Donelson First Podcast

Part 2 of our Advent series looks closer at the prophetic details perfectly fulfilled by the birth of Christ. Pastor Jeffrey details the historic context of Jesus's birth place, and the beautiful prophetic fulfillment found in it. " Every detail was divine. Every detail was anointed. Every detail precisely as God wanted it to be."

Pastor Jeffrey opened the Advent season with part 1 of Christ is Here: Christ Foretold. This message centers around the character of God that is revealed through His promise fulfilled. The beauty of God's plan is revealed through prophecy made and fulfilled.

Pastor Jeffrey concludes our series on Gratitude with part 4: Rejoice. This week focuses on the beauty and necessity of gratefulness in the life of believers. We are called in every circumstance and season to give thanks to God. Gratitude in the easy moments is appreciation. Gratitude in the hard moments is adoration.

Pastor Jeffrey continues our series on Gratitude this week with part 3: Return. This week focuses on the call of God to return to Himself. Gratitude calls us to return to the Father who all our blessings come from. This does not only apply to those who have run away in rebellion, but those who wish to walk more closely with God.

Pastor Jeffrey continues our series on Gratitude this week with part 2: Remember. This week focuses on the act of worship that is remembering what God has done. Gratitude grows when memories are tended to. When you remember what God has done, you rest in who God is.

Pastor Jeffrey begins our new series, Gratitude. He details the natural human tendency to seek God out of need, and then forgetting gratitude while in the state of blessing. Gratitude is a way to live, independent of circumstances.

Pastor Jeffrey concludes our 11 week series The Joy of Pain with this week's message: The Eternal Joy. We are encouraged to hope in the knowledge of the eternal reality of joy in spite of present circumstances. The source of eternal joy is the very presence of God. "The joy of pain is not that pain is easy, but that pain does not win. The joy of pain is not that suffering disappears, but that suff...

In Part 8 of our series, The Joy of Pain, Pastor Jeffrey unpacks God's assurance of comfort in the midst of our difficult circumstances. Not as the absence of adversity but as His unwavering presence within it. His strength given to us to sustain and heal us.

In Part 6 of our series The Joy of Pain, Pastor Jeffrey explores the powerful contrast between the brilliance of God's glory and the reality of our human limitations. Through Paul's testimony of the thorn in his flesh, we're reminded that even in weakness, the strength of Christ prevails. Discover how God reveals His power not in spite of our pain—but through it.

Part 5 of Pastor Jeffrey's series, The Joy of Pain. This week we look at the reality of valleys, and the fear that these places are the new normal. This is not the truth, the truth is that God is just as present with us there. He is our Good Shepherd regardless of circumstances.

Part 4 of Pastor Jeffrey's series, The Joy of Pain. Scars are the evidence of previous pain, but we are not alone in our pain or our scars. Our Savior carries scars of His own, the result of His sacrifice for us. Jesus takes the endless replay of your pain and interrupts it with His presence.

Part 3 of Pastor Jeffrey's series, The Joy of Pain. This week's message centers around the beginnings of suffering, and God's ever present promise of hope and redemption. God's redemption plan began in the very moments after the fall, a plan that He knows will involve the suffering and death of His son for our sake. This is the foundation of finding God's glory in our grief.

The second part in Pastor Jeffrey's new series, The Joy of Pain. This week visits Isaiah and his suffering, and how even in the midst of that suffering came prophesies of our Messiah. He explores Jesus's redemption of our earthly pain, and God's presence in it.

The first in Pastor Jeffrey's new series, The Joy of Pain. This week opens with laying a groundwork of hope that may be found in the very midst of tragedy and pain. God is always present in spite of pain, and His plan and promise is for redemption.

The conclusion of Pastor Jeffrey's series, The Divine Place. The Church's story ends in glory. Christ will return, and we will dwell with Him forever in a new heaven and new earth. Until then, we live in hope.

The Church is called to go - to make disciples, proclaim the Gospel, and serve the world. Evangelism and justice are both central to the Church's mission.

The Church is God's dwelling place. Worship and prayer are vital to our identity and mission. When the Church prays, things shift -- within us and in the world.

This Sunday, Pastor Jeffrey taught us what it means to be a shepherd of God's people and what this sacred calling demands.

This week Pastor Jeffrey Smith explores the church as a collective made up of many members. The church is a blend of unity and diversity. Though different in background and gifts, we are united by one Spirit. Our differences are strengths when we honor and serve one another.

This week Pastor Jeffrey's sermon focuses on church not just as a place to attend-- but as a people to belong to. Biblical membership is about connection, mutual responsibility, and shared spiritual growth. God places us in the body to serve, be known, and grow in Christ together.

This week in Part 4 of our series on The Divine Place, Pastor Jeffrey looks at what it means to seek the Lord. Through the practice of communion God is seeking after us and pursuing us, while affording us the opportunity to in the same moment seek Him. Pastor Jeffrey encourages the church to seek the mystery and majesty of the supper.

In this latest message from The Divine Place, Pastor Jeffrey dives into the meaning and purpose of baptism. Is it sprinkling or immersion? Is it symbolic or essential for salvation? While Christians may differ on the details, one truth remains: without Christ crucified and risen, nothing else matters.