Pastor Thurman's Blog https://www.fbcsuffolk.org Tue, 06 Oct 2026 11:45:41 -0400 https://www.churchplantmedia.com/ Pastor's Post - September 29, 2026 https://www.fbcsuffolk.org/blog/post/pastor-th https://www.fbcsuffolk.org/blog/post/pastor-th#comments Tue, 29 Sep 2026 13:00:00 -0400 https://www.fbcsuffolk.org/blog/post/pastor-th This Sunday we will be digging into 1 John 2:18-3:3 as we talk about “Life In The Last Hour.” 

Do you realize we are living in what the Bible calls “the last days?”  Everything between the first coming of Christ and His second coming is “the last days” or “the end times.”

How are we to live in such times?  Scripture tells us.  This passage tells us.  Can’t wait to explore it with you!  Read over it in preparation for the Lord’s Day, and invite a friend to join you at FBC this Sunday.

By His Grace, For His Glory, To The Nations,

Dr. Thurman Hayes, Jr.

]]> This Sunday we will be digging into 1 John 2:18-3:3 as we talk about “Life In The Last Hour.” 

Do you realize we are living in what the Bible calls “the last days?”  Everything between the first coming of Christ and His second coming is “the last days” or “the end times.”

How are we to live in such times?  Scripture tells us.  This passage tells us.  Can’t wait to explore it with you!  Read over it in preparation for the Lord’s Day, and invite a friend to join you at FBC this Sunday.

By His Grace, For His Glory, To The Nations,

Dr. Thurman Hayes, Jr.

]]> Pastor's Post - September 22, 2026 https://www.fbcsuffolk.org/blog/post/pastors-post-_5 https://www.fbcsuffolk.org/blog/post/pastors-post-_5#comments Tue, 29 Sep 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.fbcsuffolk.org/blog/post/pastors-post-_5 This Sunday as we get back to our Fall series on The Letters of John, we will look at 1 John 3:12-17, where John is giving us “Encouragement And Exhortation.” 

John is a wonderful spiritual father to us.  Sometimes he takes us aside and fills us with encouragement.  At other times he gets in our face and exhorts us.  He beautifully balances words of comfort and words of challenge. 

We see that in this text.  Read it over and be praying for the Lord’s Day.  I’ll see you there.  Invite a friend to join you.

 

By His Grace, For His Glory, To The Nations,

 

Dr. Thurman Hayes, Jr.

]]> This Sunday as we get back to our Fall series on The Letters of John, we will look at 1 John 3:12-17, where John is giving us “Encouragement And Exhortation.” 

John is a wonderful spiritual father to us.  Sometimes he takes us aside and fills us with encouragement.  At other times he gets in our face and exhorts us.  He beautifully balances words of comfort and words of challenge. 

We see that in this text.  Read it over and be praying for the Lord’s Day.  I’ll see you there.  Invite a friend to join you.

 

By His Grace, For His Glory, To The Nations,

 

Dr. Thurman Hayes, Jr.

]]> Pastor's Post - September 8, 2026 https://www.fbcsuffolk.org/blog/post/pastors-post---september-8-2026 https://www.fbcsuffolk.org/blog/post/pastors-post---september-8-2026#comments Tue, 08 Sep 2026 15:00:00 -0400 https://www.fbcsuffolk.org/blog/post/pastors-post---september-8-2026 This Sunday we will get into chapter 2 of 1 John by looking at 1 John 2:1-11 as we talk about “Walking in Love.” 

Last Sunday we saw our call to walk in the light.  Now we will see that to walk in the light of Christ is to walk in the love of Christ.

I am so enjoying this series.  I have never preached through John’s letters verse-by-verse like this, and it is so edifying to mine these treasures and pass them on to you.

Speaking of passing it on…who will you invite to join you this Sunday?  Who will you share the good news of Jesus with this week?  Pray for opportunities to invest in the lives of those who are not yet in Christ and invite them to know Him.  A great first step is to invite them to church, where the good news of Jesus is proclaimed Sunday by Sunday.  I’ll see you this Sunday, as we pray, praise, proclaim, and participate in the Lord’s Supper. 

 

By His Grace, For His Glory, To The Nations,

Dr. Thurman Hayes, Jr.

