By Kenny Bruce Pastor Emeritus, Leawood East Baptist Church, Memphis Focal Passage: Genesis 37:1-5, 19-24, 26-27 Joseph was loved and hated, favored and abused, abased and exalted. He truly was a man of God. (1) Joseph’s boyhood (vv. 1-5). Joseph is introduced to us as a young man 17 years of age. Jacob loved Joseph more than his other eleven sons and made him a coat of many colors. After
By Kevin Shrum Pastor, Inglewood Baptist Church, Nashville Focal Passage: Ezekiel 16:20-21; 23:36-39; Psalm 139:13-16 Dictionary.com defines the term “value” as: something that is of relative worth, merit, or importance. We apply the term “value” to many things. We value our money, time, families, and friendships. We value life. But what happens when a person (or an entire culture) stops valuing the right things and starts valuing the wrong
By Kenny Bruce Pastor Emeritus, Leawood East Baptist Church, Memphis Focal Passage: Obadiah 1-4, 10-17 Though Obadiah is the most obscure of all the prophets, his message is potent and relevant. 1. The sin of all sins (vv. 1-4). Edomites were the descendants of Esau. Edom was bordered on the east by the desert and on the north by a deep canyon. The central area was characterized by cliffs that
By Kevin Shrum Pastor, Inglewood Baptist Church, Nashville Focal Passage: Ezekiel 37:1-14 Someone once took each letters of the word GOSPEL to define the gospel — God Offers Sinful (Dead) People Eternal Life. But this is only the beginning of what the good news means. The phrase — “Jesus did not come to make good men better, He came to make dead men live!” — is true. God’s offer of
By Kenny Bruce Pastor Emeritus, Leawood East Baptist Church, Memphis Focal Passage: Micah 5:2-5a; Matthew 2:1-6, 9-11 There are some 330 prophecies in the Old Testament concerning Jesus. The prophecy of Micah (Micah 5:2-5a). The people in Judah were insecure because of the threat of the Assyrians invading their nation. Micah gave them hope by prophesying of a future King who would shepherd them. Micah stated that this King
By Kevin Shrum Pastor, Inglewood Baptist Church, Nashville Focal Passage: Ezekiel 28:11-19; 25-26 My car warns me all the time; yes, my car. If I get into my car without buckling my seatbelt, it warns me with an annoying sound. If one of the car doors is left ajar, it warns me. These warnings are annoying, but necessary. They are meant for my safety and security. These warnings want
By Kenny Bruce Pastor Emeritus, Leawood East Baptist Church, Memphis Focal Passage: Luke 2:22-35 Just as the Holy Spirit revealed to Simeon that the baby Jesus was the Messiah, He reveals to us the mind of God. The dedication of the parents (v. 27b). When Jesus was forty days old, Joseph and Mary went to the temple because she was required by Old Testament law to go there for purification
By Kevin Shrum Pastor, Inglewood Baptist Church, Nashville Focal Passage: Matthew 2:1-12 Five major events outline God’s redemptive plan. First, in creation God created all things good. Second, in the “fall,” mankind ruined God’s goodness through sin. Third, in redemption God became a man (the incarnation), dying a substitutionary death for sinners and rising from the dead victorious over sin, death and hell. Fourth, in His ascension Jesus intercedes
By Kenny Bruce Pastor Emeritus, Leawood East Baptist Church, Memphis Focal Passage: Isaiah 9:6-7; Luke 1:26-33 Lela B. Long wrote a chorus in the Baptist Hymnal entitled “Jesus Is the Sweetest Name I Know.” I agree. The majesty of His name (Isaiah 9:6-7). Isaiah predicted the birth of Jesus, then stated that the government would rest on His shoulders (v. 6). All the governments of the world are on His
By Kevin Shrum Pastor, Inglewood Baptist Church, Nashville Focal Passage: Ezekiel 24:1-14 Have you ever heard anyone say, “You shouldn’t judge people?” Many misquote Jesus’ prohibition against judgmentalism in Matthew 7:1 as an excuse to not develop sound, biblical judgment, an attitude of discernment between right and wrong. God abhors prideful judgmentalism; yet Scripture calls us to make judgments all the time and to practice discernment. While our judgments can
By Kenny Bruce Pastor Emeritus, Leawood East Baptist Church, Memphis Focal Passage: Genesis 37:1-5, 19-24, 26-27 Joseph was loved and hated, favored and abused, abased
By Kevin Shrum Pastor, Inglewood Baptist Church, Nashville Focal Passage: Ezekiel 16:20-21; 23:36-39; Psalm 139:13-16 Dictionary.com defines the term “value” as: something that is
By Kenny Bruce Pastor Emeritus, Leawood East Baptist Church, Memphis Focal Passage: Obadiah 1-4, 10-17 Though Obadiah is the most obscure of all the prophets,
By Kevin Shrum Pastor, Inglewood Baptist Church, Nashville Focal Passage: Ezekiel 37:1-14 Someone once took each letters of the word GOSPEL to define the gospel
By Kenny Bruce Pastor Emeritus, Leawood East Baptist Church, Memphis Focal Passage: Micah 5:2-5a; Matthew 2:1-6, 9-11 There are some 330 prophecies in the
By Kevin Shrum Pastor, Inglewood Baptist Church, Nashville Focal Passage: Ezekiel 28:11-19; 25-26 My car warns me all the time; yes, my car. If
By Kenny Bruce Pastor Emeritus, Leawood East Baptist Church, Memphis Focal Passage: Luke 2:22-35 Just as the Holy Spirit revealed to Simeon that the baby
By Kevin Shrum Pastor, Inglewood Baptist Church, Nashville Focal Passage: Matthew 2:1-12 Five major events outline God’s redemptive plan. First, in creation God created
By Kenny Bruce Pastor Emeritus, Leawood East Baptist Church, Memphis Focal Passage: Isaiah 9:6-7; Luke 1:26-33 Lela B. Long wrote a chorus in the Baptist
By Kevin Shrum Pastor, Inglewood Baptist Church, Nashville Focal Passage: Ezekiel 24:1-14 Have you ever heard anyone say, “You shouldn’t judge people?” Many misquote Jesus’
