By Tim Frank Pastor, First Baptist Church, Carthage Focal Passage: Galatians 5:13-15; 6:1-5, 10  As we continue this series on the six building blocks of relationships, we are seeing many businesses, churches and society in general begin to open up and gather together again. With this reopening and regathering comes a sense of freedom from the constraints of the Governor’s “Stay at Home” order and a freedom to reach out

By Tim Frank Pastor, First Baptist Church, Carthage Focal Passage: Matthew 18:21-28, 32-33  As we continue this series on building relationships, I remind you that the core building block of all relationships is love. Love as defined in I Corinthians 13:4 has two characteristics, kindness and long-suffering. Last week, we examined the importance of encouragement in relationships, the importance of being kind. Today, we look at being long-suffering through forgiveness. 

By Tim Frank Pastor, First Baptist Church, Carthage Focal Passage: Acts 9:26-28; 11:21-26  Have you ever had a nickname? In my high school, one of the boys was nicknamed “Wrong Way” because he chose to run the wrong way with the ball in a football game. Sometimes a nickname lasts for years. For my friend, 40 years later,  people cannot remember his given name but still refer to him as

By Tim Frank Pastor, First Baptist Church, Carthage Focal Passage: John 15:9-14  The subject of most conversations during the past weeks has been COVID-19 and the social distancing requirements that have been established to attempt to curb its escalation.  Prayerfully, in the coming weeks, we will begin to move back into closer social gatherings and reacquaint ourselves with friends, neighbors and our church families. 

By Tim Frank Pastor, First Baptist Church, Carthage Focal Passage: 1 Corinthians 15:20-28, 54-58  It is no coincidence that the Lord has orchestrated this lesson for this time in our nation’s history. Most, if not all, churches are still in the online-only format following Executive Orders and States of Emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the midst of the shutdowns and fear, God’s Word of hope and peace echoes

By Tim Frank Pastor, First Baptist Church, Carthage Focal Passage: 1 Corinthians 15:1-8  The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the most important event in the history of mankind. As we prepare to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ this year, let us realize its utmost importance and stand firmly on the truth that Jesus is alive from the dead! The resurrection is the climax and the conclusion of the gospel

By Tim Frank Pastor, First Baptist Church, Carthage Focal Passage: Revelation 21:1-8; 22:1-5  The good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ is that whosoever believes in Jesus has everlasting, eternal life (John 3:16). Jesus said at the tomb of Lazarus, “He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes shall never die” (John 11:25-26). Paul states that the gift of God

By Tim Frank Pastor, First Baptist Church, Carthage Focal Passage: 1 Corinthians 6:9-20  Several lessons ago, we focused on the word “holy.” It is one of the chief descriptors of God. It is also an adjective of everything associated with God, such as the holy temple, the priest’s holy garments, and the Holy Bible. The word “holy” simply means to be set apart. As believers in Jesus Christ, we are

By Tim Frank Pastor, First Baptist Church, Carthage Focal Passage: Hebrews 11:1-6 One of the most important words in our holy vocabulary is the word “faith.” A simple definition of faith is to trust and have confidence in something or someone. For example, I have faith that the chair I am sitting in will hold me. I have confidence that the air I breathe will contain the right mixture of

By Tim Frank Pastor, First Baptist Church, Carthage Focal Passage: Romans 3:20-28  When I was 10 years old, my family went to Panama City for a week at the beach. On one particular day, I was playing in the surf and got caught in a riptide. Very quickly I was being pulled out to sea and began to panic. I remember a man rushing into the water and bringing me