First Baptist Church of Jackson, Michigan - Sermons

Have you ever been stuck telling negative stories about your life? Maybe the story doesn’t end as negatively as you’ve been telling it. Luke writes about some people traveling to Emmaus who encounter the risen Jesus. They are shocked that Jesus doesn’t already know why they’re sad. They tell Jesus all about the sad news of Jesus’ crucifixion. What they didn’t realize is that they were standing in...

Many people get frustrated with the negativity of our news sources, but we often do the same thing. If someone kept track of the stories you share throughout the week, would the news be filled with positivity or would it focus on the negative things happening around you? Are your personal headlines filled with health crises, with fear of violence in the community, and economic gloom? Or are your p...

We all face different temptations, seductions, and traps. Temptations grow in wilderness places, where people aren’t around to see. For Maundy Thursday, we’re reading the stories of Jesus facing his own temptations. You don’t have to face your temptations alone. Join us as we seek God’s strength to be faithful as Jesus was faithful. Sermon preached by Pastor Dallas Flippin, on Thursday, April 14,...

Sometimes in the midst of surviving we lose sight of our goals. Jesus once reminded religious leaders that their ancestors survived the wilderness because of miraculous manna. Even though they received that miracle for survival, they never accomplished their goal of reaching the Promised Land. This week, we’ll reflect on desiring for more than survival and manna from God. Sermon preached by Pastor...

Sometimes in the midst of life’s struggles we get used to life in the chaos. Have we lost sight of our hope for a better tomorrow? If you could enter into a new chapter, would you take those steps into the unknown or would you be too afraid? This week, we read from the opening chapter of Deuteronomy, where the people of Israel are invited into the Promised Land, but hesitate. Sermon preached by Pa...

Have you ever felt like you had nowhere to turn to? The prophet Elijah once felt so alone he fled to the wilderness for escape. In the midst of Elijah's isolation, God had a message of hope for Elijah and for us. Sermon preached by Pastor Dallas Flippin, on Sunday, March 27, 2022 at the First Baptist Church of Jackson, MI. Learn more about FBCJXN at https://fbcjxn.org . Want to connect more with u...

People make mistakes. Some mistakes are bigger than others. With mistakes seemingly inevitable, we all face the challenge of trying to figure out how to move on from mistakes in a healthy way. This week, we’re reading from Leviticus 16, with an unusual prescription to remove the sins of the community. Join us as we seek healing and freedom this Sunday. Sermon preached by Pastor Dallas Flippin, on...

Whether you’re a person with the power of a nation or an everyday person, feeling cornered tempts us to lash out and harm those around us. This week, we read from the book of Exodus, when the crowds and Moses feel there’s no way forward to survive the wilderness. Join us as we discern how God can open up possibilities that help us back out of the corners of life. Sermon preached by Pastor Dallas F...

In a complicated world, it’s understandable why we look for the easy route, but sometimes the best journey isn’t the easy one. Join us as we read from the book of Exodus, when God led the Hebrew people out of slavery via some unexpected directions. Sermon preached by Pastor Dallas Flippin, on Sunday, March 6, 2022 at the First Baptist Church of Jackson, MI. Learn more about FBCJXN at https://fbcjx...

In the Book of Exodus, Moses demands that Pharaoh let the Hebrew people go worship their God in the wilderness for three days. The wilderness is a place where things struggle to survive. So why would you choose to worship in the wilderness? For Ash Wednesday, we invite you to leave normal life behind and join us for a time in worshipping the God who turns the wilderness into gardens. Sermon preach...

Looking for some relationship advice? Paul has a lot of advice. What’s unique about his advice is he keeps reiterating that it’s his opinion, not necessarily God’s. Join us as we wrestle with 1 Corinthians 7 and understanding how relationships fit into God’s work in the world. Sermon preached by Pastor Dallas Flippin, on Sunday, February 27, 2022 at the First Baptist Church of Jackson, MI. Learn m...

Have you ever felt so alone that you longed for any relationship to fill that void? This week, we’ll explore the relationship of Isaac and Rebekah, a story about the comforts and demands of relationships. Sermon preached by Pastor Dallas Flippin, on Sunday, February 20, 2022 at the First Baptist Church of Jackson, MI. Learn more about FBCJXN at https://fbcjxn.org . Want to connect more with us, fi...

Have you ever thought your relationships suffered from from family drama? Well, we have a story for you. This week we read about the complicated love story of David and Michal, the daughter of King Saul. Sermon preached by Pastor Dallas Flippin, on Sunday, February 13, 2022 at the First Baptist Church of Jackson, MI. Learn more about FBCJXN at https://fbcjxn.org . Want to connect more with us, fil...

