By Justin Randolph
Pastor, Zion Hill Baptist Church, Sevierville

Focal Passage: II Chronicles 20:10-12, 14-17, 20-22, 29-30

Sometimes it’s hard to watch the news. When terror strikes, disease ravages, families divide, and churches collapse, we are sometimes tempted to throw up our hands and give up. This is what Jehoshaphat must have felt as he faced down three kingdoms. Israel had seemingly done nothing to provoke this attack, but nevertheless they were being surrounded on all sides by their enemies. Have you ever felt this way? I know I have. We are surrounded on all sides by our enemies with no way of escape from a bad situation. Nevertheless, regardless of our circumstances, God is at work. He relishes in turning tragedy into triumph, making Sundays out of Fridays, and promoting princes from prisoners. Our God is our great redeemer!  [Read more…]

By Justin Randolph
Pastor, Zion Hill Baptist Church, Sevierville

Focal Passage: Acts 17:16-18, 22-23,30-31

I remember well my first foreign missions trip. I was chosen to join a collegiate drama team who would minister in Rio during the evangelistic crusades of 1998. During our orientation, several cultural mannerisms and customs were discussed. One included women leaving their purses on the floor, another a common finger symbol we consider benign while they consider offensive.  These differences were discussed so that our message would not be lost in our presentation.

America today is truly a melting pot of different cultures, beliefs, and practices. It is easy to become cynical in the midst of such change. However, our perspective should be like that of the Apostle Paul who looked at every circumstance as an opportunity to spread the unstoppable message of Jesus Christ. [Read more…]

By Justin Randolph
Pastor, Zion Hill Baptist Church, Sevierville

Focal Passage: Acts 4:1-3, 8-12, 19-20

As we come to the ominous day of the presidential election of our nation, I am reminded of the need for courage. Benjamin Franklin was quoted to have responded to a question regarding what type of government would be created in this new nation saying, “A republic, if you can keep it.” Each new generation is tasked with attempting to keep that which was won and secured by the revolution and each generation must muster the courage to confront the opponents of liberty. [Read more…]

By Justin Randolph
Pastor, Zion Hill Baptist Church, Sevierville

Focal Passage: Acts 3:1-10

I am by nature a man of lists. I make a list the night before so the following day will be more productive. Now, there is nothing wrong with this. In fact, it allows me to separate the important from the urgent and eliminate wasted distractions that might keep me from finishing pertinent matters that require my attention. In other words, my list keeps me on track. However, there is a drawback to my list. I have a tendency to ignore or avoid interruptions. These interruptions are sometimes orchestrated by God and involve an unexpected opportunity to make Christ known.  While it is not a sin to be busy, it can be sinful to be too busy. [Read more…]

By Justin Randolph
Pastor, Zion Hill Baptist Church, Sevierville

Focal Passage: Acts 2:41-47

“The unstoppable mission was to share the unstoppable message, but the unstoppable message was fueled by an unstoppable love. This love was shared by Luke in the latter part of Acts 2 and was expressed by the early followers of Jesus Christ in three ways.

First, they gathered together in supplication. No movement of God happens without the power of God and we tap into the power of God when we pray. The Bible tells us that prayer was a major component of the early church. They prayed in unity and with fervency. They understood that communion with God was vital for their hearts to be changed and His message to be sent forth. [Read more…]

By Justin Randolph
Pastor, Zion Hill Baptist Church, Sevierville

Focal Passage: Acts 2:22-24, 32-33, 36-38

Are you familiar with crafting a mission statement? A mission statement is a written statement of a person or organization’s core purpose and values. It serves to guide a person or people to an expected end.  Some examples of mission statements are:

• “Google’s mission is to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.” [Read more…]

By Justin Randolph
Pastor of Zion Hill Baptist Church, Sevierville

Focal Passage: Acts 1:4-8, 12-14

“Go into all the world and make disciples everywhere …” — this is your mission if you choose to accept it.  This message was not delivered to Mr. Phelps and it did not self destruct in five seconds, but it was nonetheless “mission impossible.”

As the disciples considered the great task ahead of them, they must have felt inferior to the task at hand.  How would they accomplish their Lord’s will?  The answer is given in these verses of Acts 1.  They would not accomplish it at all, but it would be completed through them as they yielded to the power of the Holy Spirit.

John the Baptist had first announced the future baptism of the Holy Spirit and here Jesus affirms that it will shortly be fulfilled in their presence.  [Read more…]

By Justin Randolph
Pastor of Zion Hill Baptist Church, Sevierville

Focal Passage: II Timothy 2:1-10

The other day my son brought home a science test with a score of 85 and a note that he could retake the exam with no penalty.  However, his response was measured.  He said, “I think I did good enough.”  People often respond in this way to tasks in their life from the important to the mundane.  Instead of making things the best they can, they often settle for making them merely good enough.   Believing in excellence and seeing no downside, I encouraged my son to study and retake the exam.  He did and made a perfect score. [Read more…]

By Justin Randolph
Pastor of Zion Hill Baptist Church, Sevierville

Focal Passage: Romans 10:1-3, 8b-13

I was in the Walmart checkout line recently, impatiently waiting my turn (don’t judge me), when I glanced at the shirt of the man in front of me. It made the observation that “only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you; Jesus Christ and the American soldier. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.”

While I had seen this quote before, it took on new meaning as I prepared for this Sunday School lesson. Most religions in the world, including the Jews of Paul’s day, are very zealous for their beliefs. At the core of these beliefs is the idea good works can earn one favor with God.  [Read more…]

By Justin Randolph
Pastor of Zion Hill Baptist Church, Sevierville

Focal Passage: Romans 5:6-11

I recently watched a team from Goodlettsville compete in the Little League World Series. They came up just short, but congratulations to them on a great season. One of the interesting things of note during the competition was the pitch count. This count restricted the young stars from pitching unnecessarily long games and perhaps injuring themselves in the process. This required a bit of strategy on the part of the coaches, because after 85 pitches, the player had to stop pitching no matter what the situation was in the game at the time.  [Read more…]