FBCWest

First Baptist Church of Westminster, California

5.0 (2)
Religion & Spirituality
Updated Daily

FBCWest is a place where church means family. As a family that follows the Lord, we are commanded to love one another as we love ourselves. We hope that this site and our church can be an effective place for your family, and life, so that we can show the affect God has had on us to the world.

4d ago

God Changes Hearts

In 1 Samuel 10, Saul is anointed to lead God’s people, and Samuel gives him a series of signs confirming that God is at work. Then Scripture tells us something even more significant: God changed Saul’s heart. Saul’s calling, strength, and ability to fulfill what God had given him to do would not come merely from himself, but from God’s work within him. The Bible’s picture of the heart goes far beyond emotion. It speaks to the core of who we are. Yet even when God changes a heart, we remain dependent on Him. Saul’s story reminds us that knowing God has called us does not remove the need for obedience, faith, and continued reliance on His power. Psalm 51 shows the same truth from another direction. After David’s sin was exposed, he did not excuse himself or attempt to repair his life through willpower. He appealed to God’s mercy and prayed, “Create in me a clean heart.” David understood that only God could cleanse him, restore the joy of salvation, renew a steadfast spirit within him, and sustain him in faithful obedience. We may resolve to do better, change our habits, or think differently, but lasting spiritual transformation is the work of God. We need more than a changed heart for a moment. We need a clean and steadfast heart that continues to pursue Him. That kind of life is possible only as we depend upon God and allow Jesus to live through us. Sermon Notes 1 Samuel 10:1 Samuel anoints Saul 1 Samuel 10:2 – 8 Samuel prophesizes to Saul what is going to happen soon 1 Samuel 10:9 God changes Saul’s heart 1 Samuel 10 – 13 Saul himself prophesizes with other prophets 1 Samuel 10:14 – 16 Saul tells his uncle about the search for the donkeys, but not being king 1 Samuel 10:17 – 27 Saul selected king while hiding Psalms 51:1 – 13 God forgives and creates clean hearts
Sep 6

Searching for Donkeys but a King Is Found

Saul's on what begins as an ordinary search for his father’s lost donkeys. Saul and his servant then travel from place to place without success until the servant suggests seeking Samuel; the man of God. What Saul does not know is that God has already told Samuel that Saul is coming. While Saul is looking for donkeys, God is directing every step toward a much greater appointment. Samuel tells him that the donkeys have already been found, and then reveals that Saul is the man Israel has been seeking. Saul sees himself as insignificant, coming from the smallest tribe and an unimportant family, yet God has chosen him for a new calling. God shows us that what looks like an unsuccessful search may actually be part of God’s direction. He can take care of the concerns that brought us onto the road while simultaneously leading us toward His greater purpose. And when God calls us, He does not leave us without direction. Before Saul can step into what God has appointed for him, Samuel tells him to remain and hear the Word of God. You may think you are searching for one thing while God is preparing you for something entirely different. Trust God with the journey, the unanswered questions, and the calling ahead. Sermon Notes 1 Samuel 9:1 & 2 Saul’s family and physical characteristics 1 Samuel 9:3 – 10 Unsuccessful search for the donkeys. Servant suggests asking a prophet (seer) 1 Samuel 9:11 – 14 Saul and servant find Samuel 1 Samuel 9:15 – 17 God tells Samuel about Saul a day before 1 Samuel 9:18 – 21 Samuel tells Saul donkeys have been found and he is the one the people are seeking, but Saul thinks his family is unworthy 1 Samuel 9:22 – 27 Samuel tells Saul to send the servant home, but Saul is to remain to hear the word of the Lord
Aug 30

