First Baptist Church - Wisconsin Rapids, WI

The LORD betrothed Israel to Himself, but they have committed harlotry and gone after other gods. Every blessing they have enjoyed will be stripped from them, Babylon will take them into exile, and God's presence will depart from the Temple. It seems Israel and their hope are as good as dead, but God promises resurrection from the dead. Application: Israel sinned because they were sinners and born dead in sin. The same is true of all men. There is only hope of resurrection and eternal life in Christ, because only Christ has kept God's law.

Jeremiah foretells doom coming on Judah for breaking the covenant from Sinai and committing harlotry, but he also foretells the coming of a new covenant with better promises. Application: Some ways in which professing Christians commit harlotry in our day, false prophets in our time, the problem of man's sinful heart, and justification and life by faith alone in Christ alone.

David's son Solomon ascends to the throne in Israel and in his great wisdom leads Israel to a golden age of dominion and prosperity. However, Solomon does not wholly follow the LORD, and in his latter years bows down to other gods. The kingdom is torn, Israel is divided, and eventually both Judah and Israel go into exile. Israel has broken God's word, and yet God will be true to His word of promise and send His Son, and David will never lack a man on the throne of Israel.

In the book of Judges, there was no king in Israel, and everyone did what was right in his own eyes. In the book of Samuel, God raises up David the son of Jesse to slay Goliath and eventually sit on the throne of Israel. Yet David is not the Son God promised in Genesis. It is the throne of his son after him that will be established forever.

Israel sins against the LORD, but He raises up judges to deliver them. Nevertheless, the recurring theme of this book is: "In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in their own eyes." Is there a king in the Protestant church today, or is everyone just doing what's right in their own eyes?

Joshua leads Israel in to conquer the land of Canaan. They leave nothing breathing in Jericho. But can Israel conquer the sin in their own hearts, and is Joshua the one who will give them lasting rest and peace?

The LORD renews the covenant with Israel from Mount Sinai. Moses prophesies Israel's rebellion against the covenant and their exile from the land, but he also prophesies of a coming Prophet like him, to whom they must listen.

The book of Numbers continues the story of the faithful and gracious God who keeps His promises of land and offspring to His people. The LORD prepares Israel for battle to take the Promised Land of Canaan and turns their enemies' curses to blessings despite the nation's sin and rebellion.

Pastor Josh continues this series through the Bible with Leviticus. What's with all the laws and ordinances in Leviticus, the Tabernacle, and the sacrifices and washings? Could Israel expect to keep this law for eternal life? Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to all who believe.

The book of Exodus continues the story begun in Genesis, of the offspring of the woman who will crush the head of the serpent. How God fulfills His word time and again, how Pharaoh shows he is of the seed of the serpent, and how the LORD accomplishes an initial fulfillment of the crushing of the serpent in judging Pharaoh and his army at the Red Sea. How God begins to make a way to restore and perfect the communion Adam and Eve enjoyed with Him in Eden.

Pastor Josh opens a new sermon series called Through the Bible at 36,000 ft. In this series, he will preach through one complete book of the Bible each Sunday, in order, providing a flyover view of the book. Churchgoers often hear topical sermons, or hear expositions of several verses at a time, but what is the whole story of the Bible, and how do the different books fit together? Pastor Josh aims to show how in this series, beginning with Genesis, which sets the stage for the rest of the Biblical story in revealing God's promise of a Son who will crush the head of the serpent.

In our day it still seems to be common knowledge that the Christian God is Trinity. He is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. But how did the early church come to terms with the claims of Jesus and His resurrection and arrive at this conclusion? And what does it really mean to say God is Trinity? Application: Christianity is Triune at its very foundation. How should this truth impact our Christian life, and the life of a church?

So many seem to think of God only in His anger. Jonathan Edwards’ famous sermon was not called Sinners in the Hands of a Happy God. But if you search the Scriptures carefully, you will find that they clearly portray a very happy God. They tell us of a blessed God, perfectly happy in Himself, with no lack of any good thing, and no lack of any enjoyment of every ounce of overflowing goodness in His divinity. He is a God who rejoices before the angels, and even rejoices with loud singing. How people are unhappy and despairing in our world today. Pastor Josh's own story of despair in his life. The world's need for the blood of Christ.

The typical god presented from the pulpits of America today is a mild grandfather above the clouds who sweeps sin under the rug and receives men into eternal life as long as they try their best to be nice to people and say they're sorry for their sin. Pastor Josh explains that God requires far more, that all have fallen short of His requirement, and therefore all deserve the terrors of His wrath, not eternal life. If this is true, how can anyone escape the wrath of God? Listen in to hear.

Is God good? Pastor Josh seeks to answer this fundamental question of human life and religion. Scripture says that only God is good, but if only God is good, then man is not. So how can anyone be saved and enjoy life?

If God is high and lofty and set apart from man in stature, power, and purity, how can man draw near to him and be saved? Pastor Josh explains that Scripture teaches both the transcendence of God and the nearness of God, in His great mercy. God is merciful to those in misery in their sin.

