By Mike Kemper
Interim Pastor, First Baptist Church, Dyer

Focal Passage: Luke 12:13-21; 21:1-4

Luke tells us about Jesus’ confrontations with the Pharisees while pointing out to His disciples the problems of hypocrisy and greed, and by illustrating the value of good stewardship of possessions and sacrificial giving. By looking at these two contrasting stories —  the rich fool who stores and the poor widow who gives — we discover that our attitude and practice of giving demonstrates our faith and trust in Christ.

As a large crowd was gathering around Jesus and His disciples, suddenly someone calls out, asking Jesus to instruct “my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” Jesus makes it clear that He is not there to “be a judge or arbitrator.” Jesus does not address the surface issue, but uses this question to teach and get to the root of the question, that of greed.  [Read more…]

By Clay Hallmark
Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, Lexington

Focal Passage: Luke 14:25-35

What we see in these verses is a steward or a manager who was willing to “think outside the box.” Jesus did not commend this manager for stealing from his boss or for encouraging the dishonesty of others. Rather, Jesus commends him for his wise use of the opportunity he was given. Jesus’ point is that the people of God need to make better use of their opportunities to grow, expand and bring value to the kingdom of God. We see how Jesus brings this into clear focus as we focus on these verses found in Luke 16:11-13. [Read more…]

By Clay Hallmark
Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, Lexington

Focal Passage: Luke 14:25-35

A young man wrote a love letter to his girlfriend that said this: “My darling, I love you more than life itself. Words fail to describe my love for you. For you I would climb the highest mountain, swim the deepest seas, and cross a blazing desert just to be in your presence for just one minute. Sincerely, Your Beloved. … P.S.: I’ll pick you up Friday night at 6 p.m. unless, of course, it is raining.”

This is a lot like the way Luke describes the love people showed toward Jesus in Luke 14:25-35. When Jesus finished tell the parable of the great banquet at the house of one of the Pharisees, a large crowd had gathered to follow Him. [Read more…]

By Clay Hallmark 
Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, Lexington

Focal Passage: Luke 9:57-62 

Fans of Southeastern Conference Football are some of the most devoted people in the country to their teams. They will spend hundreds of dollars for tickets, travel mile after mile to watch their team play, sing their fight song with greater joy than a Chris Tomlin church chorus, wear their team colors, paint their bodies, and some fans even wear plastic pigs on their heads all to show support for their team. 

However, the enthusiasm quickly begins to fade the moment “their team” loses a game or a second game or (gasp) a third game. All of a sudden, the true fan loses their interest in the game, the season and the team.  [Read more…]

By Clay Hallmark
Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, Lexington

Focal Passage: Luke 6:27-36

Two brothers were arguing at breakfast over the final pancake. Their mother walked in and said to them, “Boys! Is this how Jesus would act? I think Jesus would say, ‘Let my brother have the last pancake.’ ” At that, the older brother turned to the younger brother and said, “Congratulations Bobby! This morning you get to be Jesus!”

This hard saying of Jesus about love for our enemies often is ignored, even by God’s people. In this passage, Jesus is using hyperbole throughout much of these verses. We must recognize that Jesus is raising the bar and expecting much more from His followers than they realized.

First, we see the commands of Jesus. His call to love your enemies is still a call to love those we find unloveable. Who might these enemies be? Within the historical context we find Matthew specifically names two groups: tax collectors and pagans/Gentiles. Luke simply refers to these as “sinners.” Both Matthew and Luke imply a third group which were the Roman soldiers. The love Jesus calls for here is the Greek word, agape. You could define it this way: “Agape love is a compassionate or merciful love given to another without conditions.” This is a love that we choose to give others. It is love motivated by the will, not the feelings. This is the love God shows His children. In the face of our enemy’s hatred He calls us to do good to them. [Read more…]

By Greg Steele
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Jasper

Focal Passage: Luke 2:25-35

No one likes to wait. But we wait in traffic, in car lines, in grocery stores, in drive-thru’s, for the doctor, for a spouse, for a baby, for retirement, for sermons to get over and for Jesus to return.

To set the story, Jesus has been sent from heaven and entered human history.  The Promised Messiah is now here. Our text takes us to Jerusalem for an event that occurred 40 days after the very first Christmas. [Read more…]

By Greg Steele
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Jasper

Focal Passage: Luke 2:1-14

Most people in America are familiar with this passage because every December we watch “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and hear Linus tell us about the true meaning of Christmas.

Let’s set the scene. An angel rocks the routine of some guys who are just out doing their job, Luke 2:8. In the early pages of the Bible, shepherding was considered a noble profession but in the first century shepherding had gone to the sheep. Shepherds made up the lowest class of people, coming in just ahead of the lepers. Living out in the fields away from society made them outcasts. [Read more…]

By Greg Steele
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Jasper

Focal Passage: Luke 1:26-38

When most people think about Mary, the mother of Jesus, they think of a peaceful, serene and virtuous woman. Now all of those are probably true characteristics, but I think she also was a very real person. 

In our passage, Luke paints a portrait of Mary with real doubt, questions and faith. Where I think we see this the best is in v. 38, “I am the Lord’s servant,” said Mary. “May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel left her.  [Read more…]

By Michael Koontz
Pastor, Pine Ridge Baptist Church, Harriman

Focal Passage: Luke 10:25-37

Loving God requires us to be intentional. Joel 2:12 tells us to turn to our Lord and to give Him our hearts. What decision will we make? Turning to Him must start with salvation. After salvation we must continue to be intentional in loving Him.  [Read more…]