 

]]> This Sunday we will get into chapter 2 of 1 John by looking at 1 John 2:1-11 as we talk about “Walking in Love.” 

Last Sunday we saw our call to walk in the light.  Now we will see that to walk in the light of Christ is to walk in the love of Christ.

I am so enjoying this series.  I have never preached through John’s letters verse-by-verse like this, and it is so edifying to mine these treasures and pass them on to you.

Speaking of passing it on…who will you invite to join you this Sunday?  Who will you share the good news of Jesus with this week?  Pray for opportunities to invest in the lives of those who are not yet in Christ and invite them to know Him.  A great first step is to invite them to church, where the good news of Jesus is proclaimed Sunday by Sunday.  I’ll see you this Sunday, as we pray, praise, proclaim, and participate in the Lord’s Supper. 

 

By His Grace, For His Glory, To The Nations,

Dr. Thurman Hayes, Jr.

 

]]> Pastor's Post - August 25, 2026 https://www.fbcsuffolk.org/blog/post/pastors-post---august- https://www.fbcsuffolk.org/blog/post/pastors-post---august-#comments Tue, 25 Aug 2026 13:00:00 -0400 https://www.fbcsuffolk.org/blog/post/pastors-post---august- This Sunday we will begin our Fall series on The Letters of John.  I am so excited to plunge into these letters with you.  I have never preached through John’s letters before, and the joy of discovery is thrilling!

We’ll introduce the series on Sunday by looking at 1 John 1:1-4.  The message is entitled, “That Our Joy May Be Complete.” 

Be reading over the text and the Letters of John in preparation for the Fall.  Speaking of which, after church on Sunday we’ll have a Fall Kick-Off Luncheon.  This will be a great time to fellowship and connect with one another at the end of the summer as we get ready for what awaits us in the new season.  Bring a side dish or a dessert if you can and have lunch with your brothers and sisters in Christ!

 

By His Grace, For His Glory, To The Nations,

 

Dr. Thurman Hayes, Jr.

 

]]> This Sunday we will begin our Fall series on The Letters of John.  I am so excited to plunge into these letters with you.  I have never preached through John’s letters before, and the joy of discovery is thrilling!

We’ll introduce the series on Sunday by looking at 1 John 1:1-4.  The message is entitled, “That Our Joy May Be Complete.” 

Be reading over the text and the Letters of John in preparation for the Fall.  Speaking of which, after church on Sunday we’ll have a Fall Kick-Off Luncheon.  This will be a great time to fellowship and connect with one another at the end of the summer as we get ready for what awaits us in the new season.  Bring a side dish or a dessert if you can and have lunch with your brothers and sisters in Christ!

 

By His Grace, For His Glory, To The Nations,

 

Dr. Thurman Hayes, Jr.

 

]]> Pastor's Post - August 18, 2026 https://www.fbcsuffolk.org/blog/post/pastors-post---august-18-2026 https://www.fbcsuffolk.org/blog/post/pastors-post---august-18-2026#comments Tue, 18 Aug 2026 15:00:00 -0400 https://www.fbcsuffolk.org/blog/post/pastors-post---august-18-2026 This Sunday we will finish our study of Colossians and Philemon, these two beautiful letters that were sent to Colossae in the 1st century.  But as we have seen, the message is spot on for the 21st century!  That is how the Bible is…an endless treasure trove of spiritual riches.

So this Sunday the message will be “Refresh My Heart” from Philemon 13-25. 

Speaking of the spiritual riches of the Scriptures, we will be mining some spiritual gold on Wednesday nights this Fall as we walk through Hebrews.  That study will begin on September 16th.  Also on Sunday mornings, beginning on August 30th, we will begin a Fall journey through the Letters of John.  I’ll share more about that on Sunday.  See you then!

By His Grace, For His Glory, To The Nations,

 

Dr. Thurman Hayes, Jr.

 

]]> This Sunday we will finish our study of Colossians and Philemon, these two beautiful letters that were sent to Colossae in the 1st century.  But as we have seen, the message is spot on for the 21st century!  That is how the Bible is…an endless treasure trove of spiritual riches.

