First Baptist Moriarty

05/31/2026

Spiritual maturity expresses itself through serving others in the church with the gifts God has given. Christ is the head of the church who equips every believer to serve. Our service ought to reflect the ministry of Christ Himself. Identify the gifts God has given you. Look for ways to serve within the church. Use your gifts not for recognition but for the good of others.

05/24/2026

Trials are not obstacles to spiritual growth but can be God’s tools for producing endurance and maturity in believers (See also, Rom. 5:3–4, Heb. 12:10-11, 1 Pet. 5:10). God does not waste the trials of His people. He uses them to test faith, expose weakness, produce endurance, and grow believers toward spiritual maturity (Rom. 8:28–29, 1 Pet. 1:6–7, 2 Cor. 12:9–10). Christ Himself endured suffering faithfully, and now by His Spirit, He uses trials to conform believers to His image, strengthen their faith, and teach them to trust the Father (Heb. 12:2-3, 1 Pet. 2:21, Heb. 5:8, Phil. 3:10, Ro. 8:28-29). Therefore, Christians should learn to view their trials through faith before feelings take over (James 1:2, 2 Cor. 4:17–18), ask God for wisdom rather than merely relief, remain under the trial instead of immediately trying to escape it, and let it reveal what is being exposed in the heart (Ps. 86:11; Heb. 10:36; Ps. 139:23–24; Deut. 8:2). This passage fits our “Growing in Christ” series because spiritual maturity is not formed only through Bible knowledge, good intentions, or peaceful circumstances. Some of God’s most profound work happens under pressure. Trials often become the classroom where He teaches endurance, wisdom, and trust.

05/17/2026

Because believers belong to a holy God and have been redeemed by Christ, they are called to pursue holiness in every area of life. Holiness is not optional for the Christian. God has saved us to belong to Him, to reflect His character, and to live differently from the world. Set your mind on Christ rather than worldly desires. Treat sin seriously because it cost Christ His life. Cultivate habits that strengthen holiness and weaken the pull of sin. Our holiness is rooted in the precious blood of Christ, which redeemed us from our former way of life. We do not pursue holiness to earn salvation, but because Christ has purchased us for God.

05/10/2026

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First Baptist Church Moriarty New Mexico

05/10/2026

Spiritual maturity is not achieved through human effort alone but through walking in step with the Holy Spirit, who transforms our character. Christ sends the Spirit to dwell within believers. The fruit of the Spirit reflects the character of Christ Himself, who is being formed in us. Identify areas where your flesh still dominates. Be sensitive to the Spirit’s leading and guidance. Pursue the fruits of the Spirit, not just avoiding sin.

05/03/2026

Prayer is the believer’s lifeline of dependence on God, through which the Father gives spiritual help to His children. God is not distant or reluctant toward His children. Through Christ, believers have access to the Father, who welcomes their prayers, hears their cries, and gives what they truly need. Neither are we outsiders trying to get God’s attention—we are children welcomed into His presence. Therefore, Christians should develop a consistent daily prayer rhythm. Pray with persistence, humility, and confidence in the Father’s goodness. Move prayer from occasional crisis response to daily dependence. Make prayer a regular part of how you begin your day, face your needs, and bring your heart back to God again and again.

04/26/2026

Real spiritual fruit, effective prayer, loving obedience, and lasting joy do not come from self-effort, but from abiding in Christ. Believers grow in spiritual maturity as they abide in Christ by His Spirit, through His Word, prayer, obedience, and love. The result is a fruitful life that glorifies God and is filled with joy. Remain in Christ by letting His Word remain in you, praying in dependence on Him, obeying His commands, and resting in His love.

04/19/2026

Spiritual growth and lasting fruit come as believers abide in Christ—remaining in Him through His Word and Spirit—so that God is glorified through their lives. John 15:1–11 comes in the middle of Jesus’s Farewell Discourse (John 13–17), spoken on the night before His crucifixion. Jesus has just left the Upper Room with His disciples (14:31) and is preparing them for life after His departure. The shadow of the cross is near, and the disciples are about to face confusion, fear, and the loss of Jesus’s physical presence. In that moment, Jesus gives them this imagery of the vine and branches to teach them a critical truth: though He is going away physically, they will not be separated from Him spiritually. Their life, growth, and mission will continue—but only if they remain connected to Him. This imagery would have been immediately familiar to the disciples. In the Old Testament, Israel was often described as God’s vine or vineyard (Isaiah 5:1–7; Psalm 80:8–9), yet, instead of bearing good fruit, Israel repeatedly failed and became spiritually barren. Against that backdrop, Jesus declares, “I am the true vine”—the faithful and fruitful Son who succeeds where Israel failed. The Father is the gardener who tends the vine, removing lifeless branches and pruning fruitful ones to produce more fruit. This sets up a clear contrast: true life and fruitfulness are no longer found in belonging to Israel as a nation, but in being united to Christ Himself. So this passage is not merely about personal devotion—it is about participation in the life of Christ. It explains how believers should live between Jesus’s first coming and His return: not by self-effort, but by abiding in Him through His Word and Spirit. The central command, “Remain in me,” is both a comfort and a call—assuring believers of their ongoing connection to Christ while also calling them to depend on Him. In this way, John 15 provides the foundation for understanding spiritual growth, fruitfulness, obedience, and joy in the Christian life.

04/12/2026

True spiritual growth begins with transformation. In Christ, believers are not merely improved people but are new creations whose identity and direction have been fundamentally changed. (See also 2 Cor. 5:14–15) Our new life exists because Christ died and rose again. In union with Him, believers share in His death to sin and His resurrection life. Examine whether your life shows the evidence of a new creation. Stop defining yourself by your past—Christ defines your identity. Begin pursuing growth because new life produces new desires.

01/25/2026

NOTICE: FOR SUNDAY 1/25