First Baptist Church of Lindale, GA

Matthew 6:5-15

Luke 17:11-19

John 15:1-8

Matthew 5:23-24

1 John 5:14-152 Peter 3:9

1 Timothy 2:1-2

Acts 11-12

Luke 11:1-13

Ephesians 6:5-12 NASB

John 14

John 14

You don't have to be a "superstar" Christian to have an effective prayer life!

John 8

John 17:20-23

Mark 5:1-20

Psalm 23:1

Romans 8:1-2 HCSB

This week, we celebrate our graduates for 2017! Eric shares a message from Psalm 1:1-3 and defines what it really means to be "blessed" and what a truly blessed life looks like!

Selected ScripturesMother's Day is a day full of blessing and fun for most mothers. But for others, it's a day of struggle. This week, Eric takes time to speak to the lives of all kinds of mothers and deliver encouragement for the struggles that come for them.

Romans 1:16Four Words...JESUS IS THE ANSWER. This week, our guest Tony Cargle, reminds us of the foundation of everything we live and experience as Chrsitians...the Gospel. It's for everyone and we can't be ashamed of it!

This week, Easter Sunday, Eric reminds us that we can experience the power of Christ's resurrection through the new beginning the empty tomb offers us every day!

Faith it!This is the first Sunday that Tim is gone. God isn't finished yet. If He was, Jesus would return and take us all home. So, since God isn't finished yet, what does He have in store of us now? God's Will is not based on my preferences or convenience. Why didn't God check with me on this?This is an opportunity for God to demonstrate His wisdom, His power, & His glory. It’s an opportunity for us to humble ourselves before God and Faith it! Why?Norman Wright - Questions for GodWhat can I learn through this?How can I grow through this?How can you be glorified through this?Dr. Joseph Stowell"We may not get direct answers to our questions on this side of life, but the answers reside in who God is in His character...in what we know to be true about God."God doesn’t give us answers, He gives us Himself.God has not forgotten FBC Lindale. He has a plan and purpose that is good and that is still being played out.Three very quick points!1. God is SovereignJob 13:15a "Even if He kills me, I will hope in Him."2. God is GoodJohn 3:161st John 4:10 10 "This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins."You can always trust the man who died for you.We should interpret everything that happens in light of the cross.3. God UnderstandsPsalm 147:5"How great is our Lord! His power is absolute! His understanding is beyond comprehension!"John 11:35 "Then Jesus wept."He walks with us. His understanding has no limit.Faith It! When things don’t make sense. When you don’t think God is working His plan quickly enough. That’s when you kick in the faith! Faith it! You can trust God because of who he is!Church – If you mean it, pray this prayer with me: "God, I want to rest in your perfect plan for my church, my life, my loved ones’ lives, and eternity. Help me to trust you."God is in charge. Ask God to help you as you grow. Get to work! Day to day testimonies of God’s work in our lives are our primary outreach.God desires that we serve Him well! "Life is but a Weaving” (the Tapestry Poem)(I changed two spots – easier to understand)“My life is but a weavingBetween my God and me.I cannot choose the colorsHe weaves steadily. Often He weaves sorrow;And I in foolish prideForget He sees the upperAnd I the underside. Not ’til the loom is silentAnd the shuttles cease to flyWill God unroll the canvasAnd reveal the reason why. The dark threads are as needfulIn the weaver’s skillful handAs the threads of gold and silverIn the pattern He has planned He knows, He loves, He cares;Nothing this truth can dim.He gives the very best to thoseWho leave the choice to Him

This week, Eric walks through the story of the woman caught in adultery in John 8 and highlights how Jesus moves us from condemnation to a life of obedience to God.

All spiritual journeys start in the dark, but some will finish in the light.A conversation about religion and a relationship with God is the first to a new beginning. (John 3:1-11 NLT)The only way one can go to heaven is to believe God has done verything one needs to go to heaven. (John 3:14-16)

An unexpected encounter leads to an undeniable conclusion.What Savior would accept someone so broken? (John 4:7-26 NLT)What a Savior, accepting someone so broken! (John 4:28-30, 39-42 NLT)Trust is the courage to accept you are accepted by Jesus.

