Fellowship Baptist Church

Spirit Empowered (CHURCH ON FIRE — Practices of a Spirit-Empowered Church)

Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - John 14:16 & 26; 16:7-8; Matthew 16:18; Acts 1:4, 6 & 14-15; 2:1-4; Ephesians 2:1; 4:3; Genesis 1:2; 2:7; Ezekiel 37:9 & 14; Titus 3:5; Romans 6:11; 8:11; 1 Corinthians 6:19; Hebrews 12:29; 1 Kings 18:38
 
God promised power to His church, not merely the strength to endure but the authority to overcome. The early church was never called to survive the battle but to advance in victory.
So what has become of that power? The power that breaks bondage, brings conviction, breathes life into the spiritually dead, and transforms hearts and homes. This is not human ability or religious effort. It is the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit.
And this is more than the moment of salvation. It is the ongoing filling and empowering of the Spirit of God in the life of His people. Without Him, we are powerless.
Let us take a closer look at the work of the Holy Spirit and how His power is meant to shape and strengthen the local church today.
 
Series description:
​What if I told you that God created something to help us face life's challenges, engage in spiritual warfare, strengthen our families, discover our purpose, and live the life He intended for us? Wouldn't that become a priority?
The good news is that God did create something that accomplishes all of this...the church.​ Before you dismiss that idea, let's clarify what we mean by "church." We're not talking about buildings, programs, traditions, or religious routines. We're talking about the church as God designed it.
When the church functions according to God's plan, it is powerful, effective, life-changing, and essential. Yet many people view it as optional because they have never experienced what the church was meant to be.
It's time to go back to the original blueprint. Let's examine God's purpose for the church and discover how it not only transforms individual lives but was designed to impact families, communities, and ultimately the world.
 
​CHURCH ON FIRE: Practices of a Spirit-Empowered Church
"Spirit Empowered"
 
1. The Spirit of God Gives Life
2. The Spirit of God Gives Power

Your Purpose: Why Are We Here? (Counter Formation — Lesson 2)

Pastor Matt Hodge (Discipleship Pastor) - ​​​​​​​​Genesis 1:2​6-31​ (Genesis 1:26-31​; 2:7 & 2:21-22; 3:8 & 15; Isaiah 42:5; Psalm 139:13-14​; Romans 9:20​; 1 John 3:1-2​; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20​; Revelation 4:11​)
 
Why are we here? and What does it mean to be human? In this lesson, we explore these two foundational questions that every person wrestles with. Beginning in Genesis 1, we examine how our understanding of purpose is inseparably tied to our understanding of nature. In contrast to modern ideas of identity rooted in self-expression, Scripture reveals that humanity is intentionally created by God, made in His image, and designed as both body and soul. From this foundation, we discover that our purpose is clear: we exist to know God, enjoy fellowship with Him, and bring Him glory.
 
Summer Teaching Series:
Every day, we are being shaped by the world, the culture around us, and even the people closest to us. Formation is happening whether we notice it or not, and left unchecked, it can pull us away from God’s design for our lives.This 10-week series explores how to recognize what is shaping us and how to live intentionally as followers of Jesus. Through discussion, reflection, and practical teaching, we’ll discover how to grow in Christ and influence the world around us for Him. Join us and learn to live with purpose, aware of how God is forming you.
 
Counter Formation :: Shaped by Jesus in a World of Conformity Lesson 2: Your Purpose: Why Are We Here?
 
I. A Person ​is ​a Creation of GodII. A Person ​is Created in the Image of GodIII. A Person is Created with a Body & SoulA. ​bodyB. ​soulC. ​body & ​soulIV. A Person Exists to​...
A. ​know GodB. ​enjoy ​fellowship ​with GodC. ​bring ​glory to God
 
Lesson 2 - Notes

People Gathering (CHURCH ON FIRE — Practices of a Spirit-Empowered Church)

Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - Ephesians 5:2; Acts 1:1-14; 2:41-42; Matthew 16:18; Hebrews 10:25
 
​What if I told you that God created something to help us face life's challenges, engage in spiritual warfare, strengthen our families, discover our purpose, and live the life He intended for us? Wouldn't that become a priority?
The good news is that God did create something that accomplishes all of this...the church.​ Before you dismiss that idea, let's clarify what we mean by "church." We're not talking about buildings, programs, traditions, or religious routines. We're talking about the church as God designed it.
When the church functions according to God's plan, it is powerful, effective, life-changing, and essential. Yet many people view it as optional because they have never experienced what the church was meant to be.
It's time to go back to the original blueprint. Let's examine God's purpose for the church and discover how it not only transforms individual lives but was designed to impact families, communities, and ultimately the world.
 
