First Baptist Rocky Top Tennessee

**A Psalm of Thanks | Psalm 100**

What is the foundation of genuine thanksgiving? Is our gratitude rooted in the blessings God gives us, or in the unchanging character of God Himself?

In this Thanksgiving message from Psalm 100, Pastor Christopher Enix explores the biblical call to joyful worship and the truths that give us lasting reasons for gratitude. We are reminded that the Lord is our Creator, that we belong to Him, and that His goodness, steadfast love, and faithfulness endure through every generation.

Most importantly...

Grace, Gratitude, and the Glory of God

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:1–15

Thanksgiving is more than a holiday on the calendar—it should be a way of life for every believer. In this message from 2 Corinthians 4, Pastor Christopher Enix explores the beautiful connection between God's grace, our gratitude, and His glory. Through the Apostle Paul's example, we discover that genuine thanksgiving begins with recognizing God's undeserved mercy, continues even through life's difficulties, and ultimately brings glory to Him. Join us as we are reminded that grace is the source, gratitude is our response, and God's glory is the ulti...

Sermon on the Mount: Beware of False Prophets

Matthew 7:15–20

In Matthew 7:15–20, Jesus issues a sobering warning to His followers: “Beware of false prophets.” But how can Christians recognize false teachers, and how can we protect ourselves from spiritual deception?

In this message from our Sermon on the Mount series, we examine the dangers of false teaching, Satan’s strategies for deceiving the church, and three biblical examples from Jude: Cain, Balaam, and Korah. We also consider five practical ways believers can guard against deception: study the faith, show the faith, stand for the faith, sup...

What did Jesus mean when He said, “Judge not”? Continuing our Sermon on the Mount series, we examine Matthew 7:1–6 and the difference between self-righteous judgment and godly discernment. Jesus calls us to confront our own sin, restore others gently, and share His truth with wisdom and love. As we consider the speck, the log, and the pearls, we are reminded that biblical conviction and Christlike compassion belong together—and that the mercy we have received through Jesus should shape how we treat others.

Worry is something every one of us faces—but Jesus shows us that we do not have to be ruled by it. In Matthew 6:25–34, Jesus points to the birds of the air, the lilies of the field, and the faithfulness of our Heavenly Father to remind us that God knows what we need and can be trusted with what we cannot control.

In this message from the Sermon on the Mount, we explore what Jesus meant when He said, “Do not be anxious,” why His words were so meaningful to His original listeners, and how seeking first the king...

Has grass begun to grow on your prayer path? In “Our Heavenly Father,” Pastor Christopher Enix continues the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6, exploring Jesus’ teaching on sincere prayer, forgiveness, and trusting God with our daily needs. Through the Lord’s Prayer, we discover how fellowship with our Father shapes our priorities and teaches us to extend mercy, seek His kingdom first, and entrust tomorrow to His care.

What does it mean to live in the Kingdom of Heaven? In this opening message from the Sermon on the Mount, Pastor Christopher Enix explores Matthew 5:1–16, showing how true joy grows from a heart surrendered to Jesus. Through the Beatitudes and Christ’s call to be salt and light, we discover how our everyday lives can point others to Him and bring glory to our Father.

What happens when we fail the Lord we love? In this final message of Profile of a Disciple, we turn to John 21, where Jesus asks Peter, “Do you love me?” Tracing Peter’s journey through bold promises, painful failure, and personal restoration, we see the grace of a Savior who forgives, transforms, and calls His people to follow Him. Peter’s story reminds us that our failure does not have to be the final chapter.

Jesus called James and John the “Sons of Thunder”—strong, passionate men whose zeal was often mixed with anger, pride, and ambition. In this message from the Profile of a Disciple series, we discover how Jesus patiently transformed their thunder into courage, service, faithfulness, and love. Their stories remind us that Jesus does not call finished products; He calls imperfect people and becomes Lord of every surrendered life.

Thomas is often remembered only for his doubt, but Scripture reveals a courageous, honest disciple whose story did not end in unbelief. Working backward from John 20, this message traces Thomas’s journey from “I will never believe” to his extraordinary confession, “My Lord and my God,” and shows how the patient grace of the risen Christ meets us in our questions, wounds, and struggles and calls us to believe.

