First Baptist Church Thomson, GA

In the book of Haggai, God confronts His people for allowing their own priorities to overshadow His. Sixteen years after returning from exile, the Temple still lay unfinished while the people had become consumed with building comfortable lives for themselves. Through Haggai, God calls them—and us—to "Thank carefully about our ways" and to put Him first in every area of life. Whether in our walk with Christ, our marriages, families, work, or service to His church and His mission, God deserves first place. The encouraging message of Haggai is that when we faithfully pursue God's purposes, He promises His presence, His peace, and His provision, giving us everything we need to accomplish the work He has called us to do.

In the book of Haggai, God confronts His people for allowing their own priorities to overshadow His. Sixteen years after returning from exile, the Temple still lay unfinished while the people had become consumed with building comfortable lives for themselves. Through Haggai, God calls them—and us—to "Thank carefully about our ways" and to put Him first in every area of life. Whether in our walk with Christ, our marriages, families, work, or service to His church and His mission, God deserves first place. The encouraging message of Haggai is that when we faithfully pursue God's purposes, He promises His presence, His peace, and His provision, giving us everything we need to accomplish the work He has called us to do.

When life doesn't make sense, where do we turn? In Habakkuk, we meet a prophet who courageously brings his confusion, doubts, and questions to God as he struggles to understand the injustice and suffering around him. Through an honest dialogue with the Lord, Habakkuk learns that while God doesn't always explain His plans, He always reveals His character. As the book unfolds, the prophet's journey moves from confusion through God's gentle correction to a bold confidence, teaching us that faith isn't built on having all the answers but on trusting the God who holds the answers. Even when circumstances remain difficult, we can learn to rejoice—not because we understand everything God is doing, but because we know He is good, sovereign, and always worthy of our trust.

When life doesn't make sense, where do we turn? In Habakkuk, we meet a prophet who courageously brings his confusion, doubts, and questions to God as he struggles to understand the injustice and suffering around him. Through an honest dialogue with the Lord, Habakkuk learns that while God doesn't always explain His plans, He always reveals His character. As the book unfolds, the prophet's journey moves from confusion through God's gentle correction to a bold confidence, teaching us that faith isn't built on having all the answers but on trusting the God who holds the answers. Even when circumstances remain difficult, we can learn to rejoice—not because we understand everything God is doing, but because we know He is good, sovereign, and always worthy of our trust.

In Zephaniah: The Last Refuge, we explore one of the Bible's clearest pictures of the Day of the Lord—a day of certain judgment, but also of incredible hope. Zephaniah reminds us that every false refuge will ultimately fail, while calling God's people to pause before Him, pursue Him with humility, and patiently trust His perfect timing. As the book unfolds, the message shifts from judgment to restoration, revealing a God who not only saves His people but delights in them. Ultimately, the New Testament reveals that the refuge Zephaniah anticipated is found in Jesus Christ, the One in whom we are forever hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3).

In Zephaniah: The Last Refuge, we explore one of the Bible's clearest pictures of the Day of the Lord—a day of certain judgment, but also of incredible hope. Zephaniah reminds us that every false refuge will ultimately fail, while calling God's people to pause before Him, pursue Him with humility, and patiently trust His perfect timing. As the book unfolds, the message shifts from judgment to restoration, revealing a God who not only saves His people but delights in them. Ultimately, the New Testament reveals that the refuge Zephaniah anticipated is found in Jesus Christ, the One in whom we are forever hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3).

Nahum 1 helps us discover that while nations and empires rise and fall, God alone reigns forever. Through the dramatic story of Assyria's downfall—and with timely reflections on America's 250th birthday—we'll see that the God who judges evil is the same God who protects those who trust Him. Nahum reminds us that evil never has the final word, that God is a refuge for His people in times of trouble, and that our ultimate hope is found not in any earthly nation, but in the unshakable Kingdom of God.

Nahum 1 helps us discover that while nations and empires rise and fall, God alone reigns forever. Through the dramatic story of Assyria's downfall—and with timely reflections on America's 250th birthday—we'll see that the God who judges evil is the same God who protects those who trust Him. Nahum reminds us that evil never has the final word, that God is a refuge for His people in times of trouble, and that our ultimate hope is found not in any earthly nation, but in the unshakable Kingdom of God.

