As we prepare our hearts for Easter, Pastor Christopher walks through John 13, where Jesus gives His disciples a powerful new command: Love one another, just as I have loved you. In this message, we explore what it truly means to love like Jesus — a love that is selfless, unwavering, and serving. With vivid imagery, biblical exposition, and practical application, this message challenges us to show Christlike love even to those who are hardest to love. Join us as we discover the kind of love that defines discipleship and changes the world.

🎙️ Experiencing God (Part 6): Listening to God

📖 Psalm 139 | March 23, 2025

How do we truly know when God is speaking—and not just our own thoughts or a clever impersonation?

In this episode, we explore the theme of Listening to God, drawing from Psalm 139 and other key Scriptures to uncover the deeply personal and powerful ways God communicates with His children. From dramatic biblical encounters to quiet whispers, we’ll examine how God speaks today—through His Word, through prayer, through others, and even through life’s circumstances.

You'll hear a compelling opening about the master con artist Frank Abagnale Jr., which raises the question: Can we always recognize the real voice of God? We’ll reflect on what it means to trust God fully, the importance of being still, and how spiritual discernment plays a role in hearing from Him.

This message is both a comfort and a challenge—to position our hearts to listen actively, trust deeply, and obey faithfully. Because the God who knows us better than anyone else… still speaks.

🎧 Featuring Scripture highlights from Psalm 139, Proverbs 3, Mark 4, 1 Kings 19, and more.

In this episode of the series on Experiencing God, we dive into 1 Timothy 2, where Paul gives critical guidance on public worship, prayer, church leadership, and the role of men and women in the church.

We explore:

🔹 The power and purpose of prayer in the life of the church

🔹 How Christians should relate to leaders and those in authority

🔹 The heart of worship—why our posture before God matters more than outward expressions

🔹 Biblical principles on leadership, gender roles, and God’s design for the church

🔹 The ultimate call to proclaim the truth of Christ as our one Mediator and Savior

Paul’s words challenge us to train, articulate, and defend our faith in a world filled with objections. Join us as we break down these powerful truths and apply them to our daily walk with Christ.

🎧 Listen in, reflect, and experience God more deeply through His Word.

In this episode of the Experiencing God Series, we explore the life and transformation of the Apostle Paul through the lens of 1 Timothy 1. Though many see Paul as a towering figure of faith, he considered himself the worst of sinners—yet God’s mercy and grace transformed him into one of the greatest champions of the Gospel.

Join us as we uncover the power of mentorship through Paul’s relationship with Timothy, the necessity of sound doctrine in a world filled with distractions, and the undeniable truth of the Gospel. Paul’s story reminds us that no past is too broken for God’s redemption and no calling is beyond His grace.

Whether you feel discouraged, unworthy, or unsure of your purpose, this message will encourage you to trust in God's faithfulness and embrace His work in your life.

🔹 What does it mean to experience God’s will?

🔹 How does mentorship shape our faith journey?

🔹 Why did Paul call himself the "chief of sinners"?

Tune in and be reminded that God can use even the worst for His greatest glory.

🎧 Listen now and be encouraged in your faith!

In this powerful sermon, we explore Elijah’s defining moments as he stands boldly for God in a time of great spiritual darkness. From his miraculous provision at the widow’s house to his dramatic showdown with the prophets of Baal, Elijah's story reveals how God uses His servants in extraordinary ways when they remain faithful in the everyday moments.

Join us as we uncover key lessons about obedience, prayer, and trusting God’s power to bring revival. How long will we waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, we must follow Him wholeheartedly.

🔹 Key Takeaways:

• God prepares us in the small moments before using us in the big ones.
• Revival is a work of God, not man.
• Prayer is essential to a life of faith and spiritual power.

Be encouraged to stand firm, trust God’s leading, and be His witness in a world that desperately needs to see His power at work.

🎧 Listen now and grow deeper in your faith!

