Tomball Bible Church

June 1, 2025Thyatira was a small community with a big problem in the church. The church leaders had become tolerant of false teaching and practices that were coming from within the church, right under their noses. Christ delivered a warning of severe judgment against this influencer/false teacher, the church leaders allowing this, and all those who were putting the false ideas into practice. Yet, some remained faithful, and there is a reward guaranteed for those found faithful within the limits of what God will tolerate.  Revelation 2:18-29

May 25, 2025Every church is called to meet God's uncompromised standard of holiness. The church in Pergamum had held fast to the Name of Christ in the face of persecution. Yet, many of them embraced the idolatrous and immoral practices that surrounded them on every side. Life in the literal shadow of Roman paganism tempted many to live in shady, compromised ways while also bearing the name, Christian. Repentance was the way out of the shadows for them and remains true for us today.Revelation 2:12-17

May 18, 2025In the 2nd letter to the churches in Rev 2-3, Christ acknowledges the tribulation and slander that the Church in Smyrna has already endured. Jesus then encourages the Church to stay strong in the faith during upcoming persecution, and upon death, they will surely receive the crown of life.Revelation 2:8-11

May 11, 2025In the letters to the churches in Rev 2-3, Christ corrects and commends churches. These real churches also represent what is true of churches in every generation. In this first letter, the Ephesians church was commended for faithful service and defending the faith, but Jesus confronted the Church for having lost the greatest thing: keeping Him as their greatest love.Revelation 2:1-7

May 4, 2025Since His first coming, every generation of artists of every medium have produced their “visions” of Christ. Paintings, sculptures, and representations in film/TV all seek to capture qualities associated with Him. In Rev 1:9-20, the Apostle John was given a vision of Jesus in all of His unveiled glory which left the elderly apostle on his face. What do our lives reveal about our vision of Christ? Do we see Him with the clarity that has now been revealed? Revelation 1:9-20

April 27, 2025The book of Revelation is a special word to the Church about the future fulfillment of God's plan for eternity. The book opens with a promised blessing for all who read and seek to live according to the truths contained in it. Chapter 1 also emphasizes the person and work of Christ on behalf of His Church. Christ, our Lord and Savior, is coming back!Revelation 1:1-8

April 20, 2025A lot of people know the saying, "I'll believe it when I see it." But faith in Christ doesn't work that way. None of us have ever seen Jesus, but many of us believe in Him, that Jesus is God's Son who died on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead. When we believe in Jesus, then, through God's help by His Spirit, we see Jesus for Who He really is: our Savior and our God! This is the way of faith. Faith precedes sight, and when we do believe, then our eyes are opened beyond what we could have ever envisioned or imagined. This Easter we will be reminded of the truth that believing is seeing.John 20:19-31

April 13, 2025Jesus is uniquely different from all of us. This is something we can universally agree on but when it comes to even how we understand concepts or culture it becomes even more apparent of just how unique and different he really is. Think about the idea of bringing justice to a circumstance, we typically think of a courtroom setting with lawyers, judges, bailiffs, and those accused. Justice is served via a gavel, arguments, opinions being heard, personalities taking shape. Yet, justice in the kingdom is done so by a servant who doesn't raise his voice but instead serves the accused. Justice in the kingdom is accomplished no matter what the circumstances are because the servant doesn't grow tired or weary. The greatest part of the servant is bringing justice to the weak is also the King of this kingdom. In a society where pomp and circumstance is given to the elite, the one who is actually elite among us chose to serve us so that we could enjoy him and his kingdom forever.Isaiah 42:1-9

April 6, 2025Every local church wants harmony and connection among its members. The local church is made up of redeemed yet flawed people, and, inevitably, our flaws surface through misunderstandings, missed expectations, or messy, sometimes sinful, circumstances.  How do we respond when our flaws disrupt our fellowship? Philemon contains the truths we need to walk in wholehearted fellowship with one another.Philemon 1-25

March 30, 2025Jack Arrington, the longest-serving Senior Pastor of Tomball Bible Church, returns to preach as TBC celebrates its 50th Anniversary. Reflecting on Paul's exhortations from Philippians 1, Jack encourages the church to continue in faith no matter the circumstance and trust God to complete the good work that he began.Philippians 1:1-30

