By Michael Koontz
Pastor, Pine Ridge Baptist Church, Harriman

Focal Passage: 1 Thessalonians 1:1–10

The point of this week’s lesson is, “Authentic joy flows from a relationship with Jesus.” As Christians, we need to understand, remember, and show this authentic joy to help us be the welcoming church. If we fail at being the welcoming church, we hinder one of the primary roles of the church which is to be the light.

The church is a lighthouse that will illuminate the path in our communities to our Savior Jesus Christ — the path for eternal life. [Read more…]

By Michael Koontz
Pastor, Pine Ridge Baptist Church, Harriman

Focal Passage: Luke 10:25-37

Loving God requires us to be intentional. Joel 2:12 tells us to turn to our Lord and to give Him our hearts. What decision will we make? Turning to Him must start with salvation. After salvation we must continue to be intentional in loving Him.  [Read more…]

By Michael Koontz
Pastor, Pine Ridge Baptist Church, Harriman

Focal Passage: Luke 10:25-37

Loving God requires us to be intentional. Joel 2:12 tells us to turn to our Lord and to give Him our hearts. What decision will we make? Turning to Him must start with salvation. After salvation we must continue to be intentional in loving Him. [Read more…]

By Michael Koontz
Pastor, Pine Ridge Baptist Church, Harriman

Focal Passage: James 2:1-10

“Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world.”

I learned that song early in life at my church in Indiana. Ms. Wanda and Ms. Angela would often sing it with us during children’s church. It’s a wonderful message that is from God’s Word. It is truth. [Read more…]

By Michael Koontz
Pastor, Pine Ridge Baptist Church, Harriman

Focal Passage: Titus 3:3–11

This week the author states “Our lives should serve as a welcome mat to the church.” How are we to be a welcome mat? What does that mean?

In our Scripture, Titus 3:3 reminds us of where we came from (lost sinners). We need to be the welcome mat because most of our communities don’t know Jesus. It’s easy to forget why we do what we do each week as a church. [Read more…]

By Kevin Ivy
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Tullahoma

Focal Passage: Nehemiah 8:9-12; 12:27-31a

As we have journeyed through this account by Nehemiah together we have been encountered with the absolute necessity of prayer (Nehemiah 1:1-11), the importance of wise planning (Nehemiah 2:1-8, 17-18), and the vital role persistence in the face of opposition plays in carrying out God’s plan (Nehemiah 4:1-3, 6-9, 14-18).  [Read more…]

By Kevin Ivy
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Tullahoma

Focal Passage: Nehemiah 6:1-3, 15-16; 8:1-3, 5-8

Sanballat and Tobiah had decided that since they could not prevent the building of the wall by harassment and the threat of war, they would try to stop the work with a lie. Their plan was to attempt to lure Nehemiah away from the work and into an “important” discussion. There was nothing to discuss in reality however. They simply wanted an opportunity to attack Nehemiah.  There was no other foreseeable way to stop the work than to take out the leader. Nehemiah recognized their plan and refused to step away from what God had commanded him to do in order to fraternize with the enemy.  [Read more…]

By Kevin Ivy
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Tullahoma

Focal Pasage: Nehemiah 5:1-13

Though the people were persevering in the midst of persecution, they had become fatigued by their hard labor on the city wall (Nehemiah 5:1-5). They were wearied by the constant harassment and threats of their enemies. Due to their poverty and trials, there was little hope. They cried out because they were having to mortgage their fields, vineyards and homes in order to get grain to eat and money to pay their taxes with.  [Read more…]

By Kevin Ivy
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Tullahoma

Focal Passage: Nehemiah 4:1-3, 6-9, 14-18

As we continue following the narrative of Nehemiah we quickly discover that doing God’s work brings opposition. Generally, we can please God or we can please men, but we usually cannot please both God and men. As we seek to follow, serve and please God we will inevitably illicit a response from the world and from the forces of darkness. God’s work will ignite ridicule and opposition (Nehemiah 4:1-3).   [Read more…]

By Kevin Ivy
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Tullahoma

Focal Passage: Nehemiah 2:1-8, 17-18

Nehemiah, who was deeply trusted by the king as his cupbearer, provided wine to the king as he had done time and time again before. Sadness was a dangerous emotion to express while in the king’s presence.The king expected his subjects to always be happy, even if they were not truly happy. The attitude of his subjects, especially those closest to him, reflected the well-being brought about by the king’s leadership. This time however, Nehemiah could not contain his sadness. The king, recognizing Nehemiah’s sad disposition, asked the dreaded question: Why is your face sad (2 Nehemiah 2:1-2)? [Read more…]