So this Sunday the message will be “Refresh My Heart” from Philemon 13-25. 

Speaking of the spiritual riches of the Scriptures, we will be mining some spiritual gold on Wednesday nights this Fall as we walk through Hebrews.  That study will begin on September 16th.  Also on Sunday mornings, beginning on August 30th, we will begin a Fall journey through the Letters of John.  I’ll share more about that on Sunday.  See you then!

By His Grace, For His Glory, To The Nations,

 

Dr. Thurman Hayes, Jr.

 

]]> Pastor's Post - August 11, 2026 https://www.fbcsuffolk.org/blog/post/pastors-post---august-11-2026 https://www.fbcsuffolk.org/blog/post/pastors-post---august-11-2026#comments Thu, 13 Aug 2026 09:00:00 -0400 https://www.fbcsuffolk.org/blog/post/pastors-post---august-11-2026 This Sunday we begin a two-week series on Paul’s letter to Philemon.  This short letter is personal and powerful.  It is the companion to Colossians, which we just finished this past Sunday.  The two letters were written and delivered at the same time.  (Philemon is a man who is a member of the church at Colossae.)

We are calling this little series, Philemon:  The Road to Reconciliation.  As believers, we have been reconciled to God through His Son.  As children of God through Christ, we are to love our brothers and sisters, and that means working through issues we have.  Paul writes Philemon to facilitate reconciliation between Philemon and Onesimus.  His letter is deeply touching and deeply impactful.  May the Spirit use it greatly in our lives!

This Sunday, we’ll look at Philemon 1-12.  The message is entitled “My Very Own Heart.” 

Read over the text in preparation.  I’ll see you on Sunday! 

 

By His Grace, For His Glory, To The Nations,

 

Dr. Thurman Hayes, Jr.

 

]]> This Sunday we begin a two-week series on Paul’s letter to Philemon.  This short letter is personal and powerful.  It is the companion to Colossians, which we just finished this past Sunday.  The two letters were written and delivered at the same time.  (Philemon is a man who is a member of the church at Colossae.)

We are calling this little series, Philemon:  The Road to Reconciliation.  As believers, we have been reconciled to God through His Son.  As children of God through Christ, we are to love our brothers and sisters, and that means working through issues we have.  Paul writes Philemon to facilitate reconciliation between Philemon and Onesimus.  His letter is deeply touching and deeply impactful.  May the Spirit use it greatly in our lives!

This Sunday, we’ll look at Philemon 1-12.  The message is entitled “My Very Own Heart.” 

Read over the text in preparation.  I’ll see you on Sunday! 

 

By His Grace, For His Glory, To The Nations,

 

Dr. Thurman Hayes, Jr.

 

]]> Pastor's Post - August 4, 2026 https://www.fbcsuffolk.org/blog/post/pastors-post---august-4th-2026 https://www.fbcsuffolk.org/blog/post/pastors-post---august-4th-2026#comments Tue, 04 Aug 2026 15:00:00 -0400 https://www.fbcsuffolk.org/blog/post/pastors-post---august-4th-2026 This Sunday we will finish our study of Colossians by looking at Colossians 4:7-18.  The message is entitled “Family Pictures.”

At the end of most of his letters, the Apostle Paul will mention by name various individuals who are with him and who send their greetings, as well as some of the individuals in the church he is writing to.  Colossians is no exception.  In fact, Colossians has one of the longer sections in which Paul mentions people by name.

What is really wonderful about these sections is that you get a snapshot of the family of God.  These are brothers and sisters in Christ Paul is mentioning, each of them making a unique contribution to the Body of Christ.  So we’ll see some fascinating things this Sunday as we look at the stories behind the names. 

The next Sunday, August 16th, we’ll begin a short series on Philemon.  The letter to Philemon was written at the same time as Colossians, and delivered along with Colossians, but Philemon is a personal letter to a man in the Colossian church.  It is not only personal, but powerful.  So we’ll spend a couple of weeks looking at that after we finish Colossians.

This past Sunday, we talked quite a bit about evangelism.  Each of us who follows Jesus is called to reach out to other people and help them know about Jesus and follow Him.  As our Lord said, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men" (Mark 1:17).  One of the really simple and effective first steps you can take in doing that is to invite friends to meet you at church for worship.  Here, every Sunday, you can count on the fact that they will hear the good news of Jesus, and they will be greeted warmly by our people.  That includes this Sunday.  See you then.

