First Church

Is God’s grace really amazing? With a title like that, I will surely get quick responses from believers. I already hear the sounds of the old hymn “Amazing Grace,” and people accuse me of being sacrilegious. But if you’ve read this far and will read this book, you will discover why God’s grace is so remarkable and why I used a bold question for the title. Peter’s first epistle highlights grace, revealing how security, sobriety, submission, suffering, and service are all attributes of God’s amazing grace. I first preached this expositional series in 2008-09. Then, in 2022-23, ...

Unveiling the layers of early Christian life and challenges, "A Commentary on the First Epistle of Saint Paul to the Thessalonians" offers a deep dive into the apostle's words and their enduring significance. This book provides a penetrating look into the sociopolitical and spiritual context of Thessalonica, a pivotal city in the Roman Empire known for its strategic location and port. The introduction meticulously sets the scene for the Thessalonian church's birth against the backdrop of Saint Paul's missionary journeys and the complexities of spreading the Christian faith in a diverse and ...

The First Amendment to the US Constitution codified the principle that the government should play no role in favoring or supporting any religion, while allowing free exercise of all religions (including unbelief). More than two centuries later, the results from this experiment are overwhelming: The separation of church and state has shielded the government from religious factionalism, and the United States boasts a diverse religious culture unmatched anywhere in the world.

The pastor's wife is missing! Is the escaped felon to blame? Whether living in a rectory, manse or parsonage, life married to a small town minister calls for faith, hope, and charity; plus heaping helpings of tact and the skin of a rhinoceros. New to this life in the small coastal town of Bannoch, Oregon, Naidenne Davidson turns for support to her fellow ministers’ wives of The First Ladies Club. The women share sympathy, friendship and tips on dealing with difficult church members, but when tall, shapely Naidenne catches the eye of an escaped killer, the Club goes beyond mere friendship....

The banker and the barista… Amanda Allred’s getting tired of being in the closet for her dull, boring banking job. She’s frustrated with the whole boys’ club atmosphere there and the ‘good ol’ boy’ mentality that goes along with it. Salt Lake is thriving culturally and she wants to be a part of it all; openly and freely in the Utah she’s always loved. But, banking pays the bills and then some. She fears there are just not a lot of opportunities out there professionally for a woman in such a male centric, Mormon culture. Rebecca Musser is finally living the life she once only...

Beginning with the biblical basics, Jeff Lockyer walks listeners through the underlying theology and practical application of how Southridge Community Church has approached ministry for nearly a quarter century. While providing a fresh approach to ministry, the book stimulates how to think - not what to think. It's written by a local church practitioner for local church practitioners.

To our Beloved sons and daughters What do you know about the book of First Samuel? The subject: Appointing a king over Israel. In the beginning, God was the king. God sent them judges when they went astray, but the people asked for a king like the other nations. The topic of this book: Samuel was the fruit of his mother’s prayers, and Saul was the fruit of the persistence of the people, not the fruit of prayer. King David was the fruit of the prayers of Samuel the prophet. + This is considered a topic about the fruit of prayers. + The beginning of choosing a king, that is why we find for ...

The Rapture and Return of Jesus Christ First and Second Thessalonians In this epistle the Apostle Paul teaches us The benefit of belonging to a New Testament Church Every Christian would benefit from belonging to a local New Testament (Baptist) Church. In the worst of circumstances, the support and fellowship, the prayer and encouragement helps us through those tough times. The importance of having a good testimony Though the church in Thessalonica was a young one, and had experienced terrible persecution, it had gained a testimony throughout their region. This church serves today to teach ...

You bring a great light into this world that no one else can bring, and only you know how to shine bright! Some of the girls are confident, and some of the girls are shy. We meet girls who have friends and others who feel all alone. There are girls who can’t help being happy and others who can’t stop feeling sad. We all have to live in the real world. Sometimes that is easy, and sometimes it is hard. But don’t be afraid. Being a Christian means that you are never alone because Jesus is always with you. When you trust in him, he will make you strong. When you lean on him, you will ...

