First Baptist Lyman - A Church for Generations

Why do temporary escapes—like partying, substances, doom-scrolling, or chasing success—always leave us emptier by morning? Today's passage reveals the lasting alternative: being continually filled with the Holy Spirit. Discover how it produces real transformation, fruit like love, joy, peace, and self-control, and a purposeful life free from regret.

Discover how the Tower of Babel’s story of pride, confusion, and scattering connects to Pentecost—when the Holy Spirit reversed division by enabling believers to speak in every language. Explore God’s plan for unity across cultures, breaking barriers today through the same power that launched the Church.

In today's sermon, we turn to Ephesians 4:1-6, where Paul writes from a Roman prison cell to a divided church in Ephesus—much like the tensions we feel today. He reminds us that the Holy Spirit has already created our oneness in Christ. Our job isn’t to create unity… but to preserve it through everyday choices. We explore what that looks like: choosing humble fellowship instead of division, lo...

The Holy Spirit empowers everyday believers for evangelism and global missions. Drawing from a recent Mexico trip and The Book of Acts, this message explores how the Spirit convicts hearts, arranges divine encounters, supplies words in the moment, and continues working long after we leave. Inspiring and practical for sharing Jesus anywhere.

Let's explore God's infinite greatness—holding oceans in His hand and numbering the stars—while discovering how we can approach Him with holy awe and bold access through Jesus. Trace the Holy Spirit’s work in the Old Testament and the life-changing promise of His indwelling presence today.

On Pentecost Sunday, this message kicks off a series on the Holy Spirit—the mysterious, invisible Helper Jesus promised. Explore the Trinity, how the Spirit works like wind, empowers obedience, reveals Jesus, and assures believers they are never orphans. Straight from John 14.

God built a perfect rhythm into creation: six days of work, one day of rest. Discover how this ancient pattern is hard-wired into your body, protects you from burnout, and points to deeper rest in Jesus. Your best work might begin with learning to stop.

Listen to a special Mother's Day message from Sean Milner, Executive Director of the Mississippi Baptist Children's Village. Sean shares how he was brought to the Village at 5 years old, became it's longest resident and an amazing success story, not just of the Baptist Children's Village, but how Jesus saves and transforms.

Scars from the curse still mark our work and relationships—but Jesus redeems them. Discover how your daily grind (whether at a desk, on a dock, or at home) can become worship for the true Master. Real hope and purpose for ordinary workers in a fallen world.

Work Under the Curse. Before sin, work was joyful partnership with God. One act of disobedience cursed the ground, turning labor into thorns, sweat, and struggle. Yet work remains good and purposeful. Discover why it fights back—and how Christ will one day lift the curse.

In week 1, we explore how work was God’s good gift in Paradise—before sin ever cursed it. From Genesis 2, we see God forming us, placing us with purpose, and calling us to cultivate and protect His creation as an act of worship. Your daily labor matters: it’s meaningful participation in God’s glory, redeemable in Christ, freeing us from burnout and misplaced identity.

Last week, an empty tomb shattered death itself. But what now? This week, discover how the risen Jesus trades our replayed worries for unstoppable joy. From anxious thoughts to a heart overflowing with Hallelujah—because He lives, we don’t just survive Monday… we sing.

On the first Easter, Jesus' closest followers weren't celebrating—they were gripped by fear, guilt, and shattered hope. But when the risen Christ appeared, everything changed. Discover how the empty tomb can replace your anxiety with resurrection peace this Easter.

In this Palm Sunday message, Pastor Josh explores how unmet expectations fuel anxiety. Discover why Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey instead of a war horse—and how surrendering our wants to Him brings true soul-rest and freedom from worry.

Ever feel like the world is spiraling into chaos? Your phone, news feeds, and social media are feeding you endless outrage, villains, and doom—because that's what keeps you scrolling. Algorithms amplify anger and division, burying the calm, happy reality most people actually live. This eye-opening talk draws straight from Jesus in Matthew 6: stop obsessing over worries about tomorrow, needs, o...

In a stunning vision, John sees God on His throne, holding a sealed scroll containing His plan to fix our broken world. No one is worthy to open it—John weeps. Then the slain yet victorious Lamb, Jesus, takes the scroll. Heaven erupts in worship: “Worthy is the Lamb!” He begins unfolding judgment and redemption, hearing the cries of the faithful. Your prayers matter—He’s coming to make all things...

Dive into Stephen’s story—the ordinary deacon whose faithful witness became the first Christian martyrdom in Acts 6–7. Explore how persecution hits everyday believers who simply live out their faith, not just distant missionaries. See Stephen’s bold Gospel defense, his radiant vision of God, and his forgiving prayer amid stoning—echoing Jesus. His death sparked transformation, scattered the church...

Explore the timeless story of Daniel in the lions' den—a tale of jealousy, persecution, and unwavering faithfulness. See how habitual prayer and refusal to compromise lead to divine deliverance, with modern echoes in today's cultural pressures. Trust that God shuts mouths and turns trials into testimony.

This sermon explores Daniel 3: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refuse to bow to a massive Babylonian idol, facing death in a blazing furnace. They declare faith in God’s power—even if He doesn’t save them. Unharmed and joined by a fourth figure in the fire, their stand glorifies God. Encouragement to stand firm against cultural pressure, trusting God’s presence in every trial.

Discover how Daniel's quiet resolve in a hostile empire mirrors battles parents face today raising kids in a culture that wants to redefine everything. What happens when faithfulness meets pressure? God provides a way out... and sometimes extraordinary favor follows. If you've ever felt the pull to blend in or watched faith erode under subtle influences, this look at Daniel's stand wil...

This sermon examines global Christian persecution, citing killings in Nigeria and Syria, imprisonment in North Korea, mob violence in India, and attacks in the DRC and elsewhere. It discusses rising cultural and legal pressures on Christians in America, then examines 2 Timothy 3:12 and Matthew 5:10-12 to show that godly living brings persecution, yet promises eternal blessing, faith purification,...

In this final message from the book of Jude, believers are urged to contend for the unchanging faith amid false teachers who twist grace into license for sin. Instead of crusades or purges, Jude calls us to build ourselves up, pray in the Spirit, show mercy to doubters, rescue the endangered with caution, and trust God’s keeping power to present us blameless.

Remember the iconic Holy Grail scene from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade where the villain chooses poorly and perishes. In a similar way, the Book of Jude warns against false teachers who promise spiritual flash but deliver emptiness. Contend for the humble, true gospel, test influences by Scripture, and bear real fruit. Choose wisely.

What if the greatest threat to your faith is sneaking in quietly? Dive into one of the Bible’s shortest, most urgent letters: a call to defend the unchanging truth against twisted grace and subtle corruption. Yet rest secure—held tightly by a loving Father and Christ. Contend for the faith that lasts.

We all come to the Bible bringing our politics, our opinions, our biases... we all see the Bible through our lens, which is why we disagree with so many other Christians about what the Bible is actually saying. God wants to challenge our lens, removing it and replacing it with the mind of Christ, and we'll talk about how that happens. We'll do this in the context of discovering the call Go...