 

By His Grace, For His Glory, To The Nations,

 

Dr. Thurman Hayes, Jr.

 

]]> This Sunday we will finish our study of Colossians by looking at Colossians 4:7-18.  The message is entitled “Family Pictures.”

At the end of most of his letters, the Apostle Paul will mention by name various individuals who are with him and who send their greetings, as well as some of the individuals in the church he is writing to.  Colossians is no exception.  In fact, Colossians has one of the longer sections in which Paul mentions people by name.

What is really wonderful about these sections is that you get a snapshot of the family of God.  These are brothers and sisters in Christ Paul is mentioning, each of them making a unique contribution to the Body of Christ.  So we’ll see some fascinating things this Sunday as we look at the stories behind the names. 

The next Sunday, August 16th, we’ll begin a short series on Philemon.  The letter to Philemon was written at the same time as Colossians, and delivered along with Colossians, but Philemon is a personal letter to a man in the Colossian church.  It is not only personal, but powerful.  So we’ll spend a couple of weeks looking at that after we finish Colossians.

This past Sunday, we talked quite a bit about evangelism.  Each of us who follows Jesus is called to reach out to other people and help them know about Jesus and follow Him.  As our Lord said, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men" (Mark 1:17).  One of the really simple and effective first steps you can take in doing that is to invite friends to meet you at church for worship.  Here, every Sunday, you can count on the fact that they will hear the good news of Jesus, and they will be greeted warmly by our people.  That includes this Sunday.  See you then.

 

By His Grace, For His Glory, To The Nations,

 

Dr. Thurman Hayes, Jr.

 

]]> Pastor's Post - July 28, 2026 https://www.fbcsuffolk.org/blog/post/pastors-post---july-28-2026 https://www.fbcsuffolk.org/blog/post/pastors-post---july-28-2026#comments Tue, 28 Jul 2026 12:00:00 -0400 https://www.fbcsuffolk.org/blog/post/pastors-post---july-28-2026 This Sunday we will be in Colossians 3:22-4:6 as we look at “Key Components Of Life In Christ.” 

What an awesome and practical passage this is!  I am well into it and am super excited to unpack it with you.  It was good to get some rest last week – super thankful for Pastor Wilson’s wonderful message. 

We only have two more messages from Colossians.  It has been a joy to walk through this powerful, Christ-exalting letter with you.  We’re going to follow it up with Philemon, which was really a companion letter to a member of the church at Colossae.  It is just one chapter with so many spiritual riches.  So be reading over Philemon in preparation for that.

As I’ve been studying Colossians today, I was struck by Paul’s words about an “open door” in 4:3.  God has given us an “open door” at FBC-Suffolk.  We live in a growing community with so many people who need Christ and a church family.  You know some of them.  So invite them to church with you.  Share the good news of Jesus with them.  Let’s walk through that open door that God has provided for us.  Why not invite someone to join you this Sunday? 

By His Grace, For His Glory, To The Nations,

 

Dr. Thurman Hayes, Jr.

 

 

]]> This Sunday we will be in Colossians 3:22-4:6 as we look at “Key Components Of Life In Christ.” 

What an awesome and practical passage this is!  I am well into it and am super excited to unpack it with you.  It was good to get some rest last week – super thankful for Pastor Wilson’s wonderful message. 

We only have two more messages from Colossians.  It has been a joy to walk through this powerful, Christ-exalting letter with you.  We’re going to follow it up with Philemon, which was really a companion letter to a member of the church at Colossae.  It is just one chapter with so many spiritual riches.  So be reading over Philemon in preparation for that.

As I’ve been studying Colossians today, I was struck by Paul’s words about an “open door” in 4:3.  God has given us an “open door” at FBC-Suffolk.  We live in a growing community with so many people who need Christ and a church family.  You know some of them.  So invite them to church with you.  Share the good news of Jesus with them.  Let’s walk through that open door that God has provided for us.  Why not invite someone to join you this Sunday? 

