First Baptist Owasso

Chris Wall • Matthew 7-24-29 The ending of the Sermon on the Mount issues a call to hear the Word and put it into practice. When God’s word is discovered, understood, and practiced, stability and endurance is the result. This passage will be both a great launching point and ending point for 2023.

Chris Wall I am on the journey when I actively worship with this local body, when I connect the spiritual truths of God’s word to my daily life, when I am involved in genuine Biblical community and when I am engaged with others as an ambassador for Christ.

Chris Wall • Hebrews 1:5-14 As King, Jesus rules in such a way as not to allow sin to reign over us any longer. In the Old Testament, the monarchy was established for the peace, prosperity, and welfare of the nation. The prototype king was David. No king was ever as beloved as he was. He was God's ruling representative among the people. With David on the throne, the nation of Israel could say, "All is well." Few things comfort a nation more than having a ruler of righteousness and strength sitting on the throne of power. It was said of David that he "reigned over all Israel. And David administered justice and equity to all his people" (2 Sam. 8:15). However, we have a King greater than David. Christ came in the line of David as David's son and yet also as David's Lord (Matt. 22:42–45). He is "the ruler of kings on earth" (Rev. 1:5) and "King of kings and Lord of lords" (19:16), including David. He rules with perfect justice and equity. As our King, He has fought our battles and now rules in such a way that sin never can reign over us (Rom. 6:7–14).

Chris Wall • Hebrews 9:11-15 ESV As the Priest, Jesus offered Himself as the only unblemished sacrifice worthy to pay the price for ALL sin. From the beginning time, priests stood as mediators between Holy God and sinful people. On the Day of Atonement (Lev. 16:34), the High Priest would enter into the Holy Place offering right sacrifices to atone for the sins of the people. The blood of the sacrifice would be sprinkled on the mercy seat. Divine Holiness exposes all uncleanness and every transgression. When Christ entered the world, lived a sinless life, then died on the cross as our Mediator and High Priest, once and for all the wrath of God was satisfied and sinful people were forgiven. Jesus remains the only worthy sacrifice for sin and death. The high priest of the Old Testament would enter the temple and offer the sacrifice. Jesus entered the world and offered Himself as the sacrifice. Once and for all, His blood brought us mercy and hope in both this life, and the life to come.

Chris Wall • Hebrews 1:1-4 ESV As Prophet, Jesus pronounced an end to all our sin. All through history, the prophet stood as the mouthpiece for God clearly and boldly proclaiming His word to humanity. The prophet brought both messages of indictment for sin calling people to repentance and opportunities for repentance revealing the path to restoration. Jesus, as the final and sufficient Prophet entered human history bringing both warnings of judgment and the path to forgiveness. All the prophets point to Jesus as the Prophet, Priest, and King for all the world. Are you willing to submit to the prophetic voice of God?

Chris Wall • 2 Corinthians 5:17-19 NIV Baptist Faith and Message 2000 – The Lord’s Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby members of the church, through partaking of the bread and fruit of the vine, memorialize the death of the Redeemer and anticipate His second coming. Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience symbolic of the believer’s faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Savior, the believer’s death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus.

Chris Wall • Matthew 24:3-8 ESV “God, in His own time and in His own way, will bring the world to its appropriate end. According to His promise, Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in glory to the earth; the dead will be raised; and Christ will judge all men in righteousness. The unrighteous will be consigned to Hell, the place of everlasting punishment. The righteous in their resurrected and glorified bodies will receive their reward and will dwell forever in Heaven with the Lord.” Article 10 – Baptist Faith and Message 2000

Chad Balthrop • 1 Timothy 2:1-4 God alone is Lord of the conscience, and He has left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men which are contrary to His Word or not contained in it. Church and state should be separate. The state owes to every church protection and full freedom in the pursuit of its spiritual ends. In providing for such freedom no ecclesiastical group or denomination should be favored by the state more than others. Civil government being ordained of God, it is the duty of Christians to render loyal obedience thereto in all things not contrary to the revealed will of God. The church should not resort to the civil power to carry on its work. The gospel of Christ contemplates spiritual means alone for the pursuit of its ends. The state has no right to impose penalties for religious opinions of any kind. The state has no right to impose taxes for the support of any form of religion. A free church in a free state is the Christian ideal, and this implies the right of free and unhindered access to God on the part of all men, and the right to form and propagate opinions in the sphere of religion without interference by the civil power.

