First Baptist Owasso

Chris Wall • I Corinthians 5:1-13 In a culture that often tolerates and even celebrates sin, God calls His church to live differently. In 1 Corinthians 5, Paul confronts the danger of unchecked sin within the body and reminds us that membership matters. The church is not a casual gathering—it is a covenant family where we are responsible for one another’s spiritual health. This passage challenges us to mourn over sin rather than ignore it, to pursue holiness rather than compromise, and to lovingly confront rather than passively tolerate. Like leaven in dough, sin that is left unaddressed will spread—weakening our witness, confusing our message, and compromising our mission. Yet even in discipline, the goal is never punishment—it is restoration. God calls us to be a people marked by sincerity and truth, walking together in accountability and grace. A counter-cultural church is a holy church—one where we are known, where we pursue holiness, where we stand on truth, and where we fight for one another’s restoration in Christ.

Chris Wall • I Corinthians 4:1-5 In a world where authority is often resisted and leadership is questioned; many have developed an allergy to being led. This isn’t new—it was alive in the Corinthian church, where pride and preference created division. But God’s answer isn’t the removal of leadership—it’s the installation of the right kind of leaders. In 1 Corinthians 4, Paul gives us a clear picture of what faithful, Christ-centered leadership looks like and then challenges the church to follow those leaders. As an elder-led, congregationally ruled church, our unity depends on recognizing, affirming, and imitating the right kind of leaders. When we recognize biblical leadership, we overcome the Authority allergy—and live out a gospel adventure that changes the world, starting right here where God planted us.

Chad Balthrop • I Corinthians 3:1-10 Adulting is hard. Everyone enjoys the freedom to stay out late, eat ice cream for dinner, and spend time with whomever they want. But no one likes buying tires, fixing broken air conditioners, or paying bills. Relationships make adulting even more difficult. We want what we want when we want it, and we want what we want right now! I’m not sure who you think you are to get in the way of me having it! In the book of First Corinthians, the Apostle Paul challenges us to spiritual maturity. He pushes us to milk maturity for all it’s worth and reveals that spiritual maturity is the foundation for practical unity. With three simple words, he helps us recognize when we’re the ones being immature and shows us how to grow up in every relationship. Ultimately, the most persuasive evidence that Jesus transforms lives is the unity of diverse people joyfully serving God and one another – and that’s the best “adulting” we’ll ever experience!

Keith Davis • I Corinthians 2:1-16 Paul reminds the believers in Corinth that when he first came to them, he did not rely on eloquent speech or human wisdom. Instead, he simply preached Jesus Christ and the cross, trusting in the power of the Holy Spirit. In the same way, he calls them to remain humble, united, and focused on God so that their lives would reflect His influence in the city of Corinth.

Chris Wall • I Corinthians 1:18-31 At first glance, the cross looked like defeat. From a worldly perspective, the crucifixion of Jesus appeared to be the end — a failed movement and a silenced King. But what looked like weakness was actually the wisdom and power of God on full display. God has always worked this way. He takes what appears foolish and reveals true wisdom. He takes what seems weak and shows His strength. The cross divides humanity: to those who are perishing, it is foolishness, but to those who are being saved, it is the very power of God. The world cannot reason its way to redemption, so God chose what the world calls foolish — the preaching of Christ crucified — to save those who believe. Some demand signs. Others seek sophistication. Both stumble over a crucified Savior. But rejecting the cross does not remove it; it only deepens the fall. Paul reminds the Corinthians, and us,, that not many were wise, powerful, or noble by worldly standards. That is not a flaw in God’s plan; it is the strategy. God chose the weak and lowly so that no one could boast in themselves. In Christ we receive righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. Our standing is secure, our transformation is underway, and our future is certain. Therefore, let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.

