First Baptist Joplin

Ed Barlow | Hosea 2:16-20 This powerful message centers on the Hebrew word 'chesed' - a covenant love that costs everything yet gives freely. Through the dramatic story of Hosea and Gomer, we encounter a stunning portrait of divine love that refuses to let go. We are the unfaithful bride who has wandered away time and again, yet God pursues us with relentless love, paying the ultimate price through Christ's blood. The early church was known by pagans who marveled, 'See how they love one another.' That same chesed should overflow from us today, breaking the transactional patterns of worldly love and demonstrating the covenantal faithfulness we've received.

John Swadley | Judges 6:1-6This powerful message takes us into the story of Gideon from Judges chapter 6, revealing how we can find divine help in the midst of life's battles. We discover that Israel endured seven years of oppression by the Midianites—living in caves, losing their crops, and watching their livestock stolen—all because they had turned away from God. When Israel finally cried out for help, God didn't send a warrior; He sent a prophet with a sermon, reminding them of His past faithfulness. When Gideon's army was reduced from 32,000 to just 300 men facing 135,000 enemies, God demonstrated that our weakness becomes the stage for His strength, ensuring He receives all the glory when victory comes.

John Swadley | Deuteronomy 6:4-9This powerful message takes us deep into Deuteronomy 6, one of Scripture's most foundational passages on passing faith to the next generation. The message presents a compelling paradox: if we want our children to love God, we must first examine our own hearts. We cannot give what we don't possess. The call to love God with all our heart, soul, and might isn't burdensome duty—it's an invitation to fall so deeply in love with our Creator that everything else pales in comparison. Our homes become universities of faith where formal teaching meets everyday conversation, where Scripture isn't confined to Sunday morning but permeates driving in the car, sitting at dinner, and tucking kids into bed. The Jewish people survived as a distinct community precisely because they mastered this art of passing faith from generation to generation, making God's truth visible in every doorpost and deliberate in every conversation.

John Swadley | Ephesians 6:2In this Mother’s Day message, Pastor John explores Ephesians 6:2 and what it truly means to “honor your father and mother.” Through heartfelt stories, humor, and biblical truth, he reminds us that honoring moms goes beyond a holiday. It means recognizing the weight they carry, showing genuine appreciation, and living lives that reflect the faith and sacrifice they poured into us. Whether it’s biological moms, spiritual moms, or those who simply loved us like family, this message challenges us to value the people God used to shape us.

John Swadley | John 13:3-5This encouraging message from John 13:3-5 reminds us that life is shaped by three defining questions: Where did you come from? Where are you going? And what will you do while you’re here? Through the example of Jesus washing His disciples’ feet, we’re challenged to embrace a life of humble service rooted in our identity in Christ. This message calls us to move beyond living for ourselves and into a life that reflects Jesus through compassion, sacrifice, and everyday acts of kindness that point others toward God.

John Swadley | Matthew 16:24-26In a world where we constantly misplace our socks, keys, and countless other items, there's something far more precious that we cannot afford to lose: our souls. This powerful message from Matthew 16 confronts us with Jesus' penetrating question: 'What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?' Like the mother on Northwest Airlines Flight 225 who wrapped herself around her daughter and absorbed the fatal impact, Jesus took the full force of God's wrath against sin so we could live. The call to follow Jesus isn't just intellectual assent but a life-transforming commitment that begins with repentance and faith.

John Swadley | Matthew 9:35-38This powerful message from Matthew 9:35-38 challenges us to move beyond passive belief into active participation in Christ's mission. We're invited to see people not as the world sees them—by their appearance, success, or social standing—but as Jesus sees them: souls in need of a Shepherd. This message calls us from the safety of observation into the transformative experience of joining Christ's rescue mission for a world that desperately needs Him.

John Swadley | Luke 5:4-11 This powerful message takes us deep into the world of first-century discipleship, revealing what it truly means to follow Jesus rather than simply believe in Him. Through the story of Peter's call in Luke 5, we discover that being a disciple is fundamentally different from being a mere believer. We learn three essential lessons: our goal is to become like Jesus, not just learn about Him; deep humility is the prerequisite for following Him; and we must be willing to leave everything behind. The beautiful truth is that Jesus still chooses people who feel unworthy, inviting us to be covered in the dust of our Rabbi as we walk so closely behind Him that His way of life becomes ours.