Chris Wall • Jude 1:1-4 NIV A New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ is an autonomous local congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the two ordinances of Christ, governed by His laws, exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word, and seeking to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth. Each congregation operates under the Lordship of Christ through democratic processes. In such a congregation each member is responsible and accountable to Christ as Lord. Its scriptural officers are pastors and deacons. While both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture. The New Testament speaks also of the church as the Body of Christ which includes all of the redeemed of all the ages, believers from every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation.

Chris Wall • Genesis 38:1-6 NIV All Christians are under obligation to seek to make the will of Christ supreme in our own lives and in human society. means and methods used for the improvement of society and the establishment of righteousness among men can be truly and permanently helpful only when they are rooted in the regeneration of the individual by the saving grace of God in Jesus Christ. In the spirit of Christ, Christians should oppose racism, every form of greed, selfishness, and vice, and all forms of sexual immorality including adultery, homosexuality, and pornography. We should work to provide for the orphaned, the needy, the abused, the aged, and contend for the sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death.

Chris Wall • Genesis 2:18-24 NIV “God has ordained the family as the foundational institution of human society. A biblical family is brought together by marriage, blood, or adoption.” In this series “Asking for a Friend” I hear many friends asking questions around the idea of humanity, marriage, gender, and family. Of course, none of us have to look real hard to see how our culture is redefining family and gender roles. At our church, we embrace the authority of Scripture. Around here we want God’s word to stand. In fact, God’s word is so significant, it shapes our beliefs and our practices. I say this all the time, whenever I find a practice in my life that goes against Scripture, I am compelled to adjust my life to the word of God. Whenever I discover a belief that goes against the Bible, I am compelled to adjust my mind to what the Bible says. Many of our friends are questioning what a family should be? We need to be prepared not only to answer them, but we need to honor God even while living in a modern world with changing definitions. So, with this in mind, the question of the day is this: Is the family relationship established by God or is it a societal creation of man?

Chad Balthrop • Matthew 5:14-16 All Christians are under obligation to seek to make the will of Christ supreme in our own lives and in human society. Means and methods used for the improvement of society and the establishment of righteousness among men can be truly and permanently helpful only when they are rooted in the regeneration of the individual by the saving grace of God in Jesus Christ. In the spirit of Christ, Christians should oppose racism, every form of greed, selfishness, and vice, and all forms of sexual immorality, including adultery, homosexuality, and pornography. We should work to provide for the orphaned, the needy, the abused, the aged, the helpless, and the sick. We should speak on behalf of the unborn and contend for the sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death. Every Christian should seek to bring industry, government, and society as a whole under the sway of the principles of righteousness, truth, and brotherly love. In order to promote these ends Christians should be ready to work with all men of good will in any good cause, always being careful to act in the spirit of love without compromising their loyalty to Christ and His truth."

Chris Wall It is the duty and privilege of every follower of Christ and of every church of the Lord Jesus Christ to endeavor to make disciples of all nations. The new birth of a man’s spirit by God’s Holy Spirit means the birth of love for others. Missionary effort on the part of all rests thus upon a spiritual necessity of the regenerate life, and is expressly and repeatedly commanded in the teachings of Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ has commanded the preaching of the gospel to all nations. It is the duty of every child of God to seek constantly to win the lost to Christ by verbal witness undergirded by a Christian lifestyle, and by other methods in harmony with the gospel of Christ.

Kevin Ezell

Misael Gonzalez • John 3:16-17 NIV Are we in danger? When a Christian tells us that we need to be saved, we ask “saved from what?”. In this message we will be answering that very question because it is the most important question to answer what we need saving from and why.

Chris Wall • 1 Corinthians 16:1-4 NIV Stewardship. God is the source of all blessings, temporal and spiritual; all that we have and are we owe to Him. Christians have a spiritual debtorship to the whole world, a holy trusteeship in the gospel, and a binding stewardship in their possessions. They are therefore under obligation to serve Him with their time, talents, and material possessions; and should recognize all these as entrusted to them to use for the glory of God and for helping others. According to the Scriptures, Christians should contribute of their means cheerfully, regularly, systematically, proportionately, and liberally for the advancement of the Redeemer’s cause on earth.

Chris Wall • Luke 13:1-5 ESV In the beginning man was innocent of sin and was endowed by his Creator with freedom of choice. By his free choice man sinned against God and brought sin into the human race. Through the temptation of Satan man transgressed the command of God and fell from his original innocence whereby his posterity inherit a nature and an environment inclined toward sin. Therefore, as soon as they are capable of moral action, they become transgressors and are under condemnation. Only the grace of God can bring man into His holy fellowship and enable man to fulfill the creative purpose of God.

