Temple Baptist Church - Fort Worth

The devices designed to connect us may actually be contributing to deeper loneliness. In week two of our Look Up series, we explore the growing epidemic of isolation in a world that has never been more digitally connected. Drawing from the book of 2 John, this message examines God's design for genuine human connection and why face-to-face relationships remain essential for spiritual health, joy, and flourishing. Along the way, we confront what the message calls the "unholy trinity" of digital disconnection: comparison, criticism, and coveting. The good news is that Jesus came not only to reconcile us to God, but also to restore our relationships with one another. Through the gospel, we are freed from the endless cycle of comparison and invited into a life marked by grace, gratitude, unity, and authentic connection. Whether you feel overwhelmed by social media, distracted by your devices, or simply longing for deeper relationships, this message offers both biblical hope and practical steps to help you look up, reconnect, and experience the life God designed for you. Sunday, June 7th, 2026 Speaker: Pastor Doug Rife Series: Look Up How can we pray for you? - Text “PrayFW” to 94000 Giving - https://templefw.churchcenter.com/give/ Welcome to Temple Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas. We exist to guide people to life change in Jesus Christ. For more information: https://www.templebaptistchurch.net/

How much of your attention is being shaped by your phone? In this message, we begin a new series exploring the relationship between faith, technology, and the habits that shape our daily lives. In a world where many of us check our phones hundreds of times a day, it's worth asking: What is all of that attention doing to our hearts, our relationships, and our walk with God? Drawing from Isaiah 26, this message explores the biblical concept of shalom—a peace that is far deeper than the absence of conflict. Scripture promises that God will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfastly focused on Him. The goal isn't to demonize technology. The real issue is where we place our trust and attention. When our focus shifts toward God, faith grows—and where faith grows, peace follows. If you've been feeling distracted, overwhelmed, anxious, or spiritually stretched thin, this message offers a timely invitation to lift your eyes, refocus your heart, and rediscover the peace that Jesus promises. Sunday, May 31st, 2026 Speaker: Pastor Doug Rife Series: Look Up How can we pray for you? - Text “PrayFW” to 94000 Giving - https://templefw.churchcenter.com/give/ Welcome to Temple Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas. We exist to guide people to life change in Jesus Christ. For more information: https://www.templebaptistchurch.net/

This week we wrapped up our Timeless Worship for Every Generation series by exploring the final Hebrew word for praise: "Tehilla" — a praise that is more than something we do… it becomes part of who we are. Throughout this series, we’ve discovered that worship was never meant to be defined by preference, personality, tradition, or comfort. Scripture paints a much bigger picture. Worship is a response to who God is, and Tehilla reminds us that praise is an identity we carry every day. In this message we look at what it means to be people marked by praise: people whose lives tell the story of God’s faithfulness, whose worship points others toward hope, and whose praise becomes contagious in a world desperate for good news. We also reflect on Psalm 40, Isaiah 61, and the truth that God doesn’t simply ask for praise—He transforms us into people of praise. Our prayer is that this message helps you move beyond seeing worship as an event and begin embracing it as a lifestyle.

This week in our Timeless Worship for Every Generation series, we continued exploring the rich Hebrew language of worship by looking at the word "Barak" — a form of praise that means to kneel and bless. While we often think of worship as singing songs, scripture gives us a much bigger picture. Barak reveals worship as a posture of humility, surrender, awe, and remembrance. It’s worship that is personal and passionate, but also authentic and deeply rooted in who God is. Walking through Psalm 103, we discover that worship grows when we remember God’s goodness: His forgiveness, His compassion, His faithfulness, and His unfailing love. This message also reminds us that worship is contagious. It strengthens communities, shapes future generations, and ultimately points us toward the day when all creation will worship before God’s throne.

This week we explored the Hebrew word "Zamar" — worship through singing and music. From the songs of Moses to the Psalms of ascent, scripture reminds us that music has always been more than background noise. It teaches us, unites us, shapes our hearts, and helps us remember the faithfulness of God. Worship isn’t about a style or tempo — it’s about responding to who God is with all that we are.

What does it look like to worship God with everything you have? This week we explore the Hebrew word "Shabach" — a kind of praise that’s loud, bold, and impossible to ignore. It’s been described as a “holy roar.” Throughout Scripture, we see this kind of worship show up in powerful moments: people praising God in the wilderness, celebrating His goodness, or crying out in gratitude after experiencing His mercy. It’s not reserved for perfect situations. In fact, some of the loudest praise comes in the middle of the hardest seasons. This message is a reminder that worship isn’t meant to stay quiet or passive. It refocuses our hearts, strengthens us in spiritual battles, and prepares us for eternity where worship will be anything but silent.