John Swadley | 1 Corinthians 15:12-14This powerful message confronts us with an undeniable truth: our entire Christian faith stands or falls on the historical reality of the resurrection. The message challenges us to recognize that Christianity isn't based on wishful thinking or philosophical ideals, but on eyewitness testimony from people who saw Jesus alive after His crucifixion. The resurrection isn't just another religious belief we can take or leave; it's the historical event that validates every promise of forgiveness, every hope of heaven, and every sacrifice we make for Christ. When we grasp this truth, everything changes. This Easter truth isn't just for one Sunday a year; it's the bedrock reality that should shape how we live every single day.

John Swadley | Revelation 1:18 This powerful message takes us on a journey through three crowns that tell the complete story of our salvation. The crown of thorns represents more than physical suffering; it connects directly back to sin's curse after the fall. The crown of glory reminds us that death could not hold Him - He is the living one who conquered the grave. And finally, the crown of life is offered to each of us because Jesus holds the keys to death and Hades. This isn't just about making bad people good; it's about making dead people live. The profound truth here is that our past mistakes, our guilt, our shame - all of it was placed on Jesus so we could be free. When we truly grasp that Jesus died our death so we could live His life, everything changes.

John Swadley | Luke 5:17-20 This powerful message challenges us to reconsider what we truly need versus what we think we need. Through the story of four friends who literally tore a hole in a roof to bring their paralyzed friend to Jesus, we discover that our greatest need isn't health, prosperity, companionship, or significance. It's forgiveness. We live in a world where prayer requests focus on health concerns and financial struggles, yet we rarely acknowledge our deepest need for divine forgiveness. As we approach Easter, we're called to be like these friends, working together to bring people to Jesus who can transform their lives eternally. The question becomes: who are we bringing to Jesus, and what obstacles are we willing to overcome to make it happen?

John Swadley | Luke 6:27-36This powerful teaching from Luke 6:27-36 challenges us to examine the most radical aspect of Christian love: loving our enemies. We're confronted with Jesus' counter-cultural command to do good to those who hate us, bless those who curse us, and pray for those who abuse us. We discover that enemies aren't just obvious adversaries; they're anyone who's hard to love—difficult coworkers, hurtful family members, or those who've wounded us deeply. This isn't about mushy feelings; it's about making a deliberate choice to reflect God's character in a world desperately needing to see authentic Christianity lived out.

John Swadley | Matthew 18:21-22This powerful exploration of forgiveness challenges us to wrestle with one of Christianity's most difficult commands. The message unpacks what forgiveness truly means, clearing away common misconceptions. We're offered three practical exercises to strengthen our forgiveness muscles: monitoring those imaginary conversations we have with people who hurt us, identifying specifically what they took from us, and making the concrete decision to cancel that debt. When we forgive as Christ forgave us, we discover that the peace we've been seeking finally comes.

John Swadley | Luke 5:12-15This powerful message takes us into the heart of Jesus' ministry through the story of a leper in Luke 5:12-15, revealing what grace truly looks like in action. His story becomes our story when we recognize that we too were once infected with sin, separated from God, and in need of a miraculous touch. The message challenges us to examine our own 'untouchables'—those groups of people we've mentally placed outside God's reach or our own willingness to engage. When we truly grasp that we were once wretches saved by amazing grace, we can't help but extend that same grace to others.

John Swadley | John 13:34At the heart of our faith journey lies a simple yet profound command from Jesus in John 13:34 - to love one another as He has loved us. This message challenges us to examine whether our spiritual maturity is truly growing by asking a penetrating question: Has our capacity to love others actually expanded over the years? This isn't about compromising biblical truth or becoming spiritually soft; it's about seeing people through contact lenses, coming close enough to serve them with cups of cold water. The practical challenge offered is transformative: begin and end each day by declaring our commitment to love God with everything we have and to love our neighbors as ourselves, allowing these words to reshape our vocabulary, our vision, and ultimately our impact on a watching world.

John Swadley | 1 Corinthians 13:4-7This powerful exploration of 1 Corinthians 13 challenges us to move beyond understanding love as merely a feeling and embrace it as a deliberate choice that springs into action. We discover that love is patient and kind, not envious or boastful, not arrogant or rude. The challenge before us is clear: will we let God's supernatural love flow through us to create relationships that reflect the heart of Christ?

