Archibald First Baptist Church

Week 5 | Acts 2:41–47 | Because He Lives… We Are UnifiedBecause Jesus is alive, everything changes—not just what we believe, but who we become together.In Week 5 of our series Because He Lives: The Birth of the Church, we move from being empowered to being unified.In the Acts 2:41–47, we see the result of the gospel at work as thousands from different backgrounds are brought together as one people. This is not unity built on preference, personality, or culture—this is unity built on the gospel of Jesus Christ.This sermon explores three key truths:Unity is built on the gospelUnity is strengthened through shared devotionUnity is seen in a visible, powerful witnessWe are reminded that the gospel doesn’t just save individuals—it forms a people who live, grow, and serve together. And when that unity is real, the world can see it.Because He lives, we are not just sent… We are not just empowered… We are unified.

Week 4 – Because He Lives: The Birth of the ChurchActs 2:1–8 | Because He Lives… We Are EmpoweredBecause Jesus is alive, everything changes—not just what we believe, but how we live and what we are called to do.In Week 4 of our series Because He Lives: The Birth of the Church, we move from being sent to being empowered.In Acts of the Apostles 2:1–8, we witness the moment the Holy Spirit comes upon the believers at Pentecost. This is not a human effort or manufactured movement—this is God moving in His timing, fulfilling His promise, and empowering His people for His mission.This sermon explores three key truths:God supplies the power for His missionThe Holy Spirit empowers the message of the gospelThe movement of the Spirit demands a responseWe are reminded that the mission of God cannot be accomplished in our own strength. But the same Spirit who filled the early church now fills every believer—equipping us to make disciples and carry the gospel to the world.Because He lives, we are not just sent... We are empowered.

Because He Lives… We Are Sent - (Acts 1:1–11)What do you do with a risen Savior?In this message, we move from the empty tomb to the mission of the Church. The resurrection of Jesus was never meant to stay at the tomb—it was meant to be carried to the world. In Acts 1, we see that the message of the gospel has been passed from person to person, generation to generation, and now it has reached us.The question is: will it move through us?This sermon challenges us to step beyond simply believing and into going—living as witnesses of Christ in our homes, our communities, and to the ends of the earth. While the mission is urgent, Jesus also reminds us that we are not sent alone. The promise of the Holy Spirit points us forward to the power God provides for the work He calls us to do.Because He lives… we are sent.

Last week on Palm Sunday, we stood on the road into Jerusalem in Mark 11, watching the crowds cry, “Hosanna!” as Jesus entered as King—praised, welcomed, and yet only temporarily received. But within days, everything changed. The cheers turned to rejection. The King was betrayed, denied, and crucified.Now, on Easter Sunday, we come to Mark 16 and the empty tomb.In this message, we see that the rejected King has risen—that the One who was crucified has now been eternally vindicated. The resurrection is not just the end of the story… it is the beginning.This sermon also launches a new series, “Because He Lives: The Birth of the Church,” where we will follow the movement from resurrection to mission through the book of Acts of the Apostles.And as we stand at the empty tomb, one question remains: What will you do with a risen King—deny Him, or declare Him?

On Palm Sunday, we step forward in our journey through Gospel of Mark—moving from chapter 3 to chapter 11—to focus on the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.After weeks of seeing His authority over demons, disease, sin, and the law, we now see Jesus revealed publicly as King.The crowds welcomed Him with cries of “Hosanna,” laying down their cloaks in celebration. But within days, that same city would reject Him.What changed?In this message from Mark 11:1–11, we are confronted with a deeper question: Will you truly receive Him as King?As we prepare our hearts for Communion, this sermon calls us beyond outward praise to genuine surrender—receiving Jesus not just with our lips, but with our lives.

What does it really mean to follow Jesus?In this message from Mark 3:13–19, we see that before Jesus ever sends His disciples out, He first calls them to be with Him. This passage reveals a powerful truth: the Christian life is not primarily about what we do for Christ, but about walking in relationship with Him.Tracing the story of Scripture—from the Garden of Eden, to the tabernacle, to the coming of Christ as Immanuel, God with us—we are reminded that God’s desire has always been to dwell with His people. What was broken by sin is restored through Jesus, who calls us not just to believe, but to follow Him daily.Whether you are new to the faith or have been walking with Christ for years, this message will challenge and encourage you to prioritize being with Jesus above everything else.

