First Baptist Church Sermons

In a world of discouragement and distraction, Dr. Bryan Stensaas preaches from 1 Thessalonians 4:1318 that believers must stand out till the shout. Dont quit, slow down, or blend in; the Rapture ends the Church Age with victory, not defeat. Live expectantly: witness boldly, serve faithfully, and stay holy because the same Jesus who ascended is coming back soon. Powerful New Years charge to live re...

In Genesis 3, Satans subtle lie, Yea, hath God said..., led to the most tragic sin in history: Adam and Eves disobedience. Dr. Bryan Stensaas explains how one innocent-sounding question caused doubt, guilt, shame, and separation from God. Their awakened conscience exposed nakedness as shameful yet today many have seared their conscience, feeling no guilt over sin or immodesty. Satan still disguise...

In 1 Peter 2:910, God declares believers a chosen generation, royal priesthood, holy nation, and peculiar people, called out of darkness into His marvelous light to show forth His praises. Pastor Andrew launches the 2026 theme: Called Out To Stand Out. Were not saved to blend in, but to stand out as a new people with a new purpose by proclaiming Christs mercy and grace. Our identity isnt in worldl...

Stepping out for God often feels like sailing into deep, stormy waters. Scary, uncertain, and far from safe. Truman Sink preaches from Psalm 107:23-31 that those who do business in great waters must trust God fully, continue in faith through storms, see His power and protection firsthand, and end up praising Him with stories that glorify God before others. Playing it safe on the shore gets nothing...

In an age of deception creeping into churches, Jude urgently calls believers to earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints. Bryan Knaus preaches from Jude 323 that contending isnt optional. It means remembering warnings about ungodly infiltrators, keeping ourselves in Gods love through faith-building and prayer, and moving forward with compassion to rescue the lost. Dont just def...

In Isaiah 5, God describes Israel as His carefully tended vineyard (fenced, cleared, planted with choice vines, and equipped for fruitfulness) yet it yielded only wild grapes. Max Wooten applies this powerful parable to believers today: God has blessed us richly (protection, growth, ministries, His Word), expecting righteous fruit in return. When we produce only wild grapes of oppression and unrig...

From 1 Corinthians 9:16, TJ Mullins challenges every believer: sharing the gospel isnt optional. Its a necessity laid upon us. Paul had nothing to boast in despite planting churches and turning the world upside down; all glory belongs to God. Our motive must be pure (not pride or fear), driven by urgent need for lost souls, and fearless of failure because woe is unto me if I preach not. Whether do...

Elijah had just seen Gods fire fall on Mount Carmel yet one threat from Jezebel sent him running, ready to quit and even die. Matthew Planck shows from 1 Kings 19 how even great men of God hit lows where they want to give up. But God met Elijah in his exhaustion, fed him, spoke gently, reminded him he wasnt alone (7,000 faithful remained), and gave him new assignments. If youre weary, discouraged,...

As 2025 draws to a close, Andrew Stensaas closes 2 Corinthians with Pauls heartfelt prayer for the church: integrity, edification, unity, and peace. Spiritual maturity isnt about looking impressive. Its obeying truth, restoring others in love, and living for Gods glory no matter the cost. In a world that measures success by appearance, Paul reminds us to finish well by focusing on what matters: a...

Christmas isnt about lights, gifts, or fleeting nostalgia. Its about the eternal plan of God to rescue sinners through Jesus Christ. Jay Nickels reminds us that before creation, God knew wed fall yet chose to send His Son anyway. The manger points to the Cross: Jesus left Heavens glory, was born in humility, and died willingly because of love no nail could force. Temporary happiness fades, but the...

The very first Christmas message wasnt preached by a pastor or prophet. It was sung by a multitude of angels: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Pastor Andrew unpacks Luke 2:14 to reveal the true heart of Christmas: it begins with Gods glory, offers real peace through reconciliation with Him, and flows from Gods good will toward every sinner. In a season full of...

Dr. Bryan Stensaas dives into Genesis 2, showing how God placed Adam (alone at first) in Eden with two special trees: the Tree of Life as a reminder of total dependence on God, and the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil as the test of obedience. Disobedience didn't make the fruit evil; it severed man from his Source of Life, bringing spiritual death (separation from God) and eventual physical deat...