Forgiveness is God's process for protecting us from self destruction.Admit your spirit has been wounded. (Colossians 3:13 NLT)Acknowledge God as your Healer. (Hebrews 4:16 NLT)Apply forgiveness to release healing and hope. (Collossians 3:13 NLT)We are never more like Christ than when we choose to forgive.

Have you ever prayed wondering if God was really listening?God says there's a way we can know!1 John 5:14-15 NIVGod has an ULTIMATE will for all people. (1 Timothy 2:1-4 NIV)God has a UNIVERSAL will for each of our lives. (John 15:14, John 14:15 NIV)God has a SPECIFIC will for each day of our lives. (Proverbs 3:5-6, Psalm 119:105 NIV)May we pray with minds set on the desires of God more than our own desires!

Praying for the salvation of others is every believer's responsibility!Pray with personal passion and patient persistence for the slavation of others. (Romans 10:1)Pray for an understanding of truth and on openness to faith that brings grace for salvation. (Romans 10:3-4, Ephesians 2:8-9)Pray as though their life depends on it...because it does!

Prayer is the force that forces our focus on God.Prayer allows us to enjoy the reward of God's attention. (Jeremiah 33:3; Hebrews 4:14-16)Prayer allows us to experience the resources of God's attributes. (Jeremiah 33:1-3; Jeremiah 32:17-20, 26-27)Prayer is the doorway to the heart and mind of God. Just go through it!

The greatest force in the church is not the programs we can produce or the personalities we promote. It is the power of earnest prayer.Earnest prayer acknowledges desperation. We can't! (Acts 12:4-5)Earnest prayer reflects dependence on God. God can! (Acts 12:6-11)It's not just about the result, it's also about the journey that comes from earnest prayer.

Here, Pastor Tim shares about a call to prayer and fasting that several of our area churches are making together. At the conclusion of his sermon on January 15, Tim shared how you can be a part. Please listen and consider how God would have you respond!

Pray for God to grant you wisdom as you write your own prayer for 2017. (James 1:5 NLT)Lord, give me the opportunity to...Make a difference by being faithful to God. (John 15:5)Make a difference through prayer. (1 John 5:14-15)Make a difference by telling someone my story. (1 John 5:11)

Jesus is the King of all Kings!Jesus was the Unforgettable King in His birth. (Matt. 2:1-3 NLT)Jesus was the Undefeatable King on the cross. (John 19:19 NLT)Jesus is the forever Undeniable King. (Revelation 19:11-16 NLT)

Christmas is the celebration of a day that honors a person and that person is Jesus!Talk about Jesus boldly. (Luke 2:17 NLT)Think about Jesus often. (Luke 2:18-19 NLT)Worship Jesus publicly and privately. (Luke 2:20 NLT)Celebrate your Savior, Jesus Christ the Lord!

Christmas is always great because Jesus is forever the greatest!The greatness of Jesus is not dependent on human participation. He is great because He is God! (Philippians 2:6-8 NLT)The greatness of Jesus is evident in his grace! (2 Cor. 8:9; Ephesians 2:8-10 NLT)If Atheists skip church because they don't believe in God, what does it mean when Christians skip church?

It just takes a moment to make all the difference in the world.It was an unnoticed moment when prophecy was fulfilled. (Isaiah 9:6 NLT)It was an uncommon moment when the creator began a common life. (John 1:14 NLT)It was an unexpected moment that will make a difference one life at a time. (John 1:12-13 NLT)There is no undecided moment with Jesus.You with accept Him or reject Him!

Be thankful always for the greatest gift in all of life, JESUS!Be thankful always for such great salvation through Jesus. (1 Cor. 15:57; 11:23-25 NLT)Be thankful always for such glorious hope in Jesus. (1 Cor. 11:26 NLT; Matt. 26:28-29 NLT)

Be thankful always for the treasure in you that gives life!Be thankful for the message of Christ that can be experienced. It is a glorious treasure! (2 Cor. 4:1-7)Be thankful for the ministry to share Christ with others. If is a gracious treasure! (2 Cor. 5:17-21)God empowers the undeserving to share His grace!