John Swadley | 1st Corinthians 13:1-3 This powerful message confronts us with a challenging truth: we can have all the right words, all the biblical knowledge, powerful faith, generous giving, and even willingness to sacrifice everything—yet if we lack love, it all amounts to nothing. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 13, we're reminded that Christlike love isn't a feeling that comes and goes, but a deliberate choice we make each morning. It's defined as selflessly seeking what's best for others, no matter how they respond.

John Swadley | Luke 16:11What if the way we handle our money is actually a spiritual test? This powerful message from Luke 16:11 challenges us to see that God uses our relationship with money as a measure of our spiritual maturity. When we align our financial lives with God's word, we experience not just financial freedom but spiritual breakthrough. The reminder that God is 'Mr. French Fry'—that everything we have comes from Him and belongs to Him—puts our whole relationship with money in perspective. This isn't about legalism or guilt; it's about trusting that the One who created us knows the best way for us to live, even in our checkbooks and bank accounts.

John Swadley | 1 Timothy 6:5-11We live in a culture that constantly whispers a seductive lie: just one more purchase, one more upgrade, one more happy meal will finally satisfy us. This message explores the profound wisdom found in 1 Timothy 6:6-11, where Paul presents us with two radically different paths for our financial lives. The challenge before us isn't about guilt over having nice things—God provides richly for our enjoyment—but about what we're actually pursuing. Are we chasing after the next big purchase, or are we chasing after God? This isn't just financial wisdom; it's a spiritual awakening to the reality that contentment isn't found in our bank accounts but in our relationship with the One who owns everything.

John Swadley | Luke 12:13-21This powerful teaching from Luke 12:13-21 challenges us to radically rethink our relationship with money and possessions. When someone asks Jesus to settle an inheritance dispute, He responds not with legal advice but with a warning about greed—revealing that our real problem isn't getting our fair share, but understanding why we have what we already possess. Jesus calls us to become 'rich toward God,' storing up treasure in heaven by sharing our extra with those in need. This isn't about guilt or deprivation—it's about freedom. When we stop chasing the world's definition of success and start living by kingdom principles, we discover that our self-worth doesn't equal our net worth. We break free from the exhausting rat race and find purpose in generosity. The challenge before us is clear: will we save carefully and give sparingly, or will we be rich toward God first, save for our future second, and live joyfully off the rest?

John Swadley | 1 Chronicles 29:10-12This powerful message confronts one of the most pervasive myths that quietly undermines our spiritual and financial well-being: the belief that we actually own anything. Drawing from King David's prayer in 1 Chronicles 29, we're invited to embrace a radical truth—everything in heaven and earth belongs to God. Not just the tithe, not just what we give to church, but literally everything. The message challenges us with a simple but transformative exercise: looking at everything we have through fresh eyes, acknowledging that this is God's house, God's income, God's possessions entrusted to our care. This perspective doesn't just change how we handle money—it transforms our relationship with God himself.

John Swadley | Matthew 6:19-21This message confronts one of the most uncomfortable yet transformative areas of our spiritual lives: our relationship with money. Drawing from Jesus' teaching in Matthew 6:19-21, we're challenged to recognize that our financial decisions are fundamentally spiritual decisions. The call isn't to earn more money but to surrender more fully to Jesus, recognizing that everything we have belongs to Him anyway. When we track where our money goes, we discover where our hearts have wandered, and that awareness becomes the first step toward financial and spiritual freedom.

John Swadley | Mark 4:35What happens when God calls us to cross over to 'the other side'—to reach people we've been taught to fear or avoid? In Mark chapter 4, Jesus drops a bombshell on His disciples: 'Let us go over to the other side.' This wasn't just a geographical journey across the Sea of Galilee; it was a mission into enemy territory, where everything they believed about God's love would be challenged and expanded. The disciples faced storms, demons, and their own prejudices, yet Jesus remained steadfast in His mission. As we step into a new year, we're challenged to examine our own 'other sides'—the people we've written off, the places we've avoided, the stories we've been too afraid to share. Are we willing to get in the boat when Jesus says it's time to cross over? Are we ready to let go of our comfortable circles and embrace God's heart for the whole world?

