Where is your “security?”  What makes you feel “safe” in this world?

In our passage, Jesus addresses the issue of security:  spiritual security, and eternal security.  Years ago people mentioned it often in churches; it was important then, and it is important now!  Jesus thought enough of the issue to address it directly:

John 10:22-30

This passage can help us to understand that Faith in Jesus Christ can give you a strong sense of spiritual security

God wants us to feel safe secure! A secure salvation can provide an unshakeable foundation for our lives.

A strong and mature faith in Jesus can provide you with an unshakeable foundation for your life.  Trust Jesus completely, and experience the strength and security only God can give!

We'd love to have you join us every Sunday at 500 West Truman Road in Independence. Sunday School starts at 9:00AM, Fellowship at 10:00, and Sunday Service at 10:30.

If you would like to contribute to our ministry, you can do so by clicking here.

Life or death; joy or misery.  There are times when it seems that the extremes of experience are our only choices!

In our passage today, we see the prophet Ezekiel telling of a vision he experienced, that spoke to a people who felt as if they had no hope in this world. We reference Ezekiel 37:1-14 today. This passage contains a message of hope for those who follow God in faith:

1. Times of despair and hopelessness come to us all.

• May come to Christian and non-Christian alike. 

• God’s Spirit can give us power in our weakness.

Regardless of our circumstances, God loves us and provides for us a reason for hope; He will continue to be our God, and help us recover from our suffering, and rebuild our lives.

We'd love to have you join us every Sunday at 500 West Truman Road in Independence. Sunday School starts at 9:00AM, Fellowship at 10:00, and Sunday Service at 10:30.

If you would like to contribute to our ministry, you can do so by clicking here.

What would you think if someone brought up “the rapture” in a conversation?  Interestingly, the idea of the “rapture” is very common in Christian circles; it is something most Christians anticipate!  Also, it is something that has been a part of the Christian faith since the very beginning.

We reference I Thessalonians 4:13-18 for today's scripture

What are some of the ideas contained in this passage?

1. Jesus will care for his people in death

2. Jesus will return to take us home with Him

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.  “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him.”

We'd love to have you join us every Sunday at 500 West Truman Road in Independence. Sunday School starts at 9:00AM, Fellowship at 10:00, and Sunday Service at 10:30.

If you would like to contribute to our ministry, you can do so by clicking here.

Do you remember the old Children’s rhyme about the church, formed by your fingers? As you hold fingers together then turn them “inside out,” you say, “Here is the church, and here is the steeple, open the doors and here are the people.” 

The point of that children’s rhyme is to talk about the people, isn’t it? Because kids have to be taught that even though a building is nice and useful, when it comes to the church, it’s all about the people!

God’s people – formed into the Church by the Spirit of God, are God’s way of changing our world.  Jesus spoke of this process in his teaching ministry to the disciples:  Matthew 16:13-19

Here are a couple of ideas Jesus gave his disciples that day:

1. The Church is based upon Jesus, and his work on the cross

God’s people are The Church!  He calls us and shapes us, and equips us to work for His Kingdom on earth.

We'd love to have you join us every Sunday at 500 West Truman Road in Independence. Sunday School starts at 9:00AM, Fellowship at 10:00, and Sunday Service at 10:30.

If you would like to contribute to our ministry, you can do so by clicking here.

Whenever you talk about the ‘old time religion,’ specifically of the Christian faith, you will encounter many sermons and teachings on the Holy Spirit.  Jesus himself talked much about the “Spirit:” in John 14:15-18

What do Jesus, and the other writers of the Bible, have to say about this Spirit? We'll discuss the main points of 

The Holy Spirit is God’s presence on earth!  When you sense God’s presence, that is the Holy Spirit; when you feel God leading you, that is the Holy Spirit.  And, when you feel a pang of guilt or conviction over something you have said or done, that is the Holy Spirit.  He is, literally, everywhere doing the work of God!

We'd love to have you join us every Sunday at 500 West Truman Road in Independence. Sunday School starts at 9:00AM, Fellowship at 10:00, and Sunday Service at 10:30.

If you would like to contribute to our ministry, you can do so by clicking here.

Interestingly, the sort of thing that has been preached for centuries by ministers of the Gospel – lives changed by Jesus is a powerful, yet ‘normal’ story for those who are in the faith! The message of Jesus is the same today as it has been since his birth – it is the message of the Gospel, the ‘good news’ of Jesus.

If you could go back in time and listen to an ‘old time’ gospel message, here is an idea of what you might hear:

• The Gospel is God’s way of saving and changing human lives

God loves everyone; Jesus died for everyone; and the Gospel is the power of God for salvation – for everyone!

We'd love to have you join us every Sunday at 500 West Truman Road in Independence. Sunday School starts at 9:00AM, Fellowship at 10:00, and Sunday Service at 10:30.

If you would like to contribute to our ministry, you can do so by clicking here.

We always need direction, don’t we?

God knows we need help in this life – all of us!  And because He loves us, He wants to help so God gives us guidance in the important areas of our lives. Today we'll discuss a couple of areas where God helps us:

God’s Word “cuts through” the nonsense and crazy thinking we pick up in this world – and can guide us into truth, and life.  The author of Hebrews said it like this:  “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)

We'd love to have you join us every Sunday at 500 West Truman Road in Independence. Sunday School starts at 9:00AM, Fellowship at 10:00, and Sunday Service at 10:30.

If you would like to contribute to our ministry, you can do so by clicking here.

Today we begin a series talking about that “Old Time Religion.” And we begin by talking about the very foundation of that good and wholesome faith – God’s love. 

Our text comes from I John 4:7-16

You will hear how Eternal and transforming love is God’s defining characteristic and God’s love is a transforming power in the lives of His people.

“Love is patient and kind.  Love is not  jealous or boastful or proud or rude.  Love does not demand its own way.  Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of what has been wronged.  It is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.  Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”    (I Corinthians 13:4-7)

We'd love to have you join us every Sunday at 500 West Truman Road in Independence. Sunday School starts at 9:00AM, Fellowship at 10:00, and Sunday Service at 10:30.

If you would like to contribute to our ministry, you can do so by clicking here.

The Christmas story addresses the most profound problems of humanity.  This is the final part of the series asking the question, “What do you want for Christmas?”  The answer for today and addressed by Jesus’ birth is very simple:  “I want to have a good now, and forever.” 

How can the birth of Jesus, so long ago, affect our desire for a good life both now, and into eternity?  Our text can help: Luke 1:26-37

Today we'll talk about:

• Jesus birth shows us that God’s power is at work on earth

God is at work – both now, and in the hereafter!

 “For our perishable earthly bodies must be transformed into heavenly bodies that will never die.  When this happens – when our perishable earthly bodies have been transformed into heavenly bodies that will never die – then at last the scriptures will come true: “Death is swallowed up in victory. . . How we thank God, who gives us victory over sin and death through Jesus Christ our Lord!’ (I Corinthians 15:53-4, 57)

We'd love to have you join us every Sunday at 500 West Truman Road in Independence. Sunday School starts at 9:00AM, Fellowship at 10:00, and Sunday Service at 10:30.

If you would like to contribute to our ministry, you can do so by clicking here.

It is a special Christmas Eve service at First Baptist.

11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,