Chris Wall • I Corinthians 1:10-17 Paul begins addressing one of the major issues in the Corinthian church—division. His challenge to the believers “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” to agree with one another and be united in mind and purpose. Fights were raging with some believers claiming allegiance to Paul, others to Apollos, Cephas (Peter), or even Christ. These factions were toxic to the work of the church revealing pride and misplaced loyalty, undermining the unity of the body. The church was out of tune. An out of tune church is noticeable to a seeking world. Conflict resolution among God’s people remains one of the main storylines in the entire New Testament. We have learned that the greatest tactic of the enemy is twisting the truth of God’s word. The second greatest tactic of the enemy is to disrupt the unity of the church. Our calling is to be unified in mind and judgment.

Chris Wall • I Corinthians 1:1-9 A DIVIDED WORLD NEEDS A UNIFIED CHURCH. We are living in one of the most divided cultural moments in our lifetime. Our world is fractured. Politics divide us. Generations divide us. Social media trains us to argue. Culture tells us to choose sides. Even Christians can begin to define themselves more by opinions than by Christ. And if we’re not careful, the spirit of the age will creep into the church. But God has not called the church to reflect the division of the world. God has called the church to display something different. A supernatural unity. A gospel-shaped togetherness. That’s why we are beginning a new series today called Unified—Unity is devotion to ONE MISSION - God’s Mission - (Knowing God and Helping people follow Jesus here, there, and everywhere)

Chris Wall • Revelation 3:14-21 The church in Laodicea had the most direct warning of all the churches. This was a church that was neither hot nor cold but lukewarm. They were stuck in complacency, self-satisfaction, and blindness to their true condition. They would brag about their wealth and sufficiency, but really, they were poor, naked and shameful. Their complacency as ambassadors for Christ made them ineffective, forgetting that their mission was to represent the living God in a broken world. The revelation is clear: God disciplines those He loves, and His correction is an invitation to restoration, not rejection. Our church needs to hear the urgent warning of the church at Laodicea. Complacency weakens our witness and is a dangerous place to live.

Chad Balthrop • Revelation 3:7-13 I like bold statements. I like swagger. I like the confidence that comes from believing that, even with the odds stacked against you, you have everything you need to win. It’s not arrogance. It’s grit. In the book of Revelation, the church at Philadelphia was like that. They were small, scrappy, persecuted. Every time they got knocked down, they got back up. God opened a door for them that no one could shut. They persevered for one simple reason – The ultimate champion chose them to be part of His championship team. They were faithful. They overcame, and they showed us what it means to play like a champion today.

Chris Wall • Revelation 3:1-6 Jesus confronts the church at Sardis as a congregation with a reputation for life but a reality of spiritual death. Though active on the surface, they had neglected the gospel, forgotten what they had received, and drifted from Spirit-led obedience. Christ’s command is clear and urgent: wake up, strengthen what remains, remember the truth, and repent. Spiritual vitality cannot be sustained by appearance or activity alone—only by dependence on the Holy Spirit and faithful obedience to God’s Word. When believers walk together in unity, using their God-given gifts, the church is strengthened and prepared to stand against sin and deception. For FBC Owasso, the warning is unmistakable: forgetting the Lord’s calling and gifts leads to the loss of our witness. But if we respond quickly to Christ’s voice, Spirit-filled unity and obedience will shape our future.

Chris Wall • Revelation 2:18-29 Jesus addresses the church in Thyatira, commending their love, faith, service, and perseverance. This was a church whose works were increasing over time. Yet alongside this growth, they stumbled into a dangerous compromise: they tolerated a false teacher. This was a teacher who led believers into immorality and idolatry. Despite being given time to repent, she remained unyielding, and her influence was corrupting the church. Christ calls the church to quick repentance, showing that delay only deepens sin’s grip. For those who repent, there is both mercy and grace. Spirit-led obedience is the mark of a believer. The Spirit will naturally move us to reject compromise, embrace holiness, and hold fast to what Christ has taught. For our church today, this passage reminds us that love and service must be matched with discernment and obedience. Quick repentance and Spirit-led faithfulness keep us in step with God’s will and purpose. The message to the church at Thyatira highlights the core value of Spirit-led obedience to the Lord.

