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

By Tim Frank Pastor, First Baptist Church, Carthage Focal Passage: Luke 15:11-14, 17-24 Have you ever been lost in the woods or perhaps on a trip? Have you ever lost something, and, no matter how hard you looked, you could not find it again? Just the word “lost” gives a sense of uneasiness and foreboding. The biblical use of the word lost is much deeper than a misplaced item or

By Tim Frank Pastor, First Baptist Church, Carthage Focal Passage: Isaiah 40:25-31  Words have great power. Words have great meaning. Words are used to communicate important concepts. Yet, we can use words and fail to grasp their power, meaning, or importance. There are words we know, words we have used for years, but they become lost in our familiarity.  This lesson unpacks one such word, the word “holy.” The word