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…]

By Clay Hallmark
Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, Lexington

Focal Passage: Luke 14:25-35

A young man wrote a love letter to his girlfriend that said this: “My darling, I love you more than life itself. Words fail to describe my love for you. For you I would climb the highest mountain, swim the deepest seas, and cross a blazing desert just to be in your presence for just one minute. Sincerely, Your Beloved. … P.S.: I’ll pick you up Friday night at 6 p.m. unless, of course, it is raining.”

This is a lot like the way Luke describes the love people showed toward Jesus in Luke 14:25-35. When Jesus finished tell the parable of the great banquet at the house of one of the Pharisees, a large crowd had gathered to follow Him. [Read more…]

By Clay Hallmark 
Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, Lexington

Focal Passage: Luke 9:57-62 

Fans of Southeastern Conference Football are some of the most devoted people in the country to their teams. They will spend hundreds of dollars for tickets, travel mile after mile to watch their team play, sing their fight song with greater joy than a Chris Tomlin church chorus, wear their team colors, paint their bodies, and some fans even wear plastic pigs on their heads all to show support for their team. 

However, the enthusiasm quickly begins to fade the moment “their team” loses a game or a second game or (gasp) a third game. All of a sudden, the true fan loses their interest in the game, the season and the team.  [Read more…]

By Clay Hallmark
Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, Lexington

Focal Passage: Luke 6:27-36

Two brothers were arguing at breakfast over the final pancake. Their mother walked in and said to them, “Boys! Is this how Jesus would act? I think Jesus would say, ‘Let my brother have the last pancake.’ ” At that, the older brother turned to the younger brother and said, “Congratulations Bobby! This morning you get to be Jesus!”

This hard saying of Jesus about love for our enemies often is ignored, even by God’s people. In this passage, Jesus is using hyperbole throughout much of these verses. We must recognize that Jesus is raising the bar and expecting much more from His followers than they realized.

First, we see the commands of Jesus. His call to love your enemies is still a call to love those we find unloveable. Who might these enemies be? Within the historical context we find Matthew specifically names two groups: tax collectors and pagans/Gentiles. Luke simply refers to these as “sinners.” Both Matthew and Luke imply a third group which were the Roman soldiers. The love Jesus calls for here is the Greek word, agape. You could define it this way: “Agape love is a compassionate or merciful love given to another without conditions.” This is a love that we choose to give others. It is love motivated by the will, not the feelings. This is the love God shows His children. In the face of our enemy’s hatred He calls us to do good to them. [Read more…]

By Clay Hallmark
Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, Lexington

Focal Passage: Matthew 19:21-30

Have you ever watched a TV show called “Hoarders?” I did recently and to be honest, I was amazed and astonished at the degree to which some folks will hold on to things (stuff). This one particular lady (the hoarder), had so much stuff that she didn’t even have a place to sleep or sit down in her own home!

She had old newspapers stacked up, soup labels, plastic utensils, and other weird things boxed up and stored in her home like it was all a bunch of treasure. What was heartbreaking was that these episodes are really interventions on the part of family members and friends who are trying to help the hoarder to break this destructive habit or lifestyle. In almost each and every case, the hoarder resists the help. [Read more…]