So many today are so enamored with the stars of music, acting, and athletics. People young and old idolize celebrities in their glitz and glory and treat them as more than royal. The Bible teaches that God excels all men in glory and majesty, and even everything in the earth and the heavens. We exchange the glory of God for idols to our own hurt. Only in Christ is there hope of life and glory.

God is present everywhere, all the time. God sees all things, whether words, deeds, or thoughts. Why this is comforting for the believer and terrifying for the unbeliever. Salvation in the cross of Christ, and the free offer of the gospel of grace to all men.

How contemporary professing Christians often depict God as a "nervous, ingratiating God fawning over men to win their favor." Are professing Christians emphasizing the grace and compassion of God at the expense of His power and authority? Nothing is too hard for the Lord.

In our world, change is the only constant. But down through the ages Christians have confessed that their God is absolutely unchanging. Application: does God change from the OT to the NT? Has God changed since the close of the NT? Did covid change the necessity of the Sunday gathering of God's people for worship?

Pastor Josh introduces a new series on the attributes of God, seeking to answer the questions: 1) Who is God? 2) What is God like?

Pastor Josh asserts it is the historic confession of the Christian church that God's existence is provable by reasoning from nature. He makes the argument for God's existence from creation, proving God exists. He also claims that all men know that God exists, and because they as rational creatures know that God exists, they are guilty and liable to condemnation because they have fallen short of God's glory and sinned. The consequent necessity of spreading the gospel to the ends of the earth.

The Apostle Paul closes his letter by affirming the Philippians' gift for his need, assuring them of God's supply for their need, and sending greetings from all the church, including those of Caesar's household.

Paul rejoices in the Philippians' renewed care for him, although he says he does not speak of being in need, though in chains. Paul has learned in whatever situation to be content, saying he could do all things through Christ who strengthens him. Misconceptions of God related to these verses. Finding contentment in God in the midst of evil, and in prosperity.

Paul instructs Christians to think on virtues such as things that are just, noble, lovely, and excellent. Pastor Josh explains the historic Christian understanding of virtue as the right ordering of love, with help from Augustine of Hippo, and comments on the example of John Adams, America's second President. Lastly, can man attain to virtue and bliss by his own working?

The Apostle Paul writes to the Philippians from prison to remind them to rejoice in the Lord always, to let their gentleness be known to all men, and to pray rather than be anxious. Applying this text to the current cultural situation.

Paul exhorts the church at Philippi to stand fast in the Lord.

Pastor Josh continues his exposition of the book of Philippians. The apostle Paul urges the Philippians to follow his example in walking in the way of Christ and His cross, and warns them of those who make themselves enemies of the cross of Christ, who make their god their belly, and who glory in their shame. How we see this happening in our time in rampant sexual immorality, including homosexuality and transexuality. How it is a theological problem.

Christians, justified by faith alone in Christ alone, press toward the goal of the resurrection and to lay hold of Christ with Olympic strivings, for the glory of Christ who laid hold of them.

Pastor Josh preaches an Easter Sunday sermon from Matthew's account of the resurrection. Why did the risen Christ tell His disciples not to be afraid?

Paul considers all of his merits and good deeds filth in order to gain Christ, not having his own righteousness from a covenant of works, but the righteousness which is from God by faith in Christ.

Paul again exhorts the church to rejoice in the Lord in the midst of their trials. Pastor Josh explains why it is Christians above all people who can rejoice and remain steadfast in the evils of the day, including government corruption. Paul also warns the church of false teachers, whom he calls dogs, evil workers, and mutilaters of the flesh. Why does Paul use such harsh language against these teachers, and is there a place for such language in the Christian life?

Paul, Timothy, and Epaphroditus demonstrate the mind of Christ in pouring out their lives for the faith of the gospel.

In light of the excellency of Christ, His condescension and exaltation--freely leaving heaven to go to hell and back for His church--how should Christians live? Paul commands believers to work out their salvation with fear and trembling and live blameless and harmless lives, shining as lights in a dark world. 

The mind of Christ, displayed in His living and suffering in order to purchase the grace of justification, life, and glory for all who believe. 

Pastor Josh continues his exposition of Philippians. What does it mean for the church to be like-minded? What does it mean to consider others' interests as well as your own? Does Christianity teach that self-interest is sinful?

Christians need not fear death and are therefore free to live as citizens worthy of the gospel of Christ. What kind of adversaries the Christian should expect, and how to respond. How governments in the West are becoming more adversarial to the gospel of Christ and His church.

The Apostle Paul provides the reason for his rejoicing in Christ, in spite of his imprisonment for the gospel. 

The third sermon in Pastor Josh's exposition of the book of Philippians. God makes evil turn for good as Paul's imprisonment causes the gospel to advance further still. Application: Christians rejoice with Paul in the advance of the gospel of Christ in the face of evil, but do we all mean the same thing when we say the word "gospel"?

Pastor Josh begins preaching through the book of Philippians.