First Baptist Church of El Dorado - Sermons

For Unto Us: From Stump To Savior: Hope In Isaiah 11

We explore Isaiah 11 to show how God brings life from places that look finished and how waiting between Christ’s first coming and his return reshapes hope, justice, and daily courage. The promise of a righteous King and a restored creation steadies both sorrow and joy. • the field of stumps as Judah’s condition and our own • the shoot from Jesse as the promised King from David’s line • the Spirit-filled ruler who judges with true wisdom • justice for the poor and equity for the meek • the peaceable kingdom and new creation imagery • why Christian longing endures amid present pain • encouragement for weary hearts and grateful hearts • invitation to respond in faith, community, and obedience Between the manger and the return of the King, we learn how to wait well. If life feels cut down, take heart: God grows life where we only see loss. If you’re on the mountaintop, rejoice—and remember the best is still ahead. We lean into practices that match the future we expect: truth, mercy, neighbor love, and steady courage. Join us as we let Advent reshape our longings, our work, and our worship, trusting the One who began the good work to bring it to completion. If this message encouraged you, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review to help others find hope.

For Unto Us: The Child Who Shatters Darkness | Isaiah 9

The story opens in the thick of fear: Judah is staring down Assyria, a king is hedging his bets, and the air feels heavy with failure. Then Isaiah drops a word that turns the whole room—nevertheless. From that hinge, we trace how a land soaked in gloom hears the unthinkable promise of a Child who will carry the government, right wrongs with justice and righteousness, and bring a peace that doesn’t crack under pressure. We walk through Isaiah 9:1–7 with fresh eyes, connecting the prophecy to its fulfillment in the life of Jesus. Galilee’s shame becomes the stage for glory. Bethlehem anchors the promise in David’s line. The titles are not poetry for greeting cards; they are the concrete credentials of a Savior who is both transcendent and near: Wonderful Counselor for confused minds, Mighty God for real threats, Everlasting Father for restless hearts, Prince of Peace for fractured homes and nations. Along the way, we draw a line to John’s language of light—bold, unquenchable, personal—and we talk about what it means for light to confront darkness in our habits, systems, and hopes. This Advent, we invite you to practice stubborn hope. Name the darkness honestly, then cling to the God who writes himself into the story and breaks the yoke we thought we had to carry. If you need wisdom, he counsels. If you face fear, he fights. If you long for belonging, he fathers. If your world feels divided, he makes peace. The zeal of the Lord will do this is not a wish; it’s a guarantee signed by God. Join us, share this message with someone who needs light, and if it helps you, leave a rating and review so others can find the hope you found today.

Transformed Life: Paul’s Final Warning: Unity, Wolves, And A Church That Stands | Romans 16:17-27

We finish Romans with a sober call to guard the gospel and a hopeful promise that the God of peace will crush Satan. We name divisive tactics, expose flattering falsehoods, and commit to unity that stands on Scripture, not trends. • two threats named: division and obstacles to doctrine • unity that welcomes differences without tolerating wolves • smooth talk and flattery as tools of deception • training in truth to spot counterfeits quickly • from Genesis 3:15 to Revelation 20, the serpent is crushed • the gospel we guard is the gospel that guards us • resolve to preach Christ clearly for generations If there's any now that wants to come to know you for the first time, today's a good day. Maybe they want to join our church family, maybe they just want a pastor to pray over them. However they need to respond, would they do that now?

Transformed Life: We Come To Church Because God Turns Strangers Into Family | Romans 16

We walk through Romans 16 and discover why a list of names reveals the beating heart of the church: a family formed by Jesus, gathered in homes and across classes, where every story and gift matters and shows why showing up still changes lives. We honor Phoebe, Priscilla and Aquila, Andronicus and Junia, Rufus, and many others as living proof that God turns strangers into family and service into joy. • why gathering matters beyond streaming • Phoebe’s trusted leadership and teaching role • Priscilla and Aquila’s costly hospitality and courage • firstfruits in Asia and the spread of the gospel • Andronicus and Junia’s witness and suffering • approved through trials and faithfulness under pressure • households tied to power alongside slaves and former slaves • Rufus and the cross-bearer legacy • every testimony as resurrection, not comparison • all hands on deck, all worthy of honor, all welcomed as family If you don’t have a church home this morning and you want to come be a part of this church family, I want you to know you will be welcomed as family If you don’t know Jesus Christ personally, and this morning you say, I want to know that I know that he died for me, that he forgives my sins, you can come to know Christ even now, and you will be welcomed as family

Gratitude That Looks Back And Forward: Celebrating 180 Years | Luke 17:11–19

We trace Luke 17:11–19 from desperate plea to grateful worship, showing how mercy “as you go” turns outsiders into witnesses. We look back in thanks for God’s faithfulness to our church and look forward in faith to the work still ahead. • Jesus heads toward Jerusalem and the cross • Ten lepers cry for mercy and obey • Healing arrives on the road, not on demand • One returns to thank and worship Jesus • Faith saves deeper than physical healing • Our story mirrored in their mercy and obedience • Gratitude fuels mission and community life • Looking back in thanks, moving forward in faith “Would today be the day they come to know you? … If they want to come down and chat with me about that, I'd love nothing more.”