Advertise on podcast: First Baptist Church Big Spring Podcast

Jonathan and Brandon continue their journey through the Old Testament Survey series as they tackle Leviticus and Numbers—two books that are probably not the first ones people choose when looking for some light bedtime reading. In this episode, they explore the authorship, major themes, key events, and purpose of both books, including the sacrifices and holiness of Leviticus, the priesthood and worship of God, Israel’s journey through the wilderness, the importance of obedience, and what happens when God’s people refuse to trust Him. Why are these books important for Christians today? How do they fit into the larger story of Scripture? And what do Leviticus and Numbers have to do with Jesus? Grab your Bible and join Jonathan and Brandon as they continue working through the Old Testament—one sometimes-confusing book at a time.

In this sermon from Psalm 126, Jonathan reminds us that God is the One who brings renewal and restoration. We cannot manufacture revival or transform lives through our own strength—restoration ultimately comes from God. But while God is the One who does the work, He gives us a role to play. We are called to faithfully share the Gospel, proclaiming the good news of Jesus and trusting God to use our obedience to reach others. The hope of a restored church isn't found in better programs, strategies, or our own abilities. It is found in God—and our willingness to faithfully join Him in His work.

We’re back in the Old Testament Survey series, and this time we’re tackling the first two books of the Bible: Genesis and Exodus! Brandon is joined by special guest James as they dig into the authorship, major themes, key stories, and why these two books are so important for understanding the rest of Scripture. From creation and the fall to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph—and then from slavery in Egypt to Moses, the Exodus, and the giving of the Law—Genesis and Exodus lay the foundation for so much of the biblical story. If you want to understand the Old Testament, you have to start here. And because of Brandon's Whataburger addiction, this episode was recorded on location at Whataburger in Midland because the Big Spring location is STILL closed. Oh, and somehow these guys managed to turn Genesis and Exodus into a very, very long podcast episode. Two books, several thousand years of history, one Whataburger, and absolutely no concern for the length of the episode. Grab your Bible, grab some Whataburger, and settle in. We’ve got a lot to cover.

As we wrap up our journey through Romans 8:37-39, Pastor Mark Lindsey brings us to one of the most powerful truths in all of Scripture: nothing can separate those who are in Christ from the love of God. Paul reminds us that no circumstance, power, or force in all creation can break the relationship God has established with His people through Jesus Christ. Our salvation is not dependent on our ability to hold on to God—it rests in His faithfulness to hold on to us. In Christ, we are secure. Nothing can separate us from the love of God.

In Part 3 of the “God Is For You” series, Pastor Mark takes us through Romans 8:31–37 and asks five powerful questions from the passage: Who can oppose us? Who can withhold from us? Who can accuse us? Who can condemn us? Who can separate us? The answer is the same every time: nothing and no one. When we are in Christ, God is for us, and there is nothing that can ultimately stand between us and His love. Our security isn't found in our circumstances, our strength, or our ability to hold everything together—it is found in Jesus Christ. If you are in Christ, you are His. And nothing can separate you from Him.

Welcome to our brand-new series, Old Testament Survey! In this series, we’re going to take a journey through the Old Testament—looking at its books, major sections, themes, people, stories, and, of course, how it all fits together in the bigger story of Scripture. But before we start working our way through all 39 books, we need to answer an important question: Why should Christians read the Old Testament? It can sometimes feel confusing, intimidating, or like a collection of really old stories that don't seem to have much to do with us today. But the Old Testament is an essential part of God’s Word and helps us understand who God is, His plan of redemption, and the story that ultimately leads us to Jesus. So grab your Bible and join us as we begin our journey through the Old Testament. 39 books, thousands of years of history, plenty of names we’re going to struggle to pronounce—and a whole lot of God's story to discover. Welcome to Old Testament Survey. Let’s get started! Article - Ten Reasons the Old Testament Matters for Christians

In tonight’s sermon, Pastor Mark Lindsey takes us back to Romans 8, where we continue the look at this wonderful chapter by examining verses 12–17 and explores what it means to be joint heirs with Christ. Through Jesus, we are no longer defined by the flesh or bound to our old way of life—we have been welcomed into the family of God. Being a follower of Christ means more than simply receiving salvation. We have been adopted as God’s children, given His Spirit, and made heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ. Our identity has changed, our future has changed, and because we belong to Christ, we have a place in God’s family and a hope that lasts forever.

