FBC Ponca City

Sometimes we need a warning sign to tell us to stop. We need to carefully consider how we continue to follow Jesus and approach Him. In Luke 7:18-35, we can find four warnings about what not to do and what to do instead through the stories of Jesus’ response to John the Baptist’s question and of Jesus' embrace of a woman’s grief. 

What makes you worthy to receive grace and mercy from Jesus? The world will give you a different answer than the bible. Two stories of healing in Luke 7:1-17 reveals the responses to this question. 

Sometimes Jesus has things to say that are hard to hear and hard to obey. The fruit of your life displays the heartbeat of who you are. Are you living like Jesus had given you a new heart? Hear the marks of a true disciple in this sermon from Luke 6:42-49.

We believe that all of Scripture tells the story of Christ’s coming, life, death and resurrection. Easter is not only about our salvation, but about all of our life coming into line with Christ! So if all of Scripture points to Jesus, what do we learn from a passage like Luke 6: 37-42 which talks about judging others?

Jesus lived His life in a way that set the standards for our behavior and morality as we live our lives. In Luke 6:27-36, we find four examples of how our everyday life is changed because of Jesus’ death and resurrection. 

Our role is to imitate the pattern of Jesus’ life in our own. Luke 6:12-26 shows that Jesus gave Himself to prayer, people, and proclamation. Are you giving yourself to the same task?

The Pharisees turned the Sabbath day into a burden, when it was always supposed to be a blessing. This sermon from Luke 6:1-11 shows how Jesus responds to their accusations. Who are you letting determine what is right and wrong in your faith? Who controls the heart of your faith?

Who is Jesus? Who is this man? Who is this savior? Luke 5:27-39 reveals Jesus’ purpose and what He has come to do. Just as with a new wineskin, you would not return to the old, may we remember that Christ makes us new, so we are to kill the old self. 

We have a Savior who is both willing and able. Listen as we walk through Luke 5:12-26 to see how He lived this out. 

John 13:35 says that they will know we are Jesus’ disciples by our love. What are some other marks of a faithful follower of Jesus? Luke 5:1-11 highlights four examples. 

There is only one who has all authority: Jesus Christ. Luke 4:31-44 gives us four examples of His authority and how we should respond to Him. 

The Jews had been waiting for the promised Messiah. They had a picture in their mind of what they expected Him to be. So what kind of Messiah was Jesus? Luke 4:16-30 highlights four traits about Him and asks listeners to respond to two questions. 

The devil tempts Jesus in the wilderness in Luke 4:1-15. He attacks His identity, bargains for His worship, and tempts His trust. But where Israel, Adam, and we today fail, Jesus has already won. 

The question lingering in the minds of the people before Jesus was, “Who is the Christ?” Luke answers this in two ways in Luke 3:21-38. Jesus is the Christ simply because God says so and because He is uniquely qualified. 

Luke continues his theme of showing that no matter who you are, you can be used to do great things in the kingdom of God. In Luke 3:1-20, John the Baptist prepares the way for the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Through this passage, we find that the gospel calls for repentance, change, and practicing your faith. 

When Jesus is presented at the temple in Luke 2:21-40, He encounters Simeon and Anna. These two interactions reveal seven truths about Jesus, even when He is still just a baby. 

Luke 2:1-20 takes us through the greatest gift of all time, the birth of our Savior. How should we respond?

The birth of John the Baptist and Zechariah’s Prophecy in Luke 1:57-80 show that timing in God’s economy is rarely the same as ours. It is often mysterious, but it is always gracious. His timing always keeps His promises in such a way that ultimately, He alone will get the glory.

In Luke 1:26-56, Gabriel announces the coming of another child, the Son of the Most High, to Mary, where she responds in faith, visits Elizabeth, and gives her magnificat. How do we apply this passage to current day? Pastor Michael Taylor walks through four truths we find in this message. 

After 400 years of silence, God finally speaks. Gabriel comes to Zechariah and Elisabeth to announce the coming of their child, who will pave the way for the Messiah. Luke 1:5-25 is the story of a great announcement to end a season of silence and sorrow. 

Luke’s gospel doesn’t begin with the days of Herod and the birth of Jesus, as most people think. He starts with a dedication to Theophilus and notes that his narrative has been carefully put together so “that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.” Pastor Michael Taylor opens this series on Luke by highlighting three truths Christians should remember, found in Luke 1:1-4.

