Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
By Michael Koontz
Pastor, Pine Ridge Baptist Church, Harriman
Focal Passage: Titus 3:3–11
This week the author states “Our lives should serve as a welcome mat to the church.” How are we to be a welcome mat? What does that mean?
In our Scripture, Titus 3:3 reminds us of where we came from (lost sinners). We need to be the welcome mat because most of our communities don’t know Jesus. It’s easy to forget why we do what we do each week as a church. [Read more…]
By Kevin Ivy
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Tullahoma
Focal Passage: Nehemiah 8:9-12; 12:27-31a
As we have journeyed through this account by Nehemiah together we have been encountered with the absolute necessity of prayer (Nehemiah 1:1-11), the importance of wise planning (Nehemiah 2:1-8, 17-18), and the vital role persistence in the face of opposition plays in carrying out God’s plan (Nehemiah 4:1-3, 6-9, 14-18). [Read more…]
By Kevin Ivy
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Tullahoma
Focal Passage: Nehemiah 6:1-3, 15-16; 8:1-3, 5-8
Sanballat and Tobiah had decided that since they could not prevent the building of the wall by harassment and the threat of war, they would try to stop the work with a lie. Their plan was to attempt to lure Nehemiah away from the work and into an “important” discussion. There was nothing to discuss in reality however. They simply wanted an opportunity to attack Nehemiah. There was no other foreseeable way to stop the work than to take out the leader. Nehemiah recognized their plan and refused to step away from what God had commanded him to do in order to fraternize with the enemy. [Read more…]
By Kevin Ivy
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Tullahoma
Focal Pasage: Nehemiah 5:1-13
Though the people were persevering in the midst of persecution, they had become fatigued by their hard labor on the city wall (Nehemiah 5:1-5). They were wearied by the constant harassment and threats of their enemies. Due to their poverty and trials, there was little hope. They cried out because they were having to mortgage their fields, vineyards and homes in order to get grain to eat and money to pay their taxes with. [Read more…]
By Kevin Ivy
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Tullahoma
Focal Passage: Nehemiah 4:1-3, 6-9, 14-18
As we continue following the narrative of Nehemiah we quickly discover that doing God’s work brings opposition. Generally, we can please God or we can please men, but we usually cannot please both God and men. As we seek to follow, serve and please God we will inevitably illicit a response from the world and from the forces of darkness. God’s work will ignite ridicule and opposition (Nehemiah 4:1-3). [Read more…]
By Kevin Ivy
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Tullahoma
Focal Passage: Nehemiah 2:1-8, 17-18
Nehemiah, who was deeply trusted by the king as his cupbearer, provided wine to the king as he had done time and time again before. Sadness was a dangerous emotion to express while in the king’s presence.The king expected his subjects to always be happy, even if they were not truly happy. The attitude of his subjects, especially those closest to him, reflected the well-being brought about by the king’s leadership. This time however, Nehemiah could not contain his sadness. The king, recognizing Nehemiah’s sad disposition, asked the dreaded question: Why is your face sad (2 Nehemiah 2:1-2)? [Read more…]
By Kevin Ivy
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Tullahoma
Focal Passage: Nehemiah 1:1-11
Nehemiah, as the cupbearer for the King of Persia, was confined to the capitol of the Persian kingdom. One of his brothers, and some other men from Judah, came to report to Nehemiah on the state of the Jews and the city of Jerusalem. [Read more…]
By Kevin Ivy
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Tullahoma
Focal Passage: Malachi 3:7-12
During Malachi’s day, the people of God were under the dominion of the Persians. This was a time when God’s people were doubting His love for them, treating one another treacherously, and even questioning God’s justice. They were going through the motions of their religion, half-heartedly at best. In the midst of this spiritual drought, God sends Malachi to call them to repentance. One of the issues Malachi dealt with was their robbing of God. [Read more…]
By Kevin Ivy
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Tullahoma
Focal Passage: Revelation 21:1-8
We have answered several questions over the past several weeks. Why are we here? Why are we in this mess? Why can’t we fix it? Why did Jesus come? What should we do now? Today, we will answer another question: What happens next? [Read more…]
By Kevin Ivy
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Tullahoma
Focal Passage: Acts 2:37-47
As those who have been redeemed from our sin by the finished work of Christ upon the cross, we are compelled to ask, “what should we do now?” An obvious example is the early church. If we make the Acts 2 church our pattern, we will not live for ourselves, but rather will serve God by serving others. We will be motivated to lead others to faith and growth in Christ. We will want to support and help fellow believers. We will long to live lives that honor God and point to Christ. [Read more…]
