First Baptist Church of Jackson, Michigan - Sermons

Jesus was extravagant with his love, his welcome, and his blessings. As Christians try to model the generosity of God, it’s easy to wonder about the price tag. This week we’re looking at generosity and blessing, and whether what we have to offer is enough. Our current sermon series is titled “The Table: Turning Ordinary Meals into Sacred Moments.” In this series, we’ll walk through different momen...

Putting a meal on can be a lot of work. Who’s doing the dishes? Who’s cooking? Would you rather just sit at the table together? This week we’ll look at the (more complicated than you’d expect) issue of the importance of serving others. We’ll walk through stories with Jesus, the disciples, Mary and Martha, and Stephen along the way. We hope to see you there. Our current sermon series is titled “The...

You know those foods that aren’t filling, that you could just eat endlessly before you realize just how much you’ve ate. This week we’re talking about the choice we make to either feast on things that satisfy or settle for something less. We’re walking with Luke and Jesus’ parable of a Father with two sons, one a prodigal and the other a pouter. Don’t miss it! Our current sermon series is titled “...

Guest speaker Jamin Bradley joins us to share about the importance of food and the gospel.  Our current sermon series is titled “The Table: Turning Ordinary Meals into Sacred Moments.” In this series, we’ll walk through different moments of a meal, how it relates to the gospel, and how it invites us into everyday spiritual moments. We hope you’ll join us for the series, but also that you migh...

Have you ever struggled trying to plan for a get together? There’s always problems with syncing schedules and interests. Jesus actually has some advice for your next invitations. Join us as we continue to explore how to make everyday meals into sacred moments. Our current sermon series is titled “The Table: Turning Ordinary Meals into Sacred Moments.” In this series, we’ll walk through different m...

Have you ever felt uncomfortable in a group setting? Maybe you weren’t sure who to talk to. Maybe you didn’t know where to sit. In Luke 14, Jesus celebrates an unexpected dinner guest before explaining his advice on seating arrangements. In a world of competitive social ladder climbing, listen to Jesus’ community changing advice. Our current sermon series is titled “The Table: Turning Ordinary Mea...

Meals are opportunities for sacred moments. In Luke 22, Jesus gives the disciples some very strange instructions to prepare for a meal. In the midst of reading Jesus’ extravagant request, we’re talking about how transforming a space into a room for a meal can be a sacred task. Our current sermon series is titled “The Table: Turning Ordinary Meals into Sacred Moments.” In this series, we’ll walk th...

This week, a community member asks: If God is so holy-making, why do I still struggle with the same things 20 years later? We invite people to encounter God claiming that God will change them for the better. But why does that change seem to move so slowly, or at times feel like it’s not moving at all? This week we explore praying for transformation and feeling like nothing ever changes. Responding...

This week, a community member asks: Why is religion so often used for violence? From Crusades to Cold Wars, religion has been invoked to inspire violence. For Christians, there are plenty of biblical stories with violence. There are stories of conquests, of plagues, of apocalyptic battles, of crucifixion. How should we read and interpret stories of violence in the Bible? What is God’s relationship...

Christians often look and sound a certain way. You know it when you see it. Sometimes they carry around big study Bibles filled with scribbles and highlighting, wear shiny cross jewelry, or eat at a Friday night fish fry. But what does it look like to follow Christ? This week, our sermon series responding to real faith questions by responding to a community member who asks: “What are the differenc...

Sermon Series: "Real Questions" Responding to real questions, Pastor Dallas’s sermon series engages with real faith questions. Some of the questions might seem irreverent and you might wonder if it’s okay to talk about. If we only answer safe questions, we aren’t actually safe for questions. There aren’t always easy answers, but there is always an opportunity to grow and find God in the midst of l...

Responding to real questions, Pastor Dallas's sermon series engages with real faith questions. Some of the questions might seem irreverent and you might wonder if it's okay to talk about. If we only answer safe questions, we aren't actually safe for questions. There aren’t always easy answers, but there is always an opportunity to grow and find God in the midst of life’s questions. This week's que...

Sermon Series: "Real Questions" Responding to real questions, Pastor Dallas’s sermon series engages with real faith questions. Some of the questions might seem irreverent and you might wonder if it’s okay to talk about. If we only answer safe questions, we aren’t actually safe for questions. There aren’t always easy answers, but there is always an opportunity to grow and find God in the midst of l...