John Swadley | Luke 2:8-20This powerful Christmas message reminds us that the first Nativity wasn't about being home with family—it was about coming home to God. Through the familiar story in Luke 2 of shepherds in the fields, we discover three compelling reasons to return to our heavenly Father this Christmas season. We're invited to understand that Jesus left His home in heaven so we could come home to God, not just for Christmas, but forever.

John Swadley | Matthew 1:18-25The Christmas story we think we know contains a scandal we often overlook. Matthew's account reveals Joseph as a 'sadiq'—a righteous man fully committed to God's law—facing an impossible choice. When Mary becomes pregnant before their marriage, the law demands public stoning. Yet Joseph's righteousness transcends mere rule-following. He plans to divorce her quietly, protecting her dignity even at great personal cost. When God confirms Mary's story through an angel, Joseph faces his greatest test: marry Mary and lose his reputation forever, or maintain his standing in the community. Joseph chooses love over reputation, tying his destiny to a scandal that would follow him and Jesus for decades. This untold Christmas love story teaches us that true righteousness isn't just about correct behavior—it's about extending grace to those who fall short. We're challenged to examine our own hearts: when someone doesn't measure up to God's standards, do we pick up stones of judgment, or do we offer the same scandalous grace that God has given us? This Christmas, we're invited to choose Jesus over our reputations, just as Joseph did, understanding that our faith is ultimately about God's grace, not our perfection.

John Swadley | Luke 1:5-20This powerful message takes us into the story of Zechariah from Luke chapter 1, a priest who struggled with doubt despite his faithful service to God. We encounter a man who was blameless before God yet experienced the deep pain of unanswered prayers—he and his wife Elizabeth desperately wanted children but remained childless into old age. When an angel appears to announce that Elizabeth will bear a son, Zechariah's response is telling: 'How can I be sure?' This question becomes the skeptic's motto, and it's a question many of us have asked in our own spiritual journeys. The beauty of this narrative is that God doesn't reject Zechariah for his doubts—instead, God blesses him anyway. We learn that God doesn't love doubt, but He deeply loves doubters. This message reminds us that faith isn't the absence of doubt; it's obeying God in spite of our doubts. Whether our skepticism comes from our upbringing, our personality, or painful life experiences, we can still nurture our relationship with God, look for His activity around us, and give Him a chance to surprise us. The story challenges us to jump into the arms of God, trusting that He's never dropped anyone who's taken that leap of faith.

John Swadley | 1 Peter 5:1-7This message from 1 Peter 5 challenges us to examine what makes a church truly healthy by looking at both leadership and followership through God's eyes. We're reminded that the church doesn't belong to any human leader—it belongs to God. The passage calls spiritual leaders to shepherd willingly, not for personal gain or power, but as humble examples who serve rather than dominate. What's striking is how Peter, himself an apostle, identifies as a 'fellow elder,' showing us that great leadership begins with humility. For those of us in the congregation, we're called to clothe ourselves with humility too, supporting our leaders while keeping our ultimate trust in God. The most powerful truth here is verse 7: 'casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.' Whether we're worried about our personal lives or concerned about our church, we're invited to cast those cares on God and leave them there—not to keep reeling them back in like a fishing line. This isn't about blind submission to flawed humans; it's about recognizing that God is big enough to handle whatever challenges we face. When both leaders and followers humble themselves before God, the church becomes a place where His glory shines through imperfect people.

John Swadley | Colossians 2:13-14This message takes us deep into the heart of the gospel through Colossians 2:13-14, using powerful imagery that resonates with our human experience of guilt and the desperate need for cleansing. The sermon opens with a vivid childhood memory of falling into a cesspool—a visceral metaphor for how sin makes us feel dirty on the inside, desperate to be washed clean. We're invited to confront our own guilt honestly, not to wallow in condemnation, but to experience the liberating truth that Jesus paid it all on the cross. The message unpacks three transformative realities: Jesus made us spiritually alive through the new birth, He forgave all our sins completely, and He canceled the debt we could never pay. The Ten Commandments are presented not as a way to earn salvation, but as a mirror showing us our need for a Savior. Like the Irish custom of nailing debts to a public board, our sins were nailed to the cross with Christ, and His blood wrote 'paid in full' across every transgression. This isn't about religion or trying harder—it's about receiving the gift of forgiveness that transforms dead spirits into living ones, adopted into God's family forever.

