FPC Douglasville

Rev. James Harper preaches on Deuteronomy 6:1-9 as part of our Roles of Influence sermon series.

Deuteronomy 6:1-9 reveals that parents are the primary spiritual mentors for their children, with far more influence than any church program. Parents can only pass on the faith they genuinely possess, and this mentoring happens naturally through everyday life moments rather than formal instruction. The passage encourages adults to expand their spiritual family by including children who lack faith guidance, allowing them to witness authentic Christian living. In today's challenging parenting environment, finding a supportive community of like-minded parents is essential for raising balanced followers of Jesus Christ.

Rev. James Harper preaches on Marriage as part of the "Roles of Influence" sermon series, using Scripture from Genesis 2:18-25.

Marriage was designed by God with specific purposes: to provide a stable foundation for family, to foster human flourishing through deep companionship, and to illustrate Christ's love for His people. Despite these beautiful intentions, marriage faces challenges due to sin's impact and the myth of perfect compatibility. However, when approached with commitment and selflessness, marriage helps us see ourselves more clearly, teaches us to love our neighbors better, and offers hope to a cynical world. Through healthy marriages that reflect Christ-like love, we can demonstrate God's design in a broken world.

Rev. James Harper preaches on "Work" in our sermon series, "Roles of Influence," with scripture from Genesis 2:4-17.

Work is not merely a means to earn a living but a divine calling that reflects God's character. From the beginning, work was part of human purpose and dignity, not a punishment. All forms of work carry inherent dignity, whether paid or unpaid. However, work has limitations and cannot satisfy our deepest needs for meaning and identity. We can honor God through our work by contributing to human flourishing, pursuing excellence, and loving our colleagues. By reframing our understanding of work, we participate in God's kingdom and point others to the true source of meaning.

Rev. Andrew Dickinson preaches on Habakkuk 3:1-19 as the last sermon in our sermon series on Faith in Difficult Times.

In the final chapter of Habakkuk, we witness a profound spiritual transformation as the prophet faces devastating circumstances yet chooses joy in God. Despite impending invasion and suffering, Habakkuk moves from questioning to trust, from complaint to praise. His response teaches us three essential practices for finding joy amid suffering: remembering God's past faithfulness, holding onto future promises, and drawing near to God in the present. Like Horatio Spafford who wrote 'It Is Well With My Soul' after losing his four daughters at sea, we too can find this place of trust and joy even when external circumstances offer no comfort.

Rev. James Harper preaches on Habakkuk 2:5-18 in our sermon series, "Faith in Difficult Times."

In Habakkuk 2:5-20, we discover powerful consolation for times when life seems unfair. God reveals that evil never has the final word, as demonstrated by Babylon's eventual fall after conquering Jerusalem. Even when our world feels chaotic, God remains sovereign on His throne, working through our suffering for greater purposes. Most importantly, through Jesus Christ, God offers to exchange our shame for His glory, covering us completely as waters cover the sea. These timeless truths provide comfort and perspective when we face personal injustices or witness global tragedies.

Rev. James Harper preaches on Habakkuk 2:1-4 in our sermon series, "Faith in Difficult Times."

Finding peace while waiting on God requires patience, perspective, and obedience, as demonstrated in the book of Habakkuk. Patience means staying present with God through difficult circumstances, embracing humility and committing to spiritual growth. Perspective involves stepping back to see God's character, providence, and promises beyond immediate problems. Obedience calls us to remain faithful to God's ways even when they don't seem to be working. Interestingly, waiting also connects to serving others, creating a community where those in waiting seasons can receive support while they develop these essential qualities.

Rev. James Harper preaches on Habakkuk 1:1-17 as part of our Sermon series on Faith in Difficult Times.

In the midst of injustice and suffering, the prophet Habakkuk's honest dialogue with God offers profound wisdom for believers today. Habakkuk boldly questioned God about the evil in his nation, only to receive the shocking answer that things would get worse before they improved. Rather than abandoning his faith, Habakkuk demonstrated that we can express our frustrations while still trusting God. His story teaches us that our limited perspective prevents us from seeing God's larger plan, just as the Babylonian exile that seemed catastrophic actually laid groundwork for the spread of Christianity. When facing difficult times, we can be honest with God while remembering His covenant love never fails.

Rev. James Harper preaches on Genesis 12:1-3 for our Kick Off Sunday.

God's command to Abraham to 'be a blessing' extends to all believers today. This divine imperative is rooted in God's unmerited grace and love, not our qualifications or merit. Being a blessing requires stepping out of our comfort zones and taking practical action in others' lives. Through the BLESS model (Be in prayer, Listen, Experience, Serve, Share), we can intentionally impact those around us, especially those far from God. As recipients of Christ's ultimate blessing, we're called to extend that same blessing to others through meaningful relationships and tangible acts of service.

Rev. Scott York preaches on Luke 21:25-38 as he wraps up our sermon series on the book of Luke.

Jesus's teachings about the end times in Luke 21:25-38 aren't meant to provide a timeline for His return, but to prepare us for living faithfully until then. We're called to 'look up' with hope, recognizing that world turmoil is temporary and Christ's promised return is certain. Simultaneously, we must 'look in' to guard our hearts against worldly distractions, remember the urgency of evangelism, and maintain continuous connection with God through prayer. Living with this dual perspective allows us to face present trials with eternal hope, knowing that for believers, Christ's return brings not judgment but the fulfillment of His promises.

Rev. James Harper preaches on Luke 21:5-24 as part of our Following Jesus sermon series through the book of Luke.

In uncertain times filled with fear-inducing headlines and global conflicts, Jesus teaches us that we've been living in the 'end times' since His resurrection. While following Christ during these times isn't easy, Jesus expresses absolute confidence about the future security of His followers. Our fear level is largely determined by who we're with - surrounding ourselves with voices of panic increases anxiety, but remembering we're with Jesus changes everything. Christians can find peace by recognizing fear-mongering, grounding themselves in biblical truth, remembering their security comes from Christ, and being a non-anxious presence in a fearful world.