First Presbyterian Church of Baton Rouge

"He appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him."How does Jesus' method emphasize the power of a few? What hope does that give us as disciple makers?

"All the people were hanging on his words."Jesus' enemies accused him of “not having studied,” the way we would say, "he didn't have a degree from a prestigious seminary.” True. But in what ways do you think Jesus did study to prepare for ministry? Did he come with the Bible already hard-wired in his brain or did he have to learn like we do? Why is that important?

"Jesus went on from there and walked beside the Sea of Galilee."How important to Jesus was “ministry in interruption”? Doesn't it seem like Jesus went out and expected to be interrupted, almost more than he went out with a specific target? In what ways do we struggle to be interruptible? What's happened to our margins? What would you have to do in order to be ready for God-sent interruptions?  

Sacrifice and offering, my blood for your life, is at the heart of the story of Scripture. We see the mystery resolved in Jesus. The Triune God asked much of his people in the sacrifices. But the Father, Son, and Spirit gave more in the mission of the Son to die and rise in order to save us.

How essential is it that we see Jesus weeping and angry being “deeply moved?” What does this say about his love? Isn't it interesting that knowing Jesus wept doesn't make him less powerful, but instead more so? What happens to us when we suppress emotions? What value is given to our emotions when we see Jesus feeling? 

"He was in the stern, asleep on the cushion."What are we being told when we can't sleep for worry or restlessness? Or when we fear to sleep? 

"My Father is working until now, and I am working." Have you ever thought much about how hard Jesus had to work as a carpenter, a tradesman in construction? Why do you think Jesus lived in such obscurity for 30 years? How could Jesus be so unhurried in his life and ministry amidst so much human need? 

"For this purpose, I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name."We love to glorify people we love or admire: actors, athletes, writers, scientists. We don't mind glorifying someone when it comes from such affection.  But do we fear if we glorify God, it will diminish us? As if when there's more of God, there's less of us?Is that true? What does it mean to glorify God? 

"He went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God."Why were his times apart for prayer so necessary to the work of Jesus?  

Jesus' cross cannot be understood apart from his incarnation, life, resurrection, and ascension, and his identity as fully God and fully man. In humanity's weakness, sin, and hostility, Christ died as substitute to reconcile us. His sacrificial love frees believers from self-centered living and calls them into transformed, Christ-centered, life.

Join Scott Graham, Lauren Honea and Gerrit Dawson for these 10 to 12-minute roundtable discussions of "Rich Wounds: The Countless Treasures of the Life, Death and Triumph of Jesus" by our friend David Mathis. It contains 30 pithy reflections on the person and work of Christ.

Join Scott Graham, Lauren Honea and Gerrit Dawson for these 10 to 12-minute roundtable discussions of "Rich Wounds: The Countless Treasures of the Life, Death and Triumph of Jesus" by our friend David Mathis. It contains 30 pithy reflections on the person and work of Christ.

Our mission occurs when we launch people into what, for us, are the most remote areas. Our mission also involves each little decision we make during the day to do the right thing. We imitate what is good. We welcome others. We cultivate the fruit of the Spirit so that partaking of our lives tastes like the sweetness of love, joy, and peace. We understand that Church means all believers everywhere and Church means Team. Gaius and the bros tell us that such faithfulness results in resounding thanksgiving and praise to our God around the world. It all matters.

Our mission occurs when we launch people into what, for us, are the most remote areas. Our mission also involves each little decision we make during the day to do the right thing. We imitate what is good. We welcome others. We cultivate the fruit of the Spirit so that partaking of our lives tastes like the sweetness of love, joy, and peace. We understand that Church means all believers everywhere and Church means Team. Gaius and the bros tell us that such faithfulness results in resounding thanksgiving and praise to our God around the world. It all matters.

We do not want to be a fireplace with pretty flames but no heat. We want to show the world that we know we must love one another or die. We choose not despair. Not cynicism. Not hatred. But truth in love, and love in truth.

We do not want to be a fireplace with pretty flames but no heat. We want to show the world that we know we must love one another or die. We choose not despair. Not cynicism. Not hatred. But truth in love, and love in truth.

What would happen if you and I looked at each person we meet this week as if their names were engraved in the palms of Jesus? If we saw that there was room in the wounds of Jesus for the name of each one? That each has been created and called to be in the hands of Jesus? We would realize how Jesus speaks to his Church amidst all the thorny issues of the day and gives us an underlying, often uncomfortable but always redemptive word: receive him back, but no longer as a bondservant, but as a beloved brother. Apply that everywhere you look and see what happens.

