First Baptist Church Lipan, TX

Lessons from the Road - Exodus 13:17-18; John 16:33; 1 Corinthians 12:14-27; Psalm 119:105 SOMETIMES THE BIGGEST BLESSINGS COME IN THE DETOURS JUST BECAUSE SOMETHING SEEMS HARD DOESN’T MEAN YOU SHOULDN’T TRY IT EVERYONE HAS A PART TO PLAY GOD DOESN’T SHOW US THE JOURNEY, HE SHOWS US THE NEXT STEP

Our Memorial Stones - Joshua 4:4-7; 21-23; 24 A MEMORIAL IS A WAY TO SHARE OUR FAITH WITH OTHERS A MEMORIAL IS ENDURING AND PERPETUAL A CHRISTIAN’S MEMORIAL STONES      Baptism      Church Membership      Lord's Supper      Our Lives

Eye on the Prize - Genesis 19:15-26 Inorganic things have no movement on their own. Inorganic things get used by others. Inorganic things are not alive. When you become inorganic, you cease to be in God's will for your life.

Jochebed: A Legacy of Faith - Hebrews 11:23-29 A godly mother holds to her faith in dark times. A godly mother sacrifices her desires to do what is best for her children. A godly mother leaves an impression in the lives of her children. The small actions of a godly mother have big implications for future generations.

In The End - 2 Samuel 23:1-7 The end always brings clarity. Right living brings God's blessings. God's faithfulness to us is not dependent on our faithfulness to Him.

The Penitent Heart - Psalm 51 A penitent heart desires to be clean. A penitent heart understands its place before God. A penitent heart doesn't fight the actions of cleansing. A penitent heart responds in public testimony. A penitent heart brings the proper sacrifice.

The Fallout -  2 Samuel 12:1-23 We see wrong in others easier than we see wrong in ourselves. Consequences of sin are not the same as punishment. Sometimes God says no. We have to learn when to accept God's answer.

The Bathsheba Incident -  2 Samuel 11:1-27 NOT BEING WHERE YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE IS AS DANGEROUS AS BEING WHERE YOU AREN’T SUPPOSED TO BE TEMPTATION RARELY MAKES SENSE YOU CANNOT OVERCOME TEMPTATION BY EXAMINING IT TRYING TO HIDE YOUR SIN ALWAYS COSTS SOMEONE SOMETHING YOU CAN'T HIDE YOUR SIN FROM GOD

Eggspectations of Easter - Matthew 28:1-15 & Luke 24:9-12 The women expected grief, but they found excitement. The soldiers expected an easy night's work, but they found a mystery. The Disciples expected their mission to end, but they found a new message. The world expects falsehood, but in the empty tomb we find:      Peace      Joy      Hope...

Redeemed! - 2 Samuel 9:1-13 We are redeemed for the sake of the Son. Redemption comes with mercy. Redemption brings restoration. Redemption opens the door for grace. We are redeemed in spite of our shortcomings.

Courageous Faith - Matthew 8:5-13 Courageous Faith is Urgent Courageous Faith is Selfless Courageous Faith is Humble

Whose House is it Anyway? - 2 Samuel 7:1-17 WE MUST BE CAREFUL NOT TO DO THINGS FOR GOD ONLY FROM OUR DESIRE WE MUST ALLOW OUR GODLY COUNSEL THE ABILITY TO CHANGE THEIR MIND WE SHOULD NOT BE SURPRISED WHEN GOD REWARDS OUR DESIRE TO SERVE HIM WITH BLESSINGS YOU CANNOT DELEGATE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

From Integrity to Emotion: The Episode with Abigail - 1 Samuel 25:9-13 WE MUST BE CAREFUL NOT TO MAKE DECISIONS FROM EMOTION RATHER THAN DISCERNMENT OFTEN GOD USES OTHERS WHO SEE OUR FAILURES MORE CLEARLY TO HELP REDIRECT US TO HIS PATH IT IS GOD WHO FIGHTS YOUR BATTLES GOD REWARDS AND TAKES CARE OF THOSE WHO SERVE IN FAITHFULNESS WE CANNOT BRING OUR OWN SALVATION

In The Dark - 1 Samuel 24:1-22 OPPORTUNITY SURROUNDS US AND SOMETIMES PRESENTS ITSELF IN UNEXPECTED MOMENTS NOT EVERY OPPORTUNITY SHOULD BE TAKEN INTEGRITY IS FOLLOWING GOD EVEN THOUGH IT MAY COST YOU 

Choices - 1 Samuel 19-23 The company you keep can make you or break you. Dishonesty (or any sin) has consequences. God should be asked first, not last.

When Life is Too Much - Romans 8:38-39 Suicide is not greater than the love of Jesus. We can't change the past, but we can be a support in the future. People aren't going to share their struggles if we aren't willing to understand.

Every Situation - 1 Samuel 18 Comparison is the thief of joy. Staying close to God can bring peace in every situation. Often faithfulness to God brings success that cannot be explained.

Waiting for Opportunity - 1 Samuel 16:14-23 Often we are anointed long before we are appointed. David had the humility to serve the one he was to replace. The presence of God in our lives should bring comfort to those we are called to serve.

Chosen - 1 Samuel 16:1-13 God uses those who are prepared spiritually. David was where his father asked him to be. David was doing what his father asked him to do.

In the Meantime - Ecclesiastes 1:1-11 Even in the chaos, there is a consistency. Nothing surprises God. We can't change yesterday, and we aren't promised tomorrow so, in the meantime, live your best life today. Your best life is a life that honors God.

Let's Take Christ Out of Christmas - Luke 2:39-40 We have to take Christ out of Christmas. Jesus can't just be the reason for the season, He needs to be the center of our lives. Our duty during the normal times is to grow.

I'll Be Home For Christmas - Luke 2:1-7 Mary and Joseph left their home to obey the decree and fulfill prophecy. Jesus left His home to live with His creation. The angels left their home to announce the birth. The shepherds left their home to seek the baby. The wise men left their home to seek a king. Jesus came to make us a home.

What Gifts Does Immanuel Have for Us - Matthew 1:18-24 He gives us love. He gives us grace. He gives us hope.

Count Your Blessings - Psalm 103

How to Give Thanks - Psalm 100 You can thank God with words. You can thank God through service. You can thank God with joyfulness. You can thank God with singing. You can thank God by acknowledging who He is. You can thank God by remembering His deeds. You can thank God by playing instruments. You can thank God by dancing.