By Mike Kemper
Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church, Dyer

Focal Passage: II Chronicles 15:1-9 

Honoring and obeying God always brings blessings and benefits. Good King Asa had initially done what was right by bringing spiritual reforms. Blessings came. But, consistency in doing right things for the entire nation of Israel had always been “off and on,” sometimes yes, sometimes no. 

The prophet Azariah went to King Asa with a reminder message from God, “The Lord is with you when you are with him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you abandon Him, He will abandon you.”   [Read more…]

By Mike Kemper
Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church, Dyer

Focal Passage: II Chronicles 14:9-15

How thankful we are for the many encouraging examples of the power and greatness of the Almighty God we know and serve! Such encouraging verses give vivid examples, and our own experiences with God continue to resound over and over as living testimonies to the power and greatness of God.

As you read and meditate on this lesson, pray that your own dependence on the Lord will be strengthened. The God of King Asa is also our God.  [Read more…]

By Mike Kemper
Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church, Dyer 

Focal Passage: II Chronicles 14:1-8 

How can followers of Christ live godly lives in an ungodly world? This lesson makes the point that as followers of Christ we must make God the focus of our lives. The ungodly world around us continually blurs and distorts efforts of living godly lives. We must make willful decisions to live and do what is right.  While it is true that we, as believers, live in this world, we should not be of this world, not so much like the world. 

The next six lessons explore the life of King Asa. Most of the kings of Judah were not “good” kings, but Asa was one of the “good” ones, and he did what is good and right in the eyes of the Lord God.  [Read more…]

By Mike Kemper
Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church, Dyer

Focal Passage: II Timothy 2:1-2; 3:10-17

Most of us can recall someone who has been a valued example for us in life, someone we recognized as “having it all together,” someone who has made right decisions, accomplished things that we ourselves would like to accomplish.

Someone we desire to pattern our own life after. For many of us, Billy Graham was that kind of person.  We were captivated by his charisma, his simple yet powerful messages, his consistent, faithful ministry and personal life. Many attended his crusades, watched him on television, bought his books, read his biography. And even now that he has gone on to live in heaven, his mentoring qualities are still impacting millions!  [Read more…]

By Mike Kemper
Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church, Dyer

Focal Passage: John 4:10-18, 28-30

The shortest distance between Jerusalem and Galilee was to travel through Samaria. However, in order not to be defiled, many Jews preferred detouring, going the long way to avoid the Samaritans. By the time Jesus came this way there was a strong hatred between Jews and Samaritans.  Evidently Jesus felt He must confront this hostility in taking this route.

At Jacob’s well, the disciples are away. Jesus meets “a woman of Sychar” and He asks her for a drink of water. A simple request, but the woman is completely surprised that a Jewish man would even speak to her, much less ask the favor of a drink of water. [Read more…]

 By Mike Kemper
Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church, Dyer

Focal Passage: Luke 12:13-21; 21:1-4

Luke tells us about Jesus’ confrontations with the Pharisees while pointing out to His disciples the problems of hypocrisy and greed, and by illustrating the value of good stewardship of possessions and sacrificial giving. By looking at these two contrasting stories —  the rich fool who stores and the poor widow who gives — we discover that our attitude and practice of giving demonstrates our faith and trust in Christ.

As a large crowd was gathering around Jesus and His disciples, suddenly someone calls out, asking Jesus to instruct “my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” Jesus makes it clear that He is not there to “be a judge or arbitrator.” Jesus does not address the surface issue, but uses this question to teach and get to the root of the question, that of greed.  [Read more…]

By Mike Kemper
Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church, Dyer

Focal Passage: 1 Samuel 25:2-3, 14-17, 23-28, 32-35

The lesson of Abigail and David demonstrate character qualities which are important to take to heart and to emulate. Nabal, the rich husband of Abigail, acts in a harsh and insensitive, foolish manner. Abigail is discerning and takes steps to avert further harm and sure death by taking the blame for her husband’s actions. David also demonstrates mercy and grace. From both Abigail and David, we see traits of Jesus, taking upon Himself responsibility for our actions, demonstrating grace and mercy for our forgiveness and salvation.

Samuel’s death must have been hard for David. Samuel was a source of wisdom and support for David, acting with God’s authority to inform King Saul that his kingship would be taken away, anointing David as Saul’s successor.  [Read more…]

By Mike Kemper
Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church, Dyer

Focal Passage: 1 Samuel 1:1-2, 9-11, 17-18, 26-28; 2:1-3

The sincere, heart motivated prayers of Hannah for a son are exemplary and truly made a great impact on the course of Israel’s future. Prayer is not a last resort, but prayer can and does make a difference. Prayer is like a “power house” for God’s people.

Yes, God does hear the prayers of His people and God responds to our prayers.  We, too, can be encouraged to know that God hears our prayers. He responds to us also! [Read more…]

By Mike Kemper
Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church, Dyer

Focal Passage: Joshua 2:1-14

Now that Joshua has assumed leadership for leading the Israelites on to the Promised Land, the city of Jericho was one of the first obstacles just across the Red Sea. Joshua sends two spies to “scout the land.” They went and came to the house of “a prostitute named Rahab.” They were not there for the wrong reason. They hid out there.

We hear about the heroics of “first responders” and others standing in the face of evil to save innocent lives from death. We hear of individuals breaking car windows to save folks inside from a fiery grave, or an agent of rescue saving from frozen waters those who had broken through into freezing waters.  Courageous indeed!  [Read more…]

By Clay Hallmark
Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, Lexington

Focal Passage: Luke 14:25-35

What we see in these verses is a steward or a manager who was willing to “think outside the box.” Jesus did not commend this manager for stealing from his boss or for encouraging the dishonesty of others. Rather, Jesus commends him for his wise use of the opportunity he was given. Jesus’ point is that the people of God need to make better use of their opportunities to grow, expand and bring value to the kingdom of God. We see how Jesus brings this into clear focus as we focus on these verses found in Luke 16:11-13. [Read more…]