FBC Platte City

Stories Jesus Told: Part 1Jesus often shared a story along with a spiritual truth to cause us to reflect.In Matthew 18, Peter asks Jesus how many times he must forgive someone, and Jesus responds with a story about a man who has been forgiven but withholds forgiveness to others.Find a summary and discussion questions under the "sermon notes" section here.

Life in the Wilderness: Part 10As we conclude our series on Exodus, we focus on the Tabernacle. It may seem strange to have so much of Exodus dedicated to a tent, but when we dig in we see that every detail of the Tabernacle (and the underlying story of the Bible from Genesis through Revelation) is meant to reveal this profound truth: God desires to dwell with us. Find a full summary, graphics, and discussion questions under the "sermon notes" section here.

Life in the Wilderness: Part 9Exodus 34Exodus 34:6-7 gives us one of the clearest self-revelations of God in all of scripture. We could call it a "sermon" that God preaches about himself that is referenced throughout the rest of the Old Testament. In it, God emphasizes both his justice and his grace. Here we find this tension: How can God be both just and gracious? Find a full summary, sermon graphics, and questions for discussion here: https://fbcplattecity.com/podcasts/media/2026-06-14-justice-and-grace

Pause - Hold - ConsiderBe still and know that I am God-Psalm 46:10

Life in the Wilderness: Part 8Exodus 33After the Israelites' sin and rebellion with the golden calf, God tells Moses that God won't be staying with His people. When you question and doubt if God is still present in your life after your struggle with sin... look to the glory as revealed in the risen Lord Jesus. Find a full summary, sermon graphics, and questions for discussion here.

In the 4th of the 10 Commandments, we find "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy."What does this mean for us? Does it still apply?Find discussion/reflection questions, a short summary, and sermon graphics here.

Life in the Wilderness: Part 4We're reaching the part of Exodus that focuses on the 10 commandments. Why did God give the 10 commandments?1. To reveal who God is2. As a manual for how to live in our relationship with God and others3. To provide freedom. The sequence matters- the Israelites were DELIVERED before they were DIRECTED. This message focuses on the first 3 commandments. To find discussion questions, graphics and more, go to https://fbcplattecity.com/podcasts/media/2026-05-03-path-to-freedom-10-commandments

Exodus: Life in the WildernessPart 2God brings people to your life who have something you need, and you have something they need. Who's got your back?Whose have you got?Can you remember times God came through for you? For them?Find a full summary, discussion questions, and graphics under the "sermon notes" section here.

Exodus: Life in the Wilderness Part 1Exodus 17In the beginning of the year, we started a series on the book of Exodus. We’re picking it back up as God’s people are living in the wilderness. In the wilderness, God teaches us lessons that comfort and ease are not able to do.Lesson 1: Difficulties don’t mean you’re off trackLesson 2: Warning- don’t harden your heartLesson 3: Strengthen your trust in God because of His profound provision and patienceFind discussion questions, graphics, and more here: https://fbcplattecity.com/podcasts/media/2026-04-12-life-in-the-wilderness

More than Sunday: Part 5Shame is powerful and has a way of keeping us stuck- but we don't have to stay stuck. Key takeaways:1. Jesus experienced shame so you could be forgiven and have freedom.2. Jesus experienced shame so you can know He understands your hurt and struggle. 3. Jesus experienced shame so we can show His love to others. 

More than Sunday: Part 4Mark 1:29-38So, how do we continue to stay faithful, continue to trust God through our week? PRAY. Key takeaways:Prayer is personal, not transactionalPrayer must be a priority (it requires intentionality)Prayer empowers mission and purposePraylerlessness subtly says “I’ve got this. I don’t really need God.” We need strength outside of ourselves and that strength comes through dependence on God in prayer.

