Search and browse every sermon preached at FBC Artesia — by book, speaker, series, or topic.
This sermon explores the biblical nature of true worship, warning against the dual errors of emotionalism and intellectual rationalism. Drawing from Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman in John 4, the speaker argues that authentic worship requires both spirit and truth—where sound doctrine and heartfelt delight work in harmony to glorify God.
This sermon explains the vital role of deacons in the church, drawing from 1 Timothy 3 and Acts 6. The speaker outlines the deacon's job to preserve unity and facilitate practical service, freeing pastors for the ministry of the Word and prayer. He details the character qualifications for deacons, including the biblical support for women deacons, and highlights the great reward they receive for their selfless service, ultimately reflecting the sacrificial servant heart of Jesus Christ Himself.
This sermon explains the vital importance of congregationalism, asserting that individual church members hold significant God-given authority and responsibility. The speaker outlines four key areas where the congregation exercises this authority: church membership, leadership (affirming or removing pastors and deacons), governing documents, and the church budget. It emphasizes that while pastors lead, the congregation has the ultimate 'emergency brake' to safeguard the purity of the gospel and the integrity of the church, fostering a robust and trustworthy community.
This sermon explores the biblical basis and practical importance of church membership through the lens of Christ's kingly authority in Matthew 16. It explains that church membership is a formal recognition of Kingdom citizenship and an explicit covenant to take responsibility for one another's discipleship.
This sermon explores the essential nature of the Gospel, framing it as the "material principle" of Christian life and the church. It highlights how the Gospel saves individuals from sin, creates new spiritual life and the church community through practices like baptism, protects the integrity of the church through the proper administration of the Lord's Supper, and ultimately cultivates humility and empowered service in believers. The message emphasizes that true faith rooted in Christ's work leads to transformed lives and active participation in God's redemptive plan.
45 minThis sermon, 'The Excellent Life,' based on 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12, calls Christians to actively pursue spiritual growth by excelling in love. It highlights two key areas: consistently loving fellow believers within the church and demonstrating love to outsiders through responsible, diligent, and quiet living. By being faithful in everyday duties and hard work, Christians offer a compelling testimony to the world, ultimately reflecting God's transformative love and contributing to both the church and society.
47 minThis sermon, based on Proverbs 4, urges listeners to "get on and stay on the path of wisdom" as it leads to eternal life. It highlights the generational responsibility of parents and the church to teach God's wisdom, contrasting the bright path of the righteous with the dark path of the wicked. The sermon emphasizes guarding one's heart, avoiding temptation, and receiving wisdom from others, ultimately pointing to Jesus Christ as the embodiment of divine wisdom and the only way to true life.
59 minThis memorial service celebrates the faithful life of Jim Armstrong through heartfelt tributes from his daughter, sister, friends, and neighbors. Pastor John delivers a powerful gospel message based on the reality of death and the secure hope of the resurrection found in Jesus Christ.
1h 50mA panel discussion exploring the theological and practical implications of artificial intelligence on the Christian life. The speakers contrast the artificial nature of AI with true human personhood, arguing that while AI is a powerful tool, it poses a risk of automating critical thinking, relationships, and the biblical value of work.
47 minThis sermon on Genesis 21 explores God's absolute faithfulness to His promises, illustrated through Isaac's birth, Hagar and Ishmael's preservation in the wilderness, and Abraham's covenant with Abimelech. It encourages believers to trust in the everlasting God during periods of waiting, transition, and living in the tension of the 'already' and 'not yet'.
39 minThis sermon explores Genesis 18:1-15, contrasting Abraham's eager hospitality and faith with Sarah's cynical laughter and unbelief regarding God's promise of a son. The preacher uses this narrative to highlight God's omnipotence and his loving confrontation of sin, ultimately inviting listeners to abandon self-preservation and embrace God's grace found in Jesus Christ, fostering a spirit of joyful service.
42 minThis sermon on 1 Peter 5:5-7 explores two essential dimensions of humility in the Christian life: humility towards one another and humility towards God. It emphasizes submitting to elders, serving fellow believers, and casting all anxieties on God, knowing that He opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble and cares deeply for His people. The message encourages believers to embrace gospel-driven humility, trust in God's timing and plan, and actively fight against pride in all aspects of life.
37 minThis sermon, drawing from 2 Corinthians 8-9, highlights six attributes of Christian generosity. It emphasizes that true generosity is a joyful response to God's grace, not limited by circumstances, and deeply fueled by thanksgiving for Christ's sacrifice. Ultimately, this outward-directed giving, which also involves sending people, serves to glorify God and strengthen the church's mission locally and globally.
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19 minThis panel discussion explores the vital role of prayer and dependence on the Holy Spirit in preaching, particularly amidst life's busyness and personal suffering, which deepens a pastor's reliance on God. The panelists also address how to balance expository preaching with cultural relevance, emphasizing the importance of discipling congregations to maturity while wisely engaging with contemporary issues impacting the church. Ultimately, the conversation highlights that effective, powerful preaching stems from faithfulness to God's Word and dependence on the Spirit, rather than celebrity status or congregation size.
23 minThis panel discussion explores the pervasive struggle of pride among pastors and spiritual leaders, emphasizing its elusive nature. Panelists Thomas, Nam, and Robert Scott share practical strategies for cultivating humility, including regular confession to family and accountability partners, radical vulnerability, and strategically declining opportunities that might fuel self-exaltation. They stress the importance of fostering a culture of honest feedback and deep friendships within church leadership to safeguard against pride and promote genuine spiritual growth.
44 minThis sermon, based on 1 Thessalonians 5:12-14, calls the church to active mutual care, emphasizing the importance of supporting spiritual leaders and ministering to fellow believers. It encourages recognition, high esteem, and peace towards leaders who labor, lead, and admonish, while exhorting congregants to warn the idle, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, and be patient with everyone. The sermon grounds these challenging commands in the unifying power of Jesus Christ, whose love and sacrifice enable the community to live out these principles.
42 minThis sermon on Nehemiah 8:1-12 instructs believers to rightly heed God's Word by gathering, listening, responding, and rejoicing. It highlights how the returning Israelites wept upon hearing the Law, realizing their past disobedience, but were then commanded to celebrate because the day was holy and the joy of the Lord is their strength. The message emphasizes that true rejoicing stems from understanding God's salvific plan, particularly through Jesus Christ, rather than despair over sin.
45 minThis sermon examines Genesis 4, highlighting how human effort inevitably fails, condemns, and deludes, as seen in the story of Cain and his descendants. It contrasts humanity's futile attempts to earn God's favor with God's provision of a new "seed" through Seth, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The message concludes by emphasizing that salvation and acceptance before God come not from our own works or striving, but from the complete and sufficient grace offered through Christ's sacrifice, which cries out "forgiven" over our sin.
30 minThis sermon emphasizes the crucial importance of the resurrection, often overlooked in the gospel message. Pastor Jason Barrest, drawing from 2 Corinthians 1:3-11, illustrates how God uses suffering and trials to teach believers to rely not on themselves but on Him, who raises the dead. He highlights that God's comfort during affliction is profound and equips believers to comfort others, ultimately deepening their faith and hope in Christ's resurrection for both present strength and eternal security.