith can shape his home, bless the broken, and lead his family to life in Christ.

When Jesus gave His Great Commission and ascended to Heaven, the disciples were also left asking “How are we going to do this?” But Jesus already gave them the answer: He said we will receive power WHEN the Holy Spirit comes up on us. In this message, we will walk through a few key moments in the book of Acts that helps us see exactly how the Holy Spirit empowers us to be missionally engaged today.

When Jesus gave His Great Commission and ascended to Heaven, the disciples were also left asking “How are we going to do this?” But Jesus already gave them the answer: He said we will receive power WHEN the Holy Spirit comes up on us. In this message, we will walk through a few key moments in the book of Acts that helps us see exactly how the Holy Spirit empowers us to be missionally engaged today.

Prayer is central to our worship—we pray in every service, every small group, every class. Many of us pray daily. But have we stopped to consider what we’re praying for? In this message, we’ll explore the kinds of prayers the Apostle Paul lifted up for the churches, and ask ourselves if our prayers reflect that same deep dependence on God’s Spirit, desire for His kingdom, and passion for His mission.

Prayer is central to our worship—we pray in every service, every small group, every class. Many of us pray daily. But have we stopped to consider what we’re praying for? In this message, we’ll explore the kinds of prayers the Apostle Paul lifted up for the churches, and ask ourselves if our prayers reflect that same deep dependence on God’s Spirit, desire for His kingdom, and passion for His mission.

In Hebrews 11, the “hall of faith” passage, describes the quiet bravery and bold obedience of Moses's mother, Jochebed. She had no armies, no wealth, no platform—but she had the love of a mother and a trust in God that refused to bend the knee to fear. Because of her, the story of redemption for God’s people kept moving forward. In this sermon, we learn about radical parenting from her faithful example.

In Hebrews 11, the “hall of faith” passage, describes the quiet bravery and bold obedience of Moses's mother, Jochebed. She had no armies, no wealth, no platform—but she had the love of a mother and a trust in God that refused to bend the knee to fear. Because of her, the story of redemption for God’s people kept moving forward. In this sermon, we learn about radical parenting from her faithful example.

Worshipping authentically is one of our church’s Core Values. But what does it mean? To worship authentically is to “worship God in spirit and truth, both personally and together as a wholehearted response to who God is and what He has done.” To help us consider what authentic worship looks like, let’s turn to Isaiah 6:1-9, where we discover that authentic worship isn’t about the rituals, music, or performances—it’s about a real encounter with the living God that humbles us, cleanses us, and sends us out.

Worshipping authentically is one of our church’s Core Values. But what does it mean? To worship authentically is to “worship God in spirit and truth, both personally and together as a wholehearted response to who God is and what He has done.” To help us consider what authentic worship looks like, let’s turn to Isaiah 6:1-9, where we discover that authentic worship isn’t about the rituals, music, or performances—it’s about a real encounter with the living God that humbles us, cleanses us, and sends us out.

What are a church's values? They are core beliefs and shared convictions based on God’s Word, that we passionately and consistently hold up as nonnegotiables to guide us in accomplishing our mission. They help us answer the “why” and “how” questions of all we do as a church, all we promote, prioritize, and proclaim. In this series, we'll explore the eight core values of First Baptist Church, Thomson, GA. In this first message, we look at the value of being Biblically Faithful: Proclaiming and living out God’s Word with integrity, authority, and clarity.

What are a church's values? They are core beliefs and shared convictions based on God’s Word, that we passionately and consistently hold up as nonnegotiables to guide us in accomplishing our mission. They help us answer the “why” and “how” questions of all we do as a church, all we promote, prioritize, and proclaim. In this series, we'll explore the eight core values of First Baptist Church, Thomson, GA. In this first message, we look at the value of being Biblically Faithful: Proclaiming and living out God’s Word with integrity, authority, and clarity.

After three weeks looking in the Old Testament at Jesus "died according to the Scriptures," we turn to John 20 in the New Testament to see what the resurrection means for those who come searching: For those looking for answers, the empty tomb gives us faith. For those overwhelmed by sorrow, the Risen Lord gives us joy. And for those like Thomas, who wrestle with doubts, the risen Christ offers us reasons to worship.

