First Baptist Owasso

Chris Wall • 2 Corinthians 8:7 According to the Scriptures, Christians should contribute their means cheerfully, regularly, systematically, proportionally, and liberally to fulfill God’s plan for the world. We simply cannot realize a true biblical vision of the Christian life without embracing the biblical concept of stewardship. At the heart of stewardship is the understanding that stewards do not own what God has entrusted to them but are managers of His resources. We know that God is the source of all blessings, temporal and spiritual; all that we have and are, we owe to Him. As we take our next step together as a church, let’s turn our sights to God-focused giving.

Chad Balthrop • John 15:4-9 Some people just aren’t that comfortable in their own skin. They feel like they bring the “awkward” everywhere they go. When we first meet, should we shake hands, fist bump, or high-five? But for some people, social anxiety is about more than the occasional awkward interaction. The bigger the crowd the greater the stress. They feel so out of place that they deceive themselves into thinking that everything would be better if they could just redefine their entire identity.In John 15, Jesus reveals an incredible truth. In Jesus, we have a new identity. Because of who He is and what He’s done, because He’s made Himself known to us, we can know who we are in Christ. And when you know who you are, you’ll know what to do.It's the satisfying fruit that abundantly grows when we learn to abide.

Chris Wall • John 14:15-31 As God led John to write his gospel, the Holy Spirit brought to memory the critical conversations in the Upper Room. As these conversations ended, Jesus made known key truths regarding how the Holy Spirit would work. His work around and in the disciples proved to be foundational in answering the call of God for their future. In the same way, the work of the Holy Spirit around and in each one of us is also foundational as we answer God’s call on our lives.

Chris Wall • John 14:7-14 Belief fuels the fire of faithfulness. Communication to the Master of the Universe takes place every time you pray. Go back and listen to the last few prayers you prayed. That communication with the Lord reveals what you believe about God. Philip is the third disciple to ask Jesus for more details about who He is and where He’s going. In this moment, Jesus makes known His disciples their greatest gospel adventure is yet to come. God still moves His disciples to a vision grounded in prayer. Jesus entered heaven and left the Holy Spirit to powerfully work in and through disciples in BIG WAYS. What are you asking God to do through the work of your life, your family, and your church? Do your prayers reflect the glory of God?

Chris Wall • John 13:36 - 14:6 Belief creates the confidence that Christ is coming to take us home. Peter promises to go where he goes. Thomas confesses he doesn’t know where Jesus will go. What you believe about Jesus determines the view you have of heaven. Heaven isn’t a place you go. It’s the home Jesus prepared for you. It’s the home hetakes you to. Know this: Jesus is the way (to heaven), the truth (about heaven), and the life (eternal in heaven).

Chris Wall • John 13:31-35 The glory of God is revealed in our love for one another. Christ glorified God with his sacrificial death. God glorified Christ in his miraculous resurrection. The glory of God in his disciples is best seen in our love for one another. The love of Christ is God-centered and God-defined (It’s not a temporary, human kind of love). The love of Christ is self-sacrificing. The love of Christ moves us to love one another. Who do you need to forgive? Who do you struggle to love? What will you do to forgive and love that person this week?

Chris Wall • John 13:21-30 The story of Judas is arguably the most shocking account of betrayal in history. His betrayal shows the ultimate end of misguided belief. Judas heard all the teaching. He went to all the places. He experienced all the wonders and even ate the bread and fish Jesus miraculously made. Yet his heart remained stubbornly stuck in unbelief. What is even more striking is that his unbelief was hidden from everyone but Jesus. When hearing of a betrayal in the group, the other 11 accused themselves without even considering Judas as the culprit. Though Judas’s story was prophetically predicted, surely there are lessons to learn from his historic downfall. Surely there are safeguards to establish so you can avoid the Judas path to misguided belief.

Chris Wall • John 13:1-3 Jesus moves into the Upper Room discourse with a dramatic call to servanthood. This was an unexpected and humble act of service that symbolized the washing of regeneration (forgiveness) given to all who believe. John 13:14-17 moves from what Jesus did to what we should do for one another. “If you know these things, happy are you if you do them.” The gospel continues to radically impact our lives one person at a time. Nothing earns the credibility to share the gospel like humbling serving people expecting nothing in return. God is calling our church to a unified heart so that we can more effectively serve one another.

Chris Wall • John 12:35-36 Do you believe in Jesus? What does that even mean? Obedience to God is the way you can show that you believe. Trust in the redemptive power of the cross. Pay attention to the clear messages in God’s word. Rest in the eternal life and promises God makes and keeps. The light of Christ is shining a little while longer. God has prepared you to believe so that you will faithfully point people around you to the amazing gift of salvation that came to you. Share your faith with someone this week.

