By Mark D. Proctor
Pastor, Highland Park Baptist Church, Columbia

Focal Passage: Luke 24:1-8, 36-40

It starts like the thin plot of a low budget thriller. Luke relates the resurrection story in characteristically uncomplicated, simple verb statements: they came, they found, they went in, they were perplexed, and they were terrified. “They” were the loyal, all-female band of Jesus’ followers. And they were out early — very early (Luke 24:1). But this early morning drama quickly gives way to the most recognizable statement in Christian history: “He is not here, but he has risen!” Human fear yields to heavenly victory. The resurrection story is a story of immediate transitions.

Oswald Chambers wrote that we should always be ready, as believers, for the surprise appearances of Jesus. Things change quickly near Jesus. Bodies are healed immediately. Storms are calmed immediately. Water becomes wine immediately. The power of a living Lord makes those transitions happen at the right time in the right way at the right speed — immediately. Teachers, point this out to your class members and encourage the hope that the power of the resurrection means that today’s pain and distress can quickly give way to today’s comfort. [Read more…]

By Mark D. Proctor
Pastor, Highland Park Baptist Church, Columbia

Focal Passage: Luke 24:44-49

The summer after my kindergarten year my grandmother taught me to crochet. I practiced and practiced and finally made a little pillow that I proudly took to show and tell in the fall when I entered first grade (I didn’t know back then boys could get beat up for stuff like that)! I meekly stood up and told Mrs. Banner’s class how I did it — and won “Best Show and Tell” for the week. I’m sure the school is still talking about it. But it wasn’t the pillow that won the award. The victory was secured because I understood it enough, and was brave enough, to tell about it.

Rewind the tape 2,000 years. Jesus speaks to His disciples after His resurrection and says, “Gentlemen, it’s time for show and tell — I’m going to show you how it all fits together and you go tell.” That’s the clear message our passage gives. And the message the student should hear should be equally clear: through Christ’s death and resurrection, you’ve won the right to understand and live the promises of God. Why wouldn’t you tell someone about that? [Read more…]

By Mark D. Proctor
Pastor, Highland Park Baptist Church, Columbia

Focal Passage: Romans 8:31-39

When my children were small I took them to the animal shelter to pick out a puppy. They chose a small terrier named “Bambi.” Bambi needed shots and a bath so we promised to return later to take her home. By the time the children went back someone else had already adopted Bambi and they were heartbroken. But my 7-year-old son called to put my mind at ease. “Don’t worry, Dad, we got a llama instead!” Before I could have a cardiac event, I heard his older sister in the background say, “it’s a Lhaso Apso!”  I was scared, but one word made a difference. [Read more…]

By Mark D. Proctor
Pastor, Highland Park Baptist Church, Columbia

Focal Passage: Hebrews 11:1-6

Curious, isn’t it, that the book of the Bible that encourages believers to have faith based on evidence of things not seen is itself evidence of an author not known? The writer of Hebrews uses tactile terms to give believers hope that true faith — concrete faith — pleases God and writes this passage to show that while we enjoy its benefits, concrete faith is mixed, poured, finished, and cured by God.

Engineers know that the key to strong concrete is getting the right recipe — the mix of cement, aggregate, sand, and water. It’s called slurry. The right slurry, poured into well-constructed forms, and finished and cured correctly results in strong concrete.  [Read more…]

By Mark D. Proctor
Pastor, Highland Park Baptist Church, Columbia

Focal Passage: Romans 6:4-14

Sin might be rendered powerless. Dead to sin. Sin will not rule over you. Treat yourself to a study of Romans 6 by picking out phrases such as these that let you off the hook. What if sin couldn’t touch you? What if Satan the great puppeteer could pull the strings but the marionette didn’t dance? Paul describes just such a life — a life married to Christ so completely that our everyday actions are not governed by Satan, not even by us, but by the power of Christ.  But how? “How” is the reason pastors’ counseling calendars are filled to overflowing with those seeking freedom from the day to day slavery to secret sin. How do we escape? [Read more…]

By Mark Proctor
Pastor, Highland Park Baptist Church, Columbia

Focal Passage: Matthew 8:5-13

Hope. Everyone craves it. The little leaguer says, “I hope we win the game” but has no way of knowing the outcome. Hope to this little hitter is little more than a dream.  But a believer’s hope is broader and wider still. Isaiah prophesied 700 years before Christ that, “… the gentiles will trust in his name” (Matthew 12:21). And in the story of the healing of the centurion’s servant in Matthew 8, we see that very thing — a gentile, the centurion, trusting in Christ’s name and authority and willingness to heal. And he demonstrated that hope with his feet, his ears, and his lips. [Read more…]

By Mark Proctor
Pastor, Highland Park Baptist Church, Columbia

Focal Passage:  Revelation 1:12-20

What does Jesus look like in your church?  Some might picture a benevolent lover of children, with a large lap and a tender heart.  Others might envision a healer, frequenting the hospitals, or a teacher, majestically ensconced in the pulpit.  The apostle John was “in the spirit on the Lord’s day” while on Patmos and got the chance that you and I have never had — he got to see Jesus.  He gives us two accounts in Revelation of Jesus, one in chapter 19 of the millennial king Jesus — a future Jesus — and this one in chapter 1 of the present day Jesus, the Christ of the Church.  [Read more…]

By Justin Randolph
Pastor, Zion Hill Baptist Church, Sevierville

Focal Passage: Philippians 4:10-20

More is the word that perhaps best characterizes our society — more wealth, more luxury, more significance, more gizmos, and more love.  Sometimes we do not even know what we need more of, we just know we want more. It seems we are always in search of contentment, but never quite finding it.   [Read more…]

By Justin Randolph
Pastor, Zion Hill Baptist Church, Sevierville

Focal Passage: Philippians 4:4-9

Do you worry excessively about things you cannot control? Is there a cure to worry? In the conclusion of his letter, the Apostle Paul turns to practical living. His desire is that they move toward holiness in their walk with the Lord. He knew worry would hinder them in this pursuit. He also knew their faith would be tested as they lived and worked in this predominantly Roman colony during the reign of Nero when persecution of the church was reaching a fever pitch.  Therefore, in these verses, he diagnoses the problem that would steal their joy; he prescribes a cure, recommends a recovery program, and makes them a promise they, as well as you and I, can count on. [Read more…]

By Justin Randolph
Pastor, Zion Hill Baptist Church, Sevierville

Focal Passage: Philippians 3:12-21

How beautiful, sweet, and innocent is a newborn baby. For many, we would keep them as babies perhaps for a little longer, and yet we take them to their first doctor’s visit hoping that their measurements and weight indicate growth. Later in life, as their physical maturity increases, the hard work begins of helping them develop their emotional and intellectual maturity. But, the goal is always growth and upward movement.  And, the reward is in the maturity of the child. In fact, life’s greatest moments of celebration regard this maturation process. The first word, their first step, Pre-K graduation, Kindergarten, high school graduation, driver’s license, and college graduation — each is a milestone in the joy of maturity. [Read more…]