March 23, 2025Paul concludes his letter to the Colossians with the most essential instructions for the Church: call on the Lord in prayer and walk in wisdom. We will look at the aspects of prayer and wisdom Paul calls out that will ensure that we live effectively as a church (a group of believers called out to represent Christ in the world). Ironically, devotion to prayer is one of our greatest difficulties in sustaining. We will find both a challenge and help in the concluding passage of Colossians if we heed Paul's clarion call.Colossians 4:2-18

March 16, 2025The home is the first place where God's will should be done on earth as it is in heaven. Paul gave instructions to every household member that reflect God's perfect standard for family relationships. Love, submission, obedience, and fairness are the hallmarks of a godly household. This week we will look closely at clear definitions of these marks and make applications to help every TBC household walk in faithfulness.Colossians 3:18-4:1

March 9, 2025Colossians 3:12-17 calls us to put on the character of Christ. As God's chosen people, we are to live with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forgiveness, and love. When the peace of Christ rules our hearts and His Word fills our lives, we grow together in unity and gratitude. By the Grace of Jesus, we live out who we are in Christ for God's glory.

March 2, 2025Colossians chapter 3 calls the church to set our lives on Christ. Verses 1-11 call us to throw off sinful practices and verses 12-17 instruct us to “put on” the new self in Christ. Both actions, putting away sin and putting on Christ, take personal responsibility, reliance on the Holy Spirit, and encouragement from one another. If we do this, we will be sure to have lives set on Christ, resulting in us becoming more like Jesus and God glorified.Colossians 3:1-11

February 23, 2025Christ has filled us with himself. His identity is now ours, we are kept in Christ, and are to mature more into the image of Christ. Yet so often in our world we face the pressure of “performance Christianity" and can get caught up in things that have no value in helping us to become more like Christ but rather place value in how we appear to others. The easy thing is to care more about how we appear rather than caring about our hearts and yet what Christ knows about us is that from our hearts comes the external appearance. Paul is warning the church in Colossae and he is warning us to not give way to this thinking or allow someone else to have an influence on you to pull you away from what Christ has already said about you. Paul calls us to live our lives fully in Christ and trust more of what he says about us, that we are righteous, forgiven, and loved.Clossians 2:16-23

February 16, 2025In Colossians 2:6-15, we have Paul's first two of 27 commands in this letter. We are called to walk in Christ and not succumb to empty philosophy and deceitful ideologies. This passage also contains one of the clearest teachings on what Jesus did to secure our salvation and fill us completely. In Him, we lack nothing!Colossians 2:6-15

February 9, 2025The Sermon on the Mount is one of the most famous passages in the entire Bible. Sections of it are often quoted or used in motivational speeches or critiques from the world to Christians, yet so many people don't actually know the one who delivered this sermon or why he gave it at all. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus ushers in a new kingdom, one that is upside down from what this world and culture is like. He says things like, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth,” or “if you look at a woman with lustful intent you have committed adultery in your heart,” and “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where they will last forever.” These words and others in his sermon are so countercultural to our everyday life that at face value it seems strange and impossible. But Jesus doesn't intend for his audience to live this sermon out on their own, rather the entire sermon isn't about living in your own strength but living in the one who is giving the sermon, Jesus. In ushering in this new kingdom Jesus provides a way for us to live in his kingdom, by believing in his work on our behalf. In doing so and living the way our king has lived we will be “like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Let's be citizens of the upside down kingdom and make much of our King, Jesus Christ.Matthew 7:24-29

February 2, 2025A united church is a beautiful sight. Like a singular rose, a united church has beauty, value, and a sweet aroma. How much more so is the sight and fragrant smell when the Church walks in unity!? This is the vision cast by Paul for his readers which includes not only the Colossians but believers from the whole region! Come and hear what God holds in store for churches of unbroken ranks in Colossians 2:1-5.