In Micah 6:1-8, God "sues" His people to remind them of His faithfulness and confront their empty religion. Though Israel had been rescued, blessed, and chosen to be a blessing to the world, they had forgotten their purpose and reduced their relationship with God to rituals and sacrifices. Through Micah, God reveals that He desires far more than outward religion—He wants hearts and lives that reflect His character. The Lord calls His people to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with Him, a message that speaks powerfully to and all believers today, and especially to men on this Father's Day. Ultimately, this passage points us to Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfilled these requirements on our behalf and enables us, by His grace, to live lives that honor God.

In Micah 6:1-8, God "sues" His people to remind them of His faithfulness and confront their empty religion. Though Israel had been rescued, blessed, and chosen to be a blessing to the world, they had forgotten their purpose and reduced their relationship with God to rituals and sacrifices. Through Micah, God reveals that He desires far more than outward religion—He wants hearts and lives that reflect His character. The Lord calls His people to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with Him, a message that speaks powerfully to and all believers today, and especially to men on this Father's Day. Ultimately, this passage points us to Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfilled these requirements on our behalf and enables us, by His grace, to live lives that honor God.

Jonah 3-4 reminds us that the same grace that rescued Jonah is the grace God longs to extend to the world around us—even to people we struggle to understand, accept, or love. While God delights in showing mercy to those who repent, we often become distracted by our own comfort, preferences, and priorities, caring more about temporary things than eternal souls. Through Jonah's reluctant obedience and God's patient compassion, we are challenged to examine our own hearts and ask whether we will continue majoring in the minors, or learn to love what God loves by sharing His truth, His hope, and His compassion with a lost world.

Jonah 3-4 reminds us that the same grace that rescued Jonah is the grace God longs to extend to the world around us—even to people we struggle to understand, accept, or love. While God delights in showing mercy to those who repent, we often become distracted by our own comfort, preferences, and priorities, caring more about temporary things than eternal souls. Through Jonah's reluctant obedience and God's patient compassion, we are challenged to examine our own hearts and ask whether we will continue majoring in the minors, or learn to love what God loves by sharing His truth, His hope, and His compassion with a lost world.

Jonah 1–2 reminds us that while we may run from God’s call, we can never outrun His grace. When Jonah ran from God's call, he began a downward spiral that endangered both himself and others. Yet God pursued him through a storm. As Jonah reached the end of himself in the depths of the sea and the belly of the fish, he finally discovered what we all must learn: we cannot save ourselves. The central message of the book is clear: “Salvation belongs to the Lord.” No matter how far we have wandered, God’s grace is greater, and He invites us to stop running and come home to Him.

Jonah 1–2 reminds us that while we may run from God’s call, we can never outrun His grace. When Jonah ran from God's call, he began a downward spiral that endangered both himself and others. Yet God pursued him through a storm. As Jonah reached the end of himself in the depths of the sea and the belly of the fish, he finally discovered what we all must learn: we cannot save ourselves. The central message of the book is clear: “Salvation belongs to the Lord.” No matter how far we have wandered, God’s grace is greater, and He invites us to stop running and come home to Him.

In Obadiah we discover that pride is far more than a personality flaw—it is a deceptive sin that convinces us we can live securely and successfully apart from God. Through the nation of Edom, Obadiah reveals how pride causes us to trust in false securities, damages our relationships and compassion for others, and ultimately leads to our own destruction. Yet the book is not only a warning; it is also a message of hope. While God humbles the proud, He gives grace to the humble, rescues those who depend on Him, and reminds us that every earthly kingdom will pass away, but His kingdom will stand forever. The path to true security is not self-reliance, but humble trust in the Lord.

In Obadiah we discover that pride is far more than a personality flaw—it is a deceptive sin that convinces us we can live securely and successfully apart from God. Through the nation of Edom, Obadiah reveals how pride causes us to trust in false securities, damages our relationships and compassion for others, and ultimately leads to our own destruction. Yet the book is not only a warning; it is also a message of hope. While God humbles the proud, He gives grace to the humble, rescues those who depend on Him, and reminds us that every earthly kingdom will pass away, but His kingdom will stand forever. The path to true security is not self-reliance, but humble trust in the Lord.

