First Baptist Church Big Spring Podcast

In today’s sermon, The Faith Test, Pastor Mark takes us into the opening chapter of James and one of the most challenging commands in Scripture: to count it all joy when we face trials of various kinds.

Drawing from James 1:2–4, Pastor Mark reminds us that spiritual maturity is not developed in comfort, but in trials and testing. God uses difficult seasons to strengthen our faith, deepen our dependence on Him, and shape us into the people He desires us to be.

This message highlights three key areas through which God often tests and grows our faith:

Difficulties – How do we respond when life doesn't go according to plan?

Demands – How do we handle the commands give to us by God in Scripture?

Dollars – What does our stewardship of money reveal about our trust in God?

Through every trial, God is at work producing perseverance and maturity in His people. The testing of our faith is never wasted when it is surrendered to Him.

Listen in and be encouraged to trust God in the midst of life's challenges, knowing that He is using every test to strengthen your faith and make you more like Christ.

In this episode of That Ain’t In the Bible, Jonathan and Brandon step directly into one of the most opinionated areas of church culture: what should people wear to church on Sundays?

Should Christians wear their “Sunday best”? Are suits and ties more honoring to God? Is casual clothing disrespectful? And at what point do our personal preferences quietly become unwritten church rules?

With plenty of spicy hot takes, honest conversation, and probably at least one accidental offense to everybody listening, the guys unpack the difference between biblical principles, cultural expectations, and church tradition. They discuss modesty, reverence, motives of the heart, and why churches across different cultures and generations often approach this topic so differently.

Most importantly, the episode reminds listeners that while God certainly cares about our hearts, many times we become far more focused on outward appearance than Scripture actually does.

Because while clothing is definitely in the Bible… the official dress code for Sunday morning worship? Yeah… that ain’t in the Bible.

In today’s sermon, The Cost of Following, Pastor Mark walks through Luke 9:51–62 and Jesus’ challenging call to true discipleship. As Jesus sets His face toward Jerusalem, He makes it clear that following Him is not casual, convenient, or comfortable—it requires surrender and sacrifice.

Through this passage, we are reminded that discipleship demands that Jesus become the highest priority in every area of life. Pastor Mark highlights three powerful lessons from the text:

Jesus must have priority over our possessions

Jesus must have priority over our plans

Jesus must have priority over our past

This message challenges us to examine whether we are truly following Christ wholeheartedly or simply fitting Him into the margins of our lives. Following Jesus may require radical sacrifice, but it is always worth it.

Listen in and be encouraged to lay aside distractions, trust Christ fully, and count the cost of genuine discipleship.

In this episode of That Ain’t In the Bible, Jonathan and Brandon step carefully—very carefully—into one of the most discussed traditions in church life: who should participate in the Lord’s Supper?

Should communion be open, closed, or somewhere in between? What do different churches and traditions believe, and more importantly, what does Scripture actually teach?

Along the way, the guys discuss why many Baptists prefer the term “The Lord’s Supper” over other terms, and why they do not believe “sacrament” is the best way to describe it. They unpack the difference between an ordinance and a sacrament, as well as a memorial meal, while also exploring how church history and denominational traditions have shaped modern practice.

As expected, there may be a few hot takes and some theological rabbit trails. Because while the Lord’s Supper is absolutely in the Bible… the exact modern systems, methods, and labels surrounding it?

Yeah… that ain’t in the Bible.

In today’s sermon, Cleanliness Is Next to Godliness, Pastor Mark walks through Mark 7:1–8 and Jesus’ confrontation with the Pharisees over outward traditions and appearances. While religion often focuses on external behavior and looking spiritually polished, Jesus points to something far deeper—the condition of the heart.

Pastor Mark reminds us that a true relationship with Jesus is not built on appearances, rituals, or simply following man-made traditions. God is concerned with what is happening inside of us. While outward actions matter, they are meant to flow from a heart that genuinely knows and follows Christ.

This message challenges us to examine whether our faith is merely external or truly transformational. Are we more focused on looking religious, or on allowing Jesus to change us from the inside out?

Listen in and be reminded that Jesus did not come simply to improve appearances—He came to transform hearts.

In this potentially employment-ending episode of That Ain’t In the Bible, Jonathan and Brandon bravely venture into one of the most sacred areas of Southern Baptist church life: committees.

Spoiler alert: the committee structure most modern churches use is… not actually found in Scripture. Now before anyone schedules a special-called business meeting, the guys make something very clear:
Does that make committees wrong? No.Does that make them right? Also no.Are they in the Bible? Still no.