In today’s sermon, Pastor Mark takes us through Romans 8:1–11 and reminds us of a simple truth: by ourselves we fail, but God is faithful. Our sin and weakness do not change the fact that God is for us and has made a way for us through Jesus Christ. Through the power of Christ, we can experience forgiveness, faith, salvation, and a new way of living. We don’t have to live defined by our failures—we can take in Christ and live in God’s grace. And the cross is God’s ultimate proof of His love for us. Jesus has already done what we could never do for ourselves. We may fail, but God’s grace never does.

In today’s sermon, Pastor Mark takes us to Luke 5:1–11 and the calling of Jesus’ first disciples. Through this powerful encounter, we are reminded that following Jesus requires us to step out in faith, trust His direction, and be willing to leave behind what is comfortable to follow where He leads. The work of Jesus calls ordinary people to do extraordinary things—not because of what we can accomplish on our own, but because of what He can accomplish through us. Listen in and be challenged to trust Jesus, follow His leading, and step out in faith.

We made it. Somehow. After an entire series of questioning church traditions, challenging assumptions, and repeatedly asking the dangerous question, “Where exactly is that in the Bible?”, Jonathan and Brandon have arrived at the final episode of That Ain’t in the Bible. In Part 2 of our wrap-up, the guys continue their rapid-fire discussion of those smaller sayings, traditions, practices, and assumptions that Christians sometimes treat like Scripture—even though you won't actually find them in Scripture. There are more hot takes. More theological rabbit trails. More opportunities for Jonathan and Brandon to make people uncomfortable. And, naturally, more reasons for them to check their phones after recording to see whether they've received a text from anyone on the personnel committee. At this point, we're not saying job security was a recurring theme of the series... but if you've listened to the whole thing, you probably understand why we're putting the phrase “available for ministry” on both of their résumés. So grab your Bible, leave your sacred cows at the door, and join us for one last round of “That's not in the Bible.” And if Jonathan and Brandon are still employed after this episode, we can officially declare the series a success. If they're not... well, at least they went out quoting Scripture. Thanks for listening to That Ain't in the Bible. Now go check your favorite church tradition against the actual Bible. You might be surprised by what you find.

In today’s sermon, God Looks at the Heart, Pastor Mark reminds us of a truth that can be easy to overlook: God is not impressed by appearances. We can do all the right things on the outside, say the right words, and look like we have everything together—but God sees what is happening beneath the surface. Drawing from 2 Chronicles 16:9, Pastor Mark challenges us to examine our hearts and how they are connected to the Father. What matters most isn't simply what people see in us, but what God sees in us. Pastor Mark walks us through five tests of the heart: The Treasure Test — What do we value most? The Thought Test — What occupies our minds? The Word Test — What comes out of our mouths? The Listening Test — Whose voice are we willing to hear and obey? The Worship Test — What—or who—has our heart? These tests challenge us to move beyond outward religion and toward a genuine relationship with God. Because we can fool other people, and we can even fool ourselves, but we cannot fool God. This message is a powerful reminder that God isn't simply looking at what we do—He is looking at our hearts. And when our hearts are truly surrendered to Him, our outward lives will naturally begin to reflect what is happening on the inside.

We’re nearing the end of That Ain’t in the Bible, and Jonathan and Brandon apparently decided that one final episode of controversy wasn't enough. So they're wrapping up the series with a two-part rapid-fire discussion of some of the smaller things Christians and churches commonly assume are in the Bible… but aren't. In Part 1, the guys go back and forth tackling a whole collection of topics, traditions, sayings, assumptions, and practices that have somehow worked their way into Christian culture despite Scripture never actually commanding them. Some are serious. Some are surprisingly funny. Some are going to make you say, “Wait… that's NOT in the Bible?” And yes, there are still a few hot takes thrown in for good measure. At this point, Jonathan and Brandon have spent an entire series questioning Southern Baptist traditions, church practices, personal preferences, and sacred cows. So naturally, the big question isn't “What does the Bible say?” anymore. It's “Will they still have jobs after this?” Assuming neither one gets fired, Part 2 will be released next week. Of course, if the Rapture happens before then, we'll never know whether they actually finished recording it—and depending on your interpretation of the end times, you may be listening to this episode with a very different theological opinion about what just happened. So buckle up for one or two more rounds of “That's not in the Bible,” and see how many traditions Jonathan and Brandon can challenge before somebody schedules a special-called business meeting. Because apparently, this is how we're ending the series: With a list of things that ain't in the Bible... and hopefully two employed podcast hosts.