By His Grace, For His Glory, To The Nations,

 

Dr. Thurman Hayes, Jr.

 

 

]]> Pastor's Post - July 14, 2026 https://www.fbcsuffolk.org/blog/post/july-14 https://www.fbcsuffolk.org/blog/post/july-14#comments Tue, 14 Jul 2026 15:00:00 -0400 https://www.fbcsuffolk.org/blog/post/july-14 This week our text in Colossians is about the godly family.  What is the family supposed to look like when it is functioning according to God’s design?  What does marriage look like?  What does parenting look like?  How are parents and children supposed to relate to one another?  How are husbands and wives supposed to relate to one another?  How do all the members of the family live when they are placing themselves under the Lordship of Christ?

We’ll talk about these things on Sunday, as we look at “God’s Design For The Family” from Colossians 3:18-21.

We saw last week that Jesus came that we might have life and have it to the full.  What does the fulfilled family look like?  Let’s talk about it on Sunday.  I’ll see you then. 

By His Grace, For His Glory, To The Nations,

Dr. Thurman Hayes, Jr.

 

]]> This week our text in Colossians is about the godly family.  What is the family supposed to look like when it is functioning according to God’s design?  What does marriage look like?  What does parenting look like?  How are parents and children supposed to relate to one another?  How are husbands and wives supposed to relate to one another?  How do all the members of the family live when they are placing themselves under the Lordship of Christ?

We’ll talk about these things on Sunday, as we look at “God’s Design For The Family” from Colossians 3:18-21.

We saw last week that Jesus came that we might have life and have it to the full.  What does the fulfilled family look like?  Let’s talk about it on Sunday.  I’ll see you then. 

By His Grace, For His Glory, To The Nations,

Dr. Thurman Hayes, Jr.

 

]]> Pastor's Post - July 7, 2026 https://www.fbcsuffolk.org/blog/post/pastors-post_4 https://www.fbcsuffolk.org/blog/post/pastors-post_4#comments Fri, 10 Jul 2026 07:00:00 -0400 https://www.fbcsuffolk.org/blog/post/pastors-post_4 This week we will look at one of the most beautiful passages in the Bible.  Colossians 3:12-17 is all about what the Christian life should look like.  It is about “Life To The Full.”

I can’t wait to unpack it with you on Sunday! 

These are busy days in the Body of Christ.  Our students have been at camp this week – pray for fruit that abides.  This Wednesday (July 15th) at 6pm, we’ll have our Quarterly Business Meeting, where we’ll vote on our budget, deacons, and ministry teams for the coming church year.  Be sure to be in attendance. 

God is mightily at work in our Body at FBC.  Many of you will be traveling as these summer weeks go by, but always remember to lift up your FBC family and its leadership to the Lord in prayer, wherever you are. 

Also lift up those around us who need to know our Savior.  This Sunday we’ll be having “Discovering FBC” for prospective members, and it looks like we’ll have a big group.  Be praying for that and praying for people in your life who need Jesus and a church family.  Invite one of them to join you this Sunday as we gather.

By His Grace, For His Glory, To The Nations,

Dr. Thurman Hayes, Jr.

 

 

]]> This week we will look at one of the most beautiful passages in the Bible.  Colossians 3:12-17 is all about what the Christian life should look like.  It is about “Life To The Full.”

I can’t wait to unpack it with you on Sunday! 

These are busy days in the Body of Christ.  Our students have been at camp this week – pray for fruit that abides.  This Wednesday (July 15th) at 6pm, we’ll have our Quarterly Business Meeting, where we’ll vote on our budget, deacons, and ministry teams for the coming church year.  Be sure to be in attendance. 

God is mightily at work in our Body at FBC.  Many of you will be traveling as these summer weeks go by, but always remember to lift up your FBC family and its leadership to the Lord in prayer, wherever you are. 

Also lift up those around us who need to know our Savior.  This Sunday we’ll be having “Discovering FBC” for prospective members, and it looks like we’ll have a big group.  Be praying for that and praying for people in your life who need Jesus and a church family.  Invite one of them to join you this Sunday as we gather.

By His Grace, For His Glory, To The Nations,

Dr. Thurman Hayes, Jr.

 

 

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