First Baptist Church Thomson, GA

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.

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 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 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 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.

In this message, we explore how the Fourth Commandment reveals the Sabbath not as a burdensome rule but as a gracious gift woven into Creation itself—a holy rhythm of work and rest that reminds us who God is and who we are. We see that to “remember” the Sabbath is to live in light of God’s covenant faithfulness, trusting Him as both Creator and Deliverer. The Sabbath protects us from turning work into slavery, restores dignity to every person, and declares that our time ultimately belongs to the Lord. Most importantly, it points beyond a day to a Person—Jesus Christ—who fulfills the promise of true rest and invites us to stop striving and enter the finished work of His grace.

In this message, we explore how the Fourth Commandment reveals the Sabbath not as a burdensome rule but as a gracious gift woven into Creation itself—a holy rhythm of work and rest that reminds us who God is and who we are. We see that to “remember” the Sabbath is to live in light of God’s covenant faithfulness, trusting Him as both Creator and Deliverer. The Sabbath protects us from turning work into slavery, restores dignity to every person, and declares that our time ultimately belongs to the Lord. Most importantly, it points beyond a day to a Person—Jesus Christ—who fulfills the promise of true rest and invites us to stop striving and enter the finished work of His grace.

In this message, we explore how the Fourth Commandment reveals the Sabbath not as a burdensome rule but as a gracious gift woven into Creation itself—a holy rhythm of work and rest that reminds us who God is and who we are. We see that to “remember” the Sabbath is to live in light of God’s covenant faithfulness, trusting Him as both Creator and Deliverer. The Sabbath protects us from turning work into slavery, restores dignity to every person, and declares that our time ultimately belongs to the Lord. Most importantly, it points beyond a day to a Person—Jesus Christ—who fulfills the promise of true rest and invites us to stop striving and enter the finished work of His grace.

This message on the Third Commandment shows that taking God’s Name in vain is about more than careless speech—it’s about how we represent the God we belong to. Because His Name reveals His character and authority, we bear it in our words, worship, and daily lives. Through Jesus, who perfectly honored the Father’s Name, we are empowered to live reverently and reflect the One whose Name is above every name

This message on the Third Commandment shows that taking God’s Name in vain is about more than careless speech—it’s about how we represent the God we belong to. Because His Name reveals His character and authority, we bear it in our words, worship, and daily lives. Through Jesus, who perfectly honored the Father’s Name, we are empowered to live reverently and reflect the One whose Name is above every name

This message on the Third Commandment shows that taking God’s Name in vain is about more than careless speech—it’s about how we represent the God we belong to. Because His Name reveals His character and authority, we bear it in our words, worship, and daily lives. Through Jesus, who perfectly honored the Father’s Name, we are empowered to live reverently and reflect the One whose Name is above every name

The Second Commandment (Exod. 20:4–6) reminds us that faithful worship is not only about who we worship, but how we worship. God forbids images because He will not be reduced, controlled, or misrepresented; instead, He reveals Himself by His Word and calls us to respond in faith and obedience. True worship reflects who God truly is—not our preferences—and honors the covenant relationship established by His redeeming grace. Because worship shapes lives and leaves a generational legacy, how we worship today matters deeply.

The Second Commandment (Exod. 20:4–6) reminds us that faithful worship is not only about who we worship, but how we worship. God forbids images because He will not be reduced, controlled, or misrepresented; instead, He reveals Himself by His Word and calls us to respond in faith and obedience. True worship reflects who God truly is—not our preferences—and honors the covenant relationship established by His redeeming grace. Because worship shapes lives and leaves a generational legacy, how we worship today matters deeply.

The Second Commandment (Exod. 20:4–6) reminds us that faithful worship is not only about who we worship, but how we worship. God forbids images because He will not be reduced, controlled, or misrepresented; instead, He reveals Himself by His Word and calls us to respond in faith and obedience. True worship reflects who God truly is—not our preferences—and honors the covenant relationship established by His redeeming grace. Because worship shapes lives and leaves a generational legacy, how we worship today matters deeply.

