First Baptist Blowing Rock

What is the best "before and after" picture that you have ever seen? Was it a weight loss miracle? A makeup makeover? What about a house that someone flipped or a car that was completely overhauled? We love to hear and see "before and after" pictures and stories. They encourage us with potential and hope, but what if someone was doing a "before and after" about your life? What would be the turning point, the moment that your "before" became and "after"? Paul encourages the Church at Ephesus here in Ephesians 2, by pointing out the greatest "before and after" story every told and unbelievably, you and I are a part of it. Listen and discover how God can take a "hot mess of a life", a pretty disturbing "before" and turn it into a beautiful "after", a masterpiece. Thank you for listening to our podcast and we would love for you to subscribe to our page and share with others. Join us for our weekly worship online at www.first

This message from our Harvest Day service tackles the issue of what happened to the Church at Ephesus from the time of Paul's prayer in Chapter one to the conclusions we hear about in Revelation 2. How did they go from redeemed Saints, exploring their inheritance in Christ, to 'loosing their first love"? It remains a problem today in both churches and individuals. We lose our passion and purpose and instead of searching for what happened, we just try harder, add more works and programs and hope it will come back. It is time we found the real solution to what is ailing our powerless churches and purposeless believers - join us for some answers from Paul's simple prayer in Ephesians 1:15-23. Thank you for listening to our podcast and we would love for you to subscribe to our page and share with others. Join us for our weekly worship online at www.firstbaptistblowingrock.com or our Youtube page. Contact us at office@firstbaptistblowingrock.com or by phone @ 828-295-7715

What does it really mean to be a "child of God"? Should it make a difference in how I live? worship? interact with others? As a child of God, a "joint -heir" with Jesus, and a part of the family; does that mean I get an inheritance? We have heard hymns and choruses proclaim these themes, probably even sung or said the words ourselves - but what does it really mean? and does it really matter? Join us as we find out just how incredible an inheritance you already have and what it might mean for your future. From Ephesians 1:13-14Thank you for listening to our podcast and we would love for you to subscribe to our page and share with others. Join us for our weekly worship online at www.firstbaptistblowingrock.com or our Youtube page. Contact us at office@firstbaptistblowingrock.com or by phone @ 828-295-7715

We sing songs and hymns about being "redeemed", we read about it in scripture, and sometimes a Pastor or teacher may throw it out there; but what does it really mean? It is not a common word we use today so for many Christians the real meaning is never fully grasped. Since many fail to understand it, we fail to realize just what the Bible is saying when it calls us "The Redeemed". Join us as we look at Ephesians 1:7-10 as Paul explains the power and promises that come with redemption. True freedom and real forgiveness can be yours. Would you like to experience freedom from your past, from your mistakes, from your regrets? How about a true and lasting forgiveness? Give it a listen.Thank you for listening to our podcast and we would love for you to subscribe to our page and share with others. Join us for our weekly worship online at www.firstbaptistblowingrock.com or our Youtube page. Contact us at office@firstbaptistblowingrock.com or by phone @ 828-295-7715

There are video clips flooding the internet of a prominent Pastor's wife proclaiming to the church, "We don't come to worship for God - we do it for ourselves - we do it to make us happy and God's greatest desire is for our happiness". Through all the controversy and opinion being thrown around about this quote - what does the Bible say? Here in Ephesians 1, the Apostle Paul clearly proclaims that "it is not about us"! We were created and redeemed for God's glory and God is more concerned with our holiness than our happiness. Join us as we continue our look at Ephesians 1:3-6 and how God's plan of salvation was around long before you or I were ever around yet we "get" to be a part of it. Thank you for listening to our podcast and we would love for you to subscribe to our page and share with others. Join us for our weekly worship online at www.firstbaptistblowingrock.com or our Youtube page. Contact us at office@firstbaptistblowingrock.com or by phone @ 8

When did God decide to send Jesus as a sacrifice for the sins of man and a means for man's salvation? Why did he do it? Was it so we could go to heaven? be forgiven? have a relationship with Him? The answers to these questions take us into the deeper waters of scripture, into some of the central truths of the New Testament and leave many believers breathless. While the answer is simple; the impact it can have on our day to day living is profound. Do you dare wade into the deep end? The discoveries can be life-changing. Join us as we dive into the wonderful truths of Ephesians 1:3-6. Thank you for listening to our podcast and we would love for you to subscribe to our page and share with others. Join us for our weekly worship online at www.firstbaptistblowingrock.com or our Youtube page. Contact us at office@firstbaptistblowingrock.com or by phone @ 828-295-7715

