January/February 2024 - First Southern Baptist Church Tucson

One Side and One Side Only

February 25, 2024 • Ed Eddingfield • Romans 6:15–23

Have you seen the movie “The Hunt For Red October”? It was a fantastic movie about a Russian submarine captain that desired to defect to the USA. As the U.S. fleets are closing in on him, he is asked to verify his intention to defect with a single radar ping. He asks his crew for “one ping, one ping only.” There was no going back from that point forward. Everyone would know what the intention was. Whether in battle for this world or the one to come, our intentions are important. We, as Christians, are called to pick a side…one side only! Are you ready to make your intentions known? Jesus is asking to be your Lord…One Lord Only!

He Lives; I Live!

February 18, 2024 • Ed Eddingfield • Romans 6:1–14

He Lives! He Lives! Christ Jesus Lives Today! Do you know the song? The great theology and doctrine of the Book of Romans comes to a point today! The gospel is the power to save (Rom 1:16); the salvation is so that we may transition from death to life! He lives and we too may live in Him! Wouldn’t it be awesome to live like it today! We can!

The Victory of Grace

February 11, 2024 • Ed Eddingfield • Romans 5:12–21

Have you ever received a gift that you didn’t want? Socks on Christmas? That one sweater? Have you ever given a gift that wasn’t nice? Perhaps you told a story that shouldn’t have been told, or gave someone a knuckle sandwich? Gifts are wonderful to receive when they are wonderful themselves, but not all things given are good. Fortunately, we have a God that only gives wonderfully perfect gifts – the best of them is the grace of Jesus Christ. In HIM there is Victory!

There's No Comparison!

February 4, 2024 • Ed Eddingfield • Romans 5:6–11

We are created in the image of God, but does that mean that we are like God? What is the comparison? Do we have His nature? Do we have His looks? Do we act like Him? Are we powerful like the Lord? Our text today is going to do a clear comparison between those who are “good” and God who is perfect. There is no comparison. God alone is truly good, and He alone saves us! Today we get to see how awesome that is, for in HIM we are very blessed—even blessed beyond comparison!

Things Made Right

January 28, 2024 • Ed Eddingfield • Romans 5:1–5

How many of you still balance your checkbook? Or reconcile your accounts? While it may be a dying art, there is something very satisfying about knowing how much money you have, to the penny, and not just guessing! When you put pen to paper, (or mouse to click???), you know that it doesn’t always balance. Fortunately, with the Lord, our accounts are always balanced! He is faithful to make things right – and that starts with us and the Father! Praise the Lord!

WWAD (What Would Andrew Do?)

January 21, 2024 • Ed Eddingfield • John 1:40–42

WWJD—a craze that hit the world hard. There were signs, bracelets, bumper stickers, and of course, all kinds of people walking around saying, “WWJD?” It was catchy, trendy, and hopefully it helped people stop and think about what they were doing before they did it. I am not hoping to start a new trend. I won’t be making bumper stickers or even selling bands for your wrist. I do want us to go beyond the question though and follow the examples found in Scripture concerning taking people to Jesus. Andrew was such a man. Let’s be like him; he knew that Jesus was the answer!

Evangelism Is Powered In Prayer

January 14, 2024 • Ed Eddingfield • Matthew 9:35–38

Our 2024 New Year’s Challenge continues with The LORD of the Harvest! He not only challenges us to get involved in sharing the gospel, but he tells us to pray! Pray for those that would come to know Him (just like He did) and pray for others to be a part of the harvest. The Lord is willing to reap a great harvest – let’s take the blessing and be part of it!

Evangelism Starts With the Heart of Jesus

January 7, 2024 • Ed Eddingfield • Luke 19:1–10

This week we start a 3-week series as a New Year’s Biblical Challenge. For quite a while now I have been led to pray for and reach out to the lost of our community and to challenge you, God’s church, to do the same. This isn’t a random whim; this is the Command of our Lord Jesus Christ. Evangelism starts with having God’s heart; to be close to Him in love and to love others. Let’s be like Jesus in 2024 and beyond!