First Baptist Blowing Rock

If you had to use a metaphor to describe the value of someone or their character; what would you use? We say things like, "they are gold" or a "treasure" or worth a "million bucks" "priceless", a few years ago it was a great compliment to be called "the bomb" but what about "salt". That doesn't seem like a real flashy compliment but...

Around the world, thousands of the men, women and children face persecution and even death simply because they identify themselves as followers of Jesus Christ. Yet here in America we tend to think of religious persecution as a rarity instead of reality. We tend to think that Jesus suggested that His followers might face some persecution when the truth is that he clearly declared that anyone who w...

Most of us have been told from time to time that we might look like one of our parents, or maybe even sound like them. We can't help it; our genes play a role in the inherited traits and spending the first eighteen to twenty years of our lives around them play a major role in the learned traits. Whether we like it or fight it; most of us end up seeing our parents influences lived it in our ow...

Have you ever looked back on your life at times when you faced difficulties, struggles or life changing events and could clearly see the hand of God at work? Like the poem "Footprints in the Sand"; you could see where God carried you, where He opened doors, where He provided for you, where He brought people into your life to encourage and support you. How would you like to not have to wa...

Jesus begins his most famous of Sermons by painting a picture of the character of a Christ Follower in what we call the Beatitudes. It is a great description of who a Christian should be when they submit themselves completely to the control of the Holy Spirit. The first 4 of these character traits all deal with the relationship between a follower of Christ and God. The next four are the natural ou...

In this study of the fourth Beatitude, Jesus promises that those who hunger and thirst for the presence and power of God will be filled, but what does that look like in a practical sense. How can we hunger and thirst for something like God's presence. Join us as we examine how the actual Greek words Jesus used unlocks the key to pursuing God and finding real joy and happiness. Many in the chu...

Jesus promises joy, happiness and blessings to those who are meek and gentle, yet the world seems to offer just the opposite. Those who chose the path of following Jesus will always exhibit meekness, but just what does that really mean and if Jesus described himself as meek - what happened when he overturned the tables in the temple? What about when he confronted the religious leaders? Believe it...

How can someone who is sad actually be happy or blessed? Once again Jesus offers the ultimate paradox as he challenges his followers to find internal joy, happiness and blessings in the midst of mourning. As we look at the 2nd Beatitude Jesus introduces in His sermon on the mount, you might be surprised to find this is not your normal mourning or sadness. Jesus is challenging those who would follo...

(This is the first half of the sermon from August 14th, the conclusion of the message can be heard in Part Two.) What does it mean to be happy? How can we attain happiness? A recent pew research poll found that only 1-3 American describe themselves as happy - that is 33%, so 67% of American are unhappy. We live in the most prosperous nation in the world, with more wealth, benefits and comforts tha...

(This is the second half of the sermon from August 14th, the beginning of the message can be heard in Part One found below.) What does it mean to be happy? How can we attain happiness? A recent pew research poll found that only 1-3 American describe themselves as happy - that is 33%, so 67% of American are unhappy. We live in the most prosperous nation in the world, with more wealth, benefits and...

An introduction to the Sermon on the Mount discussing the importance of slowing down and unplugging to be able to hear the voice of God. We also discuss the various applications for the Sermon on the Mount and why it is considered the Greatest Sermon every given. From Matthew 5:1-2. Thank you for listening to our podcast and we would love for you to subscribe to our page and share with others.  Jo...

This is an introduction to our new Sermon series on the Sermon on the Mount from Matthew 5-7. This introduction looks at the call for every Christian to be a follower of Jesus Christ and what that really means. We look at the true meaning of Spiritual Freedom and Grace and the two abuses of that freedom; legalism and license. This message deals with the trap of spiritual license and how it corrupt...

This message examines the Call and Vision of FBC Blowing Rock - We discuss what our purpose statement means for each church member and follower of Christ. We explain what is means to be a "place to Belong, a place to Believe and a place to Become". It also cast a vision for the coming year. Thank you for listening to our podcast and we would love for you to subscribe to our page and shar...

In the Old Testament, fathers would gather their children around them, lay hands on them and pass along a blessing. Can Father's still pass along a blessing to their children in our modern culture? If so, what would those blessings be? Join us as we encourage and challenge fathers on how they can give their children the freedom and blessing to grow into who God has called and created them to...

When you examine the life of Joseph, one has to wonder how he was able to overcome all he was faced with - all of the betrayals, the struggles, the loneliness. What was their about him that allowed him to place his faith completely in God regardless of the circumstances? In the last story we have of Joseph before his death in Genesis, he is visiting with his brothers after their fathers death and...

Many Christians can be heard saying, "It would be much easier to follow God if He would just show me where we are going" and one can understand the frustration and even fear from that statement. But if God showed us where He was leading us it would not require faith; it would simply be instruction. Learning to listen to the voice and word of God and trust Him is part of the maturing proc...

Most Christians will not question that we are called to forgive those who have hurt or disappointed us; the words even come easily off of our lips, "I forgive you" but have we really forgiven them? The standard for forgiveness according to scripture (Colossians 3:13) is to forgive as Christ forgave us- that is a high threshold that most of us struggle to achieve. Joseph had given total f...

At one time or another most of us have disappointed others and lost their trust or lost our trust in someone. Trust is one of those things we take for granted until it is lost and once it is gone; it can be very difficult to restore. For most of us, it is easier to just give up on that person and walk away; but as Christians, grace calls us to a different path. If their was anyone who had a good r...

Even the most optimistic person can allow the struggles and difficulties of life to turn them into a pessimist. We are surrounded with sensational and negative news everyday and it seems like once things turn against us they pile on. A bad day turns into a bad week and continues to grow. Join us as we discover how Joseph's dad Jacob/Israel allowed himself to be consumed with negative and pess...

Joseph's wild journey has seen him go from slavery to prison to the palace of the Egyptian Pharaoh and now it comes full circle as he is confronted with where it all began - his family. Many people fail to realize that their most important mission field is their own family; brothers, sisters, parents, children and grandchildren. For some that might require some restored relationships. Join us...

As Joseph lived out the success of a new job, new wife and kids, new place of power and influence he was surprised to find that this new path led to a familiar place - home. As he comes face to face with his brothers, the very ones who began his now 20 year journey abroad, he is confronted with the idea of revenge or reconciliation. From Genesis 41-42. Thank you for listening to our podcast and we...

Joseph's life had plenty of struggle and disappointment - dysfunctional blended family, beaten and sold into slavery by his brothers, falsely accused of sexual harassment and sent to prison for doing the right thing, 10 long years languishing in prison and in the blink of an eye he stands before the greatest leader of the largest kingdom on earth. From prison to the palace in one step and he...

How can you know if God is opening a new door for your life or ministry? How can you know if you will be ready when the opportunity comes? Are you ready today? What if the answer to achieving all of your dreams presented itself today - would you recognize it? would you be ready to follow? Join us as we look at the life of Joseph as he walks through an open door that changes his life and becomes th...

Ever been disappointed or let down by someone close to you? Ever felt betrayed by someone you trusted or even a family member? Join us as we discover how our response to these disappointments can sidetrack or even destroy our God given dreams. From the life of Joseph, Genesis 40,41 Thank you for listening to our podcast and we would love for you to subscribe to our page and share with others.  Joi...

While patience may be a virtue, it is a rarity in society today. We are a generation of instant gratification - we want it now; and that has crossed over into our walk of faith. We expect instant results but the Bible teaches us that some of God's greatest lessons come during a period of waiting. Moses waited for 40 years herding sheep on the backside of a desert before God called him, Paul c...