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Peter asks Jesus an honest question. He wants to know how far forgiveness can go. How many times do we forgive? Jesus answers his question with a story, a parable. In Matthew 18:21-35, we are challenged with the parable of the unforgiving...

The season of Epiphany ends with the story of the Transfiguration. In this story Jesus turns toward the Cross. On this dynamic occasion, Jesus takes Peter, James and John with him to the top of mountain. There they experience an impressiv...

As we survey the feeding of the five thousand, we are reminded of how Jesus calls us to join Him. We, like the disciples, do not have what it takes to fulfill God’s mission in our world. Yet Jesus will empower our small offerings to compl...

Jesus often teaches his followers through parables. In Matthew 13:24-43, Jesus describes the Kingdom of God as weeds growing beside wheat, a mustard seed becoming a large tree and yeast working its way through dough. As we reflect on thes...

As Jesus instructs his followers in Kingdom living, he uses a dramatic illustration. We are walking around attempting to remove specks from the eyes of others while a plank protrudes from our own eye. In turn, we should treat others the w...

Jesus instructs us to be careful where we place our stockpiles, our treasures. He instructs us to build them in eternal places. As we do so, our hearts will gravitate toward those places.

As we gather to discuss a new venture for our congregation, we discuss Jesus’ admonition to allow our lives, our stories to impact the world around us. The story team will be sharing a plan to publish the spiritual stories of the congrega...

The first event in the ministry of Jesus takes place in the wilderness. John the Baptist, in Elijah-like style, calls out to those seeking God’s movement in the world. He tells them to be ready. God is on the move once again and is bringi...

The song Twelve Days of Christmas remind us that Christmas does not happen on one day. In fact, it actually begins on Christmas Day and goes through the evening of January 5. January 6 is the celebration of Epiphany. This celebration mark...

Troy Hershman will be sharing about the visit from the shepherds in Luke 2. We will be gathered in a combined service at 10:45 AM on this date.

On this Sunday before Christmas, we consider the tremendous faith of Joseph. While the news of Mary’s pregnancy must have been devastating, the angel reveals to Joseph the life and mission of Jesus. Joseph responds in faith by naming Jesu...

On this third Sunday of Advent, we continue to anticipate God showing up. We read from Isaiah 42 and consider how Jesus fulfills these ancient words. As God promised through Isaiah, Jesus’ work of one of rescue, restoration that will make...

The season of Advent is a time of waiting, trusting, depending on God to act and move. In the story of Esther, God calls a young queen to risk it all. Her cousin Mordecai prods her to step out in faith in order to save her people. In the ...

Habakkuk is a little known jewel in the Old Testament. At a time when it seems that evil is winning, Habakkuk questions God. In turn, God responds to Habakkuk’s doubts by revealing an unlikely plan to use evil in the world to accomplish g...

The words of Jeremiah in the Temple challenge modern readers to examine their understanding of the church. Many attend church to enhance their lives or to seek blessing from God. Instead, God desires for his people to submit their lives t...

As we come to Harvest Sunday, we express our gratitude for all that God has given to us. Our provision aids our trust in God. Yet when circumstances overwhelm us, it is often hard to trust God. In this week’s story, we consider Hezekiah’s...

The story of God has many facets. A key component in God’s story is the prophetic message. Throughout the story, prophets come and go. But their consistent message of a coming Messiah and God’s provision for His people encourage Israel th...

The story of Naaman is one of difficult circumstances used for the ultimate glory of God. God reveals himself to Naaman in the midst of faithless and faith-filled people. In the end, God is glorified though those who act in faith. In our ...

King Solomon quickly discovers the complexity of leading the people of God. In 1 Kings 3:4-15, Solomon encounters God in a dream or night vision. He is asked an important question; his answer will greatly impact his life and his rule. As ...

King Solomon quickly discovers the complexity of leading the people of God. In 1 Kings 3:4-15, Solomon encounters God in a dream or night vision. He is asked an important question; his answer will greatly impact his life and his rule. As ...

The story of David and Bathsheba would qualify for a TV mini-series or blockbuster movie. We have all the elements; adultery, sex, misuse of power, lying, and murder litter the story. But the Bible records more than just the historical ac...

As God continues to establish His people as a holy nation, He gives them instructions on how to live. The Commandments are not list of stale rules, they are life-giving directives that empower us to live as God’s people.

God dramatically delivers his people out of the grips of Egyptian slavery. Yet when they get into their first difficult situation, they quickly question God’s intentions. Even so, God rescues them and restores their faith in Him.

The story of Joseph is one of ups and downs. Genesis 39 is about Joseph’s encounter with Potiphar’s wife. While Joseph remains faithful to God, he ends up in prison. Yet God continues to be present in Joseph’s life. In the same way, we ca...