More than Sunday: Part 3Mark 9:14-294 takeaways:1. Faith grows through struggle, not perfection.2. In the struggle and doubt, go to Jesus. 3. The power of faith is found in its object, not its strength.4. Self-reliant faith is powerless faith. You don't need perfect faith to come to Jesus. You just need to take an honest step toward a faithful and loving Savior. For small group discussion questions and more content, look under the "sermon notes" found here: https://fbcplattecity.com/podcasts/media/2026-03-15-fragile-faith

More than Sunday: Part 2Mark 10:13-22What are you holding onto that's keeping you from following Jesus?Find a full summary of this message, group discussion questions, and graphics here.

More Than Sunday: Part 1One of the phrases we use around here is “More than Sunday.” God wants us to have a relationship with us that goes beyond an hour on Sunday, but as the week progresses our faith can be challenged, doubts creep in, and we drift. In this series, we’re looking at stories in the book of Mark to address the challenges we face when we aim to live out our faith in our everyday lives.Mark 2:1-12- the story of 4 friends bringing their paralyzed friend to Jesus so that he can be healedQuestions to consider:What’s your greatest need?Who’s your one?

Exodus: Our Story of Freedom (Part 7)  This message is shared from our friend who has grown up with close ties to FBC Platte City and is now working abroad. Main Idea: In Exodus 16 God is teaching the Israelites total and daily dependence upon Himself. 2 main sections: Verses 1-3: Grumbling Against a Great God Verses 4-12: Testing from a Good God The Israelites quickly move from gratitude for what God has rescued them from, to grumbling against God because of their circumstances. When we face hardships, we have the same choice: will we grumble against God or will we see our lives as an opportunity to know that all things are for our good and God's glory?

Exodus: Our Story of Freedom (Part 6) Tim Keller recalled a story told by Alec Motyer: If you asked an Israelite during the time of Moses about their story, they might say something like:“I was living in a foreign land, under the sentence of death, in bondage. But I took shelter under the blood of a lamb. A mediator led us out. We passed through the waters. Now we’re on our way to the Promised Land – not there yet – but God has given us his law to shape us as a people. He dwells with us by grace and forgiveness. And he will stay with us until we arrive home.”Alec Motyer paused and said, “That’s exactly what a Christian says almost word for word.”

Exodus (Our Story of Freedom): Part 5The Plagues- they're pretty gross and disturbing. So what's the purpose? The plagues reveal God's power, judgement, and patience- leading to awe of who He is. The plagues give us a warning of a hardening heart, yet a picture of God's grace.

Exodus (Our Story of Freedom): Part 4Exodus 5-6:9While frustrating, discouragement is just part of life and followers of Jesus aren't exempt.In Exodus, we see that the Israelites quickly went from excited to discouraged. Why?-their obedience led to opposition-there was delay before change-criticism was being thrown around-expectations didn't match realitySound familiar?You can take your discouragement to God- he hears your complaints and laments. Find encouragement because God is in control.Find encouragement because God is committed.Find encouragement because God is compassionate.

Exodus (Our Story of Freedom): Part 3In Exodus 3-4:17, we look at the time when God calls Moses to carry out God’s plan. Moses responds with 5 different questions:1. Who am I?2. Who are you (God)?3. What if they don’t believe me?4. What if I’m not good enough?5. What if I don’t want to?Do any of these responses sound familiar to you?Here are 3 takeaways from the story of Moses’ calling that we can apply to our own lives:1. God’s calling isn’t all on you.2. God’s calling often involves taking a step of obedience before we fully understand.3. God’s calling is bigger than you.How will fulfilling your calling impact someone today and generations to come in finding and following Jesus?

Exodus (Our Story of Freedom): Part 2In this message we look at Moses' backstory in Exodus 2. Here are a few takeaways:1. Do your part and trust God with the outcome2. Realize no season is wasted3. You are not forgottenQuestions to consider:1. Where in your life do you need to trust God with the outcome?2. What seasons of your life has God used to shape you?3. How might God be preparing you now?