​CHURCH ON FIRE: Practices of a Spirit-Empowered Church
"People Gathering"
 
The Church is...
1. God's people together
2. God's people connected
3. God's people empowered

Your Formation: Conformed or Transformed? (Counter Formation — Lesson 1)

Pastor Matt Hodge (Discipleship Pastor) - ​​​​​​​​Romans 12:1-3 (Romans 3:9-28; 5:1-5 & 19-21; 6:1-2 & 12-15; 8:1-6 & 28-39;12:1-5; Galatians 4:19; 1 John 3:1-2)
 
You are being formed. The question is, what is forming you?In this opening lesson, we explore what it means to live as people who are being shaped by God’s mercy. From our identity in Adam to our new life in Christ, from the pull of the world to the power of the Holy Spirit, and from individual growth to life in the body of Christ, we see that spiritual formation is not self-improvement but the ongoing work of God making us like His Son.This message lays the foundation for understanding discipleship not as behavior management, but as a lifelong process of grace-driven transformation. So today we ask and attempt to answer these questions: What is forming you, and who are you becoming because of it?
 
Summer Teaching Series:
Every day, we are being shaped by the world, the culture around us, and even the people closest to us. Formation is happening whether we notice it or not, and left unchecked, it can pull us away from God’s design for our lives.This 10-week series explores how to recognize what is shaping us and how to live intentionally as followers of Jesus. Through discussion, reflection, and practical teaching, we’ll discover how to grow in Christ and influence the world around us for Him. Join us and learn to live with purpose, aware of how God is forming you.
 
Counter Formation :: Shaped by Jesus in a World of Conformity Lesson 1: Your Formation: Conformed or Transformed?
 
I. Christian Formation Begins with SalvationA. we are born deformed & dead in our sinB. we can be saved & transformed by grace through faithII. Christian Formation is Motivated by LoveIII. Christian Formation is Empowered by the Holy SpiritIV. Christian Formation is a Journey of GrowthV. Christian Formation Happens in CommunityVI. Christian Formation is for the Glory of God
 
Lesson 1 - Notes

The Relationship Between Believing & Doing (Indoctrinated: Why What We Believe Matters)

Pastor​ Aaron Roberts (​Worship Pastor) - ​Titus 3 (​Titus 3:1-15; Romans 8:14-17​; 10:9)
 
Why does what we believe matter? And how do our actions reveal what we really believe?
In this sermon, we explore the relationship between believing and doing, and examine the consequences of both right and wrong belief. 
 
Series description:
We are all being told something to believe (indoctrinated), and what we believe shapes how we live. In Titus, Scripture reminds us of the importance of right beliefs, guarding those beliefs and following right teachers, and how those beliefs inform what we do.
 
Indoctrinated
Why What We Believe Matters
 
The Relationship Between Believing & Doing
I. What we believe
A. who we were
B. who Christ is
C. who we are
 
II. What we do
A. fruitful Christians
- submit to and obey government authority
- be ready for every good work
- speak evil of no one
- be gentle, not brawlers
- show meekness (or courtesy) to all people
B. unprofitable things
- foolish questions (or controversies)
- unfruitful debates over genealogies and contentions
- strivings (or quarrels) about the law 

6 Things to Fill Your Life with to Redeem the Time (AWANA Closing Program - 2026)

Pastor Bryce Copeland (Student Pastor) - Ephesians 5:15-21
 
Time is one of God's greatest gifts. In Ephesians 5:15–21, Paul challenges us to live wisely and make the most of every opportunity. Discover six things that should fill our lives as we seek to redeem the time and live for God's glory.
 
"6 things to fill your life with to redeem the time"1. Filled with Wisdom2. Filled with the Word of God3. Filled with the Holy Spirit4. Filled with Worship5. Filled with Gratitude6. Filled with Submission

Truth That Leads to Godliness (Indoctrinated: Why What We Believe Matters)

Pastor Matt Hodge (Student Pastor) - ​Titus 1 (​Titus 1:1-16; 3:3-7)
 
In Titus 1, Paul reminds us that the kind of lives that adorn the Gospel are shaped by something deeper: truth. In a world full of competing voices, shifting values, and spiritual confusion, where does right doctrine come from, how is it protected, and why does it matter so much?In this message, Truth that Leads to Godliness, we explore God’s revelation as the source of truth, the local church as the stronghold of truth, and the ongoing struggle against false teaching.Join us as we discover how right doctrine leads to right living that displays the beauty of the Gospel.
 