God Rejected as King

Israel’s demand for a human king, Samuel is growing old, his sons are dishonest judges, and the people want a ruler who will make them “like all the nations.” Samuel takes their request to the Lord, and God makes the real issue clear. Israel is not rejected Samuel. They have rejected God from being King over them. God warns Israel exactly what their choice will cost. A human king will take their sons and daughters, their labor, their fields, their produce, their possessions, and eventually make the people his servants. Yet Israel still insists on having a king who will judge them and “fight our battles.” God calls His people to be holy, to seek His kingdom first, and to trust Him as provider, protector, and King. Sometimes God allows us to have what we insist upon, but that does not mean it is His best for us. Sermon Notes 1 Samuel 8:1 – 3 Samuel’s sons are dishonest judges 1 Samuel 8:4 & 5 Israel wants a king. Their reasoning is Samuel is old, his sons are dishonest and other nations have a king 1 Samuel 8:6 Samuel did not like it and prays to the Lord 1 Samule 8:7 The Lord tells Samuel that they are rejecting Him not Samuel. He also tells him to listen to the people 1 Samuel 8:8 & 9 God tells Samuel what to say and what the procedure will be for a king 1 Samuel 8:10 –18 Samuel tells them what a king will cost them 1 Samuel 8:19 & 20 Israel still wants a king like other nations and that the king will “fight for them” 1 Saamuel 8:21 & 22 Samuel repeats to God what the people said and God tells him to listen to the people
Aug 23

Remembering God’s Help

After the Ark of the Covenant remains at Kiriath-Jearim for twenty years, Samuel calls the people to turn from their foreign gods, direct their hearts toward the Lord, and serve Him alone. Israel gathers at Mizpah, confesses its sin, and asks Samuel to continue praying. When the Philistines move against them, Samuel offers a sacrifice and cries out to God. The Lord answers with a mighty thunder, throws the enemy into confusion, and gives Israel the victory. Samuel then raises a memorial stone called Ebenezer, declaring, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” God has helped us, saved us, sustained us, and brought us into His presence. We must not forget what He has done. Sermon Notes 1 Samuel 7:1 & 2 The Ark was placed in the house of Abinadab and Eleazer was tasked to care for the Ark and it remained there 20 years 1 Samuel 7:3 - 6 Samuel spoke and prayed and the people repented 1 Samuel 7:7 & 8 After hearing that Israel had gathered the Philistines moved to fight them and Israel was afraid 1 Samuel 7:9 & 10 Samuel offered a sacrifice and prayed for the people and the Lord answered 1 Samuel 7:11 Israel defeats the Philistines 1 Samuel 7:12 - 14 Samuel places a memorial stone and Israel’s borders are restored and they have peace 1 Corinthians 11:23 – 26 Our act of remembrance of what the Lord has done
Aug 16

Who Is Able to Stand Before the Lord

Who is able to stand before a holy God? The Ark of the Covenant as the Philistines finally decide to send it back to Israel. They prepare a guilt offering, place the Ark on a cart, and return it according to the instructions they have been given. When the Ark arrives, Israel initially responds with sacrifice and rejoicing. But the story quickly becomes a warning. Some of the men fail to treat the Lord as holy and look inside the Ark. God judges them, leading to the sobering question: Who is able to stand before the Lord, this holy God? God’s holiness should never be treated casually. Hebrews 4:14–16 points us to Jesus, our great High Priest, through whom we are invited to draw near to the throne of grace with confidence to receive mercy and find grace in our time of need. We do not approach God because we have made ourselves worthy. We approach because Jesus has made the way. Sermon Notes 1 Samuel 6:1 & 2 Philistines ask how to get rid of the Ark 1 Samuel 6:3 They were told how to send it away 1 Samuel 6:4 – 9 They were also to prepare a guilt offering and how to send the Ark to where it belonged 1 Samuel 6:10 – 12 They did as instructed 1 Samuel 6:13 – 16 The Ark and the offerings arrived back to the people of Israel and the priests handled them 1 Samuel 6:17 & 18 Memorial stones were set 1 Samuel 6:19 – 21 The men there did not take the Lord seriously and looked inside the Ark and God struck them and a great number died. So they sent to have the Ark sent elsewhere Hebrews 4:14 – 16 We can draw near to the throne with confidence because of Jesus
Aug 9

