First Baptist Church Thomson, GA

What are a church's values? They are core beliefs and shared convictions based on God’s Word, that we passionately and consistently hold up as nonnegotiables to guide us in accomplishing our mission. They help us answer the “why” and “how” questions of all we do as a church, all we promote, prioritize, and proclaim. In this series, we'll explore the eight core values of First Baptist Church, Thomson, GA. In this first message, we look at the value of being Biblically Faithful: Proclaiming and living out God’s Word with integrity, authority, and clarity.

After three weeks looking in the Old Testament at Jesus "died according to the Scriptures," we turn to John 20 in the New Testament to see what the resurrection means for those who come searching: For those looking for answers, the empty tomb gives us faith. For those overwhelmed by sorrow, the Risen Lord gives us joy. And for those like Thomas, who wrestle with doubts, the risen Christ offers us reasons to worship.

In this message, we look at one last prophecy: Isaiah’s Song of the Suffering Servant. It’s the fourth and final Servant Song in Isaiah. The Book of Isaiah is quoted in the NT more than any other prophet and has been called “the Fifth Gospel” because it reveals so much about Jesus. He begins looking at the Servant’s success, then describes His suffering. The last two sections of this passage mirror that—looking at His suffering then His success. These mirrored sections point us to the center of the song: the focus on the Servant’s significance.

Continuing to look at Old Testament prophetic scriptures that point us to Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, we look at Psalm 22, one of the most miraculous prophetic passages of Scripture. Charles Spurgeon called it the Psalm of the Cross, saying, "Before us we have a description both of the darkness and of the glory of the cross, the sufferings of Christ and the glory which shall follow. Oh for grace to draw near and see this great sight! We should read reverently, putting off our shoes from off our feet, as Moses did at the burning bush, for if there be holy ground anywhere in Scripture it is in this Psalm.” We will do just that in this sermon.

Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:3 that he was preaching how "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,” referencing how Jesus' crucifixion fulfilled Old Testament prophecy and prediction. In this sermon series we are looking at Jesus' death and resurrection through the lens of the Old Testament, beginning with how Jesus is the ultimate High Priest and sacrificial lamb, fulfilling the Day of Atonement for all who trust in Him.