First Christian Church

09/04/2026

09/03/2026

Sunday Sermon Recap — Luke 19: Zacchaeus

I've been thinking about Sunday's sermon from Luke 19 and the story of Zacchaeus.

Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector and a wealthy man. He was caught up in acquisition mode—collecting money and things. And while there's nothing wrong with having money, Scripture tells us that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.

That made me ask myself: Do I possess my things, or do my things possess me?

Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus. He knew something was missing in his life, and he wasn't going to let the crowd stop him. He climbed a tree just to get a glimpse of Jesus.

But Jesus saw him.

Jesus told Zacchaeus to come down because He was going to stay at his house. Jesus took time for someone everyone else had rejected.

And something changed when Zacchaeus encountered Jesus. Jesus didn't have to give him a list of things to do. Zacchaeus' heart was instantly changed, and his repentance showed up in the way he lived. He offered to give half of what he had to the poor and repay four times what he had taken from anyone he had cheated.

That's what repentance looks like. When Jesus changes your heart, it changes how you live.

Romans 12:2 reminds us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. And Luke 19:10 reminds us why Jesus came: to seek and save the lost.

People are still hungry for the truth of Jesus—even right here in our own communities. We have to be careful that the way we live doesn't become a stumbling block to someone who is searching for Him.

Jesus is love. He changes our hearts, our priorities, and our agenda.

So this week I'm still thinking about one question:

Do I possess my things, or do my things possess me?

Jesus is our solid foundation. ❤️

08/28/2026

❤️ God’s Greatness Is Bigger Than Our Sin ❤️

Sometimes we look at our past, our mistakes, our struggles, or the things we feel trapped by and think, “There’s no way God can change this.”

But don’t put God in a box. 🙏

In Luke 8:26–39, Jesus set a man free from something that had completely taken over his life. If Jesus could save and restore him, He can surely set you free too!

God wants to see you free. He wants to see you saved. He wants a relationship with you.

Salvation is a gift—not something we earn because we’re perfect, but something God freely offers because of His incredible love and grace. ❤️

Your sin is not bigger than God’s grace.
Your past is not bigger than His mercy.
Your chains are not bigger than His power.

There is hope. There is forgiveness. There is freedom.

Jesus is still in the business of saving and setting people free. 🙌✝️

08/20/2026

This Sunday, we’ll look at the powerful story of a demon-possessed man whose life was completely transformed by an encounter with Jesus.

In a world filled with brokenness, fear, and bo***ge, we’re reminded that Jesus meets people with both grace and truth—and He has the power to set us free.

Join us this Sunday at 10:00 AM at First Christian Church of Titusville.

Come discover what happens when Jesus steps into a broken life.

We’d love to have you with us!

08/20/2026

Jesus: Both/And ❤️

Sunday’s sermon, “Jesus: Both/And,” from Luke 7:37–50, really spoke to me.

The story of the sinful woman who came to Jesus with her alabaster jar is such a beautiful picture of what happens when we truly recognize who Jesus is. She didn’t come pretending she had it all together. She came broken, humbled, and desperate for what only Jesus could give her. She loved Him, wept at His feet, and surrendered herself to Him.

And then there was Simon the Pharisee. He was sitting at the table with Jesus, but his heart was full of pride and judgment. Jesus saw through both of them. He saw the woman’s brokenness and repentance, and He saw Simon’s pride and lovelessness.

That’s one of the things I love about Jesus: He sees us differently than we see one another.

Romans 3:20 reminds us that the law makes us conscious of our sin. The law is like a mirror. A mirror doesn’t clean you—it shows you that you need to be cleaned.

And that’s where Jesus comes in.

The law reveals our need. Grace meets our need. Jesus does both.

We can rest in Jesus because we don’t have to hide our sin from Him. He already knows it. But grace isn’t permission to remain in our sin. Grace gives us the power and desire to walk away from it.

There were five things from Sunday’s sermon that really stood out to me:

1. Go where Jesus is. Come to Him.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28

We may not feel worthy. We may not feel ready. We may feel like our burdens are too heavy. Come anyway.

2. Allow yourself to be overwhelmed by His love.
Romans 5:8 tells us that God demonstrated His love for us while we were still sinners. Ephesians 3 speaks of grasping how wide, long, high, and deep the love of Christ is—a love that surpasses knowledge.

We don't have to earn His love. We need to receive it.

3. Genuinely repent.
2 Corinthians 7:10 reminds us that godly sorrow produces repentance.

True repentance isn't simply, “I'm sorry I got caught.”

It's, “I'm sorry because I wounded the heart of God, and I don't want to continue walking in this.”

