Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
Focal Passage: Matthew 14:22-33
Fear has a way of shrinking our world. Maybe you’ve experienced a medical report, a financial setback, or a hard conversation where everything feels smaller and shakier. The disciples knew that feeling well.
In Matthew 14, they find themselves in a storm, struggling against the wind in the middle of the night. The waves are real. The battle is exhausting. And Jesus is not in the boat. [Read more…]
Focal Passage: Psalm 99:1-9
God has told us to be holy as he is holy. How do we do that? How do we get our holiness to match the holiness of the God of the universe? Luckily, our passage today points us in the right direction.
Psalm 99 is a powerful reminder that God’s holiness is not an abstract idea — it is a reality that shapes every part of our lives. The psalmist begins by declaring, “The Lord reigns,” a truth that is far more than a statement of God’s position. It is a declaration of His active rule over all creation. God is not a distant king sitting on a symbolic throne; He is the giver of life, the One who reigns over every decision, every moment, and every breath. The question naturally follows: Is that His role in your life? He is Lord not in theory, but in practice. [Read more…]
Focal Passage: Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
April 15th is a date we all know. It’s tax day. The deadline put on most people to complete the filing of their taxes. We have other deadlines too like school assignments, registration windows, project completion dates, etc.
Most deadlines feel flexible … it’s a long way off, until it isn’t. We assume there’s always a little more time, but, eventually, the window closes. Jesus tells a parable in Matthew 13 that reminds us of God’s patience, but it also signals to us that it has an end. [Read more…]
How many of us have feared speaking in front of a group at some point in our lives? Whether it was a class project, a work presentation, or even teaching a Sunday school class, speaking in front of others can cause our heart rate to spike. Yet when it comes to proclaiming the gospel, we can be confident—not in ourselves, but in the strength of the Lord. For it is not ultimately us who speak, but God’s Word. The gospel speaks to every culture, every time, and every place.
Paul spent time exploring the city of Athens, and while he was there, he was impressed and intrigued—but most of all, deeply distressed. He was even angered by the city’s widespread disregard for the one true God, made evident by the countless idols scattered throughout the city. The marketplace was full of idols devoted to every imaginable god. This deeply troubled the upright man of God. [Read more…]
Focal Passage: Matthew 12:1-14
When you walk into a museum you are met with order and rules. Can you picture it? It’s quiet, stale almost. Signs are posted everywhere: “Please do not touch,” “No pictures.” Nothing can be moved or changed. Then think of the opposite. You walk into an active workshop, and you instantly sense the busyness. It’s loud, messy, and full of life. There is a distinct difference. Legalism has a similar effect on our faith. It turns our faith into a museum. But Jesus turns it into a workshop where lives are restored.
In these verses, Jesus exposes what legalism does to our hearts and then shows us a better way. Legalism doesn’t just misunderstand scripture; it distorts faith. The first distortion we see here is that legalism values rules over people. In verses 1-2, the disciples are hungry, but the Pharisees aren’t concerned with their need; they are upset over the technical violation of the law. Legalism notices rule-breaking faster than suffering. It’s like seeing a child swimming at the city pool and someone notices them struggling to stay afloat and then runs to jump in, but someone else shouts, “No running.” At the point of need, the rule is not as important as the person struggling. [Read more…]
Focal Passage: I Corinthians 9:16 – 27
“Growing up in Alabama, there were two questions we asked any student who moved into our school. The first was their name; the second had to do with their allegiance to a college football team. The answer to that second question often determined their friend group, their lunch table—pretty much everything! Usually, there was no need to ask at all; their shirts told the story.
Today, we see Paul’s dedication to the spread of the gospel. In our passage, he clearly states that his goal is to display the glories of Christ to all people he comes into contact with. This means we take the gospel into people’s contexts rather than forcing them into ours. [Read more…]
Focal Passage: Matthew 11:1-6, 16-24
In this passage we encounter three kinds of people. All of them are close to Jesus and exposed to truth, but each responded differently. John is in prison questioning with honest doubt. There are crowds of people who criticize Jesus expressing comfortable doubt. And there are the cities who totally ignored Jesus showcasing hardened doubt. Every response to Jesus reveals the heart toward Jesus.
The first person is John the Baptist (vv.1-6). He’s now in prison and he’s beginning to question. This once bold preacher who introduced Jesus as “the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29) now sits in chains, wondering if he misunderstood the mission. His question is not rebellion or unbelief. It’s confusion mixed with disappointment. I love Jesus’ response. He doesn’t shame him. He welcomes the question and points him to evidence. (vv. 4-6) In other words, Jesus reminds him, “look what God is doing.” [Read more…]
Focal Passage: Acts 2:22-24, 32-41
“Why?” is a question many of us as parents grow tired of hearing.
Once you step onto that never-ending rollercoaster, it can be difficult to get off. In contrast, asking why isn’t always enjoyable, but knowing why is deeply satisfying. Simon Sinek, in his book Start With Why, writes, “People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it.” In our verses today, Peter gives us both the what and the why.
Peter tells those listening to his sermon what Jesus has done (vv. 22–24). He reminds them of the miracles Jesus performed in their presence. [Read more…]
Focal Passage: Matthew 10:16-20, 26-34
Any of you who have played a sport competitively can understand the idea that the pregame hype speech from the coach is way more fun than the halftime berating we get when we are down by a bunch of points. Most of us would always prefer encouragement to warnings. We like the pep talks over the cautionary tales.
Jesus is not berating His disciples, but He is being real with them. When Jesus sends out His disciples, He doesn’t sugarcoat the road ahead. He tells them it’s going to be tough. He says, “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves” (v. 16). That’s anything but a Hallmark card. Jesus is making it clear to them and to us that following Him won’t always feel safe, easy or popular. Our loyalty will be tested. [Read more…]
Focal Passage: Colossians 1:15-22
What’s at the center of your life? What do you desire above all else?
In these passages, the apostle Paul presents one of the clearest and most powerful declarations of who Jesus Christ is and why He must be the center of everything.
Paul writes this letter to the church in Colossae to combat the growing influence of false teaching in the church. These teachings placed salvation in our effort rather than in Jesus alone. Paul responds by exalting Christ as supreme. [Read more…]
