First Church Sermons

Is there a simple, repeatable formula for a successful Christian life? Pastor Tag says yes — and finds it packed into just seven verses of Psalm 37. Like stones across a creek, four key words carry us step by step: Trust, Delight, Commit, and Rest.

Stress and pressure are part of life — but the Apostle Paul, writing from some of the hardest circumstances imaginable, gives us four vivid pictures for facing them in 2 Corinthians 4. Pastor Tag walks through Paul's own words describing his emotional and physical struggles, pairing each hardship with its counterbalance and a striking illustration drawn straight from the ancient world:

What does it actually mean to represent Jesus Christ to the world? In this message from 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, Pastor Tag unpacks the striking fact that Paul uses the word "ambassador" — and what it means for every believer who carries that title.

What did Jesus actually mean when He told Nicodemus, "You must be born again"? In this message from John 3, Joe Marks unpacks a phrase that's often misunderstood — both by the world and by the church. Nicodemus was successful, respected, and rule-following — nothing like the "dramatic turnaround" story we usually picture. So why did Jesus use this language with him?

In one of the most unique moments in the Gospels, Jesus combines a short parable with a miracle — and the lesson goes far deeper than a temple tax. Pastor Tag walks through Matthew 17:24-27, where tax collectors ask Peter if Jesus pays the two-drachma temple tax. Jesus' response — a brief teaching on kings, sons, and taxation — leads to one of the most understated yet profound miracles in Scripture: a coin found in the mouth of a fish, in the exact amount needed.

What does true north look like when it comes to money and possessions? In this message from Luke 16, Pastor Bob dives into Jesus' parable of the rich man and Lazarus — a story that's often avoided because it hits close to home. Teaching the Pharisees who "loved money," Jesus paints a vivid picture of a wealthy man who ignores the beggar at his gate, and the eternal reversal that follows.

Matt Petitt returns to First Church where he grew up, got baptized, and preached his very first sermon — and shares a message working through Matthew 1:21-23 where he unpacks the announcement of Jesus' birth and points to one central truth: God's goal was never just to give us answers, but to give us Himself — Emmanuel, God with us.

Colossians often gets overlooked next to the other prison epistles — but it's packed with treasure. In this message, Pastor Tag walks through Colossians 3:1-4 and unpacks three life-changing truths for every believer in Christ: Raised Up With Christ, Keep Seeking the Things Above and Hidden With Christ.

This today’s message, Pastor Tag preaches from Paul's second letter to the Corinthians where he discusses being transformed into the image of Jesus Christ from glory to glory. Turn to 2 Corinthians 3 and listen with us.

"Therefore" is a powerful word, especially when it comes to the Gospel message. Paul spends the first seven chapters of Romans discussing humanity's problem - sin - and then provides hope so desperately needed in chapter 8. Pastor Tag unpacks Romans 8:1-3 and the hope we have IN Christ.

In our final sermon in the series, Pastor Bobby finishes our study on 2 Peter by examining what God has called us to do while waiting for His return.

In our final sermon in the series, Pastor Bobby finishes our study on 2 Peter by examining what God has called us to do while waiting for His return.

In our final sermon in the series, Pastor Bobby finishes our study on 2 Peter by examining what God has called us to do while waiting for His return.

In our final sermon in the series, Pastor Bobby finishes our study on 2 Peter by examining what God has called us to do while waiting for His return.

In our final sermon in the series, Pastor Bobby finishes our study on 2 Peter by examining what God has called us to do while waiting for His return.

It's so good to have you back with us today! As we continue in our our series on 2 Peter, Pastor Bobby begins chapter 3 and discusses the question of whether or not the Lord Jesus is really coming back again.

We're thankful you're back with us for our fifth message in "Is This For Real?" where we are studying through 2 Peter. We're completing chapter 2 as Peter continues to pull back the curtain on false prophets and false teachers.

You may have read that title and thought...yes...but it's not that straightforward. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should. In today's message, we begin chapter of 2 Peter where Pastor Bobby discusses false teachers and prophets, and the destruction they can cause.

In Week 3 of our series -- Is This For Real? -- we complete chapter 1 of 2nd Peter, where we look at whether or not we can trust the testimonies given in the Scriptures about Jesus Christ.

We're so glad you've joined us today! For today's sermon we continue on in 2 Peter 1 where Pastor Bobby delves deeper into the gift we have given. Verses 5-15 keys us into the qualities we should bear in order to maintain our calling and be richly provided and entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Welcome to First Church! We're grateful you're here with us today! Pastor Bobby begins a new series - Is This For Real? - a study through the book of 2 Peter. Through our time in Peter's letter we'll be exploring some of the doubts and questions we as Christians face. BUT FIRST we have to understand who we are in Christ and that we've been given a gift. Join us in this message on 2 Peter 1:1-4.

Hello! We're glad you've joined us for worship today! What a great way to follow up Easter Sunday, than to have baptisms. But what is baptism? Do we have to do it? If so, why should we get baptized? Pastor Bobby answers these questions in today's sermon.