Sermon Series: "Real Questions" Responding to real questions, Pastor Dallas’s sermon series engages with real faith questions. Some of the questions might seem irreverent and you might wonder if it’s okay to talk about. If we only answer safe questions, we aren’t actually safe for questions. There aren’t always easy answers, but there is always an opportunity to grow and find God in the midst of l...

We are excited to have Codrigus Alexander here to worship with us today as our guest speaker.   Codrigus R. Alexander is the Founding Pastor of The Life Church International (TLCI) in Jackson, Michigan (est. 2010). A dynamic, gifted, and unique man of God, he bridges generational gaps by maintaining a connection with today’s culture while utilizing his wisdom and life experience as a foundati...

Guest speaker Aimee Coolbaugh preaches on finding freedom in faith and getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. Aimee is the Journey Associate at Westwinds Community Church. She is also a Mental Health Respite Home Manager and Owner/Founder of Amplified Healing LLC; A Trauma Recovery Coaching. She is from Jackson, Mi. Aimee has 2 children and the proud Memaw of 4 grand children. Aimee is a fi...

Jesus was known as a great teacher, but that doesn’t mean Jesus was always lecturing. Jesus was frequently asking questions. This week, we look at how to have spiritual conversations by being a safe place for questions. Not sure what to say; try asking questions. Sermon Series: "Now You're Talking" Do you ever struggle to talk about God and your spirituality? Most Americans do, and even most Chris...

What’s your story? Sometimes talking about God can feel too complex or technical, but a major part of spiritual conversations is sharing your own story. This week we read Psalm 107 and reflect on celebrating our various faith stories together. Sermon Series: "Now You're Talking" Do you ever struggle to talk about God and your spirituality? Most Americans do, and even most Christians do too. You’re...

Sometimes great conversations are less about finding the right words to say and more about finding the right experiences to talk about. This week, we’re looking at Jesus’ response to major theological questions with an invitation to experience life together. Sermon Series: "Now You're Talking" Do you ever struggle to talk about God and your spirituality? Most Americans do, and even most Christians...

We can’t help but talk about the mundane things in life; how’s the weather? However, when we have spiritual focus, we can find that plenty meaning even in the mundane things of life. This week, we look to Paul for inspiration to use everyday experiences as the launching point for meaningful conversation. Sermon Series: "Now You're Talking" Do you ever struggle to talk about God and your spirituali...

You’ve done and said some embarrassing things in your life. We all have. Our response to embarrassment is often to hide and be ashamed. Embarrassment, however, can also be an opportunity for positive change. This week we read about Jesus’ awkward conversation with a Samaritan woman at the well, and how being the talk of the town isn’t always a bad thing. Sermon Series: "Now You're Talking" Do you...

Do you ever struggle to talk about God and your spirituality? Most Americans do, and even most Christians do too. You’re not alone if you find yourself wishing you had more meaningful conversations in your daily life. In our series, “Now You’re Talking,” we will explore how to have spiritual conversations. Join us this series not only by being present, but also by having spiritual conversations th...

With a sermon series on comebacks, we are excited to welcome Rick Morgan to preach in our series. Rick is the Pastor and Community Engagement Coordinator at the Jackson Interfaith Shelter. Rick’s work includes helping our neighbors in Jackson make a comeback from homelessness. Rick most looks forward to loving and serving the people of Jackson county, in part, because he sees the shelter’s work as...

The Bible is a grand story of exile and reunion. If you’ve experienced loss and broken relationships, reunion might not seem possible. Our Easter hope is that humanity will be reunited fully with God and each other. This week, we read from Revelation about the Christian hope for the restoration of all things. The season of Easter is a season of restoration. Jesus was restored to life and vindicate...

We’ve all been hurt. When we get hurt, we often retaliate. The cycle of pain continues. How does it stop? This week, we look to Acts 9:1-19 and the story of Paul’s transformation from persecutor to an apostle for an example of hope for restoration. The season of Easter is a season of restoration. Jesus was restored to life and vindicated against his accusers. In Easter’s resurrection, we are resto...