God desires a broken and humble heart. Isaiah 66:2 says He looks to the one who is humble and contrite in spirit.

4. Trust God's grace.
Acts 15:11 tells us that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, and Ephesians 2:8–9 reminds us that salvation is a gift of grace—not something we earn.

If God has forgiven something, we don't need to keep dragging it back into His presence as though His forgiveness wasn't enough.

His grace is sufficient.

5. Live as someone who has been forgiven.

Romans 6:1–4 makes it clear that grace isn't a license to keep living in sin. We have been united with Christ in His death and resurrection. The old has gone; the new has come.

We are not called to live intimidated, defeated lives.

1 John 5:13 reminds us that we can know that we have eternal life.

Are we imperfect? Absolutely.

Do we still stumble? Yes.

But we serve a gracious God who loves us in spite of our sin and loves us too much to leave us there.

That is the beauty of Jesus.

He says, “Come as you are,” but He loves you enough to transform you.

Grace AND truth.
Love AND repentance.
Forgiveness AND transformation.
Mercy AND holiness.

Jesus is both.

No one will ever love you more than Jesus.

His grace saves us. His love calls us. His Spirit empowers us. And because of Him, we can walk forward forgiven, free, and confident—not because we're perfect, but because He is faithful. ❤️

“Go in peace.” — Luke 7:50

08/14/2026

Church family! Did you know about our red barrel? Grab a couple extra things on your grocery run to donate!

08/12/2026

🌿 FAITHFUL FRIENDS — “JESUS AND YOU” 🌿

What does it mean to truly see?

This week in our Faithful Friends series, Pastor Mike took us into Luke 18 and the story of Bartimaeus, a blind man who encountered Jesus—and whose life was changed forever.

Pastor Mike began by sharing about a church that had a large number of blind attendees. Although these people could not physically see, their lives were an incredible inspiration to him. That led into a powerful truth:

There is something far worse than physical blindness—spiritual blindness.

The Bible tells us that the god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers so they cannot see the light of the gospel of Christ.
📖 2 Corinthians 4:4

Spiritual blindness keeps us from understanding the things of God. As 1 Corinthians 2:14 reminds us, the natural person does not receive the things of the Spirit of God.

Pastor Mike walked us through several Scriptures, including Romans 11:8, John 3, and John 12:35, reminding us that people can become so comfortable in darkness that they resist the light. We can cling to beliefs, ideas, superstitions, and ways of thinking that fit what we already want to believe.

But then comes Bartimaeus.

Bartimaeus couldn't see Jesus—but he heard that Jesus was passing by.

And he cried out:

📖 “Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me.” — Luke 18:38

The word mercy means compassion or undeserved kindness shown toward someone in need. Bartimaeus wasn't trying to impress Jesus with his good works. He simply recognized his need and cried out to the One who could help him.

And when people told him to be quiet, he cried out even louder.

What a lesson for us.

When we begin following the Light, there will always be opposition. There will be voices telling us to quiet down, sit down, or stop talking about Jesus.

Don't.

Don't close your mouth when Jesus has changed your life.

Jesus then asked Bartimaeus one of the most beautiful questions:

📖 “What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee?” — Luke 18:41

The Creator of the universe asked a blind man what he wanted Him to do for him.

Bartimaeus knew exactly what he needed:

“Lord, that I may receive my sight.”

And Jesus said:

📖 “Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.” — Luke 18:42

Immediately, Bartimaeus received his sight. But he didn't simply walk away and enjoy his new life.

He followed Jesus.

That is the challenge for us today.

What would you ask Jesus for if He stood before you and said, “What do you want Me to do for you?”

Would you ask Him to open your physical eyes—or your spiritual eyes?

Would you ask Him to reveal the areas of your life where you've been walking in darkness?

Would you ask Him to help you see Him more clearly?

Because Jesus is still the Light.

And when that Light transforms your life, don't hide it.

📖 1 Peter 2:9 reminds us that we are called out of darkness and into His marvelous light.

Let people see what Jesus has done in you.
Let your life be a testimony.
Let your words point people toward Him.
And when Jesus passes by, don't let the opportunity pass you by.

🙏 Lord, open our eyes. Help us to see You clearly. Help us to recognize Your light, follow You faithfully, and never be ashamed to cry out for Your mercy.

✨ Don't allow Jesus to pass you by this time.

🎶 Song of the Week: “Open My Eyes, Lord”
"Listen to “Open My Eyes, Lord” on YouTube"

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=HwKCvuorI9E&si=DEaYq6dgjU53pUqM

08/10/2026

August 9th Sermon Recap.

08/07/2026

This month we are collecting these items for Operation Christmas Child!