What does real worship actually look like? This week we look at the Hebrew word "todah" — a form of worship that brings together two powerful things: confession and gratitude. It’s not about having everything figured out or showing up with a perfect life. It’s about coming honestly before God, admitting our need, and at the same time remembering His goodness and faithfulness. Psalm 100 gives us a picture of this kind of worship—joyful, honest, and fully engaged. We’re reminded that we are like sheep in need of a shepherd, and worship begins when we acknowledge that reality. From there, gratitude grows as we look back on what God has done, trust what He’s doing now, and believe in what He’s promised ahead. This message is an invitation to move beyond passive or routine worship and step into something active and real—where we bring both our brokenness and our thankfulness to God.

What if worship was meant to be seen, not just felt? This week we explore "yadah" — a powerful, biblical expression of worship that means lifting your hands in praise, surrender, and dependence on God. A real response to who God is. Whether in celebration, desperation, or surrender… worship was never meant to stay hidden.

Worship isn’t meant to be quiet, contained, or based on preference—it’s meant to be a response to who God is. This message unpacks the biblical idea of halal—a kind of praise that’s expressive, joyful, and even a little undignified. From Psalm 150 to the life of David, we’re reminded that real worship is bigger than comfort zones—it’s about giving God the praise He’s worthy of.

Easter isn’t just about the empty tomb—it’s about what happens in the tension between death, silence, and resurrection. This message explores real grief, real loss, and a powerful truth: “If the tomb is empty, anything is possible.” From personal stories of heartbreak to the promise of Jesus—“Because I live, you also will live”—we’re reminded that God brings life out of what feels dead.

God reveals His name as Yahweh—“I AM”, a name that carries both mercy and justice across generations. This message explores the tension between forgiveness and consequences, showing how God’s steadfast love spans thousands of generations while still confronting sin. Ultimately, it all points to Jesus—Yeshua, “Yahweh saves”—the fulfillment of God’s promise to forgive and restore.

What is God really like? God reveals Himself in Exodus 34 as slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love, and faithful. This message explores what that means in a world shaped by quick tempers, shifting emotions, and uncertain circumstances. Yahweh’s character anchors our hope. His patience, compassion, and covenant love give us solid ground when life feels shaky.

Who is God—really? In this message, we explore the name Yahweh and what God reveals about Himself in Exodus 34. While many “gods” and spiritual voices exist, Scripture makes it clear: Yahweh alone is supreme. He is merciful and gracious—full of compassion and actively working on behalf of His people. And through Jesus, He has defeated every opposing power and made a way for us to draw near.

Does the way we live really matter? Scripture says it does. The Bible teaches that every believer will stand before Christ, where our lives will be evaluated and rewarded. What we value, pursue, and build today carries eternal significance. Through passages like 1 Corinthians 9 and 2 Corinthians 5, this message invites us to live with purpose, discipline, and faithfulness—because what is done for Christ will last forever.

When Moses encountered God at the burning bush and asked, “What is Your name?” he was asking about God’s identity, character, and story. God responded, “I AM WHO I AM” — Yahweh — the eternal, self-existent One who has always been and will always be. We trace this revelation through Exodus 3 and Exodus 34, where God proclaims His own character: merciful, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, just and holy. This self-description becomes foundational for understanding who God truly is. The message also connects this Old Testament revelation to Jesus, whose name means “Yahweh saves.” In Christ, the God who revealed His name to Moses draws near to rescue and redeem.

This week we were honored to hear from Jon Riddlehoover of Central Storehouse in East Fort Worth. Central Storehouse exists to love neighbors and feed souls—meeting practical needs while sharing the hope of Jesus. Through simple, faithful conversations and prayer, more than 475 people have come to faith. From Colossians 4:2–6, Jon called us to three clear commitments: Pray for the gospel. Live the gospel. Speak the gospel. In a community facing deep hardship, the church stands as both help and hope. Watch the full message at the link below and consider how God might use you right where you are.

God delights in you. That truth anchors everything. In the final message of our “Father Heart of God” series, we move from theology to practice. If we are truly sons and daughters, how do we live like it? We look at Jesus’ early life in Luke 2—His growth, His devotion to the Father, and the moment at His baptism when the Father declares delight over Him before any public ministry begins. Identity comes before accomplishment. Approval comes before performance.

Your identity begins as a son or daughter. Everything else is assignment. This message centers on the Father’s heart and the invitation to live from a place of belonging rather than striving. Scripture reveals God as Father and calls us to abide in Jesus as our primary calling. Work, roles, and responsibilities flow from that relationship and never define it.

Everyone has an opinion about greatness. Scripture gives us clarity. This message takes us from cultural debates about the “greatest of all time” to Jesus’ words in Matthew 18, where greatness is revealed through humility, dependence, and childlike faith. God alone stands as truly great, and His kingdom elevates trust over self-reliance and surrender over status.