Series description:
We are all being told something to believe (indoctrinated), and what we believe shapes how we live. In Titus, Scripture reminds us of the importance of right beliefs, guarding those beliefs and following right teachers, and how those beliefs inform what we do.
 
Indoctrinated
Why What We Believe Matters
 
Truth That Leads to Godliness
I. The Source of Truth: God's Revelation
 
II. The Stronghold of Truth: The Local Church Led by Faithful Elders
The Office of Elder
A. family life
B. character & temperament
1. humble, not self-willed
2. gentle, not quick-tempered
3. self-controlled, not enslaved to appetite or impulse
4. content and pure-motivated, not greedy for gain or power
C. doctrine & teaching
 
III. The Struggle for Truth: False Teachers & False Teaching
A. the distortion of the truth
B. the confrontation with bad doctrine
C. the test of true doctrine

Jesus & Our Future (Risen Savior — Lesson 6)

Pastor Aaron Roberts (Worship Pastor) - ​​​Acts 1:1-11 (Acts 1:1-11; Luke 1:3; 14:16; 24:39 & 50-53; John 14; 16:7; 20:16; Romans 8:26-27; 1 Corinthians 5:17; 6:14; 12; 15:20 & 42-44; Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Peter 1:3; Colossians 3:1; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Hebrews 12:2; Genesis 1:27 & 31; 3:14-24; Philippians 3:20-21; Acts 10:41; Revelation 19:9)
 
Jesus was raised from the dead, and for 40 days, he walked the earth again. After this, to the surprise of his disciples, he ascended into heaven.
What does the ascension of Jesus mean for his followers? Why did Jesus ascend to heaven in his resurrected body? And what does it mean for us and our future bodily resurrection? 
 
Series description:
In the days after He rose, Jesus met His followers in their most real and raw moments—grief, doubt, and failure. This series explores those encounters and invites us to experience the same living Jesus who still meets us, restores us, and calls us to a deeper faith.
 
Risen SaviorEncounters After the ResurrectionLesson 6: Jesus ​& Our Future​Acts 1:1-11Pastor Aaron Roberts (Worship Pastor)
 
​I. The Ascension Guarantees Hope for BelieversA. a guarantee of Holy Spirit powerB. a guarantee of new life todayC. a guarantee of eternal lifeII. The Ascension Affirms the Goodness of CreationA. God made everything goodB. Jesus' ascension in a physical body affirms that goodnessIII. The Ascension Ensures Our Physical ResurrectionA. we will be embodied on Resurrection DayB. our resurrection bodies will be perfect and restored
 
Lesson 6 - Notes

Lives That Adorn the Gospel (Indoctrinated: Why What We Believe Matters)

Pastor Bryce Copeland (Student Pastor) - ​Titus 2 (​Titus 2:1-15)
 
Titus 2 gives a beautiful picture of what a life shaped by the gospel looks like in every season of life. In every season of life, Scripture teaches us to live in a way that adorns the Gospel.
In this message, we’ll see how sound doctrine isn’t just something we believe, but something that changes how we live. When that happens, our lives begin to “adorn” the gospel, making the beauty of the Gospel visible to the world around us.
 
Series description:
We are all being told something to believe (indoctrinated), and what we believe shapes how we live. In Titus, Scripture reminds us of the importance of right beliefs, guarding those beliefs and following right teachers, and how those beliefs inform what we do.
 
Indoctrinated
Why What We Believe Matters
Lives That Adorn the Gospel
 
1. Older Men That Adorn the Gospel
A. have outward stability
B. have inward soundness
 
2. Older Women That Adorn the Gospel
A. have holy behavior
B. have good things to teach
 
3. Younger Women That Adorn the Gospel
A. have self-control
B. have loving relationships
C. have godly character
D. have faithful homes
 
4. Younger Men That Adorn the Gospel
A. have self-control
B. have role models
 
5. Work That Adorns the Gospel
A. known for obedience
B. known for integrity
 
6. The Gospel Worth Adorning
A. the far-reaching grace of God
B. the godly life grace produces
C. the blessed hope to look for
D. the sacrifice of our Redeemer
 
Right doctrine leads to right living that displays the beauty of the Gospel.

