In this encounter with Jesus, we look outside of the Gospels for the first time to the book of Acts as we meet Saul the Pharisee. Introduced to us at the murder/stoning of Stephen, one of the first deacons in the new Jerusalem church, by the Pharisees and religious leaders. We discover that when it comes to opposing, persecuting and pursuing the ne…

In this encounter with Jesus, we look at the dinner party thrown by Simon the Pharisee that was crashed by an unnamed "sinful woman" with an alabaster jar full of perfume. While it is actually two encounters, both reveal something about worship that many "seasoned" Christians lose sight of our take for granted. As we discuss this encounter, we will…

In this message Pastor Rusty starts by offering some thoughts and reflections on the murder of Charlie Kirk and is aftereffects. He also ties in this assassination and several other troubling current events to the Encounter that Jesus had with the man born blind and the question of "Why". Why does God allow this kind of evil to run free? Why would …

Any time a Christians mentions the dangers and consequences of living a sinful lifestyle, it doesn't take long to hear someone proclaim Matthew 7:1, "Judge not least you be judged" or John 8:7 "You without sin cast the first stone." They try to use these versus to silent their critics or anyone who doesn't celebrate their life choices. In this mess…

When discussing his desire to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine, President Trump stated that he hoped that by securing a lasting peace, he could gain a spot in Heaven. While it is easy to point out how this view does not line up with scripture, the Presidents view is shared by almost half of all those who claim to be Christian and who attend …

In this message we examine the importance of not just "feeling thankful" but rather the call on our lives to "be thankful" and how that looks in our everyday lives. We unpack how expressing our gratitude to both God and others can transform our perspective as well as our hearts. We discuss the foundation of a thankful heart - humility and contentme…

In this follow up to last week's message we examine the aftershocks of Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan Woman at the well in John 4. We look at the disciple's response to the encounter and how that relates to the modern American church. We also break down what Jesus meant when he declared that the type of worshipers that God desires worship Him …

In this message we explore Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan Women at the Well. Why did the Jewish people despise the Samaritans and why does the Gospel of John say that Jesus "had to go" to Samaria when most Jewish people would go around it? Who was this woman and why was it important that Jesus speak with her? Listen in as we unpack those quest…

In this message we examine Jesus' encounter with the money changers in the outer courts of the temple. Why was Jesus so angry and what can it tell us about the modern church? We look at the background to the encounter and how Jesus responded to the religious leaders to discern some priorities for a modern church Jesus might attend. From Matthew 21:…

In this message we examine the importance, power and responsibilities of freedom as Americans and followers of Jesus Christ. If we celebrate our freedoms as Americans, how much more should we be living out and celebrating our spiritual freedoms as Christians. Sadly, most in the church don't understand what it means to be spiritually free and don't …

What are the expectations that Jesus placed on those wanting to follow him and how does that relate to His expectations for you and me? In this message we examine 3 people who encountered Jesus all with the intention of following him, yet they all walked away in the end. From Luke 9:57-62. Thank you for listening to our podcast and we would love fo…

Our encounter with Jesus this week involves the well know story of Zaccheaus the chief tax collector. Not only do we examine his encounter with Jesus that shocked those around them, but we also look at Zack's transformation and what that might mean for our lives. We also discuss how the parable of the Lost Sheep where the Shepherd leaves the 99 to …

In this Father's Day message and in keeping with our Sermon series, we examine an encounter that a desperate dad and "royal official" had with Jesus. Through this story, we examine the characteristics of a dad who transforms his home and family's spiritual legacy by his approach and response to Jesus. This story gives us some insight into the types…

This week we look at the encounter Jesus had with who we call the "Gadarian Demoniac", which might be a misnomer since he might not have even been from Gadara. We examine the background of the encounter and how the area that was given to the Tribe of Gad where the encounter takes place might have been the perfect place for demonic activity and why.…

Back in the 1980's and 90's there was a theological debate in the evangelical community on whether someone could accept Jesus as Savior (forgiven, redeemed, eternal security) and not accept him as Lord (submission and surrender). Some of that still lingers today in the way we parse out what it means to be a genuine follower of Christ and seem to us…

In this Mother's Day message, we discuss a desperate mother who seeks Jesus out for help with her demon possessed daughter and gets a surprising response. Many people misunderstand Jesus's response in seemingly calling her a "dog" and get sidetracked on the real power of the story - the persistent faith of a determined mother. By the end of the enc…

In this message we examine the four men who were so intent on getting their paralyzed friend to Jesus that they ripped open the roof of the house and dropped him through. We discuss which group that we might identify with in this story (crowd, critics, companions) and how that reflects on our sense of urgency or complacency as it relates to our obe…