Exodus chapter 1 We're beginning a new series going through the book of Exodus. In the first chapter alone, we see these themes: 1. Across generations, through courage and compromise, success and failure, God's faithfulness to his people (and to you) has never wavered 2. God allows suffering in your life to so that your faith will grow and you will long for a better home 3. Fearing God means having awe and reverence for who God is and doing what is right even when it's costly.  Questions for application: God often uses trials, difficulty, and suffering to move you forward. Where is God growing you? Where is God helping you long for a better home? Where can you demonstrate courage this year? - a step of obedience you've been delaying or avoiding - a difficult conversation you know needs to happen - leaving your comfort zone to trust God in a new way

We’ve been looking at different components of the retelling of Jesus’ birth in Luke 2. This week we’re focused on the angel’s birth announcement. Here’s 3 reasons why the angel’s birth announcement is good news:The angel’s announcement is good news because it ends fear.The angel’s announcement is good news because it brings peace.The angel’s announcement is good news because the wait for a Savior is over.As you surrender your will to God’s loving authority, you’ll grow in the “peace of God” (trust, joy, less fear and anxiety). If you want the peace of God, you must be at peace with God. Jesus offers salvation and eternal life, but you must receive Him. 

The Christmas Story: Part 2 This week we looked at the shepherds' perspective on the birth of Jesus in Luke 2. The shepherds heard, believed, acted, and shared. The good news of Jesus requires a response. What's yours?

We’re looking at the birth of Jesus in Luke 2. For some, this story may be so familiar you’re almost numb to it. In this message, we looked at the narrative from the perspective of Mary and Joseph. Here’s a couple takeaways and questions to consider: Faith deepens when you trust God, even when His plan looks nothing like yours.  What’s an area of your life where God’s plan doesn’t match yours?Where do you need to trust Him?What opportunities have opened for you? Faith deepens as you reflect on how God is at work around you. As a follower of Jesus, have you treasured in your heart all that He has done for you?

Searching for Joy: Part 4What are you anxious about? Feeling overwhelmed with worry? In Philippians 4, Paul writes about how to process our anxieties:1. Trade worry for prayer2. Train your mind to focus on the good and true3. Turn truth into action

What Jesus did: in very nature God, he emptied himself and was humbled- even to death on a cross What God did: exalted Jesus to the highest place and gave him the name above every name What we must do: every knee must bow, every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord

Here's a few key takeaways from this message: 1. Selfishness is a recipe for disaster. If you want to find joy, you need humility. 2. Disunity and division in our relationships steals joy. 3. Humility isn't about being passive, people pleasing, or thinking lowly of yourself. Humility is looking to the interests of others before yourself. 4. As followers of Jesus, we grow in humility by reflecting on the humility of Jesus. God sees our humility and will ultimately reward us for it.

We started a new 4-week series using themes of joy found in the book of Philippians. Paul found resilient and eternal joy because he found his hope in the Lord. As we enter the whirlwind of the holiday season, let’s look to God to reorder our priorities so we don’t settle for distractions or circumstantial joy. 

Find, Follow, and Stay Focused: Part 10 Second Timothy is the last book that Paul wrote before his death. As we wrap up our series on the book of 2 Timothy, we’re encouraged to finish well:-staying faithful in our relationships-persevering in our daily walk-relying on Jesus' presence to sustain us to the very end

Find, Follow, and Stay Focused- Part 9Helping people find and follow Jesus isn’t just the responsibility of a few- it’s a group effort. As individuals and as a church, we are called to share Jesus with the people in our circle of influence. We can all be engaged in this work together by serving, giving, praying and inviting. 3 points to remember:Be prepared (ready) “in season and out of season”Have great patience and give careful instruction Be sober-minded and endure

The Greatest Commandment: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength."  -Mark 12:30How's it going with all that?

