FBC Wilmington Sermons

Towards the end of Israel’s monarchy, prophets showed up to warn of impending doom. They were the voices of the disorder trying to help Israel reorder their lives. Their entire goal was to bring self-reflection and repentance into the public conversation. It didn’t always work, and Israel remained under foreign rule for hundreds of years because of it. Rev. J. Barrett Owen

For decades the Israelites bounced around in exile. They were defeated and destroyed by the Assyrians, Babylonians, and Persians. This dark period caused terrible strain on the traditions and customs of the old order. The same is true for us when we’re thrown into exilic periods of faith. Seeing this disorder as a growth opportunity, though, can change everything for us, just like it did Israel. R...

As time and community developed, the Israelites wanted more structure. They established a judicial system and it imploded disastrously. The entire book of Judges is an arch that tells the sad story of what happens when we are left to our own devices as humans: We hurt and hate. The book of Judges is the transitioning from Order to Disorder. Rev. J. Barrett Owen

Moses does the hard work of leading God’s people away from captivity. He settles them into a new land traversing through all kinds of wilderness. He even establishes a law for them to follow. The Exodus story and the emergence of the 10 Commandments show us that we are meant to establish an ordered way to live in community (too bad we struggle with this so much). Rev. J. Barrett Owen

God orders the world in seven days and sets a universal pattern for us image-bearers: Work six days and rest one. Work is essential to life. We work alongside God and fulfill our duties as the image-bearers of God, and then we rest. The relationship between work and sabbath is paramount to understanding the natural order and rhythms of life. Rev. J. Barrett Owen

Finally, there are enthronement psalms that celebrate the Lord as the rightful king. These psalms are what the trajectory of the whole Psalter points us to — a future with God as King. Take Psalm 99: “The Lord is King, let the people tremble! He sits enthroned on the cherubim, the earth quakes! He is exalted over all people. Let them praise your great and awesome name. Holy is He!” This sermon wil...

Communal lament is cathartic and necessary. It speaks hyperbolic words that may not actually come to pass but words that need to be expressed regardless. In Psalm 14 you hear, “Fools say in their hearts there is no God . . . The Lord looks down from heaven on humankind to see if there are any who are wise, who seek after God. They have all gone astray, they are all perverse. No one does good. No,...

Wisdom Psalms provide instruction in right living and right faith. Take Psalm 1: “Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers, but their delight is in the law of the LORD.” Or Psalm 133, “How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity.” Both psalms remind us of the need for right living and ri...

“The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures . . . he restores my soul." Psalm 23 is an individual hymn of thanksgiving. It is from the lips of David thanking God for God’s provisions. We can learn a lot about this posture of praise and offering ourselves to God in this kind of prayer. This sermon explores how. Rev. J. Barrett Owen

Psalm 24 has some of the most revered one-liners: “The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it. Who shall stand in his holy place . . . those with clean hands and pure hearts . . . Who is this king of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of Glory.” This hymn of communal thanksgiving reminds us of our need for corporate worship and collective praise. This sermon will focus on the power of com...

Royal psalms speak of the Lord’s provisions for the Israelite kings (David and Solomon) who reigned in Jerusalem during their monarchy. This psalm blesses the kingship of David and gives God the praise for his courage and leadership. These psalms remind us of Israel’s need to bless those in authority and to see how God is using the kings to further the ongoing creation of the wold. It also gives u...

Creation psalms celebrate God’s sovereignty over the created world and the special place of human beings in it. These psalms remind us that nature is our first Bible and that God’s fingerprints are all over the created order. Like in Psalm 8 when it says, “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are min...

This sermon will introducethe Psalms and how it is broken up into five books that each end in a doxology that tells the shape and history of the Israelite people while introducing 8 types of psalms: Community Thanksgiving, Individual Thanksgiving, Community Lament, Individual Lament, Royal, Creation, Wisdom, and Enthronement. -Rev. J. Barrett Owen

Jim Baldwin’s life has taken many turns. When he looks at the psalter, he sees God’s handiwork with him throughout his trials and changes. In this testimonial sermon, Jim opens our sermon series by offering examples of important Psalms to his faith journey while showcasing the relevance of this ancient hymn book for us today. Sermon by Rev. Dr. Jim Baldwin, Minister to Senior Adults

Today is Pentecost. In Scripture, this is the moment following Jesus’ ascension to heaven when the Spirit poured out on “all flesh," and everyone present began speaking in differing tongues. It’s a beautiful picture of God’s vastness, diversity, and all-encompassing love for humanity. It’s the clearest, most expansive vision of who the Kingdom of God is for, and it just so happens to be the birthd...

One of the greatest metaphors in all of Christendom is the “body.” We talk about it at communion. Jesus breaks bread and tells us it is his body. The church is known as the “body of Christ.” Our physical bodies are made in the image of the invisible God giving us the notion that we look like God. We’re told our bodies are temples. Jesus’ body is what he sacrifices for our earthly bodies. Paul tell...

Job asks a very intimate and profound question: “What are humans, that you [God] make so much of them, that you set your mind on them?” In the asking of this question, Job ponders what happens in the mind of God which begs the question, “Can we know the mind of God?” Scripture seems to say yes. We can learn from, hold, and reflect what God holds and reflects. Using Job as fodder, we’ll explore ang...

In order to trick Jesus, a lawyer asks what the greatest commandments are. Jesus’ response is the clearest, most direct summary of how then we should strive to live. So much so, his response has become the chief cornerstone for fleshing out vision and future as a church. Rev. J. Barrett Owen

Jesus’ first miracle in the Gospel of John is turning water into wine. He’s at a wedding reception in Cana when the party runs out of wine, so Jesus fixes the problem by making more wine than the party needs. Multiple themes emerge within this story, none more important than the ultimate reminder of home. Rev. J. Barrett Owen

In the Upper Room, behind locked doors, Jesus appears and does something the world must never forget: Breathes the Holy Spirit into the room. In John’s Gospel, this is Pentecost. Jesus offers the gift of the Holy Spirit to his most faithful followers. This same gift is given today. When we follow Jesus, we are given a helper, a gift. That gift is the same Holy Spirit. Rev. J. Barrett Owen

On the Road to Emmaus, Jesus meets Cleopas and a fellow traveler. His true identity is hidden from them, and the travelers express their sadness over the death of Jesus. Jesus asks them why they are so slow to believe the prophesies listed in scripture but so quick to lose hope. -Rev. Jayne H. Davis

Easter is the ultimate story of life, death, and resurrection. What happens on Easter Sunday changes everything for everyone for all time and each element of this story shows us God’s ultimate design and hope for bringing Jesus into the world in order to help save humanity. Rev. J. Barrett Owen

We invite you to hear the message from our Good Friday service, "The Seven Last Words". During this solemn and meaningful service, seven of our ministers shared reflections on Jesus' last words on the cross as recorded in scripture.

This Palm Sunday, FBC's chancel choir presented movements from Dan Forrest's Requiem for the Living. This was a very special, fully orchestrated worship service that was a powerful experience that we are excited to share!

This Palm Sunday, our choir presented movements from Dan Forrest's Requiem for the Living. Hear Pastor Barrett's introduction to this musical masterpiece.