The 1st Amendment to the US Constitution codified the principle that government should play no role in favoring or supporting any religion, while allowing free exercise of all religions (including unbelief). More than 200 years later, the results from this experiment are overwhelming: The separation of church and state has shielded the government from religious factionalism, and the United States boasts a diverse religious culture unmatched in the world. But changes have been taking place at an accelerating pace in recent years.

Have you ever wonder what life is like for a First Lady behind the scenes? Pastor Nigel and First Lady Sandra Brooks have been together for almost a decade. After years of dedication to her husband, children, and ministry, First Lady Brooks is feeling a bit unappreciated and wishes to be seen as more than just a First Lady. She desires to again be the leading lady in her husband’s life. However, she soon discovers that her husband may be holding auditions for her position. After this revelation, something happens that shakes up the Brooks household which leads to secrets that may rock the...

Within these pages are the notes and lectures I gave as a teacher of church planting.I have had experience in church planting in three different levels: As the member of a brand new church plant As the pastor being sent out of his church to plant a new church As the pastor of the sending church of a man pastoring a new church plant I've seen this work from many different viewpoints, have sat in on multiple hours of sermons, lessons and messages on church planting and I have served as the sending pastor of church planters with many different talents, temperaments, and tools with which to ...

She's waiting for her prince to come...but was he right beside her all the time? Kristina Rose Maher wants to know why fairytales never happen for fat girls. Certain that diner cook Jeff, handsome and fit, will never want her as more than a friend, she stuffs down her attraction to him. But when she finds herself facing a life-altering weight loss surgery, she discovers she's willing to do whatever it takes to embrace life - and love - to the fullest.

First fruits is not a new subject in the Body of Christ. However, many of us do not know how to grab hold of the blessings that it offers because we see it mainly as an Old Testament principle. SJ breaks down the Word of GOD with a revelation given to her at the beginning of 2018 for the year of 2018 and first fruits. You do not want to miss this teaching! Join SJ on this walk and walk into a whole new understanding of first fruits like you have never seen before!

The long-lost prince finally makes his trek home only to be held captive when he reaches Dermot. Will the king persuade him to marry his daughter and forever change the course of his future? Rian Barnali, Gilvary’s youngest prince, has not spoken to his family since he left the country ten years ago. He has made amends with God, and now it is time to reconnect with his family. He makes it as far as Dermot, where he is held captive by King Farris. The king has a plan for Rian, and he will do whatever it takes to ensure Rian marries his daughter. Princess Adrika is little more than a token ...

A queen in need of a husband and a prince who had never been truly loved—will they overcome opposition to find happiness? Brianna Reaner, Queen of Aisling, has never been on a date, been in love, had a suitor, or has even had a crush on a boy before. According to the laws of her country, she must marry by her eighteenth birthday or risk losing the right to rule her kingdom. How is she supposed to find a suitable husband in less than six months? What will the consequences be if she makes the wrong choice? With the help of her advisors, she compiles a surprisingly short list of suitable ...

The focus of this book is to help you feel filled with courage and encouraged as you deal with issues in your life, work, and church safety and security activities. My hope is that this book, combined with your own prayerful meditation and introspective thinking, will give you the courage to live and serve in the line of duty, where that duty finds you.

This awesome bundle is both the first and second books of David combined. These books are about a man who lived Mormonism to the fullest for 50 years, having 14 children and being married six times. His funny and outrageous stories will have you laughing out loud. He covers almost every topic in the church from an ex-Mormon's perspective in his writings, but most of the best stories are combined in these two audiobooks.

A heartfelt play of compassion and redemption, perfect for church stages. Mrs. Leymon, a seamstress with a mission, battles indifference to bring hope to the poorest souls of Higby Lane. From wealthy skeptics to a dying mother’s salvation, this 45-minute drama (7 scenes) shines with faith and purpose. Performance rights included—ideal for small casts and big hearts.

Journey to the creation of our current race of humans. Created by alien gods, we, the e-hums, have been taught what to believe, and implanted with thoughts and images from another world. Our alien creators have been monitoring us and controlling us through various methods. Finally, the time has come for mankind to make a decision. Will we fight the battle with these alien gods? Do we have what it takes? Or, will we succumb to their mighty will and continue being a slave to them? Will another alien force step in to help us?