After three weeks looking in the Old Testament at Jesus "died according to the Scriptures," we turn to John 20 in the New Testament to see what the resurrection means for those who come searching: For those looking for answers, the empty tomb gives us faith. For those overwhelmed by sorrow, the Risen Lord gives us joy. And for those like Thomas, who wrestle with doubts, the risen Christ offers us reasons to worship.

In this message, we look at one last prophecy: Isaiah’s Song of the Suffering Servant. It’s the fourth and final Servant Song in Isaiah. The Book of Isaiah is quoted in the NT more than any other prophet and has been called “the Fifth Gospel” because it reveals so much about Jesus. He begins looking at the Servant’s success, then describes His suffering. The last two sections of this passage mirror that—looking at His suffering then His success. These mirrored sections point us to the center of the song: the focus on the Servant’s significance.

In this message, we look at one last prophecy: Isaiah’s Song of the Suffering Servant. It’s the fourth and final Servant Song in Isaiah. The Book of Isaiah is quoted in the NT more than any other prophet and has been called “the Fifth Gospel” because it reveals so much about Jesus. He begins looking at the Servant’s success, then describes His suffering. The last two sections of this passage mirror that—looking at His suffering then His success. These mirrored sections point us to the center of the song: the focus on the Servant’s significance.

Continuing to look at Old Testament prophetic scriptures that point us to Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, we look at Psalm 22, one of the most miraculous prophetic passages of Scripture. Charles Spurgeon called it the Psalm of the Cross, saying, "Before us we have a description both of the darkness and of the glory of the cross, the sufferings of Christ and the glory which shall follow. Oh for grace to draw near and see this great sight! We should read reverently, putting off our shoes from off our feet, as Moses did at the burning bush, for if there be holy ground anywhere in Scripture it is in this Psalm.” We will do just that in this sermon.

Continuing to look at Old Testament prophetic scriptures that point us to Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, we look at Psalm 22, one of the most miraculous prophetic passages of Scripture. Charles Spurgeon called it the Psalm of the Cross, saying, "Before us we have a description both of the darkness and of the glory of the cross, the sufferings of Christ and the glory which shall follow. Oh for grace to draw near and see this great sight! We should read reverently, putting off our shoes from off our feet, as Moses did at the burning bush, for if there be holy ground anywhere in Scripture it is in this Psalm.” We will do just that in this sermon.

Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:3 that he was preaching how "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,” referencing how Jesus' crucifixion fulfilled Old Testament prophecy and prediction. In this sermon series we are looking at Jesus' death and resurrection through the lens of the Old Testament, beginning with how Jesus is the ultimate High Priest and sacrificial lamb, fulfilling the Day of Atonement for all who trust in Him.

Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:3 that he was preaching how "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,” referencing how Jesus' crucifixion fulfilled Old Testament prophecy and prediction. In this sermon series we are looking at Jesus' death and resurrection through the lens of the Old Testament, beginning with how Jesus is the ultimate High Priest and sacrificial lamb, fulfilling the Day of Atonement for all who trust in Him.

We started our journey a month ago, looking at how David led Israel to prepare for the construction of God’s Temple in Jerusalem. Today, we return to that story of how David laid out the vision, led the people to commit to giving toward it, and helped prepare Solomon and a new generation of leaders to build the Temple. We are striving to follow that biblical model in our approach to renewing our campus for the Glory of God and the Study of His Word, so that what the generations before us worked so hard to provide can last for generations to come.

We started our journey a month ago, looking at how David led Israel to prepare for the construction of God’s Temple in Jerusalem. Today, we return to that story of how David laid out the vision, led the people to commit to giving toward it, and helped prepare Solomon and a new generation of leaders to build the Temple. We are striving to follow that biblical model in our approach to renewing our campus for the Glory of God and the Study of His Word, so that what the generations before us worked so hard to provide can last for generations to come.

In today’s message, we split the difference between the events in the last two sermons, from the construction of Solomon's temple and the construction of the new temple after the Babylonian Exile. In 2 Kings 22, we find young King Josiah, a descendant of David, through whom God brings another moment of revival and renewal that began with a renovation of Solomon's Temple. But the years of neglect of the physical temple was symptomatic of a deeper problem--Judah's neglect of their relationship with God, and forgetting about His Word. In this sermon, Josiah gives us a model for growing individually and as a church family, based on how we respond to God's Holy Word.