In this message, we look at the First Commandment--not as a harsh rule, but as a gracious invitation from a loving God. When the Lord says, “You shall have no other gods before Me,” He is calling His redeemed people to live with undivided hearts for Him. Rooted in God’s identity as our Creator, Redeemer, Judge, Savior, and Lawgiver, this sermon helps us recognize the subtle “rival gods” that compete for our trust and loyalty—whether the opinions of others, the pursuit of security or success, or the voices of culture and self. As we examine our hearts in the light of God’s Word, we are reminded that true freedom and wholeness are found not in divided allegiance, but in loving the Lord without rivals and placing Him back at the center of our lives.

In this message, we look at the First Commandment--not as a harsh rule, but as a gracious invitation from a loving God. When the Lord says, “You shall have no other gods before Me,” He is calling His redeemed people to live with undivided hearts for Him. Rooted in God’s identity as our Creator, Redeemer, Judge, Savior, and Lawgiver, this sermon helps us recognize the subtle “rival gods” that compete for our trust and loyalty—whether the opinions of others, the pursuit of security or success, or the voices of culture and self. As we examine our hearts in the light of God’s Word, we are reminded that true freedom and wholeness are found not in divided allegiance, but in loving the Lord without rivals and placing Him back at the center of our lives.

In this message, we look at the First Commandment--not as a harsh rule, but as a gracious invitation from a loving God. When the Lord says, “You shall have no other gods before Me,” He is calling His redeemed people to live with undivided hearts for Him. Rooted in God’s identity as our Creator, Redeemer, Judge, Savior, and Lawgiver, this sermon helps us recognize the subtle “rival gods” that compete for our trust and loyalty—whether the opinions of others, the pursuit of security or success, or the voices of culture and self. As we examine our hearts in the light of God’s Word, we are reminded that true freedom and wholeness are found not in divided allegiance, but in loving the Lord without rivals and placing Him back at the center of our lives.

This message introduces The Law of Love series by showing that the Ten Commandments were never given as a way to earn salvation, but as a gift of grace to shape a redeemed people. Beginning with God’s rescue of Israel from slavery, we see how the Law reveals God’s character, exposes our sin, and points us to our need for a Savior. Jesus fulfilled the Law perfectly on our behalf, and He summed it up in two great commands—to love God and to love others. Under the New Covenant, God writes His Law not on tablets of stone but on human hearts through the Holy Spirit, forming a people who live in true freedom, shaped by love rather than legalism.

This message introduces The Law of Love series by showing that the Ten Commandments were never given as a way to earn salvation, but as a gift of grace to shape a redeemed people. Beginning with God’s rescue of Israel from slavery, we see how the Law reveals God’s character, exposes our sin, and points us to our need for a Savior. Jesus fulfilled the Law perfectly on our behalf, and He summed it up in two great commands—to love God and to love others. Under the New Covenant, God writes His Law not on tablets of stone but on human hearts through the Holy Spirit, forming a people who live in true freedom, shaped by love rather than legalism.

This message introduces The Law of Love series by showing that the Ten Commandments were never given as a way to earn salvation, but as a gift of grace to shape a redeemed people. Beginning with God’s rescue of Israel from slavery, we see how the Law reveals God’s character, exposes our sin, and points us to our need for a Savior. Jesus fulfilled the Law perfectly on our behalf, and He summed it up in two great commands—to love God and to love others. Under the New Covenant, God writes His Law not on tablets of stone but on human hearts through the Holy Spirit, forming a people who live in true freedom, shaped by love rather than legalism.

We explore how God established the ministry of deacons to meet practical needs, support spiritual leadership, and protect the unity of the church. In a moment of tension and growth, the early church responded by calling faithful servants to step forward. The result was a strengthened fellowship and a Gospel that continued to spread with power. As our church ordains and commissions deacons, this sermon reminds us that healthy churches are built on humble service, shared ministry, and a commitment to unity for the glory of God.

We explore how God established the ministry of deacons to meet practical needs, support spiritual leadership, and protect the unity of the church. In a moment of tension and growth, the early church responded by calling faithful servants to step forward. The result was a strengthened fellowship and a Gospel that continued to spread with power. As our church ordains and commissions deacons, this sermon reminds us that healthy churches are built on humble service, shared ministry, and a commitment to unity for the glory of God.

