By Eric Taylor Pastor, Cedar Hill Baptist Church, Cedar Hill Focal Passage: Exodus 20:12; II Samuel 15:7-14  The fifth commandment is sometimes called a transition, or bridge commandment between the first four that focus on the believer’s relationship with God, and the last five that focus on people’s relationships with one another.  In one sense you could say that one learns the importance of honoring God by honoring their parents, or

By Eric Taylor Pastor, Cedar Hill Baptist Church, Cedar Hill  Focal Passage: Exodus 20:7-11; Psalm 145:1-7  Most have heard the famous line from Shakespeare’s, Romeo and Juliet, “What’s in a name?” Well, when it comes to God, it is a big deal. Following the first two commandments prohibiting false worship and idolatry, God rightly turns to His holy name, and tells Israel, “You shall not take the name of the

By Eric Taylor Pastor, Cedar Hill Baptist Church, Cedar Hill Focal Passage: Exodus 20:1-6; Psalm 16:1-4a, 9-11  In 2011, I walked out of an airport and into a taxi in one of the largest cities in South Asia. It was a complete sensory overload. I never experienced anything like it in my life.  The sights, sounds, and even the smells were unforgettable. But one of the most shocking things I

By Randy Keene Pastor, First Baptist Church, Minor Hill Focal Passage: Ephesians 6:10-20  In Ephesians 6 we get a lesson on standing strong in the faith and supporting one another in spiritual battles. Being strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might tells us that ultimately, Satan’s power over Christians is already broken and the great war has been won through Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection which forever

By Randy Keene Pastor, First Baptist Church, Minor Hill Focal Passage: Ephesians 5:8-21 When we come to Christ, not only do we become part of the body of Christ but now we have an obligation to strengthen each other. As I repeatedly said, Christians were not meant to go this journey alone. Ephesians 5:8 compares darkness and light, “darkness” describes the character of the life of the unconverted as void

By Randy Keene Pastor, First Baptist Church, Minor Hill Focal Passage: Ephesians 4:17-32  In Ephesians 4, Paul takes an opportunity to spend some time on how important it is for the church to draw strength from encouraging one another. I love encouragement by others. Some of you have been an encouragement to me as I have been writing these Sunday School lessons. I try to encourage people in my walk

By Randy Keene Pastor, First Baptist Church, Minor Hill Focal Passage: Ephesians 4:1-7,11-16 In this week’s lesson, the writer points out that when we come to Christ, not only do we become part of the body of Christ but now we have an obligation to support each other. Christians are not meant to go this journey alone. Little Johnny came home with a few friends from school. Mom asked, “What

By Randy Keene Pastor, First Baptist Church, Minor Hill Focal Passage: Ephesians 3:14-21 In chapter three Paul takes an opportunity to emphasize how important it is for the church to draw strength from prayer. Never in my lifetime has the need been greater for the church to be a praying church. Our country is in chaos, divided over political parties like never before, divided racially like we haven’t seen in

By Randy Keene Pastor, First Baptist Church, Minor Hill Focal Passage: Ephesians 1:20-23; 2:8-10,19-22 In this week’s lesson the writer brings out the point that when we come to Christ, we also become a part of the body of Christ. As Christians we were not meant to go this journey alone. The word “independent” has always bothered me when affiliated with the local church. God has designed this church to

By Randy Keene Pastor, First Baptist Church, Minor Hill Focal Passage: Romans 13:1-10  Politics is not my favorite subject to talk about these days. It seems we are in a very sensitive era when it comes to politics and government. But as the child of God, we must reflect His attributes and not those of the world. There are several Bible passages that deal with government and politics but Romans