John Swadley | John 17:20-23Unity isn’t just a nice idea; Jesus treated it like a supernatural power source. This message digs into John 17 and the opening chapters of Acts, where Jesus prays that His people would be one just as He and the Father are one. That prayer wasn’t just for the disciples in the upper room — it’s for us right now.This isn’t about agreeing on everything. It’s about choosing the same mission and letting go of the ego battles that hold us back. The Trinity itself models this rhythm of joyful deference — the Spirit lifting up the Son, the Son glorifying the Father.The challenge is simple and uncomfortable: Will we choose unity so God can move… or let small disagreements rob us of what He wants to do?

Chad Thompson | Joshua 1:1-9This week’s message offers a timely and challenging reminder of the Great Commission and our calling to active discipleship. Drawing from Joshua 1, we see God repeat the command to be strong and courageous—four times—because He knew Joshua would face real fear. In the same way, we are encouraged to step beyond comfort and into obedience.The central truth is clear: God has chosen to use His people to reach the world, and there is no alternate plan. Our faith isn’t meant to stop at consuming spiritual content or knowing God’s commands; it’s meant to be lived out in obedience. The illustration of multiplication was especially striking—one disciple who makes disciples can impact over a billion people in 30 years, while leading someone to Christ daily reaches only a fraction of that. It’s a powerful reminder that God’s design is both intentional and transformative.This message invites us to evaluate whether we are truly following Jesus or simply going through familiar routines. Are we known for His love and hope, or for lesser things that distract us from our mission? Ultimately, we are called to turn from wandering, embrace the adventure of being sent, and remember that as long as we have breath, God has purpose for us in His kingdom.

John Swadley | Acts 4:31-35This week’s message flips our idea of “church” upside down. From Ephesians 2:19-20, we’re reminded that church isn’t a building, a program, or a religious chore. It’s the household of God — a family built on the foundation of the apostles with Jesus as the cornerstone. Christianity was never designed to be a solo project; it’s a team sport where we actually belong to one another. The New Testament gives us over 30 commands we can’t obey alone, which means walking away from church because of hurt is like swearing off all food because one restaurant served you something nasty. We’re not foreigners or outsiders anymore. We’re fellow citizens in God’s kingdom, welcomed into His home and His people.Jesus takes what we do for His family personally, and Matthew 25:40 makes that unmistakable: whatever we do for the least of His brothers and sisters, we do for Him. This message calls us back to the heart of a healthy church family — one marked by gladness in gathering, growth both spiritually and numerically, and grace that never runs dry. None of us deserve to be here, yet every one of us is invited in.

John Swadley | Ephesians 2:19-20What if we’ve been seeing church through the wrong lens? This message from Ephesians 2:19–20 flips the script—reminding us that the church isn’t an institution, it’s a family. We’re not just attendees or spectators; we’re brothers and sisters, citizens of God’s household, built on Christ as our cornerstone. When we treat faith like a solo mission, we miss the point—because Christianity was never meant to be done alone. Even when church gets messy or hard, we’re called to stay rooted in community, offering gladness, growth, and grace. Because in the end, what we do for the church, we do for Christ Himself.

Jason Taylor | Romans 12:1-2What if worship isn’t something we do—but the way we live? This message from Romans 12:1-2 flips the script on our Sunday routines, calling us to worship God with every part of our lives. We were made to worship, yet sin keeps pushing us to idolize everything else—our comfort, our careers, even good things like family or ministry. True worship means surrendering it all, letting Jesus be not just first on our list but the entire list. When we die to self and live in awe of a holy God, our daily lives become altars—and our Sunday worship becomes an overflow of His power and presence.

John Swadley | Acts 16:27-31Pastor John Swadley reminds us that sharing Jesus isn’t just a duty — it’s the heartbeat of a healthy church. Through stories of a rotten tomato, a businesswoman, a fortune-teller, and a Roman jailer, he paints a vivid truth: everyone needs Jesus — the good, the bad, and the ordinary.Good people need Jesus because morality can’t erase sin. Bad people, even those who feel beyond saving, can find grace. And ordinary people — like the jailer who nearly gave up on life — can find purpose and peace through faith in Christ.This message drives home one clear call: stop assuming who’s “too good” or “too far gone.” The gospel is for everyone. Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved — then go and share that good news with the world.  

