By Justin Randolph Pastor, Zion Hill Baptist Church, Sevierville Focal Passage: Acts 4:1-3, 8-12, 19-20 As we come to the ominous day of the presidential election of our nation, I am reminded of the need for courage. Benjamin Franklin was quoted to have responded to a question regarding what type of government would be created in this new nation saying, “A republic, if you can keep it.” Each new generation

By Justin Randolph Pastor, Zion Hill Baptist Church, Sevierville Focal Passage: Acts 3:1-10 I am by nature a man of lists. I make a list the night before so the following day will be more productive. Now, there is nothing wrong with this. In fact, it allows me to separate the important from the urgent and eliminate wasted distractions that might keep me from finishing pertinent matters that require my

By Justin Randolph Pastor, Zion Hill Baptist Church, Sevierville Focal Passage: Acts 2:41-47 “The unstoppable mission was to share the unstoppable message, but the unstoppable message was fueled by an unstoppable love. This love was shared by Luke in the latter part of Acts 2 and was expressed by the early followers of Jesus Christ in three ways. First, they gathered together in supplication. No movement of God happens without

By Justin Randolph Pastor, Zion Hill Baptist Church, Sevierville Focal Passage: Acts 2:22-24, 32-33, 36-38 Are you familiar with crafting a mission statement? A mission statement is a written statement of a person or organization’s core purpose and values. It serves to guide a person or people to an expected end.  Some examples of mission statements are: “Google’s mission is to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible

By Justin Randolph Pastor of Zion Hill Baptist Church, Sevierville Focal Passage: Acts 1:4-8, 12-14 “Go into all the world and make disciples everywhere …” — this is your mission if you choose to accept it.  This message was not delivered to Mr. Phelps and it did not self destruct in five seconds, but it was nonetheless “mission impossible.” As the disciples considered the great task ahead of them, they

By Justin Randolph Pastor of Zion Hill Baptist Church, Sevierville Focal Passage: II Timothy 2:1-10 The other day my son brought home a science test with a score of 85 and a note that he could retake the exam with no penalty.  However, his response was measured.  He said, “I think I did good enough.”  People often respond in this way to tasks in their life from the important to

By Justin Randolph Pastor of Zion Hill Baptist Church, Sevierville Focal Passage: Romans 10:1-3, 8b-13 I was in the Walmart checkout line recently, impatiently waiting my turn (don’t judge me), when I glanced at the shirt of the man in front of me. It made the observation that “only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you; Jesus Christ and the American soldier. One died for your soul,

By Justin Randolph Pastor of Zion Hill Baptist Church, Sevierville Focal Passage: Romans 5:6-11 I recently watched a team from Goodlettsville compete in the Little League World Series. They came up just short, but congratulations to them on a great season. One of the interesting things of note during the competition was the pitch count. This count restricted the young stars from pitching unnecessarily long games and perhaps injuring themselves

By Hoyt Wilson Pastor, Flatwoods Baptist Church, Holladay Focal Passage: I Peter 2:1-10 Charlie Brown said to Lucy: “Lucy, wouldn’t it be great, knowing what we know now, to get to live our lives over?” Lucy responded: “Charlie Brown, what do we know now?” Not even Christians get to live their lives over, but persons who receive Jesus as their Savior, do get to live a new life. “Therefore” in

By Justin Randolph Pastor of Zion Hill Baptist Church, Sevierville Focal Passage: Psalm 33:6-9, 13-15; Colossians 1:15-17 One of the things I do not love to do is put things together for my children.  I love getting things they need and sometimes want. I also love helping them learn to use the things in question, but I do not love the phrase “Some assembly required.” And the reason I do