Misael Gonzalez • 2 Timonthy 3:16-17 NIV How do you know when to trust someone or something? You might feel this too, but I always feel like I am questioning everyone’s motives. I don’t want to, but I can’t help it. In church, leads me to ask, “can I actually trust that the Bible is true?” and how do we KNOW KNOW that what it says is something that I should let affect my life? So many questions that cannot be answered in 30 minutes, but my prayer is that this is a start.

Chris Wall • Matthew 9:35-38 It is the duty and privilege of every follower of Christ and of every church of the Lord Jesus Christ to endeavor to make disciples of all nations. The new birth of man's spirit by God's Holy Spirit means the birth of love for others. Missionary effort on the part of all results thus upon a spiritual necessity of the regenerate life, and is expressly and repeatedly commanded in the teachings of Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ has commanded the preaching of the gospel to all nations. It is the duty of every child of God to seek constantly to win the lost to Christ by verbal witness undergirded by a Christian lifestyle and by other methods in harmony with the gospel of Christ.

Wilson Geisler Testimony

Chris Wall • Mark 12:28-34 We are living and serving the Lord in a pluralistic society that loves spirituality and spiritual conversations. Thankfully, this fascination with spirituality provides incredible opportunities to engage our friends in spiritual conversations. Each conversation is a divine appointment with people in our lives who are not far from the Kingdom of God. Jesus had an encounter with one of these spiritually curious friends. In the conversation, Jesus helped bring clarity to the very important idea that pluralism misses the truth. As followers of Christ, we stand on the truth that Jesus is the ONLY way to heaven and salvation is found in Christ alone.

Chad Balthrop • 1 Peter 5:6-14 Great stories come out of great struggles. Scripture reminds us that God set our boundaries in pleasant places. Yet every day we face the pressure that comes from desires that tempt us to play outside the lines, people that push us to move the line, and an adversary that seeks to destroy us anywhere the line may fall. The pressure you experience today prepares you for the battle you face tomorrow. With firm resolve in the One who fights (and wins) every battle, you can stand.

Chris Wall • 1 Peter 5:1-7 NIV In times of persecution and trial, the local church is one of your greatest divine gifts of help, blessing and relationships. God calls us together and intentionally puts leaders in your life to walk with you through every circumstance. When it comes to the leadership structure of churches, most people don’t really look deeply into what the Bible says about church leadership. Most people simply accept what they see without really looking deeply into scripture. God used Peter to help us understand the value of church leadership as a source of strength in difficult times.

Misael Gonzalez • 1 Peter 5:1-4 ESV From the very beginning time, God has pointed His people to live each day with heaven in mind. Serving the Lord naturally moves us as a church to walk together. In this walk together, we should expect persecution to come. But remember, when it comes, we are not alone nor are we without resources. In fact, it is in our persecution that a lost world is able to recognize the incredible mercy of God.

Paul Taylor

Chris Wall • 1 Peter 4:12-19 NIV From the very beginning time, God has pointed His people to live each day with heaven in mind. Serving the Lord naturally moves us as a church to walk together. In this walk together, we should expect persecution to come. But remember, when it comes, we are not alone nor are we without resources. In fact, it is in our persecution that a lost world is able to recognize the incredible mercy of God.

Chris Wall • 1 Peter 4:7-11 NIV From the very beginning time, God has pointed His people to live each day with heaven in mind. Serving the Lord naturally moves us as a church to walk together. This passage reminds of the power available when we walk with the Lord and walk together.

Chad Balthrop • 1 Peter 4:1-6 NKJ Everyone draws the line somewhere. Draw behind the crowd, you’re ridiculed. Draw with the crowd, you’re celebrated. Draw ahead of the crowd, you might be considered a criminal.Scripture reminds us that God set our boundaries in pleasant places. The best lines aren’t ours to draw. Whatever the crowd may say, wherever the crowd may go, within the borders of His grace, discover the strength to stand.

Chris Wall • 1 Peter 3:13-22 NIV A meme is a picture, video, or piece of text shared over and over again that communicates an idea or feeling that people have together. Memes illustrate moments for people when words just aren’t enough. They can be funny, serious, or pointed. In Scripture, some principles are so rich in meaning that God paints multiple pictures to help us understand the significance of His desire for us. Submissiveness is a quality of character that God celebrates and invites every believer to practice. Through a series of pictures in Scripture, God helps us understand the strength and confidence that comes when we submit to Him. Is it possible that submission helps marriage last a lifetime as we magnify the gospel story together?