We explore how God established the ministry of deacons to meet practical needs, support spiritual leadership, and protect the unity of the church. In a moment of tension and growth, the early church responded by calling faithful servants to step forward. The result was a strengthened fellowship and a Gospel that continued to spread with power. As our church ordains and commissions deacons, this sermon reminds us that healthy churches are built on humble service, shared ministry, and a commitment to unity for the glory of God.

This last sermon in our "Saving Christmas" Advent series reminds us that Christmas is not about what we buy or receive, but about the self-giving love of God revealed in Jesus Christ. Scripture defines love not by feelings or sentimentality, but by sacrifice—ultimately seen in God giving His Son for us. Drawing from 2 Corinthians 8, the message calls believers to demonstrate that love through generous, grace-filled giving. When love is defined by God, displayed at Christmas, and demonstrated through giving, Christmas is rescued from becoming all about stuff and restored to its true meaning.

This last sermon in our "Saving Christmas" Advent series reminds us that Christmas is not about what we buy or receive, but about the self-giving love of God revealed in Jesus Christ. Scripture defines love not by feelings or sentimentality, but by sacrifice—ultimately seen in God giving His Son for us. Drawing from 2 Corinthians 8, the message calls believers to demonstrate that love through generous, grace-filled giving. When love is defined by God, displayed at Christmas, and demonstrated through giving, Christmas is rescued from becoming all about stuff and restored to its true meaning.

This last sermon in our "Saving Christmas" Advent series reminds us that Christmas is not about what we buy or receive, but about the self-giving love of God revealed in Jesus Christ. Scripture defines love not by feelings or sentimentality, but by sacrifice—ultimately seen in God giving His Son for us. Drawing from 2 Corinthians 8, the message calls believers to demonstrate that love through generous, grace-filled giving. When love is defined by God, displayed at Christmas, and demonstrated through giving, Christmas is rescued from becoming all about stuff and restored to its true meaning.

In this message we explore how the Bible presents a far more honest—and hopeful—picture of Christmas than cultural nostalgia allows. From the grief surrounding Jesus’ birth to the cries of God’s people in exile, Scripture reminds us that Christ entered a broken world, not a Hallmark one. True joy, therefore, is not a fragile feeling dependent on circumstances, but a resilient, Spirit-given gift rooted in God’s unchanging character and saving work. This message calls us to receive and practice a deeper joy—fostered in the Spirit and shared with others, and that ultimately points us to Jesus as the only source of joy strong enough to sustain us in every season of life.

In this message we explore how the Bible presents a far more honest—and hopeful—picture of Christmas than cultural nostalgia allows. From the grief surrounding Jesus’ birth to the cries of God’s people in exile, Scripture reminds us that Christ entered a broken world, not a Hallmark one. True joy, therefore, is not a fragile feeling dependent on circumstances, but a resilient, Spirit-given gift rooted in God’s unchanging character and saving work. This message calls us to receive and practice a deeper joy—fostered in the Spirit and shared with others, and that ultimately points us to Jesus as the only source of joy strong enough to sustain us in every season of life.

In this message we explore how the Bible presents a far more honest—and hopeful—picture of Christmas than cultural nostalgia allows. From the grief surrounding Jesus’ birth to the cries of God’s people in exile, Scripture reminds us that Christ entered a broken world, not a Hallmark one. True joy, therefore, is not a fragile feeling dependent on circumstances, but a resilient, Spirit-given gift rooted in God’s unchanging character and saving work. This message calls us to receive and practice a deeper joy—fostered in the Spirit and shared with others, and that ultimately points us to Jesus as the only source of joy strong enough to sustain us in every season of life.

Christmas often brings more tension than tranquility, but the good news is that Jesus came into a world just as chaotic, divided, and burdened as ours. He stepped into our pain, our chaos, and our divisions to speak God’s promised peace into our lives and make us whole. And because He is our peace, He sends us out as peacemakers—those who seek Him first, practice peace with others, and carry His presence into every relationship and situation this season. This message invites us to receive Christ’s peace and share it with a world desperately in need of it.

Christmas often brings more tension than tranquility, but the good news is that Jesus came into a world just as chaotic, divided, and burdened as ours. He stepped into our pain, our chaos, and our divisions to speak God’s promised peace into our lives and make us whole. And because He is our peace, He sends us out as peacemakers—those who seek Him first, practice peace with others, and carry His presence into every relationship and situation this season. This message invites us to receive Christ’s peace and share it with a world desperately in need of it.