When pain hits, our reflex is to pull away. May the process of lament become the reflexive language when you are in moments of pain. Instead of recoiling, may you go to and trust in the Father. Lamentations 5 is an example of turning towards God in lament when things are going wrong. Remember to ask Him boldly to work, and to trust that He will do what He has promised. 

Sometimes, when we are wounded, before healing can actually begin, the wound has to be cleaned out. Cleaning up wounds often brings about pain. Healing cannot happen without purity, and purity only comes through dealing with the impure. Are you wounded because you are placing your hope in idols instead of in the only place of true security and peace with God?

When Jeremiah wrote “the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness,” he wrote it in the middle of rubble, ruins, and heartache. Lamentations 3 paints the picture of lament. That while you’re in pain or suffering, you can still have hope and turn to His steadfast love. 

The book of Lamentations is about the question of how. The past four sermons have shown us what it means and how actually to lament. The next four weeks cover what we learn from lament. God doesn’t just offer us the opportunity to lament to Him, but to learn about Him in the midst of lament. Starting with chapters one and two, join us on this journey through Lamentations.

The final step of lamenting is making the choice to trust God. Who God is is more important than the what or why of the situation. When we turn to God in the middle of lamenting, hurt, grief, and pain may stay, but it gives way to trust and worship. May the words of the hymn ever be true, “Even so, it is well with my soul.” 

In lament, you can move from despair to hope without the despair being removed. The God of the Bible works in the midst of your gloom and despair. So ask boldly for Him to move. David cries out to God in anguish in Psalm 22, with words that Jesus echoes on the cross. Jesus carried our sin and bore our grief, so take your pain to Him and trust His healing. 

God invites your questions and complaints. Express your sorrow, fear, frustration, or confusion to Him. Psalm 10 provides an example of lamenting, offering a place to take your complaints. Biblical lament gives you a place to turn and someone to listen, who cares and can and will act on your behalf. 

Lament walks us through the theological realities of this real world of suffering and a belief in a good, sovereign, and all powerful God. The first step of lament is to keep praying. But why should we? Pastor Michael Taylor gives five reasons by breaking down Psalm 77. 

Biblical lament is not a depressing dive into sadness, but a mechanism to cope with it while persevering in the hope we have through Jesus Christ. In this first sermon in the series, Pastor Michael Taylor explores what biblical lament is and why it is necessary. As we look at Job 1, verse 20 encapsulates what lament is all about. 

Youth Minister Quintin Magruder walks us through Luke 19:1-10, the story of Jesus and Zacchaeus. In this passage, Jesus displays a great example of what discipleship looks like. We see three important reminders as we fulfill Jesus’ command to make disciples. Stop looking at the sin and look at how Jesus can change the sinner. Quit looking at them like the people they used to be and start looking at who they can be in Jesus. 

Believers are accountable for their response to the gospel and what you do with it. How will you share the gospel? Preaching on Romans 10:9-17, Pastor Michael Taylor pushes listeners to obey Jesus’ command in the Great Commission. 

Accountability is ultimately about whether or not you will trust God with your life. It’s your responsibility to understand that you need accountability, to invite it, and  respond to it. Pastor Michael Taylor takes listeners through Hebrews 3:12-14 to show how one passage features the importance of individual and relational accountability. 

It’s easy to ask “how can I pray for you” as an opening for a spiritual conversation. But how can we pray for other people when they don’t have anything pressing in their life? Colossians 1:9-14 gives us a picture of four ways we can always be praying for those around us. 

John 8:31-38 shows that your relationship to God’s Word paints a clear picture of your relationship with Jesus. Highlighting three points on each side, Pastor Michael Taylor shows the differences between a true and false disciple. If you find yourself relating more to the false disciple, we invite you to embrace the freedom that Jesus is extending to you. 

In this final message from 2 Corinthians 13:5-14, Pastor Michael Taylor highlights Paul’s final statements to the church at Corinth. Believers should examine themselves, live the truth in unity, and remember God’s power. 

Paul addresses his concerns and warnings for the church in 2 Corinthians 12:11-13:4. Through this passage, Pastor Michael Taylor highlights five questions  for listeners to ask yourself how do you view your pastors and other leaders you listen to? Are you going to be faithful and view ministers of the gospel in a way that pleases Christ?

In 2 Corinthians 12:1-10, Paul confronts some so-called super apostles and highlights what faithful followers of Jesus actually look like. He reminds us that God’s power is perfected in our weaknesses. When we are at our weakest, God is at His best. 