As we begin working through the Narrative Lectionary, we come to the story of Noah. God’s Creation is on a downward spiral and it has reached the bottom. God steps in and saves humankind through Noah. This story is central to God’s story ...

As we conclude our series on the Holy Spirit, we discuss the crucial reliance on the power of the Holy Spirit. As Paul concludes his letter to the church at Ephesus, he highlights the importance of the Holy Spirit’s role in the cosmic bat...

We will gather in a combined service at 10:45 AM to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Pastor Wade Allen and his family coming to Muncie. We will continue to reflect on the work of the Holy Spirit in this particular call. We will share sto...

As we are empowered by the Holy Spirit, we are given gifts of service. These gifts are given for the common good of the church and used to build up the church. Paul uses the image of body to describe how these gifts function. When we are ...

The familiar story of Nicodemus reminds us that we must experience new birth in order to enter the Kingdom of God. As we continue in this series, we consider Jesus description of Holy Spirit’s work in this passage. Jesus describes this ne...

As we continue our series on the Holy Spirit, we come to the story of the woman at the well. This is often related as a story about Jesus crossing social and cultural barriers. Yet Jesus’ primary message to the Samaritan woman is an oppor...

In our second week of our study on the Holy Spirit, we discuss the work/role of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is active in our reading Scripture, speaking through his servants and our praying. As we learn more about the work of the Hol...

As we begin a sermon series about the Holy Spirit, we examine the prominence of the Holy Spirit in the Gospels. Too often we think of the Holy Spirit as solely after Pentecost. In this sermon we discover the Spirit as central to the life ...

As we conclude our series in the first epistle of John, we find love as a central characteristic of the true God follower. As we discover and live in God’s love, love is the natural outflow of our lives.

We gathered in a combined service at 10:45 AM on this holiday weekend. Jim Sandberg preached the third sermon in our series over John’s first epistle. Jim has preached many times at First Baptist.

John highlights the incompatible nature of light and darkness. In other words, walking with Jesus while living in sin is a lie. In this passage, John calls us to honest exposure of our sin so that we can experience the unmatched forgivene...

As we begin a four week series in 1 John, we explore the opening words of this epistle. John relates his experience with the eternal Word of Life. He proclaims his first hand experience (seeing, touching, hearing) to refute false theories...

As we conclude our study in the Ten Commandments, we are instructed to not covet. We should not look around at what our neighbor has and desire to posses it. Desire often gets disordered. We forget the gifts that God has given as we seek ...

As we continue to discuss the Ten Commandments, the second table focuses on our relationships with others. Certainly, this is not distinct from our relationship with God, but this second set of commandments challenges us in our relationsh...

As we explore the first table of the Ten Commandments, we discover that we serve a God who loves us deeply and wants an exclusive relationship with us. This is a gift. In this first set of commandments, God outlines what it means to live ...

As we begin our series on the Ten Commandments, we are reminded that the Commandments are not a moral code for the world. They are a gift to the people of God who have already been rescued and redeemed. In this introduction sermon, we dis...

On Pentecost Sunday, we gather to celebrate the birth of the church. The church is the gathered people of God; it is not a building. The church is also a mystery described as the Body of Christ, the Bride of Christ and the Family of God. ...

On Ascension Sunday, we consider the events surrounding the Ascension of Jesus. While the disciples were looking for a timeline and specific details about what was coming next, Jesus calls them trust and wait. As we consider the arduous t...

As Jesus prepares for his departure, he prays. In John 17, we can learn much from Jesus’ prayer for his disciples and for us. We discover that God’s mission includes leaving us in the midst of a dangerous world in order to expose God’s lo...

As we continue to explore Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances through the season of Easter, we come to one of the least likely appearances. In Acts 9, Jesus appears to one of Christianity’s vilest opponents. We explore this week Saul’s c...

Jesus’ third appearance to his disciples took place in the same region, same area where he initially invited them to follow him. As he shared breakfast with them, he restored their failures and called them to renew their commit to follow ...

Jesus’ appearance to the disciples turns fear into joy. However, a missing disciple doubts. Jesus does not leave him in his doubt, but returns offering a challenge to all who would follow.

Neil Kring will be preaching on Mark 15:16-41 as we reflect on Jesus’ crucifixion.

As we make our way toward Easter, we walk with Jesus through his final days with his disciples. Mark’s intention has been to reveal Jesus as Messiah. In the passage that relates the story of his betrayal and trial, we see Jesus laser focu...

As Jesus closes out his ministry on earth and looks toward the cross, he knows that the road will not always be easy. He gives his disciples a glimpse of what is to come. As we study Mark 13, we are reminded that following Jesus involves ...

Wilisha Scaife will be preaching on March 4. Wilisha spoke at First Baptist this past summer. She is currently employed at Ball State University, in the Elementary Education Department, as an instructor and a Family-Community Engagement L...