FBCWF

The Search for Meaning

Ecclesiastes 2:1-26

Dr. Bob McCartney, Senior Pastor • February 1, 2026

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1. Amusement cannot fill the emptiness of our souls.

Listen to counsel and receive instruction so that you may be wise later in life.

Proverbs 19:20 (CSB)

“Hedonism”

The belief that the highest good in life is personal pleasure and the avoidance of pain.

and chose to suffer with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasure of sin.

Hebrews 11:25 (CSB)

Even in laughter a heart may be sad, and joy may end in grief.

Proverbs 14:13 (CSB)

2. Achievement cannot fill the emptiness of our souls.

“Materialism”

The belief that significance, security, and satisfaction are found in what you build, own, accumulate, or accomplish.

He then told them, “Watch out and be on guard against all greed, because one’s life is not in the abundance of his possessions.”

Luke 12:15 (CSB)

3. First Conclusion: Disappointment and Direction

• Disappointment in “under the sun” living.

• Direction that there must be more.

When Having It All, Still Leaves You Empty

Ecclesiastes 1:1–11

Dr. Bob McCartney, Senior Pastor • January 18, 2026

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1. Life is pointless when we leave God out.

For the idols speak falsehood, and the diviners see illusions; they relate empty dreams and offer empty comfort. Therefore the people wander like sheep; they suffer affliction because there is no shepherd.

Zechariah 10:2 (CSB)

Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring—what your life will be! For you are like vapor that appears for a little while, then vanishes.

James 4:14 (CSB)

For the creation was subjected to futility—not willingly, but because of him who subjected it—in the hope

Romans 8:20 (CSB)

2. Life is repetitious when we leave God out.

3. Life is disappointing when we leave God out.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

John 10:10 (NASB 95)

AN UNSTOPPABLE FORCE

State of the Church – 2026

Matthew 16:13–18

Dr. Bob McCartney, Senior Pastor • January 11, 2026

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1. There Is a Question We Must Clearly Answer

A. The Question of Popular Opinion

B. The Question of Personal Commitment

“So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us… depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me.”

Colossians 1:28–29, NLT

2. There Is an Obstacle We Must Constantly Attack

A. The Foundation of the Church

B. The Mission of the Church

C. The Power of the Church

Grace Pays The Check

Colossians 2:13-15

Dr. Bob McCartney, Senior Pastor • January 4, 2026

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1. The weight we cannot lose

2. The written record against us

“Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not conceal my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah”.

Psalms 32:5 CSB

3. The win that grace provides

“When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then bowing his head, he gave up his spirit. ”

John 19:30 CSB

“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree; so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds, you have been healed.”

1 Peter 2:24 CSB

Be Real

Matthew 7:15-23 (ESV)

Sam Midgett, Student Pastor, Lakepointe Church • December 28, 2025

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1. Be Real about the dangers of fake gospels.

2. Be Real about what shapes you.

3. Be real about saving faith.

The Moment of Christmas

Galatians 4:4–5

Dr. Bob McCartney, Senior Pastor • December 24, 2025

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“But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.”

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it.

John 1:1–5 (CSB)

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14 (NASB95)

The Message of Christmas

Luke 2:16-20

Dr. Bob McCartney, Senior Pastor • December 21, 2025

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The Mission of Christmas

Luke 19:10

Dr. Bob McCartney, Senior Pastor • December 14, 2025

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1. We need rescue because we are fallen and lost.

And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

Genesis 3:15–16 (NIV84)

But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

Galatians 4:4–5 (NASB95)

And you were dead in your trespasses and sins,

Ephesians 2:1 (NASB95)

But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.

Isaiah 59:2 (NASB95)

2. We cannot save ourselves; We must be rescued.

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,

Colossians 2:13 (NIV84)

3. Jesus alone can restore our broken relationship with God.

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 14:6 (CSB)

For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus,

1 Timothy 2:5 (CSB)

There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.

Acts 4:12 (CSB)

The Meaning of Christmas

Matthew 1:23

Dr. Bob McCartney, Senior Pastor • December 7, 2025

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The Incarnation is the doctrine that God the Son, without ceasing to be God, took on human flesh and became fully human.

1. The Incarnation means God came to us.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.

John 1:1–4 (NASB95)

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14 (NASB95)

2. The Incarnation means God identifies with us.

Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.

Hebrews 2:17–18 (NASB95)

For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.

Hebrews 4:15 (NASB95)

3. The Incarnation means God cares for us.

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

John 3:16 (NASB95)

The Gift of With

John 1:9-14

Steven Patterson, Student Pastor • November 30, 2025

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1. Advent is a season that calls us to receive the gift of God’s presence
2. Advent is a season that calls us to give the gift of our presence.

1. The quality of our lives is directly affected by the quality of our relationships

1. Giving the gift of our presence will take intentionality, but it’s not too late.