185 Years. One Unchanging Message: JESUS SAVES.
The message that once lit the Houston skyline still shines today.
For decades, two glowing words stood watch over downtown Houston: JESUS SAVES.
Mounted high above the downtown home of Houston’s First Baptist Church, the illuminated sign became a fixture of the city skyline. As office towers rose around it and a frontier town grew into one of America’s great cities, the sign offered something the skyline couldn’t — a clear, unashamed declaration of the Gospel.
And it was a message our church had already been proclaiming for generations.
Founded in 1841 with just 16 members, Houston’s First has now ministered to this city for 185 years. The skyline has changed. The church has moved. Ministries and methods have evolved. But the message has not changed by a single word.
When the Houston Chronicle marked our 175th anniversary in 2016, the historic JESUS SAVES sign was remembered as a beloved landmark of 1960s downtown. But the story wasn’t really about a sign — it was about lives transformed, and a church looking not backward at its history but forward to its mission.
Those two words were never merely lights on a building. They were — and remain — our message to the city.
That may be the sign’s greatest legacy.
The same Jesus who saved then saves today. And after 185 years, it’s our generation’s privilege to carry those two words into Houston and beyond.
Yesterday’s message. Today’s mission. Eternal hope.
JESUS SAVES.
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Sermon Recap • Leviticus 26–27
Holy: Jesus Is Our Path
A message delivered by Pastor Gregg
This Sunday, Pastor Gregg brought our five-week journey through Leviticus to a powerful close with a question that cuts right to the heart: Do you believe in God, or do you belong to God?
He opened with the story of a nerve-wracking day spent driving a friend’s borrowed pickup through a Houston rainstorm — white-knuckled the whole way, because it wasn’t his. That image carried the entire message: we are not the owners of our lives. We are stewards. Like that borrowed truck, everything we have and everything we are belongs to Someone else, and that changes how we drive.
Leviticus 26 opens with thirteen verses of blessing after blessing — rain in season, fruitful land, peace, security. But tucked into verse 11 is the greatest promise of all: “I will place my residence among you… I will walk among you and be your God.” Pastor Gregg reminded us that the ultimate blessing isn’t provision or protection. The ultimate blessing is God’s presence. As Max Lucado puts it, “His greatest gift is himself.”
“You’re either going to be humble or get humbled.”
Then the chapter turns sobering. When God’s people choose hostility over humility — the Hebrew word keri, meaning defiance or walking in opposition — they forfeit the blessing of walking with Him. Pastor Gregg pressed the question home: Will we be hostile or humble?
But grace gets the last word. Leviticus 26:40 shows that when hearts are humbled and sin is confessed, God remembers His covenant. Jesus is the path of our restoration. Sin makes us at odds; Christ makes us at one — that’s atonement: at-one-ment.
The whole arc of Leviticus points to Him. In Leviticus 1:1, God speaks to Moses from outside the tent. In Numbers 1:1, from inside the tent. And in the New Testament? We are the tent — the Holy Spirit dwelling in every believer (1 Corinthians 6:19–20). “You are not your own. You were bought with a price.”
The service closed with a consecration moment drawn from Leviticus 27, where Israel gave everything — families, livestock, land — over to the Lord. Pastor Gregg challenged all campuses to come to the altars, not the exits: to stand right where they were and say, “God, this is Yours. The job, the diagnosis, the kids, this chapter of my life — I give it to You.”
Takeaway
Obedience isn’t how we earn redemption — it’s how we enjoy fellowship with God. When we believe, we belong. And when we belong, we walk in the blessing of His presence.
Missed Sunday, or want to hear it again? Watch the full message below:
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Lesson Review
No Longer a Slave, but a Son
"Freedom Through Faith" • Galatians 4:1-31 • Bill Wright • August 9, 2026
Handed all thirty-one verses of Galatians 4, Bill Wright set the table by reminding us who Paul was writing to. The traditionalists of that day had multiplied the Ten Commandments into six hundred thirteen rules, and their message to new believers was simple and deadly: Jesus is good, but something else is necessary. Bill called it the doctrine of "Jesus plus," and noted it did not die in the first century. Paul's answer was blunt — adding requirements to Christ's sacrifice ruins the whole idea of free grace and makes a man a partner in his own salvation.
Then Bill said the thing that made the room go quiet: he knew about legalism because he used to be one. Years ago he measured his salvation by attendance, once going to church or a church event twenty nights in a row. Later he was convinced no one was saved unless he had walked the aisle — and prayed the right prayer, in the right order, at the right time. Every revival, up he went. This time I'll get it right.
"It's hard work being a legalist. When you finally dump that, it's the greatest relief."