Christmas often brings more tension than tranquility, but the good news is that Jesus came into a world just as chaotic, divided, and burdened as ours. He stepped into our pain, our chaos, and our divisions to speak God’s promised peace into our lives and make us whole. And because He is our peace, He sends us out as peacemakers—those who seek Him first, practice peace with others, and carry His presence into every relationship and situation this season. This message invites us to receive Christ’s peace and share it with a world desperately in need of it.

This message shows that the real threat to Christmas isn’t the Grinch or a snowstorm, but the doubts that can cloud our hope. In Luke 1:26–38, God meets Mary—and all the characters in the Christmas story—in their questions, fears, and uncertainties, proving He is not threatened by honest doubt. Christmas begins with God’s initiative, grows through our sincere questions, and rests on His power and promises, for “nothing is impossible with God.” The virgin birth, fulfilled prophecy, and the reliability of the Gospels remind us that Christmas is not a myth but miraculous truth. Like Mary, we’re invited to respond with humble trust: “May it be done to me according to Your word.” That is how we truly save Christmas from doubt.

This message shows that the real threat to Christmas isn’t the Grinch or a snowstorm, but the doubts that can cloud our hope. In Luke 1:26–38, God meets Mary—and all the characters in the Christmas story—in their questions, fears, and uncertainties, proving He is not threatened by honest doubt. Christmas begins with God’s initiative, grows through our sincere questions, and rests on His power and promises, for “nothing is impossible with God.” The virgin birth, fulfilled prophecy, and the reliability of the Gospels remind us that Christmas is not a myth but miraculous truth. Like Mary, we’re invited to respond with humble trust: “May it be done to me according to Your word.” That is how we truly save Christmas from doubt.

This message shows that the real threat to Christmas isn’t the Grinch or a snowstorm, but the doubts that can cloud our hope. In Luke 1:26–38, God meets Mary—and all the characters in the Christmas story—in their questions, fears, and uncertainties, proving He is not threatened by honest doubt. Christmas begins with God’s initiative, grows through our sincere questions, and rests on His power and promises, for “nothing is impossible with God.” The virgin birth, fulfilled prophecy, and the reliability of the Gospels remind us that Christmas is not a myth but miraculous truth. Like Mary, we’re invited to respond with humble trust: “May it be done to me according to Your word.” That is how we truly save Christmas from doubt.

Psalm 107 reminds us that whenever God’s people cry out to Him, He responds with His faithful love—guiding the lost, freeing the enslaved, healing the broken, and calming the storms that steal our hope. As the final message in our When God’s People Pray series, this passage shows that every answered prayer becomes an invitation to give thanks and to testify to God’s goodness. In every circumstance of life—confusion, discipline, sickness, or fear—God proves Himself faithful, present, and powerful, and His people are called to remember, rejoice, and proclaim His enduring love.

Psalm 107 reminds us that whenever God’s people cry out to Him, He responds with His faithful love—guiding the lost, freeing the enslaved, healing the broken, and calming the storms that steal our hope. As the final message in our When God’s People Pray series, this passage shows that every answered prayer becomes an invitation to give thanks and to testify to God’s goodness. In every circumstance of life—confusion, discipline, sickness, or fear—God proves Himself faithful, present, and powerful, and His people are called to remember, rejoice, and proclaim His enduring love.

Psalm 107 reminds us that whenever God’s people cry out to Him, He responds with His faithful love—guiding the lost, freeing the enslaved, healing the broken, and calming the storms that steal our hope. As the final message in our When God’s People Pray series, this passage shows that every answered prayer becomes an invitation to give thanks and to testify to God’s goodness. In every circumstance of life—confusion, discipline, sickness, or fear—God proves Himself faithful, present, and powerful, and His people are called to remember, rejoice, and proclaim His enduring love.

In this message from John 17, we “listen in” as Jesus prays the night before His crucifixion, revealing the priorities that should shape our own intercessions. If Matthew 6 teaches us how to pray, John 17 shows us how Jesus prays for us—and therefore how God’s people should pray for one another. As we adopt the heart of Jesus in our prayers—for our families, church, community, and fellow believers—we learn to pray with His priorities, His confidence, and His love. This is what it means for God’s people to pray like Jesus.