Thank you for joining us for our Sunday message today! In today's sermon, Pastor Bobby asks the question "Are you ready to leave it all behind?" In light of the resurrection, we look at several stories of individuals who encounter Jesus in the gospels, and how that changed their life.

Thank you for joining us for worship today! Pastor Bobby takes a look at the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem in Matthew 21 and answers the questions .... who is Jesus?

Thank you for joining us today for worship! In today's sermon, Pastor Bobby completes the series by looking at the last of chapter 7. Jesus finishes the sermon on the mount by warning His listeners about what path they should be walking, and what foundation they should be building on.

Thank you for joining us today for worship! We begin Matthew 7 as Pastor Bobby continues in our Follow Me series which studies through the Sermon on the Mount. He covers judging one another, how good the Good Father is, and the golden rule.

Thank you for joining us today for worship! We conclude chapter 6 of Matthew in our Follow Me series where we have been studying the Sermon on the Mount. In today's message, Pastor Bobby discusses anxiety and worry and how to manage it in light of the Kingdom.

Thank you for joining us today for worship! Pastor Bobby continues in Matthew 6 in our Sermon on the Mount series called Follow Me. In this message he discusses fasting and storing up treasure in Heaven.

Thank you for joining us this week for worship! In our seventh study of our Follow Me series, we begin chapter 6 of Matthew where Pastor Bobby discusses generous giving and breaking down the Lord's prayer.

Thank you for joining us today for worship! We continue our Follow Me series by completing chapter 5 of Matthew. Pastor Bobby discusses retaliation and loving our enemies as part of Jesus's teachings in the Sermon on the Mount.

Thank you for joining us today for worship! In our fifth Follow Me sermon, Pastor Bobby takes a look at Jesus' teaching on divorce and oaths from Matthew 5:31-37.

Thank you for joining us today for worship! We continue our study through the Sermon on the Mount with looking at what Jesus teaches about anger and lust from Matthew 5:21-30.

Thank you for joining us today for worship! Joe Marks shares with us from Matthew 5:13-20, being salt and light in the world.

Thank you for joining us today for worship! In our second week of our Follow Me series, we begin chapter 5 as Pastor Bobby walks us through the Beatitudes given during the sermon on the mount.

Happy New Year! Thank you for joining us today for worship! In our first Sunday of 2026 we begin a new sermon series entitle Follow Me: The Way of the Kingdom. Pastor Bobby starts by looking at the end portion of chapter 4 which depicts the start of Jesus' ministry. We'll spend the next few months leading to Easter looking at the Sermon on the Mount.

Thank you for joining us today for worship! In our last Sunday service of 2025, Pastor Bobby recaps the last 6 months and looks ahead to 2026.

Thank you for joining us today for worship! In our last message of this series we take a look at Micah 5 and the prophecy of a Savior from the unlikeliest of places.

Thank you for joining us today for worship! This week we look at Isaiah 7-9 and how the Promised One is our help when we feel helpless. He is Emmanuel - God is with us.

Thank you for joining us today for worship! We begin a new series - A Child is Born - in which we explore the birth of children throughout the Scriptures, their importance, and how they point to Christ. In our first week we look at the birth of Seth in Genesis.

Thank you for joining us today for worship! We cap off our Let's Give Thanks series by looking at Psalm 77 where we focus on the Lord being trustworthy.

Thank you for joining us today for worship! In our fourth week of our series, Let's Give Thanks, we look at Psalm 82. In this week's psalm we learn to give thanks because God is moral, just, and right.

Thank you for joining us for worship today! In our series on mediations on the Lord from the psalms, we study Psalm 70 which shows us that the Lord God is our help and deliverer. He is mighty to save!

Thank you for joining us for worship today! We're continuing our series, Let's Give Thanks, by looking at Psalm 23 and learning about God as our Shepherd.

Thank you for joining us today for worship! We begin our new series - Let's Give Thanks - by looking at Psalm 47 and meditating on our Lord Most High as King.

Thank you for joining us for worship today! In the final message in our Let's Do Good series, Pastor Bobby takes a look at what it means to do good with our speech - how we talk to one another, how we use our words. Are you using your words for good? Watch along as we study Luke 6.

Thank you for joining us for worship today! We continue in our Let's Do Good series where we discuss how we can use our treasures to do good in our communities. Pastor Bobby gives guidelines that span the Old and New Testament on how we should steward our treasures for good.

Thank you for joining us for worship today! Pastor Bobby continues our series based on Galatians 6:10 where we have been learning how to do good with all that God has given us. In today's message we look at doing good with our talents as we study through Exodus.

Thank you for joining us for worship today! We begin a new series this morning called Let's Do Good where we take a deeper dive on Galatians 6:10 and how we can use our TIME, TREASURE, TALENT, and TALK to do good in our communities. This week we discuss TIME as we study Luke 19:11-27.

Thank you for joining us for worship today! We cap off our study of the book of Galatians by looking at chapter 6 and Paul's encouragement to bear one another's burdens, be generous and do good, and to glory in the cross of Christ alone.

Thank you for joining us for worship today! We hone in on our what freedom in Christ looks like as the apostle Paul discusses in Galatians 5.