Brayden Peckham • John 12:12-26 Jesus marched into Jerusalem in the manner of a king seated on a donkey. The Pharisees scoffed at Him and tried to end His work. Later, they thought they had succeeded. But, Jesus sacrificed everything and calls us to do the same. How are you going to surrender Jesus?

Smokey Hurst • John 12:1-8 What does a passionate personal response to Jesus actually look like? What does a passionate personal response to reject Jesus look like? The gospel of John was written for us to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and yet we often struggle with what we are to do with these realities in our lives. John 12 is the hinge from Jesus' public ministry to His private ministry before the cross. John 12 through the end of the gospel of John is about Passion Week and the resurrection. Within the first few verses of John 12 we get to peek inside the hearts of Mary and Judas who both make very passionate personal responses to who they believe Jesus to be. What is your response?

Joe McKeen There are two reactions to Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead- Belief and Unbelief.

Brad Aylor

Chris Wall • John 10:1-6 Jesus uses the powerful imagery of a shepherd and his sheep to convey deep spiritual truths. He declares Himself as the Good Shepherd, the One who intimately knows and cares for His sheep, willing to lay down His life for their protection. Not only does he defend the sheep, but He knows the sheep and the sheep know hisvoice. There is complete certainty in Christ. You can live with an unshakable trust that transcends the challenges and uncertainties of life. It is a confidence that our salvation is secure, firmly held in the hands of the One who laid down His life for us. Put yourself in the best position to hear God's voice. One day, we will not just hear the voice of the Good Shepherd, but we will see him face to face.

Chris Wall • John 9:1-5 The bad news is that every person is born spiritually blind. However, the good news is that Jesus came as the light of the world offering healing from spiritual blindness. Just as Jesus gave physical sight to the blind man, He offers the gift of spiritual vision to all who have faith in Him. Communicating this powerful message of salvation is the primary work Jesus came to do. Today, you are called to join Him in this very work: You are sent to WORK the WORK of God.

Chris Wall • John 8:10-12 A Divine plan was implemented in Jesus being sent to the world revealing the light of salvation. John 8 describes a transformative confrontation with the scribes and Pharisees as they come to grips with their need for salvation. God issues a call to genuine repentance, resulting in a turning away from sin, leading to the internal light of life. Is that light of life in you? Jesus shared this light with the world. Our church is SENT to do the same. Today, look deeply in your heart for the Light of Life.

Chris Wall • John 7:37-53 The scene continues at the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem. On the last day, Jesus stands and proclaims that whoever is thirsty should come to Him and drink, promising that rivers of living water will flow from within them. “Every believer is SENT by God to share the LOVE of Jesus so the WORLD will KNOW and BELIEVE that He is God.” “The One SENT to save the worlds sends you.” On this Father’s Day, we pray that our men become channels of living water that changes the world.

Chad Balthrop • John 7:1-9 If you have a brother, you know. “You think you’re something special!? Prove it!” Let’s be honest: even beyond sibling rivalry, we don’t like being told what to do. Sure, give me advice. Help me achieve my goals. But insert the word “should,” tell me I have to? It’s the quickest way to get me to go the other way. In the days before Jesus was crucified, he encountered people who couldn’t get past their doubt, dissatisfaction, defeats, disagreements, or denial—even his brothers. Yet Jesus kept confidently living a God-given plan. He kept moving toward His redemptive purpose. He met people where they were and challenged them to take their next step of faith. And now, the One sent to save the world sends you.

Chad Balthrop • John 6:22-24 Our appetites can fuel our strengths or feed our vices. On the day after He fed the 5000, the morning after He walked on water, the crowd came, seeking Jesus. After hearing His words, their day ended, leaving Jesus. The appetites that drove them to Him became the obstacles that kept them from believing in Him. Jesus said, “I am the bread of life.” Enjoy a meal you’ll always remember with a man you’ll never forget. Trust every appetite to the One who satisfies every need. He has the Words of Life.

Chris Wall • John 6:15-21 Jesus brings the calm. When life's storms rage around us, our instinct is often to focus on the tempest itself, but Jesus calls us to a different response. He invites us to sit with Him, to rest in His unwavering presence, and to find calm amid the turbulence. This passage reminds us that no matter how tumultuous our circumstances, Jesus brings the calm over the tumultuous waves of life. Sit with the Lord. Instead of sitting with your problems, sit with the Lord. Instead of meditating on your problems, meditate on His promises.