January 26, 2025Jesus Christ has reconciled all who believe in Him with God the Father. We have peace through the gospel, the hope of glory, which is the message of reconciliation that Christ died, was buried and rose from the dead. Those who are reconciled are also ministers who proclaim this greatest of news to everyone. Our focus this week is on how we are to proclaim Him.Colossians 1:21-29

January 19, 2025What's the most significant document you have? For many, it's their birth certificate, as it officially establishes their identity, parentage, and place in the world. This week, we'll explore a passage in the Book of Colossians that serves as a spiritual birth certificate of sorts. It is an incredible declaration that reveals the true identity and nature of Jesus Christ, making it one of the most crucial passages in the entire New Testament.Colossians 1:1-15

January 12, 2025Having heard from Epaphras the legacy the Colossians had built bytheir faith in Jesus and love for others, Paul prayed earnestly for themthat they would:  be filled with knowledge of God's will, walk in a mannerworthy of Jesus, bear fruit in good work, be strengthened in character, andgive thanks to God.Colossians 1:9-14

January 5, 2025We begin our study of the book of Colossians with Paul and Timothy's thanksgiving prayer for the Colossian church. While imprisoned in Rome, Paul received a good report about how the Colossians were growing in faith and bearing fruit for the name of Christ. He highlights two enduring legacies of their hope, rooted in the gospel. These legacies of the Colossians remain relevant today, providing a powerful example of the kind of legacy we should strive to leave—one that God can use to strengthen and build up future generations.Colossians 1:1-8

December 29, 2024Jesus, the Son of the Most High God—truly God and truly human—came to live a perfect life, die on the cross for our sins, and rise three days later, conquering sin and death. This is the gospel, the good news. But there's more: after making purification for sin, Christ ascended to Heaven and now sits at the right hand of God the Father. One day, He will return to judge the living and the dead and make all things new. Yet, we often lose sight of this. Distracted by life's demands, our faith can fade, and the good news can feel like old news. Even the incredible promise of Christ's return in glory can seem distant or ephemeral—fading away like our New Year's resolutions in March. But Jesus knows this about us. In Mark 13:32-37, He warns us not to grow complacent but to stay awake, holding fast as we await His return.

December 22, 2024God sent His only Son to redeem anyone and everyone who believes that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross for our sins and rose from the grave. This claim takes faith to receive and believe. And to those who turn from their sin and trust in Jesus, God gives eternal life and the right to become a part of His kingdom, His family. Our greatest desire is to lift high Jesus, the Son of God, that He might draw whoever He has called to Himself. May we be faithful, and may He do it!1 John 5:6-13

December 15, 2024Oftentimes when we think of the word joyful we think of someone who is happy, always smiling, and an “easy hang”. We don't usually equate it to someone as being content or satisfied, particularly in Jesus and his grace. I think at Christmas we often don't practice this kind of joy. We more often are running around going from spot to spot, making sure everyone is happy with the stuff we get for them, and end up dreading the season more than being thankful and worshipful during this season. We even will give ourselves over to more “respectable sins,” as Jerry Bridges would put it, and chalk up our actions to the “stress” of the season. Christmas though isn't about stress, gifts, or family gatherings. Its about God becoming like his creation. In the person of the Son of Man, Jesus, we have someone whose joy was satisfied in doing what the Father had asked of him. Why? Because a man, like us in every way, lived a perfect sinless life and gives us his righteousness and takes on our unrighteousness. Because God loved you so much that he gave himself for you so that you and I can live joyfully satisfied in Christ. That's the beautiful, amazing, scandalous gift of the Son of Man.Romans 5:12-21

December 8, 2024God had promised to send a King, a descendant of King David, to reign on the throne of David forever.  Jesus, a descendant of David, fulfilled that promise by coming to earth in human form.  Following his ascension, he now reigns as King at the right hand of God the Father; his ministry as King is now focused on salvation (filling the Kingdom with Believers) and sanctification (bringing them to holiness).  In the future, King Jesus will return to earth to reign as warrior King, to conquer all enemies, judge the world, and then hand over the Kingship to God the Father. At that time, all God's people will live forever, in a new heaven and earth, in the presence of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Today, King Jesus rules from heaven, fully God and fully man, glorious and exalted, the sovereign King of the universe, with supreme authority and power over all people, and full control over all events.  As grateful subjects of His Kingdom, we should submit to Him, worship Him, and love Him, and invite others to join the Kingdom.Matt 22:41-46