Chris Wall • Revelation 2:12-17 Jesus speaks to the church in Pergamum, a community living “where Satan’s throne is.” They were surrounded by idolatry and persecution but were able to hold fast to Christ’s name, even when one of their own was martyred. Though these are great wins, Jesus confronts them for tolerating false teaching, specifically the doctrines of Balaam and the Nicolaitans where they were falling for compromise with immorality and idol worship. The bottom line was they were failing to rightly apply God’s word. Christ calls them to repent, reminding them that His Word is like a sharp, double-edged sword. The Spirit’s correction brings both warning and grace, pressing the church to realign their thinking with God’s truth. Tension from the Holy Spirit is a gift. The Spirit is faithful to expose where compromise has crept in and redirects hearts to obedience. When rightly applied, God’s Word helps believers think clearly about life, family, ministry, and work, keeping Christ at the center of all. The promise for those who overcome is deeply personal: hidden manna for spiritual nourishment and a white stone with a new name, symbolizing acceptance and identity in Christ. For our church, Pergamum’s message reminds us that true faithfulness requires Spirit-led correction and the courage to live by God’s Word in every sphere of life.

Chris Wall • Revelation 2:8-11 The church in Smyrna was a congregation facing poverty, slander, and persecution. Their example reminds us how our hope rests in the power of His resurrection. Though outwardly poor, Smyrna was a church rich in faith. Their suffering had a purpose. Suffering proved to be a refining process, preparing them for eternal reward. Jesus warns that the devil will throw some into prison and that tribulation will test them. Yet He calls them not to fear but to remain faithful even to the point of death, promising the crown of life. The lesson is clear: trials are not signs of God’s absence but opportunities to draw near to Him in deeper dependence. Tough times become the environment where faith is forged, purified, strengthened, and proven genuine. For our church, this message highlights that suffering, though painful, is often the pathway to the richest experiences of God’s presence. As we endure with faith, we are being prepared for glory and a gospel adventure testimony that extends into heaven itself.

Chris Wall • Revelation 2:1 To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’” ‭‭Revelation‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Chad Balthrop

Chris Wall • John 3:16 The Advent miracle of Christmas is deeper than God came to earth. This miracle is wrapped in the revelation that He came with the mission of giving His life out of love for the world. The manger was not the end game; the destruction of sin and death was the goal. From the beginning, Christ demonstrated the greatest love the world has ever known. Love is the message of Christmas, and this transforming love moves His people to love one another in tangible ways. 

Chris Wall • Luke 2:10-11 Advent reveals a gift of joy so deep that it cannot be taken by trials. True joy is deeper and stronger than just happiness. Joy comes from God’s PROMISES, His PRESENCE, discovered through the gift of His PEOPLE. Despite the challenging circumstances of life or the certainty of uncertainty, Christ came bringing the gift of JOY to the WORLD. This Christmas season, choose to rejoice because God is near to you. Fear not, because there is good news of GREAT JOY for YOU: A Savior is born, He is Christ the Lord.

Chris Wall • Luke 2:14 The Shepherds were the first to hear the announcement that Christ was born. They were outcasts and undeserving yet were the first to hear how a Savior came for all people. The Christmas season shows us how God is present with us bringing lasting PEACE through thick and thin, highs and lows, good times and bad. When Christ entered the world, He brought a personal and lasting peace to every believer walking them through every circumstance. The Lord’s Supper reminds us that a Savior came to you and His coming helps you every day and secures your eternity forever.

Chris Wall • Luke 1:1-4 The Christmas message is not a “once upon a time in a land ‘far’ ‘far’ away”. The Christmas story is not just speculative legend; it is true. In fact, because the Christmas story is an event in history, it confirms that fellowship with God is possible. Christmas reveals the literal incarnation of God. Incarnation describes the supernatural act of God the Son taking on a human nature. This supernatural event shows us that fellowship with God is possible for you and me. Salvation has really been made available to us. Today, we are beginning the Christmas season by unwrapping the gift of HOPE The gift of Christmas is not just about a baby in a manger—it’s about the transforming hope that changes lives, beginning with people like Luke and continuing in us today.

