By Randy Keene
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Minor Hill

Focal Passage: Romans 13:1-10 

Politics is not my favorite subject to talk about these days. It seems we are in a very sensitive era when it comes to politics and government. But as the child of God, we must reflect His attributes and not those of the world. There are several Bible passages that deal with government and politics but Romans 13 is probably the one most preached and studied. Paul was very familiar with Roman politics so it is fitting he offers some wise advice on how Christians should relate to government.

In verses 1 through 4 he urges believers to respond to government with obedience, submitting to the governing authorities. [Read more…]

By Randy Keene
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Minor Hill

Focal Passage: I Peter 5:5b-11

In this week’s lesson the writer really brings out the point that our hope in Jesus Christ will culminate with a destination. Peter writes a final word to his readers, the elders, on how to focus on the glory that awaits every believer.

He speaks to the shepherds of the flocks as how to conduct themselves in these days. Be humble, he says, as a matter of fact, clothe yourself in it so that God may give grace to you. Now Peter wants them to understand that the devil is real and he is a real enemy. In verse 8, Peter begins painting a picture for them of just who they are dealing with.

In the early 1980s before my family moved back to Giles County I worked for a group of Catholic nuns in Cleveland, Ohio. They ran a nursing home and I was employed in housekeeping. As a young Christian I struggled with my walk with God. [Read more…]

By Randy Keene
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Minor Hill

Focal Passage: I Peter 4:1-2, 12-19 

In this lesson we will look at the joy that can be a byproduct of suffering and how we can deepen our relationship with Christ because of it. Adrian Rogers once said, “Our faith is often developed in the darkrooms of life.” As a believer, it’s my testimony that this is very true.

In I Peter 4, Peter lets his readers know that as we walk closer and closer to God we should have a better understanding of the suffering Christ had to go through and that we should focus on the glory of God that will be revealed no matter what happens to us. [Read more…]

By Randy Keene
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Minor Hill

Focal Passage: 1 Peter 3:8-17

In this week’s lesson the writer really brings home the point that we can endure suffering because of our hope in Christ. The Bible says it rains on the just and the unjust, meaning that trials and suffering affects both believers and unbelievers. Everyone is affected. Similarly. today it seems like everyone is affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In some way, it has impacted our lives, some more than others.

In Peter’s day, as today, Christians were suffering for the cause of Christ. He wanted them to be sure that our hope found in Jesus was going to be sufficient to get us to the other side. How would you handle being rejected, misunderstood and even falsely accused because of your witness? [Read more…]

By Randy Keene
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Minor Hill

Focal Passage: 1 Peter 2:4-15 

This week’s lesson is packed full of nuggets. Like a train has a caboose, we continue on the old T and O railroad, “trust and obey.” Peter jumps right in setting the stage on how our hope in Christ should be a testimony to the world.

The Greek word here for “coming” has the notion of coming and staying or remaining. You see, we are to come to Christ and in His power have an intimate fellowship with Him — a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation.

Once I heard Adrian Rogers speaking on this royal priesthood. He jokingly told his congregation at Bellevue they could start calling him “King Adrian.” All jokes aside, we are part of a spiritual kingdom that God is building. And that’s awesome. [Read more…]

By Randy Keene
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Minor Hill

Focal Passage: 1 Peter 1:13-25

In this week’s lesson the writer really brings home the point that our hope in Jesus Christ should change our view on how we look at the world and on how we live in it.

Hope is that precious commodity that is in the bank for believers. I’ve often been told that faith is the medium of exchange in heaven. If we want or need God to act in our lives it is our faith that purchases that act.

Hope on the other hand has already been bought and paid for by the sacrificial shed blood of Jesus at Calvary. Let me change my tune. It’s not in the bank, it is the bank. That’s encouraging. [Read more…]

By Randy Franklin Keene
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Minor Hill

Focal Passage: 1 Peter 1:1-9 

The lesson today is going to help us understand that the hope we have in Christ is sure and certain. Peter’s first epistle was written in a time of uncertainty and newfound confusion in the church.

They were scattered from here to there, worried about their current problems and issues. So led by the Spirit of God, Peter is led to write to them and assure them of that blessed hope we believers have in Christ Jesus. He wanted to affirm that our source of hope was rock solid and sure. [Read more…]

By Tim Frank
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Carthage

Focal Passage: Romans 14:1-4, 13-19

As we conclude this series on the six building blocks of Christian relationships, we address a pressing issue in the church, in society and in our lives today.

This issue concerns how you relate to someone who has a different opinion, tradition or preference from you. While this lesson does not dismiss the importance of moral standards or core Christian beliefs, it focuses instead on secondary issues which have nothing to do with one’s salvation or faith in Christ and yet can lead to heated differences of opinions among Christians.  [Read more…]

By Tim Frank
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Carthage

Focal Passage: Philippians 2:1-5, 13-15 

One of the basic building blocks of relationships is the ability to yield to others in humble submission to Jesus Christ. Whether it be in a marriage, a church, or a friendship, humility in considering the needs of others is paramount for a continuing, loving relationship. The starting place for love, encouragement, forgiveness and service is humbly yielding for the sake of others. Without the presence of humility, marriages struggle, relationships fall apart, and churches split.  [Read more…]

By Tim Frank
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Carthage

Focal Passage: Galatians 5:13-15; 6:1-5, 10 

As we continue this series on the six building blocks of relationships, we are seeing many businesses, churches and society in general begin to open up and gather together again.

With this reopening and regathering comes a sense of freedom from the constraints of the Governor’s “Stay at Home” order and a freedom to reach out to others in new and fresh ways. As we have seen in previous lessons, relationships are built on love, encouragement, and forgiveness. Today, we are reminded that our freedom in Christ gives us the opportunity to serve others. [Read more…]