What you believe about God shapes everything about your life. This message invites us to examine the images of God we carry and to receive the truth Scripture reveals: God calls Himself Father. Jesus spoke to Him as “Abba,” inviting us into a relationship marked by closeness, trust, and belonging. Through Christ, we are adopted, named, and welcomed into God’s family with intention and joy. This sermon speaks to wounded hearts, misplaced images of God, and the deep longing to be known and loved. It leads us into Romans 8 and the freedom of living as sons and daughters who cry out, “Abba, Father,” with confidence and hope.

In this message from 1 John 3, we are invited to lean in and hear the Father’s heart. God calls us His children, not because of performance, but because of His great love. Our identity is secure. Our place in His family is real. Our calling is to abide in Him and enjoy His delight. This sermon leads us into the freedom of living from belovedness — where service flows from relationship, obedience grows from trust, and healing begins as we receive the Father’s love.

Life can shift without warning, and spiritual battles often arrive the same way. This message from Ephesians 6 speaks directly to those moments when confusion, pressure, and weariness hit hard. Scripture reminds us that following Jesus places us in a real spiritual fight, one that calls for readiness, dependence on God’s strength, and a life shaped by truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, prayer, and the Word of God. God provides armor that guards the heart, steadies the mind, and equips believers to stand firm when the battle feels close and personal. This sermon calls us to stand together in community, stay rooted in prayer, and live from a posture of surrender to Christ. Freedom and strength grow where trust replaces self-reliance.

Freedom stands at the center of the Christian life, and Scripture calls us to guard it with courage and faith. In this message from Ephesians 6, we step into the reality of spiritual battle and the strength God provides to stand firm. Paul reminds us that the struggle is spiritual, not against people, and that God has fully equipped His people with armor designed to protect the heart, steady the mind, anchor our steps, and confront lies with truth. This sermon calls us to daily dependence on God’s power, constant prayer, deep grounding in Scripture, and shared strength within Christian community. It invites believers to suit up with intention and challenges seekers to surrender to Christ as the starting point of true freedom.

Hope shapes how we live, rest, endure, and love. In this message, we explore a hope anchored in Jesus—His death, resurrection, and promised return. This hope brings real comfort in anxious moments, invites deep rest in God’s presence, confronts our self-reliance, and fuels lives of obedience and love. Rooted in Scripture and sustained by God’s faithfulness, biblical hope stands firm through uncertainty and suffering. This sermon calls us to hold fast, live expectantly, and share the hope we’ve received with a world longing for something sure.

In this message, Neil Childs leads us beyond a sentimental view of the manger and into the breathtaking truth of the incarnation. Jesus enters history as the eternal Creator who takes on flesh, steps into human suffering, and shines where darkness once ruled. From Isaiah’s promise of light in anguished places to John’s declaration that darkness cannot overcome it, Scripture reveals a Savior whose victory is present, ongoing, and unstoppable. This message invites us to see Christmas as God’s decisive action in a broken world—and to live as people shaped by the light that still shines today.

Peace stands at the heart of Christmas because Jesus stands at the center of everything. In this Advent message, Jeremy Bailey leads us to Christ—the Creator, Sustainer, and Reconciler—and shows how His coming brings real peace to our past, strength for our present, and hope for our future. We're invited to trust Him fully, follow Him wholeheartedly, and share His peace with others throughout this season.

Joy runs deeper than seasonal happiness, and this Advent message invites us to embrace that kind of joy—steady, rooted, and anchored in Emmanuel. This message calls us to remember God’s faithfulness, speak honestly with Him, and look forward with hope as we wait for Christ’s return. Advent forms us through joy that endures, grows, and carries us through every season.

Advent creates space for longing, reflection, and renewed hope. In this message, Pastor Lance invites us into Jesus’ prayer in John 17 and shows how deeply Jesus desires to draw us near to the Father. Jesus prays for His people with a love that pleads, protects, and sacrifices. His intercession moves Him to the cross, where His glory shines in power and humility. That same love meets us in our joy and in our pain, in our certainty and in our questions. This sermon calls us to walk by faith, hold fast to God’s promises, and see the beauty of Christ dwelling within us. It challenges us to carry this same sacrificial love into the world—especially during Advent—as we welcome others, share hope, and live as light in dark places.

Truth shapes every part of our lives, and God’s truth remains steady in a world full of mixed messages. In this message, our guest speaker, Josh Howard, walks us through Paul’s charge to Timothy: know the truth, guard the truth, and speak the truth. He shows the real cost of drifting from God’s Word and the freedom that comes when we build our lives on what God actually says—not on feelings, trends, or personal narratives. This teaching calls us to stay alert, stay rooted in Scripture, and live out the truth with love and conviction.

