First Baptist Church of El Dorado - Sermons

No matter the sin the consequence is the same: SIN CRUSHES. Left by ourselves sin will crush every last one of us, but there is good news.  There is one who can bear the weight of the world. There is one who can carry and conquer our sin. JESUS CARRIES AND CONQUERS OUR SIN. 

Often in life we let a pretender sit on the throne.  For generations, in fact, this has been the habit of God’s people.  Who is on the throne? Today in the final message of our current series BEHOLD the invitation is simple BEHOLD THE KING. CHRIST IS KING. The invitation is to see the face of Jesus and realize he is king overall the earth. To see the face of Jesus and realize that he is the king who gives life, abundant life, eternal life, to all who behold his face. To see the face of Jesus and no longer live “like everyone else”, living for the kingdoms of this world, but instead to invest all of my life and energies toward the advancement of his kingdom in the world. Say it with me BEHOLD THE KING. CHRIST IS KING.

At First Baptist Church we are in the midst of a series called BEHOLD. In this series we are learning to pay attention to God, in order to be transformed by God. In last week’s message, as we considered a story about the prophet Elijah, we beheld the reality that GOD IS SPEAKING. But, we also we asked ourselves the question AM I LISTENING? And, the God who you and I are listening for one of the most glorious, most freeing, most life-changing things we can hear him say is “YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN.” Today behold the glorious truth that JESUS FORGIVES FAILURES.

That’s one reason why Luke 15:1 tells us that “sinners drew near to hear him.” When they drew near they could hear him say “your sins are forgiven.” Or its why Jesus’ opponents one day ask him why he spends time with these failures. Jesus answers their question with this statement “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” Luke 5:31 NIV JESUS FORGIVES FAILURES. 

Too often in life we try to minimize or ignore our failures, our sin. But, the gospel of Jesus Christ calls us to be honest about our failure and sin, because only then can we draw near to Jesus, to hear him say “your sins are forgiven.” 

And, all of us need to hear Jesus say those words, that one word has the power to lift the weight of my sin. That one word has the power to tear down the wall of my shame. That one word has the power to relieve my worry that I am not worthy of love. Church family, this morning are you ready to be open and honest about the failures in your life, so that you can draw near to Jesus and experience the glorious reality that JESUS FORGIVES FAILURES.

Today in the fourth installment of BEHOLD we will learn to listen for God’s voice. We must learn to listen for God’s voice, because his voice cannot only break down mighty trees it can break apart hardest hearts. We must listen for God’s voice, because his voice cannot only shake up creation, it can shake up our lives, waking us up from our slumber. We must listen for God’s voice , because not only can it pull bark off the trees, it can pull each of us out of old ways of life. This we will behold another facet of God’s beauty GOD IS SPEAKING, but we will also force ourselves to answer the question AM I LISTENING?  

FBC Sr Pastor Jonathan Kelley guides us to the understanding that God is closer than we think.  Most of us struggle to truly grasp just how close God wants to be with each of his children.  Whether your impediment to this understanding is a season or suffering or sin – God is closer than you think.

FBC Sr Pastor Jonathan Kelley helps us answer the important question, “How does BEHOLDing lead to the transformation of our lives?”

 BEHOLD is the word that addresses the spiritual consequences of our cultural ADD. Amidst all the distractions that vie for our attention, Behold summons us to pay attention. Pay attention to the one thing that truly matters, the holiness of the Lord. When it comes to Beholding, attention is only one half of the equation. There is also Transformation. 

It's only when we BEHOLD THE HOLY that we see the limits of human effort and achievement. It’s only when we Behold the Holy that we realize the absolute necessity of grace, mercy, and forgiveness. It’s only when we Behold the Holy that we understand our need of a Messiah, a Savior—whose name is Jesus. And, when we BEHOLD THE HOLYthat’s when we confess our sins, give our lives to Jesus, then we begin to travel the road toward personal holiness. YOU BECOME HOLY WHEN YOU BEHOLD THE HOLY.

FBC Sr Pastor Jonathan Kelley helps us answer the important question, “Are you settling for a faith that doesn’t come close to the “abundant life” that Jesus promises his followers?”

A mediocre faith is a faith that speaks all the right words, but the words lack meaning. It’s a faith that neither impacts your life nor does it impact anyone else’s life. It’s a faith that, in the words of 1 Peter 1:14, “lazily slips back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing.” (1 Peter 1:14 MSG).

What’s the only cure for a mediocre faith? BEHOLD!

Friends for far too long we have just accepted the spiritual consequences of mediocracy. We have settled for a mediocre faith rather than a miraculous faith that reflects the truth of the Gospel, the glory of Christ, his cross and his resurrection—which is why we must BEHOLD the beauty of the LORD. We must give to God the attention that yields transformation.

Jesus is knocking at your door.