In the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 14, verses 12-16, Jesus’s earthly ministry was ending, and his arrest, trial and crucifixion loomed like a threatening dark cloud on the horizon.  He sends two of His disciples into the city and tells them to look for "a man carrying a waterpot.”  This man would lead them to the place where Jesus would observe the Jewish Passover with His disciples.  While performing a task that was usually done by women in this culture, this man is a timeless reminder that there is significance in insignificance.  Preaching during the 2023 Big Enough Conference at the Clay Street Missionary Baptist Church, Shelbyville, Kentucky, Dr. Stubblefield tells us why.      

At the historic Clay Street Missionary Baptist Church, Shelbyville, Kentucky during their first ever “Big Enough Conference”, Dr. Stubblefield offers encouragement to pastors and churches with memberships less than two hundred by powerfully and creatively parsing a passage from the prophecy of Zechariah, Chapter 4, verses 6 – 10 that reminds us all not to discount, diminish or denigrate what God is able to do with small things.  Not to “despise the day of small things” requires that we acknowledge a perspective, advance a pattern and anticipate a provision.  

First Chronicles Chapter 24, verse nineteen is a short yet profound passage that erupts with a significant salute and timeless tribute to the ministry of the prophets.  Prophets were “essential workers”, devoted servants who, through the ministry of the Word of God, challenged God’s people to faith and faithfulness as they struggled to recover their national dignity and destiny after seventy years of exile.  They were, like pastors today, God’s “first responders”.  This sermon tells us why.  

During the Pastoral Anniversary Celebration at the historic Chantilly Baptist Church in Chantilly, Virginia, Dr. and Mrs. Stubblefield encourage their journey friends to be faithful.  Ministry is characterized “not just by donation but also duration”.  This is the essence of Apostle Paul’s principled, passionate and personal declaration from prison in 2 Timothy Chapter 1, verses 11 – 12.  This segment of Advancing Word offers a compelling profile of a “leader who lasted”.  Share the link to this message with your pastor or minister and a note of gratitude during Clergy Appreciation Month.  

October is Clergy Appreciation Month.  Once again, we share this classic sermon by Dr. T. D. Stubblefield on the biblical office of Pastor -Teacher based on Jeremiah 3:15.  “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching” (1 Timonthy 5:17).  Send the link to this inspiring message this month to your pastor or minister along with a note of appreciation for their labor of love.

All prisons don’t have bars.  Some prisons are relational; others are financial and there are experiential prisons because "stuff happens"!  These unwelcome confinements stretch our limits and test our faith.  In the Book of Acts, Chapter 12, verses 5 - 11, the Apostle Peter had been imprisoned for the preaching of the Gospel.  But in prison, surrounded by guards, he slept and later was miraculously released by an angel sent by God to escort him to freedom.  Peter experienced a “breakout faith.”  We can too.  This sermon shows us how.  

In Jeremiah, Chapter 8, the prophet laments and mourns because of the plight of the covenant people of Israel.  Thousands were living in captivity in Babylon.  The prophet’s anguish is ultimately demonstrated by the questions he raises and not the declarations he makes.  Down through the centuries, priests, prophets, preachers and pastors are sought out for their answers to life's perplexing and troubling questions.  The reality is that we have questions too and more than often we must stand compassionately, yet silently with others who are trying to live with the questions that life inevitably brings.  This sermon offers help, hope and healing for those who are living with the questions!  

On a basic level, baggage is a suitcase, container or a trunk used for storage when traveling.  On another level however, baggage is the beliefs, perspectives and experiences that make us who we are.  The Bible reminds us that there is a relationship between expelling unhealthy, unneeded and unspiritual baggage and experiencing blessing.  This sermon leverages a short, succinct yet powerful passage in 2 Chronicles, Chapter 4, verses 9 – 10, where the profile and the prayer of a man named Jabez reveals the truth about moving from the baggage to the blessing.  

The Apostle Paul’s second missionary journey took him and Silas to Phillipi, a Roman province in the region of Macedonia.  There, they were incarcerated for the preaching of the Gospel.  But in a prison cell, while they worshipped God, they not only experienced a miraculous deliverance but a monumental demonstration of the power of the Gospel to touch hearts and to change lives.  What began with worship ended with a powerful witness that changed the lives of the jailer and his entire family.  Burdens become blessings, barriers become bridges and our bonds become badges when we truly and authentically worship.  This sermon tells us how!   

What is “first class” travel?  It involves special amenities, preferred status, luxury accommodations, and select and exclusive participation.  This sermon posits that when Jesus directs our course, develops our character and discern our cries, we are traveling “first class”.  This is what the disciples experienced with Jesus during a storm recorded in the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 4, verses 35 – 41, It is unlikely that the disciples felt they were traveling first class but, in hindsight they realized and so should we that any ship with Jesus aboard offers first class accommodations and will reach its destination.