By Charles D. Earl Former Director of Missions, Holston Valley Baptist Assoc., Rogersville Focal Passage: Matthew 21:1-11 Our text for this fourth lesson in a series of 13 is the first 11 verses of Matthew 21, and the subject is “More than a Prophet?” As we study the world’s religions we find that many of them acknowledge Christ as a great prophet. Judaism, Islam, and several others admit that Christ
By Mark D. Proctor Pastor, Highland Park Baptist Church, Columbia Focal Passage: Hebrews 11:1-6 Curious, isn’t it, that the book of the Bible that encourages believers to have faith based on evidence of things not seen is itself evidence of an author not known? The writer of Hebrews uses tactile terms to give believers hope that true faith — concrete faith — pleases God and writes this passage to show
By Charles D. Earl Former Director of Missions, Holston Valley Baptist Assoc., Rogersville Focal Passage: Matthew 19:16-26 Our lesson title does not tell us what the “what” is talking about. That is, what is required for what? However, as we begin studying the text we soon discover that the “what” is discussing what is required to be saved. Verse 16 tells us that a man approaches Jesus and asks Him
By Mark D. Proctor Pastor, Highland Park Baptist Church, Columbia Focal Passage: Romans 6:4-14 Sin might be rendered powerless. Dead to sin. Sin will not rule over you. Treat yourself to a study of Romans 6 by picking out phrases such as these that let you off the hook. What if sin couldn’t touch you? What if Satan the great puppeteer could pull the strings but the marionette didn’t dance?
By Charles D. Earl Former Director of Missions, Holston Valley Baptist Assoc., Rogersville Focal Passage: Matthew 17:1-13 Our text in Matthew 17 begins with the words that introduce to us one of the most wonderful and most inspirational events in the whole New Testament. This event in the life of Jesus happens after He has had many, many opportunities of teaching. He uses in these teaching periods probably His most
By Mark Proctor Pastor, Highland Park Baptist Church, Columbia Focal Passage: Matthew 8:5-13 Hope. Everyone craves it. The little leaguer says, “I hope we win the game” but has no way of knowing the outcome. Hope to this little hitter is little more than a dream. But a believer’s hope is broader and wider still. Isaiah prophesied 700 years before Christ that, “… the gentiles will trust in his name”
By Charles Earl Former Director of Missions, Holston Valley Baptist Assoc., Rogersville Focal Passage: Matthew 16:13-28 Since all of our lessons are taken from the Gospel of Matthew we need to look briefly at this man who wrote the book. The name Matthew means “gift from God.” Matthew, of course, was a Jew, and he identifies himself in Matthew 10:3 as “Matthew the tax collector.” On first blush it seems
By Mark Proctor Pastor, Highland Park Baptist Church, Columbia Focal Passage: Revelation 1:12-20 What does Jesus look like in your church? Some might picture a benevolent lover of children, with a large lap and a tender heart. Others might envision a healer, frequenting the hospitals, or a teacher, majestically ensconced in the pulpit. The apostle John was “in the spirit on the Lord’s day” while on Patmos and got the
By Mark Proctor Pastor, Highland Park Baptist Church, Columbia Focal Passage: Ruth 3:8-13; 4:13-17 I love the story of the traveler who pulled his car into a gas station in Kentucky and asked the attendant how far it was to Glasgow. “28,465 miles,” was the reply. “I didn’t mean Glasgow, Scotland. I meant Glasgow, Kentucky!” “So did I” said the attendant. “In the direction you’re headed, it’s 28,465 miles. If
By Justin Randolph Pastor, Zion Hill Baptist Church, Sevierville Focal Passage: Philippians 4:10-20 More is the word that perhaps best characterizes our society — more wealth, more luxury, more significance, more gizmos, and more love. Sometimes we do not even know what we need more of, we just know we want more. It seems we are always in search of contentment, but never quite finding it.
By Charles D. Earl Former Director of Missions, Holston Valley Baptist Assoc., Rogersville Focal Passage: Matthew 21:1-11 Our text for this fourth lesson in a
By Mark D. Proctor Pastor, Highland Park Baptist Church, Columbia Focal Passage: Hebrews 11:1-6 Curious, isn’t it, that the book of the Bible that encourages
By Charles D. Earl Former Director of Missions, Holston Valley Baptist Assoc., Rogersville Focal Passage: Matthew 19:16-26 Our lesson title does not tell us what
By Mark D. Proctor Pastor, Highland Park Baptist Church, Columbia Focal Passage: Romans 6:4-14 Sin might be rendered powerless. Dead to sin. Sin will not
By Charles D. Earl Former Director of Missions, Holston Valley Baptist Assoc., Rogersville Focal Passage: Matthew 17:1-13 Our text in Matthew 17 begins with the
By Mark Proctor Pastor, Highland Park Baptist Church, Columbia Focal Passage: Matthew 8:5-13 Hope. Everyone craves it. The little leaguer says, “I hope we win
By Charles Earl Former Director of Missions, Holston Valley Baptist Assoc., Rogersville Focal Passage: Matthew 16:13-28 Since all of our lessons are taken from the
By Mark Proctor Pastor, Highland Park Baptist Church, Columbia Focal Passage: Revelation 1:12-20 What does Jesus look like in your church? Some might picture a
By Mark Proctor Pastor, Highland Park Baptist Church, Columbia Focal Passage: Ruth 3:8-13; 4:13-17 I love the story of the traveler who pulled his car
By Justin Randolph Pastor, Zion Hill Baptist Church, Sevierville Focal Passage: Philippians 4:10-20 More is the word that perhaps best characterizes our society — more