Amos 5 is a funeral song for a nation that looked prosperous and powerful on the outside but was spiritually dying within. As the prophet confronts Israel’s empty religion, cruel injustice, moral compromise, and false confidence, he also offers hope by calling God’s people back to Him. This sermon challenges believers to seek spiritual revival by opening their ears to God’s Word, tuning their hearts to genuinely seek the Lord, and changing their ways through lives marked by righteousness, truth, justice, and compassion. In a culture drifting farther from God, Amos reminds us that true hope for America begins with Christians returning wholeheartedly to the Lord.

Amos 5 is a funeral song for a nation that looked prosperous and powerful on the outside but was spiritually dying within. As the prophet confronts Israel’s empty religion, cruel injustice, moral compromise, and false confidence, he also offers hope by calling God’s people back to Him. This sermon challenges believers to seek spiritual revival by opening their ears to God’s Word, tuning their hearts to genuinely seek the Lord, and changing their ways through lives marked by righteousness, truth, justice, and compassion. In a culture drifting farther from God, Amos reminds us that true hope for America begins with Christians returning wholeheartedly to the Lord.

In this message from Book of Joel, we see how God used a devastating locust plague to wake His people up and call them back to Himself. Joel’s message is just as timely today, reminding us that in a world full of distraction, compromise, and spiritual drift, God is calling His people to return to Him with all their hearts. We are challenged to seek God faithfully, repent sincerely, and live empowered by the Holy Spirit. Even in warning, Joel’s message is filled with hope—that God delights in restoring what has been broken and pouring out His Spirit on all who call on His name.

In this message from Book of Joel, we see how God used a devastating locust plague to wake His people up and call them back to Himself. Joel’s message is just as timely today, reminding us that in a world full of distraction, compromise, and spiritual drift, God is calling His people to return to Him with all their hearts. We are challenged to seek God faithfully, repent sincerely, and live empowered by the Holy Spirit. Even in warning, Joel’s message is filled with hope—that God delights in restoring what has been broken and pouring out His Spirit on all who call on His name.

In this message from Book of Joel, we see how God used a devastating locust plague to wake His people up and call them back to Himself. Joel’s message is just as timely today, reminding us that in a world full of distraction, compromise, and spiritual drift, God is calling His people to return to Him with all their hearts. We are challenged to seek God faithfully, repent sincerely, and live empowered by the Holy Spirit. Even in warning, Joel’s message is filled with hope—that God delights in restoring what has been broken and pouring out His Spirit on all who call on His name.

In this Mother’s Day message from Hosea 11–14, we discover the heart of God as a loving Father who tenderly rescues, raises, and remains faithful to His children even when they wander far from Him. Through the moving imagery of a parent teaching a child to walk, Hosea reveals both the tender and tough love of God. Drawing connections to the Prodigal Son, this message calls us to return to the Father through repentance, receive His forgiveness through Christ, and renew our walk with Him in joyful obedience and restored fellowship.

In this Mother’s Day message from Hosea 11–14, we discover the heart of God as a loving Father who tenderly rescues, raises, and remains faithful to His children even when they wander far from Him. Through the moving imagery of a parent teaching a child to walk, Hosea reveals both the tender and tough love of God. Drawing connections to the Prodigal Son, this message calls us to return to the Father through repentance, receive His forgiveness through Christ, and renew our walk with Him in joyful obedience and restored fellowship.

In this Mother’s Day message from Hosea 11–14, we discover the heart of God as a loving Father who tenderly rescues, raises, and remains faithful to His children even when they wander far from Him. Through the moving imagery of a parent teaching a child to walk, Hosea reveals both the tender and tough love of God. Drawing connections to the Prodigal Son, this message calls us to return to the Father through repentance, receive His forgiveness through Christ, and renew our walk with Him in joyful obedience and restored fellowship.

