By Travis Biller
Pastor, Immanuel Baptist Church, Elizabethton

Focal Passage: Proverbs 31:10-16, 23-31 

One of the most important decisions a person will make in life is the choice of their spouse. According to the One who designed marriage, marriage is to be a lifelong commitment. The Bible is clear, God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16). Therefore, choosing a spouse is not a matter to be taken lightly.

Unfortunately, we live during a time when the idea of marriage has fallen on hard times. Marriage has been redefined by our culture. Almost any combination of people can now be considered a legitimate marriage. [Read more…]

By Travis Biller
Pastor, Immanuel Baptist Church, Elizabethton

Focal Passage: Proverbs 29:1-3, 12-20 

It is an unfortunate reality that evil exists in the world. It is an even more unfortunate reality that much of the evil found in the world is found in the human heart. When we are confronted with the gospel, we are confronted with our own sin. It is often the case, however, that while we recognize we are sinners, we fail to call our sin evil.

However, when Jesus was speaking to the crowds He said such things as, “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” and, “A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah” (Matthew 7:11; 16:4). Jesus referred to His generation as evil and wicked! I suspect not too many pastors refer to their congregations that way! [Read more…]

By Travis Biller
Pastor, Immanuel Baptist Church, Elizabethton

Focal Passage: Proverbs 23:17-21, 29-35 

In his letter to the Corinthians Paul wrote, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die” (I Corinthians 15:32b). He was writing to the church to help them understand the importance of the resurrection of Christ.

Without the resurrection of the dead, there is no forgiveness of sins and there is no motivation to suffer in service to God. Why suffer if this is the only life we know? The whole verse says, “If, in the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me? If the dead do not rise, ‘Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!’ ” Paul was not encouraging sinful living, only helping the church see the consequences of their faulty doctrine. [Read more…]

By Travis Biller
Pastor, Immanuel Baptist Church, Elizabethton

Focal Passage: Proverbs 15:33-16:11 

I want to suggest that the title to our lesson is more challenging than we might think.

We are accustomed to hearing that when one believes in Jesus as their Savior, all is well. Such a person is said to be “saved.” Indeed, the call of the gospel is to believe: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved …” (Acts 16:31). However, those who believe are given the equally important command to, “Follow Me” (Matthew 4:19). When we follow the Lord, we do so on His terms. [Read more…]

By Travis Biller
Pastor, Immanuel Baptist Church, Elizabethton

Focal Passage: Proverbs 14:8-15 

When Jesus stood before Pilate, Pilate asked the question, “What is truth?” (John 18:38). He asked this in response to Jesus’ claim, “Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice” (John 18:37). Pilate demonstrated an unwise heart.

As a result, he was unable to hear the voice of God. He was looking truth in the face and denied Him. Jesus was trying to open his eyes with His statement. We serve such an amazing God. Even while a prisoner, Jesus was seeking to give His captor the grace needed to be saved. [Read more…]