First Baptist Church of Asheville Podcast

May 28, 2023. Day of Pentecost. Year A.

“Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit on them!" Moses says to Joshua, Son of Nun. (Josh was concerned about Eldad and Medad preaching without a license.) Fast forward to Pentecost, and we witness the realization of Moses’ hope. Now the Spirit has been poured out on all flesh. Though bystander reactions are a mix of delight and consternation, it’s too late. Tongues of fire are everywhere now, and the gates of salvation have been opened to all.

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Mack Dennis

April 30, 2023. Fourth Sunday of Easter. Year A.

Jesus uses the metaphor of shepherd and sheep to console and warn his disciples. He consoles them with the promise that the shepherd will call them by name. He also warns them of bandits—counterfeit shepherds—whose strange voices will eventually blow their cover. But what are the criteria of discernment? What about the true shepherd’s voice resonates with the sheep? While the false shepherds condone division and violence, the good shepherd embodies God’s self- giving ways (the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep).

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Mack Dennis

April 16, 2023. Second Sunday of Easter. Year A.

Preacher: Rev. Kelly Belcher

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

April 9, 2023. Easter Sunday. Year A.

This is no time for careful deliberations, no time for indecisiveness, no time for dithering. Easter is not the proper occasion for onlooker delay. Now is the time to “go,” and go quickly, the angel says. When the women encounter Jesus on their sprint, Jesus restates the command, “Go and tell…” Easter elicits a rapid response of faith and testimony. The church has been given the order. Get up and get moving! Tell the good news! Spread the word! Both the angel and the Lord are adamant: the speed of sound is the only appropriate cruising speed of the news of death’s defeat.

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Mack Dennis