December 1, 2024Advent 2024 has arrived! As we journey toward Christmas and reflect on the first coming of our Lord and Savior, we will explore specific titles and roles that only Christ can fulfill. He is the Son of Abraham, the Son of David, the Son of Man, and the Son of God. We begin by examining what Scripture reveals about Him as the fulfillment of the covenant God first made to Abraham.Galatians 3:15-29

November 24, 2024disobedience, a few remained faithful and devoted to Him. Where such love and faith existed, God's blessing followed. Amidst one of the darkest times in Israel's history, God provided the story of a man whose loyal, sacrificial love to a widow set the stage for His promise to be fulfilled—establishing a royal lineage that would eventually lead to the King of kings.Ruth 1-4

November 17, 2024Judges 17-21 contains stories that show Israel's absolute collapse and abandonment of God. Chapters 17-18 focus on their spiritual failures while chapters 19-21 show their complete moral collapse. Central to each of these stories is the failure of the spiritual leaders, the Levites. The very ones who were supposed to embody and uphold everything good and right in God's sight were complicit in Israel's complete collapse. The entire message of Judges points to the truth that God, and only God, could save His people out of their condition.

November 10, 2024If there was ever a person who served as a reflection of his generation it was Samson. He was a man who was set apart from birth for God's special purposes. Set apart for holiness. Set apart for faithfulness. Set apart to deliver his people from evil. Yet, he chose his lustful and vengeful passions over his godly calling. The people of Israel did the same. Yet, even in the midst of rampant failure, God proved faithful and remained true as Israel's Help and Hope. The Samson cycle will challenge each of us to constrain our passions as we seek to live out the special calling in Christ we share as God's people.Judges 13:1-16:31

November 3, 2024Virtually every religion on earth is a cause/effect situation. If I do “x”, my god will do “y”. In this kind of relationship, the condition-setter is in control. All false religions and forms of idolatry are an attempt by people to manipulate the terms of their spiritual life. The account of Jephthah in Judges 10:6-12:15 teaches us that, try as we might, God cannot be manipulated. We never take control even though we intentionally (or unintentionally!) try.Judges 10:6-12:15

October 27, 2024“The apple doesn't fall far from the tree” is a familiar phrase to most American Christians. This phrase rings true for Gideon's flawed legacy. Gideon displayed faith but was ultimately corrupted by his thirst for personal glory. After his death, the people of Israel turn away from the Lord again, and the narrator of Judges now turns to the surprising account of Gideon's illegitimate son, Abimelech, who rules as a regional king and oppresses God's people. Here, we see Israel's oppression coming from one of their own rather than a pagan king. Instead of conquering the remaining wicked nations, Israel suffers from one of their own and spirals into civil war.Judges 8:33-10:5

October 20, 2024Gideon is one of the more popular judges because of the symbols and stories that are attached to his time as a judge. We remember the fleece, the shrinking of his army, and how he goes from scared stiff guy to a conquering warrior. Gideon's name means “great warrior,” and when we come to chapter 11 of Hebrews, we see his name mentoined as one who had great faith. The story of Gideon is actually less about his faith and more about the One who gave him his faith. God is the giver of faith, Ephesians 2:9-10 reminds us of that. In Gideon's story, God takes a man who is beat down, weak, scared, and ultimately a coward and uses him to accomplish His purposes by instilling in him a faith that is rooted in God. At the end of the story, we see Gideon desiring a part of the glory for what was accomplished for himself. The reality is, you can't look at Gideon's story and say how great he was, but instead, you see, through Gideon's story, how great the LORD is. The same is true in our own lives. We too are weak, fragile, and, at moments, act and live out of a fear that everything is bad. The Lord meets us at our weakest moments and gives us His faith to believe in Him and His power to rescue and redeem. Our role is to remember that it was the Lord who rescued us from death, that our “work” is to be busy killing sin in our lives through the power of the Spirit, and to run away when we are tempted to think t`hat we have arrived in any way.Judges 6:1-8:28

October 13, 2024Judges 5 is a "worship song" that traces God's providential and powerful involvement in the victory over the Canaanites. But it also sheds light on some crucial principles about how important it is to partner with God's Kingdom work in the world, right now. It has a bit to do with that "dangerous power" of choice we talked about earlier. Choose your camp, choose you this day (today) whose side you want to be on. Partner with God and participate in the miracles! Make excuses or worse, do nothing "to help the Lord", and miss out on the adventure of a life of faith that demands action.