We kick off a new sermon series based on the description given to John and Peter by the religious leaders in Act 4:13 "They were ordinary and unschooled men but they were astonished and took note that they had been with Jesus.". This new series will look at every day, ordinary individuals who encountered Jesus and how it changed or impacted their l…

As we wrap up our sermon series on Spiritual Warfare, we look at some words of encouragement that the Apostle Paul wrote in his first letter to the messy and dysfunctional church at Corinth. In his encouragement we discover 5 "imperatives" or commands that will help us stay focused on the battles we face in our everyday lives. He also gives us some…

In this message we examine the importance of prayer when it comes to spiritual warfare. How do we integrate our prayer lives into the battles we are confronted with on a daily basis and what does that prayer look like? Listen in as we discuss the power and purpose of prayer in our daily lives and especially as it relates to Spiritual Warfare. From …

In Christian circles the phrase "the word of God" is synonyms for the Bible and while that is certainly true and valid, when the Apostle Paul uses this same phrasing to describe the Bible as an incredible weapon and part of our Spiritual Armor, his meaning holds a much deeper truth. In exploring his use of "word" in the Greek language, we begin to …

Have you ever felt spiritually weary or even burned out? Been discouraged by the lack of progress you see in your spiritual growth? Ever given up in your prayer and devotional life because you didn't sense any progress? This message is for you! In this message, we continue to examine the spiritual weapons that we have been given to counter the atta…

Too many Christians are unaware of the power of faith. Most understand that we are "saved" by placing our faith in the person of Jesus Christ and his completed redemptive work on the Cross, but we fail to grasp how our Faith can impact every decision we make and the actions that follow. Faith is so important to the life of an everyday believer that…

Why would the Apostle Paul equate Peace with footwear when he is outlining the spiritual weapons we have been given to stand against the attacks of the enemy? What does it really mean to understand and experience peace - even in the midst of the worst that this world can throw at us? Join us for the message on the importance of peace in the spiritu…

In this message from our Spiritual Warfare Series, we examine the importance that the Apostle Paul places on the "Breastplate of Righteousness" as protection from the attacks of the enemy. Why a breastplate and how can righteousness protect our Heart? We examine the historical understanding of what the heart and stomach represent and how the protec…

In this message we examine what the Apostle Paul calls the "Belt of Truth" and why it is so significant for a Christians facing spiritual warfare. What is this truth and how can it empower us to confront and overcome the lies of the world and the attacks of the accuser? Join us as we look at the historical nature of the "belt" for a Roman soldier a…

As pick back up on our series from the Fall on Spiritual Warfare, we begin to examine the "Armor of God" that the Apostle Paul describes in Ephesians 6. Is this a literal armor? symbolic? a little of both? Why do we need it if we already have Jesus Christ? In the next couple of weeks, we will examine each element of the armor, but this morning's me…

We wrap up our New Years short series that examines the past, present and future of the church by comparing them to King Saul, the Prophet Samuel and David as found in 1st Samuel 16:1. We also use this comparison to look where individual Christians might find their devotional and relationship to God as it relates to yesterday, today or tomorrow. Th…

We continue our look at the three characters found in 1st Samuel 16:1 by examining the role that Samuel played in moving the nation of Israel forward by obeying God and anointing David as the next King. In this obedience, Samuel became the bridge between yesterday (Saul) and tomorrow (David). In this message we ask the question, "Where are the Samu…

In this message we examine a pivotal moment in time for the nation of Israel as God removes his anointing from Saul and calls Samuel to go to the house of Jesse to anoint a new King. In this moment, all three of the characters are facing huge life changing decisions that will reverberate for years to come. As we move into the new year, many of the …

In this Christmas message we examine the two birth narratives from Luke and Matthew and look at the differences between the two and explain why they are different. By harmonizing the two versions we get a complete picture that reminds us of what is truly important about both stories - the incarnation. From Luke 2:1-7 Thank you for listening to our …

As we kick off the Advent season and begin looking towards Christmas, this message challenges us to prepare our hearts for the true meaning of the Christmas Season. We ask the question; have we spent as much time preparing our hearts as we have our homes? If not, then is it any wonder so many miss the power and purpose of Christmas. To help us prep…

As we approach Thanksgiving, this message examines what it really means to be grateful and thankful and what role contentment plays in developing this kind of approach to life. From Philippians 3:10-13 Thank you for listening to our podcast and we would love for you to subscribe to our page and share with others. Join us for our weekly worship onli…