Chris Wall • Matthew 25:14-30 The physical second coming of Christ is a hard date on the human calendar. God is faithfully preparing His people for this moment by entrusting each of us with resources, opportunities, and abilities. He expects us to use them faithfully for His purposes, not to bury them in fear. His goal in providing for us is not for us to be fully funded, but fully faithful. Faithfulness leads to greater kingdom responsibility which is exactly where we want to be on the day we see Him face to face.

Chris Wall • Ephesians 3:14-21 Our mission as a church is to know God and help people follow Jesus here, there, and everywhere. A key core value to living out this mission involves learning to think generationally. We live today standing on the shoulders of believers who came before us. God brought to us the message of salvation and moves us to intentionally pass on our faith to those who come behind us. A generational mindset fosters spiritual growth helping enabling a believer individually and corporately learn from the past, connect in the present, while preparing for the future.

Chris Wall • Philippians 1:1-11 It is right to understand that every believer is part of something much larger than themselves, the global body of Christ. Yet, it is equally right to see that God has placed each of us right here in this church family where our faith is formed, love is practiced, and lives are transformed. In Philippians 1:1–11, Paul reminds us that the local church is the place where God’s people experience the greatest spiritual growth and the deepest unity. Our church provides the greatest opportunity for your life to make the greatest difference. God’s plan has never been for isolated believers but for a connected body, standing firm like a mighty army, advancing the gospel in our city. When we stay unified in our mission, to Know God and help people follow Jesus here, there, and everywhere, we will certainly live well and enter heaven with no regrets. Today, we will see that the church that lives unified becomes unstoppable for the glory and praise of God.

Chris Wall • Philippians 1:1-11 Our mission as a church is To know God and help people follow Christ here, there, and everywhere. This mission is grounded in the core value of living every day as AMBASSADORS for Christ. The Ambassador call moves our church to represent Christ in every circle of our lives. We represent Christ to our families, neighbors and co-workers. We represent Christ as we engage in our hobbies, sports teams, and our day-to-day shopping.  And of course, we represent Christ to the strangers who cross our path. God’s people representing Christ is the historic plan for the spread of the gospel. It is the one on one, life on life, day by day gospel adventure set apart for Christians in every generation. By the time Paul wrote the letter to the church at Philippi, it was established and growing. The beginning of this letter is filled with a great deal of gratitude and joy because this entire church partners in the gospel. This is the essence of being an Ambassador for Christ. Followers of Jesus represent Christ until the race is over or the world comes to its proper end. As we come back into a newly remodeled worship center, it is timely for our church to flesh out what it means to live as Ambassadors representing Christ in the very place God planted each one of us.

Chris Wall • Galatians 5:16-26 One of our core values as a church is to be led by the Holy Spirit daily. Walking by the Spirit is not a one-time event but a lifelong journey of continuous spiritual growth. At the moment of salvation, the Holy Spirit not only saves, but seals, teaches, and moves the believer to live in step with God’s will. This work moves us to starve the flesh and feed work of the Spirit. This is evident both individually and as a church body. Surrender to the leadership of the Holy Spirit moves us to recognize His voice, follow His Word, and join God where He is working. This core value calls us to embrace the blessing of conviction and pursue life in step with the Spirit so that together we can KNOW GOD and HELP PEOPLE follow Jesus here, there, and everywhere.

Chris Wall • Colossians 1:24-29 We are a church devoted to reading, understanding, and meditating on God’s Word. Scripture is our guide for life, shaping both how we think and how we live. We view the world through the lens of God’s revealed truth. The Bible is inspired, inerrant, and the perfect revelation of God to man. It is a divine treasure—with God as its author, salvation as its goal, and truth without error in every part. Therefore, God’s Word is trustworthy, eternal, and remains the unchanging standard for our lives. The Challenge today is grounded in these questions: Do you understand God’s Word? Are you taking intentional steps this week to go deeper in study. Are you living it? Are you surrounding yourself with godly people who will help you apply His truth every day.

