First Baptist Joplin

John Swadley | Psalm 143:10 

This message reminds us that knowing God's will isn't about chasing mysterious signs. It's about faithfully following the God who has already revealed Himself. Through Psalm 143:10, we discover three dimensions of God's will: His providential will that cannot be stopped, His moral will that leads to a better life, and His personal will that He faithfully reveals as we walk with Him. As we surrender every area of our lives to Christ and pray, "Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God," we can trust the Holy Spirit to guide our steps and lead us on level ground.

John Swadley | Luke 23:13-25

Suffering is one of life's hardest questions, but Scripture reminds us that God has not abandoned us in the middle of our pain. This message explores why suffering exists, pointing us back to humanity's brokenness, God's perfect justice, and the hope of eternity. Even when life feels unfair, God is still at work, using our trials to shape us, strengthen our faith, and draw us closer to Him. The cross is the greatest reminder that while God may not always remove our suffering, He never wastes it.

Ed Barlow | Hosea 2:16-20 

This powerful message centers on the Hebrew word 'chesed' - a covenant love that costs everything yet gives freely. Through the dramatic story of Hosea and Gomer, we encounter a stunning portrait of divine love that refuses to let go. We are the unfaithful bride who has wandered away time and again, yet God pursues us with relentless love, paying the ultimate price through Christ's blood. The early church was known by pagans who marveled, 'See how they love one another.' That same chesed should overflow from us today, breaking the transactional patterns of worldly love and demonstrating the covenantal faithfulness we've received.

John Swadley | Judges 6:1-6

This powerful message takes us into the story of Gideon from Judges chapter 6, revealing how we can find divine help in the midst of life's battles. We discover that Israel endured seven years of oppression by the Midianites—living in caves, losing their crops, and watching their livestock stolen—all because they had turned away from God. When Israel finally cried out for help, God didn't send a warrior; He sent a prophet with a sermon, reminding them of His past faithfulness. When Gideon's army was reduced from 32,000 to just 300 men facing 135,000 enemies, God demonstrated that our weakness becomes the stage for His strength, ensuring He receives all the glory when victory comes.

John Swadley | Deuteronomy 6:4-9

This powerful message takes us deep into Deuteronomy 6, one of Scripture's most foundational passages on passing faith to the next generation. The message presents a compelling paradox: if we want our children to love God, we must first examine our own hearts. We cannot give what we don't possess. The call to love God with all our heart, soul, and might isn't burdensome duty—it's an invitation to fall so deeply in love with our Creator that everything else pales in comparison. Our homes become universities of faith where formal teaching meets everyday conversation, where Scripture isn't confined to Sunday morning but permeates driving in the car, sitting at dinner, and tucking kids into bed. The Jewish people survived as a distinct community precisely because they mastered this art of passing faith from generation to generation, making God's truth visible in every doorpost and deliberate in every conversation.

John Swadley | Ephesians 6:2

In this Mother’s Day message, Pastor John explores Ephesians 6:2 and what it truly means to “honor your father and mother.” Through heartfelt stories, humor, and biblical truth, he reminds us that honoring moms goes beyond a holiday. It means recognizing the weight they carry, showing genuine appreciation, and living lives that reflect the faith and sacrifice they poured into us. Whether it’s biological moms, spiritual moms, or those who simply loved us like family, this message challenges us to value the people God used to shape us.

John Swadley | John 13:3-5

This encouraging message from John 13:3-5 reminds us that life is shaped by three defining questions: Where did you come from? Where are you going? And what will you do while you’re here? Through the example of Jesus washing His disciples’ feet, we’re challenged to embrace a life of humble service rooted in our identity in Christ. This message calls us to move beyond living for ourselves and into a life that reflects Jesus through compassion, sacrifice, and everyday acts of kindness that point others toward God.

John Swadley | Matthew 16:24-26

In a world where we constantly misplace our socks, keys, and countless other items, there's something far more precious that we cannot afford to lose: our souls. This powerful message from Matthew 16 confronts us with Jesus' penetrating question: 'What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?' Like the mother on Northwest Airlines Flight 225 who wrapped herself around her daughter and absorbed the fatal impact, Jesus took the full force of God's wrath against sin so we could live. The call to follow Jesus isn't just intellectual assent but a life-transforming commitment that begins with repentance and faith.

John Swadley | Matthew 9:35-38

This powerful message from Matthew 9:35-38 challenges us to move beyond passive belief into active participation in Christ's mission. We're invited to see people not as the world sees them—by their appearance, success, or social standing—but as Jesus sees them: souls in need of a Shepherd. This message calls us from the safety of observation into the transformative experience of joining Christ's rescue mission for a world that desperately needs Him.

John Swadley | Luke 5:4-11 

This powerful message takes us deep into the world of first-century discipleship, revealing what it truly means to follow Jesus rather than simply believe in Him. Through the story of Peter's call in Luke 5, we discover that being a disciple is fundamentally different from being a mere believer. We learn three essential lessons: our goal is to become like Jesus, not just learn about Him; deep humility is the prerequisite for following Him; and we must be willing to leave everything behind. The beautiful truth is that Jesus still chooses people who feel unworthy, inviting us to be covered in the dust of our Rabbi as we walk so closely behind Him that His way of life becomes ours.