First Baptist Church Gulf Breeze

God has more for His people than we can possibly imagine.  How much can He do in a life that is fully committed?  Could it be that the "more" is available right now, but just needs to be asked for?  When the purposes in our hearts align with the purposes of God, things happen!  God has planted dreams inside His followers, it's now up to us to pursue them.

There are churches everywhere.  There are Christians all around the world.  But, what makes a church a church?  What makes a Christian a Christian?  It all comes down to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

It's the story of a wayward son, but it's really more a story of a loving father.  Even in rejection the father continued to love.  Every parent knows this kind of love.  No matter where your son or daughter goes.  No matter what they do.  No matter how far they wander.  The love doesn't end.  How much greater is the love of God for us.  

It's a mad, mad world.  Drive around for five minutes on a busy road and you'll see the rage come out.  Why is everyone so mad?  Anger is deep-rooted.  Anger grows and grows.  We have to deal with anger before anger deals with us.  

God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.  That never changes.  The things He did in the past, He can and will do in the future.  Nothing catches God off guard.  He is above all things.  He is infinite.  He is above time and location.  Yet, we live in a time and culture when things seem to be falling apart.  It is reassuring to know that God is bigger than any current situation, challenge, or setback.  

Do you know why you were created?  What is your purpose on this planet?  Life is a continual revealing of God's purposes in us and for us.  Along the path new directions are taken.  But, each step builds on the last.  So, what do you do now?  You do the "next right thing".  You move in the right direction.  God will guide the steps.  He will train and equip.  Your "secret sauce" will become more and more apparent!

We need each other. The Christian life is not intended to be a solo venture. Part of the "secret sauce" is being a part of something bigger than us. It's receiving from others and giving to others. We are to love each other deeply!

Every believer has been gifted. Each person is unique. Our giftedness is mixed with our personality and experiences. No two people are alike in their makeup. God has created it this way intentionally. We need each other. Left alone, we are missing pieces, but together we have the fullness of God's plan.

Everyone needs a purpose. Without purpose life feels meaningless. In a world that promotes self, maybe we have been pursuing this the wrong way. Could it be that the way to find what we have been wanting, we need to focus outward? Putting our attention on other people. As we help others, could that possibly lead to our own self fulfillment?

Every one of us have many similarities. We have emotions, we have drives, we have goals, we have physical bodies, we have dreams. Yet, we are all also unique. Every single person has a distinction that makes them who they are. Have you ever thought about your uniqueness? What is the "secret sauce" that makes you different than everyone else?

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the single most important event in human history. Time was split in half. Death was defeated. God became man, took on the sins of the entire world, paid the ultimate price, then defeated the curse and death. Jesus is alive, and because of His resurrection, we have life as well.

God lived in a tent! Throughout the Old Testament we see the tent being used as the dwelling place of God. It moved with the people. In more modern day history the tent has been used for many revivals over the years. Today's message is the start of a tent week for our congregation. We are setting up a literal tent in town and setting aside a time of prayer and focus.

Every single person will be judged. Justice is always served. To say that God is judgmental goes against the modern day grain. He's all loving right? Well, yes, God is good and loving. He extends His mercy and grace and forgiveness to all. However, He is also a judging God. To rephrase it: God is fair! Isn't that the kind of God we want?

The breaking of chains is at the heart of the Christian message. But, are there some chains that are needed? Chains that serve a purpose. What may seem like an inconvenience, a setback, a burden, a challenge, or a trial, may actually be the very thing God is using for a bigger purpose.

"The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few". If you've been around Christian circles much, you've likely heard that verse many times. Typically it's a call to be a worker. It's a call to evangelize and tell the world about Jesus. That's a good interpretation. However, what does it mean to be a worker? Are the workers just those that actually see someone give their life to Christ? In harvesting, there are many steps before a crop is produced. The same can be said of someone accepting Jesus. There is a process. Multiple people may be involved with each level.

The anointing. What exactly is anointing anyway? What are the roots of the word and tradition? Who receives the anointing? How do you receive the anointing? This week we focused on these questions and the key benefits of the anointing (Blessing, Protection, and Empowerment).

The power comes from above. It's not enough to have good theology and doctrine. It's not enough to live a moral life. It's not enough to serve. Nothing wrong with any of those things, but what's really needed is the power of God residing in the believer. An anointing!

Everyone has a story. Each story is unique. Stories are our personal history. They are filled with ups and downs, highs and lows. As believers, they are also filled with redemption and forgiveness. Stories are captivating and full of adventure. What's your story?

A lofty goal was presented today. The challenge presented was for 1,000 souls to be changed forever in 2021. It's a reminder to return to our calling, our mission. This year, one thousand people forever changed ... that's the challenge.

God must become greater in our lives, while we become less in our lives. God is above all things. It only makes sense that the Creator knows the creation even better than the creation knows itself. Said another way, God knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows what we need and what we don't need. He knows our deepest longings and desires. Yet, in our humanity, we hold on to the control. Less of me and more of Thee, that is the focus of this week's message.