October 6, 2024Have you had times when the Lord called you to action yet you simply didn't respond? Maybe it was a prompt to call someone or to share your faith with a family member. Not one of God's people can claim a perfect record of responding, yet God's record remains undefeated as He will always see His purpose fulfilled. If we, like Barak in Judges 4, do not rise to His command, the Lord will raise someone else to accomplish His will. 

September 29, 2024TBC has launched a new theme for our Sunday morning kids ministry: TBC Kids Kingdom! As we gather for family worship, we will make their focus our focus to celebrate Jesus as our King of Kings. Come prepared with a heart of worship ready to lift up the Name of our King. May we never get over the majesty and awe of Jesus Christ our King!Psalm 145

September 22, 2024The second cycle of Judges follows the same pattern established in the previous section: Israel's disobedience, God's discipline through a foreign aggressor, Israel's cry for help, and God's response of sending a deliverer—this time, a left-handed man named Ehud. In a story filled with subterfuge, violence, and stomach-churning details, we also find an unlikely leader in Ehud, a man of initiative and courageous faith who creates and seizes opportunities to advance the plan and purposes of God.Judges 3:12-31

September 15, 2024Have you ever made a situation more complicated than it needed to be? The answer is yes. We have all done this. We get in our own way through thoughtless words and forgetful deeds. This disrupts our relationships and can even hinder our fellowship with God. Judges 2:6-3:6 provides the framework for the spiraling cycle of God's judgment and deliverance throughout the book. The cycle starts (3:7-11) with Othniel who sets the standard of simple faith and fear whom God used to deliver His people.

September 8, 2024The Book of Judges is a true story that tells truths about God and how He relates to His people. Our journey begins this week on a downward spiral which is bound to happen to any generation that drifts away from worshiping God and obeying Him alone. But a little compromise here and a little compromise there results in a trajectory of unfaithfulness, not only for us but for the generations that follow. Likewise, small, daily acts of trust and faithfulness can reap a harvest of righteousness we cannot fully imagine. It's the little things that mean the most.Judges 1:1-2:5

September 1, 2024To fully grasp the book of Judges, we must first look at the conclusion of the book of Joshua. Joshua was the epitome of a leader for God's people, with his life defined by one word: courage. Following God's Word, Joshua led the conquest and settlement of the Promised Land with unwavering bravery. Alongside Eleazar the priest, he guided the people with righteousness and faith. God had secured the land and remained faithful to His covenant. As Joshua prepared to pass the baton of faithfulness to the next generation, the crucial question was: what would they do with it?Joshua 23-24

August 25, 2024We will never outgrow our need for one another. As a church family, we are called to conform to the likeness of Christ. We do not (and cannot) do this in isolation. The aim to be like Jesus is lifelong. So there will always be a need for us to be a part of biblical community no matter our season of life. We will see from the Bible how two lifelong pursuits will result in us growing spiritually and conforming to Christ's likeness together.1 Peter 4:7-11; 2 Timothy 2:1-2

August 18, 2024Baptism is one of two ordinances practiced in the church (the other being communion). It is a symbol of the death of Christ for sins and His resurrection from the dead. As He died for our sins, we are "buried" with Him in baptism as a symbol that we who are in Christ have died to our sins. As He rose to new life, so we are raised to walk in newness of life. This act of obedience is for every Christian, everywhere. This Sunday we celebrate our brothers and sisters who take this step of obedience in baptism. God is good!Romans 6:3-4