Chris Wall • James 1:1-4 James opens his letter with a bold challenge: “Count it all joy when you meet trials of various kinds.” He’s writing to believers who are scattered and suffering, yet he calls them to see trials not as interruptions, but as invitations. God uses hardship to grow us up in Christ. Trials test our faith, but they also produce endurance, shape our character, and forge a deeper trust in God. This passage invites us to re-focus our view of hardship, not as something to escape, but as the very workshop where Christ builds us into people who are mature, complete, and lacking nothing.

Chris Wall • John 15:1-10

Chris Wall • Acts 1:1-11 The writings of Luke makes up up over one-fourth of the entire New Testament when taking both the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. Luke gives a vivid description of the the radical life-change that took place among the post-resurrection disciples. Acts specifically fills in the gap between the Gospels and the Epistles. This revelation of God provides the transition of the gospel becoming a world-wide faith. This first chapter in Acts portrays the power of God at work in the church through the Holy Spirit delivered to the world after the ascension of Christ into heaven. This work of the Holy Spirit continues until His glorious return that it certainly on the horizon.

Chris Wall • Ephesians 6:10-13 Our Mission to KNOW GOD and HELP PEOPLE follow Jesus here, there, and everywhere puts us right in the middle of the spiritual battle in Tulsa. We have to be aware of the spiritual battle. In fact, living our lives unaware of the spiritual battle around us is dangerous. Jesus taught us to not only be mindful of the spiritual battle, but we are to take our stand against the schemes of the devil. This week part of our RE-FOCUS is learning to STAND TOGETHER against the schemes of the devil. Ephesians 6 teaches us how to do that well.

Chris Wall • Matthew 9:35-38 As we Re-focus, the revelation of salvation and God’s purpose of grace is critical to keep the MISSION in our SIGHTS. We believe that a person is made right with God by His grace, through faith in Jesus Christ. This describes the experience of being BORN AGAIN. Saving faith is not just mentally agreeing that Christ, the Cross and the Resurrection took place in history. Saving faith occurs when one is born again. This is the moment of transformation. When God brings about a sanctifying life, guided and empowered by the HOLY SPIRIT resulting in a relying on Christ work on the cross. Every person must face the reality that no one can meet God’s standard on their own, no matter how moral they may be. The narrow gate cannot be entered by partly trusting ourselves and partly trusting God. The gospel calls us to depend completely on Christ alone for salvation. This summarizes the MESSAGE and MISSION God has entrusted our church here, there, and everywhere. Nearly 2,000 years after Jesus’ prayer, we stand as a direct answer, called to be workers in His harvest field. Let's get to work in OUR HARVEST FIELD by keeping this mission always in sight.

Chris Wall • Matthew 16:12-20 This church was God’s idea and He is the one who called us together. It is Christ who made us…A light to the Word. (Matthew 5) Like a city that is on a hill that cannot be hidden. He calls us a body working together in unity. (1 Corinthians 12) He told us in John 17:20-21 – that it is in our unity that the world would believe that God the Father sent Him. It is the unity of the church that helps the world recognize Christ is Lord (John 17). It is the gathered church where the only hope for the nations is found (Matthew 28). It is the gathered church the gates of hell will not defeat (Matthew 16). It is the church where Jesus builds a living body put into action impacting society (1 Corinthians 12)

Chris Wall • Matthew 7:24-29 Here Jesus wraps up His Sermon on the Mount with a crystal-clear illustration of two builders, two houses and a certain storm. Certainly, hearing His words and putting them into practice reveals wisdom because rain is coming. We can’t just listen to Jesus, we have to put His words into action. Your eternal destiny will rests on how you respond to Jesus. The wise hear and obey, securing life on the unshakable foundation of Christ. The foolish dismiss His authority, building on sand, and face inevitable collapse. Are you experiencing the unparalleled construction of your life? It is available to you.

