First Baptist Church Decatur

In Exodus 3:1–4:17, God calls Moses to lead the Israelites out of slavery, and Moses responds with questions, doubts, and excuses. Through Moses’ encounter with God, we discover that our calling does not depend on our own worthiness or abilities, but on God’s presence, power, and provision. Even when we feel inadequate or want God to send someone else, He promises to equip and help us accomplish His purposes. Because Jesus was obedient to the Father’s call, even to death on the cross, we are saved and sent to live faithfully for Him. God is calling each of us to obedience, generosity, and service in His kingdom. How will you answer? 

What does it really mean to follow Jesus? In this message from Luke 9:23–25, we discover that following Christ is more than adding faith to our existing lives—it requires surrendering our rights, reorienting our focus toward Jesus and others, and taking up our cross daily. True discipleship is a voluntary, costly, and lifelong commitment that places Christ above our own desires, comfort, and ambitions. Jesus calls us not simply to admire Him, but to surrender to Him and walk with Him every day. 

In this sermon from 2 Timothy 4, Pastor Blake explores Paul’s urgent plea to Timothy: “Come before winter.” None of us knows how much time we have left, and the opportunities God gives us today may not be available tomorrow. Through this powerful message, we are challenged to consider who we need to talk to, who needs to hear our story of faith in Jesus, and who needs our presence. Ultimately, we are reminded not to put off what matters most—including surrendering our lives to Christ—and to make the most of the time God has given us, living with the hope that, for those who belong to Jesus, winter is not the end but the beginning of eternity with Him. 

In the final message of the Holy sermon series, Pastor Blake turns to Revelation 4:1–11 to explore why God alone is worthy of our worship. Through the vision of God’s heavenly throne, we are reminded that He is sovereign, holy, and deserving of all glory, honor, and power. As we recognize who God truly is, we are called to surrender our lives, trust His authority, and worship Him not just on Sundays, but in everything we do. The series concludes with the reminder that through the sacrifice of Jesus, the worthy Lamb of God, we have been redeemed and given the privilege of drawing near to a holy God. 

In 1 Peter 1:13–19, we see that holiness begins with God’s grace, not our efforts to earn His acceptance. Because Christ has redeemed us with His precious blood, we are called to set our hope fully on Him and live as children who reflect the holiness of the God who has already made us His. 

Holy Part 3 

When God doesn’t make sense, will we trust Him anyway? In this message from 2 Samuel 6:1–15, we explore David’s response to God’s holiness and the truth that God is always right—even when we don’t understand His ways. Discover how faith calls us to trust God’s Word, resist putting Him on trial, and come back to what we know to be true about His character and faithfulness. 

Holy Part 2 

What happens when we truly encounter the holiness of God? In this message from Exodus 3:1–15, we see that God is holy, yet He is near; He is transcendent, yet actively involved in the lives of His people. Through Moses’ encounter at the burning bush, we are reminded that our hope is not found in ourselves or our abilities, but in the God who says, “I will be with you” and reveals Himself as “I AM.” 

Holy, Pt. 1 | Isaiah 6:1–8 

What happens when we truly see God for who He is? In Isaiah 6, Isaiah encounters the holiness and glory of God and, for the first time, sees himself clearly. His response changes from “Woe to them” to “Woe is me” as he recognizes his sin and his need for grace. 

But God doesn’t leave Isaiah in his guilt. He provides cleansing and atonement, reminding us that grace is God moving toward people who cannot save themselves. 

When we see God rightly, we see ourselves rightly, recognize our need for grace, and respond with worship and obedience. 

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1–8 

In Psalm 90, Moses reminds us of a truth we often understand intellectually but struggle to live out: our lives are brief, our days are numbered, and God is eternal. Rather than leaving us discouraged, this reality calls us to live with wisdom and purpose. 

“Teach Us to Number Our Days” explores what it means to live faithfully in light of death. Moses challenges us to consider what truly matters, how we are investing our time and relationships, and what kind of spiritual legacy we are leaving for our families. 

But Psalm 90 ultimately points beyond the brevity of life to the hope found in Jesus. Because Christ died, rose again, and conquered the grave, death does not get the final word. For those who belong to Christ, death is not the end—it is the doorway to being with Him. 

Listen as we consider how numbering our days can lead us not to fear death, but to live each day with gratitude, wisdom, purpose, and gospel hope. 

In this concluding message from the book of James, we are challenged to recognize how easily our faith can begin to wander—and how important it is to notice when someone around us is drifting from the truth. James 5:19–20 calls believers to move toward those who are wandering, lovingly speak truth, and help bring them back to the Lord. 

Pastor Blake explores what it means for our faith to genuinely shape the way we live, reminding us that our hearts determine our behavior and that the truth of the gospel is meant to change us. The sermon also challenges us to move beyond surface-level relationships, truly know the people God has placed around us, and care enough about their souls to ask deeper questions. 

Ultimately, James ends with a powerful reminder of the gospel: a multitude of sins can be covered through the finished work of Jesus Christ. Our hope is not found in our ability to make ourselves clean, but in the blood and righteousness of Christ, which is sufficient once and for all.