This message from Hosea 1–3 reveals a powerful picture of God’s relentless, covenant love for His people. Through Hosea’s painful marriage to Gomer, we see that our sin is not just rule-breaking—it is spiritual adultery that breaks God’s heart. Yet God’s response is not to abandon us, but to confront our unfaithfulness, lovingly discipline us, pursue us in our wandering, and ultimately redeem and restore us at great cost. Just as Hosea bought Gomer back, God has come after us in our sin through Jesus Christ, paying the price to bring us home. The central truth is this: no matter how far we drift, God’s love will not let go—He is working even now to draw us back into a restored relationship with Him.

This message from Hosea 1–3 reveals a powerful picture of God’s relentless, covenant love for His people. Through Hosea’s painful marriage to Gomer, we see that our sin is not just rule-breaking—it is spiritual adultery that breaks God’s heart. Yet God’s response is not to abandon us, but to confront our unfaithfulness, lovingly discipline us, pursue us in our wandering, and ultimately redeem and restore us at great cost. Just as Hosea bought Gomer back, God has come after us in our sin through Jesus Christ, paying the price to bring us home. The central truth is this: no matter how far we drift, God’s love will not let go—He is working even now to draw us back into a restored relationship with Him.

This message from Hosea 1–3 reveals a powerful picture of God’s relentless, covenant love for His people. Through Hosea’s painful marriage to Gomer, we see that our sin is not just rule-breaking—it is spiritual adultery that breaks God’s heart. Yet God’s response is not to abandon us, but to confront our unfaithfulness, lovingly discipline us, pursue us in our wandering, and ultimately redeem and restore us at great cost. Just as Hosea bought Gomer back, God has come after us in our sin through Jesus Christ, paying the price to bring us home. The central truth is this: no matter how far we drift, God’s love will not let go—He is working even now to draw us back into a restored relationship with Him.

In this final message of The Law of Love series, we examine the Tenth Commandment and discover that coveting is more than wanting things—it is a heart problem rooted in trying to find significance, security, and satisfaction apart from God. Coveting fuels comparison, worry, and a host of costs because created things can never fill what only the Creator can satisfy. From Philippians 4, we learn that contentment is something we must cultivate, and as we do we find that true peace is not in having more, but in knowing Christ is enough.

In this final message of The Law of Love series, we examine the Tenth Commandment and discover that coveting is more than wanting things—it is a heart problem rooted in trying to find significance, security, and satisfaction apart from God. Coveting fuels comparison, worry, and a host of costs because created things can never fill what only the Creator can satisfy. From Philippians 4, we learn that contentment is something we must cultivate, and as we do we find that true peace is not in having more, but in knowing Christ is enough.

In this final message of The Law of Love series, we examine the Tenth Commandment and discover that coveting is more than wanting things—it is a heart problem rooted in trying to find significance, security, and satisfaction apart from God. Coveting fuels comparison, worry, and a host of costs because created things can never fill what only the Creator can satisfy. From Philippians 4, we learn that contentment is something we must cultivate, and as we do we find that true peace is not in having more, but in knowing Christ is enough.

In this message on the Ninth Commandment, we see that God’s command against bearing false witness is about far more than avoiding lies—it is about loving people through truthful speech. Lies damage reputations, destroy trust, and reveal the deeper sin problem of the heart. We look at several motives behind deception, including resentment, fear, and laziness, and then considered how followers of Christ are called to put off falsehood and put on truth. Because Jesus is the Truth, He alone can transform our hearts and help us speak truth for the good of others and the glory of God.

In this message on the Ninth Commandment, we see that God’s command against bearing false witness is about far more than avoiding lies—it is about loving people through truthful speech. Lies damage reputations, destroy trust, and reveal the deeper sin problem of the heart. We look at several motives behind deception, including resentment, fear, and laziness, and then considered how followers of Christ are called to put off falsehood and put on truth. Because Jesus is the Truth, He alone can transform our hearts and help us speak truth for the good of others and the glory of God.

In this message on the Ninth Commandment, we see that God’s command against bearing false witness is about far more than avoiding lies—it is about loving people through truthful speech. Lies damage reputations, destroy trust, and reveal the deeper sin problem of the heart. We look at several motives behind deception, including resentment, fear, and laziness, and then considered how followers of Christ are called to put off falsehood and put on truth. Because Jesus is the Truth, He alone can transform our hearts and help us speak truth for the good of others and the glory of God.