Chris Wall • Matthew 7:13-23 Most people who live in the world think they are going to heaven when they die. The sad truth is that most will walk through the door of death only to discover they were wrong. In this sermon, Jesus makes it clear that the path to destruction is wide and the path to eternal life is narrow. Though there are many false teachers who are gifted with the art of confusion, God has clearly revealed this narrow path to eternal life. In this sermon, Jesus reveals this narrow path while simultaneously exposing the way to recognize false teachers. Today, will you wisely examine your life to see if you are on that unparalleled narrow way to eternal life.

Chris Wall • Matthew 7:7-12 One of the key aspects of our unparalleled life as a believer is the benefits of the indwelling Holy Spirit. When Christ saves you, His Holy Spirit indwells you providing an interactive relationship extending through heaven. In this incredible sermon, Jesus unveils the benefits of this interactive relationship that is unparalleled in every season of life. Is the Holy Spirit indwelling in you? This can start today.

Chad Balthrop • Matthew 7:1-6 It’s the most misquoted verse in the Bible. We live in a generation that rightly rejects and ridicules judgmental people, yet struggles to practice good judgment. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus calls out hypocrites, holds the Scribes and Pharisees accountable for manipulating people, and calls some people dogs and pigs. In the middle of all that name-calling, He reminds us, “Judge not lest we be judged.” In His unparalleled way of living, Jesus teaches us how to practice good judgment without becoming judgmental.

Andrew Wade • Matthew 6:19-24 Worry is not going away. But could we begin to look at a couple of areas in our life that this passage speaks to directly and start to loosen our grip on them? Could we begin to become more dependent on King Jesus and less consumed about building our own kingdom that leaves us exhausted? Too often when we do finally recognize we need to stop worrying about something, it turns into another to do list instead of turning our hearts to God and relying on Him. This week, let's look to the author and perfector of our faith and truly be dependent on Him.

Chris Wall • Matthew 6:16-18 Every one of us are experienced fasters. Maybe not this discipline of going without meals for the purpose of prayer, but all of us have fasted in daily life. Did you ever miss a meal in school because you were focused on a test. Did you choose not to watch a certain show because work required some extra time. At some point, you had to get up early to make an appointment or lose some sleep to get a job done. When the church was younger, fasting was much more common for followers of Christ. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught us about Fasting and He did not say, “if you fast, but “when” you fast. Fasting is a spiritual discipline that God calls us to experience because it produces incredible power in your life. This week, give up something that matters to you for the sake of turning your face to Christ in prayer.

Chris Wall • Matthew 6:9-15 It is good that most people can quote the Lord’s prayer by memory. Any scripture that is memorized is profitable. At the same time, Jesus quoted this prayer in the Sermon on the Mount so that we utilize the prayer to learn to actually pray. Often our prayers become monotonous and repetitive and come off of our lips with very little meaning. This is not the kind of conversation we are to have with the Lord. This morning, lets all lean into the Lord and learn to use this famous passage of Scripture like Jesus intended: To learn how to pray.

Chris Wall • Matthew 6:5-9 Jesus defined prayer simply defined is communication with God. Communication involves both listening and talking. Prayer is a fascinating and remarkable opportunity for us. Every one of us in this room could start talking to God right now and He has the power to not only to completely understand each one of us, but His Holy Spirit miraculously leads each of us in unique ways. We need to pray not because God is somehow needy. God leads us to pray not for Him but for us. Through prayer, we come to see the Lord’s hand uniquely. We come to know the Lord’s heart specifically. We come to understand the Lord’s will directly. This morning, allow the Lord to teach you to pray.

Chris Wall • Matthew 6:14 The call to follow Christ comes with an invitation to pursue heavenly rewards. A life produces heavenly rewards when it is marked by giving, praying, fasting, serving, and growing in faith for the praise of God over man. Giving from selfless desire focused on pleasing God produces heavenly rewards you do not want to miss. At the same time, giving with a selfish desire to look spiritual in front of others produces nothing. Is your giving stretching into eternity or are you missing the blessing by giving for selfish gain, building up an ego, or working to get your name on a little plaque. Allow God to get to the heart of the matter ensuring you are on the path of giving in a way that truly counts.

