First Baptist Church Mount Sterling

05/31/2026

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05/28/2026

Swing Thoughts by Pastor Austin

"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." - Romans 12:12

Swing thoughts. "Smooth is fast, fast is smooth." "Swing all the way through the ball." "Hold the finish." These are the scripts a golfer repeats in his head as he stands over the ball. The goal of a swing thought is to focus the mind on something to drown out the distractions.

The commands Paul gives us in Romans 12:12 are like swing thoughts, but for our walk with Christ. They remind us what we need to focus on in a world full of noise. The greater context of Romans 12:9-21 gives us more swing thoughts to live by, but we'll content ourselves with these three for now.

How would it change your life to remember your hope in Christ and rejoice in it? What would it look like to remind yourself of what God expects of you in trying times, the kind that feel like they're squeezing the life out of you? What would it do for your heart if you were constantly casting your anxieties on the Lord?

Memorize these swing thoughts. Preach them to yourself daily. Watch how the Lord increases you in hope, patience, and prayer.

05/25/2026

Parents, VBS is almost here!

Don't forget to pre-register your kids:
https://tinyurl.com/3neuavpw

It really helps us plan and prepare for the week!

05/21/2026

"A Father's Compassion" by Pastor Chris Wells

“As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.” —Psalm 103:13 (ESV)

You would do anything for your child, wouldn’t you? If they were struggling in school, you would gladly sit down and help with their homework. If they faced a financial crisis one day, you would sacrifice from your own resources to ease their burden. And if, heaven forbid, they ever needed an organ transplant, you would be the first in line.

As Pastor Austin and Makayla welcome baby Natalie into the world, I’ve been reflecting a lot on parenting and how the Lord views us as His children. Just as you show compassion and care for your own children, God shows even greater compassion for us, His precious children.

This week, when you sin against God, when you feel discouraged, or when trials come and you begin to wonder if God really loves you, don’t forget this verse: “As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.”

How amazing it is to know that our Heavenly Father loves us despite our sin and showers us with His compassion every single day.

05/17/2026

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05/14/2026

"The Missing Ingredient" by Pastor Chris Wells

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” — Philippians 4:6 (ESV)

One of our family’s favorite TV shows is Spring Baking Championship. There’s just something about watching gifted bakers step into the kitchen, create an amazing dessert on the spot, and wow the judges. But every so often, the pressure gets to the contestants, and they forget one or two key ingredients. In those moments, you can’t help but feel for them as their creation falls flat.

When it comes to worry and anxiety, we’ve heard the advice many times: Pray. Take your cares to the Lord. Bring your anxieties to Him. And yet, sometimes we leave our time of prayer still wracked with worry.

Could it be that we are missing the key ingredient of thanksgiving that Paul highlights for us in today’s verse?

If you find yourself “cumbered with a load of care,” as the old hymn says, and you still can’t shake the anxiety even after coming to the Lord, pause and ask yourself: How thankful have I been this week? Have I been counting my blessings or rehearsing my disappointments?

Often, simply reminding ourselves how blessed we are helps put our trials in perspective. So this week, go to the Lord with your cares and your petitions. Seek His face. Spend time with Him in prayer.

05/08/2026

“Embrace the Seasons of Life” by Pastor Austin Lewis

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven…” Ecclesiastes 3:1

You’ve probably heard the word era a lot in recent years. Social media is full of people claiming to be in their (fill in the blank) era. And if you’re wondering why that’s the case, you can thank Taylor Swift and her 2023 Eras Tour for that.

But long before Taylor Swift sparked a new internet trend, the Preacher in Ecclesiastes preached about the different chapters, phases, or eras of our lives. Life has a season for everything—from being born to dying, from laughing to crying, from silence to speaking.

While the Preacher’s observation is undoubtedly true, his point isn’t merely to describe different seasons of life. His goal is to get us to embrace the reality that life comes in seasons. We often resist this reality, resulting in immense frustration and bitterness. We try to relive the good old days or constantly wait for “one day.” But recognizing that everything will one day change, for better or worse, helps us embrace more realistic expectations in every season of life.

So, what era are you in? Is it diapers and sleep deprivation? It’s only a season. Are you riding high after your latest promotion? One day, your career will come to an end. Is the burden of grief almost unbearable? There will come a time for laughter again.

No matter what phase of life you find yourself in, it will come to an end. Yet God is sovereign over every season. Look to Him in the highs and give Him glory. Cry out to Him in the lows and know you’re not alone.

05/03/2026

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04/29/2026

04/24/2026

Our annual Cake Auction is this Sunday! This fun and friendly afternoon helps raise funds to send our kids and students to Crossings Camp this summer. Come be part of the excitement as we enjoy friendly bidding, great fellowship, and plenty of delicious desserts, all to support our youth and their time at camp.