In this message from Mark 2:23–28, we continue seeing the central theme of the early chapters of Mark: the authority of Jesus. After demonstrating authority over demons, sickness, sin, and religious traditions, Jesus now confronts the Pharisees over the Sabbath. When His disciples pluck grain on the Sabbath, the Pharisees accuse them of breaking the law. Jesus responds by pointing to Scripture and reminding them that the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. He then makes a powerful declaration: “The Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” This passage challenges us to move beyond merely admiring Jesus and instead recognize His authority and find true rest in Him.

In Mark 2:18–22, Jesus is questioned about why His disciples do not fast like other religious groups. While fasting was a meaningful spiritual practice in Israel’s history, the deeper issue was not the discipline itself but the heart behind it. Jesus responds with the image of a wedding celebration, revealing that the Bridegroom has arrived. His presence signals that something new has begun. Through the parables of the new cloth and new wine, Jesus teaches that He did not come to patch up old religious systems but to bring a completely new life through the New Covenant. The call is not to perform religion, but to embrace the transforming relationship Christ offers.

In this sermon on Mark 2:18–22, we explore why Jesus’ disciples were not fasting and what that question reveals about the difference between religious performance and genuine faith. Jesus declares Himself the Bridegroom and explains that His coming brings something entirely new. The gospel is not a patch for an old religious life—it is the beginning of a transformed life through Christ.

In Gospel of Mark 2:1–12, four friends bring a paralyzed man to Jesus hoping for physical healing, but Jesus first addresses the man’s deeper need—his sin. When the scribes question His authority, Jesus heals the man to prove that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins. This passage reveals that while people often come to Jesus for temporary help, He came to provide the forgiveness and salvation only God can give.

In Mark 1:21–31, we see Jesus’ authority unmistakably revealed—not only in what He teaches, but in what He does. As Jesus enters Capernaum, He teaches with authority unlike the scribes, commands unclean spirits with a word, and heals sickness by His touch.This sermon explores three arenas of Christ’s authority:• Authority in His teaching• Authority over unclean spirits• Authority over the human body and sicknessMark shows us that Jesus is not merely powerful, but personal—bringing His authority from the synagogue into the home and restoring lives completely. The question is not whether Jesus has authority, but how we will respond to it.

Due to the winter storm this week, we weren’t able to gather in person—but God’s Word still meets us where we are. Even without worship music today, I’m thankful for the opportunity to open Scripture and unpack Mark 1:14–20 together as Jesus announces that the time is fulfilled and calls ordinary people to follow Him. I’m grateful for this time in the Word, and I’m excited to worship together in person next week as we continue our journey through the Gospel of Mark.

In Mark 1:9–13, heaven is torn open and God reveals who Jesus truly is. Jesus enters the Jordan not to confess sin, but in humble obedience, identifying with those He came to redeem. As the Spirit descends and the Father speaks, Scripture unveils the Triune God—Father, Son, and Spirit—together in one decisive moment. Before Jesus preaches, performs miracles, or calls disciples, God publicly declares His identity: the beloved Son, the promised King, and the suffering Servant who will bring salvation to the world.When coupled with Matthew 3 & Luke 3, we also see the hearts of those present—tax collectors, soldiers, Pharisees, and ordinary people—some broken and ready to repent, others guarded and driven by pride and self-justification. Into that divided gathering, Jesus steps forward to fulfill righteousness. This passage reminds us that the gospel confronts every heart and calls us not merely to observe Jesus, but to respond in repentance, trust, and obedience.

In Mark 1:2–8, we see how God prepared the way for the coming of Jesus long before His arrival. Drawing from Isaiah’s prophecy and the ministry of John the Baptist, this message explores God’s faithful promise, the call to repentance, and the readiness of the heart to receive the King. As water gives way to Spirit baptism, we are reminded that our preparation is met by Christ’s redeeming work and the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit.* Due to technical difficulties we are not able to upload the sermon on Mark 1:1.