What would happen if you and I looked at each person we meet this week as if their names were engraved in the palms of Jesus? If we saw that there was room in the wounds of Jesus for the name of each one? That each has been created and called to be in the hands of Jesus? We would realize how Jesus speaks to his Church amidst all the thorny issues of the day and gives us an underlying, often uncomfortable but always redemptive word: receive him back, but no longer as a bondservant, but as a beloved brother. Apply that everywhere you look and see what happens.

Jesus gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. ​ He gets us unstuck. ​ The grace that is Jesus Christ appeared in the world once and for all time, interrupting the death march of humanity by his own living, dying, and rising. ​ Now, in this present, the event of Jesus calls us to a new life today, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions and live in freedom with a new purpose.

Jesus gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. ​ He gets us unstuck. ​ The grace that is Jesus Christ appeared in the world once and for all time, interrupting the death march of humanity by his own living, dying, and rising. ​ Now, in this present, the event of Jesus calls us to a new life today, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions and live in freedom with a new purpose.

Do you really want to go back to the ridiculous futile ways of your former ignorance? Do you still want to pick up dead things and see if you can poke them alive? Do you still want to fit in with a world captive and crushed under its defiant enthronement of self? Of course not! Keep believing and repenting and moving from the circle of sin to the circle of the gospel. More and more, deeper and deeper. The man for all men and women, boys and girls, Jesus, paid such a price to ransom you. Live in that freedom!

Do you really want to go back to the ridiculous futile ways of your former ignorance? Do you still want to pick up dead things and see if you can poke them alive? Do you still want to fit in with a world captive and crushed under its defiant enthronement of self? Of course not! Keep believing and repenting and moving from the circle of sin to the circle of the gospel. More and more, deeper and deeper. The man for all men and women, boys and girls, Jesus, paid such a price to ransom you. Live in that freedom!

You may not see yourself as having much to offer the Lord in 2026. Perhaps you have fears, concerns, or hurts that feel beyond your ability to address. And you're right. But under our Lord's authority, He is able to make you a new creation. In fact, Christ's love becomes the love we have for others.

You may not see yourself as having much to offer the Lord in 2026. Perhaps you have fears, concerns, or hurts that feel beyond your ability to address. And you're right. But under our Lord's authority, He is able to make you a new creation. In fact, Christ's love becomes the love we have for others.

Lord Jesus, on this Christmas Eve, we light candles in the darkness. We sing carols into the night. While chaos seems ever near, we draw upon the deep peace of your being gathered in Mary's arms. You came through the barrier of our rebel humanity to be near us. Forgive us for all the times we have scampered away from you. For the ways we have sought life among dead things. For the doubts we raise that are really just willful refusal. Tonight, we would return to our heart of hearts and find you there. We would come to the manger, your first home with us, to receive your body and blood, and so be taken through to the everlastinghome that is you. Amen. 

Lord Jesus, on this Christmas Eve, we light candles in the darkness. We sing carols into the night. While chaos seems ever near, we draw upon the deep peace of your being gathered in Mary's arms. You came through the barrier of our rebel humanity to be near us. Forgive us for all the times we have scampered away from you. For the ways we have sought life among dead things. For the doubts we raise that are really just willful refusal. Tonight, we would return to our heart of hearts and find you there. We would come to the manger, your first home with us, to receive your body and blood, and so be taken through to the everlastinghome that is you. Amen. 

We want to gaze upon Christ now so that when we meet face to face, we have been preparing. We gaze on him as we enter the stories of his interactions with us. In the Scriptures we discover there are endless treasures in Jesus to behold and adore. We look at Christ by looking at life and the world through the eyes of Christ. We engage the task of growing more like him, not in fear but in hope.

We want to gaze upon Christ now so that when we meet face to face, we have been preparing. We gaze on him as we enter the stories of his interactions with us. In the Scriptures we discover there are endless treasures in Jesus to behold and adore. We look at Christ by looking at life and the world through the eyes of Christ. We engage the task of growing more like him, not in fear but in hope.

God creates light from nothing when he shines within us. He shines light so that we can see the light of his glory shining in the face of Jesus Christ. And believe. It takes an act of creation to remove our blindness. It takes an act of creation to create faith in us. To see that the Jesus of the Christmas story is the savior of the world and my personal savior. 

