By Randy Harmon Pastor, Rock Springs Baptist Church, Greenbrier Focal Passage: Luke 14:12-24 In Luke 14, Jesus participates in a conversation that had begun over 700 years earlier (Isaiah 25:6-9). While the religious elite are refusing to accept Jesus’ preaching of the Kingdom, spiritual outsiders are responding with faith and acceptance. To the Jews, this story would be inconceivable.
By Randy Harmon Pastor, Rock Springs Baptist Church, Greenbrier Focal Passage: Acts 4:31-37 I have often heard people associated with churches make statements like, “We need to get back to the church of Acts.” That is an interesting concept, but it is chronologically impossible. We cannot travel backward in time. I do understand what is meant by this statement and appreciate the intent behind it. Though we cannot go back
By Randy Harmon Pastor, Rock Springs Baptist Church, Greenbrier Focal Passage: Nehemiah 8:1-8 The Psalmist says in Psalm 119:11, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” The writer of Hebrews says of the Word of God, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of
By Randy Harmon Pastor, Rock Springs Baptist Church, Greenbrier Focal Passage: Nehemiah 1:3-10 Someone has said, “You can do a lot of things after you pray, but you shouldn’t do anything before you pray.” There are no short cuts to prayer and there is no replacement for the relationship that is built with God as we commune with Him in prayer. Nehemiah was a man of prayer who understood the
By Randy Harmon Pastor, Rock Springs Baptist Church, Greenbrier Focal Passage: Revelation 2:1-7 The influence of the term, “Christian” seems to be decreasing in our culture. The word “Christian” describes a person who has come to God through Christ for salvation, but that seems to mean less in our world than it once did. Love for Christ is ever present in a true Christian, although, it can fluctuate in intensity.
By Randy Harmon Pastor, Rock Springs Baptist Church, Greenbrier Focal Passage: Jonah 1:1-3; 3:1-5, 10 This week’s lesson begins a new unit of study related to awakening and renewal. The story of Jonah exhibits renewal in the life of Jonah, and awakening among the people of Nineveh. I like to think of the story of Jonah as it relates to the greatest commandment. Jesus quotes the Old Testament law, and
By Randy Harmon Pastor, Rock Springs Baptist Church, Greenbrier Focal Passage: Joshua 22:11-12, 15-18, 26-27, 33-34 Some of us have a tendency to assume the worst. This can lead to misunderstanding and conflict. I have considered writing a book about some of the interesting disagreements that have happened in churches. In this account from the history of God’s people, an action that was intended as good led to the assumption
By Randy Harmon Pastor, Rock Springs Baptist Church, Greenbrier Focal Passage: Joshua 7:13-15, 19-21, 25-26; 8:1 I remember those days playing high school football when occasionally the whole team was required to run extra laps because of the infraction of one player. At the time this didn’t always seem “fair.” However, at this stage of life I understand the team mentality our coaches were trying to instill in us. Our
By Randy Harmon Pastor, Rock Springs Baptist Church, Greenbrier Focal Passage: Joshua 6:1-5, 12-16, 20 Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” It is a reminder that our own wisdom is limited and flawed. God, when He works, tends to do things in a way that brings glory to Himself. The battle plan God reveals to
By Randy Harmon Pastor, Rock Springs Baptist Church, Greenbrier Focal Passage: Joshua 3:7-17 There is an old gospel song titled, “I Won’t Have to Cross Jordan Alone.” It is a song about entering Glory at life’s end, but its premise is true for Joshua. He was able to enter into the Promised Land, not under his own power, but by the power of God who exalted, empowered, and enabled him.
By Randy Harmon Pastor, Rock Springs Baptist Church, Greenbrier Focal Passage: Luke 14:12-24 In Luke 14, Jesus participates in a conversation that had begun over
By Randy Harmon Pastor, Rock Springs Baptist Church, Greenbrier Focal Passage: Acts 4:31-37 I have often heard people associated with churches make statements like, “We
By Randy Harmon Pastor, Rock Springs Baptist Church, Greenbrier Focal Passage: Nehemiah 8:1-8 The Psalmist says in Psalm 119:11, “Your word I have hidden in
By Randy Harmon Pastor, Rock Springs Baptist Church, Greenbrier Focal Passage: Nehemiah 1:3-10 Someone has said, “You can do a lot of things after you
By Randy Harmon Pastor, Rock Springs Baptist Church, Greenbrier Focal Passage: Revelation 2:1-7 The influence of the term, “Christian” seems to be decreasing in our
By Randy Harmon Pastor, Rock Springs Baptist Church, Greenbrier Focal Passage: Jonah 1:1-3; 3:1-5, 10 This week’s lesson begins a new unit of study related
By Randy Harmon Pastor, Rock Springs Baptist Church, Greenbrier Focal Passage: Joshua 22:11-12, 15-18, 26-27, 33-34 Some of us have a tendency to assume the
By Randy Harmon Pastor, Rock Springs Baptist Church, Greenbrier Focal Passage: Joshua 7:13-15, 19-21, 25-26; 8:1 I remember those days playing high school football when
By Randy Harmon Pastor, Rock Springs Baptist Church, Greenbrier Focal Passage: Joshua 6:1-5, 12-16, 20 Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way which seems right
By Randy Harmon Pastor, Rock Springs Baptist Church, Greenbrier Focal Passage: Joshua 3:7-17 There is an old gospel song titled, “I Won’t Have to Cross