The Apostle Paul starts this wonderful letter by reminding Christ followers that not only are they a "totally new creation" but also that they have been given the most incredible blessings available. You don't have to wait for them, your don't have to earn them, you don't have to pray for them; they are already yours! The question is not what more can God give you - the question is what are you doing with all you have already been given? Our need is not to receive something more but to do something more with what He has already given us! Join us as we continue our introduction to this new series and you might be surprised to find out all that you already possess to live an incredible and abundant life. From Ephesians 1:3Thank you for listening to our podcast and we would love for you to subscribe to our page and share with others. Join us for our weekly worship online at www.firstbaptistblowingrock.com or our Youtube page. Contact us at office@firstbaptistblowingrock.com or by phone @

What do you call those that identify themselves as a follower of Jesus Christ? What do you call yourself? "Christian" "Christ Follower" "Sinner saved by Grace" ? Does it really matter? The Apostle Paul thought so and rightly identified the faithful believers in Ephesus as "Saints" . Do you think of yourself as a "Saint"? If not; it could be the reason you find yourself struggling to embrace and claim all of the blessings and promises of God that are yours in Christ Jesus. It could be the reason you find you have a powerless faith. Join us as we kick off our new series from the Book of Ephesians and discover that it is foundational for Christ followers to understand their new identity in Christ. It matters because your identity will influence and direct your destiny! Thank you for listening to our podcast and we would love for you to subscribe to our page and share with others. Join us for our weekly worship online at www.firstbaptistblowingrock.com or our You

What does a healthy looking church look like? What makes it effective? Jesus gives us some hints when he visits the temple and has a run-in with the religious leaders and over turns some tables. Is he still in the table turning business? Join us as we examine Matthew 21 and this famous incident and how it relates to the modern church and each of us as individuals. Thank you for listening to our podcast and we would love for you to subscribe to our page and share with others. Join us for our weekly worship online at www.firstbaptistblowingrock.com or our Youtube page. Contact us at office@firstbaptistblowingrock.com or by phone @ 828-295-7715

Church bashing is all the rage - everyone wants to "follow Jesus" just not be a part of the "church". The only problem with that is, following Jesus MAKES you a part of the church - you don't have a choice. The church is the means by which Jesus chose to change and empower the world and trying to "follow Jesus" apart from the church is like being a suited up and talented football player that has no team to join. You can have great uniforms, be the fastest guy around and have incredible skills but if you are not on a team - you will never get in the game! Listen as we discuss how members of a healthy and effective church are very similar to members of a championship sports team. Thank you for listening to our podcast and we would love for you to subscribe to our page and share with others. Join us for our weekly worship online at www.firstbaptistblowingrock.com or our Youtube page. Contact us at office@firstbaptistblowingrock.com or by phone @ 828-295-7715

Many church leaders would say that one of the greatest problems they face in the church today is the lack of commitment from the members and those involved. Everyone likes to sign up to help, or shows up for the planning rally or even come to the first meeting but as time goes by; they drop out, wander away or just plain quit. The problem is that the Bible never calls us to give it our "best effort" or "try harder" or even "up our commitment level". Jesus calls those that want to follow him to "complete surrender". The church and Christians don't have a commitment problem, we have a surrender problem. Listen to how Jesus responded to three different guys who were not quite sure how committed they could be to following him. From Luke 9:57-62 Thank you for listening to our podcast and we would love for you to subscribe to our page and share with others. Join us for our weekly worship online at www.firstbaptistblowingrock.com or our Youtube page. Contact us at office

All you seem to hear about today is how much trouble the church is in. Denominations are shrinking, baptisms down, church attendance slacking off, losing a generation; everyone has an opinion. Online blogs, magazine articles, even whole sermons relegated to listing everything that is wrong about the church; but what about all that is right? This hand wringing and finger pointing about the church being down and out and on it's last legs might come as a shock to the one who calls it His Bride. It's time we start focusing, preaching and talking about what's right about the church and a good place to start is at it's founding. Is the church dying? NOT HARDLY!Thank you for listening to our podcast and we would love for you to subscribe to our page and share with others. Join us for our weekly worship online at www.firstbaptistblowingrock.com or our Youtube page. Contact us at office@firstbaptistblowingrock.com or by phone @ 828-295-7715

What makes a true servant serve? If it is not for the recognition or the fame, if it is not because they feel guilty or convicted or that they are somehow trying to pay God back; then what is it? Jesus tells us in Matthew 20 that the greatest in his kingdom will be the one who serve others - so what makes a servant tick? Join us for this message as we dissect and examine the heart of the Apostle Paul and learn how each one of us can develop a true heart of a servant. Thank you for listening to our podcast and we would love for you to subscribe to our page and share with others. Join us for our weekly worship online at www.firstbaptistblowingrock.com or our Youtube page. Contact us at office@firstbaptistblowingrock.com or by phone @ 828-295-7715