In today’s sermon, Living Water for a Thirsty Soul, Pastor Mark takes us to John 4 and the powerful encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. This story reminds us that Jesus sees us personally and meets us exactly where we are. He wasn't concerned with the barriers that separated people in that culture—background, race, upbringing, reputation, or social status. Jesus crossed every one of those barriers because He cared about this woman and wanted her to know the truth. Pastor Mark reminds us that the same is true for us today. Jesus doesn't simply care about people in general—He cares about you personally. Whatever your background, whatever you've experienced, and whatever circumstances have shaped your life, Jesus offers something the world can never provide: living water for a thirsty soul. But that raises the most important question of the message: How do we get this living water? The answer isn't found in religion, success, possessions, or trying to clean ourselves up. We receive the living water through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Listen in as Pastor Mark reminds us that the Savior who met a woman at a well thousands of years ago is still seeking thirsty souls today—and He still offers the gift of life that only He can provide.

We’ve made it to the next-to-last episode of That Ain’t in the Bible, and apparently we decided to go after the entire concept of professional church staff while we’re at it. You're welcome. In this episode, Jonathan and Brandon tackle a common assumption in church life: “That’s what we pay the pastor and staff to do.” Spoiler alert: that ain’t in the Bible. Scripture presents a very different picture of the local church. Pastors and other leaders are called to equip the saints for the work of ministry—not to personally do all the ministry while everyone else watches from the sidelines. The church is a body, and every believer has a role to play in accomplishing the mission God has given us. Jonathan and Brandon discuss why expecting pastors and paid staff to do everything can severely limit the effectiveness of a local church. If the Great Commission is actually the mission of every believer, then the church can't depend on a handful of paid employees to carry it out. And before someone says, “But I just prefer the church to do things this way…”—here's the problem: the church isn't a spiritual version of Burger King. You don't get to have it your way. Personal preferences are not the mission, and your preferred level of involvement isn't a biblical measure of discipleship. If we want to make disciples, serve our communities, reach the lost, and fulfill the Great Commission, we're going to have to stop asking, “What are they going to do for me?” and start asking, “What has God called me to do?” Because pastors matter. Paid staff matter. But the church was never designed to be a spectator sport. And if we really want to fulfill the Great Commission, we'd better figure this out. Because expecting the pastor and paid staff to do all the work? Yeah... that ain't in the Bible.

In today’s sermon, Abide in Me, Pastor Mark takes us to John 15, where Jesus describes Himself as the vine and us as the branches. The message is simple but profound: we cannot produce spiritual fruit on our own. We must remain firmly connected to Christ. As we abide in Jesus, He produces fruit in our lives. Pastor Mark walks us through four important lessons about that fruit: Fruit is the proof of our relationship with Jesus. Our lives should provide evidence that we belong to Christ. We can only display the fruit God produces. Spiritual fruit isn't something we manufacture through our own effort; it comes from remaining connected to Jesus. Fruitful branches are pruned to produce more fruit. God sometimes removes things from our lives—not to harm us, but to make us more fruitful. Our primary job is to remain firmly connected to Christ. The branch doesn't have to figure out how to produce fruit. It simply has to stay connected to the vine. This message challenges us to ask an important question: Are we truly abiding in Jesus, or are we trying to produce spiritual fruit on our own? When we remain connected to Christ, He does what only He can do—He produces fruit in us that brings glory to God. Listen in and be reminded: the branch doesn't need to work harder to become the vine. It just needs to stay connected.