First Baptist Columbia

09/04/2026

Students, Join us tonight for 5th Quarter after the Friday Night Football game! The Gym will be open until midnight!

09/04/2026

Family Devotion Day 5 from Pastor Marty’s Sunday sermon on August 30th, “Motivations of the Revelations”, Sermon 3.
Be Rich According to GOD
Scripture: Revelation 3:18–22 (NKJV)

Family Commentary
Our world spends a great deal of time teaching us what we should want - newest phone, nicest clothes, biggest house, best car, latest technology, more money, more followers, or more success. The Laodiceans had earthly wealth, but Jesus told them they were spiritually poor. They thought they had everything they needed, but they desperately needed Jesus. This teaches us that there are two very different ways to measure wealth. The world's measurement and
God’s measurement. Jesus told the Laodiceans to receive true riches from Him. The message isn't that money or possessions are automatically bad. The danger is allowing material things to become more important to us than God. Jesus Wants Fellowship With Us.

Family Discussion
Q: What did the Laodiceans think made them rich?
A: Their earthly wealth and possessions made them believe they had everything they needed.
Q: What did Jesus say they were actually lacking?
A: They were spiritually poor and needed what only He could provide.

Family Prayer
“Father, thank You for every blessing You have given our family. Help
us remember that the things we own are temporary, but our relationship with You has eternal value. Forgive us when we become focused on money, possessions, comfort, or success. Make us rich toward You. Give us generous hearts, obedient hearts, thankful hearts. May He always be our greatest treasure. In Jesus' name, amen.”

Family Activity — The Family Treasure Box: Items: A small box, jar, bowl, paper; pencils. Call it “Family Treasure Box.” Give each person several small pieces of paper. On each paper, write something that
is a true treasure from God's perspective. Next, each family member writes: “What is one thing I can give to God this week?” “We cannot
buy spiritual riches. Jesus gives us what money cannot purchase. But we can choose to invest the lives God has given us in things that
matter to Him.”

09/03/2026

Family Devotion Day 4 from Pastor Marty’s Sunday sermon on August 30th, “Motivations of the Revelations”, Sermon 3.
Be Motivated to Be RED HOT
Scripture: Revelation 3:14–22 (NKJV)

Family Commentary
Jesus’ message to the church at Laodicea challenges us to examine our spiritual temperature. He warns against being lukewarm - going through the motions without genuine passion for God. Jesus desires a relationship with us that is alive, intentional, and wholehearted.
Being “RED HOT” for God does not mean being perfect. It means being willing to follow Christ wholeheartedly, to listen to His voice, to turn away from anything that pulls us from Him, and to keep our hearts open to His presence. He invites us to open the door of our hearts and allow Him to lead our lives, our homes, and our families. As a family, we can sometimes become spiritually “lukewarm.” We may know the right things to say and do, yet our hearts can become distracted, comfortable, or distant from God. Being RED HOT means keeping our love for Jesus alive through prayer, worship, Scripture, obedience, and serving others.

Family Discussion
Q. What do you think Jesus means when He calls someone “lukewarm”?
A. What are some things that can cause our love for God to grow cold?

Family Prayer
Dear Jesus, thank You for loving our family and for always inviting us into a closer relationship with You. Forgive us for the times when we have become distracted, comfortable, or lukewarm in our faith. Help us to have hearts that are RED HOT for You. Give us a desire to pray, read Your Word, worship You, obey You, and serve others. Help our family encourage one another and keep You at the center of our home. We open the door of our hearts to You. Come in, lead us, and make us more like You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Family Activity: “Turn Up the Heat!” Give each family member a piece of paper and something red to color with. Ask everyone to draw a large heart and write or draw ways they can stay “RED HOT” for Jesus inside the heart. Ideas might include: praying every day, reading the Bible, worshiping God, helping someone in need, etc. After everyone finishes, have each person share one thing they want to do this week to grow closer to Jesus. Display the hearts somewhere in your home as a reminder to keep your faith alive and your hearts on fire for God.

09/02/2026

Family Devotion Day 3 from Pastor Marty’s Sunday sermon on August 30th, “Motivations of the Revelations”, Sermon 3.
Be Motivated to Be FAITHFUL
Scripture: Revelation 3:7–13 (NKJV)

Family Commentary
Jesus introduced Himself to the church at Philadelphia as the One who is holy and true and who has the key of David. He is the One who opens and shuts doors. The believers in Philadelphia apparently did not have great earthly strength, but Jesus commended them because they had kept His word and not denied His name. Faithfulness is not the same thing as having great strength, popularity, wealth, or influence. Faithfulness means trusting God and obeying Him with whatever opportunities He gives us.

