By Scott Brown Pastor, First Baptist Church, Waverly Focal passage: Galatians 5:13-26 In Galatians 5:13, Paul confronts the misunderstanding many face regarding God’s grace and our freedom in Him. Freedom is not an excuse to continue living in sin, nor is it merely a freedom from the punishment of sin, but our Christian freedom is a freedom from the power of sin over our lives.
By Michael Koontz Pastor, Pine Ridge Baptist Church Focal Passage: Acts 16:6–15 In today’s text of Acts 16:6-15, Paul shows us a great example of “going out.” Remember, Acts 1:8 is our commission to take the gospel to all people. As we study this part of his second missionary journey, many truths come to light for us in handling roadblocks, preparing for service, and knowing God will provide as we go
By Scott Brown Pastor, First Baptist Church, Waverly Focal Passage: Galatians 4:8-20 I met a young man a few years ago who was involved on the front lines of the battle against human trafficking. He was a part of a group that would go in to areas that were suspected brothels and, working with the local authorities, would build the case to bust the traffickers and set the women free
By Michael Koontz Pastor, Pine Ridge Baptist Church, Harriman Focal Passage: 1 Thessalonians 1:1–10 The point of this week’s lesson is, “Authentic joy flows from a relationship with Jesus.” As Christians, we need to understand, remember, and show this authentic joy to help us be the welcoming church. If we fail at being the welcoming church, we hinder one of the primary roles of the church which is to be
By Scott Brown Pastor, First Baptist Church, Waverly Focal passage: Galatians 3:23-29; 4:1-7 In our church, we have a noticeably large number of adoptive and foster families. It is always so amazing hearing the stories of how God brought them together and the challenges they’ve had to overcome. Some of them are single parents, some are much older and others are different races than their children but none of these things
By Michael Koontz Pastor, Pine Ridge Baptist Church, Harriman Focal Passage: Luke 10:25-37 Loving God requires us to be intentional. Joel 2:12 tells us to turn to our Lord and to give Him our hearts. What decision will we make? Turning to Him must start with salvation. After salvation we must continue to be intentional in loving Him.
By Scott Brown Pastor, First Baptist Church, Waverly Focal passage: Galatians 3:23-29; 4:1-7 In our church, we have a noticeably large number of adoptive and foster families. It is always so amazing hearing the stories of how God brought them together and the challenges they’ve had to overcome. Some of them are single parents, some are much older and others are different races than their children but none of these
By Michael Koontz Pastor, Pine Ridge Baptist Church, Harriman Focal Passage: Luke 10:25-37 Loving God requires us to be intentional. Joel 2:12 tells us to turn to our Lord and to give Him our hearts. What decision will we make? Turning to Him must start with salvation. After salvation we must continue to be intentional in loving Him.
By Scott Brown Pastor, First Baptist Church, Waverly Focal passage: Galatians 2:11-21 My first pastorate was in a small church in a very rural area in north Florida. We saw God do many incredible things but one will always stand out. Joe was fresh out of prison when he came to us and received Christ. When he got saved he got serious about following Jesus. He wanted to be baptized,
By Michael Koontz Pastor, Pine Ridge Baptist Church, Harriman Focal Passage: James 2:1-10 “Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world.” I learned that song early in life at my church in Indiana. Ms. Wanda and Ms. Angela would often sing it with us during children’s church. It’s a wonderful message that is from God’s Word. It is
By Scott Brown Pastor, First Baptist Church, Waverly Focal passage: Galatians 5:13-26 In Galatians 5:13, Paul confronts the misunderstanding many face regarding God’s grace and our
By Michael Koontz Pastor, Pine Ridge Baptist Church Focal Passage: Acts 16:6–15 In today’s text of Acts 16:6-15, Paul shows us a great example of “going
By Scott Brown Pastor, First Baptist Church, Waverly Focal Passage: Galatians 4:8-20 I met a young man a few years ago who was involved on
By Michael Koontz Pastor, Pine Ridge Baptist Church, Harriman Focal Passage: 1 Thessalonians 1:1–10 The point of this week’s lesson is, “Authentic joy flows from
By Scott Brown Pastor, First Baptist Church, Waverly Focal passage: Galatians 3:23-29; 4:1-7 In our church, we have a noticeably large number of adoptive and foster
By Michael Koontz Pastor, Pine Ridge Baptist Church, Harriman Focal Passage: Luke 10:25-37 Loving God requires us to be intentional. Joel 2:12 tells us to turn
By Scott Brown Pastor, First Baptist Church, Waverly Focal passage: Galatians 3:23-29; 4:1-7 In our church, we have a noticeably large number of adoptive and
By Michael Koontz Pastor, Pine Ridge Baptist Church, Harriman Focal Passage: Luke 10:25-37 Loving God requires us to be intentional. Joel 2:12 tells us to
By Scott Brown Pastor, First Baptist Church, Waverly Focal passage: Galatians 2:11-21 My first pastorate was in a small church in a very rural area
By Michael Koontz Pastor, Pine Ridge Baptist Church, Harriman Focal Passage: James 2:1-10 “Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight.
