By Travis Biller
Pastor, Immanuel Baptist Church, Elizabethton

Focal Passage: Proverbs 14:8-15 

When Jesus stood before Pilate, Pilate asked the question, “What is truth?” (John 18:38). He asked this in response to Jesus’ claim, “Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice” (John 18:37). Pilate demonstrated an unwise heart.

As a result, he was unable to hear the voice of God. He was looking truth in the face and denied Him. Jesus was trying to open his eyes with His statement. We serve such an amazing God. Even while a prisoner, Jesus was seeking to give His captor the grace needed to be saved. [Read more…]

By Travis Biller
Pastor, Immanuel Baptist Church, Elizabethton

Focal Passage: Proverbs 8:6-21 

We love rags to riches stories. It cheers our heart to see a person born into adversity only to make it big. Our text reveals just such a situation.

In Proverbs 8:1-21 we see wisdom calling simple ones, and to those who answer we see their station in life elevated.

In the opening verses of chapter eight, wisdom is standing in the public square calling out with all her might. We read, “Does not wisdom cry out, and understanding lift up her voice?” (Prov. 8:1). [Read more…]

By Travis Biller
Pastor, Immanuel Baptist Church, Elizabethton

Focal Passage: Proverbs 5:3-11, 15-18 

We live in a very permissive society. Sexual immorality has swept across the land. The porn industry is a multi-billion dollar a year business. That’s billion with a “B.” Both men and women have been swept up into the spirit of the age concerning sexuality. Unfortunately, very few have not felt its effects. In such an environment, it is easy to forget that in God’s eyes, sexual sin is a serious matter. [Read more…]

By Travis Biller
Pastor, Immanuel Baptist Church, Elizabethton

Focal Passage: Proverbs 4:11-27 

Parenting can be a challenging occupation. Not the least of which is because children are curious. However, their curiosity can get them into trouble.

They want to explore and can find themselves engaged in foolish activity that can bring harm to themselves. As Solomon addresses his children, and by extension, as God addresses His children, he wants them to understand that the choices they make can lead to great blessings or to great tragedy. Therefore, as a parent, Solomon tells his son, “I have taught you in the way of wisdom, I have led you in the right paths … [now] take firm hold of instruction and do not let go” (Proverbs 4:11, 13). [Read more…]

By Travis Biller
Pastor, Immanuel Baptist Church, Elizabethton

Focal Passage: Proverbs 3:21-35 

Wealth. It is something that people pursue every day. From simply going to work to pay the bills, to building corporations that span the globe and generate billions of dollars. From our earliest days we learn that, to some degree, we must spend our time pursuing wealth.

Unfortunately, the pursuit of such wealth can distract us from what is most valuable in life. In our text, Solomon is teaching his son where true wealth can be found. [Read more…]

By Travis Biller
Pastor, Immanuel Baptist Church, Elizabethton

Focal Passage: Proverbs 3:1-12 

Life is a journey. As we travel the road of life, we discover that the journey can be long, arduous, and sometimes confusing. There are many signposts along the way; but if those signposts do not originate with the Lord, they will serve only to misdirect us. As Solomon speaks to his son about navigating the journey of life, he gives clear directions. He greatly desires that his son’s journey ends at the right destination. [Read more…]

By Travis Biller
Pastor, Immanuel Baptist Church, Elizabethton

Focal Passage: Proverbs 1:7-19 

The poet Robert Frost once wrote, “Two roads diverged in a wood, and / I took the one less traveled by / And that has made all the difference.”

As we begin a new study in the book of Proverbs, we are encouraged to walk in the path of wisdom. To walk in wisdom is to take the road less traveled. Jesus said it this way, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). [Read more…]