Weekly sermons from First Family Church in Ankeny, Iowa. All of our messages are straight from the Bible and point back to Jesus Christ.
What does a healthy church really look like? In 1 Thessalonians 5:14–22, Paul gives us a vision of peace that's anything but passive. When we take responsibility for one another, we make room for real growth—and real joy. Listen to this week’s sermon and learn more about this preaching series here.
What does a healthy church look like beneath the surface? In this message from 1 Thessalonians 5:12–13, Todd explores the often-overlooked dynamics between church leaders and members—and how those relationships shape the whole community. Listen to this week’s sermon and learn more about this preaching series here.
When it comes to God's future judgment on unbelievers, the focus for believers must be living a life of disciplined action, not delusional apathy. Listen to this week’s sermon and learn more about this preaching series here.
For the believer, the gospel gives hope about what follows death even in the face of death. Listen to the latest sermon from Pastor Todd from 1 Thessalonians 4 and learn more about this preaching series here.
Sanctification is continued obedience to Christ's commands, and it is especially critical in sexual areas so that we love each other rightly, not wrongly, showcasing our true identity. Listen to this sermon from Pastor Todd from 1 Thessalonians 4 and learn more about this preaching series here.
Sanctification is continued obedience to Christ's commands, and it is especially critical in sexual areas so that we love each other rightly, not wrongly, showcasing our true identity. Listen to this sermon from Pastor Todd from 1 Thessalonians 4 and learn more about this preaching series here.
Jesus is the victorious King who sends. Listen to the final sermon in our Passion Week 2025 series “The Final Week” and learn more about the series here.
Jesus is the humble King who saves. Listen to the first sermon in our Passion Week 2025 series “The Final Week” and learn more about the series here.
Christ’s coming changes everything! Listen to this “theological rest stop” in the book of 1 Thessalonians and learn more about this preaching series here.
People matter, so we pray. Listen to the concluding sermon from 1 Thessalonians 3 and learn more about this preaching series here.
People matter. Listen to part two of two in this sermon from 1 Thessalonians 2:17–3:10 and learn more about this preaching series here.
People matter. Listen to part one of two in this sermon from 1 Thessalonians 2:17–3:10 and learn more about this preaching series here.
There's a cost to receiving the Word, and there's a cost to resisting the Word. Which cost do you want to pay? Listen to this week’s sermon from 1 Thessalonians 2 and learn more about the series here.
“I will respond to gospel opportunities in the pattern of 1 Thessalonians 2.” Listen to part two of a two-part sermon as Pastor Todd unpacks the anatomy of a gospel opportunity. Learn more about the series here.
“I will respond to gospel opportunities in the pattern of 1 Thessalonians 2.” Listen to part one of a two-part sermon as Pastor Todd unpacks the anatomy of a gospel opportunity. Learn more about the series here.
True conversion happens when hearers of the gospel respond by turning to God from idols. Listen to this week’s sermon from Pastor Travis, and learn more about the series here.
Grateful prayer for change is ultimately linked to the gospel's power to change and compels us as models and messengers to spread the message of God's divine rescue. Listen to this week’s sermon from Pastor Todd, and learn more about the series here.
Grateful prayer for change is ultimately linked to the gospel’s power to change. Listen to the first sermon in our series in 1–2 Thessalonians from Pastor Todd, and learn more about the series here.
Stewards are spiritual managers who guard attentively. Listen to the final sermon in our series “Stewardship Simplified” and learn more here.
Stewards are generational managers who value, fashion, and launch their children expectantly. Listen to part three of our series “Stewardship Simplified” and learn more here.
Stewards are gracious managers who give sacrificially. Listen to part two of our series “Stewardship Simplified” and learn more here.
Stewards are faithful managers who invest diligently to see a return. Listen to the first sermon in our 4-week series called “Stewardship Simplified.”
Now is the time to move towards spiritual maturity through repeated obedience to God. Listen to the final sermon of 2024 from Pastor Todd.
The person of Christ is the real-life Jesus, and he is the only pathway to the Father, fellowship with others, and fullness of joy. Listen to the final sermon in our Advent 2024 series and learn more here.
Christ: Our physical Savior, our spiritual Head. Listen to week four of our Advent 2024 series and learn more here.
Christ: God's final Word to us, offerer & offering for us, and leader of us. Listen to week three of our Advent 2024 series and learn more here.
Christ: The Promised help, and our hope. Listen to week two of our Advent 2024 series and learn more here.