In chapter 3, Paul continues warns Timothy about being influenced by people who aren’t following Jesus. Paul urges Timothy to instead imitate the life that Paul has been developing:embracing the teaching of Jesus’ life, death and resurrectionusing the Word of God to instruct your way of lifestaying focused on your purpose of helping other find and follow Jesusdeveloping a faith (trust in God) that endures through difficulties remaining patient with people and circumstances that are long-sufferingloving others not merely as a feeling but an action to carry outenduring in all thingsThis instruction is accompanied by 3 warnings from Paul:Beware of what or who influences you.Beware of never committing to Jesus.Beware that disobedience to God makes you vulnerable to deception.

Find, Follow, and Stay Focused: Part 6When Paul is writing to Timothy in the book of 2 Timothy, he says “there will be terrible times in the last days.”“The last days” refers to the period of time from Jesus’ first arrival to his return. In a world where wickedness continues to increase, when there are hard days, how do we respond as followers of Jesus?Don’t let your heart grow coldDon’t get pulled by the negative tide of cultureDon’t forget the kindness God has shown youUltimately, there’s no room for an “I’m better than you” mentality. Because we’ve received grace, we give grace. Because we’ve been loved, we love. Because we’ve been forgiven, we forgive.

Find, Follow, and Stay Focused: Part 5Here's a few takeaways from this message:1. Rightly handle the Word of God so you have a firm foundation and aren't led astray.2. Stop quarreling and fighting over nonessentials. Your conduct matters if you want to be effective for the Lord. 3. Want to be counter-cultural? Be kind to everyone, not resentful, be patient and gentle (strength under control). Don't destroy your influence because our hope is others will come to saving faith in Jesus.

Find, Follow, and Stay Focused: Part 4Here's a few takeaways from this message:1. As follower of Jesus we endure by relying on the grace of Jesus. 2. As followers of Jesus we endure by having the proper mindset (focus, sacrifice, discipline, conduct, hardworking, patient). 3. As followers of Jesus we endure by remembering the faithfulness of the risen Lord Jesus.4. Take comfort in this: though we may waver and fall into unfaithfulness, the Lord Jesus remains faithful to you.

Find, Follow, and Stay Focused Part 3 of 9 Here's a few takeaways from this message: 1. Following Jesus involves being disappointed by other followers of Jesus. 2. Hold onto the truth of God's word when others disappoint us. 3. When some people disappoint you, God sends others to encourage you. 4. How can you be faithful to other followers of Jesus?

Find, Follow, and Stay Focused Part 2 of 9 Here's 3 takeaways from this message:1. The good news about Jesus can bring hostility- sometimes in our reputation, sometimes in our relationships. In the midst of hostility or indifference, there's still a hunger for the hope that only Jesus can give. 2. Apply the gospel to your own life when experiencing fear, timidity, or shame. The gospel isn't just for us to give away to others. We need to be reminded daily that Jesus "has destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." (2 Timothy 1:10)3. The gospel of Jesus Christ is worth it. Any possible suffering is nothing in comparison to the life God has in store for us to share with him forever because of what Jesus has done for us.

Find, Follow, and Stay Focused Part 1 of 92 Timothy 1:1-7We’re starting a new series called “Find, Follow, and Stay Focused.” We’ll be looking at themes from the book of 2 Timothy. Here’s a few questions for reflection:What is your next step? How can you be engaged in investing in others to help them find and follow Jesus?Is there a gift of God that you need to “fan into flame”?Have you been too dependent on your own strength and become timid in your faith?

Peter- one minute he's saying that he'll give up his life for Jesus, the next he's denying that he even knows Jesus. The details of our stories may be different, but the big takeaway remains: Jesus stays consistent no matter how many times we turn away from him.

Martha's Epic MeltdownQuestions:1. What are some next steps you could take to cut out distractions that are pulling you away from Jesus?2. Are you trying to earn God's love and acceptance through your "doing"?3. Are you staying busy because you're trying to avoid the Lord?4. What ways can you grow in your relationship with Jesus so your relationship is more like a friend and less transactional?

