First Baptist Blowing Rock

Join us as we examine a few things that we have allowed to become sacred cows in our personal lives and in the life of the church that have the potential to become idols. Many of these are good, if not great things, that were created or given to us as a way to help develop a deeper relationship and walk with God but over time many of these things have become items of worship themselves. Anything that hinders, detracts or gets in the way of our worshiping and serving God has become an idol - even good things like a worship style, or a denomination, or even certain doctrines. You might be surprised at how these things grow from a sacred cow to an idol and what the end results can be on us as individual believers and on the church. From Matthew 12:1-14. 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

Is God interested in our New Years Resolutions? to lose weight? to be a better parent or spouse? What about our spiritual resolutions? to pray more? to read the Bible? to go to church? Do they ever really make a difference in the long run? Join us as we discover the only real resolution that matters and how changing our perspectives might make a difference in 2016. Philippians 3:12-16Thank 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

As many take down the decorations and move on to the celebration of the New Year, one has to wonder; when does Christmas actually end? Is it after the presents are opened? when the decorations are down? when the kids go back to school? Who says it has to end? Join us as we discover the key to celebrating the message and meaning of Christmas all year long. Matthew 2:13-23Thank 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.firstbaptistblowingrock.com or our Youtube page. Contact us at office@firstbaptistblowingrock.com or by phone @ 828-295-7715

Is there a real War on Christmas? Are people trying to remove Christ from Christmas? If so, when did it start and why? Does it really matter? How are Christians and the church to respond? Join us as we conclude our series on cultural topics by looking at what many today are calling a "War on Christmas" and how it affects the church and Christ followers. Matthew 2:1-5Thank 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 recent Pew research religious survey and study found that 72% of American's identify themselves as Christians and yet 64% of them say that "many religions and paths can lead to God and salvation". So less than 35 % of identified Christians believe that faith in Jesus Christ alone is the only way to eternal life and a right relationship with God! One of the core and foundational beliefs of Christianity and only 3 out of 10 Christians hold it as a conviction? So who gets to decide what it means to be a Christian? Join as we examine the Rise of a Cultural Christianity in America that has a "form of godliness but denies the power of God". Why is this happening and growing and what can the church do to change direction? 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 @

With the recent Supreme Court ruling that strived to redefined the definition and description of marriage in the United States - the church's response has been varied. The argument seemed to settle around "rights" - the individuals right, a couple's rights and what feels right but has anyone asked what scripture says "Is Right"? God created and defined the covenant of marriage between one man and one women for greater purposes than a civil union - it is a picture of Christ covenant with his bride - the church; and any effort to redefine or "put asunder" what God has created, corrupts this picture. This is one reason that sexual sins are so destructive. Join us as we discover not only why Biblical marriage is so important, but how the church is called to respond to those caught up in alternative lifestyles. 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.firstbap

In the last several weeks it seems everyone has had an opinion about the growing Refugee Crisis in Europe and how the United States should respond. Social Media has blown up on the topic, Political candidates all offer their opinions and solutions, Christians seem to wrestle with the conflict between compassion and security; but what does the Bible say? If all we had to go on in forming our opinion about this issue was the voice of God in His Word and the leadership of the Holy Spirit, I wonder how different it might be from what we have been expressing. This is one of those issues where God's word is not silent and offers a challenge to each one of us as we strive to answer the question, "Who is my Neighbor?". **The video that was shown during the middle of this message can be found here; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBjZ7kpTLrsThank 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.firstba

Should a Christian drink alcohol? Did Jesus drink wine? Was it real wine or more like grape juice? What does the bible say about alcohol? Is it wrong for Christians to drink socially? Even if it is not against scripture - is it beneficial? We examine all of these questions and more as we take a practical look at scripture and how it relates to alcohol and the church. 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 churches historical answers for depression and suicide have always been things like "You just need to have more faith", "If you loved God/Jesus more you wouldn't be depressed" and the like. While they may be great "Sunday School answers" they don't address the underlying issues that cause depression and suicide and they certainly don't minister to the families and friends caught in it's path. Depression is at epidemic proportions in the United States and if we claim to be "pro-life" we have an obligation to step up and engage those struggling around us. What can we do? Listen to find out.... 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

A follow up to last week's message on "All Lives Matter". This message looks at the issues of Euthanasia; including doctor assisted suicide and even "passive euthanasia" where life giving measures are withheld. We also address the problems with claiming to be "Pro-LIfe" and yet supporting Capitol Punishment and the death penalty. The question is are we going to be consistently pro-life or just conditional. We also look at how someone with a biblical worldview that is pro-life must re-evaluate their responses to issues like poverty, adoption, homelessness and even immigration. 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

