By Chuck Williams Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church, Milan Focal Passage: John 15:18-25; 16:1-4a  C. S. Lewis said, “If you want a religion to make you feel really comfortable, I certainly do not recommend Christianity.”  Being a dedicated follower of Christ is not for those who simply want the easy road. Jesus states in these verses that not only will the world dislike you, they will hate you simply because

By Chuck Williams Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church, Milan Focal Passage: John 15:9-17 Some things for me are hard to believe. It’s hard for me to believe that I grew up in a home where the telephone was attached to the wall. Hard for me to believe that when I changed channels on the television I had to get up from the couch and walk over to it. Hard to

By Chuck Williams Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church, Milan Focal Passage: John 13:36-14:6 One of the most popular performances at a circus is the flying trapeze. As the daredevils swing and turn through the air into the arms of the ‘catcher’ the crowd wonders, “Will they slip and fall to the ground?” Why is the ‘flyer’ willing to do such a dangerous act? Answer: The flyer trusts the catcher to

By Chuck Williams Interim pastor, First Baptist Church, Milan Focal Passage: John 13:21-27, 31-35  The worst betrayal (vv. 21-27).Loyalty in times of crisis is one of the greatest gifts a person can give someone. Disloyalty in times of crisis makes a wound that hurts like no other, causes grief beyond comprehension, and can linger a lifetime. The Emperor of Rome, Julius Caesar knew about such treachery. Some of his closest

By Chuck Williams Interim pastor, First Baptist Church, Milan Focal Passage: John 13:3-10, 14-16 Elon Musk, the world’s most famous inventor and entrepreneur, sarcastically remarked, “I don’t want to brag, but I am the best at humility.”  This tongue-in-cheek remark garnered him lots of laughs but also produced a window into the human soul.   For many of us, it is our hope that our ‘humble service’ will be spot-lighted.

By Kenny Bruce Pastor Emeritus, Leawood East Baptist Church, Memphis Focal Passage: Genesis 50:15-21  When we see our lives from God’s perspective, His providence shines through the events that seem tangled or meaningless. 1. Providence revealed (vv. 18-19). After Jacob died, Joseph’s brothers were afraid Joseph was holding a grudge against them and would punish them for the suffering they had caused him when they sold him as a slave

By Kenny Bruce Pastor Emeritus, Leawood East Baptist Church, Memphis Focal Passage: Genesis 45:1-5, 9-11  The climax of the story of Joseph is when he reveals himself to his brothers.  I. The revelation of his person (vv. 1-5). Chapter 45 begins with Joseph’s meeting with his brothers. Joseph knew his brothers before they knew him. He recognized them, but they didn’t recognize him. Before we were converted we did not

By Kenny Bruce Pastor Emeritus, Leawood East Baptist Church, Memphis Focal Passage: Genesis 41:28-32, 47-54 The greatness of God is seen in Joseph’s character.  I. Joseph, the interpreter (vv. 28-32) In interpreting Pharaoh’s dreams, Joseph explained that Egypt would have seven years of abundant harvests followed by seven years of famine.  Because Pharaoh saw the power and wisdom of God in Joseph’s life, he promoted him to second in command over

By Kenny Bruce Pastor Emeritus, Leawood East Baptist Church, Memphis Focal Passage: Genesis 39:21-23; 40:4-8, 20-23  Like Joseph, we need to press forward with our focus on God in spite of injustice.  I. Prosperity in prison (Genesis 39:21-23) While Joseph was in prison, the Lord was with him and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden (v. 21). He rose from being just another prisoner to being

By Kenny Bruce Pastor Emeritus, Leawood East Baptist Church, Memphis Focal Passage: Genesis 39:1-12 Joseph was successful because the Lord was with him in all his circumstances.  I. Joseph is trusted by a prosperous master (Ch. 39:1-6). Although Joseph had been sold as a slave to Potiphar, an Egyptian official, the Lord was with him and prospered him (v. 3). Potiphar put Joseph in charge of his household and all