Christ: God's fulfillment. Our forgiveness. Listen to week one of our Advent 2024 series and learn more here.
Returning to God is a relational commitment, not ritualistic compliance. Listen to the final sermon in our study of the minor prophets, this week in the book of Zechariah. Learn more about the series here.
Even in retribution, God provides redemption for his remnant. Listen to week 8 of our study of the minor prophets, this week in the book of Zephaniah. Learn more about the series here.
Because God is faithful, I can trust Him. Listen to week 7 of our study of the minor prophets, this week in the book of Nahum. Learn more about the series here.
Because God is faithful and just, he will deliver his covenant people from their enemies. Listen to week 6 of our study of the minor prophets, this week in the book of Obadiah. Learn more about the series here.
Because of God’s generous provision for me, I can live a life of genuine generosity. Listen to week 5 of our study of the minor prophets, this week in the book of Amos. Learn more about the series here.
Because of God’s perfect justice, I must repent, change, and trust in His provision for my sins: Jesus. Listen to week 4 of our study of the minor prophets, this week in the book of Amos. Learn more about the series here.
Next Gen Director Adam Bailey closes out GO Week 2024 with a sermon about the glory of God from Psalm 96. Learn more about GO Week here.
Listen as FFC partner Russ Matthews kicks off GO Week 2024 with a message from Colossians 3. Learn more about GO Week here.
Because of God’s great mercy, I am never too far gone. Listen to week 3 of our study of the minor prophets, this week in the book of Joel. Learn more about the series here.
Because of the loving nature and sacrifice of God, I will walk worthy of my redemption. Listen to part two of our study of Hosea from our minor prophets series, and learn more about the series here.
The small book of Hosea, specifically the person of Hosea, shows us the graciousness of God, who seeks and saves the lost even at His own expense. Listen to the first sermon in our new series on the minor prophets, and learn more about the series here.
On FFC’s 20th anniversary, Todd delivers a special sermon about the Word that has been working in the life of our church for 20 years and will continue to do so.
In Christ, all who believe are connected, and we are connected to serve a common mission: Christ's! Listen to the final sermon in our Colossians series from Pastor Todd. Find past sermons from our Christ Alone series here.
Because Christ's preeminence brings about an increasing awareness of the gospel's missional priority, I will pray for gospel progress, maximize gospel opportunities, and speak with gospel attractiveness. Listen to the latest sermon in our Colossians series from Pastor Todd and learn more about our Christ Alone series here.
Whether “forced” or “free,” Christ's preeminence should affect my work so that I am horizontally responsible for vertical reasons. Listen to the latest sermon in our Colossians series from Pastor Todd. Learn more about our Christ Alone series here.
Experiencing Christ’s preeminence in my family relationships starts with embracing Christ’s perspective about my responsibility. Dive into this practical section of Colossians 3 with Pastor Todd. Learn more about our Christ Alone series here.
Because I’m spiritually alive, gratefulness flows out of me because of Christ’s presence in me. Listen as Pastor Todd closes out this section of Colossians on being raised with Christ and dead to sin. Learn more about our Christ Alone series here.
Because we’re alive spiritually, we can live graciously and generously. Listen as Pastor Travis unpacks the Christian’s identity, virtue, community, and challenges in this sermon from Colossians 3:12–14. Learn more about our Christ Alone series here.
Because you're alive spiritually, practice your position horizontally by slaying sin and savoring Christ! Dive into this first part of this section in Colossians 3 with Pastor Todd. Learn more about this series at firstfamily.church/christ-alone.
Because you're alive spiritually, position your perspective vertically — in the past, present, and future reality of Christ. Listen as Pastor Todd unpacks this rich text as we start Colossians 3 in our “Christ Alone” series. Learn more about the series at https://firstfamily.church/christ-alone.
Because you're “dead,” don't search the graveyard of man for continued life from God. Listen to the final sermon from Colossians 2 from Pastor Todd and learn more about our “Christ Alone” series at https://firstfamily.church/christ-alone.
“I will live Christianly in this politically charged culture by worshipping only God, not excusing sin, and enduring whatever price I may pay for remaining faithful to Christ Jesus the Lord.” Listen to this special standalone sermon from Pastor Todd in light of our current political climate.
Act dead — because you actually are — to “secret substitutes” for Christ that actually separate you from true spiritual nourishment in and through Christ. Listen to Parts 2 and 3 from this section of Colossians 2 from Pastor Todd and learn more about our series in Colossians at https://firstfamily.church/christ-alone.