Family Discussion
Q: What did Jesus know about the church at Philadelphia?
A: He knew they had little strength, but they had kept His Word and had not denied His name.
Q: What did Jesus say He had placed before them?
A: He had placed an open door before them that no one could shut.

Family Prayer
“Lord Jesus, thank You that You are in control of every door in our lives. Thank You for the opportunities You give us to serve You and help others. Give our family courage to walk through the doors You open. Help us recognize opportunities to be a blessing to others. Give us strength to follow You wherever You lead us. In Jesus' name, amen.”

Family Activity — Open and Closed Doors: Basic items: Paper, pencils or markers, scissors, and tape. Have the family make two paper doors. Label one: OPEN DOOR. Label the other: CLOSED DOOR. Under the OPEN DOOR, have everyone write opportunities God may give your family to serve Him. Under the CLOSED DOOR, write things your family needs to trust God with. Tape both doors somewhere visible in your home. Then have everyone say: “God, help us walk through the doors You open and trust You with the doors You close.”

09/02/2026

Praise to the King of Kings! Columbia, TN, and Maury County neighbors, come join us this Sunday at 9:30 or 11:00am at First Baptist, or Northside Baptist at 9:30am (English Service) or 11am (Hispanic Service) to worship Jesus, together.

09/01/2026

Students! Join us this Friday after Friday Night Football!!

Excited to partner with Pleasant Heights Student Ministry this football season with 5th quarters! Sept 4th after the football games we will have the gym open till midnight with worship, food, a devotional, & games. Invite a friend!

09/01/2026

Family Devotion Day 2 from Pastor Marty’s Sunday sermon on August 30th, “Motivations of the Revelations”, Sermon 3.
Wake Up and Live in the PRESENT
Scripture: Revelation 3:2–6 (NKJV)

Family Commentary
The church at Sardis had become comfortable with its reputation. Perhaps they were known for their good works, but Jesus saw that their works were not complete before God. This gives us an important family lesson: good beginnings do not guarantee good endings. A child may have grown up hearing Bible stories. A parent may have served in church for years. A family may have a long Christian heritage. Those things are valuable, but none of them can replace a personal, present-day walk with Christ. Jesus called the believers at Sardis to remember, hold fast, and repent. These are active words. Following Jesus requires action.

Family Discussion
Q: What does it mean to “hold fast” to what is good?
A: It means to firmly keep following God's truth instead of allowing ourselves to drift away.
Q: Can someone have a Christian family background without personally following Jesus?
A: Yes. A family heritage can teach us about God, but each person must personally respond to Christ.

Family Prayer
“Father, thank You for everything You have taught our family. Keep us from living only on memories of the past. Help us follow You today. Give us courage to recognize where we need to change, and help us obey You with joyful hearts. May our faith be real in our everyday lives. In Jesus' name, amen.”

Family Activity: “Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow”: Items: Three pieces of paper and pencils. Label papers: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow. As a family, write down: Yesterday: Something God has done for your family. Today: Something your family can do to honor God today. Tomorrow: One spiritual goal your family would like to work toward. Put the papers somewhere visible for the week. Use them as a reminder that God's faithfulness in the past should motivate us to live faithfully in the present and prepare for the future.

08/31/2026

Family Devotion Day 1 from Pastor Marty’s Sunday sermon on August 30th, “Motivations of the Revelations”, Sermon 3.
Be Motivated to Be ALIVE
Scripture: Revelation 3:1–6 (NKJV)

Family Commentary
Jesus told the church at Sardis, “You have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.” They had a reputation. Other people may have looked at them and thought they were doing well spiritually, but Jesus knew their hearts. God is not primarily concerned with how we appear to other people. He wants us to genuinely know Him, love Him, obey Him, and walk with Him. Sometimes we can live in the past. We may remember when we prayed more, read our Bibles more, served more, or were especially excited about God. Those memories can be good, but yesterday's faithfulness cannot replace today's relationship with God. Jesus told Sardis to “be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain.” In other words, wake up! Pay attention! Return to what is right!

Family Discussion
Q: What did Jesus say was wrong with the church at Sardis?
A: They had a reputation for being alive, but Jesus said they were actually dead spiritually.
Q: Why isn't a good spiritual past enough?
A: Because God wants us to follow Him today. Yesterday's obedience cannot substitute for today's faithfulness.

