By Travis Biller Pastor, Immanuel Baptist Church, Elizabethton Focal Passage: Proverbs 31:10-16, 23-31  One of the most important decisions a person will make in life is the choice of their spouse. According to the One who designed marriage, marriage is to be a lifelong commitment. The Bible is clear, God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16). Therefore, choosing a spouse is not a matter to be taken lightly. Unfortunately, we live during a

By Travis Biller Pastor, Immanuel Baptist Church, Elizabethton Focal Passage: Proverbs 29:1-3, 12-20  It is an unfortunate reality that evil exists in the world. It is an even more unfortunate reality that much of the evil found in the world is found in the human heart. When we are confronted with the gospel, we are confronted with our own sin. It is often the case, however, that while we recognize we

By Travis Biller Pastor, Immanuel Baptist Church, Elizabethton Focal Passage: Proverbs 23:17-21, 29-35  In his letter to the Corinthians Paul wrote, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die” (I Corinthians 15:32b). He was writing to the church to help them understand the importance of the resurrection of Christ. Without the resurrection of the dead, there is no forgiveness of sins and there is no motivation to suffer in service

By Travis Biller Pastor, Immanuel Baptist Church, Elizabethton Focal Passage: Proverbs 15:33-16:11  I want to suggest that the title to our lesson is more challenging than we might think. We are accustomed to hearing that when one believes in Jesus as their Savior, all is well. Such a person is said to be “saved.” Indeed, the call of the gospel is to believe: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you

By Travis Biller Pastor, Immanuel Baptist Church, Elizabethton Focal Passage: Proverbs 14:8-15  When Jesus stood before Pilate, Pilate asked the question, “What is truth?” (John 18:38). He asked this in response to Jesus’ claim, “Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice” (John 18:37). Pilate demonstrated an unwise heart. As a result, he was unable to hear the voice of God. He was looking truth in the face and denied

By Travis Biller Pastor, Immanuel Baptist Church, Elizabethton Focal Passage: Proverbs 8:6-21  We love rags to riches stories. It cheers our heart to see a person born into adversity only to make it big. Our text reveals just such a situation. In Proverbs 8:1-21 we see wisdom calling simple ones, and to those who answer we see their station in life elevated. In the opening verses of chapter eight, wisdom is

By Travis Biller Pastor, Immanuel Baptist Church, Elizabethton Focal Passage: Proverbs 5:3-11, 15-18  We live in a very permissive society. Sexual immorality has swept across the land. The porn industry is a multi-billion dollar a year business. That’s billion with a “B.” Both men and women have been swept up into the spirit of the age concerning sexuality. Unfortunately, very few have not felt its effects. In such an environment, it

By Travis Biller Pastor, Immanuel Baptist Church, Elizabethton Focal Passage: Proverbs 4:11-27  Parenting can be a challenging occupation. Not the least of which is because children are curious. However, their curiosity can get them into trouble. They want to explore and can find themselves engaged in foolish activity that can bring harm to themselves. As Solomon addresses his children, and by extension, as God addresses His children, he wants them to

By Travis Biller Pastor, Immanuel Baptist Church, Elizabethton Focal Passage: Proverbs 3:21-35  Wealth. It is something that people pursue every day. From simply going to work to pay the bills, to building corporations that span the globe and generate billions of dollars. From our earliest days we learn that, to some degree, we must spend our time pursuing wealth. Unfortunately, the pursuit of such wealth can distract us from what is

By Travis Biller Pastor, Immanuel Baptist Church, Elizabethton Focal Passage: Proverbs 3:1-12  Life is a journey. As we travel the road of life, we discover that the journey can be long, arduous, and sometimes confusing. There are many signposts along the way; but if those signposts do not originate with the Lord, they will serve only to misdirect us. As Solomon speaks to his son about navigating the journey of life,