King Nebuchadnezzar's boastful pride wrecked his life until he ultimately acknowledged God. Do you have a story like that? On the other hand, are you wrecked by hopeless fear? You may or may not be driven to the wilderness in isolation until your fingernails resemble the claws of a bird, but there's likely something you can relate to in Nebuchadnezzar's story.

Feel tired? Burnt out? Overwhelmed?Elijah did, too (even after God had used him in some pretty miraculous ways). Here's a few things to keep in mind and apply to ourselves when we're struggling:1. God is tender and compassionate to those who are struggling.2. We can tend to only focus on the spiritual, but you are a created being that has physical, emotional, and relational needs.3. God is working even when it's not obvious. 4. God can and does work through big moments but so often he is working in the small moments.5. God has a next step for you, even when you feel done.

Sometimes the people in the Bible are almost too relatable. Case in point: MosesWe’re looking at Moses’ epic meltdown and asking these questions:1. Have you ever tried your best but everything went wrong?2. Ever held in together only to lose it in the end?3. What if God could give you grace anyway?4. BONUS: Are you in the midst of a slow burn right now?

We're finishing our last message from the life of Joseph with a powerful conclusion. In looking back on the extreme ups and downs from Joseph's life, he sums it all up by saying, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good..." This phrase has comforted generations of Christians and it's important to clarify what it actually means as we apply it to our own lives. "God meant it for good" doesn't mean:- what happened is good (death, financial troubles, job loss -- are not good!)- there is no human responsibility- you'll see how all the dots in your story connect"God meant it for good" does mean:- evil is under the wise and gracious hand of God- God is with his people working out his saving purposes- in all things God works for the good of those who love himWe can have assurance of the love God has for us and hold onto future hope because of what Jesus has done on the cross.

Caleb Smagacz with Hope Alive shares a message with us from the book of Nehemiah. He left us with this challenge: can we be more like Jesus and live for the sake of others?For more information about Hope Alive and the work they’re doing in Uganda, visit https://hopealiveafrica.org.

As we've read through the book of Genesis, a constant theme has been waiting. Joseph's life has been no different. When he was a kid, he had a dream about being put in a position of power. Shortly after that dream, he was sold into slavery by his brothers and then later wrongfully imprisoned. Thirteen years passed until his dream came to fruition. Yet even in the waiting, God had a purpose for Joseph. Here's 3 things to consider if you find yourself in a season of waiting:1. Waiting can make you increasingly self-focused or others-focused. 2. It's natural to want out of the season of waiting, but continue to trust God in His timing.3. Obedience and faithfulness don't always lead to immediate results, but consider the long-term possibilities.

One of the lessons we can learn from the life of Joseph is that fighting temptation is possible. Here's 5 actions to take when facing temptation:1. Be concerned with how your sin affects others.2. Call sin what it is. 3. Fear the Lord. 4. Pay attention to the warning signs. 5. Run away!Hebrews 4:15-16 explains that Jesus was tempted in every way just as we are, but he did not sin. Because Jesus sacrificed his perfect, sinless life for us, our sins have been forgiven and we are able to experience God's grace and mercy.

We're starting a new series on the life of Joseph.Here's the theme verse:You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. (Genesis 50:20)Here's the New Testament equivalent of that verse:And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28) When you're going through dark times in your life, it can be difficult to see how God is present and working in the midst of your struggle. But we can trust in God’s unfailing love, goodness, and salvation because of the cross of Christ.

Bad news: In our spiritual journeys, all too often we find ourselves off track. Good news: 1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." Where are you at in your spiritual journey? Do you need to return to the Lord?Do you need to reaffirm your identity in Jesus? Do you need to recommit your life to him?

“Remember” is a verb- some memories call for worship, some apologies, others forgiveness. Almost all memories call for some sort of action. As we wrestle with our memories, we often wrestle with God. Regardless of our circumstances, the most important thing to remember is who God is- God is good, He loves you, and lives in you.