In this sermon titled "Crooked Made Straight" Pastor David leads us through a portion of Ecclesiastes 7 that reveals the difficulty in knowing God is good while so much bad occurs around us.بقلم David Tarkington, Pastor

One of the most difficult passages of scripture, especially for many in our world who do all they can to avoid death and facing it.بقلم David Tarkington, Pastor

Pastor David Tarkington preaches from Ecclesiastes 6 reminding us that it is vital to view the world through a biblical worldview. Otherwise, you end up thinking everything under the sun is vanity.بقلم David Tarkington, Pastor

Pastor David Tarkington preaches from Ecclesiastes 5 on the dangers of idolatry that seems to always rear its head in the lives of believers.بقلم David Tarkington, Pastor

Behold...Easter.بقلم David Tarkington, Pastor

Solomon shifts from journaling to sermonizing as he instructs the reader to walk wisely when entering into God's presence, as well as not to make vows unless there is intention to keep them.بقلم David Tarkington, Pastor

Solomon is despairing over the oppression, isolation, and corruption he sees everywhere "under the sun." In this sermon Pastor David focuses on the redemption made possible through Christ as the healing hope for all that creates such despair.بقلم David Tarkington, Pastor

Is this all there is? Where is the hope? These are the questions that come from the writer of Ecclesiastes and still resonate with people today. Even Christians sometimes ask these questions. Pastor David takes us through Ecclesiastes 3:16-22 as we seek together to find God's answers to these questions.…

Pastor Mike Godfrey leads us through this section of Ecclesiastes. The value of knowing oneself and knowing God truly is evident in this passage that refers to "eternity being written on our hearts."بقلم David Tarkington, Pastor

This passage is most notable today as being the majority of the lyrics to the Pete Seeger song "Turn, Turn, Turn." Yet, this is not simply a Woodstock-era pop song. Pastor David looks at what is revealed in this passage and how it leads to hope in Christ.بقلم David Tarkington, Pastor

How does God take someone who hates his life, hates his job, has moved from disgust to despair and lead them to life? Pastor David looks at Solomon's moment here in Ecclesiastes 2. It is hard. It is honest. And...it sounds like it was written in the 21st century rather than hundreds of years before Christ's birth.…

Even with Solomon, the presumed author of this book, declaring that wisdom is better than folly, he continues to struggle with seeing life as having value. If anyone has ever thought "I hate my life" this sermon is for you. There is good news under the Son. Take heart.بقلم David Tarkington, Pastor

Solomon, the Preacher, admits that he tried everything he could in life to find meaning, but it all fell short. This is not unlike the strategy of many today. In this sermon Pastor David shares how there is hope in "holy hedonism" that finds pleasure and joy in Christ. This is the answer to "striving after the wind."…

What if you lived your entire life seeking the answer to the questions of life? What if you discover all the answers, but then find out you were asking the wrong questions? Life is not futile. It is not vanity. Yet, at times it seems so. That's what the Preacher says in Ecclesiastes. In this sermon Pastor Tarkington looks at how the gospel of Jesus…

Pastor David Tarkington joined the First Baptist Church of Orange Park family when he was called to serve as the Student Pastor beginning January 1, 1994. Since that time, he has served as Student Pastor, Single Adult Pastor, Young Adult Pastor, and in 2005 as Senior Pastor. David has been the longest tenured pastor in the 100+ years history of Fir…

If the writer of Ecclesiastes had a go-to playlist, it would be full of songs of despair. Many would be Top-10 hits. Why? Because the nature of humanity, in our depravity, leads to despair. The writer asks hard questions and wrestles with the challenges of what seems to be a life of vanity. Pastor David Tarkington preaches this message in our serie…

We begin our journey through the book of Ecclesiastes as Pastor David Tarkington preaches this sermon titled "Quest for Meaning."بقلم David Tarkington, Pastor

The final message in our series through the book of Hebrews and the final message of 2023. Pastor David preaches from Hebrews 13 on worshiping well, following well, and living well.بقلم David Tarkington, Pastor

Christmas Eve Lord's Day service at First Baptist Church of Orange Park.بقلم David Tarkington, Pastor

Remember.بقلم David Tarkington, Pastor

The epilogue of the book of Hebrews begins with a simple command - let brotherly love continue. This speaks to the often ignored depth of love for God's church.بقلم David Tarkington, Pastor

There are two choices we each can make. Pastor David Tarkington preaches from Hebrews 12 on the choice that leads to salvation and escape.بقلم David Tarkington, Pastor

A tale of two mountains - Sinai & Zion. One is the starting line. The other is the finish. A needed message for the church today from Pastor David Tarkington.بقلم David Tarkington, Pastor

