Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
March 6, 2023
By Justin TerrellSenior pastor, First Baptist Church, DandridgeFocal Passage: John 12:20-33 One of the great privileges we had while serving in a previous church was a missional partnership in Haiti. We would send ministry teams at least once a year to serve in one of the most impoverished places in the world, both materially and […]
March 6, 2023
By Kevin ShrumPastor, Inglewood Baptist Church, NashvilleFocal Passage: John 5:2-11, 19-21 Words like restoration, restitution and reparations are “hot topic words” these days. Often, they are used in ways that are harmful and unrealistic. At other times, they are mocked as impossible goals. These words have been politicized. Though Jesus seemed to be uninterested in […]
February 27, 2023
By Justin TerrellSenior pastor, First Baptist Church, DandridgeFocal Passage: John 12:1-11 Not long after we married, my wife and I quickly discovered the value of looking at the weekly supermarket circular before heading to the store to buy groceries. It was astounding to see how much money we would save by simply planning meals around […]
February 27, 2023
By Kevin ShrumPastor, Inglewood Baptist Church, NashvilleFocal Passage: John 4:7-18; 25-26 Have you ever met a famous person? If so, you might remember how it made you think or feel at the time. In some small way, that encounter changed your life, an encounter that became a talking point for you in future conversations with […]
February 20, 2023
By Justin TerrellSenior pastor, First Baptist Church, Dandridge Focal Passage: John 11:32-46 Death is hard. It’s a reality that no one wants to face. We dread the day that we will have to say an earthly goodbye to our loved ones, and the thought of our own departure from this world can be equally disturbing. […]
February 20, 2023
By Kevin ShrumPastor, Inglewood Baptist Church, NashvilleFocal Passage: Colossians 3:1-14 Since Jan. 22, 2023, the Bible Studies for Life have been focused on the issue of discerning the voice of God. Issues such as biblical faithfulness, convictional living, in addition to trusting and honoring God have all been in focus. But what’s the ultimate purpose […]
February 13, 2023
By Justin TerrellSenior pastor, First Baptist Church, DandridgeFocal Passage: John 10:7-14, 25-30 One of the major theological distinctives we hold as Southern Baptists is the eternal security of the believer. According to the Baptist Faith and Message 2000, “All true believers endure to the end. Those whom God has accepted in Christ, and sanctified by […]
February 13, 2023
By Kevin ShrumPastor, Inglewood Baptist Church, NashvilleFocal Passage: John 17:1-9 God’s voice always leads us to glorify Him and accomplish His purposes. We can glorify God by honoring God in how we speak and live. But what specifically needs to be a part of how we speak and live that would honor God? In what […]
February 6, 2023
By Justin TerrellSenior pastor, First Baptist Church, DandridgeFocal Passage: John 9:24-38 A few months ago, while interviewing a candidate for a children’s ministry position, our search committee asked him the question, “What are some of the biggest challenges in children’s ministry today?” With almost no hesitation, he mentioned the difficulty of overcoming the seven most […]
February 6, 2023
By Kevin ShrumPastor, Inglewood Baptist Church, NashvilleFocal Passage: Exodus 34:1-9 How are we to discern the voice of God? How are we to know how to live for Him? One answer is that we are to live in ways that align with God’s character. God would never ask His people to do or say anything […]
January 30, 2023
By Justin TerrellSenior pastor, First Baptist Church, DandridgeFocal Passage: John 8:3-18 A few years ago, Emily and I made a quick trip north to visit Mammoth Cave National Park. The cave is appropriately named because at 285 miles in length it’s the longest cavern system in the world. While we were inside, our eyes were […]
January 30, 2023
By Kevin ShrumPastor, Inglewood Baptist Church, NashvilleFocal Passage: Hebrews 11:1-6; 13-16 Discerning and obeying God’s voice calls for faith in God. But what is faith? Just as we talk about love without knowing what love is, we talk a great deal about faith without understanding its definition. What is the anatomy of faith that enables […]