First Christian Church of Brazil Indiana Sermons

Can a supernatural event be real and still point people toward a false message? Scripture gives Christians a surprisingly direct answer.In this episode of Biblically Literate, Children and Family Minister Jon Rhoades examines how Christians should evaluate miracle claims using Deuteronomy 13, John 20, Matthew 24, Galatians 1, and other biblical passages. You'll hear why miracles can serve as evidence without becoming the final authority, why even extraordinary spiritual experiences must be tested against Scripture, and why the signs of Jesus ultimately point beyond spectacle to His death and resurrection.If you've ever wondered how to respond to healings, visions, apparitions, signs and wonders, or someone claiming that “God told me,” this episode offers a biblical framework for discernment.

Jon Rhoades (First Christian Church Children & Family Minister) preaches “Don’t Waste God’s Power.” Soft prayers vs bold prayers. 1 Kings 18 Elijah vs Baal, Numbers 14 Moses intercession, 2 Kings 20 Hezekiah’s prayer & healing, Acts 4 early-church prayer for boldness under threat, 2 Timothy 3 those who have the appearance of godliness but deny its power.In this Biblically Literate episode you’ll hear:The real Thursday-night power outage and flooding that almost stopped a 4th-grader’s baptismWhy “God help me have a good day / bless my wild kid / just guide the doctors” is a soft prayer that treats God as an assistantThe three bold-prayer examples that actually ask God to do the work (Elijah, Moses, Hezekiah)The first recorded corporate prayer of the early church in Acts 4 after Peter and John were threatenedThe two roots of soft prayers: lack of knowledge of God and pride (including unrepentant sin)The living illustration of a 3-year-old who “broke” the shelf and thought he had ruined everything—while his father already knew how to fix itSoft prayers make God our assistant.Bold prayers remember we are His servants.If this helped you examine your own prayers, share it with someone who needs the reminder that God’s power is not limited by our failures. Subscribe for more straightforward Bible teaching that connects Scripture to real life.

Learn how to practice love as a verb in your daily life. Understand the biblical foundation required before you can serve others effectively.This message explores the practical side of faith, focusing on why love as a verb requires us to be washed by Jesus first. If you have ever felt stuck in the routine of attending services without feeling connected, this teaching provides a roadmap for moving toward true church engagement. We examine the principles found in John 15:12-13 to clarify what it actually means to lay down your life for others in a modern context.By prioritizing your relationship with Christ, you gain the capacity to serve your community with a genuine heart. This talk is designed for those seeking to bridge the gap between passive attendance and active participation in their faith community. Whether you are looking for guidance on spiritual service or simply need a reminder of your purpose, this biblical teaching offers a clear path forward.If you are ready to take your next step, whether that includes baptism, membership, or prayer, reach out to us today. Subscribe for weekly spiritual growth insights, and comment below with one way you plan to show love as a verb this week.0:00 The Meaning of Loving Our Church5:33 Jesus' Final Parting Words6:57 The Scandalous Act of Service11:18 Peter's Resistance and Divine Cleansing14:34 The Command to Emulate the Master25:38 A New Standard for Our Relationships34:18 Love in Action and Truth

Jude quoted the Book of Enoch. That does not make Enoch Scripture.In this episode of Biblically Literate, Children and Family Minister Jon Rhoades walks through Jude 14–15, shows exactly what Jude is doing, and explains why quoting a well-known Jewish text is not the same as treating it as the Word of God.You’ll see how Paul does the same thing with pagan poets, why the early church never put 1 Enoch in the canon, why only the Ethiopian Orthodox tradition includes it, and how the modern “lost books” trend pulls people away from the finished gospel already given in the 66 books. Judgment is coming—but the same letter that warns us also points us to the One who keeps us from stumbling.Key points covered:• What Jude is actually saying in verses 14–15• Why quoting ≠ canonizing (Paul’s example in Acts 17 and 1 Corinthians 15)• The historical place of 1 Enoch as intertestamental Jewish literature• Why the Ethiopian Orthodox inclusion does not rewrite the wider church’s canon• How chasing “hidden books” feeds pride and distracts from ordinary means of grace• The real invitation of Jude: rest in the finished work of JesusThe Bible is complete. The gospel is not missing a chapter. Stop looking for secret knowledge and keep coming back to the Word God has already preserved for His people.Biblically Literate is the teaching ministry of First Christian Church in Brazil, Indiana.Subscribe for honest, text-rooted Bible teaching that connects the whole story to the cross and speaks to real life as husbands, dads, and followers of Jesus.Socials: @fccbrazilContact: [email protected]