Avoiding a heart of bitterness.Pastor David also goes back to Leviticus 19:1-2 in this message about living holy and honestly.بقلم David Tarkington, Pastor

Hebrews 12:3-11 || Mike Godfrey (November 12, 2023) by David Tarkington, Pastorبقلم David Tarkington, Pastor

Associate Pastor Shelvin Lamb preaches from Hebrews 12 in our continuing series through the New Testament bookبقلم David Tarkington, Pastor

Pastor David Tarkington preaches from Hebrews 11:32-40 at First Baptist Church of Orange Park as we continue our series through Hebrews & Leviticus.بقلم David Tarkington, Pastor

Pastor David Tarkington preaches through Hebrews 11:20-31 as we continue in our series through Hebrews and Leviticus.بقلم David Tarkington, Pastor

Our Minister to Young Adults preaches through Part 4 of the "Hall of Faith" from Hebrews 11.بقلم David Tarkington, Pastor

Faith gives power, perspective, and patience. Pastor David Tarkington preaches from Hebrews 11:11-13 on the faith of Sarah, Abraham, and Isaac.بقلم David Tarkington, Pastor

Hall of Faith - Part 2.Recorded at First Baptist Church of Orange Park on October 1, 2023.بقلم David Tarkington, Pastor

Chapter 11 is likely the most popular and most preached chapter in the book of Hebrews. This "Hall of Faith" lists many Old Testament followers of God with insight into how their faith was sustained throughout. Pastor David preaches at First Baptist Church of Orange Park in this sermon that opens this chapter, but with less emphasis on the faithful…

Pastor David preaches from the Old Testament book of Leviticus and then from Hebrews 10 as we look to the details of the place, person, and promise of worship.بقلم David Tarkington, Pastor

Pastor David Tarkington continues in our series through the book of Hebrews in this sermon titled "Draw Near."بقلم David Tarkington, Pastor

Jesus is the substance of which the law was the shadow.بقلم David Tarkington, Pastor

"Thus and Necessary" - Christ as the ultimate sacrifice.بقلم David Tarkington, Pastor

Recorded at First Baptist Church of Orange Park on August 20, 2023.بقلم David Tarkington, Pastor

Recorded at First Baptist Church of Orange Park, Florida.بقلم David Tarkington, Pastor

Preached at First Baptist Church of Orange Park on August 6, 2023.بقلم David Tarkington, Pastor

The Completed Covenant. This sermon was preached at First Baptist Church of Orange Park on July 30, 2023.بقلم David Tarkington, Pastor

Sunday morning sermon at First Baptist Church of Orange Park. Jesus - our Superior Priest and the Better Covenant.بقلم David Tarkington, Pastor

Was Jesus the one that the people had been waiting their entire lives for? The question was asked by John the Baptizer and now by the Hebrews. The writer, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, clarifies that Jesus is Him and this matters more than we can imagine. He has always been Him. He still is.…

It all becomes clear as the writer of the letter to the Hebrews explains how the law was incomplete and insufficient and that Christ is the priest in the order of Melchizedek who gives access to the Father. Even for the Gentile believers, this reality is overwhelming and incredible.بقلم David Tarkington, Pastor

What does it mean that Jesus was a priest in the order of Melchizedek? Why does this matter for us today? Pastor David leads us through our next portion of Hebrews with a look at the Old Testament.بقلم David Tarkington, Pastor

When someone says "I promise" we sadly do not always believe that promise will be kept. Yet, with God, promises are secure, fulfilled, never changing. This is so encouraging and the Hebrews of the New Testament letter needed reminding of this. So too, so we.بقلم David Tarkington, Pastor

Pastor Mike guides us through what has been called one of the most difficult passage of scripture in the Bible. The subjects of maturity, apostasy, and assurance are covered and the question of losing one's salvation is answered.بقلم David Tarkington, Pastor

Leviticus 10:1-3; Hebrews 5:11-14 || David Tarkington (June 11, 2023) by David Tarkington, Pastorبقلم David Tarkington, Pastor

Hebrews 5:1-10 || David Tarkington (June 4, 2023) by David Tarkington, Pastorبقلم David Tarkington, Pastor

Looking to Leviticus 8 as the connection between this New Testament passage and the Old, we see the beginning of the priestly office and how Christ is the ultimate High Priest.بقلم David Tarkington, Pastor

To the high school graduates - don't follow your heart!To the church - read Psalm 78 and embrace the responsibility of teaching the next generation and the next, and the next, and the next.بقلم David Tarkington, Pastor