In today’s message, we split the difference between the events in the last two sermons, from the construction of Solomon's temple and the construction of the new temple after the Babylonian Exile. In 2 Kings 22, we find young King Josiah, a descendant of David, through whom God brings another moment of revival and renewal that began with a renovation of Solomon's Temple. But the years of neglect of the physical temple was symptomatic of a deeper problem--Judah's neglect of their relationship with God, and forgetting about His Word. In this sermon, Josiah gives us a model for growing individually and as a church family, based on how we respond to God's Holy Word.

Don’t you feel at times the need for spiritual renewal in your life? Maybe in your financial commitments and generosity, your family dynamics, your daily walk with the Lord, or a stronger burden to be a witness to the lost. Anything we do to renew our campus, any updates and renovations, have that spiritual renewal as our end goal. In this sermon, we will focus on our own needs for personal and church-wide renewal. We may use words like revive, refresh, or revitalize, but we're basically talking about spiritual renewal. Nehemiah 8-10 describes a pivotal time in Israel’s history when a national rebirth refocused the people on renewing their commitments to God.

Don’t you feel at times the need for spiritual renewal in your life? Maybe in your financial commitments and generosity, your family dynamics, your daily walk with the Lord, or a stronger burden to be a witness to the lost. Anything we do to renew our campus, any updates and renovations, have that spiritual renewal as our end goal. In this sermon, we will focus on our own needs for personal and church-wide renewal. We may use words like revive, refresh, or revitalize, but we're basically talking about spiritual renewal. Nehemiah 8-10 describes a pivotal time in Israel’s history when a national rebirth refocused the people on renewing their commitments to God.

Our capital stewardship campaign theme, “For All Generations,” includes three calls to action: Invest, Renew, and Grow. In this message, we turn our focus towards God’s call for us to INVEST in His kingdom and mission. He is calling us to invest in a vision, not just for our time, but for generations to come. This message extends beyond FBC Thomson's capital campaign. It's a message about how all believers should invest in God's Kingdom work through stewardship and generosity.

Our capital stewardship campaign theme, “For All Generations,” includes three calls to action: Invest, Renew, and Grow. In this message, we turn our focus towards God’s call for us to INVEST in His kingdom and mission. He is calling us to invest in a vision, not just for our time, but for generations to come. This message extends beyond FBC Thomson's capital campaign. It's a message about how all believers should invest in God's Kingdom work through stewardship and generosity.

FBC Thomson has come to a pivotal moment in its life. As we read in 1 Chronicles 28, like King David lead Israel to embrace a vision for building the Temple, we believe God is leading us to commit ourselves to prepare and provide for a future where His glory and presence will guide us and bless all who seek Him, from generation to generation. David gathered all the leaders to share the vision God placed in his heart, not for David’s own glory, but for God’s glory; not for himself, but for future generations. In this message, we hear a plan for investing so that we can renew parts of our church campus for growth today and in the decades to come. We need to seek ways to better steward what previous generations so richly provided us such that tomorrow's generation can continue to use them for God's glory.

FBC Thomson has come to a pivotal moment in its life. As we read in 1 Chronicles 28, like King David lead Israel to embrace a vision for building the Temple, we believe God is leading us to commit ourselves to prepare and provide for a future where His glory and presence will guide us and bless all who seek Him, from generation to generation. David gathered all the leaders to share the vision God placed in his heart, not for David’s own glory, but for God’s glory; not for himself, but for future generations. In this message, we hear a plan for investing so that we can renew parts of our church campus for growth today and in the decades to come. We need to seek ways to better steward what previous generations so richly provided us such that tomorrow's generation can continue to use them for God's glory.

In this final message of the Better series, we look at the last "Great": the Great Commission. God doesn’t want us to just be better in ourselves—spiritually, emotionally, intellectually, and physically; He doesn’t just want us to be better relationally with our family, friends, and fellow Christians. God wants us to be better missionally as well, in how we fulfill His purpose and will for our lives: to Make Disciples.

