First Baptist Blowing Rock

As we start this new sermon series, we will be exploring what Jesus meant in Matthew 5:41 when he encourages his followers to "go the second mile" and what that might look lived out in our everyday lives. We explore the context and history related to the passage as well as examining how it fits into the overall theme of the Sermon on the Mount. This new series will be looking at the Beatitudes and the role they play in he...

We close out our sermon series on those who had encounters with Jesus with probably the most relatable character in our entire series. He is the only one who was already a Christian and had probably known Jesus and followed him in his early ministry, but our encounter takes place much later while he is living in Damascus and Jesus comes to him while he is praying. Jesus ask Annanias to complete what seemed like a simple task; go fi...

In this encounter with Jesus, we look outside of the Gospels for the first time to the book of Acts as we meet Saul the Pharisee. Introduced to us at the murder/stoning of Stephen, one of the first deacons in the new Jerusalem church, by the Pharisees and religious leaders. We discover that when it comes to opposing, persecuting and pursuing the new Christian converts, Saul is unmatched. With the assassination of Charlie Kirk, we h...

In this encounter with Jesus, we look at the dinner party thrown by Simon the Pharisee that was crashed by an unnamed "sinful woman" with an alabaster jar full of perfume. While it is actually two encounters, both reveal something about worship that many "seasoned" Christians lose sight of our take for granted. As we discuss this encounter, we will look at both our personal and corporate worship experience and a...

In this message Pastor Rusty starts by offering some thoughts and reflections on the murder of Charlie Kirk and is aftereffects. He also ties in this assassination and several other troubling current events to the Encounter that Jesus had with the man born blind and the question of "Why". Why does God allow this kind of evil to run free? Why would God allow such evil to happen to good people? Jesus reveals in our study th...

Any time a Christians mentions the dangers and consequences of living a sinful lifestyle, it doesn't take long to hear someone proclaim Matthew 7:1, "Judge not least you be judged" or John 8:7 "You without sin cast the first stone." They try to use these versus to silent their critics or anyone who doesn't celebrate their life choices. In this message we examine John 8 and Jesus' encounter with th...

When discussing his desire to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine, President Trump stated that he hoped that by securing a lasting peace, he could gain a spot in Heaven.  While it is easy to point out how this view does not line up with scripture, the Presidents view is shared by almost half of all those who claim to be Christian and who attend churches. This gives us a perfect opportunity to engage with an encounter Jesus had ...

In this message we examine the importance of not just "feeling thankful" but rather the call on our lives to "be thankful" and how that looks in our everyday lives. We unpack how expressing our gratitude to both God and others can transform our perspective as well as our hearts. We discuss the foundation of a thankful heart - humility and contentment as well as the greatest enemy of developing that kind of minds...

In this follow up to last week's message we examine the aftershocks of Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan Woman at the well in John 4. We look at the disciple's response to the encounter and how that relates to the modern American church. We also break down what Jesus meant when he declared that the type of worshipers that God desires worship Him in Spirit and Truth. John 4:19-26, 27-38. 

Part two of The Woman at the...

In this message we explore Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan Women at the Well. Why did the Jewish people despise the Samaritans and why does the Gospel of John say that Jesus "had to go" to Samaria when most Jewish people would go around it? Who was this woman and why was it important that Jesus speak with her? Listen in as we unpack those questions and find some commonality with the church today and how this enco...

In this message we examine Jesus' encounter with the money changers in the outer courts of the temple. Why was Jesus so angry and what can it tell us about the modern church? We look at the background to the encounter and how Jesus responded to the religious leaders to discern some priorities for a modern church Jesus might attend. From Matthew 21:12-17. 

#11 in the sermon series

Thank you for listening to our podcast and we wou...

In this message we examine the importance, power and responsibilities of freedom as Americans and followers of Jesus Christ. If we celebrate our freedoms as Americans, how much more should we be living out and celebrating our spiritual freedoms as Christians. Sadly, most in the church don't understand what it means to be spiritually free and don't understand what they have been set free from. Join us as we examine our Spi...

What are the expectations that Jesus placed on those wanting to follow him and how does that relate to His expectations for you and me? In this message we examine 3 people who encountered Jesus all with the intention of following him, yet they all walked away in the end. From Luke 9:57-62.

Thank you for listening to our podcast and we would love for you to subscribe to our page and share with others.

Join us for our weekly...

Our encounter with Jesus this week involves the well know story of Zaccheaus the chief tax collector. Not only do we examine his encounter with Jesus that shocked those around them, but we also look at Zack's transformation and what that might mean for our lives. We also discuss how the parable of the Lost Sheep where the Shepherd leaves the 99 to go find the one that was lost relates to Jesus seeking out Zaccheaus and how the...

In this Father's Day message and in keeping with our Sermon series, we examine an encounter that a desperate dad and "royal official" had with Jesus. Through this story, we examine the characteristics of a dad who transforms his home and family's spiritual legacy by his approach and response to Jesus. This story gives us some insight into the types of dads the world needs today if we are going to withstand the a...

This week we look at the encounter Jesus had with who we call the "Gadarian Demoniac", which might be a misnomer since he might not have even been from Gadara. We examine the background of the encounter and how the area that was given to the Tribe of Gad where the encounter takes place might have been the perfect place for demonic activity and why. We also look at how demonic activity can affect a Christian and how we can...

Back in the 1980's and 90's there was a theological debate in the evangelical community on whether someone could accept Jesus as Savior (forgiven, redeemed, eternal security) and not accept him as Lord (submission and surrender). Some of that still lingers today in the way we parse out what it means to be a genuine follower of Christ and seem to use those two terms as if our response to God's offer of salvation is tw...

In this Mother's Day message, we discuss a desperate mother who seeks Jesus out for help with her demon possessed daughter and gets a surprising response. Many people misunderstand Jesus's response in seemingly calling her a "dog" and get sidetracked on the real power of the story - the persistent faith of a determined mother. By the end of the encounter, Jesus calls her a "mother of great faith". List...

In this message we examine the four men who were so intent on getting their paralyzed friend to Jesus that they ripped open the roof of the house and dropped him through. We discuss which group that we might identify with in this story (crowd, critics, companions) and how that reflects on our sense of urgency or complacency as it relates to our obedience to God's Word and His Will. From Mark 2:1-12

Thank you for listening to ou...