This message on the Eighth Commandment challenges us to see that “You shall not steal” goes far beyond obvious acts of theft and into the deeper issues of ownership, trust, and the condition of our hearts. Because everything we have ultimately belongs to God, we are called not to be takers, but faithful stewards—honoring Him in how we work, give, and live. By exposing the subtle ways we take what isn’t ours and the heart attitudes behind them, this sermon points us to the Gospel: Jesus forgives our sin and transforms us from people who grasp and take into people who trust, give, and live open-handed for His glory.

This message on the Eighth Commandment challenges us to see that “You shall not steal” goes far beyond obvious acts of theft and into the deeper issues of ownership, trust, and the condition of our hearts. Because everything we have ultimately belongs to God, we are called not to be takers, but faithful stewards—honoring Him in how we work, give, and live. By exposing the subtle ways we take what isn’t ours and the heart attitudes behind them, this sermon points us to the Gospel: Jesus forgives our sin and transforms us from people who grasp and take into people who trust, give, and live open-handed for His glory.

This message on the Eighth Commandment challenges us to see that “You shall not steal” goes far beyond obvious acts of theft and into the deeper issues of ownership, trust, and the condition of our hearts. Because everything we have ultimately belongs to God, we are called not to be takers, but faithful stewards—honoring Him in how we work, give, and live. By exposing the subtle ways we take what isn’t ours and the heart attitudes behind them, this sermon points us to the Gospel: Jesus forgives our sin and transforms us from people who grasp and take into people who trust, give, and live open-handed for His glory.

This Easter message proclaims that the resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate confirmation that God’s love has accomplished what the Law demanded and the Cross secured. In this message, we see how the love that conquered the grave overcomes our greatest obstacles, replaces our fear with faith, covers our deepest failures, and secures our eternal future. Because Jesus is alive, we are invited not just to admire this story, but to step into it—to trust in His finished work, receive His grace, and live with boldness, hope, and new life in Him.

This Easter message proclaims that the resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate confirmation that God’s love has accomplished what the Law demanded and the Cross secured. In this message, we see how the love that conquered the grave overcomes our greatest obstacles, replaces our fear with faith, covers our deepest failures, and secures our eternal future. Because Jesus is alive, we are invited not just to admire this story, but to step into it—to trust in His finished work, receive His grace, and live with boldness, hope, and new life in Him.

This Easter message proclaims that the resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate confirmation that God’s love has accomplished what the Law demanded and the Cross secured. In this message, we see how the love that conquered the grave overcomes our greatest obstacles, replaces our fear with faith, covers our deepest failures, and secures our eternal future. Because Jesus is alive, we are invited not just to admire this story, but to step into it—to trust in His finished work, receive His grace, and live with boldness, hope, and new life in Him.

This sermon traces the connection between God’s Law and the Cross, showing that while the Law reveals God’s holiness and exposes our inability to keep it, Jesus came to do what we could not—perfectly fulfill the Law, take our place as the righteous for the unrighteous, and satisfy God’s justice through His death. As we look at 1 Peter 3:18 and the broader story of Scripture, we discover that Christ’s sacrifice was not merely an example, but a substitution that deals fully with our sin so that we might be forgiven and brought back into a right relationship with God.

This sermon traces the connection between God’s Law and the Cross, showing that while the Law reveals God’s holiness and exposes our inability to keep it, Jesus came to do what we could not—perfectly fulfill the Law, take our place as the righteous for the unrighteous, and satisfy God’s justice through His death. As we look at 1 Peter 3:18 and the broader story of Scripture, we discover that Christ’s sacrifice was not merely an example, but a substitution that deals fully with our sin so that we might be forgiven and brought back into a right relationship with God.

This sermon traces the connection between God’s Law and the Cross, showing that while the Law reveals God’s holiness and exposes our inability to keep it, Jesus came to do what we could not—perfectly fulfill the Law, take our place as the righteous for the unrighteous, and satisfy God’s justice through His death. As we look at 1 Peter 3:18 and the broader story of Scripture, we discover that Christ’s sacrifice was not merely an example, but a substitution that deals fully with our sin so that we might be forgiven and brought back into a right relationship with God.