Bill Wright
That opened the passage itself. In verses one through seven, Paul pictures an heir who is still a child — on paper he owns everything, in practice he lives like a slave until the date his father sets. Then came the fullness of time, the Son, and redemption. Bill pressed the word past "bought back": redeemed means restored to the standing God intended all along. Verse seven is the hinge, and he told us to underline it. To make it land, he described a late-night corporate meeting where the chairman's grown son burst in without knocking — Dad, we're all going to dinner, join us when you're done. He needed no permission. He was the son, and he knew it. That is the confidence behind Abba, Father, a word closer to "Dad" than to anything formal.
So why would anyone go back? Not because of Satan, Bill said — that is the easy answer. It is control. Rules let a man keep score and rank himself above his neighbor, and a ritual repeated long enough becomes mindless. Rule-keeping also produces an aroma, and not the sweet one Paul described. He told about a friend he calls a spiritual predator, always circling for lost people, quietly judged by church folks for befriending the very people he is trying to reach. If every believer joins the holy huddle, Bill said, we will never win the world.
The chapter closes with Hagar and Sarah, two women standing for two covenants — one bearing children into slavery, one into promise. Bill landed it on a question we can all answer honestly: how many times have you launched plan B because plan A was taking too long? Quoting Tim Keller, he reminded us that if you want God's grace, all you need is grace — but that humility is hard to muster when we keep arriving with a list of what we have done. Paul, if he were here, would say it plainly: quit listening to false doctrine, and keep your eyes on Jesus.
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Takeaways
Redeemed means restored. Christ returned you to the standing God planned from the beginning — not a servant waiting outside the door, but a son with the run of the house.
You cannot add to a finished work. The moment performance becomes the proof, grace stops being a gift and starts being a wage.
Be a sweet aroma. Rules push people away; a life freed by grace draws them in. Build the relationship first.
Don't settle for plan B. Sarah could not wait, and neither can we. The life God planned is better than anything we can arrange on our own timetable.
Our friends can watch the full lesson above. The study in Galatians continues this Sunday at 10:45 in the Rehearsal Hall with Don Sweat.
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Men on a Mission
Trail Boss Richard Sounds the Call: The BBQ Trail Rides Again This Month
It started with a song. Sunday morning, Trail Boss Richard stepped up and serenaded the class with his own barbecue-flavored spin on a certain country classic about life on the road — and just like that, the trail is calling again.
This ride comes with a tip from one of our very own. Ron Chow pointed the Trail Boss toward Old Hickory Inn Barbecue, a Houston institution that's been slow-smoking brisket since 1963. After six decades at its old spot, Old Hickory recently moved into a brand-new building at the corner of Hillcroft and Braeswood — and Richard, who personally scouted it on Friday, reports it may be the nicest barbecue joint the trail has ever visited. New building, same old-fashioned Texas barbecue: brisket, ribs, sausage, and all the fixings.
Next Stop: Old Hickory Inn Barbecue — Thursday, August 27 at 11:20 — 9601 Hillcroft (at Braeswood)
Trail Boss Richard is reserving the table — let him know you're riding along.
Brisket. Brotherhood. And a Trail Boss who knows where all the good smoke is. You've got a few weeks — consider this the bug in your ear. Mark your calendar for Thursday, August 27, and come hungry, friends. The trail rides on.
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Set Free — A Summer Study in Galatians
Free at Last:
The Galatians Finale Arrives
This Sunday
"A Call to Live in Freedom" • Galatians 5:1–6:18 • Taught by Don Sweat • Sunday, August 16
Every journey has a destination — and this Sunday, our summer walk through Galatians arrives at Paul's final, passionate appeal.
On August 16, Don Sweat brings our "Set Free — A Summer Study in Galatians" series to its conclusion with "A Call to Live in Freedom" (Galatians 5:1–6:18). After a summer spent tracing Paul's defense of the one true gospel — salvation by faith, not law — we now hear the Apostle's closing charge to the Galatian believers: reject the soul-killing legalism of the Judaizers and live as free men and women according to the Holy Spirit.
But what does Christian freedom actually look like in daily life? Paul answers with three marks of the true walk of freedom — service, fruitfulness, and fellowship — and a final warning to anyone tempted to trade grace for a checklist.
"It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery."
Galatians 5:1
Friends, don't miss the finish line. Sunday, 10:45 AM, Rehearsal Hall.
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Foundations Fellowship • Save the Date
We Love Our Sundays — But Have You Tried Our Sundaes?
The sundae truck is rolling back around — Friday, September 11!
Every Sunday, the Foundations Class gathers around something sweet — God's Word and great friends. But on Friday, September 11 at 7:30 PM, we're gathering around the other kind of sundae. Back by popular demand, our How Sweet It Is dessert fellowship returns, hosted by the Butchers!
