By Brent Moore Pastor to Adults, First Baptist Church, Clarksville Focal Passage: Zechariah 8:1-8; 9:9-12 J.R.R. Tolkien wrote a book turned into a movie called Return of the King. The premise of the book is a king must rise up from a certain blood line to defeat evil and bring peace to Middle Earth (fictional place in Tolkien’s works). In the book a king does take his rightful place on the
By Jay McCluskey Pastor, North Cleveland Baptist Church, Cleveland Focal Passage: Matthew 27:28-31, 45-50, 54 “On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, The emblem of suff’ring and shame; And I love that old cross where the dearest and best, For a world of lost sinners was slain. “So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, Till my trophies at last I lay down; I will cling to the old rugged
By Brent Moore Pastor to adults, First Baptist Church, Clarksville Focal Passage: Obadiah 1:1-4, 10-17 Obadiah is a tiny book dedicated to the judgment of the Edomites. As such it does not begin or end on a positive note for Edom. The book is an opportunity to see both a warning for destruction and a lesson on guarding your heart “lest you too shall fall.”
By Jay McCluskey Pastor, North Cleveland Baptist Church, Cleveland Focal Passage: Mark 1:21-22; 10:17-22 Today’s lesson is about one of the famous “unnamed” people in the Bible.” Not knowing his name, we refer to him as “the rich young ruler.” This title combines the characteristics describing him in the first three gospels. Mark and Matthew say he was rich (Mark 10:23, Matthew 19:22). Matthew says he was young (Matthew 19:20).Luke says he
By Jay McCluskey Pastor, North Cleveland Baptist Church, Cleveland Focal Passage: Mark 4:35-41 A little tune from the musical drama “The King and I” offers this counsel for the times when you are afraid: “Whenever I feel afraid I hold my head erect “And whistle a happy tune so no one will suspect “I’m afraid.”
By Brent Moore Pastor to Adults, First Baptist Church, Clarksville Focal Passage: Zephaniah 3:8-17 This section in Zephaniah begins with waiting on the Lord. But it is not a calm waiting like a person on a retreat in the woods hoping to hear from God. It is more like a soldier on the ground under attack waiting for airstrikes to blow out the enemy.
By Brent Moore Pastor to Adults, First Baptist Church, Clarksville Focal Passage: Zephaniah 1:1-11 Everyone will be held accountable. That can be both a comforting and terrifying statement depending on where you are in life. It is comforting if you realize no one will escape the gaze and justice of God. The unfair boss, the back stabbing friend, or the abuser will have their deeds brought to light. It can be
By Jay McCluskey Pastor, North Cleveland Baptist Church, Cleveland Focal Passage: Luke 1:26-35 The Scripture today is the event some Christians call “The Annunciation.” This expression means the announcement. To be honest, receiving announcements does not usually generate enthusiasm. Yet Mary received from the Lord an amazing announcement that His role for her life was to be the mother of His son.
By Brent Moore Pastor to Adults, First Baptist Church, Clarksville Focal Passage: Nahum 1:1-8 As teachers of the Bible we want to be helpful to those under our hearing. Often, we rush to practical application in a text without highlighting the truths of who God is. Nahum is clear in this text that God is jealous, sovereign, good, and just. Our job as instructors is to put God on display. The
By Jay McCluskey Pastor, North Cleveland Baptist Church, Cleveland Focal Passage: Isaiah 53:2-12 Life is not fair. It is true. You do not always get a square deal. Things do not always work out evenly. “Justice for all” is a worthy ideal, but it is not reality. And no one likes to feel cheated, receiving less than we deserve. Isaiah 53 is a prophetic description of a terrible injustice. Written hundreds of
By Brent Moore Pastor to Adults, First Baptist Church, Clarksville Focal Passage: Zechariah 8:1-8; 9:9-12 J.R.R. Tolkien wrote a book turned into a movie called Return
By Jay McCluskey Pastor, North Cleveland Baptist Church, Cleveland Focal Passage: Matthew 27:28-31, 45-50, 54 “On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, The emblem
By Brent Moore Pastor to adults, First Baptist Church, Clarksville Focal Passage: Obadiah 1:1-4, 10-17 Obadiah is a tiny book dedicated to the judgment of the
By Jay McCluskey Pastor, North Cleveland Baptist Church, Cleveland Focal Passage: Mark 1:21-22; 10:17-22 Today’s lesson is about one of the famous “unnamed” people in the Bible.”
By Jay McCluskey Pastor, North Cleveland Baptist Church, Cleveland Focal Passage: Mark 4:35-41 A little tune from the musical drama “The King and I” offers this counsel
By Brent Moore Pastor to Adults, First Baptist Church, Clarksville Focal Passage: Zephaniah 3:8-17 This section in Zephaniah begins with waiting on the Lord. But it
By Brent Moore Pastor to Adults, First Baptist Church, Clarksville Focal Passage: Zephaniah 1:1-11 Everyone will be held accountable. That can be both a comforting and
By Jay McCluskey Pastor, North Cleveland Baptist Church, Cleveland Focal Passage: Luke 1:26-35 The Scripture today is the event some Christians call “The Annunciation.” This expression means
By Brent Moore Pastor to Adults, First Baptist Church, Clarksville Focal Passage: Nahum 1:1-8 As teachers of the Bible we want to be helpful to those
By Jay McCluskey Pastor, North Cleveland Baptist Church, Cleveland Focal Passage: Isaiah 53:2-12 Life is not fair. It is true. You do not always get a square
