By Mark Proctor Pastor, Highland Park Baptist Church, Columbia Focal Passage: Ruth 1:6-18 In seminary we learned to think in terms of “doctrines.” When we studied a passage, we were asked, “what doctrine is being taught here? Is the doctrine of God? Perhaps of atonement?” It’s a helpful approach when studying Ruth 1. We often zero in on verses 16 and 17 with their forceful commitments and conclude that “God
By Justin Randolph Pastor, Zion Hill Baptist Church, Sevierville Focal Passage: Philippians 4:4-9 Do you worry excessively about things you cannot control? Is there a cure to worry? In the conclusion of his letter, the Apostle Paul turns to practical living. His desire is that they move toward holiness in their walk with the Lord. He knew worry would hinder them in this pursuit. He also knew their faith would
By Mark Proctor Pastor, Highland Park Baptist Church, Columbia Focal Passage: Judges 16:4-6,13-20 Cornelius Plantinga wrote a delightful little book called Not the Way It’s Supposed to Be (Eerdmans, 1995) that every one of us should read. It’s about sin and sin’s opposite, shalom with God. There, he states, “… shalom means universal flourishing, wholeness and delight — a rich state of affairs in which natural needs are satisfied and
By Justin Randolph Pastor, Zion Hill Baptist Church, Sevierville Focal Passage: Philippians 3:12-21 How beautiful, sweet, and innocent is a newborn baby. For many, we would keep them as babies perhaps for a little longer, and yet we take them to their first doctor’s visit hoping that their measurements and weight indicate growth. Later in life, as their physical maturity increases, the hard work begins of helping them develop their
By Mark Proctor Pastor, Highland Park Baptist Church, Columbia Focal Passage: Judges 6:11-16, 25-32 My wife Cynthia once was arranging a table decoration in the house and asked me, “Is this okay?” It seemed a silly question because no one on the planet is less qualified to approve table decorations than me and she knows it. I’ve had a full decorating bypass. So how do we respond when asked to
By Justin Randolph Pastor, Zion Hill Baptist Church, Sevierville Focal Passage: Philippians 2:1-11 There once was a slave in ancient Rome who heard his master was on the liquidation list. Upon learning this news, he quickly put on his master’s cloak and quietly awaited the arrival of the political assassins. When they finally arrived, they killed the slave because he was dressed like his master. In the same way, Jesus
By Mark Proctor Pastor, Highland Park Baptist Church, Columbia Focal Passages: Judges 4:4-10, 12-16 Even a cursory examination of Israel’s history in the book of Judges will reveal a glaring theme: Israel had been given the land, every inch of it, and “no man shall be able to stand …” (Joshua 1:5 ESV). This was God’s plan. And as is too often the case, mankind had a better plan. The
By Justin Randolph Pastor, Zion Hill Baptist Church, Sevierville Focal Passage: Philippians 1:12-21 Wouldn’t it be great if all the lessons of life we needed to learn could be learned without difficulty? I have often pondered in watching my children grow and learn, as well as in reflecting on my own journey, why we so often have to do things the hard way and why we are not naturally bent
By Mark Proctor Pastor, Highland Park Baptist Church, Columbia Focal Passage: Proverbs 24:10-12; Mark 10:46-49 The day comes for us all, the day we have to take a stand. Scrawny little Ted Newton had to take a stand against school bus bullies in the 1992 classic movie Beethoven. When enough finally became enough, Ted stepped off the bus, turned to face his rivals, and raised his little miniature fists only
By Justin Randolph Pastor, Zion Hill Baptist Church, Sevierville Focal Passage: Jeremiah 1:4-10 What makes a person valuable? Is it how they look or, perhaps what they wear? Is it found in their education or abilities? Is it tied to physical acumen, language, or culture? Of course, the answer is found in none of the above. Instead, God has placed a high value and significance on life itself. In other
By Mark Proctor Pastor, Highland Park Baptist Church, Columbia Focal Passage: Ruth 1:6-18 In seminary we learned to think in terms of “doctrines.” When we
By Justin Randolph Pastor, Zion Hill Baptist Church, Sevierville Focal Passage: Philippians 4:4-9 Do you worry excessively about things you cannot control? Is there a
By Mark Proctor Pastor, Highland Park Baptist Church, Columbia Focal Passage: Judges 16:4-6,13-20 Cornelius Plantinga wrote a delightful little book called Not the Way It’s
By Justin Randolph Pastor, Zion Hill Baptist Church, Sevierville Focal Passage: Philippians 3:12-21 How beautiful, sweet, and innocent is a newborn baby. For many, we
By Mark Proctor Pastor, Highland Park Baptist Church, Columbia Focal Passage: Judges 6:11-16, 25-32 My wife Cynthia once was arranging a table decoration in the
By Justin Randolph Pastor, Zion Hill Baptist Church, Sevierville Focal Passage: Philippians 2:1-11 There once was a slave in ancient Rome who heard his master
By Mark Proctor Pastor, Highland Park Baptist Church, Columbia Focal Passages: Judges 4:4-10, 12-16 Even a cursory examination of Israel’s history in the book of
By Justin Randolph Pastor, Zion Hill Baptist Church, Sevierville Focal Passage: Philippians 1:12-21 Wouldn’t it be great if all the lessons of life we needed
By Mark Proctor Pastor, Highland Park Baptist Church, Columbia Focal Passage: Proverbs 24:10-12; Mark 10:46-49 The day comes for us all, the day we have
By Justin Randolph Pastor, Zion Hill Baptist Church, Sevierville Focal Passage: Jeremiah 1:4-10 What makes a person valuable? Is it how they look or, perhaps
