By Scott Brown Pastor, First Baptist Church, Waverly Focal passage: Galatians 1:1-10 “Who do you think you are?! Do you really think that there is anything you can do that is so good that it is better than the righteousness of Jesus? Do you really think there is anything you can do that is so terrible that it is more horrible in the eyes of God than seeing His Son
By Michael Koontz Pastor, Pine Ridge Baptist Church, Harriman Focal Passage: Titus 3:3–11 This week the author states “Our lives should serve as a welcome mat to the church.” How are we to be a welcome mat? What does that mean? In our Scripture, Titus 3:3 reminds us of where we came from (lost sinners). We need to be the welcome mat because most of our communities don’t know Jesus.
By Sam Greer Senior Pastor, Red Bank Baptist Church, Chattanooga Focal Passage: II Samuel 24:10-25 According to the author of Hebrews, if one is left without discipline, then he or she is liken to an illegitimate child (Hebrews 12:7-10). Parents love their children; therefore, a mom or dad disciplines their children when they are disobedient. In a similar way, God disciplines His children because He loves them. We may not
By Kevin Ivy Pastor, First Baptist Church, Tullahoma Focal Passage: Nehemiah 8:9-12; 12:27-31a As we have journeyed through this account by Nehemiah together we have been encountered with the absolute necessity of prayer (Nehemiah 1:1-11), the importance of wise planning (Nehemiah 2:1-8, 17-18), and the vital role persistence in the face of opposition plays in carrying out God’s plan (Nehemiah 4:1-3, 6-9, 14-18).
By Sam Greer Senior Pastor, Red Bank Baptist Church, Chattanooga Focal Passage: 2 Samuel 22:26-36, 50-51 One year ago this month, my wife Tonya underwent a 12-hour HIPEC surgery to treat her peritoneal carcinoma. Her surgery went well, but recovery was brutal. Months later, she underwent an additional surgery due to an intestinal blockage. Tonya’s suffering was difficult to watch; however, we are so thankful. Being brought through such a
By Kevin Ivy Pastor, First Baptist Church, Tullahoma Focal Passage: Nehemiah 6:1-3, 15-16; 8:1-3, 5-8 Sanballat and Tobiah had decided that since they could not prevent the building of the wall by harassment and the threat of war, they would try to stop the work with a lie. Their plan was to attempt to lure Nehemiah away from the work and into an “important” discussion. There was nothing to discuss
By Sam Greer Senior Pastor, Red Bank Baptist Church, Chattanooga Focal Passage: 2 Samuel 21:1-6, 10-14 Commentator on the narrative of I and II Samuel, David G. Firth wrote, “Sin takes us farther than we want to go, and its reach is far greater than we ever could have imagined.” Heath Thomas and J.D. Greear surmised:
By Kevin Ivy Pastor, First Baptist Church, Tullahoma Focal Pasage: Nehemiah 5:1-13 Though the people were persevering in the midst of persecution, they had become fatigued by their hard labor on the city wall (Nehemiah 5:1-5). They were wearied by the constant harassment and threats of their enemies. Due to their poverty and trials, there was little hope. They cried out because they were having to mortgage their fields, vineyards
By Sam Greer Senior Pastor, Red Bank Baptist Church, Chattanooga Focal Passage: II Samuel 20:1-2, 14-21 On June 14, 2000, J.P. Morgan & Company, a bank worth $21 billion at the time, could have averted a one-day internet shutdown by simply paying a $35 bill. The venerable Wall Street firm found itself without a website or an e-mail connection to the outside world because it had failed to renew the
By Kevin Ivy Pastor, First Baptist Church, Tullahoma Focal Passage: Nehemiah 4:1-3, 6-9, 14-18 As we continue following the narrative of Nehemiah we quickly discover that doing God’s work brings opposition. Generally, we can please God or we can please men, but we usually cannot please both God and men. As we seek to follow, serve and please God we will inevitably illicit a response from the world and from
By Scott Brown Pastor, First Baptist Church, Waverly Focal passage: Galatians 1:1-10 “Who do you think you are?! Do you really think that there is
By Michael Koontz Pastor, Pine Ridge Baptist Church, Harriman Focal Passage: Titus 3:3–11 This week the author states “Our lives should serve as a welcome
By Sam Greer Senior Pastor, Red Bank Baptist Church, Chattanooga Focal Passage: II Samuel 24:10-25 According to the author of Hebrews, if one is left
By Kevin Ivy Pastor, First Baptist Church, Tullahoma Focal Passage: Nehemiah 8:9-12; 12:27-31a As we have journeyed through this account by Nehemiah together we have
By Sam Greer Senior Pastor, Red Bank Baptist Church, Chattanooga Focal Passage: 2 Samuel 22:26-36, 50-51 One year ago this month, my wife Tonya underwent
By Kevin Ivy Pastor, First Baptist Church, Tullahoma Focal Passage: Nehemiah 6:1-3, 15-16; 8:1-3, 5-8 Sanballat and Tobiah had decided that since they could not
By Sam Greer Senior Pastor, Red Bank Baptist Church, Chattanooga Focal Passage: 2 Samuel 21:1-6, 10-14 Commentator on the narrative of I and II Samuel,
By Kevin Ivy Pastor, First Baptist Church, Tullahoma Focal Pasage: Nehemiah 5:1-13 Though the people were persevering in the midst of persecution, they had become
By Sam Greer Senior Pastor, Red Bank Baptist Church, Chattanooga Focal Passage: II Samuel 20:1-2, 14-21 On June 14, 2000, J.P. Morgan & Company, a
By Kevin Ivy Pastor, First Baptist Church, Tullahoma Focal Passage: Nehemiah 4:1-3, 6-9, 14-18 As we continue following the narrative of Nehemiah we quickly discover