Being thankful for the people around us creates an atmosphere of encouragement!Be thankful, both specifically and personally, to those around you. (1 Cor. 1:4 NLT)Speak encouragement, both publicly and frequently, ito the lives of those who add value to life. (1 Thess. 1:2-3, 2 Thess. 1:3-4 NLT)The enemies of of being thankful always are busyness and discouragement.

Our Lord reigns no matter who lives in the White House!Our Lord, the Creator, rules this world with perfect wisdom, eternal purpose, and sovereign power. (Proverbs 8:14-16, 21:1)Our Lord, the Champion of Salvation, reigns by divine appointment regardless of human acceptance. (Philippians 2:8-11)We you bow before Jesus as your Savior or Judge?

Hope in Jesus Christ gives confidence to face the craziness and crises of life!Jesus is my light that is sufficient in the dark. (Psalm 27:1)Jesus is my salvation that secures my deliverance. (Psalm 27:1)Jesus is my fortress that stands in my defense. (Psalm 27:2-3)Jesus invites you to put your hope in Him!

Respect in the family is an expression of receiving each other as a gift from God!Receiving one another is imperative to respecting each other. (Eph. 5:21 NLT)Receiving is an act of faith by the power of the Holy Spirit that empowers respect, love, and order in family life. (Eph. 5:18b, 22, 25; 6:1-2, 4)

Respect is necessary to express love in the body of Christ.Romans 12:10b NLT "take delight in honoring each other"Honor = to respect, to value, to appreciateRespect shows appreciation for the grace and gifts in others. (Philippians 2:3 NLT)Respect gives consideration to the opinions and feelings of others. (Philippians 2:4 NLT)When respect matters in the body of Christ, then our message will have respect to those outside the body of Christ!

Respect is the key for order in every area of life. Disrespect produces chaos in all areas of life!Respect for God's institutional servants is essential for order and peace in society. If reflects honor for God! (Romans 13:1-5)Respect for God's spiritual servants is essential for a peaceful and productive relationship with God. It reveals reverence for God! (2 Kings 2:23-24)Disrespect is an epidemic of self-destruction beyond words!

1 Peter 3:13-18This week, Eric walks us through this encouragement from Peter regarding how to deal with the reality of undeserved circumstances and persecution in the Christian life. Sometimes the unfair makes life hard. Other times, the unfair makes life wonderful.

Faithful Faith: When we get beyond belief.Hebrews 10:19-25 NLT1. GET CLOSE - Hebrews 10:19-22, James 4:82. HOLD TIGHT - Hebrews 10:23, John 8:30-31, John 2:23-25, John 12:42-43.3. PLUG IN - Hebrews 10:24-25

The guilty can find grace!God builds His case: Rebellion! The evidence is undeniable. (Isaiah 1:2-4)God explains the consequences: The results of rebellion are unavoidable. (Isaiah 1:5-9)God offers a choice: An invitation no one should refuse. (Isaiah 1:18-20)

There has never been or ever will be anyone like Jesus!Jesus is the sure for what is wrong with us. (Hebrews 12:2, John 3:14)Jesus is the companion that never leaves us. (Matthew 28:19-20)Jesus is the champion always for us. (Hebrews 12:2b-3; Hebrews 12:1)Trust Jesus for salvation.Trust Jesus for strength.Share Jesus. There is no one like Him!

Life has meaning when there is a mission in life!Invest in people! The return is priceless. (Ecclesiates 11:1 MSG)Bless someone with generosity today! (Ecclesiastes 11:2 MSG)Be on mission now, even when circumstances may not be favorable. (Ecclesiastes 11:3-5 MSG)Share Jesus faithfully and serve others lovingly, trusting God with the results here and hereafter. (Ecclesiastes 11:6 MSG)

The race to judgment has an exit ramp called grace!The rebellious and the religious have the same problem...sin. (Romans 3:19-20, 23; Romans 6:23a)God's grace provides the only rescue from the penalty of sin. (Romans 3:24-25; Romans 6:23; Romans 3:22)Salvation is the result of grace made possible through the finished work of the cross.