First Baptist Church of Orange Park - Sermon Audio

Joy to the world.

Christmas Eve 2022 || David Tarkington (December 24, 2022) by David Tarkington, Pastor

Grace is free, but godliness is costly. Pastor Mike Godfrey leads us through 1 Timothy 4:6-10 as Paul instructed Timothy to invest wisely for godliness for the return on investment is priceless.

In the latter days (which we are now experiencing) there will be those who leave the faith, those who buy into false doctrine, and those who who become legalistic in their self-focus. This has been true since the early church days and even now in the age of Christian deconstructionism, it remains. But what is the church to do? Pastor David addresses that in our latest sermon from 1 Timothy.

Do you love the church? Do you love the church like Jesus loves the church? Universal church or local church? Paul's devotion for Christ and his church is clear and the challenge is for each follower of Christ to do the same.

Paul gives Timothy God's requirements for those who can serve as deacons in the local church. This passage clearly gives the qualifications of the man serving in the role and reminds the reader that what often has become deacon roles in the local church are not biblical roles.

This section of Paul's letter gives clear qualifications for the men called to serve as pastor (overseer, elder) in the local church. Yet, it is not simply a list to be checked off, as some have seen.

Are there unique roles for men and women within the church? God addresses this in Paul's letter to Timothy and the answer is clear, though many have sought to declare it unclear. Truly this passage is less about men and women and more about God. We would be wise to remember that.

Paul addresses the need for prayer among God's people. Prayer fuels our proclamation of the truth and results in praise for the Lord. This truly is for his glory and our good.

As we finish chapter one of 1 Timothy, we focus on God's reminder through paul that the gospel is worth defending and false teachers are to be removed from fellowship. It is a hard truth, but truth nonetheless.

If you were to list the top ten evil people in the history of the world, who would be at the top of your list? Paul made such a list and never went past the number one spot. The person he placed in that spot is one that most would not consider. Once the number one spot was filled, the reality of God's grace becomes clear.

Pastor Mike Godfrey continues in our series through the book of 1 Timothy. This passage focuses on Paul's instructions regarding the Law and the lawlessness that so easily entangles believers and the confusion that comes when false teachers arrive. The call to godliness and holiness is clear.

False teachers are always a problem for the church. Paul instructs Timothy on this issue for the church in Ephesus and the instructions from this inspired, inerrant message are as relevant today as when they were penned.

A simple salutation says much more than you think. In this sermon Pastor David Tarkington begins our series for the church through the first letter to Timothy.

As David closes out his 23rd Psalm, he reminds the reader, or singer, that the shepherd is the host, that he anoints the head of his child, and prepares a place for him at his table and his home. This is the story of the gospel.

When you find yourself in the valley of the shadow of death you can drown in despair. Yet God remains faithful even during these times and when it seems that he is not there, when no one cares, when all is lost...be reminded of the great truth that David writes of in this psalm.

David calls God his shepherd. Jesus says he is the Good Shepherd. He is and there is much to learn from this illustration of sheepherding, but sadly there are some who have religious titles who are anything but good. Pastor David begins this short, three-part series from Psalm 23 seeking to bring clarity to those who have been harmed by others claiming to be men or women of God. This is a journey...

Sometimes you may feel as if you are the only faithful person to God left. Micah felt that way. So did Elijah and many others, but God has promised to never leave nor forsake his children. You are not alone. Pastor David finishes our series through the book of Micah with a word of hope.

The trial is on in chapter six. The witnesses have been called. The indictment is in, but what is it that God desires from his people? Pastor David takes us through this chapter of the prophet Micah's book to see.

Micah reveals to his listeners that despite the difficulties coming, the pending judgment for their sin, and all the challenges of life brought on by sin, that God has always had a plan for redemption. Christ has come to save and will come to reign. This is a promise. And this is good news.

The judgment of God is coming upon his people due to their breaking of covenant living with him. Yet, Micah gives God's message to the people that there will come a day when peace will truly exist and the Lord's Messiah will sit upon his throne. This promise has come and is yet to come as we sit now between Bethlehem and the glorious appearing.

Micah continues his prophetic warning to the people of Israel and Judah. What resonates here is that the people had willfully chosen to be ignorant of the things of God while continuing to hold onto a semblance of righteousness and religion...all without God. This was spoken to covenant breakers thousands of years ago, but could just as easily be (and is) a warning to believers today.

The decline of morality in a culture has occurred and is occurring in the same form and fashion time after time. In Micah's day, the religiosity of God's people had become little more than obligation or duty, with no love or passion for righteousness upholding it. The same is true, sadly, among many today. The call for repentance remains.

The people of God are coming under judgment because they have broken the covenant with the Lord. A covenant is not simply a promise. Pastor David preaches from Micah 1 in this short series through the book that bears the prophet's name.

The prophet Micah was sent by God to warn of coming judgment among the people due to their idolatry and their breaking of the covenant with the Lord. This Old Testament warning resonates with us today. This is the first sermon in a series through the book of Micah.