Chris Wall • Matthew 5:38-48 An unparalleled life is marked by forgiveness, not retaliation. In fact, God calls us to love our enemies and do good to those who wrong you. In fact, loving our enemies is one of the ways God’s love is evident in our lives. Who are our enemies and what does it look like to love them? An enemy is someone who comes against you, curses you, uses you, and abuses you. Of course, we are not called to be “doormats” but we have a responsibility to love our enemies. Ironically, the best way to defeat an enemy is to show forgiveness. Let’s dig into this idea that we are never more like Jesus than when we are forgiving someone.

Chris Wall • Matthew 5:33-37

Chris Wall • Matthew 5:31-32 Marriage is instituted by God and provides the greatest earthly example of reconciliation. In marriage, God established the most sacred relationship known to mankind. It is this reason why the unexpected legacy of divorce needs to be exposed. Answering the call to the unparalleled life moves us to build divorce-proof marriages. This is the legacy that we must leave to our children. Jesus is not suggesting marriages should end in divorce, but God offers an unparalleled marriage awaiting every couple.

Keith Davis • Matthew 5:27-30 Jesus is preparing his disciples for the Great Commission. He's communicating to them that they must take extreme measures to protect themselves from sin and keep a Godly witness to the world.

Chris Wall • Matthew 5:20-26 When the Scripture speaks about the heart, it is describing the center of man’s being and personality. It is the source of every choice, every motivation and every activity. When it comes to challenges, the heart is often the foundation of the troubles we have with others. The heart reveals what we think and what we feel. It describes true desires or wants. It shapes decisions, choices, and beliefs. The heart describes the deep, private parts of every life. This is why Jesus connects the heart directly with peace in every relationship. Are you holding a grudge? Is there someone you need to forgive? Today is the day to experience the unparalleled response to conflict. Peace starts and continues with the heart moving you towards an unparalleled response to conflict.

Chris Wall • Matthew 5:17-20 Jesus revealed incredible truths about God’s plan for our lives and His plans for the world. As time ticks away, the unparalleled revelations of God continues to prove reveal His trustworthiness. This “heart check” moment in the sermon on the mount reveals the calling to serve the Lord from the inside out; not the outside in. Jesus is trustworthy and moves us to read, understand, memorize, and more importantly, submit to what God has revealed through His word. Today is a heart check opportunity. Let’s embrace the moment.

Chris Wall • Matthew 5:13-16 When you experienced the gift of salvation, God gave you a gift that can only be described by unparalleled resilience. We live in a world plagued by decay and darkness. The example of salt reveals the unparalleled power of salvation. The example of light on a hill and light in a house speaks to the unparalleled impact of salvation. Christ followers are salt of the earth. Christ followers are light to the world.

Chris Wall • Matthew 5:2-12 The Beatitudes - The Snapshot of a Christ Follower - Start to finish - These eight statements paint a portrait of unparalleled life produced by our relationship with Christ. These attitudes reveal the inner characteristics of the disciple of Christ. The beatitudes are the job description of the disciple. These attitudes naturally moves us to put our “YES” on the table. “Yes” to the invitation of salvation. “Yes” to repentance. “Yes” to God’s will. “Yes” to seeking the Lord. “Yes” to forgiveness. And, even “Yes” to persecution for Christ’s sake. Today, experience the blessing of an unparalleled life that says “Yes” to the call of God. Is your “YES” on the table?

Chris Wall • 2 Corinthians 5:17-25 We are therefore Christ’ Ambassadors for Christ. This is a definitive declaration of both our standing with God and our calling in life. An ambassador describes a person who acts as a representative or promoter of something specific. The background of the Sermon on the Mount is fulfilling the Ambassador mandate. Christians literally embody Christ to others. Ambassadors for Christ represent His heart, His plan, and His will. This is a calling that begins at salvation and grows all the way through the gates of heaven. The unparalleledlife of the Ambassador is the continuous becoming in the righteousness of God. Have you been declared an Ambassador for Christ? If not, the call is to come to Christ. If so, the call is to the unparalleled life of becoming righteous.