Baptist & Reflector

Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835

DEC. 20: PROCLAIMED

By Russ Wilkins
Dir. of Missions, Shiloh Baptist Assoc., Adamsville

Sunday School Lessons explore the bibleFocal Passage: Luke 2:4-19 

Today’s title is “PROCLAIMED” and the first thing I thought about when I saw that word was the old Fanny Crosby hymn, “Redeemed how I love to PROCLAIM it, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb; redeemed through His infinite mercy-His child, and forever, I am.”

We think of Luke 2 as “The Christmas Story” as we read about the birth of our Savior; the promised Messiah, but is this where it begins? Why did the angels PROCLAIM Jesus? Why did the shepherds PROCLAIM, “about this Child?” Because that child was and is the redemption of all mankind. [Read more…]

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DEC. 20: EMBRACING JOY

By Eric Taylor
Pastor, Cedar Hill Baptist Church, Cedar Hill

Sunday School Lesson Bible Studies For LifeFocal Passage: Psalm 95:1-3; Luke 2:4-14 

As we excitedly look forward to celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus, our lesson for this week begins with an invitation to thanksgiving, worship, and praise of our “great God, a great King above all gods” (Psalm 95:3). And in the verses in Psalm 95 and Luke 2 we have at least three reasons why we should “come” before God and “shout joyfully to the Lord.”

First, we come to the Lord in praise and worship, and embrace the joy of this season because God is our salvation (Psalm 95:1). [Read more…]

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DEC. 13: CONCEIVED

By Russ Wilkins
Dir. of Missions, Shiloh Baptist Assoc., Adamsville

Sunday School Lessons explore the bibleFocal Passage: Luke 1:26-38 

A synonym for conceive is imagine or visualize. When I was a small child, I had a pretty good imagination and could envision myself playing professional baseball or driving a race car but not in my wildest dreams would I imagine doing the things God has called me to do. It definitely was not any type of professional sport! [Read more…]

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WHEN DID THE WORLD HIJACK CHRISTMAS?

By Norman Ridenhour
Baptist Layman & Retired Journalist

Getty Images

Who hijacked Christmas? I went to the store recently and was greeted by aisles of Christmas trees, toys, decorations, lighting and yard displays. In one small section there were a few mangers with baby Jesus along with Joseph and Mary and some sheep. Another with the wise men offering gifts to the messiah.

As I left the store, I wondered how the greatest birth ever was overlooked for the pleasures of excited children who received more gifts on one Christmas than I received in my entire life. What happened to the priorities of Christians? [Read more…]

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DEC. 13: SHAKING OFF FEAR

By Eric Taylor
Pastor, Cedar Hill Baptist Church, Cedar Hill

Sunday School Lesson Bible Studies For LifeFocal Passage: Psalm 91:1-6, 9-16

While many have heard of Psalm 91, it has become a favorite of many since the beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic, as the psalmist touts the protective cover of the Lord who guards his people from the “destructive plague” (v. 3) and “the plague that stalks in the darkness, or the pestilence that ravages at noon” (v. 6). However, those words are a tiny part of a psalm intended to bring comfort and strength in the face of fearful forces that come against God’s people. They are a reminder that nothing can harm the child of God unless the sovereign Lord permits. [Read more…]

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A NEW TAKE ON AN OLD, OLD CHRISTMAS STORY

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org

In a new Cooperative Program video entitled, “It’s a Wonderful CP” Mr. Finch, left, takes a trip in his dreams, and discovers that a world without the Cooperative Program “is a nightmare.”

FRANKLIN — Everyone knows the story told in “The Christmas Carol” about an elderly man named Scrooge who thought Christmas was a waste of time and money.

Now, thanks to the creative talents of Matt Tullos, assistant to the executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board and Cooperative Program/stewardship specialist, Tennessee Baptists have the opportunity to meet Mr. Finch (just happens to rhyme with another old Christmas curmudgeon named Grinch) through a new video entitled, It’s a Wonderful CP. [Read more…]

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MENTAL HEALTH OF YOUTH IS A GROWING CONCERN

By Shane Pruitt
Next Gen Evangelism Director, NAMB

According to a recent Barna study, half of 18-year-olds in the U.S. report anxiety and fear of failure, and about 40 percent say they often feel sad or depressed. Thirty-four percent of young people say they feel lonely and isolated from others.

The church in America is undoubtedly doing a better job of addressing the ever-growing anxiety of younger generations, but we still have a long way to go. We used to largely ignore it or spiritualize it away. Often, the only response to mental and emotional health was to tell the person struggling to read the Bible and pray more (among other disciplines). [Read more…]

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DEMONSTRATING WHAT CHRISTMAS IS ALL ABOUT

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org

Last year a friend gave me a copy of Lee Strobel’s book, The Case for Christmas. The book is not new, having been written in 1998. I had heard of the book but this was the first time I actually held it in in my hand and began to read through it.

What makes the book significant for me is that Strobel is a journalist. When he penned the book, he wrote for the Chicago Tribune. He also was an avowed atheist, according to biographical data. [Read more…]

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TENNESCENE: DEC. 2

LEADERS

Butch Smith

Russ Wilkins, director of missions for Shiloh Baptist Association since 2018, will write the Explore the Bible Sunday School commentaries for the Dec.-Feb. quarter. Wilkins was born and raised in Millington, graduated from Union University, Jackson, and then worked there for four years. After serving as an admissions Counselor, he went into full-time ministry at First Baptist Church, Huntingdon, where he served the next 25 years in various roles including associate, youth and missions pastor. He has been married to his wife Debbie for 29 years. They have two children, Sarah (married to Bishop Haynes) and Tripp as well as one granddaughter, Brynleigh.

Troy Rust

Yellow Creek Baptist Church, Cumberland City, has called George “Butch” Smith as senior pastor. He is a graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas, and has more than 20 years of pastoral experience. He most recently served as associate pastor of Caney Creek Baptist Church in Texas. He and his wife, Michele, will begin serving the church on Dec. 6. [Read more…]

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MCDONALD TO RECEIVE INAUGURAL CLARK AWARD

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org

Mary McDonald, who has served as accompanist for the Tennessee Baptist Men’s Chorale for 35 years, has been named the recipient of the inaugural Paul B. Clark Church Music Ministry Award.

FRANKLIN — Mary McDonald has been chosen as the first recipient of the inaugural Paul B. Clark Church Music Ministry Award.

The Paul B. Clark Church Music Ministry Award is presented by the Tennessee Baptist Church Music Conference to recognize individuals who exemplify outstanding, courageous leadership through their commitment, influence and contributions to the ministry through music in the local church, said Scott Shepherd, worship and music specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board.

Clark served as the worship and music specialist for the TBMB from 2000-2015 prior to a massive stroke shortly after the 2015 Summit. Clark died Dec. 24, 2018. [Read more…]

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