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

Focal Passage: Exodus 20:13; 1 Samuel 26:7-11, 22-25

As we come to the sixth commandment, many people either misunderstand or misinterpret the phrase, “You shall not kill.” Actually, the best translation of the original language is, “You shall not murder.”

The word here in the Hebrew is “murder,” and specifically means the wanton, intentional slaying of another human being. It refers to manslaughter, and the unauthorized taking of an innocent life. [Read more…]

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

Focal Passage: Exodus 20:12; II Samuel 15:7-14 

The fifth commandment is sometimes called a transition, or bridge commandment between the first four that focus on the believer’s relationship with God, and the last five that focus on people’s relationships with one another. 

In one sense you could say that one learns the importance of honoring God by honoring their parents, or vice versa. One may also say that one learns how to respect others and their property by learning how to honor and respect their parents. 

Having said that, this commandment is deeper than just a lesson for children to “obey their parents.” Yes, Colossians 3:20 says, “Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.” However, the Hebrew word in Exodus 20 is “honor,” and is best translated, “to be heavy” or “to give weighty importance.” In other words, God was telling Israel that He expected the people to deem their parents worthy of honor and respect.  [Read more…]

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

Focal Passage: Exodus 20:7-11; Psalm 145:1-7 

Most have heard the famous line from Shakespeare’s, Romeo and Juliet, “What’s in a name?” Well, when it comes to God, it is a big deal. Following the first two commandments prohibiting false worship and idolatry, God rightly turns to His holy name, and tells Israel, “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.”

Now the average Baptist thinks, “Well, I am safe, because I have never taken God’s name in vain.” Most think this means that adding a curse word to God’s name is the only way this commandment is broken. However, keeping the third commandment involves far more than profanity. For example, we may break this command through disingenuous service for God. In other words, we serve “in Jesus’ name,” but out of routine or ritual, instead of serving Christ out of a heart of love and devotion (Philippians 2:3-5). 

Another way we break the command is through the misuse or misappropriation of His name. In other words, we use His name or our title as “Christian” for personal advantages. Sometimes a believer misunderstands the will of God, and takes His name in vain, as he or she speaks on God’s behalf, saying, “The Lord spoke to me.” They then proceed to tell you they know the will of God better than you. It is like Eliphaz telling Job that God revealed to him why he was suffering, when Eliphaz had no idea (Job 4:12).  [Read more…]

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

Focal Passage:
Exodus 20:1-6; Psalm 16:1-4a, 9-11 

In 2011, I walked out of an airport and into a taxi in one of the largest cities in South Asia. It was a complete sensory overload. I never experienced anything like it in my life. 

The sights, sounds, and even the smells were unforgettable. But one of the most shocking things I remember seeing was the literal idol worship on what seemed to be on every corner. From small shrines on the side of the road, to huge temples in the heart of the city, the idols and the idol worshipers seemed to be everywhere.

Immediately, I began to think, “How could these people so blatantly break the first two of the Ten Commandments?” I would later realize that this is exactly what people do who do not have a relationship with the one true and living God. You see, lost people “have other gods besides” the Lord.  [Read more…]

By Randy Keene
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Minor Hill

Focal Passage: Ephesians 6:10-20 

In Ephesians 6 we get a lesson on standing strong in the faith and supporting one another in spiritual battles. Being strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might tells us that ultimately, Satan’s power over Christians is already broken and the great war has been won through Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection which forever conquered the power of sin and death (see Romans 5:18-21).

According to John MacArthur, in our life on earth we will face battles of temptations on a regular basis. [Read more…]

By Randy Keene
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Minor Hill

Focal Passage: Ephesians 5:8-21

When we come to Christ, not only do we become part of the body of Christ but now we have an obligation to strengthen each other.

As I repeatedly said, Christians were not meant to go this journey alone. Ephesians 5:8 compares darkness and light, “darkness” describes the character of the life of the unconverted as void of truth and virtue in intellectual matters and moral matters (see I John 1:5-7). It is that very darkness in which Christ has delivered sinners such as you and I.

Fruit of the light of Christ that now dwells in us and is shown through us speaks of that which is produced by walking in the light, namely moral excellence of the heart, righteous behavior and truthfulness (honesty and integrity). Trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord carries the idea of testing or proving to learn what is clear and convincing in the sight of God — behavior that really honors God and not dishonors God. I have told business owners and others many times that if they will just honor God He will honor them, a never-ending truth. [Read more…]

By Randy Keene
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Minor Hill

Focal Passage: Ephesians 4:17-32 

In Ephesians 4, Paul takes an opportunity to spend some time on how important it is for the church to draw strength from encouraging one another. I love encouragement by others. Some of you have been an encouragement to me as I have been writing these Sunday School lessons.

I try to encourage people in my walk day by day, but it takes a conscious effort. People need encouragement, just like they need air and water. I love Proverbs 27:17 which reminds us, “Iron sharpens Iron, so one man sharpens another.”

In our study text Paul exhorts the church to put away sinful habits. He calls us out from the way we used to be to the person in Christ we now are. Once they stopped their empty thinking they could be filled with the mind of Christ. Some of the Ephesian members had hard hearts which caused spiritual ignorance to the point that those outside Christ would develop a spiritual callousness to the gospel. [Read more…]

By Randy Keene
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Minor Hill

Focal Passage: Ephesians 4:1-7,11-16

In this week’s lesson, the writer points out that when we come to Christ, not only do we become part of the body of Christ but now we have an obligation to support each other. Christians are not meant to go this journey alone.

Little Johnny came home with a few friends from school. Mom asked, “What are you boys up to?” “We’re just playing war Mom,” was the response. Later she made some cookies and milk, stepped out back and they were all sitting down under the shade tree. “I thought you boys were playing war,” she said, Her son replied, “we are Mom. We are all generals.”

In the church we know today, we have a lot of “generals” and few foot soldiers. Paul tried to express to the church this was a team effort and that the team needed all the players to play their position and play it well. [Read more…]

By Randy Keene
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Minor Hill

Focal Passage: Ephesians 3:14-21

In chapter three Paul takes an opportunity to emphasize how important it is for the church to draw strength from prayer. Never in my lifetime has the need been greater for the church to be a praying church.

Our country is in chaos, divided over political parties like never before, divided racially like we haven’t seen in 50 years or longer. The only unity I see, thanks be to God, is in my church. Prayer, in my humble but accurate opinion, is going to be the only way we come back to some sort of normalcy.

Paul says for this reason he kneels before his Father. Ephesus was a lot like us, divided. Paul encouraged his readers with the fact that God was on the throne and He was not only worthy and wealthy, He was willing. What a thought. All of us are related by the same Creator and can be strengthened by the Spirit according to His riches. [Read more…]

By Randy Keene
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Minor Hill

Focal Passage: Ephesians 1:20-23; 2:8-10,19-22

In this week’s lesson the writer brings out the point that when we come to Christ, we also become a part of the body of Christ. As Christians we were not meant to go this journey alone. The word “independent” has always bothered me when affiliated with the local church. God has designed this church to be serving together as His body, joined together by our love and belief in His son Jesus Christ.

Recently, before the pandemic hit we were about to launch a year-long campaign on what the church really is about. It was called “Let the Church be the Church”. [Read more…]