First Church

Many people believe they’re too far gone to change, while others think saying the right things is enough. Jesus’ parable of the two sons shows that what matters isn’t what we say—it’s whether we’re willing to change our minds, turn toward God, and take a step of obedience.

None of us asks for difficult seasons, but all of us eventually face them. This message explores how our hardest moments don’t have to define us—and why they may be shaping us more than we realize.

Most people can handle life when things are going well. The real test comes when everything feels uncertain and people are looking for answers. This Father’s Day we explore what leadership looks like in difficult moments and where real strength comes from when we’re running low.

Many people have great intentions when they read the Bible, but somewhere along the way, it’s easy to lose sight of what really matters. This message challenges people to stop treating faith like information consumption and start treating it like something meant to be lived.

A lot of people try to read the Bible, get frustrated, and give up. This message shows why growth with God is less like flipping a switch and more like building something over time. Types of Literature in the Bible - https://first-church-in.cls.co/note/vnpvvr

A lot of people feel like they should read the Bible, but then they try and feel confused, bored, or completely lost. This message gives simple, practical steps to help you read the Bible in a way that actually makes sense.

In “Seeds of Kindness,” Pastor Bob reminds us that we can’t control the condition of someone’s heart, but we can choose to faithfully sow seeds of love. Through kindness, truth, prayer, and simple moments of courage, God can use our everyday relationships to point people toward Jesus.

What will your kids care about when they’re older? Probably not every game, trip, or perfectly planned moment. This message helps parents zoom out and think about what we’re really trying to build in the next generation.

Throwing in the towel can feel justified in the moment, but that’s what makes it dangerous. This Mother’s Day we’re talking about how to live as women who don’t throw in the towel on what we want most for what we now!

If being a Christian had a job description… would you know what’s on it? This message walks through who’s really in charge and what that changes.

Everyone hits moments where what they believe gets shaken—by pain, questions, or something they hear. This message is about what to do when that happens, and how to rebuild something real instead of walking away or staying stuck in doubt forever.

A lot of people don’t make bad decisions because they don’t care. They make them because they only see what’s right in front of them. So when it comes to something like “God’s will”… it can feel confusing or out of reach. What if it’s actually more practical than that? Like how you handle fear, pressure, and the decisions right in front of you.

What if fear isn’t actually the problem in your life? What if it’s doing exactly what it’s supposed to do…but it’s just focused on the wrong things? Even the fear of death… what if that’s not the real issue?

Jesus isn’t meant to be part of your life. He’s meant to be what everything else is built on. And when He’s not… things don’t hold together the same way. Jesus raising from the dead isn’t just something to believe. It’s something that should reshape how we live. This message walks through what that actually looks like.

You’ve made changes. Taken steps. Started fresh. But it’s not happening the way you thought. Little by little can feel invisible. This message explains why it’s not.

Have you ever thought about how easy it is to be around faith without letting it reshape your life? What if being near Jesus and being transformed by Jesus are not the same thing?

Have you ever felt frustrated with church and wondered if it’s even worth it? What if the expectations we carry into faith shape the way we experience it?

Why do the harshest thoughts about ourselves show up when we’re already tired or overwhelmed? The ones that replay our mistakes and tell us the worst is coming. This message looks at how Jesus shows us to respond when our minds start spiraling.

Divorce, burnout, financial stress, faith crises — they rarely happen overnight. They build slowly through unresolved small issues. In this message, we unpack how quiet neglect can drift us off course and how small, faithful steps can change the trajectory of your marriage, family, finances, and faith.

Stress doesn’t disappear just because you believe in God — but it does change when you trust Him. This message gets real about anxiety, control, and what it looks like to actually trust in anxiety.

Loneliness is rising, but the solution isn’t trying harder alone. Discover why God designed you to need others and how biblical community unlocks healing, growth, and purpose.

The danger isn’t always doing the wrong thing; sometimes it’s doing nothing at all. Could playing it safe be costing more than we realize?

A lot of us want our lives to matter—but we’re not sure where to start. We feel like impact should be bigger, louder, or more obvious than what we have right now. This message explores what following Jesus’ command for our life looks like.

Most conflict doesn’t start with hate, but with misunderstanding. Learn how seeing what others see, letting go of what doesn’t matter, and fighting for what does can heal complicated relationships.

This message, A New You, dives into the real struggle we all face: doing what we don’t want to do and feeling stuck in cycles we hate. Pastor Bob Merritt reminds us that the battle inside doesn’t mean you’re broken—it means God is at work.