In this opening message from the series Profile of a Disciple, we explore Jesus’ calling of the Twelve in Luke 6:12–16 and take a closer look at Peter, Andrew, James, and John. These ordinary, imperfect men remind us that Christ does not simply call the qualified—He transforms those He calls. Discover how Jesus turns instability into boldness, obscurity into faithfulness, ambition into surrender, and zeal into love.

In 1 Peter 4:1–19, believers are reminded that our time is short, eternity is real, and following Christ calls us to live differently. In this message from the series Small Books. Big Messages, we are challenged to think like Christ, leave the old life behind, live with eternity in view, and remain faithful even through suffering. Whatever time God gives us, may we entrust our souls to our faithful Creator and give Jesus Christ the rest of our time.

In this message from 1 Peter 2, we discover how Christians can live faithfully as exiles in a world that often feels unfamiliar and opposed to their faith. Peter calls believers to crave God’s Word, build their lives upon Jesus Christ, embrace their identity as God’s chosen people, and live honorably before others. Though we were once like wandering sheep, Christ—the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls—has sought us, saved us, and brought us home.

In 1 Peter 1, believers are described as “elect exiles”—people living faithfully in this world while knowing it is not their final home. In this message from the series Small Books. Big Messages., we explore what it means to be born again to a living hope, endure trials with faith, pursue holiness, love one another earnestly, and journey toward an inheritance that will never perish, fade, or be taken away.

Obadiah: Family Feud

The shortest book in the Old Testament carries a powerful message about pride, betrayal, judgment, grace, and the sovereign rule of God. Through the long conflict between Jacob and Esau—and later Israel and Edom—Obadiah reminds us that God brings down the proud, holds nations and individuals accountable, and remains faithful to His promises. Ultimately, the book points us toward the coming Day of the Lord and its final declaration: “The kingdom shall be the LORD’s.”

In this message, we examine what the Bible teaches about Christian baptism from Romans 6:1–11 and other key passages. Baptism does not save, but it is a commanded act of obedience that publicly identifies the believer with Jesus Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. This sermon explains who should be baptized, what baptism pictures, why it matters, and why the greatest need of every sinner is not water—but Christ.

In this message from 1 Timothy 3–6, we explore what it means for the church to live as “the household of God.” Paul’s words to Timothy give timeless instruction on worship, spiritual leadership, sound doctrine, godly character, and the danger of greed. From the qualifications of pastors and deacons to the call to flee sin and pursue righteousness, this message reminds us that the church must reflect the truth, character, and gospel of Christ.

In this message from 1 Timothy 1–2, we see Paul’s call for the church to guard the gospel, confront false teaching, and keep Christ at the center. The church belongs to God, not to culture, preference, or popular opinion. As Paul reminds Timothy, the people of God must be marked by sound doctrine, prayer, humility, holiness, and mission. At the heart of it all is the glorious truth that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”

In this message from the short but powerful letter of Philemon, we see how the gospel moves from theory into the most personal places of life: broken relationships, forgiveness, debt, and reconciliation. Through Paul’s appeal to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus, we are reminded that in Christ, sinners are received, debts are covered, and former enemies become family. The gospel does not stay in the clouds—it comes home. 

In this message from the series **“Big Questions Christians Ask,”** we explore the question: **Can we trust the Bible, and how did we get it?** From God’s self-revelation in Scripture to the inspiration, recognition, preservation, and authority of the Bible, this message shows why Christians can have confidence that the Bible is truly God’s Word. More than a historical artifact or religious text, Scripture reveals Christ, strengthens faith, and calls us to know, trust, and obey the God who still speaks through His Word. 

In this episode of Big Questions Christians Ask, we look at Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus in John 3 and answer the question: What does it mean to be born again? This message explains that the new birth is not simply becoming more religious, improving behavior, or having an emotional experience. It is the supernatural work of God by the Holy Spirit, giving spiritual life to those who are dead in sin. Through John 3:1–18, we see that salvation comes through God’s love, Christ’s death on the cross, and faith in Him. Jesus’ words are clear and personal: “You must be born agai

In this sermon, All Things Made New: The Hope of the New Heaven and New Earth, we explore the Bible’s glorious promise that God will not abandon His creation but will redeem, restore, and renew it through Jesus Christ. From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture points us to a future where sin, sorrow, death, and pain are gone forever, and God dwells with His people in perfect joy. This message from Revelation 21:1–5 calls believers to live with eternal hope and invites all who are thirsty to come to Christ, the Lamb who makes all things new.

