First Baptist Church of Asheville Podcast

First Baptist Church of Asheville Podcast

By First Baptist Church of Asheville NCReligion & SpiritualityChristianity
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First Baptist Church of Asheville Podcast episodes

  • The God Who Visits Our Grave (John 11:32-44) — Mack Dennis
    November 3, 2024. All Saints’ Day (observed). Year B.
    Several of the texts for All Saints’ Day honor the realities and struggles of grief. In both Isaiah and Revelation, God is seen wiping away our tears. Then in John, not only do Mary, Martha, and their community grieve Lazarus’ death, but Jesus himself is moved to tears as he grieves from the depths of his soul. Implicit in the testimonies of all these saints is that the living God not only takes our grief seriously, but enters our mourning, dwells with us in the darkness of our distress, and comforts us as we grieve. Such is the substance of our hope.
    Preacher: Rev. Dr. Mack Dennis
    17 min
  • Boundless Ministry (Mark 9:38-50) — Mack Dennis
    September 29, 2024. Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost. Year B.
    When John confronts a rogue exorcist casting out demons without official approval, Jesus redirects his attention to the benefits of welcoming anyone who is doing good ministry. Whereas John wishes to hold a monopoly on ministerial power, Jesus avoids constructing impervious boundaries between his own followers and those outside the confessing community who do justice, love mercy, or offer even the simplest “cup of cold water.” In other words, we Christians do well to partner with anyone whose mission resonates with God’s dream.
    Preacher: Rev. Dr. Mack Dennis
    15 min
  • The Art of Belonging, Pt. 3: Holy Friendships (James 4:1-10) — Mack Dennis
    September 22, 2024. Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost. Year B.
    With this sermon we come to the heart of the Art of Belonging—friendship, with God and neighbor. James upbraids us for letting worldly desires upend our friendship with God. But he also offers detailed instructions for befriending God through attention, confession, and humility. As we contend with our own age of loneliness, isolation, and division, this sermon invites us to cherish “holy friendships” (scholar Greg Jones) that reflect the rich companionship with God James illustrates.
    Preacher: Rev. Dr. Mack Dennis
    20 min
  • The Art of Belonging, Pt. 2: Beginning With the Benediction (James 3:1-12) — Mack Dennis
    September 15, 2024. Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost. Year B.
    James compares the tongue to a rudder on a ship, a wildfire, and “a world of iniquity” capable of untold damage. Yet, with this same tongue we have the ability to bless God and neighbor. In Part 2 of the Belonging series, we’ll consider the immense power of words, while wondering what our congregation can set ablaze by gentle speech and generous blessings. What “great exploits” (v. 5), what blessings, what new opportunities lay ahead if the rudder of our congregation’s ship is composed of benedictions?
    Preacher: Rev. Dr. Mack Dennis
    19 min
  • The Art of Belonging, Pt. 1: Skilled Faith (James 2:14-17) — Mack Dennis
    September 8, 2024. Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost. Year B.
    James’ faith vs. works conversation often gets snagged in the overgrowth of early Reformation debates that pit works righteousness against cheap grace. But James does not advocate salvation by works. Rather, he endorses a productive faith—or better yet, a skilled faith (“works” in Gk. implies art, industry, skill). This sermon commences a three-sermon series on “The Art of Belonging” by encouraging the habits and practices that produce a skilled, artful faith. Here the invitation is to consider faith as a skill, and belonging as a work of art.
    Preacher: Rev. Dr. Mack Dennis
    17 min

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First Baptist Church of Asheville Podcast