In this final message of the Better series, we look at the last "Great": the Great Commission. God doesn’t want us to just be better in ourselves—spiritually, emotionally, intellectually, and physically; He doesn’t just want us to be better relationally with our family, friends, and fellow Christians. God wants us to be better missionally as well, in how we fulfill His purpose and will for our lives: to Make Disciples.

The Second Greatest Commandment, according to Christ, is to love our neighbors as ourselves. Jesus later raises the bar, calling us to love one another as He loves us. The NT gives us a great example and a practical look at that kind of Christian love. It’s found in a personal letter written by Paul to his dear friend, Philemon. From this letter, we can learn the keys to being relationally better, by loving others as ourselves and as Jesus has loved us.

The Second Greatest Commandment, according to Christ, is to love our neighbors as ourselves. Jesus later raises the bar, calling us to love one another as He loves us. The NT gives us a great example and a practical look at that kind of Christian love. It’s found in a personal letter written by Paul to his dear friend, Philemon. From this letter, we can learn the keys to being relationally better, by loving others as ourselves and as Jesus has loved us.

We round out the Greatest Commandment in this sermon by looking at how to love God with all our strength or might. That is how God would have us become physically better and healthier people. For the Jewish people, loving God with all your might included all the resources God had entrusted to them, which makes this a matter of stewardship--of our bodies, our time, our talents, and our financial resources.

We round out the Greatest Commandment in this sermon by looking at how to love God with all our strength or might. That is how God would have us become physically better and healthier people. For the Jewish people, loving God with all your might included all the resources God had entrusted to them, which makes this a matter of stewardship--of our bodies, our time, our talents, and our financial resources.

We’ve looked at how we can be spiritually better by loving God with all our heart and emotionally better by loving God with all our soul. Today, we are going to discover how to be intellectually better by loving God with all our mind. Let’s look at a few of the things the Bible tells us about our minds, our intellects, our ability to think and reason, to learn and obtain wisdom and knowledge. What do they tell us about how to love God with all our mind?

We’ve looked at how we can be spiritually better by loving God with all our heart and emotionally better by loving God with all our soul. Today, we are going to discover how to be intellectually better by loving God with all our mind. Let’s look at a few of the things the Bible tells us about our minds, our intellects, our ability to think and reason, to learn and obtain wisdom and knowledge. What do they tell us about how to love God with all our mind?

In this sermon, we look at the Fruit of the Spirit to consider how the Holy Spirit is working to heal and enhance our emotional life through these divine qualities. The Fruit of the Spirit are virtues that reveal Christ's character being developed in us. They can guide how we deal with and express our emotions in a way that honors God and builds up the people around us.

In this sermon, we look at the Fruit of the Spirit to consider how the Holy Spirit is working to heal and enhance our emotional life through these divine qualities. The Fruit of the Spirit are virtues that reveal Christ's character being developed in us. They can guide how we deal with and express our emotions in a way that honors God and builds up the people around us.

In this sermon we look at the biblical call to write or inscribe God’s Word in our hearts, as if our hearts were tablets—like those Moses brought down from the mountain. But instead of hard stone, God’s Word is engraved in our living hearts—in our very spirits, upon what makes us the unique people we are. This is the key to becoming spiritually healthier and better.

In this sermon we look at the biblical call to write or inscribe God’s Word in our hearts, as if our hearts were tablets—like those Moses brought down from the mountain. But instead of hard stone, God’s Word is engraved in our living hearts—in our very spirits, upon what makes us the unique people we are. This is the key to becoming spiritually healthier and better.

My hope is that this sermon series can help us do more than just make New Year Resolutions that we just give up on in a few weeks. God desires you to become better, to become more Christlike, to become healthier, holier, and even happier. How we plan to get there is what makes all the difference. Let’s begin 2025 the right way, by looking at some great truths from God's Word to help us truly start a great year! And in this message, we begin with one of Israel’s foundational truths, as they were preparing for their own fresh start—not entering a new year, but a new land.

My hope is that this sermon series can help us do more than just make New Year Resolutions that we just give up on in a few weeks. God desires you to become better, to become more Christlike, to become healthier, holier, and even happier. How we plan to get there is what makes all the difference. Let’s begin 2025 the right way, by looking at some great truths from God's Word to help us truly start a great year! And in this message, we begin with one of Israel’s foundational truths, as they were preparing for their own fresh start—not entering a new year, but a new land.