In this episode, we tackle one of life’s most unavoidable and deeply personal questions: What happens when we die? Drawing from Scripture—especially Luke 16 and 1 Corinthians 15—we explore the biblical teaching on life after death, including the reality of immediate conscious existence, eternal destiny, and the promise of resurrection. This conversation cuts through cultural speculation to offer clear, hope-filled truth grounded in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Whether you’re a believer, skeptic, or seeker, this episode invites you to consider not just what comes next—but how that shapes your life right now. 

In this episode of Big Questions Christians Ask, we tackle one of the most pressing and personal questions in the Christian life: Can I lose my salvation? Drawing from Romans 5:1–11, we explore the powerful truth that salvation is not only given by God’s grace—but also sustained by it.

Discover how peace with God, the work of Christ, and the presence of the Holy Spirit provide unshakable assurance for the believer. Whether you’re wrestling with doubt, walking through hardship, or seeking clarity, this episode offers biblical insight and encouragement: those whom God saves, He secures—completely...

On this episode, we journey down the Road to Emmaus in Luke 24—a story not of immediate triumph, but of confusion, disappointment, and unmet expectations. As two discouraged disciples walk away from Jerusalem, the risen Christ draws near, though they do not yet recognize Him. Through Scripture, conversation, and revelation, their despair is transformed into burning hope.

This message explores how God often exceeds our expectations—not by meeting them in the ways we imagine, but by fulfilling His greater plan. Discover how Christ meets us in our doubts, opens our eyes through His Word, and reminds us t...

What if Easter never happened? What if Jesus died—but never rose again? In this powerful message from First Baptist Rocky Top, we explore the unthinkable question posed in —and why the answer changes everything.

Drawing from 1 Corinthians 15, this episode walks through the devastating implications of a world without the resurrection: faith would be futile, sin would still enslave us, death would have the final word, and hope would be nothing more than an illusion.

But the story doesn’t end there.

With clarity and conviction, this message proclaims the truth that defines Christ...

Palm Sunday is one of the most powerful—and misunderstood—moments in the life of Jesus. In this message, we explore the Triumphal Entry from Luke 19 and uncover a striking truth: the crowd was right about Jesus being King… but wrong about the kind of King He came to be.

As palm branches were waved and “Hosanna” was shouted, many were looking for a Savior to fix their circumstances—not one to confront their sin. Yet Jesus entered Jerusalem in humility, riding on a donkey, revealing a kingdom not built on power, but on peace with God.

We also...

As Easter approaches, we step into the final night of Jesus’ life and witness one of the most powerful demonstrations of love in all of Scripture—Jesus washing His disciples’ feet. In this message from John 13, we explore Christ’s “new commandment” to love one another as He has loved us.

What does that kind of love look like? It is selfless, unwavering, serving, and even forgiving toward those who fail us. Jesus didn’t just teach love—He lived it, even toward Judas and Peter.

This message challenges us to move beyond comfortable, easy love and instead...

In this message from Daniel 7, we move from the visible stories of exile into the hidden realities behind history as God pulls back the curtain and reveals four rising kingdoms portrayed as beasts, the sovereign throne of the Ancient of Days, and the coming reign of the Son of Man. Daniel reminds us that while earthly empires rise and fall, heaven is never unsettled, and the everlasting kingdom belongs to Christ alone. 

Empires rise and fall, but the kingdom of God stands forever. In this message from Daniel 6, we walk through one of the most familiar—and most misunderstood—stories in Scripture. Daniel is not simply a model of courage; he is a picture of steadfast faith in a hostile culture.

As political pressure mounts and prayer becomes criminalized, Daniel chooses faithfulness over compromise. The lions’ den reminds us that God does not always keep His people from trials—but He is always present in them.

What does it mean to live faithfully in exile today? And how does...

In this powerful message from Daniel 4–5, we explore what it means to live faithfully “in exile” under the unshakable rule of God. Two kings stand before us—Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar—both confronted by the sovereignty of the Most High. One is humbled and restored. The other resists and falls.

