Sermons by Pastor Toby Locke (Page 11)

I joined the staff as lead pastor at First Baptist in March 2017 after nine years of ministry in Racine, Wisconsin as an associate pastor. I grew up as the child of missionaries in South America, where I got to live among and learn from the beautiful people of Bolivia and Chile. After high school I attended Baptist Bible College of PA (now Clarks Summit University) and graduated at long last in 1998 with a Pastoral Ministries degree. After completing a two-year short term missionary assignment in Chile, I returned to Baptist Bible Seminary for my Master of Divinity, which God graciously enabled me to complete in 2007. From there it was off to Rochester, New York for a year-long internship at North Baptist Church (now Northridge Church) before jumping into full-time vocational ministry at Fellowship Baptist Church in Racine in the fall of 2007.

The Big Picture: The Many Layers of Baptism

February 26, 2023
Pastor Toby Locke
Baptism
I Peter

Getting baptized announces to the watching world that we’ve been saved, teaches us that we’re connected to Jesus, and assures us of new life in God’s new world one day. Peter adds here that baptism also pictures the coming judgment, when all who have believed in Jesus and asked for His forgiveness will be rescued.

The Big Picture: Tips for Facing Persecution

Whether it’s fair or unfair, followers of Jesus can expect persecution from time to time. If they don’t give in to pressure and instead maintain their loyalty to Jesus, though, they will have the opportunity to give a gentle and logical explanation to those who persecute them, which God can use to humble the persecutors…

The Big Picture: How This All Works

January 29, 2023
Pastor Toby Locke
Conflict
I Peter

The Church (the people, not the building or the organization) is meant to be a safe place to heal from the attacks that come at us from a hostile world. In order to become that, each Christian must treat all the others in a counter-cultural way, refusing to get involved in a war of retribution…

The Big Picture: A Word to Husbands

After challenging wives to submit to their husbands so that they can win them to Christ, Peter continues his letter with some pointed instructions to husbands about how they should use the authority delegated to them by God. Join us this morning as we explore these important issues.

The Big Picture: Redefining the “Win”

January 15, 2023
Pastor Toby Locke
Marriage
I Peter

Marriage can degenerate quickly into a struggle for power and control. The only way out of that damaging dynamic is to remember that God defines “winning” very differently than we do. Join us today as we explore these important issues together.

The Big Picture: Seeing Slavery Differently

As spiritually alive people, we are called by God to live for His purposes no matter what it costs us. Apparently this applies to everyone, even slaves who are vulnerable to mistreatment. Join us today as we grapple with how Peter tried to get Christian slaves to see their life situation differently.

The Big Picture: A “Recap” of 1 Peter

It’s been a while since we’ve talked about 1 Peter together. Before we press on, let’s take a few moments to look back at where we’ve been and remember the case that Peter has been building in his letter so far