John Swadley | Galatians 5:13-26A Spirit-led life isn’t about rules; it’s about relationship. When the Holy Spirit leads, freedom becomes service, not selfishness. We stop living to please ourselves and start reflecting Jesus through the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.The message calls us to stop operating on autopilot and start walking in step with the Spirit. Step where He leads, and the light comes on under your feet. The greatest decision is trusting Jesus for salvation. The second greatest? Choosing daily to live in Spirit mode.

John Swadley | Ephesians 2:10In this week’s message, Pastor John challenges the church to leave the “luxury box” of comfort and get out on the field. Citing Ephesians 2:10, he reminds us that we’re not spectators—we’re God’s workmanship, created for good works that He prepared long before we were born.Through stories of real people—from a volunteer who changed a life with a donated car seat to a teacher who crawled up stairs to reach her Sunday School class—the sermon paints a clear picture: serving isn’t optional; it’s who we were made to be.We’re God’s team, each with unique talents perfectly designed for His work. The happiest people in the church aren’t the ones sitting in the stands—they’re the ones serving. Because when you pick up a servant’s towel, you start to look a lot more like Jesus.

John Swadley | Revelation 2:1-5This week kicks off our new series, Marks of a Healthy Church, with a powerful reminder from Revelation 2:1-5. The church at Ephesus had great works, strong doctrine, and perseverance under pressure—but Jesus said they had lost their first love.Through stories about camping trips, drifting currents, and even cereal-box prizes, Pastor John reminds us that our faith can quickly grow cold if we don’t deliberately stoke the fire of our devotion. First love is marked by passion, sacrifice, and an all-consuming preoccupation with Jesus. Without it, we risk robotic service, dry spiritual lives, and broken relationships.At the heart of it all, a healthy church is a church that truly, deeply loves Jesus first.

John Swadley | Matthew 4:1-11This week’s message dives into how God’s Word gives us the real power to change. Too often we try to fight temptation with the wrong tools—like using a tape measure to loosen a bolt—but Jesus shows us the right one: Scripture. When Satan tempted Him in the wilderness, Jesus didn’t argue, explain, or compromise. He simply said, “It is written.”This sermon challenges us to store up God’s Word in our hearts so we’re ready to face temptation and walk in freedom.

John Swadley | Matthew 7:24-29In this message from Matthew 7:24–29, we’re reminded that spiritual growth isn’t about stacking up more knowledge—it’s about putting God’s Word into action. Jesus says the wise build on rock, not sand, and the difference is obedience. Hearing His words is step one. Living them out is step two.Flat faith happens when we only listen but never apply. But when we actually obey Jesus’ commands—loving enemies, forgiving, giving generously—our faith gains strength to withstand any storm. True discipleship is less about information and more about transformation.At the heart of it all is not just believing something but believing Someone. Our faith is in Him. And the key to continual growth is simple: hear His words, do His words, and watch your relationship with Christ come alive.

John Swadley | 2 Peter 1:16Is the Bible just a cleverly made-up story, or is it the truth? In this message from 2 Peter 1:16, we’re reminded that Scripture isn’t myth—it’s eyewitness testimony backed by history, prophecy, and life-changing power. From Peter’s bold witness to fulfilled prophecies and the Bible’s raw honesty about human nature, the evidence is clear: God’s Word can be trusted. This sermon challenges us not just to believe the Bible, but to live it.

John Swadley | Luke 15:11-24In this week’s message, we dive into one of Jesus’ most unforgettable stories—the Prodigal Son. It’s more than a tale of rebellion; it’s a picture of the Father’s heart. The younger son runs wild, loses everything, and expects only rejection. Instead, his father runs to meet him, taking on the shame himself so his boy can come home. That’s the gospel: a God who doesn’t wait for us to clean up, but races toward us with compassion.But the story doesn’t end there. The older brother shows us another danger—self-righteousness. You can live by the rules and still be far from the Father’s heart. Both sons needed grace, and so do we. The good news? Whether you’re a rebel or a rule-keeper, the invitation is the same: come home.

