First Baptist Church of Asheville Podcast

April 27, 2025

The post Epilogue (John 20:19-31) — Will Arledge appeared first on First Baptist Church.

When the women bring back the story of the angels’ message at the empty tomb, it seems to the apostles “an idle tale.” Nonsense. Balderdash. But as they respond with scoffing at this earliest report of the resurrection, Peter darts out the door and runs to the tomb. When he arrives, he sees only the linen clothes lying there and is amazed. Peter’s response to the first testimony of Easter invites us to consider our own response to the good news. Is the Easter story a load of hogwash, or the astonishing beginning of the new creation?

The post Balderdash (Luke 24:1-12) — Mack Dennis appeared first on First Baptist Church.

In the latter half of Luke 23, Jesus breaks his silence with the powers to speak to all people words of warning (weep not for me but for your children), wisdom (they know not what they do), blessing and comfort (you will be with me today in Paradise), and trust (Father, into your hands). This sermon highlights Jesus’ last words in Luke in order to show the fullness of Christ’s love for us in his suffering and death.

The post The Passion, Pt 2: Jesus’ Last Words (Luke 23:39-43) — Mack Dennis appeared first on First Baptist Church.

Luke narrates the interrogation of Jesus by Pilate and Herod with a surprising twist. Jesus barely says a mumblin’ word. Jesus’ silence is effective in several ways. First, it reveals his unwillingness to protect himself by means of the state. Second, it exposes certain powers as unworthy of Jesus’ address. And third, it shows Jesus’ embodying the suffering servant “in whose mouth there is no deceit” in contrast with the people’s spurious claims about him. Jesus’ silence is finally a key expression of his passion, for it discloses for us one of the ways he pours himself out in obedience to God.

The post The Passion, Pt 1: Jesus’ Last Silence (Luke 23:1-25) — Mack Dennis appeared first on First Baptist Church.

The post Lenten Vespers: Fire (Week 5) appeared first on First Baptist Church.

Each person in the parable is “prodigal” (wasteful, extravagant, reckless) in some way. The younger son is wasteful in squandering his inheritance. The older son is reckless with bitterness for both his father and younger brother. The father is extravagant with his love for both sons. But as we identify with the characters, may we not forget the parable’s setting is a household. This particular drama unfolds right at home, calling us to reexamine the posture of our hearts towards those in our own family whom God loves beyond reason or measure.

The post The Parable of the Prodigal (Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32) — Mack Dennis appeared first on First Baptist Church.

The post Lenten Vespers: Wind (Week 4) appeared first on First Baptist Church.

Each person in the parable is “prodigal” (wasteful, extravagant, reckless) in some way. The younger son is wasteful in squandering his inheritance. The older son is reckless with bitterness for both his father and younger brother. The father is extravagant with his love for both sons. But as we identify with the characters, may we not forget the parable’s setting is a household. This particular drama unfolds right at home, calling us to reexamine the posture of our hearts towards those in our own family whom God loves beyond reason or measure.

The post The Parable of the Prodigal (Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32) — Mack Dennis appeared first on First Baptist Church.

“My soul clings to you,” says the Psalmist (v. 8), though something of the intensity she conveys does get lost in translation. The Hebrew for cling is more of a “following hard” or “keeping fast” even leading to an “overtaking.” We can imagine a person holding on for dear life to an eagle’s wings as it glides over mountaintops and deep canyons. This praying soul gives us an endearing glimpse of a person living in the wilderness who is both deeply satisfied by but also desperate to hold on to God’s love.

The post Holding on for Dear Life (Psalm 63:1-8) — Mack Dennis appeared first on First Baptist Church.

The post Lenten Vespers: Trees (Week 3) appeared first on First Baptist Church.