God creates light from nothing when he shines within us. He shines light so that we can see the light of his glory shining in the face of Jesus Christ. And believe. It takes an act of creation to remove our blindness. It takes an act of creation to create faith in us. To see that the Jesus of the Christmas story is the savior of the world and my personal savior. 

The world's redeemer revealed his sacred face as he nestled in the arms of Mary. Even the most hardened and secular people feel the sense of blessing that comes from holding an infant in your arms. The mystery of new life granted. This, this child with this face reveals the disposition of the eternal God toward you. He shines with grace. He beams with acceptance, pleasure, and welcome. O come, let us adore him. Let us receive and return the benediction of such love.

The world's redeemer revealed his sacred face as he nestled in the arms of Mary. Even the most hardened and secular people feel the sense of blessing that comes from holding an infant in your arms. The mystery of new life granted. This, this child with this face reveals the disposition of the eternal God toward you. He shines with grace. He beams with acceptance, pleasure, and welcome. O come, let us adore him. Let us receive and return the benediction of such love.

Hide not your face from me lest I be like those who go down to the pit. Cut off from the face of God we feel as discarded as refuse thrown into a garbage dump. The soul cries out to God for the bright morning light of God's shining face. If we could but see his expression and know it is one of steadfast love!

Hide not your face from me lest I be like those who go down to the pit. Cut off from the face of God we feel as discarded as refuse thrown into a garbage dump. The soul cries out to God for the bright morning light of God's shining face. If we could but see his expression and know it is one of steadfast love!

Do not underestimate the power of fruit. Do not underestimate the power of joy. Do not underestimate the power of humble lives lived in bold, hopeful obedience. So, seek the fruit. It's pleasing to God. It's how we conquer the world.

Do not underestimate the power of fruit. Do not underestimate the power of joy. Do not underestimate the power of humble lives lived in bold, hopeful obedience. So, seek the fruit. It's pleasing to God. It's how we conquer the world.

For all things needed of me, I have strength in the one strengthening me.

We have weapons with which to fight worry and anxiety. But as with anything, we have to learn how to use them. We have to engage the disciplines of dealing with anxiety. Especially in the days when things are more normal, and the pressure is not so great. Habits of prayer. Habits of rejoicing, thanking, and trusting that God is near. Resolutely offering all our worries to the heavenly Father who loves us so.

We have weapons with which to fight worry and anxiety. But as with anything, we have to learn how to use them. We have to engage the disciplines of dealing with anxiety. Especially in the days when things are more normal, and the pressure is not so great. Habits of prayer. Habits of rejoicing, thanking, and trusting that God is near. Resolutely offering all our worries to the heavenly Father who loves us so.

There's a resiliency work in progress in Christ's church. The mission of the church around the world depends on how we move towards resolution in every conflict. How we stretch our minds to embrace enemies and to embrace the worldwide communion of believers. We hold in our hearts and minds our eternal solidarity with every soul in Christ in all times and all places. 

There's a resiliency work in progress in Christ's church. The mission of the church around the world depends on how we move towards resolution in every conflict. How we stretch our minds to embrace enemies and to embrace the worldwide communion of believers. We hold in our hearts and minds our eternal solidarity with every soul in Christ in all times and all places. 

We draw upon the new life Christ has created in us. For Jesus who grabbed hold of us has given us his Holy Spirit inside us. We yield ourselves to his will and we ask him to give us the strength and power we need. It's the daily bread of life in Christ. We draw from the Spirit like letting an empty bucket down into a spring of fresh water. Come, Holy Spirit, fill me, cleanse me, satisfy me, change me and send me. 

We draw upon the new life Christ has created in us. For Jesus who grabbed hold of us has given us his Holy Spirit inside us. We yield ourselves to his will and we ask him to give us the strength and power we need. It's the daily bread of life in Christ. We draw from the Spirit like letting an empty bucket down into a spring of fresh water. Come, Holy Spirit, fill me, cleanse me, satisfy me, change me and send me. 

Compared to Jesus, even the God-given good things in our lives are as rubbish. Thankfully, God does not usually ask us to literally put our treasures in the rubbish pile. Instead, he asks us to surrender them to Christ our Lord and let Jesus dictate how we are to use them for his glory. 

The positive command to rejoice in the Lord includes the negative command to cease exalting in human standards. Stop taking so seriously your resume or your portfolio or lack of one. Without Christ, these are nothing but false paths to an illusive dream of a good life. Trash that story as your primary life narrative. Jump into your participation in the big Story of Jesus. That's a way to joy. And to find how all those skills and all that training really fits into a life lived for the glory of God.