Jesus & Our Failure (Risen Savior — Lesson 5)

Pastor Matt Hodge (Discipleship Pastor) - ​​​John 21:1-25 (John 13:12-17 & 31-38; 18:25-27; 21:1-25; Matthew 26:75; 1 John 1:6-10; 1 Peter 2:20-25)
 
In John 21, we find one of the most tender and powerful scenes in the resurrection accounts—Jesus meeting Peter after his greatest failure. After denying Christ three times, Peter returns to fishing, only to encounter the risen Lord on the shore. What follows is not rejection, but restoration.This lesson explores how Jesus meets us in our failure, restores our identity, and redefines our purpose. If you’ve ever wondered whether your past disqualifies you from being used by God, Peter’s story offers a powerful answer: grace has the final word!
 
Series description:
In the days after He rose, Jesus met His followers in their most real and raw moments—grief, doubt, and failure. This series explores those encounters and invites us to experience the same living Jesus who still meets us, restores us, and calls us to a deeper faith.
 
Risen SaviorEncounters After the ResurrectionLesson 5: Jesus ​& Our FailureJohn 21Pastor Matt Hodge (Discipleship Pastor)
 
I. The Temptation to RetreatA. the pull of the familiarB. the reminder of Divine powerC. a movement toward JesusII. The Humble Service of JesusIII. The Restoration of PeterA. the renewal of purposeB. a call to faithful enduranceC. a need for focus on Jesus
 
Lesson 5 - Notes

Keep Praying: God is Faithful

Pastor Tony Liuzzo (Lead Pastor) - ​Matthew 15:21-28 (Matthew 7:7; 15:21-28; John 10:10; 1 Samuel 15:23)
 
There are so many incredible stories in the Bible—but some are unexpected. Stories that catch you off guard and even leave you a little uncomfortable.In Matthew 15, Jesus goes out of His way to encounter a desperate, broken mother. She comes to Him with bold persistence and unwavering faith, refusing to give up until she finds mercy. Her response moves Jesus to call her faith “great faith”—a faith that led to a life-changing miracle.What does it take to have that kind of faith? The kind of faith that touches the heart of God and keeps praying even when the answer seems delayed?
 
Keep Praying: God is Faithful
1. A desperate situation
2. A difficult silence
3. A persistent faith
 
When you need a spiritual breakthrough:
A. intercede
B. seek God
C. claim His power
D. keep praying
 
Illustration #1: Map with Tyre & Sidon

Jesus & Our Doubt (Risen Savior — Lesson 4)

Pastor Matt Hodge (Discipleship Pastor) - ​​​John 20:24-31​ (John 1:1​ & 14-17​; 5:16-24​; 11:14-16​; 14:1-6​; 20:24-31​; Matthew 10:1-4​; Luke 24:20-21​; Hebrews 10:22-25​; Psalm 42:1-5​; 1 Peter 1:8​)
 
In this lesson, we walk through one of the most honest and relatable moments in the Gospels—the story of Thomas after the resurrection of Jesus. Often remembered as “Doubting Thomas,” his journey is really about something deeper: what happens when faith is tested by disappointment, silence, isolation, and waiting.
If you’ve ever wrestled with uncertainty, felt distant from God, or struggled to reconcile belief with experience, this conversation is for you. Thomas’ story reminds us that doubt is not the end of faith—it can become the place where faith is refined, deepened, and strengthened in the person of Jesus Christ.
 
Series description:
In the days after He rose, Jesus met His followers in their most real and raw moments—grief, doubt, and failure. This series explores those encounters and invites us to experience the same living Jesus who still meets us, restores us, and calls us to a deeper faith.
 
Risen SaviorEncounters After the ResurrectionLesson 4: Jesus ​& Our DoubtJohn 20:24-31Pastor Matt Hodge (Discipleship Pastor)
 
​I. The Struggle with DoubtA. ​doubt from ​disappointmentB. ​doubt from ​isolationC. ​doubt from ​silenceII. The Heart of JesusA. Jesus ​pursuesB. Jesus ​invitesIII. The Confession of ThomasA. ​the Deity of ChristB. ​the ​hope of the Gospel
 
Lesson 4 - Notes