The Bible has a lot to say about relationships and relationships have changed quite a bit over the last 2,000 years. This February we are looking for lessons from the worst dating advice in the Bible. We’re reading from the lives and advice of a patriarch, king, prophet, and apostle. Join us as we look for God’s wisdom for healthy relationships amid an unhealthy world. This week we read about the...

Pastor Dallas talks about God's plans for Jeremiah and for us today. Sermon preached by Pastor Dallas Flippin, on Sunday, January 30, 2022 at the First Baptist Church of Jackson, MI. Learn more about FBCJXN at https://fbcjxn.org . Want to connect more with us, fill out our virtual connect card at https://www.fbcofjackson.org/connect/ How can we pray for you? Let us know at h ttps://www.fbcofjackso...

Listen to Rev. Brian Johnson share about the importance of prayer and recognizing God's mute button. Sermon preached by guest preacher, Rev. Brian Johnson, the Executive Minister of the American Baptist Churches of Michigan, on Sunday, January 23, 2022 at the First Baptist Church of Jackson, MI. Learn more about FBCJXN at https://fbcjxn.org . Want to connect more with us, fill out our virtual conn...

Janelle Merritt join us to share from Deuteronomy 6:4-6 about loving God with your whole heart and being all in for God. Sermon preached by guest preacher, Janelle Merritt, on Sunday, January 16, 2022 at the First Baptist Church of Jackson, MI. Learn more about FBCJXN at https://fbcjxn.org . Want to connect more with us, fill out our virtual connect card at https://www.fbcofjackson.org/connect/ Ho...

As we get closer to Christmas, perhaps your wish list has grown larger. This week we’ll look at the blessings we already have and some we may have forgotten. Join us as we read about a pregnant Mary singing for joy. Sermon preached by Pastor Dallas Flippin, on Sunday, December 19, 2021 at the First Baptist Church of Jackson, MI. Learn more about FBCJXN at https://fbcjxn.org . Want to connect more...

Christmas is coming soon. What should we do to prepare for it? The Gospel of Luke tells of the crowds in the wilderness responding to the announcement of the coming of the Lord. The crowds ask, “What then should we do?” The answer is essential. Sermon preached by Pastor Dallas Flippin, on Sunday, December 12, 2021 at the First Baptist Church of Jackson, MI. Learn more about FBCJXN at https://fbcjx...

"That's great, it starts with an earthquake, birds, and snakes" ... is it the end of the world as we know it? It might seem strange to contemplate the end of the world as we know it as we make our way to Christmas. But as we wait for Christmas, we're reminded of our waiting for Christ to bring about a renewed world. What are the signs of the end of this era and how should we respond? Sermon preach...

Our Advent sermon series, "Countdown to Christmas," begins this week. Join us each week as we walk through the path to Jesus' birth in the Gospel of Luke, being mindful of the ways in which we prepare and wait for the coming of the Lord. This week, we begin by reading about John the Baptist and how his baptisms helped prepared the way of Jesus. Our scripture readings will be Luke 3:1-6 and Baruch...

The king is dead. Long live the king! This week we read about the everlasting kingship of Jesus and what it means for us. Join us as we celebrate Christ the King Sunday with readings from the books of Revelation and Daniel. Sermon preached by Pastor Dallas Flippin, on Sunday, November 21, 2021 at the First Baptist Church of Jackson, MI. Learn more about FBCJXN at https://fbcjxn.org . Want to conne...

We are excited to have several baptisms scheduled for Nov. 28, the first week of Advent. As our community prepares for the joys of baptism, we will be reading from lectionary texts that emphasize who Jesus is and essentials about what it means to follow Christ. This week, we read from the Letter to the Hebrews about the way we should approach God. Join us as we reflect eagerly about the life God o...

We are excited to have several baptisms scheduled for Nov. 28, the first week of Advent. As our community prepares for the joys of baptism, we will be reading from lectionary texts that emphasize who Jesus is and essentials about what it means to follow Christ. This week, we read from the Letter to the Hebrews about a special image of Jesus and the Father in the Heavenly Temple. Join us as we refl...

The mealtime is over. It’s time to leave and we wonder “Is that all?” Is that the end of conversation? Is that the last meal together? Or is it possible that this is just the beginning? This week we explore Jesus’ transformation of water to wine and the curious case of Jesus’ timing. Our current sermon series is titled “The Table: Turning Ordinary Meals into Sacred Moments.” In this series, we’ll...