First Importance

First Importance

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First Importance episodes

  • "Only Live Worthy" - Philippians 1:27-30 (March 12, 2023)

    Pastor Josh Hall continues his CHOOSE JOY series with this message from Philippians 1 entitled "Only Live Worthy." Pointing out in v. 27 that the word "only" means "this and nothing else," he goes on to list 4 aspects of living worthy.

    1.   Stand Firm Together - v. 27

         1) Something Firm to Stand Upon

         2) Something to Stand Against

         3) Something to Stand For

         4) Someone to Stand With

    2.  Strive for the Gospel Together - v. 27

         1) For the Gospel in Us

         2) For the Furtherance of the Gospel

    3.  Be Courageous - v. 28

         1) Signifies Their Destruction

         2) Signifies Our Salvation

    4.  Suffer Together - vv. 29 - 30

         1) The Certainty of Suffering

         2) The Grace of Suffering

         3) The Sake of Suffering


    41 min
  • "Keys to An Effective and Christlike Ministry" - Philippians 1:18-26 (March 5, 2023)

    Continuing his CHOOSE JOY series, Pastor Josh Hall brings this message from Philippians 1:18-26 entitled, "Keys to An Effective and Christlike Ministry." He lists 5 keys that are apparent in Paul's letter to the Philippians:

    1.   Determined Joy - vv. 18 - 19

    2.  Eager Expectation - v. 20

    3.  Impassioned Purpose - vv. 21 - 22

    4.  Heavenly Hunger - v. 23

    5.  Selfless Service - vv. 24 - 26

    35 min
  • "Prerquisites for Revival" - 2 Chronicles 7:14 (February 26, 2023)

    Pastor Josh Hall takes a detour from Philippians to deliver a message on his heart about revival. From this familiar passage in 2 Chronicles 7:14, he shares the "Prerequisites for Revival."

    1.   My People

         Revival must begin with God's people.

    2.  Humble Themselves 

        Emphasizing the need for humility, he quotes C.S. Lewis: "A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you are  looking down, you cannot see something that is above you."

    3.  Pray

    4.  Seek My Face

    5.  Turn From Our Wicked Ways

         Repentance is more than confession; it involves turning from sin.

    The Results:

         1) Hear from Heaven

         2) Forgive Their Sins

         3) Heal Their Land

    33 min
  • "The Sufficiency of Scripture" - 2 Timothy 3:14-17 (February 22, 2023)

    Pastor Josh Hall finishes this Wednesday evening study, WHY WE TRUST  THE  BIBLE (based on a study by Stephen L. Nichols of Ligonier  Ministries). This session examines "The Sufficiency of Scripture." He asserts that Scripture contains all the words that God intended for us to have for the following:

    1.   Salvation - vv. 14 - 15

         Passages like James 1:18 and 1 Peter 1:23 point to the importance of Scripture as related to our salvation. Scripture teaches us:

         1) The Severity of Sin

         2) The Punishment of Sin

    2.  Sanctification - vv. 16 - 17

         God's Word is profitable for...

         1) Teaching

         2) Reproof

         3) Correction

         4) Training in Righteousness

    3.  Understanding and Practice - v. 17

         1) Understanding - "No other word is needed."

         2) Practice - Though it doesn't answer every question in life, Scripture does give us principles for every area of life.

    Why can we trust the Bible?

    IT IS SUFFICIENT!

    28 min
  • "Don't Call It a Setback" - Philippians 1:12-18 (February 19, 2023)

    Pastor Josh Hall continues this series, CHOOSE JOY, from the book of Philippians. Today's message from Philippians 1:12-18 is entitled "Don't Call It a Setback." From this passage, we see Paul's perspective and the truth that...

    OUR SETBACKS ARE HIS SETUPS

    1.   Persecution to Platforms - vv. 12 -1 3

    2.  Our "Misfortunes" are Others' Motivation - vv. 14 - 16

    3.  Opposition to Opportunity - vv. 15 - 17

    34 min
  • "Joyous" - Philippians 1:3-11 (February 12, 2023)
    Pastor Josh Hall continues this series, CHOOSE JOY, from the book of Philippians. In this message, entitled "Joyous," he examines Paul's prayer for the Philippians and identifies 2 primary aspects:
    1.   Gratitude - vv. 3 - 8
         Paul's gratitude is:
         1) With Direction
         2) With Determination
         3) Intentional
         4) With Persistence
         5) With Confidence
    2.  Prayer - vv. 9 - 11
         Paul prays that the Philippian believers would:
         1) Be Filled with Love
         2) Grow in Knowledge
         3) Have Discernment
         4) Be Pure and Blameless
         5) Bear Fruit
         6) Give Glory and Praise to God
    42 min
  • The Canon of Scripture" - Deuteronomy 32:44-45 (February 8, 2023)

    Pastor Josh Hall continues this Wednesday evening study, WHY WE TRUST  THE  BIBLE (based on a study by Stephen L. Nichols of Ligonier  Ministries).  This session examines the "Canon of Scripture" and some of the criteria trusted in recognizing the 39 books of the Old Testament and the 27 books of the New Testament.

    THE OLD TESTAMENT

        1.   Self-Attestation

        2.  Historical Proofs

    THE NEW TESTAMENT

        1.  Self-Attestation

        2.  Church History

    41 min
  • "Choose Joy" - Philippians 1:1-2 (February 5, 2023)

    Pastor Josh Hall introduces our theme for 2023 with this survey of the book of Philippians, "Choose Joy." He begins with this premise: "Happiness is based on circumstances and circumstances change. God wants us to experience something greater than happiness, that is, JOY!" He then goes on to draw out 4 Keys to Joy found in this epistle.

    1.   Perspective - 1:1

    2.  Priorities - 1:19-26

    3.  Passion - 3:7-14

    4.  Purpose - 4:11-13

    36 min

About First Importance

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The preaching and teaching ministry from the pastors at First Baptist Church of West Memphis, AR.