In the seventh beatitude, Jesus declares, Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. Pastor Andrew explains that true peacemakers are selfless, pursuing reconciliation even when it costs them. Peacemaking isnt avoiding conflict or compromising truth; its actively working for righteousness and peace together, even if it means being defrauded for the sake of unity. In...

The most important question youll ever ask isnt Do I go to church? or Was I baptized?. Its Is Christ in me? In 2 Corinthians 13:5, Paul urges the Corinthian church (and us) to examine ourselves: Prove your own selves. Know ye nothow that Jesus Christ is in you? Pastor Andrew explains that true faith isnt just learned religion or outward rituals. Its a living union with Christ that produces real fr...

In the sixth beatitude, Jesus flips religion upside-down: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Pastor Andrew shows how the Pharisees obsessed over outward conduct while their hearts were full of hypocrisy and dead mens bones, which is exactly what God condemned in Isaiah 29:13 and Matthew 23. Purity of heart isnt perfection; its single-minded devotion to God instead of self. When...

Christmas is full of mysteries that leave us in awe: a virgin conceives, the eternal Creator becomes a helpless baby, and the sinless God is born to die for sinful men. Pastor Andrew walks through Isaiah 7:14, Luke 1, and 1 Timothy 3:16 to show the wonder of the Incarnation. God manifest in the flesh. Jesus didnt come for reputation or comfort; He emptied Himself, took the form of a servant, and w...

Dr. Bryan Stensaas wraps up the study on Lucifers fall and moves into Genesis 2, showing that God knew every rebellious thought in Satans heart and still cast him down. Far from changing His mind when Scripture says God repented, God simply responds to mans choices exactly as He always planned. He is unchanging, sovereign, and the absolute Authority. Discover the breathtaking moment God breathed i...

Christmas isnt just a holiday. Its the day God kept a 700-year-old promise and sent His Son at the perfect, acceptable time. Dr. Bryan Stensaas shows from Isaiah 49 and 2 Corinthians 6 how the Father heard Jesus plea to come and redeem lost mankind, then sent Him exactly when the world needed saving most. The Redeemer became flesh, despised by men yet honored by history itself. This Christmas is s...

Dr. Bryan Stensaas uncovers the real Lucifer: a created angel with free will, intelligence, and emotions, whose prideful heart led to rebellion against God. From Ezekiel 28 and Isaiah 14, learn how Satan's "I will" statements exposed his desire to rule over angels, the universe, and even spiritual worship. Angels worship, serve, and have strength, but Satan twists wisdom into deception, appearing...

From 2 Corinthians 12, Pastor Andrew shows the heart of true, Biblical love through the Apostle Paul and ultimately through Jesus Himself. Real love is not reciprocal (Ill love you if you love me back). The greatest love gladly spends and is spent for others. Even when that love is misunderstood, criticized, or returned with coldness. Paul poured his life into the Corinthian church, yet the more h...

Pastor Andrew challenges every believer with a simple question from Psalm 92: Are you thriving or just surviving as a Christian? In this encouraging message, discover how the righteous life, rooted deeply in God and His people, flourishes like a palm tree in the desert and grows strong like a cedar in Lebanon. Learn four practical keys from this Sabbath psalm: praise Him, trust Him, run to Him, an...

Pastor Andrew opens the rich book of Proverbs and shows that its far more than clever sayings. Its Gods divine wisdom for everyday life on earth. Discover why the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, meet the four main characters youll find in its pages (the fool, the simple, the scorner, and the wise), and learn how Proverbs is designed to rescue you from yourself. From honoring parent...

Dr. Bryan Stensaas exposes the Devil for who he really is: not a cartoon in a red suit, but a proud, deceptive angel of light who still works through superstition, false religion, and twisted Bibles today. From African spirit-fears to everyday American rituals like knocking on wood or reciting empty prayers, discover how Satan hides in plain sight. Learn what Scripture actually teaches about Lucif...

Continue the Beatitudes journey in Matthew 5:6-7 with Pastor Andrew, revealing a progression from self-awareness to relational grace. You will explore hungering and thirsting after righteousness as a continual, unquenchable desire for God's ways, promising true satisfaction beyond worldly pursuits, as in Psalm 42's panting soul. Then, embrace mercy toward others, mirroring God's gift to us, per Mi...