By Brent Moore
Pastor to Adults, First Baptist Church, Clarksville

Focal Passage: Zechariah 8:1-8; 9:9-12

J.R.R. Tolkien wrote a book turned into a movie called Return of the King. The premise of the book is a king must rise up from a certain blood line to defeat evil and bring peace to Middle Earth (fictional place in Tolkien’s works). In the book a king does take his rightful place on the throne, rallies the troops, and turns back the tide of evil. He does so riding a warhorse with soldiers behind him. These images are similar to the final days depicted in the book of Revelation. [Read more…]

By Brent Moore
Pastor to adults, First Baptist Church, Clarksville

Focal Passage: Obadiah 1:1-4, 10-17

Obadiah is a tiny book dedicated to the judgment of the Edomites. As such it does not begin or end on a positive note for Edom. The book is an opportunity to see both a warning for destruction and a lesson on guarding your heart “lest you too shall fall.” [Read more…]

By Brent Moore
Pastor to Adults, First Baptist Church, Clarksville

Focal Passage: Zephaniah 3:8-17

This section in Zephaniah begins with waiting on the Lord. But it is not a calm waiting like a person on a retreat in the woods hoping to hear from God. It is more like a soldier on the ground under attack waiting for airstrikes to blow out the enemy. [Read more…]

By Brent Moore
Pastor to Adults, First Baptist Church, Clarksville

Focal Passage: Zephaniah 1:1-11

Everyone will be held accountable. That can be both a comforting and terrifying statement depending on where you are in life. It is comforting if you realize no one will escape the gaze and justice of God. The unfair boss, the back stabbing friend, or the abuser will have their deeds brought to light. It can be terrifying if you comprehend there is a sinner at play here and the sinner is me. [Read more…]

By Brent Moore
Pastor to Adults, First Baptist Church, Clarksville

Focal Passage: Nahum 1:1-8

As teachers of the Bible we want to be helpful to those under our hearing. Often, we rush to practical application in a text without highlighting the truths of who God is. Nahum is clear in this text that God is jealous, sovereign, good, and just. Our job as instructors is to put God on display. The Bible is extremely practical, but the practical application often flows from mediation on the glory, wonder, and beauty of who God is.

When we teach children, we do not rush to practical application. We tell stories about God that brings to remembrance who He is and what He has done. As adults we should still be captivated by the character of God. It would do our hearts well to meditate on the attributes of who this God is. We then should link the attributes of God to biblical stories that highlight those specific aspects. [Read more…]

By J.D. Davis
Senior Pastor, Dublin Baptist Church, Dublin, OH

Focal Passage: Nehemiah 10:28-39

This week’s lesson marks the end of our study in Nehemiah. We have seen Nehemiah handle opposition and call the Jewish people to obey the Old Testament law. This week’s lesson focuses upon the Jewish people making a commitment to keep the commands of God. Together, the people make a sworn oath to follow the Law. It is an intense time of commitment and obedience. [Read more…]

By J.D. Davis
Senior Pastor, Dublin Baptist Church, Dublin, OH

Focal Passage: Nehemiah 9:32-37

One of the amazing things about my children is their memory. They do not seem to hear me when I remind them of their chores, but let me forget to do something they wanted to do and I am immediately met by “But Dad, you promised.” They remember my promises and do not hesitate to remind me when they are in danger of not being met. [Read more…]

By J.D. Davis
Senior Pastor, Dublin Baptist Church, Dublin, OH

Focal Passage: Nehemiah 8:1-12

I was taught the FAITH evangelism strategy in Auburn, Ala., almost 20 years ago. I went because my church was planning on making it their method of outreach and since I was on staff, it was a good idea that I be trained in it. I did not go because I wanted to learn more about evangelism, and to be honest, I had not done a lot of evangelism. I was intimidated and uncertain concerning this week of training. I smile now, remembering how that week of training changed my life and equipped me to share my faith. [Read more…]

By J.D. Davis
Senior Pastor, Dublin Baptist Church, Dublin, OH

Focal Passage: Nehemiah 7:1-8

I have had the privilege of being a part of helping to start two new churches. I have arrived early on Sunday morning and set up folding chairs in a gym for the morning worship and stayed to take them down and put them away. There were a lot of inconveniences along the way, but there was also a special sense of excitement and fellowship. With both those churches, the first Sunday in a permanent building was a spiritual milestone. [Read more…]

By J.D. Davis
Senior Pastor, Dublin Baptist Church, Dublin, OH

Focal Passage: Nehemiah 6:1-19

We enjoy the great benefits of digital resources and the Internet. I can do Bible research in a fraction of the time. I can quickly copy and paste any valuable information into my document and mark its source with ease. I can communicate with other ministers and missionaries quickly through e-mail and social media. It has made work and personal connections easier. However, there is a negative aspect to the Internet, e-mail, and social media. The attacks and rumors have become more frequent and harder to resolve. [Read more…]