"Experiencing God Part 2: Learning to Be Servants of God" is a spiritually enriching sermon that explores how God molds us into His servants, using the biblical metaphors of the potter and clay from Jeremiah 18 and the life of Elijah from 1 Kings 17. This message delves into God’s sovereignty, the importance of obedience, and the beauty of trusting Him in both ordinary and challenging moments. Through vivid illustrations and practical takeaways, it invites listeners to deepen their relationship with God and join Him in His work, offering timeless wisdom for navigating faith in everyday life. Perfect for those seeking inspiration and biblical insight.

How can we truly know and experience God’s will? In this episode, we explore the foundational truths from Henry Blackaby’s classic book Experiencing God and how they shape our understanding of God’s work in our lives. Through biblical principles and real-life application, we unpack the 7 Realities of Experiencing God—highlighting how God is always at work around us, invites us into His plans, and speaks to us through His Word, prayer, and circumstances.

Join us as we dive into John 5 and Exodus 3, examining how Jesus and Moses responded to God’s calling. Whether you’re seeking direction, wrestling with faith, or simply wanting to deepen your relationship with God, this episode will challenge and encourage you to step into God’s work with faith and obedience.

Key Takeaways:

✔️ Recognizing where God is already working

✔️ Understanding that God pursues a personal relationship with us

✔️ Responding in faith when God invites us into His work

✔️ Overcoming doubts and fears, just as Moses did

Tune in and be encouraged to experience God in a deeper, more personal way!

Why do we come to church? Is it out of routine, encouragement, or a deeper expectation of God’s work? In this sermon, we explore 1 Corinthians 12, where Paul teaches that every believer has been given spiritual gifts to build up the Church. From wisdom and faith to discernment and healing, each gift plays a vital role in the Body of Christ. As we reflect on our purpose as members of His Church, let’s commit to using our gifts for His glory and the growth of His kingdom.

Join us as we uncover the power of spiritual gifts and the discipline of engaging in God’s work with expectation and love.

📖 Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12

In this episode, we explore the foundational truth that God has spoken through His Word. Beginning with Psalm 1, we examine the life-changing power of Scripture and its role in shaping our understanding of God. How does God reveal Himself? What does it mean that the Bible is "God-breathed"? Why is Scripture essential for our spiritual growth?

We discuss general revelation through creation and special revelation through the inspired Word of God, demonstrating how the Bible transforms lives, guards against false teaching, and equips us for every good work.

Join us as we reflect on the authority, beauty, and impact of God’s Word, and take up the challenge to pair prayer with daily Scripture reading—a habit that leads to a richer, more fulfilling life in Christ.

📖 Key Scriptures: Psalm 1, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Romans 1:21-26, Romans 12:2

🎙️ Takeaways:

• The Bible is our primary way of knowing God.
• Scripture protects us from false doctrine.
• God’s Word is profitable and transforms our minds.
• Committing to daily Bible reading deepens our faith.

🔔 Challenge: Commit to regular Scripture reading. Start with the Gospel of John or the beginning of the Bible and see how God reveals Himself through His Word.

🙏 Prayer: May God stir our hearts to hunger for His truth and equip us to share His Word with a world in need.

Don’t miss this powerful message on the living and active Word of God!

#BibleStudy #SpiritualDisciplines #GodsWord #Faith #ChristianPodcast #FirstBaptistRockyTop

In this episode, we explore the transformative power of prayer as the first Christian discipline in a life devoted to God. Beginning with the first recorded prayer in Genesis 4, we trace the profound moments of prayer throughout Scripture—from Abraham’s intercession for Sodom, to David’s heartfelt cry of repentance in Psalm 51, to Jesus’ model prayer in Matthew 6, and the final prayer of Revelation: “Come, Lord Jesus.”

Join us as we uncover how prayer deepens our understanding of God’s character, aligns our hearts with His will, and brings redemption and restoration into our lives. Whether you are new to prayer or seeking to enrich your walk with Christ, this message will inspire and challenge you to embrace prayer as a vital discipline in your spiritual journey.