What does a "healthy church" look like? How do you know it is healthy, and how did it get that way? Doctors will encourage us that the quickest way to better health is through exercise - but what about the church? How does it "exercise"? Join us as we look with the Apostle Paul and his diagnosis of a healthy church and the promises that come with good health. From Ephesians 4:11-16.Thank you for listening to our podcast and we would love for you to subscribe to our page and share with others. Join us for our weekly worship online at www.firstbaptistblowingrock.com or our Youtube page. Contact us at office@firstbaptistblowingrock.com or by phone @ 828-295-7715

Can a Christian have a "spiritual" mid-life crisis? Is it possible for our faith, walk and worship to become routine? Have you ever found yourself going through the motions spiritually or felt like you were in a rut? All of us from time to time, regardless of age or how long you have been a Christ follower, go through seasons of our faith when what was once Awesome has now become ordinary. How can you guard against this happening? What can you do to get out of this pattern? Jesus gives us some great advice from our passage and you might be surprised to find out it has to do with your inner child!Thank you for listening to our podcast and we would love for you to subscribe to our page and share with others. Join us for our weekly worship online at www.firstbaptistblowingrock.com or our Youtube page. Contact us at office@firstbaptistblowingrock.com or by phone @ 828-295-7715

It has become a worldwide blockbuster, making over a billion dollars before ever being released on video. It has spawned countless number one musical hits; earned an Academy Award for it's signature song "Let it Go" and has been the "go to" soundtrack for children and preteens all winter and spring. It is a fun and entertaining movie but did you know it was based on a Christian short story by Hans Christian Anderson? Released in 1844, "The Snow Queen" has influenced everyone from C.S. Lewis, who used its imagery in "The Chronicles of Narnia" to the current Disney blockbuster. If you get past the catchy tunes and the funny characters there are some important lessons for Christians of all ages. Join us as we learn why letting it go may be a solution to reaching both outside and inside the walls of the church. Based on John 13:34-35 - this message was recorded in our traditional service. Thank you for listening to our podcast and we would love for you to subscribe to

Thank you for listening to our podcast and we would love for you to subscribe to our page and share with others. Join us for our weekly worship online at www.firstbaptistblowingrock.com or our Youtube page. Contact us at office@firstbaptistblowingrock.com or by phone @ 828-295-7715

Wouldn't it be great if the heroes of faith from the Bible could speak to us and give us some practical advice for living a faith filled life. What do you think they would say? How did they do it? While we don't have actual words of advice from many of the characters we have studied in this series; the writer of Hebrews does end the great "roll call of faith" chapter with some words of wisdom for each of us about walking a life of faith. Join us as we finish the Found Faithful series with some everyday advice and words of encouragement from those who have walked the walk. From Hebrews 12:1-3 Thank you for listening to our podcast and we would love for you to subscribe to our page and share with others. Join us for our weekly worship online at www.firstbaptistblowingrock.com or our Youtube page. Contact us at office@firstbaptistblowingrock.com or by phone @ 828-295-7715

Most of us can think of someone from our past whose influence on our lives has been significant. A coach, a teacher, an older teenager, a relative, someone from church, a co-worker. Someone who took the time to encourage, believe and speak into your life and yet they probably don't even realize the difference they made. Even the Apostle Paul had someone that found him at a very vulnerable time and literally got him back on his feet again a changed man. Faith always builds on Faith; someone poured into our lives and we are called to reinvest. Join us this morning as we look at the difference Ananias of Damascus made in Pauls life with one simple act. From Acts 9. (taped in the early service on April 27th with special guest worship leaders from the Appalachian State Baptist Campus Ministry worship team and a taste of Bluegrass) Thank you for listening to our podcast and we would love for you to subscribe to our page and share with others. Join us for our weekly worship online at www.firstbaptistblowingrock

Who were the two men that took Jesus off the cross and buried him? Why them? Where were the disciples? What motivated these two Pharisees, members of the Sanhedrin, the very council that condemned him to death, to risk everything to make sure Jesus was buried in a tomb? Join us for this Easter message about faith coming out of the shadows and how it affected that first resurrection Sunday. From John 19:38-42 ; Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. Thank you for listening to our podcast and we would love for you to subscribe to our page and share with others. Join us for our weekly worship online at www.firstbaptistblowingrock.com or our Youtube page. Contact us at office@firstbaptistblowingrock.com or by phone @ 828-295-7715