We apologize for not having this last two episodes , but we hope you have enjoyed our series through the book of Hebrews this Advent season. As we close the book of Hebrews and come to the end of the year, this sermon centers on Hebrews 12:1–3. It calls us to live in light of who Jesus truly is.Throughout Hebrews, we’ve seen that Jesus was never one plan among many—He was always God’s only plan. Faithful leaders served in the house of God, but Jesus alone is the Son over the house, the architect, foundation, and cornerstone. The sacrificial system revealed sin, but only Christ removes sin, shame, and death. The Levitical priesthood exposed the need for a perfect and eternal High Priest—fulfilled fully in Jesus.Hebrews 12:1–3 gives us three clear action steps:Fix our eyes on JesusLay aside every weight and the sin that hinders usRun with endurance without growing weary or losing heartThis message closes Hebrews by calling us not to look backward in discouragement or inward in preference, but upward to Christ and forward in faithful endurance.

Anchored in John 14:27 and supported by Hebrews, this message examines Jesus as the true source of perfected peace. We look at three gifts of Christ’s peace: peace with God through His sacrifice, peace in our hearts through His cleansing, and peace for the future through His unshakable kingdom.

In this sermon from Hebrews 10:1–14, Pastor Juri continues our Advent series “No Other Way” by showing why the sacrificial system was never enough — and why only Jesus can truly save. From Genesis to Leviticus, we trace God’s purpose for the sacrificial system: to teach, to train, and to point forward to Christ. We see how every shadow, every substitute, and every offering prepared the way for the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus. This message highlights the holiness of God, the seriousness of sin, and the unstoppable grace found in Christ our Savior.

In this first Advent message, “Jesus, Our Living Hope,” Pastor Juri walks through Hebrews 6:11–20 to show that Christian hope is not wishful thinking but confident expectation rooted in God’s unchanging character. Building on the themes from our pre-Advent Hebrews series, this sermon reminds us that hope calls us to diligence, rests on God’s faithful promises, is secured by His unchanging nature, and is anchored in the finished work of Jesus — our living, present, and eternal Hope. As Advent begins, we look to Christ, the One who holds our souls steady and fulfills every promise of God.

Why did Jesus have to come? Hebrews 4:14–16 and 5:1–6 give us the answer—because we needed a perfect High Priest. Every Old Testament priest pointed forward to Him, but only Jesus lives forever, sympathizes fully, and offers the sacrifice that truly saves. This message shows why there is no other way to God but through Christ alone.

Sermon Title: Faithful In – vs – Over the HouseSeries: No Other Way – Why We Needed Christ to ComeIn this message, we see the difference between the servants who were faithful within God’s house and the Son who reigns over it. From Moses to David, every faithful leader pointed to the One who would fulfill it all — Jesus Christ, the builder, foundation, and cornerstone of God’s house. Our confidence isn’t in our performance, but in our position as members of His household through grace.

This message launches our pre-Advent series, No Other Way: Why We Needed Jesus to Come. From the very beginning, God’s plan has been to reveal Himself and redeem His people through His Son. Every prophet, covenant, and sacrifice pointed to Jesus — the full and final Word of God. From creation to the cross, Jesus was not Plan B — He was always the plan.

In this final message from our Galatians series, we explore what it means to live out the freedom Christ has given us. True freedom isn’t just personal — it’s communal. Paul reminds us to restore the fallen with gentleness, bear one another’s burdens, sow to the Spirit rather than the flesh, and find contentment in our own walk. This message challenges us to live faithfully, humbly, and fruitfully — using our freedom to serve others and bring glory to God.

We’re launching the Archibald First Baptist Church Podcast with a message from near the end of our Galatians series — because this passage captures the heart of the gospel and the freedom we have in Christ.In this sermon, Pastor Juri Thompson unpacks Paul’s teaching on the conflict between the flesh and the Spirit, showing that true Christian freedom is not the right to do as we please, but the power to live under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.Through Galatians 5:16–26, we discover that freedom in Christ means more than being set free from sin — it’s being set free for the Spirit to thrive within us. The message explores three movements:Freedom to walk by the SpiritFreedom from the works of the fleshFreedom for the Spirit to bear fruit in our hearts, our community, and our witness.This passage beautifully summarizes Paul’s entire letter — life in the Spirit, marked by love, joy, peace, and self-control, rather than bondage to the law or to self.We begin the podcast here because this message reflects the foundation of our faith and the heart of our ministry: to help believers walk daily in the freedom and power of the Holy Spirit.

Each week, Pastor Juri Thompson opens God’s Word and shares a message of truth, hope, and encouragement from Archibald First Baptist Church in Archibald, Louisiana. These sermons are designed to equip believers to live faithfully in Christ and to grow in grace through the living Word of God.