Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
By J.D. Davis
Senior Pastor, Dublin Baptist Church, Dublin, OH
Focal Passage: Ezra 3:1-7;10-11; 6:19-22
Corporate worship is a vital part of a believer’s life. Most all of us gather every Sunday to worship God for who He is and what He has done for us. The Jewish nation in Ezra chapter 3 is no different, however, they lacked the dedicated place and items that defined their worship of God. Rebuilding the altar and the temple are monumental acts of devotion and dedication. [Read more…]
By Randall Pressnell
Senior Pastor, Oak Grove Baptist Church, Mount Carmel
Focal Passage: Psalm 42:1-3, 6-8; 43:3-5
H.J. Duffy told a funny story in the Christian Reader. “While traveling in Wyoming, we stopped at a garage for minor car repairs. As we waited, my wife spotted a drinking fountain. When she pushed the button, water shot over her shoulder splashing against the wall. She tried again, pushing the button gently and regulating the flow before she drank. This time, as she raised her head, she noticed a crudely lettered sign on the wall: Old Faceful.” I couldn’t help but think that sometimes when we are thirsty — life gives us another face full of pain. [Read more…]
By J.D. Davis
Senior Pastor, Dublin Baptist Church, Dublin, OH
Focal Passage: Luke 2:8-20
There is deep inside every person a universal need to find inner peace. It is a peace that provides direction and satisfies the desire for our lives to have purpose. For centuries philosophers have wrestled with the deeper meaning of life, and how the soul finds peace. It is one of the great quests of life. [Read more…]
By Randall Pressnell
Senior Pastor, Oak Grove Baptist Church, Mount Carmel
Focal Passage: Psalm 32:1-7
In August 2014, Esquire magazine ran an article about the fallout from the cheating scandal that ended the “career and the endorsements for the world’s most successful cyclist.” According to the article the individual has commendably been busy trying to make amends to those he hurt but still “hasn’t experienced the liberating power of forgiveness.” [Read more…]
By J.D. Davis
Senior Pastor, Dublin Baptist Church, Dublin, OH
Focal Passage: Esther 4:6-17
I am sure that you are familiar with the statement “To be in the world, but not of the world,” but have you ever thought about what that really means. Last week, we saw how Mordecai made his stand by not bowing to Haman. This week’s Sunday School lesson centers on Esther making her stand by pleading with the King to obtain deliverance for her people, the Jews. Esther makes her stand in the world of Persian royalty, a very different world from the one she grew up in. She was in her Persian royal world, but she was not of that world. [Read more…]
By Randall Pressnell
Senior Pastor, Oak Grove Baptist Church, Mount Carmel
Focal Passage: Psalm 27:1-6
Charles Haddon Spurgeon said that any man can sing in the daytime but that only the man of faith can sing in the night. David was certainly a man who was accustomed to singing in darkness! He experienced time and again in his life the attacks of those who wanted to destroy him and send him to an early grave. If you wanted to be David’s enemy —you had better get in line behind all the others who were after him. Yet, David had complete confidence in God’s salvation. He took shelter in God’s salvation from all the personal attacks on his life. [Read more…]
By Randall Pressnell
Senior Pastor, Oak Grove Baptist Church, Mount Carmel
Focal Passage: Psalm 23:1-6
The late Herschel H. Hobbs shared the story of a ship caught in the grips of a storm at sea. The terrified passengers thought there was no hope for survival. Then one of the passengers decided to go up on the bridge. When he saw the captain — he regained his peace and calm. The captain’s face was beaten by the wind and rain but his hands held the helm firmly. He had a smile on his face as he held the ship on its course! Similarly, God has His hands firmly in control of the stormy seas of our contemporary life. We find our shelter from life’s storms in His presence! [Read more…]
By J.D. Davis
Senior Pastor, Dublin Baptist Church, Dublin, OH
Focal Passage: Esther 3:1-9
Sooner or later we all make a public spectacle of ourselves. Regardless of our intentions, we do something in public that is embarrassing or cannot be hidden. But have you ever intentionally made a public spectacle of yourself for the cause of Christ? This passage from Esther for this week’s Sunday School lesson gives the account of Mordecai refusing to bow before Haman. Because of his convictions and allegiance to the Lord, Mordecai intentionally makes a public spectacle of himself.
Mordecai makes his stand at the king’s gate, one of the most public venues of his day. He also offends Haman, a man full of pride who despises the Jews already. However, Mordecai chooses to make a public spectacle by refusing to bow to Haman. [Read more…]
By Chuck Williams
Pastor of First Baptist Church, Covington
Focal Passage: Hebrews 13:1-8
Whenever a pilot gets ready for takeoff there are standard procedures he must follow. If the proper preparations have not taken place, he and his passengers are at great risk. The pilot has spent years studying, testing, and training in order to navigate his craft properly.
The first 12 chapters of Hebrews are similar to the pilot’s preparation. These chapters give the readers a doctrinal foundation to stand on. Now it’s time for them to put it into practice; spread their wings and fly in the power of the Holy Spirit. In effect, the writer is saying “As you go out into God’s blue yonder these are some practical things that will be worked out in your journey.” [Read more…]
By David Taft
Minister, First Baptist Church, Hermitage
Editor’s Note: The last lesson in this series is written by David Taft, minister, First Baptist Church, Hermitage.
Focal Passage: II Corinthians 1:2-7
Society acknowledges illness and pain as “real” and needing attention. Doctors identify illness and pain in legitimate terms. Yet one illness still bears the stigma, fear, and ignorance by many in the public, and within the family alike — mental illness. My grandfather suffered for years with depression and others I have known, loved, and served suffered with temporary or long-term bouts of mental illness. [Read more…]
