By J.D. Davis Senior Pastor, Dublin Baptist Church, Dublin, OH Focal Passage: Ezra 3:1-7;10-11; 6:19-22 Corporate worship is a vital part of a believer’s life. Most all of us gather every Sunday to worship God for who He is and what He has done for us. The Jewish nation in Ezra chapter 3 is no different, however, they lacked the dedicated place and items that defined their worship of God.

By J.D. Davis Senior Pastor, Dublin Baptist Church, Dublin, OH Focal Passage: Luke 2:8-20 There is deep inside every person a universal need to find inner peace. It is a peace that provides direction and satisfies the desire for our lives to have purpose. For centuries philosophers have wrestled with the deeper meaning of life, and how the soul finds peace. It is one of the great quests of life.

By J.D. Davis Senior Pastor, Dublin Baptist Church, Dublin, OH Focal Passage: Esther 4:6-17 I am sure that you are familiar with the statement “To be in the world, but not of the world,” but have you ever thought about what that really means. Last week, we saw how Mordecai made his stand by not bowing to Haman. This week’s Sunday School lesson centers on Esther making her stand by

By J.D. Davis Senior Pastor, Dublin Baptist Church, Dublin, OH Focal Passage: Esther 3:1-9 Sooner or later we all make a public spectacle of ourselves. Regardless of our intentions, we do something in public that is embarrassing or cannot be hidden. But have you ever intentionally made a public spectacle of yourself for the cause of Christ? This passage from Esther for this week’s Sunday School lesson gives the account

By Chuck Williams Pastor of First Baptist Church, Covington Focal Passage: Hebrews 13:1-8 Whenever a pilot gets ready for takeoff there are standard procedures he must follow. If the proper preparations have not taken place, he and his passengers are at great risk. The pilot has spent years studying, testing, and training in order to navigate his craft properly. The first 12 chapters of Hebrews are similar to the pilot’s

By Chuck Williams Pastor, First Baptist Church, Covington Focal Passage: Hebrews 12:18-24 Living in West Tennessee means that we are close to the New Madrid Fault. Every so often there is a tremor which reminds us that someday things will be “all shook up.” 200 years ago there was the big shaking which formed Reelfoot Lake. Some say we are living on borrowed time now.

By Chuck Williams Pastor, First Baptist Church, Covington Focal Passage: Hebrews 12:1-7 I have never been much of a runner. Everyone seems to talk about the benefits of “doing their cardios.” The main benefit I derive from “cardios” is wanting to take a nap. Maybe my suffering index isn’t too high. Hopefully it’s better in the spiritual world.

By Chuck Williams Pastor, First Baptist Church, Covington Focal Passage: Hebrews 11:1-7 I have five children; therefore I have lots of stories! One of my kids went through a romance break-up. I asked what problem caused this. The answer quickly came, “I could never do enough to please them plus I never felt like I measured up.” Sadly this is how many Christians feel when it comes to their relationship

By Chuck Williams Pastor, First Baptist Church, Covington Focal Passage: Hebrews 8:1-13 Nothing lasts forever. When is the last time you shopped at Woolworths, bought gasoline at a Sinclair station, or tried explaining an 8-track player to someone under 30? Contracts, covenants, and sure things come and go. In today’s world is there a place that is permanent or a person who can truly transform? The writer of Hebrews answers

By Chuck Williams Pastor, First Baptist Church, Covington Focal Passage: Hebrews 7:23-28 One time a preacher in the middle of his sermon asked the rhetorical question, “Do you know of anyone who has lived a perfect life?” Surprisingly an older man raised his hand. The pastor asked, “Well, who is this perfect person?” The man calmly replied, “Pastor, that would be my wife’s first husband.” This man’s weary perception was