First Church Podcast

Have you ever asked God to give you a sign? Have you begged God to give you directions? In this first message in the Hidden Wonder series, Pastor Daryle Williams explains how God gave a star to direct seekers to Jesus - but the star was only a sign to point people to the real destination - Jesus!

The religious people of Jesus' day accused Him of having too much fun - He ate and drank, He associated with sinners. But Jesus was demonstrating a powerful principle - you can be holy AND happy at the same time!

Far too many Christians have the mistaken perception that you have to choose between holiness and happiness; between living for God and enjoying life. This is not God's plan for us! Following Jesus can be exciting, fulfilling, and... fun!

If you're not dead, God's not done! Guest speaker Drew Anderson brings a message of encouragement that God is still working on you to believe in Him and to accomplish His will in your world.

Though we don't like it, suffering is a part of human existence. Why does God allow it - especially to people who follow Him and call Him Lord? In this message, Pastor Daryle Williams examines why God allows suffering, and how He uses it for our benefit.

We all find ourselves anxious, worried, or fearful from time to time. God has given us a formula to alleviate these emotions and rest in Him and His sovereignty.

How can we escape from circumstances, habits, depression, or doubt? The first step is to realize there is hope for escape. In this, the first sermon in the Escape Room series, Pastor Daryle Williams lets us know that we are God's children, He loves us, and He finds joy in us.

Although the sacrifice of Jesus makes us justified in the eyes of God, He still calls us to pursue perfection - to be like Jesus. In this sermon, Pastor Daryle Williams encourages us to daily take small steps toward perfection with the help of God.

As humans, we all like to be able to take credit for a job well done. We like to think of ourselves as self-sufficient and capable. But much of what we need accomplished in our lives can only be done by God. In this message, Pastor Daryle Williams invites us to step away from ourselves and allow God to do the miraculous works in us that only He can do.

The Christian walk is just that - a walk. One foot in front of the other, day by day. In this first message in the One Small Step series, Pastor Daryle Williams encourages us to make a commitment to walk with Jesus everyday, and not wait for mountaintop experiences to propel us forward.

Jesus invited us to pray, "thy kingdom come." We are challenged to invite the kingdom of God into our lives. But for the kingdom to be welcome in our hearts, sometimes some things have to go. Pastor Williams challenges us to make room for the kingdom to be the priority in our lives.

Jesus declared himself to be the Son of God. Radical? Extreme? Absolutely. Yet it was true. Being a part of the Kingdom of God means declaring Jesus king over our lives.

Why wouldn't everyone want to be a part of God's victorious Kingdom? Because entering God's Kingdom requires that He sit on the throne of our hearts and lives. In this second message in the Kingdom Come series, Pastor Daryle Williams encourages us to allow God to rule in our lives because His Kingdom will always win!

Over 100 times in His ministry here on earth, Jesus spoke of the "kingdom of heaven," or, "the kingdom of God." In this first message in the Kingdom Come series, Pastor Daryle Williams explains the concept of the kingdom of God and challenges us to wholeheartedly embrace God as King in our lives.

How can we have the best day ever? It is when we respond to God's call to us to turn from our sins and turn towards God and are baptized into the family of Jesus.

God loves everyone. There is nothing you can do that will make God love you more or love you less. However, there is favor and blessing for those who choose to follow God's instruction book, the Bible. In this message in the House Party series, Pastor Daryle Williams encourages us to follow God's directions to a more blessed life.

What if “church” could be more than a dying tradition? An empty obligation? What if “church” could be a place - and more than that, a community - where faith comes alive and lives are changed? In this first message in the "House Party" series, Pastor Daryle Williams challenges us to pursue truth, togetherness, and transcendence just as the first followers of Jesus did.

When Mary poured an expensive bottle of perfume on Jesus' feet, Judas asked why this perfume was wasted. Pastor Daryle Williams challenges us to have the attitude of extravagant worship of Mary rather than the thieving spirit of Judas.

In this first sermon in the "Conversations" series, Pastor Daryle Williams shares a vital conversation Jesus had with his disciples about the promise of the Holy Spirit.

God is a promise keeper. He loves us, He blesses us, and He pursues us - not because of who we are, but because He can't help Himself - He is, by nature, a promise keeper! Guest speaker Pastor Rex Johnson brings a powerful and encouraging word that God is still interested in you.

All of us go through circumstances in our lives we don't understand. We know God is sovereign and in control, yet He doesn't always make sense to us. In this sermon in the "When God" series, Pastor Daryle Williams uses the story of Ruth and Naomi to show us how God is loving and good even when He doesn't make sense to us.

Does God want you to change? To answer that question, Pastor Daryle Williams takes us through verses in the Bible that clarify to us that God wants us to become more like Him, He wants us to be more fulfilled, more full of faith, and more satisfied in this life. And when God asks us to change, He always provides the power of His Spirit to make that change possible.

Guest speaker Pastor Rex Johnson of Austin, Texas brings a timely message today with this central thought: God will leave purpose to go to possibilities. Based on a prayer from the prophet Habakuk, Pastor Johnson challenges us to pray continually, knowing that God sees the possibility in our lives and will come quickly.

Our sermon series for the month of July is titled, "You Asked For It." Each Sunday, we answer questions submitted by you. In this first sermon in the series, Pastor Daryle Williams answers the question, "Should Christians be involved in politics?"

What does the Holy Spirit look like when He comes to live in us? Pastor Daryle gives us four things the Spirit looks like - money, new, freedom, and extra. Not sure what that means? Watch the sermon to find out. Also this week, we have four more stories from people telling about their initial experience with the Holy Spirit in their own words.