First Baptist Penn Memorial

10/05/2026

10/05/2026

If God Is for Us, Who Can Be Against Us?

(Romans 8:31–32 ESV) “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?”

Paul has just said that God works all things for the good of those who love Him and that those He justifies He will finally glorify (Romans 8:28–30). His conclusion isn't that Christians will have easy lives, but that nothing can defeat God’s saving purpose for His people.

“If God is for us, who can be against us?” Paul doesn’t mean no one will oppose us. Christians may face sickness, financial hardship, betrayal, persecution, grief, or uncertainty. Paul soon mentions “tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword” (Romans 8:35). His point is that none of these can ultimately overcome God’s purpose for us. As Psalm 118:6 says, “The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

“He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all.” The cross is the greatest demonstration of God’s love for His people. Romans 5:8 says, “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” When circumstances make you wonder whether God cares, don’t measure His love by how easy today feels. Look to the cross.

“How will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” This doesn't promise wealth, comfort, or everything we want. God graciously provides everything necessary to accomplish His purposes and bring His people safely to glory. Sometimes He removes the burden; sometimes He gives strength to bear it. Sometimes He opens a door; sometimes He closes one and gives wisdom to keep walking. Paul says, “my God will supply every need of yours” (Philippians 4:19).

So when the diagnosis is frightening, money is tight, a relationship is strained, or the future is uncertain, remember what has not changed: God gave His Son for you.

Charge. Don’t measure God’s love by today’s circumstances. Measure it by the cross. Trust Him to provide what you truly need and to carry His people safely to the end.

Prayer. Father, when circumstances frighten us, remind us that You are for Your people. Help us trust Your love, provision, and saving purpose because You didn't spare Your own Son. In Jesus’ name, amen.

10/04/2026

https://youtu.be/VJXOSxvH10s?is=e5aQ7Jnj8Y-NuwqR

Sermon - “What If This World Isn't Your Home?”(1 Peter 1:1-12)Fir...

10/04/2026

Bring Them Back

(James 5:19–20 ESV) “My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.”

James closes his letter by telling Christians to watch out for one another. If someone in the church begins wandering from biblical truth or into serious sin, love doesn't simply stand by and watch.

“If anyone among you wanders from the truth.” Wandering may begin gradually. A person stops listening to Scripture, begins excusing sin, embraces false teaching, or withdraws from Christian fellowship. Hebrews warns believers to “exhort one another every day” so that none of us becomes “hardened by the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:13). Sin can deceive us about our own condition, so God gives us fellow believers who can warn us when we are drifting.

“And someone brings him back.” This runs against the modern idea that everyone should simply be left alone to live however he or she wants. Scripture teaches something better. Love doesn't mean approving whatever someone chooses. Jesus says to go to a brother who sins (Matthew 18:15), and Paul says to restore someone caught in sin “in a spirit of gentleness” (Galatians 6:1). That may mean calling someone who has abandoned church, confronting sexual immorality, bitterness, addiction, or dishonesty, or correcting serious doctrinal error. The goal is not control, humiliation, or winning an argument. It is repentance and restoration.

“Will save his soul from death.” James shows how serious spiritual wandering can become. Scripture speaks both of God disciplining His children and of those whose final departure reveals that they never truly belonged to Christ (Hebrews 12:6; 1 John 2:19). God may use another Christian’s warning to restore a believer or bring a false professor to genuine repentance and faith.

“And will cover a multitude of sins.” This doesn't mean hiding sin. It means forgiveness. Romans 4:7 says, “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.” That forgiveness comes through Christ, whose blood “cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

Charge. When people wander, don’t gossip about them. Pray, go, speak Scripture in love, and call them back to Christ.

Prayer. Father, keep us from wandering and give us courage and compassion to pursue those who do. Bring repentance, forgiveness, and restoration through Christ. In Jesus’ name, amen.

10/03/2026

God Gives the Growth

(1 Corinthians 3:6 ESV) “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.”

The Corinthian church was dividing around favorite teachers. Paul reminds them that all Christian workers are servants through whom God works (1 Corinthians 3:4–7). Paul first brought the gospel to Corinth, Apollos later taught there, but neither could create spiritual life.

“I planted.” Jesus said, “The seed is the word of God” (Luke 8:11). We plant by putting God’s Word before people—sharing the gospel in person or through gospel tracts, teaching Scripture, and inviting someone to church. John says his Gospel was written “so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God” (John 20:31).

“Apollos watered.” God often uses several people in a person’s life to lead them to saving faith. Jesus said, “One sows and another reaps,” and, “Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor” (John 4:37–38). One Christian may give a tract, another might answer questions, another invites the person to church, and another preaches the sermon through which God brings conviction. We shouldn't assume the person who sees the final result did all the work.

“But God gave the growth.” Only God can give spiritual life. Jesus said, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him” (John 6:44). Paul says God may “grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 2:25). Faith comes through hearing “the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17), but God is the One who gives the increase.

This keeps us both humble and faithful. If someone believes, give God the glory. If you see no immediate result, keep planting and watering. God’s Word doesn't return empty but accomplishes His purpose (Isaiah 55:10–11).

Charge. Spread the seeds of God's Word through witnessing and gospel tracts. Speak about Christ. Invite people to hear God’s Word. Pray over the seeds you sow, and trust God with the results.

Prayer. Father, make us faithful sowers of Your truth. Use our words, invitations, and gospel tracts to bring people to Christ, and receive all the glory for the growth. In Jesus’ name, amen.

10/02/2026

Faith Comes from Hearing God's Word

(Romans 10:17 ESV) “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”

Romans 10 explains that salvation is found in Jesus Christ and that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13). But Paul then asks how people can call on Christ if they have not believed, and how they can believe if they have never heard. God ordinarily brings sinners to faith through the proclamation of His Word (Romans 10:14–17).

“So faith comes from hearing.” Saving faith is not something we manufacture through positive thinking or emotion. God uses the hearing of His truth to bring people to faith. Paul says that God was pleased “through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe” (1 Corinthians 1:21). Timothy had known the Scriptures, which are “able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15).

“And hearing through the word of Christ.” The message that produces faith isn't mere inspirational speech. It's the truth about Jesus Christ revealed in Scripture: who He is, what He has done, and His call to repent and believe the gospel (Mark 1:15). Peter says believers have been born again “through the living and abiding word of God” (1 Peter 1:23).

This also matters after conversion. The same Word through which God brings us to faith continues to nourish and strengthen that faith. We need regular exposure to Scripture through personal reading, faithful expositional preaching, Bible study, and fellowship. James tells us to “receive with meekness the implanted word” (James 1:21).

And this gives urgency to evangelism. People need to hear the gospel. We ourselves cannot save anyone, but we can speak the message God uses to save. Paul asks, “how are they to hear without someone preaching?” (Romans 10:14).

Charge. Keep yourself under God’s Word. Read it, hear it preached and taught, believe it, obey it, and share the gospel with others. Don’t look for faith in feelings or private messages; look to Christ as He is revealed in Scripture.

Prayer. Father, thank You for Your Word. Strengthen our faith through its truth and give us courage to proclaim Christ so others may hear and believe. In Jesus’ name, amen.