First Baptist Church of Asheville Podcast

March 16, 2025. Second Sunday in Lent. Year C.

God points Abram to the stars in the sky in order to show him how many his descendants will be, a metaphor for countless progeny. The vast array of starlight represents the promise of God’s provision. Later, as Abram sleeps, he sees the fire pot and torch passing through the cut animals. The firelight represents God who alone “cuts the covenant,” thus ratifying the earlier promise. Let these lights in both the heavens and on the earth be sure signs of God’s trustworthiness for all who may otherwise be haunted by “a terrifying darkness” (see 15:12).

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Mack Dennis

March 9, 2025. First Sunday in Lent. Year C.

Preacher: Rev. Amy Stertz

Worship with First Baptist Church of Asheville. Sundays: Bible study at 10:00 a.m., worship at 11:00 a.m. · 5 Oak Street, Asheville, NC · fbca.net

March 2, 2025. Transfiguration Sunday. Year C.

Luke’s version of the transfiguration details that their purpose for going up on the mountain is to pray. As Jesus prays, he is transformed, his face changes, and his clothes shine. But if Jesus has prayed before without being transfigured, why does he shine in glory this time? It may simply be that Jesus’ time has come to suffer, to be killed, and to be raised. The glory of God shines in and through him as a confirmation that Jesus—the one who gives his life for us—“is the one in whom all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell” (Col. 2:9).

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Mack Dennis

February 16, 2025. Sixth Sunday after Epiphany. Year C.

Paul teaches us about the significance of the resurrection and why believing in the resurrection matters. Our entire faith, Paul exclaims, is staked on whether or not Jesus is raised from the dead. Apart from the resurrection, our faith is futile and we are at the mercy of our sins. But because Jesus is raised, the dead are raised along with him. Our mortal souls are seeds that will die and rise as spiritual bodies. Which means the lives we live now are just the beginning of life with God.

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Mack Dennis