Explore the Bible Archives - Baptist & Reflector

JUN. 16: SETTING THE EXAMPLE

June 10, 2019

Mickey D. Brackin
Senior Pastor, Mars Hill Baptist Church, Lawrenceburg

Focal Passage: I Timothy 3:1-13

Sitting in a classroom at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary over three decades ago I heard some words that were forever etched in my mind.

These words were stated by a professor who simply said, “Who you are thunders so loudly I can’t hear what you say!” In that one sentence, he was helping those future church leaders understand the importance of their own personal example in the context of church leadership. [Read more…]

JUN. 9: ON MISSION

June 3, 2019

Mickey D. Brackin
Senior Pastor, Mars Hill Baptist Church, Lawrenceburg

Focal Passage: I Timothy 2:1-15

I sit at the study table in the quietness of the early morning praying and pondering about how to write this lesson, trusting God for the words to write while understanding that I Timothy two confronts us with various topics where often preachers and, in this case, writers may fear to tread.

The beauty of truly “Exploring the Bible” is that it does not allow us to casually or comfortably pass over select passages of Scripture. We sometimes find ourselves addressing passages that have long been debated by scholars and students alike. [Read more…]

JUN. 9: DEBORAH – ENCOURAGING FAITH

June 3, 2019

By Mike Kemper
Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church, Dyer

Focal Passage: Judges 4:1-9; 5:1-5

Sooner or later we all face some of life’s challenges. The question is not, will battles come? But, when will they come? How can believers prepare? We need a biblical perspective, rather than an emotional or logical response. Deborah demonstrated encouraging and influential faith in the midst of catastrophic events.

God had brought His people into the Promised Land under the leadership of Joshua. However, this new generation had not understood the power of God or their agreement with God. The result was weakness as the people drifted away from God, so God turned them over to King Jabin of Canaan, whose pagan commander, Sisera, had 900 iron chariots, and for 20 years they were “harshly oppressed.” [Read more…]

JUN. 2: ENTRUSTED

May 28, 2019

Mickey D. Brackin
Senior Pastor, Mars Hill Baptist Church, Lawrenceburg

Focal Passage: I Timothy 1:3-17

During the next few weeks we will be looking at First Timothy, Second Timothy and Titus. These books are often referred to as the “pastoral epistles” because of their emphasis on church leaders and church leadership. These books were written with a distinct personal touch of love and affection from the aging apostle Paul to his two sons of the faith, Timothy and Titus (I Timothy 1:2, Titus 1:4). The message presented from these letters, although personal and specific, still speaks to every generation.

In I Timothy, chapter one, Paul wrote words of instruction, as well as, encouragement to the young church leader Timothy. Under Paul’s direction, Timothy had been placed in Ephesus to guide and lead the church in truth. By Paul’s words it is evident that false teachers with false doctrines were rising in the church. [Read more…]

MAY 26: LIVES

May 20, 2019

By Chris Chambers
Pastor, Brush Creek Baptist Church, Brush Creek

Focal Passage: Mark 15:42-47; 16:1-8

In Mark 15 we are told of the death and burial of Jesus Christ. His death occurred during a dark time over the earth and brought an even darker time to those who followed him. Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the Jewish Sanhedrin, boldly requested the body and forever marked himself out as a follower of Christ. [Read more…]

MAY 19: PREPARES

May 13, 2019

By Chris Chambers
Pastor, Brush Creek Baptist Church, Brush Creek

Focal Passage: Mark 14:3-11; 32-36

The disciples were not ready for this. Jesus had taken them to the same garden they had been to multiple times. He had gone off with Peter, James, and John.

The next thing they know, a mob is approaching, and leading the way is one of their own, Judas. [Read more…]

MAY 12: PROMISES

May 6, 2019

By Chris Chambers
Pastor, Brush Creek Baptist Church, Brush Creek

Focal Passage: Mark 13:24-37

Have you ever noticed a child who has been promised something for their birthday or Christmas? How about when that child has been promised a trip somewhere? The anticipation is almost too much for the child and sometimes it is too much for the parent. “How many more days until (fill in the blank)?” “Are we there yet?” Have you ever seen a child who was disappointed because the promise wasn’t fulfilled? Maybe the cost was too much, the product sold out, or the weather for a trip didn’t cooperate. The promise that was made had to be broken. [Read more…]

MAY 5: PURIFIES

April 29, 2019

By Chris Chambers
Pastor, Brush Creek Baptist Church, Brush Creek

Focal Passage: Mark 11:15-19; 12:41-44

In Mark 11, Jesus enters Jerusalem on the back of a donkey with a large crowd cheering for Him and welcoming Him. What were their motives? Were they welcoming the true Messiah or, were they welcoming a miracle worker? Were they welcoming a political deliverer from their current status as citizens of Rome?

Jesus then cleanses the temple. He throws out the ones buying and selling and turns over the tables of the money changers. We see a different side of Jesus. We usually see a compassionate and merciful rabbi, but this episode shows us an angry and animated man. However, there was no sin in what He did. His motives were pure. There was sin and corruption in His Father’s house that needed to be dealt with. So, He dealt with it. [Read more…]

APR. 28: SERVES

April 22, 2019

By Chris Chambers
Pastor, Brush Creek Baptist Church, Brush Creek

Focal Passage: Mark 10:35-45

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

Jesus came as a servant. He did not come the first time to be exalted or worshiped. He came to serve. Hebrews 2:9 says we “see Jesus — made lower than the angels for a short time so that by God’s grace he might taste death for everyone.” Philippians 2:7 says He “emptied Himself by assuming the form of a servant.” What does someone who serves look like? They look like Jesus. [Read more…]

APR. 21: SAVES

April 16, 2019

By Chris Chambers
Pastor, Brush Creek Baptist Church, Brush Creek

Focal Passage: Mark 15:27-39

When I see the word “saves” I think of the ninth inning of a baseball game. If the game is close by one or two runs, the team in the lead will typically bring in their closer to try and get the “save.” The closer is in the game to save, or preserve the lead.

Jesus does so much more than that. We are not in the lead when He saves us. We are not even close to being in the lead. Ephesians 2:1 says, “And you were dead in your trespasses and sins.” [Read more…]

Recent Posts

Tags

Categories