Committees are one of the perfectly fine and allowable ways of governing the church, but that doesn't mean they are in the Bible.

In this episode, Jonathan and Brandon discuss the difference between biblical principles and practical methods, while trying very hard not to accidentally get themselves voted out during the next quarterly meeting. Along the way, they talk about why churches created committees, where they can be helpful, where they can become unhealthy, and why committee membership should not the primary contribution a church member makes to serving their local church, as well as why sometimes we defend our church structure with more passion than actual Bible verses.

There may be a few hot takes, a little self-inflicted Baptist humor, and at least one moment where the guys realize they may need to update their résumés after recording this episode. Because while church leadership and accountability are definitely in the Bible… the 9-member Committee on Committees or the 81 people it takes to fill all your church committees, Yeah, That Ain't in the Bible.

In today’s sermon, The Enemy, Pastor Mark brings a bold and challenging message from Ephesians 6:10–13, reminding us that the battle facing the church is not merely physical, personal, or political—it is spiritual.

Drawing from the teachings of the Apostle Paul, Pastor Mark calls believers to examine their hearts, attitudes, and actions within the body of Christ. He reminds us that if Christ is truly the head of the local church, then our personal opinions cannot take priority over His will. As believers, we must handle influence, leadership, and even disagreements with humility, wisdom, and love.

This message also points us back to Jesus’ words in John 17:20–23 and John 13, where we are reminded that unity and love among believers matter deeply to God. When the body of Christ becomes divided, everyone loses.

Pastor Mark also delivers a powerful reminder about worship: real worship is when a part of you dies as you surrender yourself fully to God. This sermon is both convicting and encouraging, calling the church to spiritual maturity, unity, and wholehearted devotion to Christ.

And ultimately, Pastor Mark leaves us with a sobering truth: You are either being used by the enemy to destroy the church, or you are being used by God to protect the church.

In this incredibly long episode of That Ain’t In the Bible, Jonathan and Brandon take on a surprisingly passionate topic: should drinks—and maybe even food—be allowed in the church sanctuary? We made it extra long since we missed last week!

Is there a biblical command about coffee cups near the pews? Does bringing a drink into the sanctuary cross some spiritual line… or is that more about tradition than biblical mandate?

With a few hot takes, some lighthearted “calling out,” and plenty of honest conversation, the guys dig into what Scripture actually says (and doesn’t say) while exploring how churches can think wisely about reverence, distraction, stewardship, and hospitality.

Along the way, they might step on a few toes—lovingly, of course—as they challenge listeners to separate biblical principles from personal preferences. Because while worship is clearly in the Bible… your travel mug in the sanctuary? Yeah… that ain’t in the Bible.

Referenced Articles

Church Media Creators on Belonging

Yale Study on Listening Better when Having Drinks/Snacks

In this week’s sermon, The Power of a God Encounter, Pastor Mark takes us to Jacob’s life-changing moment in Genesis 32:22–32. What began as a struggle in the night became a transforming encounter with God—one that left Jacob forever changed.

Pastor Mark teaches that if we truly desire a real encounter with God, two things must happen: We must empty ourselves—laying down pride, control, and self-reliance and we must expend ourselves—fully engaging, holding nothing back, and seeking God with everything we have.

But how do we know we’ve truly encountered God? This message points to two clear evidences: A life marked by enduring transformation and an engaging testimony that reflects what God has done

This sermon challenges us to move beyond surface-level faith and pursue a genuine, life-altering encounter with God—one that changes how we live and what we share.

Listen in and be encouraged to seek God with your whole heart—and be ready to be changed.

In today’s sermon, Plastic Faith, Pastor Mark challenges us to examine whether our faith is genuine or merely outward and empty. Walking through Mark 11:12–26—including the cursing of the fig tree and the cleansing of the temple—we are confronted with a powerful picture of what authentic faith truly looks like.

This message calls us away from superficial religion and into a real, vibrant relationship with God—one that bears fruit and reflects a heart fully devoted to Him.

As a practical step, Pastor Mark introduces a simple but meaningful discipline: a 10-minute daily reset. In a world full of noise and distraction, we are encouraged to unplug and spend intentional time with God each day through:

Adore — focusing on who God is: His character, faithfulness, and beauty

Ask — seeking God’s will, not just presenting a list of needs

Attend — sitting in silence and listening for God

This sermon is both convicting and refreshing, reminding us that God desires more than appearances—He desires hearts that are truly His.

Listen in and be challenged to move beyond “plastic faith” and allow Jesus to plant something real and lasting in your life.