Forgiveness carries real weight, and we can face it with truth and grace. This week's message from our friend, Brian Powers, invites us to lay down what burdens us and step into the freedom Jesus offers.

In this message from John 8, Steve Switzer explores Jesus’ encounter with the woman caught in adultery—a moment that reveals the perfect balance of grace and truth. Jesus refuses to condemn her but calls her to “go and sin no more,” showing that real freedom and lasting joy come through repentance and holiness. Steve challenges the idea that God’s desire is for us to simply “do whatever makes us happy,” pointing instead to the deeper joy found in living according to God’s will. True happiness flows from holiness, where grace restores and transforms us.

Life often brings more than we can handle on our own. In this week's message, we're reminded that Scripture never promises a life free from overwhelming moments. Instead, it points us to a faithful God who meets us in our weakness and gives strength beyond our own. God’s power works through surrender. His grace fills the spaces where our strength ends. Through prayer, Scripture, and the Holy Spirit, we find courage to face every challenge.

Does the Bible really say "God helps those who help themselves"? In this message, we explore how God gives unmerited help and grace to the helpless. He gives strength to those who lean on Him. He gives life to those who come with open hands. Grace and salvation are gifts we could never earn. The Christian life continues by the same grace that began it.

“Did God actually say you won’t have bad days?” This week’s message reminds us that even in hardship, God reigns as King forever. Drawing from Genesis 3 and John 16, the sermon explores how Jesus prepared His followers for trials—not to discourage them, but to give them peace and hope. Through stories of faith under persecution and personal loss, we’re reminded that suffering tests and strengthens genuine faith. God uses our hardest moments to prepare us for His purposes. Abide in Christ through every season. His promises are sure, and His presence brings joy that endures.

In this message, Chad Morton, missionary with Manna Worldwide, challenges the familiar phrase “follow your heart.” He reminds us that our hearts can mislead, but God’s will never does. Through Scripture and personal experience, he shows how seeking God’s wisdom, trusting His Word, listening to the Spirit, and walking with mature believers leads to lasting purpose and peace.

Money is not the problem. The love of money is. In this message from 1 Timothy 6:6–19, we’re reminded that godliness and contentment bring the kind of gain no amount of wealth can match. The call is simple and profound—trust God with what you have, use your resources for His glory, and find your satisfaction in Christ alone. True treasure is eternal. It’s found in a generous heart, a grateful spirit, and a life anchored in Jesus.

The Holy Spirit is not distant. He is a constant friend who lives within every believer. In this message, we see how the Spirit comforts in sorrow, empowers in weakness, convicts in love, and guides in truth. He brings clarity, awakens hearts, and connects us more deeply to God. Life with the Spirit is marked by peace, power, and worship. His presence turns hardship into hope and gives strength for every step of the journey.

Grace is not a concept—it is a person, Jesus Christ. In this message from our Friends with God series, we explore how Jesus pours His grace into our lives through His life, death, resurrection, power, and delight. His obedience makes us right with God. His sacrifice removes sin’s penalty. His resurrection gives us new life and confidence. His Spirit empowers us to live transformed. And His joy reminds us that we are His beloved. This grace is unearned, undeserved, and freely given. Jesus doesn’t just save us—He delights in us.

This sermon explores the heart of God as Father and the intimate friendship He offers to all who believe. Drawing from 1 John, it unpacks what it means to truly “know” God—not just as an idea, but as a lived relationship rooted in His eternal, personal, and unchanging love.

What does it mean to be called a friend of God? In this message, we explore the incredible truth that the Creator of the universe desires an intimate friendship with His people. Drawing from John 15, Pastor Doug highlights Jesus’ words: “I no longer call you servants … I have called you friends.” This friendship is not earned by good works or religious performance. It is initiated by God’s grace, sustained by His faithfulness, and nurtured through prayer, Scripture, obedience, and community. Just like any meaningful friendship, it grows through time and intentional connection. The sermon addresses common barriers—believing God could never want friendship with flawed people, or not knowing how to practically live in that friendship—and offers encouragement to pursue Him daily. The ultimate identity God gives His people is “friend,” an invitation that brings joy, healing, and transformation.

The church is alive. It is the body of Christ in the world, not a product to consume or a place to sit on Sundays. This message calls us to embrace the example of the early church, where devotion, community, and mission shaped every aspect of life. Scripture reminds us that we are called to embody Christ together, not drift in passive attendance.

Welcome to the Temple Baptist Church - Fort Worth podcast! We exist to guide people to life change in Jesus Christ. For more information visit templebaptistchurch.net.