Even Idols Bow

What happens when people believe they have defeated God? The Ark of the Covenant after it is captured by the Philistines and placed in the temple of their god, Dagon. The Philistines assume their god has defeated the God of Israel, but the next morning Dagon is found facedown before the Ark. After they restore the idol, it falls again, this time with its head and hands cut off. God then brings judgment on the Philistine cities. Wherever the Ark is moved, suffering and confusion follow until the Philistines finally recognize that they cannot stand against the God of Israel and decide to send the Ark back where it belongs. God does not need us to defend His power or secure His victory. Even when circumstances appear hopeless and no one seems able to help. The battle still belongs to the Lord. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. The question is not whether we will acknowledge Him, but whether we will willingly worship Him now. Proclamation of the Word Message by Pastor Joe “Even Idols Bow” Sermon Notes 1 Samuel 5:1 – 5 The Philistines took the Ark of God and placed it in their idol’s house, but it fell on its face twice and the second time its head and hands broke off 1 Samuel 5:6 & 7 God ravaged the Philistines with a plague 1 Samuel 5:8 - 12 The Philistines kept moving the Ark to different places, but the plague came to wherever they moved the Ark Philippians 2:9 – 11 Every knee shall bow Malachi 4:1 - 3
Aug 2

Superstition not Faith

Israel’s disastrous decision to treat the Ark of the Covenant like a lucky charm. After losing a battle to the Philistines, Israel never asks God why they were defeated or whether they should fight again. Instead, they bring the Ark into the camp, assuming that possessing the symbol of God’s presence will guarantee victory. The people celebrate, and even the Philistines become afraid—but the Ark is not God. Israel suffers a devastating defeat, the Ark is captured, Eli’s sons die, and Eli dies after hearing the news. Phinehas’s wife then names her child Ichabod, declaring that the glory has departed from Israel. The warning for us is not to confuse religious objects, routines, traditions, or church attendance with genuine trust in God. Faith seeks God, listens to Him, and obeys Him. Superstition tries to control outcomes through symbols and rituals. The battle belongs to the Lord. Our confidence must rest in Him, not in anything we treat as a spiritual good luck charm. Sermon Notes 1 Samuel 4:1 & 2 Israel loses a battle to the Philistines 1 Samuel 4:3 & 4 Israel decides to get the Ark of the Covenant because it will defeat the Philistines 1 Samuel 4:5 – 8 Israel shouts when the Ark arrives and the shout causes the Philistines to become fearful 1 Samuel 4:9 – 11 The Philistines regain their courage, fight and defeat Israel. They capture the Ark and both Eli’s sons die 1 Samuel 4:12 – 18 Eli hears the report of the capture of the Ark and the death of his sons, he falls back and dies of a broken neck
Jul 26

Samuel Confirmed as a Prophet

How does God call someone, and how is that calling confirmed? Although Samuel had faithfully served in the sanctuary, he did not yet recognize the Lord’s voice. Three times he went to Eli before Eli understood that God was calling the boy and instructed him to answer, “Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.” God then gave Samuel a difficult message concerning Eli’s household. Samuel was afraid to deliver it, but he faithfully spoke everything God had revealed. As Samuel continued to grow, the Lord remained with him and allowed none of his words to fail. Eventually, all Israel recognized that Samuel had been confirmed as a prophet. God’s calling is not limited by age, natural talent, status, or human importance. God calls servants, gives them the ability to accomplish His purpose, and asks them to remain faithful; whether the results appear successful or not. Every believer is called to serve and to bear witness to what God has done. Sermon Notes 1 Samuel 3:1 Samuel as a boy ministered to the Lord. The word and visions from the Lord was rare in those days 1 Samuel 3:2 & 3 Eli’s eyesight was decreasing. Samuel sleeps in the temple 1 Samuel 3:4 – 9 The Lord calls Samuel, but not knowing it’s God, goes to Eli in response to the call. After the third time Eli tells him it is the Lord calling and tells him what to say 1 Samuel 3:10 – 14 The Lord stans and tells Samuel what He is going to do with Eli and his household 1 Samuel 3:15 – 18 Samuel doesn’t want to tell Eli what the Lord said, but Eli compels him to 1 Samuel 3:19 - 21 Samuel continued to grow, the Lord was with him and all Israel knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet

5

out of 5

2 Ratings

FBCWest is a place where church means family. As a family that follows the Lord, we are commanded to love one another as we love ourselves. We hope that this site and our church can be an effective place for your family, and life, so that we can show the affect God has had on us to the world.

Creator

First Baptist Church of Westminster, California
Years Active

2017 - 2026
Episodes

465
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© All rights reserved
Show Website

FBCWest