Through bedroom dreams and banquet hall defiance, Daniel shows us that history is not random and power is never ultimate. God humbles the proud to save, and He judges the proud who refuse to bow. Empires rise and fall, but heaven rules over it all.

For believers...

In Daniel: Living in Exile — Faith in the Literal Fire, we revisit the familiar story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and discover it is far more than a children’s lesson about courage. Daniel 3 exposes the pressure of a world that doesn’t always demand we abandon God — only that we refuse to make Him ultimate. This message explores what true biblical faith looks like: trusting God’s power, submitting to His wisdom, and obeying Him even when obedience is costly. Ultimately, we see a greater hope — a God who not only walks with His people through the fire, but in Chris...

After hearing from the Gideons ministry, we take a few moments to reflect on the greatest gift God has given His people — His Word. Psalm 119 reminds us that the Bible is not merely a book for inspiration, but the living, unchanging revelation of God that teaches us, guides our steps, and ultimately points us to Jesus Christ. The Gideons distribute the Book, but the Book leads us to the Savior. Join us as we consider how we should value it, receive it, and live it.

In this message from Daniel 2, “Living in Exile: The Eternal Kingdom,” we walk through Nebuchadnezzar’s troubling dream, Daniel’s calm trust in God, and the towering statue that crumbles before a stone “cut without hands.” We’ll see how this vision points to Jesus Christ and His unshakable Kingdom, why every earthly power ultimately falls, and how believers today can live as faithful exiles—calm, prayerful, steadfast, and calling others to repentance and new life in Christ.

In today’s message, we launch a new sermon series through the Book of Daniel called “Living in Exile.” Most of us know the famous stories — Daniel in the lions’ den, and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace. But Daniel is far more than a collection of dramatic deliverances. It is a book about faithfulness in a world that has forgotten God, a book for people who feel displaced, pressured, and surrounded by a culture that does not share their convictions.

In Daniel 1 we meet four young men taken from Jerusalem into the heart of Babylon —...

As the decorations come down and the new year begins, many of us feel the pull toward fresh starts, routines, or resolutions. But what if our deepest purpose isn’t found in self-improvement — but in being about the Father’s business?

In this timely message from Luke 2, Pastor Christopher Enix explores the only glimpse Scripture gives us of Jesus’ childhood: His presentation in the temple as an infant and His remarkable stay in the temple at age twelve. Through the faithful lives of Simeon and Anna, the humble obedience of Mary and Joseph, and the young Jesus’ profound w...

Christmas has passed. The lights are still up, the tree may still be standing—but the rush has faded, and for many, fear has returned.

In this post-Christmas reflection from Luke 2, we revisit the familiar story of shepherds, angels, and a child born in Bethlehem—and hear it again as if for the first time. Why was the angel’s first command not rejoice or celebrate, but “Fear not”? And why does that message still matter long after December 25?

This message explores:

In this message, we explore the Christmas story through Matthew’s Gospel—a narrative grounded in history, Scripture, and divine purpose. Focusing on Joseph’s obedient faith and the Magi’s earnest search for truth, we see Jesus revealed not as a sentimental figure, but as the promised King, fully God and fully man, who came to save His people from their sins. Matthew reminds us that Christmas is about God drawing seekers from every direction to bow in worship before Christ, Immanuel—God with us.

In this Christ-centered message from John 1, we explore how Christmas speaks powerfully to every heart—whether you are questioning, drifting, or deeply devoted. With biblical clarity and pastoral warmth, this message invites the skeptic to consider the claims of Christ, calls the wanderer to come home to grace, and challenges the faithful to prepare Him room. Christmas is more than a season—it is God drawing near. Don’t just celebrate Christ this Christmas. Receive Him.

Preparing Your Heart for Christmas: Hope for the Skeptic, the Wanderer, and the Believer

In today’s Christmas devotion, Pastor Christopher Enix speaks to three kinds of hearts we often meet during the holiday season:

• the open skeptic who wonders whether Jesus might truly be who He claimed to be,

• the believer who has drifted and longs to come home, and

• the follower of Christ who desires a deeper experience of His presence this Christmas.

With strong Scripture foundations and clear evangelical apologetics—including Dr. Gary Habermas’ Minimal Facts Argument for...