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

Focal Passage: Habakkuk 1:1-6, 12-13; 2:1-4

Have you ever found yourself in a situation you thought was bad, and suddenly you hear it is going to get worse? Maybe it was a sickness turned deadly. Maybe you discovered the job is about to be “phased out.” Maybe your troubled kid turns up in jail. Whatever the predicament is, the outlook is bleak. Then you are like Habakkuk; a man who carried a burden of the suffering of his people.

Habakkuk had questions for God. Not merely questions but complaints. He wanted to know why things were falling apart around him. When Habakkuk considered his surroundings, violence and oppression were everywhere. Strife was ongoing and conflict was escalating. Israel was tearing itself apart from the inside. Wickedness was having a “field day” and it looked like true justice was gone. In the midst of this terrible situation God announces to Habakkuk that things are going to get worse. God is going to use the pagan Chaldeans to enact destruction on Israel. The Chaldeans are swift, merciless, and proud. But they will be allowed to wreak havoc on the people of God. [Read more…]

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

Focal Passage: Zechariah 13:1-9

Have you ever found yourself in a place hazardous to your health? Maybe it is an unsafe neighborhood, an emotionally unhealthy job, or just someplace you feel you are in imminent physical danger. Then you in some small way can identify with the false prophets in Zechariah’s day. God was cleansing the house of David from sin and impurity and if you found yourself on the side of unrighteousness you were running for cover. False prophets were lying about their occupation, hiding evidence of their craft, and even their own parents would turn on them. These prophets were being judged for their deception; making way for God to enact His own refining work on the people of God. [Read more…]

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

Focal Passage: Luke 24:19-35

Many people have experienced the anticipation of waiting for something. As a child I did not receive presents at just any time. I had to wait for either my birthday or Christmas for something I wanted. Being a young one this seemed like eternity. As an adult I have also experienced the longings for a certain job or spouse. Results did not seem to come quickly. [Read more…]

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

Focal Passage: Luke 24:1-12

The resurrection of Jesus is essential to the Christian faith. The hope of all the followers of Christ hinges on this being true. Jesus spoke often about the events that must transpire in order for Him to complete His mission. The resurrection early that Sunday morning is Jesus coming through on His promise. [Read more…]

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…]