What does Paul mean when he encourages the Corinthians to "take every thought captive" and what does it have to do with Spiritual Warfare? This message explains and gives some practical examples on what that might look like and why it plays such a critical role in the battle for our minds. From 2nd Corinthians 10:3-6 The 7th message in the Battle S…

In this message we discuss the battle for the mind and strongholds in our mind. What is a stronghold? How do they get built up and what can we do to tear them down. Using another Old Testament example from the life of David, we examine how Christians can identify strongholds and why it is important to deal with them sooner rather than later. From 2…

As we continue to discuss the role and responsibilities of a Christ follower when it comes to Spiritual Warfare, this message takes a deeper dive on just what it means "to Stand". Using an illustration from one of David's Warriors in 2nd Samuel 23, we discover just what it might look like for us to make a stand against the enemies of God. From Ephe…

When you examine Paul's teaching from Ephesians 6;10-13 on spiritual warfare you find two expectations or responsibilities for Christians; "wrestle" and "stand", but what does that mean and actually look like in our everyday lives. In this message we look at some of Paul's other teachings regarding the Christians role in warfare and what it means t…

In this message we look at the Garden of Eden to examine how Satan tempts us to questions God's word and the effects that has on our ability to walk in obedience and overcome sin. We also look at Satan's interaction with Jesus in the Wilderness to discover the ways we are tempted to sin and how to reject and overcome the temptation through the powe…

In this message we examine the enemies of the Christian that Paul identifies in Ephesians 6 and how we can overcome and be victorious in the battle. We also examine the enemy within - our old nature/the flesh and how Satan and the World feeds and corrupts the flesh and disrupts our ability to give control of our lives over to the Holy Spirit. From …

This message is a response to all that our area here in the mountains of Western North Carolina have experienced this past week due to Hurricane Helene. We discuss how the community has come together to serve as the hands and feet of Christ during such a devastating tragedy. We also look at how God provides peace, comfort and victory during the mos…

In this introduction to our new Sermon Series on Spiritual Warfare we examine what Spiritual Warfare is and why it is so important for individual Christians and the church to recognize and prepare for the war taking place all around us. From Ephesians 6:10-12. Thank you for listening to our podcast and we would love for you to subscribe to our page…

We wrap up our studies from the letter of John by taking another look at 3rd John and the situation John is addressing concerning some missionaries he had sent and how the local church was responding to them. This gives us a great example on the importance of missions and its call on the Christians life. We examine how the church is doing spreading…

As we examine 3rd John we see a contrast between two people that John mentions in this short letter and how they responded to his message of truth and those he sent to deliver it. What is the truth he is talking about and why is it so important that we not only welcome and receive it, but that we apply it to our everyday lives? From 3rd John, key v…

While John addresses the same themes of Love and Truth that we found in 1st John here in his second letter, he also becomes more direct in how Christians should deal with false teachers and false teaching and not just the kind coming from those within the church. What about how we allow the influences of the world's popular philosophies and worldvi…

In this final message from our series in 1st John we take an overview of the entire book and examine some metrics that John lays out to give an indication whether a Christian is growing spiritually or not. We examine 5 indicators that John points to as behaviors that will be found in the life of any Christian who is growing beyond just the basics o…

In this message we examine the dangerous influence that idols can have on our spiritual growth and relationship with God. We identify some modern-day idols that Christians struggle with and how to overcome them. From 1st John 5:20-21. Thank you for listening to our podcast and we would love for you to subscribe to our page and share with others. Jo…

Continued discussion on how to overcome personal sin in our lives, including those secret sins that we think no one knows about. From 1st John 5:16-19 Thank you for listening to our podcast and we would love for you to subscribe to our page and share with others. Join us for our weekly worship online at www.firstbaptistblowingrock.com or our Youtub…

As John draws his letter to a close, he reminds the church and Christians the importance of accountability within the church and the importance of praying for one another. All of us struggle to overcome sin in our lives and John wants us to make sure we utilize the power of the local faith community in our struggles. From 1st John 5:16-19. Thank yo…

In this message we look at the importance, privilege and power of personal prayer in the lives of Christian. Prayer is the most underused weapon the Christian has available for dealing with the struggles of this life as well as developing a deeper and more intimate relationship with God. From 1st John 5:13-15. Thank you for listening to our podcast…

John tells us in 1st John 5:13 that the purpose of this letter was so that Christians could have assurance in eternal life. So that we could be confident in our relationship with God through Jesus Christ and have no doubts about what awaits us when we die. Yet, if you were to ask many in the church "If you were to die today, where would you go" you…