By Terry Kirby
Senior Pastor of Alpha Baptist Church, Morristown

Focal Passage: I John 5:6-13

It is believed that the purchase of the first life insurance policy can be traced back to London in 1583. The buyer’s name was William Gybbon. The seller’s name is not known but the beneficiary was Richard Martin. When Mr. Gybbon died, his claim was paid after a dispute was settled in court. [Read more…]

By Terry Kirby
Senior Pastor, Alpha Baptist Church, Morristown

Focal Passage: Psalm 89:1-2, 5-8, 15-18

The Bible says in II Timothy 3:16 that “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.” What does that mean? It means that every word of The Word of God is from God. God wants us to hide every word of it in our hearts. Most of God’s Word is God speaking to His called ones. He gave His people instructions, warnings, and prophesies among many other timeless words. Although written thousands of years ago, this truth continues to speak to us today. Among all of the books of the Bible Psalms is special and unique. Some people say that Psalms is a hymn book. In this study, we will take it a step further; it is God’s instructions on how His people are to praise Him. [Read more…]

By Randy Harmon
Pastor, Rock Springs Baptist Church, Greenbrier

Focal Passage: Luke 14:12-24

In Luke 14, Jesus participates in a conversation that had begun over 700 years earlier (Isaiah 25:6-9). While the religious elite are refusing to accept Jesus’ preaching of the Kingdom, spiritual outsiders are responding with faith and acceptance. To the Jews, this story would be inconceivable. [Read more…]

By Randy Harmon
Pastor, Rock Springs Baptist Church, Greenbrier

Focal Passage: Acts 4:31-37

I have often heard people associated with churches make statements like, “We need to get back to the church of Acts.”

That is an interesting concept, but it is chronologically impossible. We cannot travel backward in time. I do understand what is meant by this statement and appreciate the intent behind it. Though we cannot go back there, our churches may experience the same spirit and unity of purpose that made that first church so effective for the kingdom of God. There are several principles mentioned in this Scripture that can help lead us to (or back to) that same unity. [Read more…]

By Randy Harmon
Pastor, Rock Springs Baptist Church, Greenbrier

Focal Passage: Nehemiah 8:1-8

The Psalmist says in Psalm 119:11, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” The writer of Hebrews says of the Word of God, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

There has been discussion among our Southern Baptist family about revival lately. One of the important elements of genuine spiritual revival involves a return to God’s Word and a response to its divine truth. Not just talk, opinion, or even passion for God’s Word, but the labor intensive spiritual discipline of knowing, reading, studying, memorizing, and applying God’s Word. [Read more…]

By Randy Harmon
Pastor, Rock Springs Baptist Church, Greenbrier

Focal Passage: Revelation 2:1-7

The influence of the term, “Christian” seems to be decreasing in our culture. The word “Christian” describes a person who has come to God through Christ for salvation, but that seems to mean less in our world than it once did. Love for Christ is ever present in a true Christian, although, it can fluctuate in intensity. This is the issue for the church, in Ephesus, throughout history, and today. [Read more…]

By Randy Harmon
Pastor, Rock Springs Baptist Church, Greenbrier

Focal Passage: Jonah 1:1-3; 3:1-5, 10

This week’s lesson begins a new unit of study related to awakening and renewal. The story of Jonah exhibits renewal in the life of Jonah, and awakening among the people of Nineveh. I like to think of the story of Jonah as it relates to the greatest commandment. Jesus quotes the Old Testament law, and then challenges His followers to go one step further, “you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,” and “your neighbor as yourself,” (Luke 10:25-27).

Jonah is the story of Ninevite neighbors. All of us, if we are really honest, could think of at least one individual, or group of people, in our lives of whom we would say, “They don’t deserve to hear the good news of salvation.” That may be our own feeling, but it is NOT the feeling of God our Father. Peter says of Him, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) [Read more…]

By Randy Harmon
Pastor, Rock Springs Baptist Church, Greenbrier

Focal Passage: Joshua 22:11-12, 15-18, 26-27, 33-34

Some of us have a tendency to assume the worst. This can lead to misunderstanding and conflict. I have considered writing a book about some of the interesting disagreements that have happened in churches. In this account from the history of God’s people, an action that was intended as good led to the assumption that God’s law had been overlooked. The sons of Israel were concerned that the actions of the tribes east of the Jordan were going to bring judgment on the whole nation.

Jumping to conclusions (vv. 11-12). A well intentioned act on the part of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh was misunderstood by the rest of the sons of Israel. God had been very specific about worshipping false gods. Apparently a memorial had been set up near the west bank of the Jordan River (technically not the property of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh). [Read more…]