First Baptist Blowing Rock

We have all experienced seasons in our life where everything seemed to be working against us, or nothing was going as planned or desired, and it felt like the whole world was coming down on you. It could be problems in your marriage, or work, or with family and friends. It could be health issues or physical difficulties.  It might just be a change in the seasons of your life like having children, or an empty nest, or facing retirement. Or it might be due to making some Christ centered choices in your life that caused you to lose friendships or job opportunities. Whatever the reason, we have all been there - or are there. Maybe you can't put your finger on what it is or why - but things just are not "normal", and it is affecting you emotionally and spiritually.  The Bible might call it a season of trials, test or tribulation; but I am choosing to call it as "Season of Suck" because that is the only modern word that fully encompasses the emotion and feelings this experience brings. If y

In Hebrews 10:26-31, the author gives his fourth and final warning in the letter. Unlike the previous three warnings, this one is not directed at those who are already believers but rather at those who might "pretend" to be believers but have never truly surrendered their heart to Christ. This very dire and direct warning is particularly relevant to the American Church today and the Cultural Christianity that pervades its pews. It is aimed at those who have heard and even received the message of Jesus Christ forgiveness, love, grace and salvation yet continue to reject it choosing the routine and ritual of religion without the transformative power a changed heart brings. The passage identifies the characteristics of an "apostate" and describes why it is so dangerous. "It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of a Living God" 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 a

Our final Sunday night session examines why it is so important to know what you believe and why by addressing how Christians should engage those around us in a culture that is hostile towards Christians and Christian values. We look at some of the most pressing current events (Roe v Wade, radical LGBTQ agenda, Attacks on personal and religious freedoms, social justice/Critical Race theory) that threaten Christian values and discuss why it is so important for Christians to get involved. We are called to be light in the darkness but many times the way we engage others builds more barriers than bridges and we become known more for what we are against than what we are for. Looking at 1 Peter 3:11-17, we discuss a strategy of "loving engagement" as opposed to the more popular choices of attacking everyone who disagrees with us or retreating into our Christian subcultures and hoping for the best. Thank you for listening to our podcast and we would love for you to subscribe to our page and share with other

We examine the strange encounter between Jesus and a Canaanite woman from Matthew 15:21-28 to learn how determined and passionate a mother can be when it comes to protecting and helping her children.  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

In this session we examine the church, where it has come from and where it is going. How do you know if a church is sick, toxic or healthy? We look at the first church from Acts 2 to see what they did right and compare it to churches today to discover the future hope for the churches mission. 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 writer of Hebrews follows up his encouragement from last week and the privilege we have to experience a face-to-face time of worship with God by addressing the importance of Christ followers coming together as a faith community for worship. Why is it so important that Christians find a connection to a local church and what are the benefits? Join us as we look at what it means to make a connection with a true faith community and how it benefits you, your family and your spiritual growth and maturity. From Hebrews 10:23-25Thank 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

While we consider the Bible alone to be our source of authority and the foundation of what we believe and why - you cannot ignore the influence that church history plays in shaping our interpretations of those truths. In tonight's study we trace the history of our church, First Baptist Blowing Rock from the reformation in the 16th Century through the Great Awakenings into the spread of the Gospel into Western North Carolina in the late 18th Century and how each of those steps influenced who we are and why we believe what we do. 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

How do you define worship? Is it what we do on Sunday mornings when we sing songs? Is it the act of coming to Church? What about in our private life? When we read the Bible? Pray? The ability for us to worship God face to face was radically transformed through Jesus Christ sacrifice on the Cross and in today's message we examine how and what that means for our everyday lives. Even though Christians now have the ability to have an intimate and personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ, most never take advantage of it and miss out on one of the greatest privileges of the Christian experience. The writer of Hebrews proclaims an important promise to all Christ followers that not only can we now approach God at any time and any place - we can do so boldly and confident that He will always is faithful to meet us there. From Hebrews 10:19-23Thank 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

In this Easter message we examine the powerful arguments comparing Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross to the Mosiac sacrificial system revealed in Hebrews 10:1-18 and how it relates to the Easter story and how we can make these truths a part of our everyday lives. 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

If we believe that every believer is a "priest" and can hear from God on their own (Priesthood of the Believer) and that each one of us is accountable to God for our own actions (Soul Competency) then we must also believe that every person should have the right/freedom and ability to choose to worship God - or not worship God. That means that we stand on the principle of Religious Freedom - no coercion, no government interference, no government sponsored religion.  That is what the United States was founded on and is enshrined in the First Amendment of our Bill of Rights in our Constitution, but from its inception until today, it remains under attacks as people on both sides of the issue try to redefine it.  Tonight's study will examine the underlying Biblical principles and scripture passages that define our religious freedom and how and why it has evolved. 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 wo

After examining the differences between the sacrificial offerings of the Old Covenant High Priest and the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made on the Cross with his own blood; the writer of Hebrews ends Chapter 9 with a somber note on the role that Christ sacrifice plays in the lives of every person every born. In bringing some personal application to Chapter 9, the writer identifies 3 absolutes, or guarantees that every person will face. While the popular phrase warns us that the only thing you can count on are "death and taxes", the writer of Hebrews speaks very clearly that there are really 3 things every one of us can count on: The Certainty of Death, The reality of Judgement and the possibility of salvation.  Join us to discover what that means for both Christians and non-Christians. From Hebrews 9:23-28Thank 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 Youtu