Learn to master your desires and choose humility over pride. This teaching explores core christian life principles for daily faith.Dan Stribling continues the Fighting Words series, focusing on the practical application of scripture in everyday situations. If you are struggling with the lure of worldly friendship or need clarity on resisting the devil, this discussion offers a roadmap for aligning your heart with biblical truth. We examine how desire can become an unhealthy master and why humility is the essential antidote to pride.By applying these christian life principles, you gain the tools to identify where your spiritual focus has drifted. This session emphasizes the importance of maintaining integrity in your walk and understanding the true nature of spiritual warfare. Whether you are seeking baptism, church membership, or simply need prayer, this message provides a clear path forward for your spiritual growth.James 4:1-10 Fighting Words – passions at war, hedone, quarrels, fights, desires, friendship with the world, enmity with God, more grace, humble, submit to God, resist the devil, draw near to God. Dan Stribling shows why your conflicts start inside long before words leave your mouth.In this message from First Christian Church Brazil, Senior Minister Dan Stribling continues the “Words Matter” series by going straight to the heart of every quarrel. Using the Greek word hedone, the progression from desire to demand to enemy, and the clear warning that friendship with the world is enmity with God, Dan exposes the real source of fighting words and the only way out: submit, resist, draw near, and receive the greater grace God freely gives to the humble.What you’ll hear:• Why James uses the language of murder and adultery for ordinary church conflicts• The five-stage process that turns a simple want into an enemy• Why God is not a vending machine and what real prayer looks like• The jealousy of God that is actually protective love• Practical commands: submit to God, resist the devil, cleanse your hands, purify your hearts, humble yourselvesTimestamps:0:00 – Series intro & the “punch in the face” reality of James6:04 – Reading James 4:1-107:02 – Conflicts reveal our desires10:06 – Desire → Demand → Expectation → Obstacle → Enemy (guitar story)12:42 – “You murder” – gossip, silence, and wounded spirits14:00 – Asking wrongly to spend it on your passions17:22 – Desires reveal our loyalties (“adulterous people”)19:00 – What “friendship with the world” actually means22:05 – The jealousy of God23:32 – But He gives more grace (Rocky the mechanic story)27:00 – Pride vs. humility28:36 – Grace invites surrender: submit, resist, draw nearFirst Christian Church | Brazil, IndianaSenior Minister: Dan StriblingSubscribe for weekly sermons, kids ministry resources, and practical Bible teaching that helps families and the church walk in wisdom instead of war.Subscribe for weekly biblical teaching to strengthen your faith journey, and share below which topic from the Fighting Words series you would like us to cover next.