Chris Wall • 1 Peter 3:8-12 ESV A meme is a picture, video, or piece of text shared over and over again that communicates an idea or feeling that people have together. Memes illustrate moments for people when words just aren’t enough. They can be funny, serious, or pointed. In Scripture, some principles are so rich in meaning that God paints multiple pictures to help us understand the significance of His desire for us. Submissiveness is a quality of character that God celebrates and invites every believer to practice. Through a series of pictures in Scripture, God helps us understand the strength and confidence that comes when we submit to Him. Is it possible that submission helps marriage last a lifetime as we magnify the gospel story together?

Chris Wall • 1 Peter 3:1-7 ESV A meme is a picture, video, or piece of text shared over and over again that communicates an idea or feeling that people have together. Memes illustrate moments for people when words just aren’t enough. They can be funny, serious, or pointed. In Scripture, some principles are so rich in meaning that God paints multiple pictures to help us understand the significance of His desire for us. Submissiveness is a quality of character that God celebrates and invites every believer to practice. Through a series of pictures in Scripture, God helps us understand the strength and confidence that comes when we submit to Him. Is it possible that submission helps marriage last a lifetime as we magnify the gospel story together?

Chad Balthrop • 1 Peter 3:17 ESV A meme is a picture, video, or piece of text shared over and over again that communicates an idea or feeling that people have together. Memes illustrate moments for people when words just aren’t enough. They can be funny, serious, or pointed. In Scripture, some principles are so rich in meaning that God paints multiple pictures to help us understand the significance of His desire for us. Submissiveness is a quality of character that God celebrates and invites every believer to practice. Through a series of pictures in Scripture, God helps us understand the strength and confidence that comes when we submit to Him. Is it possible that submission helps marriage last a lifetime as we magnify the gospel story together?

Chris Wall • 1 Peter 2:18-25 ESV Submission to Christ naturally moves us to submit to one another. This goes against our natural human nature. However, following Christ moves us to surrender our will to God’s will. This is especially important as we serve the Lord in the workplace. It makes sense that God’s word speaks to our work life because according to Google: the average American spends 1/3 of their life working. Serving the Lord at work is our calling, this passage helps us understand how to bring glory to God in the workplace.

Chad Balthrop • 1 Peter 2:13-17 NKJV A meme is a picture, video, or piece of text shared over and over again that communicates an idea or feeling that people have together. Memes illustrate moments for people when words just aren’t enough. They can be funny, serious, or pointed. In Scripture, some principles are so rich in meaning that God paints multiple pictures to help us understand the significance of His desire for us. Submissiveness is a quality of character that God celebrates and invites every believer to practice. Through a series of pictures in Scripture, God helps us understand the strength and confidence that comes when we submit to Him. Is it possible to honor God by submitting to human authority? You can live your faith and live faithfully within the current system of government.

Chris Wall • 1 Peter 2:1-12 NIV When we you were born the first time, you were helpless, completely dependent, and vulnerable. The moment you are born again a spiritual battle kicks off. Amazingly, God prepares us for the battle. He equips us for the struggle. Spiritual birth is the greatest gift a person can receive producing the greatest adventure a person can live. Don’t miss the gift of new birth and the new life extended to you right now. Have you been BORN AGAIN? If so, Let’s get to work.

Misael Gonzalez • 1 Peter 2:1-8 NIV When something is being Forged, the impurities are being removed and the object is being molded into something new. In this process, you will never see someone throw impurities back into the object because it would ruin or poison the material. So here is the question… Do you seek to be strengthened by God, or are you poisoning yourself?

Chris Wall • Ephesians 3:14-21 ESV God has called us to these days and to this place. Over the past 75 years, God has moved. We are continuing to learn God can be trusted and He is faithful to use His word as a light and a lamp. Our call is to keep walking with Him and trusting Him until He returns. Let's never forget our work for the Lord continues. Let's get to work.

Chris Wall • Luke 24:1-8 ESV These ladies went to the tomb expecting to complete the grim task of preparing the mutilated body of Jesus for a proper burial. Approaching the tomb, shock and amazement took over as they discovered Jesus was no longer in the grave. He is Alive. This morning, let's walk into this first resurrection moment working to experience the risen Lord who continues to move powerfully in the lives of all who believe in Him.

