January/February 2023 - First Southern Baptist Church Tucson

Beauty in Suffering

February 26, 2023 • Dave Arden • 1 Peter 5, 1 Peter 4

Walking by Faith, with the help of the Spirit, SUFFERING can be a wonderful opportunity to worship God – Just as Jesus, glorified God on the cross.

A Mature Perspective

February 19, 2023 • Ed Eddingfield • James 1:1–4

Today we start a new series in the Book of James. James is all about mature faith, living your Christianity, and having assurance in your walk. As the world continues to be influenced by the evil one, we desire to live for the Lord, to see people saved, and to have an authentic and powerful life in Christ! Christians are not victims! We are victors! In Christ, we shall live forever! Today we start to see how our perspective must change as we walk in His victory!

The Look of Love

February 12, 2023 • Ed Eddingfield • John 3:16–21

For the first time in 5 years the total number of US viewers of the Super Bowl is expected to be over 100 million people! Considering there are ~331 million people in the US, it is likely that some of you in here might watch it today…just a guess. Competition is built into us. I will likely root for a team that I don’t care about just so that I can root with or against my friends. Competition is fun! But there is a competition for your soul today that isn’t something to bet on. Jesus has won already! Will you be on His team? Rooting against Him is pointless.

Pick A Side

February 5, 2023 • Ed Eddingfield • 1 John 5:18–21

When I grew up, we played “war”, cops and robbers, we had snow ball fights, and we played sports where they kept score. Did you ever wonder what would happen if you wanted to play but said that you were going to like Switzerland: neutral. Not on any side. How do you think the others would like that? Just as kids don’t play “neutral”, there is no neutrality when it comes to spiritual warfare and eternity. We are on one side or the other. Which side are you on?

Prayer Makes a Difference

January 29, 2023 • Ed Eddingfield • 1 John 5:14–17

This year I have preached on prayer and our need to seek God in all things: for wisdom, for His will, and even for our daily physical and spiritual needs. We are to Pray and Obey. But…what happens when sin enters the relationship? What happens when a loved one stumbles or falls? Can we pray about that also? How do we pray? Is it a prayer that will be answered? Yes! Prayer makes a difference in God’s church!

I Believe in Jesus

January 22, 2023 • Ed Eddingfield • 1 John 5:5–13

What would it take for you to believe in Jesus? Would you need to see a miracle? Would you need Him to have been seen by a valid witness? Would you need to experience something great? Faith will always be needed to believe…but, God has given us plenty of evidence to examine. Are you willing to examine it? Today I affirm that I believe in Jesus! Do you?

Love, Obedience, and Freedom

January 15, 2023 • Ed Eddingfield • 1 John 5:1–4

There are at least a few things about being a Christian that not everyone wants to hear. 1. God expects our faith to grow through difficulty. 2. God expects us to obey Him completely. Fortunately, when you understand what God is actually asking, these things are anything but a burden. In fact, God’s grace is more than sufficient for life, for obedience, and for eternity! Praise the Lord! God is working to complete a good work in you!

Relational Prayer

January 8, 2023 • Ed Eddingfield • Matthew 6:9–15

Last week we spoke about our need to pray and ask for God’s wisdom. We also learned that God doesn’t get tired of us, He wants to grant our requests for wisdom, and that He wants us to walk with Him (which is the result of applied wisdom). Today we carry it further. How should we pray? What kind of prayers should we have? Jesus gives us an example in the Sermon on the Mount. Let’s pray in the form that Jesus gave us.

Demonstrated Faith in Prayer

January 1, 2023 • Ed Eddingfield • James 1:5–8

Over the last year people have been tried, tested, tempted, and have gone through many different struggles and hardships. As the New Year is here, we need to set our eyes on the Author and Perfector of our faith. He is faithful and He desires for our best in 2023. We may not know exactly what that means, but I am confident that if we will put our hearts and minds and lives in the hands of Jesus that we will never go wrong. Let’s start this year off correctly – let’s demonstrate our faith in HIM through prayer!