First Baptist Church Decatur

In the final message of the Holy sermon series, Pastor Blake turns to Revelation 4:1–11 to explore why God alone is worthy of our worship. Through the vision of God’s heavenly throne, we are reminded that He is sovereign, holy, and deserving of all glory, honor, and power. As we recognize who God truly is, we are called to surrender our lives, trust His authority, and worship Him not just on Sundays, but in everything we do. The series concludes with the reminder that through the sacrifice of Jesus, the worthy Lamb of God, we have been redeemed and given the privilege of drawing near to a holy God. 

In 1 Peter 1:13–19, we see that holiness begins with God’s grace, not our efforts to earn His acceptance. Because Christ has redeemed us with His precious blood, we are called to set our hope fully on Him and live as children who reflect the holiness of the God who has already made us His. 

Holy Part 3 
When God doesn’t make sense, will we trust Him anyway? In this message from 2 Samuel 6:1–15, we explore David’s response to God’s holiness and the truth that God is always right—even when we don’t understand His ways. Discover how faith calls us to trust God’s Word, resist putting Him on trial, and come back to what we know to be true about His character and faithfulness. 

Holy Part 2 
What happens when we truly encounter the holiness of God? In this message from Exodus 3:1–15, we see that God is holy, yet He is near; He is transcendent, yet actively involved in the lives of His people. Through Moses’ encounter at the burning bush, we are reminded that our hope is not found in ourselves or our abilities, but in the God who says, “I will be with you” and reveals Himself as “I AM.” 

Holy, Pt. 1 | Isaiah 6:1–8 
What happens when we truly see God for who He is? In Isaiah 6, Isaiah encounters the holiness and glory of God and, for the first time, sees himself clearly. His response changes from “Woe to them” to “Woe is me” as he recognizes his sin and his need for grace. 
But God doesn’t leave Isaiah in his guilt. He provides cleansing and atonement, reminding us that grace is God moving toward people who cannot save themselves. 
When we see God rightly, we see ourselves rightly, recognize our need for grace, and respond with worship and obedience. 
Scripture: Isaiah 6:1–8 

In Psalm 90, Moses reminds us of a truth we often understand intellectually but struggle to live out: our lives are brief, our days are numbered, and God is eternal. Rather than leaving us discouraged, this reality calls us to live with wisdom and purpose. 
“Teach Us to Number Our Days” explores what it means to live faithfully in light of death. Moses challenges us to consider what truly matters, how we are investing our time and relationships, and what kind of spiritual legacy we are leaving for our families. 
But Psalm 90 ultimately points beyond the brevity of life to the hope found in Jesus. Because Christ died, rose again, and conquered the grave, death does not get the final word. For those who belong to Christ, death is not the end—it is the doorway to being with Him. 
Listen as we consider how numbering our days can lead us not to fear death, but to live each day with gratitude, wisdom, purpose, and gospel hope. 

In this concluding message from the book of James, we are challenged to recognize how easily our faith can begin to wander—and how important it is to notice when someone around us is drifting from the truth. James 5:19–20 calls believers to move toward those who are wandering, lovingly speak truth, and help bring them back to the Lord. 
Pastor Blake explores what it means for our faith to genuinely shape the way we live, reminding us that our hearts determine our behavior and that the truth of the gospel is meant to change us. The sermon also challenges us to move beyond surface-level relationships, truly know the people God has placed around us, and care enough about their souls to ask deeper questions. 
Ultimately, James ends with a powerful reminder of the gospel: a multitude of sins can be covered through the finished work of Jesus Christ. Our hope is not found in our ability to make ourselves clean, but in the blood and righteousness of Christ, which is sufficient once and for all. 

Run to God: The Power of Prayer — James 5:13–18 
As we come to the end of James, we see the bigger picture of his message: when life puts us under pressure, where do we run? In James 5:13–18, James points us to prayer—not as a last resort, but as the first response of genuine faith. 
Whether we are suffering, celebrating, struggling, or waiting for an answer, we are called to run to God and depend on Him. James also reminds us that we were never meant to carry our burdens alone. Genuine faith runs with others, inviting the church family to pray, encourage, and walk alongside us. 
But what happens when God doesn't answer our prayers the way we hoped? This message explores what it means to pray with faith—not believing God will always give us what we ask for, but trusting that He will always do what is right. Even when we don't understand His answers, we can trust His heart and His sovereignty. 
If you're tired, discouraged, or wondering whether you should keep praying, James gives us a simple invitation: Pray. Ask. Trust. Keep running to your Father. 

What if the very weakness you try to hide is the place where God's power is most clearly displayed? 
This week, First Baptist Church Decatur welcomes B-Sent missionary partner Noah Madden, pastor of Life Community Church in Weymouth, Massachusetts, as he shares a powerful message from 2 Corinthians 12:9–10. Serving in one of the most spiritually unreached regions of the United States, Noah offers an honest look at the challenges of church planting, personal suffering, and the temptation to rely on our own strength. 
Drawing from the Apostle Paul's words, Noah reminds us that God doesn't call us to self-sufficiency but to complete dependence on His grace. In our moments of weakness, Christ's power is made perfect, giving us strength to endure, serve, and faithfully follow Him. 
Whether you're facing discouragement, battling limitations, or simply longing to trust God more deeply, this message will encourage you to embrace the truth that God's grace is always enough. 
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:9–10 

God's Waiting Room | James 5:7–12 | How to Wait on God with Patience and Hope 
What do you do when life feels like you're stuck in God's waiting room? Whether you're waiting for healing, direction, justice, or answers to prayer, the book of James reminds us that our waiting is never meaningless. 
In this sermon from James 5:7–12, we explore how the certainty of Jesus Christ's return transforms the way believers endure suffering, respond to difficult circumstances, and speak to one another. James gives four timeless instructions for Christians living in a broken world: be patient, don't grumble, follow godly examples, and guard your speech. 
Discover how the hope of Christ's second coming strengthens weary hearts, produces steadfast faith, and helps us trust God's perfect timing—even when the waiting feels long. 
If you're searching for biblical encouragement while facing trials, this message will remind you that Christ is coming again, and that promise changes everything. 
Scripture: James 5:7–12