Chris Wall • Luke 18:31-34 ESV The death and resurrection of Christ was bigger than just physically coming back to life. When Jesus rose from the dead and conquered the grave, He was revealing a new kind of human life available to all who would trust Him. He pointed to a life where the experience would shift from the shackles of weakness, aging and death to a new life capable of living eternally in the presence of God. The Resurrection produces a life you don’t want to miss.

Chris Wall • Luke 9:18-27 ESV People have always longed to see divine signs that offer hope in both this life and the next. Amazingly, God has provided so much evidence of His presence and His love for humanity. Though Creation clearly points to His existence, the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Christ is the greatest sign revealed to the world. The cross is the sign bringing hope to this life and the next. Let’s point the world to the cross by living daily walking with the Lord.

Misael Gonzalez • Matthew 12:38-42 NIV “What more do you want?” This is a valid question to ask after you have done everything possible to “prove” your point or “prove” your love to someone, yet they still don’t believe you. In this message, we see how people with unrepented hearts, wanted Jesus to “really” prove who he was even though he had already done all the signs to proclaim exactly who he was.

Chris Wall • 1 Peter 1:22-25 NIV One historic mark of a follower of Christ is showing love for one another. When we put God’s word into practice, it looks like patience, kindness, selflessness, and forgiveness. God brings His body together so the entire world will hear His voice and experience real hope in life.

Chad Balthrop • 1 Peter 1:17-25 NKJV It doesn’t seem fair. The food that tastes the best is bad for us. The things we want to buy are more than we can afford. The life we’ve always wanted seems just outside our reach. Yet God reminds us. There’s more to this life than this moment. Every minor decision paves the way to monumental mistakes or builds memories that tell a story you can’t wait to read again. By the grace of God, your life has been transformed. You don’t have to live by the world’s rules anymore. You’ve received a noble name and with it come all the promises of God.

Chris Wall • 1 Peter 1:13-16 ESV God is faithful to prepare us for tough times and challenging circumstances. Faith in Christ comes with a call to the frontlines of the spiritual battle. One of the reasons we don’t go to heaven right after coming to faith in Christ is that we have work to do. Thriving in #themissionlife is impossible without the pursuit of holiness. Today, lean into how the Holy Spirit helps you live a holy life.

Chris Wall • 1 Peter 1:10-12 ESV Salvation is so magnificent. It has been passed from generation to generation. We have a responsibility to do the same. In fact, our responsibility is so very important, the angels in heaven are actually envious of us. How cool is that?

Chris Wall • 1 Peter 1:3-9 ESV When Christ saves us and then grows us, so many blessings come our way. We have a hope that is living. We have strength and purpose through trials. And, there is no more fear in death. For every believer, our last day on the earth will be the day we receive the goal of our faith. That will be the day we cross the finish line experiencing seeing all that salvation means in real-time. The challenge is to live today with the end in mind. When we live this way, we make the days of our lives really count. Make it count...

Caleb and Jeremy Freeman • John 11

Chris Wall • 1 Peter 1:1-2 ESV The Bible is clear; Jesus does not keep us from tough times or difficult circumstances. God is big enough and always faithful to walk us through every chaotic situation we will face. From 1 Peter, discover proven ways God has given us to navigate the complexities of our world. God is faithful. His promises are always true. Because of His grace, your life is TRANSFORMED.

Chris Wall • Revelation 3:14-22 ESV God has called and mobilized us to engage together as Ambassadors for Christ. Like 2 Corinthians 5:20 says, “it is as though God were making His appeal through us.” God has been faithful to make Himself known to the world, but His most effective and intentional plan for sharing the news of salvation to the lost is through the lives of every believer and every church. Let’s engage with one another living every day as Ambassadors for Christ.

Chris Wall • Revelation 3:1-6 ESV First Baptist Owasso is a church committed to community. We are living life together walking through the ups and downs of life. As we build a church living in AUTHENTIC BIBLICAL COMMUNITY, we get close enough to one another to confront, serve, and face adversity side by side. Sardis was a church that was on the verge of death because they failed to live together authentically. Let's learn from this dying church.

Chris Wall • Revelation 2:18-29 ESV Our church works diligently to understand and live by the Word of God in every area of our lives. Following Jesus is not just a part of our lives. Faith drives everything we do. The church at Thyatira wanted to love everyone but made the mistake of drifting away from truth. To avoid that trap, one of our core values is connecting God's truth to our daily lives. God is faithful to use His word to help us navigate every challenge in every environment.