The golden calf was not just ancient paganism; it was a response to impatience. Learn why seeking convenience over God creates idols.Many people assume the story of the golden calf is strictly about rejecting God, but it reveals a deeper struggle with waiting. This discussion explores how the people grew tired of waiting for divine direction and instead chose to construct their own worship methods to fill the void. If you have ever felt tempted to prioritize your own productivity or comfort over genuine spiritual surrender, this analysis provides a necessary perspective on the nature of true devotion.We examine the critical distinction between religious activity and divine approval. It is easy to confuse busy work with worship, yet true faith requires submitting to God's timing rather than manufacturing our own solutions. By understanding the biblical meaning of this event, you can better identify modern forms of idolatry in the bible that manifest when we stop trusting the process.In this episode of Biblically Literate, Jon Rhoades walks through what actually happened at the foot of the mountain—why the people who had just seen the Red Sea split and eaten manna that morning still built the calf, how the gold of deliverance became the instrument of apostasy, and the slow modern version of the same drift: productive seasons that quietly replace the presence of God.You’ll see:Why the calf was never meant to replace Yahweh but to give the people something controllable while they waitedHow the very gifts God handed Israel became the tools of their covenant-breakingWhy Moses smashing the tablets was a deliberate covenant act, not just angerReal-life parallels in marriage, parenting, friendship, and ministry that still destroy intimacy todayThe only way back: name it, return the gold, and stay in the waiting without manufacturing presenceThe danger isn’t that you stop believing. It’s that you start managing. And you can wake up years later with a full calendar, a solid resume, and a heart that has forgotten what it feels like when the living God is near.TIMESTAMPS0:00 The Lie Almost Everyone Believes About the Golden Calf1:06 Official Episode Introduction1:43 Reading Exodus 32:1-52:46 This Was Not Atheism — They Still Wanted God3:43 The Gold Came From Egypt (Exodus 12:35-36)5:15 The Calf Was Never Meant to Replace Yahweh7:28 The Feast That Looked and Felt Spiritual8:11 Productive Without His Presence — The Enemy’s Favorite Ploy9:17 Moses Smashes the Tablets (The Covenant Act)9:57 Real-Life Examples: Marriage, Parenting, Friendship & Adult Children13:46 When Your Spiritual Life Feels Productive But Dry15:32 Personal Confession16:05 How to Respond: Name It16:26 Return the Gold17:04 Stay in the Waiting Without Manufacturing Presence17:49 Jesus, the Better Moses, and Real Presence18:55 What You Build in the Waiting Exposes What You Worship19:10 Closing & Call to ActionIf this hit you the way it hit me the first time I saw these connections, drop a comment and tell me which detail landed hardest.Subscribe for more deep, no-fluff Bible teaching that refuses to stay on the surface.Like the video and share it with a friend who needs the warning.If you’re listening on podcast, a five-star rating helps more people find it.Biblically Literate is the teaching podcast of First Christian Church. Hosted by Jon Rhoades.Subscribe for weekly biblical study breakdowns to deepen your understanding of scripture, and comment below on how you handle waiting on God during difficult seasons.

Are you relying on church attendance for Christian parenting? Learn why passive faith leads to complacency in your home.Many parents operate under the assumption that simply attending church guarantees their children will remain faithful. Jon Rhoades challenges this mindset by looking at the biblical account of Israel, where a generation lost their connection to God despite their history. This video is for parents who want to move beyond surface-level habits and understand the active effort required to pass on true belief.You will gain a clear perspective on the dangers of cultural complacency and why raising faithful children requires more than just consistent attendance. We examine the specific patterns that lead to spiritual decline so you can avoid them in your own family. By grounding your approach in biblical history rather than tradition, you can better protect the spiritual legacy you are building for the next generation.Subscribe for weekly Christian parenting insights, and share in the comments: what is one intentional step you take to nurture faith at home?Most Christian parents assume that taking their kids to church and being decent people is enough. But Judges 2 shows us it only took ONE generation for Israel to forget God completely and turn to idols. In this episode, Jon Rhoades breaks down the warning every Christian parent needs to hear right now.If you’re a parent who feels like you’re doing the best you can with a busy job, long commute, and young kids, but you’re still worried about your children’s faith in today’s culture — this episode is for you.We look at:• Why passive parenting is no longer enough• The difference between outsourcing faith and active discipleship• How to have real conversations with your kids without being paranoid• Practical ways to point your children to Jesus in everyday momentsThis isn’t about guilt. It’s about hope — and the gospel that actually transforms hearts.Drop your biggest takeaway in the comments: What’s one specific way you’re going to be more intentional discipling your kids this month?New episodes every Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday at 7PM Eastern.Subscribe for more biblical teaching that helps you understand Scripture and live it out.@ fccbrazil | First Christian Church | Brazil, Indiana