First Baptist Church of Fairbury Sermons

In part one of "The Crown of Creation," Pastor Daryl walks through days four and five of the Genesis 1 creation account, exploring how God filled the heavens with His glory and how His creativity knows no limits. From the deliberate way Moses strips the sun and moon of any divine status by leaving them unnamed, to the almost throwaway phrase "and the stars" that encompasses the trillions of galaxies modern telescopes have revealed, this message invites us to see creation with fresh eyes. God didn't struggle to make the universe—He spoke, and it obeyed.

But this isn't just theology. The same God who flung galaxies into existence and filled the seas and skies with extravagant variety also knows your name and has a purpose for your life. Drawing from the story of Job, this sermon reminds us that even when life doesn't make sense, we worship a God of abundance, not scarcity—a God whose ways are higher than ours. Look up, slow down, and let creation point you back to the Creator who made it all.

Genesis Week 2

What if the most important sentence ever written is also the one we take most for granted? Pastor Daryl opens our new series through Genesis by sitting with three Hebrew words — bereshit, elohim, and bara — and unpacking why Genesis 1:1 is nothing less than a declaration of war against every competing explanation for how everything began.

This Easter message centers on a question we all wrestle with at some point: Have I lived a good enough life? We spend so much of our time trying to be good—good parents, good workers, good people—but deep down, we know that question still lingers.

Through the truth of Scripture and the reality of the empty tomb, this sermon reminds us that “good enough” isn’t the standard—because none of us can meet it. That’s why the resurrection of Jesus Christ matters so much. It’s not just a story we celebrate once a year; it’s the foundation of our hope. Jesus didn’t just die—He rose again, proving He is exactly who He said He is.

Looking at the evidence of the empty tomb, the eyewitnesses, and the changed lives that still testify today, we’re brought face to face with a decision: do we believe it? Because eternity is real, and what we do with Jesus matters more than anything else.

In the end, this isn’t just about being a good person—it’s about knowing the risen Savior and trusting Him with your life.

This Palm Sunday message reflects on Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, where crowds celebrated Him as king—yet misunderstood His true purpose. Instead of conquering, Jesus came humbly and intentionally to the cross as the promised Savior. This sermon invites us to consider not just what we know about Jesus, but whether we truly know Him as Lord.

This sermon concludes the “Finding Your Way Back to God” series by focusing on the older brother in Luke 15. While the prodigal son’s rebellion is easy to see, this message shows how pride, self-righteousness, resentment, and religious hypocrisy can leave a person just as far from the Father. Through the older brother’s anger and refusal to join the celebration, the sermon challenges listeners to examine their own hearts: Are we trusting in grace, or in our own goodness? With a clear call to repentance, humility, and true peace with God, this message reminds us that both the rebellious and the religious need the mercy of the Father.

On Upward Sunday, we step back to the fundamentals. Just like Coach Vince Lombardi reminded his team to start with the basics, this message points us to the most important foundation of all — faith in Jesus.

Through the story of the paralyzed man in Gospel of Luke 5, we see four friends who wouldn’t give up until they got their friend to Christ. Jesus healed more than a body that day — He forgave sins and revealed who He truly is.

A simple challenge: trust Jesus, bring others to Him, and rejoice in what He’s done.

In this message, Pastor Daryl invites us into Luke 15:11–24 and the familiar story of the lost son, reminding us that our journey with God often includes seasons of drifting, awakening, and returning home. He unpacks how Jesus’ “lost and found” stories reveal the heart of a Father who runs toward us, restores our identity, and celebrates when even one person comes back to Him. Pastor Daryl challenges us to examine whether we are merely existing or truly living the new, abundant life Christ offers—calling us to renewed worship, deeper devotion, and confidence that God is not finished with us yet.

Have you ever felt unworthy of God’s love? Like shame is your constant shadow? In this powerful message from Luke 15, we explore the fourth awakening in the journey back to God—an Awakening to Love. Through the story of the prodigal son, we’re reminded that God doesn’t just welcome us back—He runs to meet us. With the robe, the ring, and the sandals, the Father restores not only the son’s place but his identity. Whether you're returning to faith or feeling distant and unsure of your worth, this sermon offers a hope-filled reminder: You are deeply loved, fully accepted, and eternally His.