Houston's First Baptist Church

Ben Stuart shows us what it looks like to love our enemies from Christ’s example in Luke 23. In today’s society, the “us” vs. “them” mentality has gone past disagreement to destruction. We have begun to see those different than us with hate or at best tolerance. Yet, while we were the enemies of God He came towards us with Love and Grace. In today’s sermon, Ben gives us 3 motivations to love our e...

Pastor Gregg Matte encourages us to celebrate our victory in Christ as we study Esther 8 – 10. Life and leadership are lived on the spectrum of joy and difficulty, there will be both. You never know how things will turn out, but what if you quit the hard stuff right before victory? The truly great often receive honor late, so don’t quit doing good. As we take on an attitude that says: “God, you kn...

Pastor Gregg Matte addresses the issue of pride in leadership from the book of Esther. Insecurities and inadequacies cause pride to be frequent in leadership, but we must not let pride be our protection because it will ultimately be our death. Instead, we must learn to trust God’s timing and plan which builds humility allowing leaders to build bridges, not moats. The rewards of leadership are alwa...

Pastor Gregg Matte teaches from Esther 4 that we need Differencemakers in the palace—the places of influence in our lives. God has placed us where we are “for such a time as this” so we can have Godly impact, not just to maintain a social status we have become accustomed to. Do we have real courage to risk the palace—risk our comfort zones—to be used by God? Do you have the courage of Esther?

Pastor Gregg Matte shares leadership lessons as he continues a study in Esther 2. Leadership and life are not fair and can be lonely, but God is still faithful. When we take those hurts the Lord, leadership and followship become about seeking the presence of God more than the blessings of God. The more seek God’s presence the more we realize who we are in Christ.

Pastor Gregg Matte continues to tell God’s story through Esther . Her example shows us how God can take peasants and put them in the palace—God has a special calling for each of us. God calls us to be prepared in life—preparation builds our character and our skill. God’s providence is at work behind the scenes—we can’t do it on our own. And finally, our position is to be God honoring—based on a re...

Pastor Gregg Matte begins a Differencemakers study in the book of Esther. Esther begins with a King’s example of how NOT to lead. The King was full of pride—an overestimation of self and an underestimation of God. True leadership is character + skill = service. True freedom and leadership are found in humility. Are you relying on yourself or on God?

Pastor Gregg Matte teaches from Matthew 16 as we continue to celebrate Houston’s First 175th anniversary! Here, we build through Gather –Grow—Give. We Gather our hearts in worship, Grow our souls through life Bible studies and discipleship, and Give our lives in service and generosity. God wants to build His church and He does so by building His people. Like building a church, He uses tools of red...

Pastor Gregg Matte teaches from Matthew 16:13-20 as we celebrate the 175th Anniversary of Houston’s First Baptist Church. Our church strives to be a Relevant, Biblical, Community—building on the legacy of our past and striving to leave an even greater legacy in the 175 years to come. What legacy will you leave as we come together to share the love of Christ in Houston and around the world?

Pastor Gregg Matte delivers an Easter message from Matthew 28. Heaven has impacted humanity on earth and humanity has forever been changed. Fear and Great Joy—Death and Life—Heaven and Sin on Earth—two conflicting ideas God crashes together for the cleansing of our soul. Through Salvation God brings joy and holiness to replace the sin and fear in our lives. Easter is now the resurrection of our he...

Pastor Gregg Matte finishes the study of Ezra in chapter 9. The people of God had come out of captivity, faced opposition, seen God’s hand move to restore the temple, yet still entered sinful lifestyles. Just like us, they looked the same as the world—in worry, in anger, in relationships, in finances. Ezra doesn’t make more rules to change the situation, he starts with prayer and confession and ca...

Dough Bischoff, Next Generations Minister, teaches from Mark 10:13, Matthew 18, and Luke 15 that God’s heart is for kids. He challenges parents, grandparents, teachers, neighbors, coaches—all of us—with 3 ways to minister to children: disciple them, lead and influence them, and serve them. God is a good, good father and His heart resonates with you—His child….does your heart resonate with Him?

