First Baptist Blowing Rock

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...

We kick off a new sermon series based on the description given to John and Peter by the religious leaders in Act 4:13 "They were ordinary and unschooled men but they were astonished and took note that they had been with Jesus.". This new series will look at every day, ordinary individuals who encountered Jesus and how it changed or impacted their lives. We kick the series off by looking at 4 individuals who encountered Je...

As we wrap up our sermon series on Spiritual Warfare, we look at some words of encouragement that the Apostle Paul wrote in his first letter to the messy and dysfunctional church at Corinth. In his encouragement we discover 5 "imperatives" or commands that will help us stay focused on the battles we face in our everyday lives. He also gives us some insight on how to overcome and find spiritual victory while we "stand...

In this message we examine the importance of prayer when it comes to spiritual warfare. How do we integrate our prayer lives into the battles we are confronted with on a daily basis and what does that prayer look like? Listen in as we discuss the power and purpose of prayer in our daily lives and especially as it relates to Spiritual Warfare. From Ephesians 6:18

Thank you for listening to our podcast and we would love for you to sub...

In Christian circles the phrase "the word of God" is synonyms for the Bible and while that is certainly true and valid, when the Apostle Paul uses this same phrasing to describe the Bible as an incredible weapon and part of our Spiritual Armor, his meaning holds a much deeper truth. In exploring his use of "word" in the Greek language, we begin to understand exactly how we are to wield this "Sword of the Sp...

Have you ever felt spiritually weary or even burned out? Been discouraged by the lack of progress you see in your spiritual growth? Ever given up in your prayer and devotional life because you didn't sense any progress? This message is for you! In this message, we continue to examine the spiritual weapons that we have been given to counter the attacks that Christians face on a daily basis. This week we examine the "Helmet...

Too many Christians are unaware of the power of faith. Most understand that we are "saved" by placing our faith in the person of Jesus Christ and his completed redemptive work on the Cross, but we fail to grasp how our Faith can impact every decision we make and the actions that follow. Faith is so important to the life of an everyday believer that the Apostle Paul includes it as one of our weapons as part of the "Ar...

Why would the Apostle Paul equate Peace with footwear when he is outlining the spiritual weapons we have been given to stand against the attacks of the enemy? What does it really mean to understand and experience peace - even in the midst of the worst that this world can throw at us? Join us for the message on the importance of peace in the spiritual battle and learn how Christians can allow peace to influence their emotions, obedi...

In this message from our Spiritual Warfare Series, we examine the importance that the Apostle Paul places on the "Breastplate of Righteousness" as protection from the attacks of the enemy. Why a breastplate and how can righteousness protect our Heart? We examine the historical understanding of what the heart and stomach represent and how the protection needed is for much more than our internal organs. We also examine how ...

In this message we examine what the Apostle Paul calls the "Belt of Truth" and why it is so significant for a Christians facing spiritual warfare. What is this truth and how can it empower us to confront and overcome the lies of the world and the attacks of the accuser? Join us as we look at the historical nature of the "belt" for a Roman soldier and how those some attributes apply to Christians engaged in Battl...

As pick back up on our series from the Fall on Spiritual Warfare, we begin to examine the "Armor of God" that the Apostle Paul describes in Ephesians 6. Is this a literal armor? symbolic? a little of both? Why do we need it if we already have Jesus Christ? In the next couple of weeks, we will examine each element of the armor, but this morning's message focuses on why this armor is so important for our daily walk as ...

We wrap up our New Years short series that examines the past, present and future of the church by comparing them to King Saul, the Prophet Samuel and David as found in 1st Samuel 16:1. We also use this comparison to look where individual Christians might find their devotional and relationship to God as it relates to yesterday, today or tomorrow. This final message looks at the church of tomorrow by examining Samuel's anointing...

We continue our look at the three characters found in 1st Samuel 16:1 by examining the role that Samuel played in moving the nation of Israel forward by obeying God and anointing David as the next King. In this obedience, Samuel became the bridge between yesterday (Saul) and tomorrow (David). In this message we ask the question, "Where are the Samuel's today?" the Christians and church members who are willing to guar...

In this message we examine a pivotal moment in time for the nation of Israel as God removes his anointing from Saul and calls Samuel to go to the house of Jesse to anoint a new King. In this moment, all three of the characters are facing huge life changing decisions that will reverberate for years to come. As we move into the new year, many of the choices and decisions we will make could turn pivotal with ripples that not only affe...