Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
By Jay McCluskey
Pastor, North Cleveland Baptist Church, Cleveland
Focal Passage: Acts 1:3-11
We spend a lot of time waiting. We wait in line at the post office or “check out” lane of the grocery store. We wait to see the doctor or dentist. We wait “on hold” to speak on the telephone to someone in customer service. We wait to get on a ride at an amusement park. We wait in traffic. [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 Jay McCluskey
Pastor, North Cleveland Baptist Church, Cleveland
Focal Passage: Matthew 28:1-10
On June 2, 2008 Michael O’Neill of Middlesbrough, England, decided to take a last minute trip to Australia to visit a friend. He did not tell anyone of his plans. When his neighbors, who had not seen him in several days, grew worried, they called the police. The police broke down the door of his apartment only to find no sign of O’Neill nor any indication of where he went. Weeks later, with no further evidence, a death notice for Michael O’Neill appeared in the local paper. O’Neill arrived back home on Aug. 11 to find his front door mysteriously smashed. For several days, wherever he went, people grabbed hold of him saying, “I thought you were dead!” [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…]
By Jay McCluskey
Pastor, North Cleveland Baptist Church, Cleveland
Focal Passage: Matthew 27:28-31, 45-50, 54
“On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, The emblem of suff’ring and shame; And I love that old cross where the dearest and best, For a world of lost sinners was slain.
“So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, Till my trophies at last I lay down; I will cling to the old rugged cross, And exchange it some day for a crown” George Bennard (1873–1958). [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 Jay McCluskey
Pastor, North Cleveland Baptist Church, Cleveland
Focal Passage: Mark 1:21-22; 10:17-22
Today’s lesson is about one of the famous “unnamed” people in the Bible.” Not knowing his name, we refer to him as “the rich young ruler.” This title combines the characteristics describing him in the first three gospels.
Mark and Matthew say he was rich (Mark 10:23, Matthew 19:22). Matthew says he was young (Matthew 19:20).Luke says he was a ruler (Luke 18:18). [Read more…]
By Jay McCluskey
Pastor, North Cleveland Baptist Church, Cleveland
Focal Passage: Mark 4:35-41
A little tune from the musical drama “The King and I” offers this counsel for the times when you are afraid:
“Whenever I feel afraid I hold my head erect
“And whistle a happy tune so no one will suspect
“I’m afraid.” [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…]