Pastor Gregg Matte continues the journey into Ezra 7. The Hand of God impacts the outcome of the people. The manner God moves is unique to each situation, but the principles are the same. A devoted heart and mind surrendered to God creates an environment for God’s Hand to move. Are you putting your life in your own hands, or in God’s hands?

Pastor Gregg Matte teaches from Ezra 4-6 on opposition. If you decide to step out and do something for the Lord, it is very possible you will encounter Opposition. Like in Ezra, you can encounter deception and discouragement that can lead to a work-stop. BUT God... is always at work. We can run to the cross of Christ and gain new perspective. We see as God intervenes—God’s work proceeds, God provi...

Pastor Gregg Matte teaches from Ezra 3 that the account of the Jewish people leaving captivity to return home to rebuild the temple has foundational principles to parallel how we rebuild our society today. We must rebuild the Character of the people and the Uniqueness of the Nation. It starts in our own hearts and in our own homes.

Pastor Gregg Matte continues his teaching in Ezra 2. Differencemakers put we above me. Everyone comes together to be used by the Lord—God uses all people, not just one personality type! Differencemakers worship ON the journey. The road of God’s will has bumps, but that allows faith and worship to deepen. Difference makers are generous. They choose passion over predictability and follow where God l...

Pastor Gregg Matte teaches from Ezra 1:3-5 that God’s plans include our gifts. God has put a spiritual gift inside of you and your giftedness gets to be part of building the kingdom of God. Being involved in God’s plans is something he wants FOR us, not FROM us. God desires we give of ourselves and of our resources so that we can go out into our workplace, our community, our world and be a Differn...

Pastor Gregg Matte teaches from Ezra 1:1. As we look at Old Testament Prophecies become history, Ezra shows us God’s hand is Sovereign and He is in control of every King and every Thing. Life events may surprise us, but God is not surprised by them.

Pastor Gregg jumps into 2 Corinthians 5:17 as he continues with The New You series. “The New You” comes from a relationship with Christ because being “In Christ” not “around Christ” changes everything. In Christ, you are a new creation, not just cleaned up and shined up…but Brand New! If you do not have a relationship with Christ—exchange your old, sinful life for a Brand New Life in Christ today!

Pastor Gregg Matte delivers the second message, Victory Over Pornography, in The New You series as part of our look at being differencemakers. He takes an honest look on how pornography has taken root in culture, how it affects our brains, and gives spiritual and practical steps on how to break free and have victory over pornography by looking at Psalm 119:9–11.

Pastor Gregg Matte begins the new year with a series on The New You. From Psalm 119 he encourages us to create a wonderful habit of daily time in the word of God. We need to look for ways to overcome our challenges to time with God so we can receive the blessing from time with God.

Dr. David Self continues the Differencemakers series and finishes up the study in Isaiah. In the New Year, we are challenged to Act justly, Love faithfully, and Walk humbly.

Dr. David Self continues the study of Isaiah asking the question Why Was Jesus Born? He then gives us the answer that Jesus was born to redeem a bride for himself, reconcile all history to his purpose, and reclaim his rightful place.

As part of the differencemakers series, Pastor Gregg teaches on the prophecy of Isaiah 9 that declares a Messiah is coming—Jesus. Jesus is “A child born” to live the life we could not. He is “A son given” in grace to pay for our sins. He is a Wonderful Counselor to direct and heal our lives, untie our knots, and a listening ear in confusion and pain. The Messiah is the Mighty God to be our power,...

From the Differencemakers series, Pastor Gregg continues to teach on the prophecy in Isaiah 11. Jesus is both the shoot and the root of Jesse. Jesus is a deeper leader, and He sees deeper than the surface problem, comment, or appearance. For us to have depth like Christ, He must be our delight—our greatest desire. Delighting in the Lord determines our depth which determines our discernment. We see...