By Chuck Williams Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church, Milan Focal Passage: Matthew 28:1-10 Many things in life are expected — the sun will come up, taxes will go up, inflation will go up, kids will grow up, and some days we want to give up.  But there are some things that are not expected. The Resurrection of Christ is the world’s greatest “unexpectation.” The Pharisees and Romans expected the disciples

By Chuck Williams Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church, Milan Focal Passage: John 16:19-22, 27-33  It has often been said, ‘The greater the struggle, the greater the victory.’ Ask any mother with her newborn infant, any athlete after a last second win, any struggling Christian who receives an answer to a desperate prayer and most will say, “It was very difficult, but it was well worth the sacrifice.”  Before anesthesia, a

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