A Solid Foundation

Sometimes, our plans don't go the way we planned. Sometimes, God steps in and does something different. Sometimes, He let's us see why He changed them. Sometimes, He doesn't. All the time, the change is for the best. Michael Linton, Pastor FBC Sulphur, LA

We all have those skeletons in our genealogical closet. Even Jesus had those. But they do not define us. They are not the totality of who we are. Our identity is found in our relationship with Jesus Christ. Michael Linton, Pastor FBC Sulphur, LA

Sometimes, life is just too much. In those times, when we feel we are about to snap, we can cry out to God for mercy and know for certain that He will answer. Michael Linton, Pastor FBC Sulphur, LA

We rarely see our sadness and pain (lament) that we express to God as worship, but it is. David, and the congregation of worshiping Jews, regularly used lament as an expression of their worship. In Psalm 5, David cries to God to grant righteousness and worships as he does so. Michael Linton, Pastor FBC Sulphur, LA

There are many reasons to quit on the call of God on your life, to quit on obedience, to quit on the church. There are many more, better reasons NOT to. There's strength to stay faithful. Michael Linton, Pastor FBC Sulphur, LA

There are times when we are so close to something that we miss the truth of it. Or, we hear something so much that we think we've fully grasped it, but in fact we haven't. The gospel can't just be known, but has to be acted upon. Michael Linton, Pastor FBC Sulphur, LA

First Church heard the call to missions because they worshiped. They were in tune with God, expecting a work of the Holy Spirit. When He showed up, they knew it. Then, the Holy Spirit led the mission. The Holy Spirit leads all believers. Michael Linton, Pastor FBC Sulphur, LA

Too often, Christians do not utilize our best, and only, source of power for the Christlike life. It's there, ready to be used, but we leave it untapped. The First Church tapped into that power. Michael Linton, Pastor FBC Sulphur, LA

A nickname often describes who we are. When the believers in the Antioch church were called "Christians," it was a result of what the people around them saw. Is your life such that you are able To Be Called Christian? Michael Linton, Pastor FBC Sulphur, LA

Racism, bigotry, prejudice, and other forms or racial or national superiority are not of God. They are sin. Peter wasn't just called to share the gospel with those he thought were "less than," but to love them, fellowship with them, and call them brothers and sisters. Jesus kills prejudice. Michael Linton, Pastor FBC Sulphur, LA

When an unbeliever turns to Jesus, they are made new. Everything about them is now different. Some changes are gradual, some are immediate, but nothing is the same. The changes should mark them. These changes are radical. Michael Linton, Pastor FBC Sulphur, LA

There is no distance grace through Jesus Christ will travel to save you. No sin too great. No life too troubled. No race, no ethnicity, no country that He is not for. Michael Linton, Pastor FBC Sulphur, LA

When God invites us to join Him, He's already working. When God shows us where He's working, that's our invitation to join Him. Look for where God is working and join Him there. These three statements from Experiencing God describe Phillip. Michael Linton, Pastor FBC Sulphur, LA

Often, a negative situation will lead us to make positive changes. That happened to First Church. God uses suffering in our lives to push us to be obedient to what He has already told us to do. Michael Linton, Pastor FBC Sulphur, LA

Decisions are hard. And decisions have consequences. We decide daily if we will follow Christ or if we will follow the devil. Those are the only two choices. Some choose well and some choose poorly. Michael Linton, Pastor FBC Sulphur, LA

Most of the persecution and turmoil that a church faces will not come from outside, but from inside. That is Satan's preferred method to attack the body of Christ. Michael Linton, Pastor FBC Sulphur, LA

For believers, persecution will come. How will we handle it? Michael Linton, Pastor FBC Sulphur, LA

Satan tries, but Satan can't win. He may win battles, but he can't win the war. God will use everything Satan does for His own glory. Michael Linton, Pastor FBC Sulphur, LA

Satan gets into the church, and most often he gets in through believers. The account of Ananias and Sapphira show us that the First Church dealt with it early. And decisively. Michael Linton, Pastor FBC Sulphur, LA

A steady dose of prayer can radically change your situation and that of your church. The First Church saw the fruit of their constant prayer. Michael Linton, Pastor FBC Sulphur, LA

How was the First Church so effective? They focused on two things: mutual care and the mission. They did it as a group, and they had men and women who stepped up and led out. That church changed the world. Michael Linton, Pastor FBC Sulphur, LA

First Church was told they couldn't preach Jesus. Their response was a very specific prayer, and God answered their prayer in a very specific manner. May we have such boldness. Michael Linton, Pastor FBC Sulphur, LA

When the First Church went out into the community, they faced opposition from those in power. We, too, will face opposition if we lead our church to change the community, and that opposition will come from inside the church and out. We have our model response, though. We cannot be quiet. Michael Linton, Pastor FBC Sulphur, LA

The First Church didn't have a lot, materially, to give. When asked for money by the lame man in our passage from Acts, Peter and John didn't have any. But that didn't mean the church didn't have anything to give. They used what they had to share Jesus with this man God loved. Michael Linton, Pastor FBC Sulphur, LA

Why do we worship? Ultimately, what should be our driving motive for why we praise God? Psalm 4 tells us. Michael Linton, Pastor FBC Sulphur, LA