Baptist & Reflector

Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835

REMEMBER THE SIMPLE BLESSINGS THIS THANKSGIVING

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

With Thanksgiving drawing near on Nov. 22, I want to share a neat story that took place nearly two weeks ago.

In the Oct. 24 issue of the Baptist and Reflector, we ran a feature story on Ivan Raley, pastor of First Baptist Church, Byrdstown. Raley is an 80-year-old longtime Tennessee Baptist pastor and former Tennessee Baptist Children’s Home administrator. Fourteen months ago, Raley was diagnosed with stage four non-alcoholic related cirrhosis of the liver, a terminal condition with no cure. [Read more…]

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TENNESCENE: NOV. 21-DEC. 4

CHURCHES

First Baptist Church, Pegram, will present its 8th annual “Drive thru Bethlehem” on Dec. 8, 2018 from 6 to 8 p.m.  The true story of Christmas will be presented from the time the angel appeared to Mary, the shepherds in the field, the trip to Bethlehem,  their finding no room at the inn, the birth of Christ with shepherds and the wise men arriving at the house when Jesus was two years old.  Everyone will be in costume with live animals: sheep, goats and camels.  The church is located at 4548 Sunnyfield Drive. Enter drive from Hannah Ford Road  (at first red light from Nashville) and exit on Sunnyfield Drive. [Read more…]

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SPEAKERS OFFER HOPE, ENCOURAGEMENT

By Nathan Handley
Contributing Writer, B&R

During the Pastors Conference, Corey Cain, right, pastor of Maplewood Baptist Church, Paris, was elected president-elect. Scott Parkison, 2018 president-elect and senior pastor of Stevens Street Baptist Church, Cookeville, center will become president next year. Lee Bailey, executive pastor of Stevens Street Baptist, was elected secretary-treasurer.

JACKSON  — Steve Gaines, pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova, said no matter what happens in the world, Christians have hope in the fact that Jesus is in control.

“Every day I wake up I know one thing that will never change,” Gaines said. “Jesus is Lord.”

Gaines was one of six speakers at the 2018 Tennessee Baptist Pastors Conference Nov. 12 at West Jackson Baptist Church in Jackson. Other speakers included Johnny Hunt, pastor of Woodstock Baptist Church in Woodstock, Ga.; Scott Parkison, pastor of Stevens Street Baptist Church, Cookeville; Robert Smith, professor of Christian preaching at Samford University, Birmingham, Ala.; Don Whitt, evangelist from Memphis; and Ken Whitten, pastor of Idlewood Baptist Church, Lutz, Fla. The theme for the conference was “Until He Comes!” [Read more…]

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EASLEY: THERE IS INFINITE POWER IN THE NAME OF JESUS

By Nathan Handley
Contributing Writer, B&R

Jordan Easley delivers the convention sermon in Jackson.

JACKSON  — Jordan Easley, pastor of First Baptist Church, Cleveland, said as long as there is power in the name of Jesus, the church has hope.

“We’ve been given access to the name of Jesus, the only name that brings power,” he said. “There is infinite power in His name.” [Read more…]

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NOV. 25: WITH ANTICIPATION

By Scott Brown
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Waverly

Sunday School Lessons explore the bibleFocal Passage: James 5:7-9, 13-20

It’s a particular peeve of mine when I see people going eschatologically crazy over every odd colored moon or some unique date.

There’s always inevitably somebody screaming that they’ve figured it out somehow and they know that Jesus is coming back on this specific day. They’ve always been wrong, no one knows the day or hour of His return. [Read more…]

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NOV. 25: A PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

By Michael Koontz
Pastor, Pine Ridge Baptist Church, Harriman

Sunday School Lesson Bible Studies For LifeFocal Passage: Psalm 138:1–8

As we study Psalm 138, King David is teaching us about praise. We are to praise the one true God. David said he did this with his whole heart. That place in us where our true self is seated. Our emotions, devotion, love, intellect, all that we are is to be focused towards Him and giving thanks and praise to Him alone. [Read more…]

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NOV. 18: WITH SUBMISSION

By Scott Brown
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Waverly

Sunday School Lessons explore the bibleFocal Passage: James 4:6-17

Submission is central to Christianity. Jesus submitted Himself to the Father by going to the cross. We come to Christ by submitting ourselves to His judgment, mercy, and lordship. We now submit ourselves daily to the authority of the Word and the control of the Spirit.

Believers also submit to one another and, together, to governing authorities.

The Christian life is a life of daily, deliberate submission to God. A Christian’s maturity might best be measured by how well they can submit when God ruins their plans or things don’t go as they plan or desire.   [Read more…]

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NOV. 18: A PRAYER OF CONFESSION

By Michael Koontz
Pastor, Pine Ridge Baptist Church, Harriman

Sunday School Lesson Bible Studies For LifeFocal Passage: Matthew 6:12–13; Psalm 51:1–7; Psalm 51:10–12

This week we focus in on confession and forgiveness. I must constantly admit my sins and ask for forgiveness. The word ‘debts’ (Matthew 6:12) is a New Testament Greek term for sin. We have all fallen short of God’s righteousness.

Our sin is what causes separation between us and God. My sin problem was eternally solved at the age of 13 when I accepted Jesus as my Savior and Lord.

As a Christian these past 31 years, I have continued to sin and must go back to the Father and ask for forgiveness. I’m forever saved, but if I sin today, that is causing an issue between me and God. [Read more…]

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FROM THE BATTLEFIELD TO THE MISSION FIELD

By David Dawson
Baptist and Reflector
ddawson@tnbaptist.org

Marcus Reed has served the Lord in the military, behind the pulpit and on the mission field.

CHAPEL HILL — Walking into the living room inside Marcus Reed’s home is almost like walking into a museum.

The room includes a fascinating collection of keepsakes, each representing a time period that shaped the life of a man who might best be described as a combination of John Wayne and Billy Graham.

Born the day before Valentine’s Day in 1925, Reed’s remarkable life journey includes a stint in the Army, where he served in the 98th division under General George Patton during World War II. [Read more…]

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