By Travis Biller
Pastor, Immanuel Baptist Church, Elizabethton

Focal Passage: Romans 15:14-21, 30-33 

“Reach.” I like the title to our lesson this week. I think about a little boy reaching across the counter to grab the cookie jar. Because his arm is too short, he must strain his little body as he stands on his tiptoes and extends his fingers as far as he can, just barely reaching his prize. But eventually he succeeds and, with a big smile, eats a delicious cookie.

The church was created for the purpose of reaching the world with the gospel. We are called to put all our energies into that pursuit. As Paul begins to close out his letter to the Romans, he uses himself as an example, seeking to inspire action. He writes, “… that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, I have reason to glory in Christ Jesus in the things which pertain to God” (Romans 15:16-17). [Read more…]

By Travis Biller
Pastor, Immanuel Baptist Church, Elizabethton

Focal Passage: Romans 14:1-12 

Freedom. It’s a word we all love. More than that, it is an experience we both enjoy and expect in our culture. Unfortunately, not everyone in the world is free. For some, freedom is a distant dream. They long for the day when they can be free. [Read more…]

By Travis Biller
Pastor, Immanuel Baptist Church, Elizabethton

Focal Passage: Romans 13:1-14 

Several years ago, my wife and I had a house built, but only the downstairs. I took the next year and a half to finish the upstairs. As I spent my nights and weekends working, there were times when my son, who was only 3, would come by my side and mimic what I was doing. I have a fond memory of him picking up his little plastic hammer and trying to nail a 2×4. As we come to our text Paul is urging the church to become model citizens. As my son was watching and learning from me, so too the world watches the church and, depending on how we live, can learn what a life of faith looks like. [Read more…]

By Travis Biller
Pastor, Immanuel Baptist Church, Elizabethton

Focal Passage: Romans 12:1-2, 9-18 

Not long ago I watched a documentary on the transformation that takes place inside a cocoon. With less than scientific language, let me explain it: a caterpillar is enveloped by a cocoon. While in that state the caterpillar literally dissolves into a pile of goo, then miraculously is rebuilt into a lifeform utterly different from what it was. It goes in as an ugly little worm and comes out a beautiful flying butterfly. The scientist’s explanation was longer, but not clearer. Quite simply, they don’t know how the transformation takes place. [Read more…]

By Travis Biller
Pastor, Immanuel Baptist Church, Elizabethton

Focal Passage: Romans 11:17-32 

Adoption is something that is common. Families adopt children every day. What is unique is that these families have a bond of love as strong as families who have not adopted children. God’s love is like that. It is strong enough to love adopted children as much as natural children.

In our text, Paul is addressing gentile believers in Christ. He does not use the language of adoption but speaks about gentiles being grafted into the natural olive tree. The natural tree represents Israel. The gentiles are the wild branches that are brought in from the outside and made a part of the natural tree. However, adoption is a good illustration of what Paul is speaking about. [Read more…]