By Scott Brown
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Waverly

Focal Passage: Ephesians 2:11-22

Nothing can distract, discourage, and destroy, bringing God’s work in a church to a grinding halt like senseless division. In fact, the presence of ongoing, unending, and intentional division in a fellowship is a fairly clear indicator of the absence of prayer, the Holy Spirit’s power and presence, or purpose. [Read more…]

By Scott Brown
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Waverly

Focal Passage: Ephesians 2:1-10

Paul takes the time here to outline clearly our desperate need of Jesus and the importance of His grace as the root of our salvation. He contends that, apart from Christ, we were not just sick in sin but dead in our trespasses. We were entirely helpless and utterly hopeless apart from Christ.

Being made alive in Christ is not a picture of mere resuscitation but one of total resurrection. Grace is not the spiritual equivalent of the “take a penny” dishes in convenience stores that help you make a dollar out of 98 cents. [Read more…]

By Scott Brown
First Baptist Church, Waverly.

Focal Passage: Ephesians 1:15-23 

It’s nice to be thought of. A thoughtful note, an e-mail, or just a quick text can really change your day. Paul was reminding the Ephesian believers that they were on his mind and in his heart. 

He wanted them to know they were prayed for. Paul is enduring his first imprisonment for proclaiming King Jesus, and rather than waste his time he spends it praying and encouraging believers to proclaim Jesus even more. [Read more…]

By Scott Brown
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Waverly.

Focal Passage: Ephesians 1:3-14

This passage is a beautiful statement revealing each member of the perichoresis of God at work in salvation and our blessed receipt of that work. This beginning passage of Ephesians establishes that each person of the Triune Godhead is fluidly and actively working interdependently in our salvation. 

The Father, having predestined the gift of salvation according to His good pleasure, established the plan before the foundation of the world that all who would come to Him would do so only through His Son. [Read more…]

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

Focal Passage: Titus 3:1-11

Found throughout the pages of the New Testament is the glorious truth and simple fact that nobody meets Jesus and stays the same. A crazed demoniac, living in the shadows of the tombs, an outcast Samaritan woman of questionable character and even a zealous religious Pharisee on the Damascus road, all became living testimonies of this truth. All of these had a personal faith encounter with Jesus Christ and as a result their lives were forever changed. [Read more…]

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

Focal Passage: Titus 2:1-15

In today’s focal passage (Titus 2:1-15), Paul presents a level of godly expectations, not only for church leaders but for all believers. According to Charles Ray, “The goal of his instructions was for believers to be above reproach (v. 5), to preempt opponents from having reasons to accuse believers (v. 8), and to make the gospel inviting to the world (v. 10).”

Paul begins chapter two with a contrasting exhortation for Titus (v. 1) “but as for you.” The words that Paul continues to write in chapter two are in direct contrast to the words of Titus 1:16.  Paul instructs Titus to be different.  [Read more…]

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

Focal Passage: Titus 1:1-5, 10-16

Are you familiar with the term “smokejumper?” A smokejumper is a highly trained firefighter who specializes in fighting wildfires.  Often, they must parachute into rugged and remote areas to provide a frontline defense against raging wildfires. Upon examination of a young pastor named Titus, I believe he could have been given the title “pastoral smokejumper!”

Just like the U.S. Forest Service Smokejumpers, Titus on more than one occasion, was given the assignment of being a frontline firefighter, fighting against the fires of false teachers and false doctrine (II Corinthians 7:6-16, Titus 1:5, 10-16). [Read more…]

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

Focal Passage: II Timothy 3:12-17; 4:1-8

I grew up in Town Creek, Ala., a small town in northwest Alabama. My dad was a sharecropper and construction laborer. His formal education was completed in the sixth grade.  Although lacking in formal education he was a wealth of wisdom for my brothers and me. One important truth he taught us was to always “hoe out your row.” When you start hoeing a row you don’t stop until it’s finished. It doesn’t matter how hot the sun gets or how long the row looks — “hoe out your row!” Don’t stop until it is finished.

In today’s lesson, Paul is writing encouraging Timothy to “hoe out his row.” Young Timothy will face difficult times and many hardships as he serves the Lord and ministers to the church.  Paul is exhorting and encouraging him to faithfulness in life and ministry (II Timothy 3:12-13).  Paul instructs Timothy to continue in the truth, preaching and teaching it just as he himself had been taught from childhood (vv. 14-15). [Read more…]

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

Focal Passage: II Timothy 2:14-26

In today’s passage, II Timothy 2:14-26, Paul continues to address the problem of false teachers spreading false doctrine within the church at Ephesus. He begins in verse 14 with the words, “remind them of these things.”

In reference to “these things” Paul is no doubt calling attention to the preceding verses in II Timothy 2, but he is also addressing the entirety of his writings to Timothy concerning his handling of false teachers and false doctrine. [Read more…]

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

Focal Passage: II Timothy 2:1-13

Paul begins chapter two with an imperative yet loving command for Timothy to be strong and to remain strong in the faith (II Timothy 2:1). Unlike those of chapter one that have “turned away” Timothy is instructed by the present passive imperative to “be strong,” and “keep on being strong,” strengthened by God’s grace to live faithfully and fulfill His calling. While many are turning away from the faith, Timothy is commanded to be strong and stay strong.

In verse two, Paul gives Timothy and the church a beautiful picture of discipleship. It is critical that Timothy understands his responsibility not only to preach, teach, and live the Word but also to invest into the lives of other faithful men who will in turn be faithful in teaching others.  [Read more…]