John Swadley | Psalm 119:97-105We all drop everything to check a text message, but what if we treated God’s Word the same way? In this opening message of the Text Messages from God series, we’re reminded that Scripture isn’t just ancient words on a page—it’s God’s personal message to us.Drawing from Psalm 119, we see five life-changing truths about God’s “text”: it protects us, makes us wise, brings us closer to Him, cleans up our lives, and guides our steps. Just as David discovered, God’s Word is not outdated—it’s more relevant than ever, shaping our values, strengthening us against enemies, and lighting the path forward when life feels dark.The challenge is simple: give time this week to actually read God’s text message. Approach it with an open heart, obey what you understand, and let His words become sweeter than honey and brighter than any screen. God has texted you—are you going to read it?

John Swadley | Acts 19:1-5Baptism isn’t a church ritual to check off—it’s a celebration of new life in Christ. Pastor John unpacks Acts 19, where Paul meets disciples who had only received John’s baptism of repentance. When they finally heard the truth about Jesus, they were baptized in His name.Baptism, he explains, is like a wedding ring: it doesn’t make you married, but it shows the world you belong to someone. It’s not salvation, but a public declaration of it. Jesus Himself was baptized, not because He needed saving, but to “fulfill all righteousness”—and He calls us to follow His example.Baptism is joy, not duty. It’s saying to the world, “I belong to Jesus!” 

Jon SmithLife is full of interruptions—some are divine opportunities, others are devilish disruptions. In this message, we explore the life of Caleb, a man whose “different spirit” kept his faith burning bright for decades through delays, detours, and disappointments. Discover three keys to keeping your fire for God alive: trusting Him completely, persevering patiently, and seizing the moment when opportunity comes. Whether you’re in a season of waiting or ready to climb your mountain, this message will challenge you to live with a faith that doesn’t fade.

John Swadley | 1 Samuel 17:32-37This week, Pastor John dives into the story of David and Goliath—not as a tale of human courage, but as a divine interruption where God shows up to rewrite history for His glory. While most of us see ourselves as David facing our giants, the truth is we often resemble the fearful Israelites—forgetting who our God is.David didn’t defeat Goliath with size or skill, but with faith in a God who had already delivered him before. Pastor John challenges us to embrace “the principle of the paw”—that the same God who delivered us yesterday will empower us today and tomorrow. David’s victory reminds us: the battle is the Lord’s.

John Swadley | John 11:1-5In this powerful message from John 11, we unpack the story of Lazarus and the pattern God often uses to shape our faith: the birth of a vision, the death of a vision, and a supernatural fulfillment.We’re reminded that God is always at work—especially behind the scenes. When dreams die, when healing delays, when prayers seem unanswered, it’s not the end—it’s an invitation to trust deeper. Jesus didn’t just heal Lazarus—He revealed Himself as the Resurrection and the Life, showing us that the very things meant to break our faith can become the building blocks of stronger belief.

John Swadley | Matthew 14:22-33In this week’s message, Pastor John dives into the story of Jesus walking on water and the disciples caught in a terrifying storm. The big takeaway? Being in the middle of God’s will doesn’t mean life will be easy—sometimes, He leads us right into the storm to build our faith.This message reminds us: storms aren’t a sign of God’s absence. They’re often His invitation to experience His presence and power more deeply.

Kirk Baker | Jonah 1:1-9This week’s message dives into the story of Jonah, a prophet who ran from God’s call… and ran straight into a storm.Through Jonah’s journey, we discover how divine interruptions aren’t setbacks—they’re God’s way of getting our attention, proving His presence, and revealing His purpose. Whether it’s through storms, unexpected detours, or even giant fish, God is always at work—calling us back, shaping our faith, and showing that no matter how far we run, He never leaves.Even in chaos, He is sovereign. Even in disobedience, He offers grace. And in every interruption, He invites us to trust Him more.

John Swadley | Genesis 50:20In this kickoff message of Divine Interruptions, we explore how God often interrupts our plans not to harm us—but to work something greater. Pastor John dives into the life of Joseph, who went from favored son to slave to prisoner, only to be elevated to second-in-command in Egypt. The twist? What others meant for evil, God meant for good.Like Joseph, we face real struggles, but God is working behind the scenes—often long before we know we need help. Whether you’re in a pit or just waiting for purpose, trust the bigger story. God’s not done yet.