First Baptist Church, Key Largo, Florida

Jesus resurrection from the dead was the core message of the earliest Christians and remians the basis of our hope and faith.

Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday to the delight of his followers and the rebuke of his enemies. When given the chance to speak up about our faith in Christ, whose example so we most often follow?

A woman caught in adultery faced a harsh judgement, yet Jesus offered her grace and forgiveness. He also offered a reminder to the crowd, and to us, that we find it easier to judge others than ourselves.

Jesus is the "stone the builders rejected that has become the cornerstone." And his forgiveness and grace fashions us into the living stones that make us His church.

Moses broke the tablets with the commandments inscribed by the hand of God when he saw the people turn to old habits so quickly. And we, too, see our own tendency to break the commands of God. But more than broken rules, we are shown to be broken people in need of a Savior.

The activity of our lives can not only cause us to miss the voice of God, but we can thwart the activity of God in our lives and on our behalf.

Too often, we want the powerful and obvious move from God in our lives. But He most often speaks to us, as Elijah learned, in a still, small voice that we have to be still and listen for.

With so much to do, we can feel overwhelmed. But the example of Jesus shows that time alone with God in prayer remains both a priority and key to productivity.

Our world keeps us busy and distracted, almost forcing us to multitask to keep up. But God calls us to the opposite, to find a place of stillness to be reminded that we are not defined by how much we can get done. (apologies for audio issues near end)

We are looking at the things we do in church and try to answer the 'why.' This week we talk about baptism and the Lord's Supper (or communion), whcih are the two ordinances of our church.

We are looking at the things we do in church and try to answer the 'why.' This week we talk about why we collect an offering.

We are looking at the things we do in church and try to answer the 'why.' This week we talk about why we have encourage others to follow Jesus and have an invitation, or altar call, after the sermon.

We are looking at the things we do in church and try to answer the 'why.' This week we talk about the two things that take up most of the time in a church service - singing and preaching. (Apologies for poor audio)

It can feel like some of the things we do at church are more out of habit than anything. So we are going to look at the things we do in church and try to answer the 'why.' This week we talk about why we even need to go to church.

A new year brings high hopes. Paul offers a prayer for us to realize the promise of a new year based on the hope we have in Christ Jesus.

God interrupted Mary's life with the news of Jesus' birth. Her response demonstrates the attitudes necessary to be used of God, even when we feel unprepared or inadequate.

Advent reminds us that God is faithful to keep His promises, even though the brokenness of humanity and our own tendency to stray may cause us not to see it so clearly.

To follow the servant example of Jesus can be difficult. We can become discouraged, bitter and burn out at all the demands. Today we discuss five ways that can help us have many years of joyful, healthy, fulfilling service to God and His people.

Rather than seperate ourselves by thinking we are better than others like the elder brother in the parable of the prodigal son, we can follow the example of Jesus who came to seek and serve those needing a Savior.

Jesus gave his followers an up close lesson in serving when He, their Messiah, took up the towel and washed their feet.

Everyone wants to be great. But Jesus, the greatest person who ever lived, both teaches and demonstrates that the in His kingdom things are a upside down.

Though granted great wisdom by God, Solomon didn't always make the wisest personal choices. His learns that isolating yourself can lead you into struggles.

Guest Speaker Jim Roper, Teaching Pastor at Island Community Church, brings this week's message.

Though granted great wisdom by God, Solomon didn't always make the wisest personal choices. His life shows that ignoring the wisdom of God will ruin your life.

Though granted great wisdom by God, Solomon didn't always make the wisest personal choices. His life shows that pursuing pleasure is not the route to happiness.

In the sermon on the mount, Jesus reminds us that He and His kingdom are to be our first priority. Devoting our energy there, instead of to worry, leads to worship.

The book of Psalms, the longest in the Bible, was the worship book of Israel. In it we can learn various ways to praise our great God.

The archangel Lucifer was uniquely created to worship God, but his pride and ambition led to his fall. We, too, are uniquely created to worship God and must guard against the temptations of the enemy.

We are all worshipping something. Are we worshipping God, the only One who is worthy? Or have we made a poor trade and put anything else in His place?

With the near daily reports of tragedy and violence, many are wondering if the return of Christ is near. While no one can know the time for sure, the Bible is clear on the way we should live in any age.

After a(nother) week of violence and protests, it is easy to become discouraged. Rather we should seek to live out our faith in a way that can make a difference.

As we celebrate July 4th this week in the midst of an election season, these are my thoughts on what I might say to the next president.

Today we hear from those who took the mission trip to Cuba about how God used them there. (Apologies that the recording cuts off)

Dr. Gary Johnson of the Miami Baptist Association with a message to and for fathers.

We all have something unique to 'bring to the table', a way we are uniquely created to serve in God's family.

When considering the disciples of Jesus, we can see ourselves and be reminded that everyone is welcome at His table.

Rahab, a prostitute, is listed in both the geneology of Jesus and in Hebrews 11 because of her great faith.

Near the end of his life, the Apostle Paul gives 3 pieces of advice that we can all use as we try to live out our faith and follow Jesus.

Just because something seems unfair does not mean it isn't true. So when we dismiss the claims of Jesus because we find them narrow and unfair, we never grapple with the fact that they just might be true.

All religions have their list of rights and wrongs. And since no one can follow the rules perfectly, we are put at odds with God. But rather than asking us to do something for Him, God did for us what we couldn't do.

Religions can get a little odd and more often than not get in the way of authenticity toward God. Rather than ask whose religion is right, the better question to ask is 'Who is Jesus?'

Religion has negative connotations and a checkered history. Jesus came not to start a new religion, but to give us a new starting point of faith - forgiveness.

The empty tomb has inspired many explanations, but the most convincing remains that Jesus rose from the dead.

Jesus invites us to follow Him. But to do so means the risk of faith and the reality of the cross.

The cross makes available to all who believe complete forgiveness, freedom from guilt, and eternal life.

There is a connection between selflessness and happiness. Sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself is to not be so focused on yourself.

Jesus tells us that we cannot serve two masters. And in saying that he indicates that a key competitor for our devotion to God is money.

Many mistake the pursuit of pleasure as seeking happiness. But they are much different and lead to very different outcomes: one leads to peace and the other becomes a prison.

Happy people are people who do have one thing: peace. And the most important peace we can have is peace with God.

The most complete record in the Bible of a sermon Jesus preached is known as the sermon on the mount. He begins it by helping to define what exactly happiness is.