What makes someone truly qualified to serve God? 2 Corinthians 11:16–33 shows how Paul flips the world’s idea of credentials upside down. Instead of boasting about success, skill, or strength, Paul boasts in his weaknesses, sufferings, and dependence on Christ because that’s where God’s power is revealed. If you’ve ever felt unworthy or unqualified, this passage is a reminder: your weakness might be the very thing God wants to use for His glory.

What do you boast in? In this message from 2 Corinthians 11:1–15, Pastor Michael Taylor warns against the danger of being drawn to a different gospel, a different Jesus, or a different spirit. With passion and urgency, Paul calls believers to stay anchored in the truth, even when false teaching looks appealing. This sermon challenges us to be alert, discerning, and fully committed to the real Jesus. Because not everything that looks like the truth is from God.

What does true spiritual authority look like? In this message from 2 Corinthians 10, Pastor Michael Taylor challenges the world’s definition of strength and leadership. Paul’s defense of his ministry gives us a clear picture of what God-honoring leadership looks like. Listen for eight practical ways to pray for your pastors, covering their courage, clarity, and Christlike character as they lead.

What does it mean to sow generously? Why does it matter? In this message from 2 Corinthians 9:1–15, Pastor Michael Taylor shows how giving is not just a duty, but a joyful opportunity to partner with what God is doing. Paul reminds us that cheerful, intentional generosity glorifies God, meets real needs, and points people to the gospel. You reap what you sow; so sow with faith, gratitude, and boldness.

How do you build trust with your time, your money, and your ministry? In this message, 2 Corinthians 8:10-9:5 shows how Paul handled finances with integrity, wisdom, and accountability. God cares about how leaders handle resources, and the church should too. Whether you’re giving or leading, this passage calls us to be above reproach and full of honor, because gospel credibility is on the line.

What does generosity reveal about your heart? In this message from 2 Corinthians 8:1–9, Pastor Michael Taylor teaches that giving isn’t about wealth, it’s about grace. The Macedonian churches gave joyfully, despite being in deep poverty, because their hearts were fully surrendered to God. Real generosity flows from experiencing Christ’s generosity toward us. Whether you have little or much, this passage reminds us: give yourself first to the Lord, and let everything else follow.

What does real repentance look like? 2 Corinthians 7:2–16 explains the difference between worldly grief and godly grief. Paul’s words challenge us to not just feel sorry, but to change direction. Godly grief leads to life, restoration, and joy. Listen in to discover how God uses repentance to renew relationships, build integrity, and deepen our joy in Christ.

What does it mean to be set apart in a world that pulls us in every direction? This message from 2 Corinthians 6:14–7:1 unpacks God’s call for His people to live differently. We are not meant to blend in. We’re called to holiness, purity, and deep connection with God. But this isn’t about legalism; it’s about living as loved children of the Father. Discover how separation from sin leads to intimacy with God, and why obedience is an act of worship.

How should Christians handle hardship, criticism, and being misunderstood? In this episode from 2 Corinthians 6:3–13, Pastor Michael Taylor challenges us to embrace a life of faithful endurance. The Christian life isn’t always comfortable, but it is always worth it. Paul’s ministry was marked by suffering, integrity, and spiritual power, but through it all, he loved boldly and spoke truthfully. Tune in to discover how to stay faithful in trials, speak the truth in love, and open your heart wide.

What has Jesus done for you? What are you doing with it? 2 Corinthians 5:18–6:2 unpacks the gospel's impact on both your identity and your mission. We are not just saved—we are reconciled to God and sent out as ambassadors for Christ, carrying the message of reconciliation to the world. Discover what it means to live out your calling with urgency, boldness, and grace. Because now is the favorable time—today is the day of salvation.

What changes when you become a follower of Jesus? Everything. In this episode from 2 Corinthians 5:16–17, we unpack how the love of Christ transforms how we see the world, how we understand Jesus, and how we see ourselves. You’re not who you used to be—you are a new creation in Christ. But what does that actually mean for your daily life? Discover how your identity in Christ changes everything.

Why do we live for Jesus? This message from 2 Corinthians 5:11–15 explores the driving force behind true Christian living: the love of Christ. When we believe Jesus is the end of all things—and that we’ll stand before Him in judgment—it changes how we live. We stop living for ourselves and start living for the one who died and rose again for us. Discover how belief shapes obedience and why the gospel leads us to give up everything for Him.