First Pres Orlando Sermons

Dr. David Swanson | John 12:1-8 God has lavished His love and grace on us sacrificially. As His people, it is therefore incongruous that we would not also be lavishly generous in our lives.

Dr. Paul Gibson | Mark 10:35-45 In Mark 10, Jesus said that He came to serve, not to be served. That is the true mark of leadership, focusing on serving others and lifting them up. The best leaders often are never heard of because they make their lives about serving others.

Rev. Tanner Fox | Psalm 130 The Advent season throws into sharp contrast both joy and sorrow. How do we make space for the sadness and sorrow inherent in our world during the Christmas season? How do we hold that together with the joy of these times? We look to the Psalmist for guidance, and remind ourselves that together we must watch and wait for the coming of our beloved savior, Jesus.

Dr. David Swanson | Matthew 2:1-12 The One the Magi traveled to meet was understood to be of infinite worth — a King. As such, they gave sacrificially even as God was giving to them.

Dr. Jack Peebles | Luke 2:8-18 The shepherds remind us that the good news of Christ’s birth is for the lowly and overlooked. Their joy turned into proclamation, showing us how encountering Jesus transforms ordinary lives into living witnesses of God’s glory.

Dr. David Swanson | Luke 1:26-38 Throughout Scripture, we encounter many angels, but especially in the Advent season. What's up with Gabriel and the legions who sang to the shepherds? It is the gift of a supernatural world we pay so little attention to in our lives.

Dr. David Swanson | Luke 3:1-6 Advent is NOT Christmas. We do not start with Joy to the World but with John the Baptist in the wilderness and darkness - calling people to prepare.

Dr. David Swanson | Psalm 90:1 We value the multi-generational nature of the church, believing God uses every generation in the church's life to impart both love and wisdom.

Dr. David Swanson | Philippians 2:1-4 We belong one to another in the Body of Christ, and caring for one another is our first order of service. We love each other deeply, especially in times of crisis.

Dr. David Swanson | Jeremiah 29:2-11 Our church is only one year older than the city of Orlando (essentially our region). We have grown up together and we have served her well. Jeremiah continues to be a clarion all to continue to do just that - love the city.

Dr. David Swanson | 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Our first core value is first among equals - the one on which the others are derived - the truth/foundation of God's Word.

Rev. Tanner Fox | Philippians 2:1-4 What then is a life of humility? What is the gift of a life of downward mobility, lowliness, making much of others and of God while thinking very little of the self? Could it be the blessed freedom that we so desperately long for? Could a life of humility, manifesting as a continual love of God and neighbor, be to us a gift of peace and rest far greater than any...

Rev. Tanner Fox | Philippians 2:5-11 There is no greater characteristic worth dwelling on in the person of Jesus than His humility! It is the deepest root and most primary source of life to the great tree that is our Savior. For from this posture of humility flows all of His perfect person and work. Submission, obedience, Tenderness, Meekness, love, care, grace, sacrifice… each of these flow from...

Rev. Tanner Fox | Genesis 1:26-28 Humility is the most natural posture of Adam and Eve. They did not think too little of themselves, nor too much. Their lives were full of delightful humility, knowing who they were, who made them, and what they were made for. Their lives were characterized by dependency as a feature of the great system of God’s creation, not a bug that needed to be fixed. Pride co...

Rev. Alexa Rossi | Jonah 3:10; 4:1-4 Instead of being amazed by God’s power to use him to cause the city of Nineveh to repent, Jonah is angry that God would save people he hated. Jonah has missed the point completely. In light of God’s grace for me, what does God’s grace mean for others?

Rev. Alexa Rossi | Jonah 1:1-12, 17 The great story we may remember of Jonah the prophet of God being swallowed by a big fish might give us the sense that he was being punished for running away from God, but what if this is actually a means God uses to grow Jonah in grace? What does God’s grace mean for me?

Dr. Case Thorp | Jeremiah 29:4–7 As Christians we are not to pull back, avoid society, and fear what is around us. Rather, as we see with our covenant ancestors who are exiled to a foreign and hostile place, Babylon, God still desires for us to lean in, make culture, and through our daily and vocational work glorify God and be a blessing to others.

Dr. Case Thorp | Genesis 2:4-15 Many of us think that God created humans for the purpose of relationship. Yet, the Bible says otherwise. While relationship with God is rich and wonderful, and a key part of our existence, God originally made humans because He needed someone to till the Garden of Eden. How does that realization reorient our own sense of purpose, and our work-a-day lives?

Dr. Paul Gibson | Revelation 21:1-5 If Jesus had a playlist, there’s a good chance it would include bluegrass music—because so much of it points to heaven. In this message, we’ll explore how bluegrass lyrics echo biblical truths about eternity. Our goal is to inspire a deeper, more accurate understanding of heaven and awaken a renewed hope in what’s to come.

Dr. Paul Gibson | Psalm 30:1-3 If Jesus had a playlist, He would listen to The Blues. Why? Because the Blues are full of emotion and so is the Bible, especially the book of Psalms. We will reflect upon the four basic types of Psalms: praise, lament, thanksgiving, and messianic, to see emotion in Scripture. Everyone will then be challenged to create their own playlist of faith that reflects the fou...

Dr. Paul Gibson | Luke 24:13-16 If Jesus had a playlist, He would listen to country music. Why? Country music tells stories, and Jesus was a storyteller. How did Jesus respond to the desperation and confusion of the two individuals on the Road to Emmaus? He told His Story from the Old Testament through the Cross. People will be encouraged to reflect on how the story of the Cross affects their live...

Dr. Jack Peebles | Luke 10:1-12, 17-20 God’s mission moves forward through relational engagement, as we are sent together in partnership to make disciples and share the Gospel one relationship at a time.

Dr. Jack Peebles | John 13:34-35 Deeper discipleship thrives through intentional relationships where we love, sharpen, and encourage one another, living out Jesus’ command to love as He has loved us.

Dr. Jack Peebles | John 17:20-23 God’s perfect unity within the Trinity is the foundation for our relationships, designed for us to experience and reflect in community with one another.

Dr. David Swanson | John 11:21-26, 32-35, 38-44 Mary, Martha and Lazarus are all transformted by Jesus in a moment well into their relationship with Him. Mary is changed by his humanity, Martha by his divinity, and Lazarus by both.