Temple Baptist Church - Fort Worth

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.

We're celebrating all that God has done through our summer 2025 events! Pastor Doug sat down with members of our church family to share stories and testimonies from VBS, Mission Guatemala, and our youth and kids camps! Whether you were part of these events or just want to hear the amazing things God has done, this recap is full of joy, inspiration, and reminders of His faithfulness.

Love your enemies. Pray for those who hurt you. This is Jesus’ call—and it changes everything. Matthew 5:43–48 shows us God’s perfect love, a love that refuses favoritism and reaches even our fiercest opponents. Real stories and Scripture reveal how love and prayer can turn enemies into family. Watch and let Christ’s love transform your relationships.

Two blind men on the road to Jericho cried out for mercy. The crowd told them to be quiet. They cried louder. This powerful message from Matthew 20 is about bold, persistent prayer—the kind of prayer that rises from a heart desperate for Jesus. These men didn’t pray casually. They called on the “Son of David” with faith that refused to give up. Jesus stopped. He listened. He healed. This sermon will challenge you to approach God with the same boldness, trusting that His heart is full of compassion and power. Whether you’re in need of healing, hope, or salvation, now is the time to cry out.

In a city filled with idols and chaos, Jesus asked His disciples a simple but life-altering question: “Who do you say that I am?” This message from Matthew 16 takes us to Caesarea Philippi—a place known for false gods and deep darkness—where Peter declares the truth that changes everything: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Faith begins with that confession. Now it’s your turn. Who do you say He is?

In John 13, Jesus kneels to wash His disciples’ feet. He loves fully, even the ones who will fail Him. That’s the kind of love He calls us to. This message (a kickoff of our 2025 VBS theme) is a call to love loudly. To serve humbly. To show the world what Jesus is like—through how we treat others. The evidence of faith is love. And the world is watching.

The rich young ruler had everything—wealth, status, and a solid reputation. But when he met Jesus, he walked away sad. Jesus redefines goodness. He exposes three traps that still hold people back today: performance, possessions, and prestige. Each one promises security. None of them deliver. Eternal life starts with one word: Yes. Yes to surrender. Yes to Jesus. Yes to the only One who is truly good.

We live in a world quick to call out and slow to look inward. In this message from Matthew 7, we’re invited to a different way—one shaped by mercy, humility, and the kind of judgment that begins with our own hearts. Jesus paints a clear picture: deal with the log in your eye before pointing out the speck in someone else’s. This isn’t about silence. It’s about restoring, not condemning. It's about grace that moves toward people, not away from them.

Anxiety is real—and heavy. But Jesus offers a better way. In this message from Matthew 6, we’re reminded that worry doesn’t help us, but trusting in a God who sees, knows, and cares for us does. Jesus invites us to shift our focus from fear to faith, from control to surrender, from worry to worship. If you’ve been feeling the weight of anxiety, this is your reminder to look up and seek first the Kingdom.

We all fail, but that’s not where the story ends. This message walks through Peter’s denial and powerful restoration, showing how Jesus meets us in our brokenness with grace, not shame. If you’ve ever felt like your mistakes disqualify you, this is a gospel reminder: Jesus still says, “Follow me.”

Loss is real and grief is heavy, but Jesus meets us in it. In John 11, Jesus weeps with those mourning Lazarus--and then He calls him out of the grave. This message explores the tension between sorrow and hope, reminding us that Jesus is “the resurrection and the life” and death is never the end for those who believe. If you're carrying grief or longing for hope, this message is for you.

In this powerful message from Matthew 15, we explore how even a little bread and a few fish can feed thousands in the hands of Jesus. It’s not about how much you have, it’s about what you’re willing to let go of.

He was blind from birth—until Jesus showed up with spit and mud. But the real miracle? Faith that saw clearly. This message from John 9 isn’t just about healing—it's about a “for real, for real, for real” faith that grows deeper, bolder, and more personal. Jesus still pursues, heals, and opens eyes today. Are you seeing Him clearly?

“Do you believe in the Son of Man?” — Jesus' question in John 9 isn’t just for the man born blind. It’s for all of us. This week's message dives into what real, growing faith looks like—faith that wrestles, prays, and trusts even when healing feels delayed or unclear.

What does Jesus’ signature on your life look like? In this message we explore how grace rewrites our stories. Sin is real, self-righteousness is dangerous—but Jesus offers freedom and fresh starts. No past mistake defines you when Jesus signs your life with redemption.

In this message, Pastor Lance Briley reminds us that love often shines brightest through our imperfections. Centered on Colossians 2, Pastor Lance explores how our deepest needs and longings can only be satisfied through a relationship with Jesus Christ. He warns against the empty promises of worldly fulfillment and challenges us to stay rooted in Christ, who alone offers true completeness. Whether you're struggling to find purpose or simply need a reminder of God’s unwavering love, this message invites you to embrace the hope, salvation, and fullness found in Jesus. 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/