August 11, 2024AW Tozer wrote, “What comes into our minds when we think about Godis the most important thing about us.” (from The Knowledge of the Holy) How is it possible for finite, limited beings to know and understand our Infinite and Limitless God? If it were not for God's self-disclosure through Jesus Christ, it would be impossible. While we cannot know everything about God, He will reveal Himself to any who seek after Him and do what He says. To become mature in Christ, we must learn to know God.Jeremiah 9:23-24 (and selected passages)

August 4, 2024The mission of Tomball Bible Church is to glorify Jesus Christ by making mature disciples to reach the nations. This statement didn't come out of thin air but rather is deeply rooted in the Scriptures, particularly in Ephesians 4:11-16. Paul is exhorting this body of believers to attain the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God. The primary means of that goal being accomplished is through the ministry of the Word and maturing in the person of Jesus Christ, not maturing in what we think is maturing, but maturing into the person Christ. We as a corporate body of believers in Jesus should be about one another's maturity in Jesus, in love speaking truth to one another, and working together to live our lives for the glory of Jesus Christ.Ephesians 4:11-16

July 28, 2024We find ourselves once again in the turbulent waters of uncertainty as a nation. Peace and calm are hard to find as wave after wave of news reports and speculations roll over us. The Bible provides the help we need to navigate through life's uncertainties. God has provided everything we need to remain anchored in Him and respond with hope and perspective in a polarized society. Deuteronomy 4:1-14

July 21, 2024In Acts 28:17-31, Paul fulfilled what he was called to do. When he arrived in Rome, he first sought out the Jewish leaders to share the hope of Christ as was his practice. Unable to go to a synagogue, Prisoner Paul invited the Jewish leaders to come to him. After most rejected his message that Jesus was the Hope of Israel, he turned his attention to the Gentiles. Despite all the suffering and injustice, he remained faithful to being sent to proclaim the gospel. His example remains for us as the Sent to witness to others that Jesus Christ is the Hope of the world.Acts 28:17-31

July 14, 2024In Acts 28:1-16 Paul completed his voyage to Rome. After the shipwreck on Malta, Paul and the 275 other survivors were met with unusual kindness by the islanders. God preserved Paul's life in front of them after he was unaffected by a viper's bite (the second piece of evidence of Paul's evidence in a Roman court). Our focus this week will be on one key value that can make all the difference in ministering and reaching others as we live by faith in Christ: unusual kindness.Acts 28:1-16

July 7, 2024Every Christian is declared innocent before God by God. This is the beautiful, undeserved truth of the gospel message. In an amazing, 2-part account of Paul's final sea voyage in Acts, we find Luke providing the first of two proofs of innocence that vindicate the Apostle Paul and his claims about Christianity before his accusers. In part one, we focus on the One who holds the burden of proof of our innocence and the security of safe passage to our future home.Acts 27:1-44

June 30, 2024Communion (also known as The LORD's Supper) is for Christians only.  It is a small meal of bread and wine, which is primarily a solemn and joyous memorial celebration of Jesus' death, and a reminder of His future return.  It is a celebration filled with symbolism.  Why do we celebrate communion?  To remember Jesus' death, proclaim Jesus' death, rejoice in the benefits of Jesus' death, celebrate the unity of believers, worship Jesus in a unique way, and look forward to Jesus' return.  Christians are admonished in Scripture to carefully prepare for Communion by examining themselves, discerning the body, and reconciling relationships before participating; there are dire warnings for those who partake in Communion in an unworthy manner.1 Corinthians 11:24-26

Acts 25:13-26:32 contains Paul's longest defense and testimony in the book of Acts. The anchor point of his testimony is that Jesus Christ is the light of salvation to everyone, everywhere. He told his testimony by openly declaring his sin(s) against Jesus and the Church, his conversion story when he encountered Christ, and his task to give to witness to Christ to everyone, everywhere. His approach serves as a model for us to follow.

June 16, 2024Well aware of his rights as a Jew, a Roman, and a citizen of God's kingdom, Pau modeled godly citizenship. He faithfully demonstrated a first-allegiance to Christ that was applied to his rights of earthly citizenship. In many instances, Paul denied his rights for the sake of others he served. Other times, such as his appeal to appear before Caesar in Acts 25:1-12, show Paul making full use of his rights when aligned with godly purposes and applied in godly ways.