Since 1973 in the United States of America over 50 million preborn Babies have been murdered for the sake of convenience and we shrug our shoulders and remain shamefully silent and indifferently passive. Most in the church would proudly proclaim their "pro-life" stance but what does that mean and how has it influenced our lives? People make the excuse that Abortion is a very complex, divisive and political issue but that Bible proclaims that the sanctity of all life is a very clear, vital and moral issue! So what can we do? How can live our lives in a way that consistently advocates for life? Join us for this first part of two messages on "All Lives Matter". Part 1 deals with Abortion. From Jeremiah 1:5Thank 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 "State of the Church" message on where we have been and where we are going. God's vision and purpose for First Baptist Church of Blowing Rock. From our annual Harvest Day joint worship service. 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 can a Christian explain what they believe and why they believe it if they are not comfortable with the Bible. A recent survey found that 88% of American have a Bible in their home with the average home having 4.7 Bibles, yet only 52% of Christians say they read the Bible at least once a week. Only 62% of Christians say that the Bible is their source of authority and truth - so what do they other 40% use as a measurement for what is truth? It seems we don't have a cultural problem as much as we have a Bible problem in the church. Join us to discover the importance of God's word on how we are to engage our culture. From 1 Timothy 3:14-4:4; Galatians 1:6-10.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

Many sociologist believe that America is headed toward becoming a post-Christian nation, much like what Europe experienced in the past 50 years. As the culture and morals of our nation change, how is the church to respond? How can we carry out the great commission and still stand up for our convictions and values? Do we really even know why we believe what we say we believe? Can we back it up with scripture and explain it in a manner that allows room for grace, mercy and love? Join us for this new series that will examine many of the culture changes we are encountering as well as looking at some of the popular "hot button" issues as we explore why we believe what we believe and what that means moving forward in a possible hostile environment. This Message is an introduction and lays the foundation for the series. From 1 Peter 3:13-17, Matthew 5:10-16.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 onlin

Have you ever wondered how to pray for someone? From last weeks message we discovered we are to pray specifically and continually for other believers but what do we pray for? In Romans 15:30, Paul asked the church "I urge you brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying for me". He seems to indicate that through our prayers for others we can invest more than a few words but we can actually join their struggle, come alongside them and join them as they face the circumstances of life. How is that possible? Are you tired of praying general, generic and rote prayers? Would you like to pray in such a way that you become invested in what you are praying for - and better yet would you like for others to pray that way for you? Join us as we discover the answers to those questions as Paul offers a final word of encouragement to the Church at Ephesus through The Ultimate Prayer Request. From Ephesians 6:19-20.Add a description here.Thank you for liste

Prayer is one of the most under utilized elements in many Christ followers lives, yet it is the most powerful tool available for releasing the power of God. As the Apostle Paul wraps up his teaching on Spiritual Warfare and the armor of God, he emphasizes the importance of prayer. Prayer is what empowers our spiritual protection and armor and Paul is very specific on how, when and what we can pray to see this power released. The surprise comes when we realize who the recipients of this power releasing prayer are. Join us as we discover how the Church and our fellow Christians play a role in our spiritual battles. From Ephesians 6:18. 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 mean to "put on the full armor of God"? We have armor? What is it for and where do I get mine? What does Paul mean about this "day of evil" that is coming stuff? Join us as we examine Paul's teaching on Spiritual Warfare and the Armor of God from Ephesians 6. Discover some very practical examples of how these spiritual truths can clothe you with the power of the Holy Spirit and empower you to face whatever this world throws at you. 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

Explore the role and responsibilities of a Christian when it comes to Spiritual Warfare. From Ephesians 6:10-17. Part two of our look at Spiritual Warfare from our Study in Ephesians. 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

First in a mini series on Spiritual Warfare - This message serves as the introduction to what Spiritual Warfare entails and the nature of the battle and the nature of the enemy we are fighting. From Ephesians 6:10-13Thank 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 measure the mark of a successful parent? Good grades? athletic involvement? well rounded? get into a good college? popularity? Many parents consider themselves a success if they can keep their students from the dangers in our culture like drugs, alcohol, premarital sex, trouble with the law. What about as a Christian parent? Shouldn't the goals for our children be different and based on the Bible - and what does the Bible say success looks like? Who is responsible for children and teenagers success? Parents? Grandparents? The Youth Minister? The Church? Join us as we examine Ephesians 6:1-4 to discover that success and the American dream are not the same as Biblical success and that raising Godly kids has less to do with what they do or don't do and more to do with Who they are. 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. Contac