Here's the plan — and it starts before dessert is served. Plan a dinner meet-up first! Gather a small group and head out for dinner together earlier that evening. Invite a class member you've been wanting to know better. Invite a guest or a friend — from church or beyond — who could use some fellowship. This is a wonderful opportunity to open a seat at the table and make room for new and growing Christian friendships.
“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.”
— Proverbs 25:11 (ESV)
Sometimes the sweetest word fitly spoken is simply, “Come join us for dinner.” Who will you invite?
Then, after your dinner meet-ups, everyone comes together at the Butchers' at 7:30 PM for a sweet after-dinner fellowship — sundaes, floats, toppings galore, and laughter in every room. If you were there last time, you already know. And if you missed it, here's your second scoop!
How Sweet It Is — Dessert Fellowship
Friday, September 11 • 7:30 PM
Hosted by the Butchers • Plan your dinner meet-up first!
Address and details on GroupMe
Our friendships aren't just for Sunday mornings. Start planning your dinner group now — because dessert is always better shared with friends.
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Encore Ladies · Women Helping Women
Every Gift Wraps Up Hope
There’s a baby shower coming — and here’s the beautiful twist: the guest of honor isn’t one mom. It’s every mom who walks through the doors of Houston’s Pregnancy Help Center needing a little help getting started. Some showers celebrate one arrival; this one celebrates dozens we’ll never meet this side of heaven.
Taking part is simple: open the invitation below for the full gift list — everything from diapers and onesies to strollers and car seats — then pick something, wrap it, and bring it on the 18th. Can’t attend? Wrapped gifts can be dropped off at the office, Room 256.
“Women helping women — one wrapped gift at a time.”
Benefitting Houston’s Pregnancy Help Center
Baby Shower — Women Helping Women Mission Project
Tuesday, August 18 · 1:00–3:00 PM · Loop Campus, Room 132 (Reception Room)
Please bring a wrapped gift · Can’t attend? Drop off at Room 256
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Fall 2026 Series Announcement
Coming This Fall: Hebrews 11 — The Hall of Faith
Every great story deserves a great trailer, and our next series just got one. This fall, Foundations begins a 14-week journey through Hebrews 11 — the Hall of Faith — walking the chapter’s roll call of ordinary people who trusted an extraordinary God: Noah building before the rain, Abraham answering before he knew the destination, and walls that fell because somebody kept marching.
And if the movie-trailer-style announcement looks a little familiar… let’s just say one of our own may have been spotted on set alongside the heroes of the faith.
Share the trailer with a friend, a neighbor, or anyone looking for a Bible study home this fall. Hebrews 11 reminds us that faith isn’t reserved for spiritual giants — it’s for everyone willing to take the next step without seeing the whole staircase. Full schedule and details coming soon.
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Midweek · Every Wednesday
The Midweek Refreshment of Shared Prayer
Join our community as we pause together for the Sweet Hour of Prayer every Wednesday at noon. Please send your prayer requests to Karen at 713-204-8384 by Tuesday so they may be included.
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Giving Opportunity · Family Camp
A Seat at the Campfire — Reserved by You
Every year, Family Camp gives single-parent and blended families at Houston’s First something the calendar rarely allows: a weekend to exhale. Three days to step away from the daily grind, strengthen relationships, grow in faith, and discover they are not walking their road alone.
Last year, nearly 50 families gathered around the theme Endure. They heard Philip and Elizabeth Varjas share how God carried them through hardship — and you could feel the room lean in. Kids tackled the ropes course, went fishing, and braved the putt-putt. Parents finally rested over an ice cream social. By Sunday morning, families who had arrived worn down left with renewed joy, new friendships, and one anchoring truth: God’s Word endures forever (Isaiah 40:8) — and through Christ, so can we.
This year, several families would love to come but can’t cover the cost. And here’s the part worth sitting with:
A scholarship of just $50–75 per person is often the only thing standing between a struggling family and a weekend that could change their year.
That’s the whole gap. We can close it.
Would our class sponsor one or more campers? Every gift — any amount — removes a financial barrier and hands a family a weekend they’ll carry home in their hearts. Your generosity can have an eternal impact.
Read last year’s Family Camp recap →
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Ministry · Encore Activities
Connecting Through Encore Activities
For Encore information click here →
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Stay Connected · GroupMe
You’re in Control — Join or Step Back Anytime
We’ve created a Foundations Class GroupMe message center as a convenient, real-time way to share prayer requests, announcements, and encouraging messages. Join or leave anytime — no pressure. Mute notifications if you prefer silence, or jump into the conversation when something grabs your heart.
Sign up here: https://3zs8.short.gy/FoundationsGM →
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