In this study we look at the doctrine of "Soul Competency" or the requirement that every person will one day stand before God and give and account for their lives and how that same doctrine or truth is lived out in the everyday Christian life. We discuss taking responsibility for our own actions and the role that plays in "repentance" and how our current culture is turning its back on this principle. We will also discuss "Soul Liberty/freedom" or the responsibilities that come from having the freedom to read and interpret scripture on our own under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:1-13, 2nd Corinthians 5:10.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

If you visit any Evangelical Church, it is highly likely that one of the worship songs or hymns that you will sing involves "blood" and specifically the blood of Jesus Christ. We not only sing about the blood, but we also talk about it, teach on it and even celebrate it and if you were not raised in church or with a religious background, it can be a little disconcerting. Why the emphasis on "blood"?  In Hebrews chapter 9, the author gives us the answer along with one of the most deeply theological teachings on the power and purpose of Jesus Christ sacrifice on the Cross and the need for him to shed his blood. We will discover that from before the foundations of the world, and all through the Old Testament until Jesus death on the Cross, the shedding of blood would always be a requirement for mankind to receive God's forgiveness. "For without the shedding of blood, there can be no forgiveness"".  From Hebrews 9:11-22Thank you for listening to our podcast and we would lov

This week we examine another one of Martin Luther's "Sola's" from his 95 thesis that established the Protestant Reformation; Solus Cristus - or Christ Alone. This important tenet of our faith not only stands on the promise that Christ alone is the mediator / priest between God and Man, but it also effects our ecclesiology (how we do church). If Christ is the only priest, then what role do those who call themselves "priest" or "clergy" play in our spiritual lives? 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

In Chapter 9, the author of Hebrews continues to make the case for how the New Covenant that was established by Jesus Christ on the Cross, and of whom He alone is the High Priest, is far superior to the Old Covenant. He does so by pointing out the limitations of the Old Covenant when compared to the New Covenant. Most of the limitations are focused on the external and legalistic approach of that Covenant compared to the freedoms that come from a relationship with Jesus Christ. Sadly, the lure and trap of legalism was not just for the early Hebrew converts, it remains as strong today in the modern church as it did then, and the results are just as devastating - especially as it relates to experiencing true grace, mercy and forgiveness. Legalism will never set a person free but will only bind them into a new set of "religious" rules, rituals and routines. From Hebrews 9:1-10.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

In this message we examine why the Bible is considered our sole source of Biblical Authority and what that means. How is it our authority and what does it reveal? What happens when we use other sources of authority alongside the Bible, or diminish the authority of the Bible? How does that effect our everyday Christian journey and what we say we believe?  2 Timothy 3:10-16.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

In this message we look at Hebrews Chapter 8 as the author brings his logical argument about the supremacy of Christ as our ultimate High Priest to bare on the Old Covenant.  If Jesus is far superior in His infinite nature, sacrifice and ministry over the Levitical priesthood, where does that leave his New Covenant compared to the Old? We examine the old Mosiac Covenant with its rules, laws, and sacrifices and compare it to the New Covenant available under Jesus Christ.  From Hebrews 8, Jeremiah 31:31-34Thank 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 first study from our new Sunday Night Bible Study Series "What We Believe and Why". If you are going to start a series on "What we Believe" it is probably good to answer the question, who is "we"? Since we are a Baptist church, we start by looking at some of the distinctives that Baptist Churches celebrate and what makes them different from other protestant faiths. We also discuss a little history and why we are called "Baptist". We will look into each of the 5 distinctives mentioned more in depth in the coming weeks. 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

We continue our study of Hebrews by reaching the end of Chapter 7 and the climax of the logical argument that the author of the book has been making comparing Jesus Christ as a superior Priest / High Priest over the Levitical Priesthood. He closes his argument by stepping up his case by proving that not only is Jesus the ultimate High Priest, but in reality, He is the Only Priest available for mankind.  Due to his nature, his current position and his sacrifice; Christ alone is the ultimate and only available "bridge-builder" (Pontifex / Priest) between God and mankind. We spend some time discussing how these truths about "his nature" impact our daily relationship with God and what that looks like lived out. If Jesus is "infinite" or "eternal" as our High Priest and, even today, continues in that role as He sits at he right hand of the Father interceding / praying on our behalf; then that means his ministry to us as Priest is also infinite - His grace, His mercy, His lov

We continue our look at Hebrews Chapter 7 where the author has been comparing the Levitical Priest of the Old Testament to Jesus Christ as the High Priest of the new Covenant. In our passage today, the writer continues his logical argument using the rhetorical device of comparing and contrasting (if this is true - then so must this be true) by asking the question; If Jesus priesthood supersedes and makes obsolete the Levitical priesthood, then what do you do with the Law by which the priest uphold?  We will strive to answer that question by examining the Old Testament Law and the reason it was established and its purpose and then wrestle with what that means for those living under the New Covenant. We will also look at the question, "How were people in the Old Testament" saved? If the law offers no means by which people could be redeemed or "saved", are the "heroes of the faith even saved and experiencing eternal life today? From Hebrews 7:11-19.Thank you for listening to our podcast