Family Prayer
“Lord Jesus, thank You for loving us enough to tell us the truth. Help us not to be satisfied with simply looking like Christians. Make our hearts alive toward You. Help us remember what You have done while faithfully following You today. Wake us up when we become spiritually lazy, and strengthen our family to live for You. Amen.”

Family Activity: “Wake-Up Call”:Basic items: Paper, pencils, and a clock or phone timer. Give each family member a piece of paper. Have everyone write two things: Something God has done in the past that they are thankful for. One thing they can do today to grow closer to God. Set a timer for five minutes and allow everyone to share. Finish by saying together: “We will remember God's faithfulness, but we will live faithfully today.”

08/28/2026

Family Devotion Day 5 from Pastor Marty’s Sunday sermon on August 23rd, “Motivations of the Revelations”, Sermon 2.
MOTIVATED TO OVERCOME AND REMAIN FAITHFUL
Scripture Reading: Revelation 2:21–29 (NKJV)

Family Commentary: God gives us time to repent, but we must choose faithfulness while we have the opportunity. The remainder of Jesus' message to Thyatira reminds us that God takes sin seriously. Jesus gave opportunity for repentance, but He also warned that continued rebellion would bring consequences. At the same time, Jesus encouraged those who remained faithful. He told them to hold fast to what they had until He came. But His patience should never be mistaken for approval of sin. Every family member must make a personal decision to follow Christ. Parents cannot believe for their children, and children cannot believe for their parents. We want each person in our home to know Christ, love Christ, obey Christ, and remain faithful to Christ.

Family Discussion
Q: Does God's patience mean He approves of sin?
A: No. God's patience gives people an opportunity to repent, but God remains holy and takes sin seriously.
Q: What does it mean to repent?
A: To turn away from sin and turn toward God in genuine obedience.

Family Prayer: “Lord Jesus, thank You for Your mercy, patience, and forgiveness. Help each person in our family personally know and follow You. When we fail, help us repent quickly. When we are tempted, give us strength. When we become discouraged, remind us of Your promises. Help our family hold fast to You and remain faithful until the end. Make us an overcoming family that honors You in everything we do. In Jesus' name, amen.”

Family Activity — Family Faithfulness Chain: Items: Strips of paper, pencils, tape or staples. Give each family member several strips of paper. On each strip, write one way your family can remain faithful to Jesus: Pray together. Read Scripture. Tell the truth. Forgive quickly. Help others. Worship together. Encourage someone. Refuse to compromise. Connect the strips into a paper chain. Hang the chain somewhere your family will see it. Each day, choose one link and intentionally practice it.

08/27/2026

Family Devotion Day 4 from Pastor Marty’s Sunday sermon on August 23rd, “Motivations of the Revelations”, Sermon 2.
BE MOTIVATED TO HOLD FAST
Scripture Reading: Revelation 2:18–20 (NKJV)

Family Commentary: You may be working hard for God—but for which God are you working? Jesus addressed the church at Thyatira. He knew their works, love, service, faith, and patience. In many ways,
they were growing and doing more than they had done previously. But Jesus also had a serious concern. They were tolerating a false influence that was leading God's people into sin. This gives us a powerful warning: Doing more religious activities does not make disobedience acceptable. We can be busy serving at church, singing, teaching, helping, giving, attending activities, and working hard—and still need to examine our hearts. The question isn't merely, “Am I doing something for God?” The deeper question is, “Am I doing what God wants me to do, in the way God wants me to do it?

Family Discussion
Q: What good things did Jesus recognize in the church at Thyatira?
A: Their works, love, service, faith, and patience.
Q: What serious problem did Jesus identify?
A: They were tolerating false teaching and sinful influence.

Family Prayer: “Lord, thank You for every opportunity You give us to serve You. Help us never become so busy working that we forget to obey. Give our family wisdom to recognize wrong influences and courage to reject anything that pulls us away from You. Help us hold firmly to Your truth while showing Your love to others. In Jesus' name, amen.”

Family Activity — Build and Test: Items: Plastic cups, blocks, books, or other basic household objects. Build two small towers. Make one tower carefully and securely. Make the second one quickly without paying attention to how securely the pieces fit. Gently test both towers. Discuss: Which tower was stronger? Why? How is this like building our lives on God's truth? Explain that a strong Christian life requires a firm foundation and continued faithfulness.