By Randy Harmon
Pastor, Rock Springs Baptist Church, Greenbrier

Focal Passage: Joshua 7:13-15, 19-21, 25-26; 8:1

I remember those days playing high school football when occasionally the whole team was required to run extra laps because of the infraction of one player. At the time this didn’t always seem “fair.” However, at this stage of life I understand the team mentality our coaches were trying to instill in us. Our actions as individuals do affect others. Especially when it comes to Kingdom living. This event in the life of God’s people is a stark reminder of our corporate responsibility. It also teaches us that failure needn’t stall us toward our purpose. Through God’s grace and mercy we can deal with failure and keep moving forward. [Read more…]

By Randy Harmon
Pastor, Rock Springs Baptist Church, Greenbrier

Focal Passage: Joshua 6:1-5, 12-16, 20

Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” It is a reminder that our own wisdom is limited and flawed. God, when He works, tends to do things in a way that brings glory to Himself. The battle plan God reveals to His people for the conquest of Jericho is unconventional to say the least. God’s plan builds trust in Him. Those who obey will see Him work in unexpected ways for His glory!

God was already at work, v. 1. God’s reputation and power through His people preceded their arrival in the land. Apparently, Jericho had heard about God’s work and because of fear the city was “tightly shut.” When you are living in opposition to God, and understand His power, fear is an appropriate response. Many in our world would rather attempt to shut God out instead of invite Him in. Once again, God was at work long before His servants arrived. [Read more…]

By Randy Harmon
Pastor, Rock Springs Baptist Church, Greenbrier

Focal Passage: Joshua 3:7-17

There is an old gospel song titled, “I Won’t Have to Cross Jordan Alone.” It is a song about entering Glory at life’s end, but its premise is true for Joshua. He was able to enter into the Promised Land, not under his own power, but by the power of God who exalted, empowered, and enabled him.

In those cases when God leads us to do the impossible, He will also empower and enable us as He is exalted through our obedience. [Read more…]

By Randy Harmon
Pastor, Rock Springs Baptist Church, Greenbrier

Focal Passage: Joshua 1:1-9

Oswald Sanders said, “Simply stated, leadership is the ability to move and influence people.”

You may question your role as a leader, but followers of Christ, are called to be used by Him to move and influence people. The Lord calls us salt and light. The Apostle Paul, Peter, and John remind us of our important role as priests, a chosen people, and the dwelling place of God (I Peter 2:5, 9; Ephesians 2:20-22; Revelation 1:6, 3:10). [Read more…]

By Jay McCluskey
Pastor, North Cleveland Baptist Church, Cleveland

Focal Passage: Romans 14:1-4, 13-19

My father tells a sermon illustration about a man who did not know the meaning of the word “ancestor.” When someone told this man that he had “ancestors” he thought it was some disease or parasite. Consequently, he would swear that he DID NOT have “ancestors” (though certainly he did).

The topic of Romans 14 is another word which may cause an initial aversion: “scruples.” You initially might think that you do not have “scruples.” But like we all have “ancestors,” we also all have “scruples.”

The dictionary defines scruples as “a feeling of doubt or hesitation with regard to the propriety of a course of action.” In other words, a scruple is a sense of conviction or preference about how things should be done. Everyone possesses persuasions about the better way to cook, clean, do construction, drive a stick shift, and countless other items.

One of the places scruples show up is in church. Of course there are items upon which it is essential all Christians be “on the same page.” These include the sovereignty of God, the sufficiency of grace, the inspiration of Scripture, and the divinity of Jesus. [Read more…]

By Jay McCluskey
Pastor, North Cleveland Baptist Church, Cleveland

Focal Passage: Philippians 2:1-5, 13-15

The essentials to maintaining a healthy physical body are familiar. Doctors, physical trainers, and nutritionists agree with the basic components: Eat a balanced diet covering all the needed vitamins and minerals, exercise, drink plenty of fluids, and get a good night’s sleep. But what is essential to maintain good health as the body of Christ? Paul tells us in Philippians 2:3:

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (Philippians 2:3, NIV).

The key to congregational health is “humility.” Regrettably, “humility” can be associated with “weakness.” This is an unfortunate misconception. Biblical humility is not a poor self-image that denies our talent or accomplishments. Instead, it is a wholesome self-understanding that is strong enough to make a deliberate commitment to others’ welfare. [Read more…]

By Brent Moore
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Clarksville

Focal Passage: Malachi 1:1-11

Have you ever been in a relationship with someone who knows exactly what you are thinking? The intimacy is so close they ask questions even when they already know the answers. This friend uses questions to extract the truth of your peril so that you may see the point. When your soul is laid bare, these “wounds of a friend” have a greater purpose. The intent is to be a friend pointing to the true hope.

God is like a true friend in the book of Malachi. He asks rhetorical questions for the purpose of rebuke or instruction, ultimately revealing the hope found in the Lord of Hosts. [Read more…]

By Jay McCluskey
Pastor, North Cleveland Baptist Church, Cleveland

Focal Passage: Matthew 18:21-28, 32-33

Today’s Bible Study applies to everybody. It does not matter if you are 4 years old or 104. Everyone knows the experience of being hurt by someone else. Often it is just your feelings that are wounded. But we also can experience damage financially and physically at the hands of another person. As a young preacher I was counseled to remember that there was a broken heart in every pew and that much of this pain is inflicted by others. Therefore, the topic of forgiveness is universally relevant. [Read more…]

By Jay McCluskey
Pastor, North Cleveland Baptist Church, Cleveland

Focal Passage: Acts 9:26-28, 11:21-26

Like a lot of folks, the name by which I am called is not my real name. From birth, my parents referred to me by the nickname “Jay.” Few people would recognize me by my legal name. Today’s Bible lesson is about a man whose formal name was “Joseph.” But he is much better known by his nickname “Barnabas.” In fact, of the 30 times he is mentioned in the New Testament, only once is he not called “Barnabas.” [Read more…]

By Jay McCluskey
Pastor, North Cleveland Baptist Church, Cleveland

Focal Passage: John 15:9-14

In 1984 the musical band “Foreigner” declared “I want to know what love is! I want you to show me!” Those two statements can be thought of as a prayer. We certainly long to know what love is. Who better to show us than the Lord Himself? In this passage, Jesus helps His disciples know how to recognize love.

Love looks like obedience. “If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, (John 15:10). Love is not a mere feeling, though it certainly will stir feelings within you. Rather, love is an act of the will. Oswald Sanders affirmed this when he wrote, “We are each as close to God as we choose to be.” It is a voluntary decision to obey. While we can be forced by suppression into compliance, genuine love freely chooses ongoing obedience. [Read more…]