This message explores the Seventh Commandment not just as a warning against adultery, but as a call to faithful, covenant love that reflects the heart of God. Moving from Jesus’ teaching on the inner life to Paul’s vision for marriage in Ephesians, we see that God designed marriage and family as the foundation for human flourishing and a living picture of Christ’s relationship with the Church. With practical encouragement to guard and strengthen our relationships, the sermon ultimately points to the hope of the gospel—reminding us that where sin has broken, God’s grace is able to restore and make new.

This message explores the Seventh Commandment not just as a warning against adultery, but as a call to faithful, covenant love that reflects the heart of God. Moving from Jesus’ teaching on the inner life to Paul’s vision for marriage in Ephesians, we see that God designed marriage and family as the foundation for human flourishing and a living picture of Christ’s relationship with the Church. With practical encouragement to guard and strengthen our relationships, the sermon ultimately points to the hope of the gospel—reminding us that where sin has broken, God’s grace is able to restore and make new.

This message explores the Seventh Commandment not just as a warning against adultery, but as a call to faithful, covenant love that reflects the heart of God. Moving from Jesus’ teaching on the inner life to Paul’s vision for marriage in Ephesians, we see that God designed marriage and family as the foundation for human flourishing and a living picture of Christ’s relationship with the Church. With practical encouragement to guard and strengthen our relationships, the sermon ultimately points to the hope of the gospel—reminding us that where sin has broken, God’s grace is able to restore and make new.

In this message, we explore the Sixth Commandment, “Do not murder,” discovering how it is rooted in the sacred value of human life because every person bears the image of God. Looking at Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5, we see that this commandment reaches beyond the act of murder to the attitudes of the heart—anger, contempt, and hatred—that lead to it. Ultimately, the command calls us not only to avoid harming others but to honor the image of God in every person by pursuing reconciliation, speaking with grace, and loving others as Christ has loved us.

In this message, we explore the Sixth Commandment, “Do not murder,” discovering how it is rooted in the sacred value of human life because every person bears the image of God. Looking at Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5, we see that this commandment reaches beyond the act of murder to the attitudes of the heart—anger, contempt, and hatred—that lead to it. Ultimately, the command calls us not only to avoid harming others but to honor the image of God in every person by pursuing reconciliation, speaking with grace, and loving others as Christ has loved us.

In this message, we explore the Sixth Commandment, “Do not murder,” discovering how it is rooted in the sacred value of human life because every person bears the image of God. Looking at Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5, we see that this commandment reaches beyond the act of murder to the attitudes of the heart—anger, contempt, and hatred—that lead to it. Ultimately, the command calls us not only to avoid harming others but to honor the image of God in every person by pursuing reconciliation, speaking with grace, and loving others as Christ has loved us.

The Fifth Commandment reveals how the family is the bridge between loving God and loving people and the primary place where faith and wisdom are passed from one generation to the next. This message explores the meaning of biblical honor, showing that it goes beyond simple obedience to include respect, gratitude, and care throughout every stage of life. By honoring parents—whether through obedience, appreciation, or caring for them in their later years—we help preserve the bonds between generations and strengthen both our families and our society. Ultimately, the command points us to Jesus, the perfect Son who honored His Father and invites us into the family of God.

The Fifth Commandment reveals how the family is the bridge between loving God and loving people and the primary place where faith and wisdom are passed from one generation to the next. This message explores the meaning of biblical honor, showing that it goes beyond simple obedience to include respect, gratitude, and care throughout every stage of life. By honoring parents—whether through obedience, appreciation, or caring for them in their later years—we help preserve the bonds between generations and strengthen both our families and our society. Ultimately, the command points us to Jesus, the perfect Son who honored His Father and invites us into the family of God.

The Fifth Commandment reveals how the family is the bridge between loving God and loving people and the primary place where faith and wisdom are passed from one generation to the next. This message explores the meaning of biblical honor, showing that it goes beyond simple obedience to include respect, gratitude, and care throughout every stage of life. By honoring parents—whether through obedience, appreciation, or caring for them in their later years—we help preserve the bonds between generations and strengthen both our families and our society. Ultimately, the command points us to Jesus, the perfect Son who honored His Father and invites us into the family of God.