Forgiveness carries real weight, and we can face it with truth and grace. This week's message from our friend, Brian Powers, invites us to lay down what burdens us and step into the freedom Jesus offers.

In this message from John 8, Steve Switzer explores Jesus’ encounter with the woman caught in adultery—a moment that reveals the perfect balance of grace and truth. Jesus refuses to condemn her but calls her to “go and sin no more,” showing that real freedom and lasting joy come through repentance and holiness. Steve challenges the idea that God’s desire is for us to simply “do whatever makes us happy,” pointing instead to the deeper joy found in living according to God’s will. True happiness flows from holiness, where grace restores and transforms us.

Life often brings more than we can handle on our own. In this week's message, we're reminded that Scripture never promises a life free from overwhelming moments. Instead, it points us to a faithful God who meets us in our weakness and gives strength beyond our own. God’s power works through surrender. His grace fills the spaces where our strength ends. Through prayer, Scripture, and the Holy Spirit, we find courage to face every challenge.

Does the Bible really say "God helps those who help themselves"? In this message, we explore how God gives unmerited help and grace to the helpless. He gives strength to those who lean on Him. He gives life to those who come with open hands. Grace and salvation are gifts we could never earn. The Christian life continues by the same grace that began it.

“Did God actually say you won’t have bad days?” This week’s message reminds us that even in hardship, God reigns as King forever. Drawing from Genesis 3 and John 16, the sermon explores how Jesus prepared His followers for trials—not to discourage them, but to give them peace and hope. Through stories of faith under persecution and personal loss, we’re reminded that suffering tests and strengthens genuine faith. God uses our hardest moments to prepare us for His purposes. Abide in Christ through every season. His promises are sure, and His presence brings joy that endures.

In this message, Chad Morton, missionary with Manna Worldwide, challenges the familiar phrase “follow your heart.” He reminds us that our hearts can mislead, but God’s will never does. Through Scripture and personal experience, he shows how seeking God’s wisdom, trusting His Word, listening to the Spirit, and walking with mature believers leads to lasting purpose and peace.

Money is not the problem. The love of money is. In this message from 1 Timothy 6:6–19, we’re reminded that godliness and contentment bring the kind of gain no amount of wealth can match. The call is simple and profound—trust God with what you have, use your resources for His glory, and find your satisfaction in Christ alone. True treasure is eternal. It’s found in a generous heart, a grateful spirit, and a life anchored in Jesus.

The Holy Spirit is not distant. He is a constant friend who lives within every believer. In this message, we see how the Spirit comforts in sorrow, empowers in weakness, convicts in love, and guides in truth. He brings clarity, awakens hearts, and connects us more deeply to God. Life with the Spirit is marked by peace, power, and worship. His presence turns hardship into hope and gives strength for every step of the journey.

Grace is not a concept—it is a person, Jesus Christ. In this message from our Friends with God series, we explore how Jesus pours His grace into our lives through His life, death, resurrection, power, and delight. His obedience makes us right with God. His sacrifice removes sin’s penalty. His resurrection gives us new life and confidence. His Spirit empowers us to live transformed. And His joy reminds us that we are His beloved. This grace is unearned, undeserved, and freely given. Jesus doesn’t just save us—He delights in us.

This sermon explores the heart of God as Father and the intimate friendship He offers to all who believe. Drawing from 1 John, it unpacks what it means to truly “know” God—not just as an idea, but as a lived relationship rooted in His eternal, personal, and unchanging love.

What does it mean to be called a friend of God? In this message, we explore the incredible truth that the Creator of the universe desires an intimate friendship with His people. Drawing from John 15, Pastor Doug highlights Jesus’ words: “I no longer call you servants … I have called you friends.” This friendship is not earned by good works or religious performance. It is initiated by God’s grace, sustained by His faithfulness, and nurtured through prayer, Scripture, obedience, and community. Just like any meaningful friendship, it grows through time and intentional connection. The sermon addresses common barriers—believing God could never want friendship with flawed people, or not knowing how to practically live in that friendship—and offers encouragement to pursue Him daily. The ultimate identity God gives His people is “friend,” an invitation that brings joy, healing, and transformation.

The church is alive. It is the body of Christ in the world, not a product to consume or a place to sit on Sundays. This message calls us to embrace the example of the early church, where devotion, community, and mission shaped every aspect of life. Scripture reminds us that we are called to embody Christ together, not drift in passive attendance.

Welcome to the Temple Baptist Church - Fort Worth podcast! We exist to guide people to life change in Jesus Christ. For more information visit templebaptistchurch.net.

We're celebrating all that God has done through our summer 2025 events! Pastor Doug sat down with members of our church family to share stories and testimonies from VBS, Mission Guatemala, and our youth and kids camps! Whether you were part of these events or just want to hear the amazing things God has done, this recap is full of joy, inspiration, and reminders of His faithfulness.

Love your enemies. Pray for those who hurt you. This is Jesus’ call—and it changes everything. Matthew 5:43–48 shows us God’s perfect love, a love that refuses favoritism and reaches even our fiercest opponents. Real stories and Scripture reveal how love and prayer can turn enemies into family. Watch and let Christ’s love transform your relationships.

Two blind men on the road to Jericho cried out for mercy. The crowd told them to be quiet. They cried louder. This powerful message from Matthew 20 is about bold, persistent prayer—the kind of prayer that rises from a heart desperate for Jesus. These men didn’t pray casually. They called on the “Son of David” with faith that refused to give up. Jesus stopped. He listened. He healed. This sermon will challenge you to approach God with the same boldness, trusting that His heart is full of compassion and power. Whether you’re in need of healing, hope, or salvation, now is the time to cry out.

In a city filled with idols and chaos, Jesus asked His disciples a simple but life-altering question: “Who do you say that I am?” This message from Matthew 16 takes us to Caesarea Philippi—a place known for false gods and deep darkness—where Peter declares the truth that changes everything: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Faith begins with that confession. Now it’s your turn. Who do you say He is?

In John 13, Jesus kneels to wash His disciples’ feet. He loves fully, even the ones who will fail Him. That’s the kind of love He calls us to. This message (a kickoff of our 2025 VBS theme) is a call to love loudly. To serve humbly. To show the world what Jesus is like—through how we treat others. The evidence of faith is love. And the world is watching.

The rich young ruler had everything—wealth, status, and a solid reputation. But when he met Jesus, he walked away sad. Jesus redefines goodness. He exposes three traps that still hold people back today: performance, possessions, and prestige. Each one promises security. None of them deliver. Eternal life starts with one word: Yes. Yes to surrender. Yes to Jesus. Yes to the only One who is truly good.

We live in a world quick to call out and slow to look inward. In this message from Matthew 7, we’re invited to a different way—one shaped by mercy, humility, and the kind of judgment that begins with our own hearts. Jesus paints a clear picture: deal with the log in your eye before pointing out the speck in someone else’s. This isn’t about silence. It’s about restoring, not condemning. It's about grace that moves toward people, not away from them.