Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
April 4, 2022
By Chuck Williams Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church, Milan Focal Passage: John 16:19-22, 27-33 It has often been said, ‘The greater the struggle, the greater the victory.’ Ask any mother with her newborn infant, any athlete after a last second win, any struggling Christian who receives an answer to a desperate prayer and most will […]
April 4, 2022
By Kevin Shrum Pastor, Inglewood Baptist Church, Nashville Focal Passage: I Thessalonians 4:13-18 Samuel Beckett’s 1948 bestselling book entitled, Waiting for Godet, tells the story of two men, Vladimir and Estragon, talking about life as they wait for a mysterious character to arrive named Godet, yet Godet never arrives. Many believed at the time that […]
March 28, 2022
By Kevin Shrum Pastor, Inglewood Baptist Church, Nashville Focal Passage: I Thessalonians 4:1-12 We are way past the point in our culture when Christians can get away with simply “saying” we’re Christians. There may have been a time in America where a person could label themselves a Christian because everyone identified as a Christian, true […]
March 28, 2022
By Chuck Williams Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church, Milan Focal Passage: John 15:18-25; 16:1-4a C. S. Lewis said, “If you want a religion to make you feel really comfortable, I certainly do not recommend Christianity.” Being a dedicated follower of Christ is not for those who simply want the easy road. Jesus states in these […]
March 21, 2022
By Kevin Shrum Pastor, Inglewood Baptist Church, Nashville Focal Passage: I Thessalonians 3:4-13 The enemy of our soul — Satan — uses many tools to attack the believer, i.e., lies, temptations and, maybe above all, discouragement. In fact, though Satan has limited knowledge, he does know that to discourage God’s people is to deter […]
March 21, 2022
By Chuck Williams Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church, Milan Focal Passage: John 15:9-17 Some things for me are hard to believe. It’s hard for me to believe that I grew up in a home where the telephone was attached to the wall. Hard for me to believe that when I changed channels on the television […]
March 14, 2022
By Kevin Shrum Pastor, Inglewood Baptist Church, Nashville Focal Passage: I Thessalonians 2:13-20 The boldness and courage of the Ukrainian people are currently being challenged. Only time will tell where this challenge leads. One Ukrainian mother was reported to have said that the Ukrainian people would fight for their freedom and for democracy “to […]
March 14, 2022
By Chuck Williams Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church, Milan Focal Passage: John 13:36-14:6 One of the most popular performances at a circus is the flying trapeze. As the daredevils swing and turn through the air into the arms of the ‘catcher’ the crowd wonders, “Will they slip and fall to the ground?” Why is the […]
March 7, 2022
By Kevin Shrum Pastor, Inglewood Baptist Church, Nashville Focal Passage: I Thessalonians 2:1-12 What if you found a treasure that would make you both rich and that would change the world? But it wouldn’t make you rich unless you set free that gift to change the world. This is the gospel (II Corinthians […]
March 7, 2022
By Chuck Williams Interim pastor, First Baptist Church, Milan Focal Passage: John 13:21-27, 31-35 The worst betrayal (vv. 21-27).Loyalty in times of crisis is one of the greatest gifts a person can give someone. Disloyalty in times of crisis makes a wound that hurts like no other, causes grief beyond comprehension, and can linger a […]
March 1, 2022
By Kevin Shrum Pastor, Inglewood Baptist Church, Nashville Focal Passage: I Thessalonians 1:1-10 Have you ever filled out a job application? More than likely you needed a list of references. You would select those who know you best, trusted people, friends, or co-workers. These references would vouch for your character and work ethic. […]
March 1, 2022
By Chuck Williams Interim pastor, First Baptist Church, Milan Focal Passage: John 13:3-10, 14-16 Elon Musk, the world’s most famous inventor and entrepreneur, sarcastically remarked, “I don’t want to brag, but I am the best at humility.” This tongue-in-cheek remark garnered him lots of laughs but also produced a window into the human soul. […]