September 17, 2023 . . . The verses in Philippians 3:7-11 begin with the words “That I may know Him”. Paul is in prison and has suffered much for his faith and preaching the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Paul has been ridiculed, punished, imprisoned, and suffered for his message of salvation. But through all the difficulties, he maintained his resolve to tell others about Jesus. He says that all his sufferings are merely dung compared to his knowing Christ. Three things to consider: 1) you have a call to knowing Christ, 2) there is a cost to knowing Christ, 3) there are consequences to knowing Christ. Can you be a faithful example to others as Paul is for us?

Turning the World Upside Down . . .

September 10, 2023 . . . In Acts 17:10-34, we find Paul traveling to Athens and preaching about the one true God, judgment, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The philosophers were interested in what Paul had to say and he told them that their “Unknown God” was indeed Jesus Christ. In verses 22-31, Paul explains the resurrection and how repentance was at hand, a message as important today as it was in 53 A.D.

September 3, 2023 . . . As we pray for Bro. Andy’s recovery from surgery, we welcome Bro. Dewayne Daugherty as our guest preacher today. Speaking of “Catching Men”, we look at Luke 5:10 where Jesus tells His disciples that they will become catcher of men rather than fish. One way to look at this is that “we catch ‘em and God cleans ‘em”. As the church, it is our calling to carry the gospel to a lost and dying world. When people hear the Word of God, it draws them closer to God. People are looking for something that makes a difference in their life. It takes persistence more than patience. Like fishing, you have to throw the line in many times to finally catch a fish. That’s persistence. You also must believe that you can reach people for Christ. And even though God may call you when you feel you are not prepared, He will guide you through every moment. So, don’t be afraid to let down your nets and become a fisher of men for God!

Today, August 27, 2023, Old New Hope Baptist Church celebrates our 2023 Homecoming. For 76 years we have been a part of the Christian community in Fairview, Tennessee. Brother Scott Pearl tells us that in First Thessalonians 4:13-18, we are reminded that if we are covered by the blood of Jesus as true Christ followers then God sees His righteousness in us. We will have a heavenly home waiting for us as believers. In reading Rev. 3:20, we are also reminded that Jesus is knocking on our door and that if we open the door to Him then He will come in and be with us. Jesus Christ is seeking you, so seeking a church home is a good way to open the door and let Him come into your life. We’d love to see you at Old New Hope!

August 20, 2023 . . .

Have you ever been lost or have lost something that was important to you? In Luke 15 Jesus is being criticized by the Pharisees and scribes for being around sinners, which basically were those who were not Jewish or were considered unclean. When He heard their murmuring, he took the opportunity to tell some parables that might open their eyes. In Luke 15:4-7 Jesus tells the story of the lost sheep and how joyous the shepherd was when he finds that sheep. Then, in Luke 15:8-10, He tells the story of the lost coin and the celebration that resulted when the coin was found. In both cases, verse 7 and verse 10 tell of the joyful celebration that occurs in heaven whenever even one lost sinner repents. Jesus goes on in verses 11-32 to tell the parable of the prodigal son. Again, the Father rejoicing when his son returns. Have you ever messed up, everybody knew it, and you tried to figure out what to say to them when you wanted to repent. Not everyone will have your back and welcome you with open arms. But Christ followers will hug you and be joyful at your return. Today’s statistics show that about 85% of the people in a community are unchurched. Some don’t know they are lost and some actually prefer to be lost and to stay lost. When someone comes home to God we must celebrate. Don’t be like the older brother in the prodigal son story who would rather be unhappy and jealous. Are you like the lost sheep or coin and feel you are not where you should be? Or, are you like the lost son? Are you ready to make a new start? Come home! God and the Angels will rejoice!

August 13, 2023 . . .

II Kings 6:8-23 tells us about the time around 891 BC when Israel was threatened by Syria. So, the prophet Elisha was asked, “What shall we do?” He told them to not fear saying that the Lord was on the side of Israel. Read verses 16-23 to see what God did. The world we live in is pushing FEAR on us every day in forms of jobs, money, climate, and relationships, just to name a few. But, take heart. If you are a true Christ-follower then you know that God is on your side. We will always have troubles, invaders in our life causing pain, fear, confusion, etc. So, you need to understand that God is always at work behind the scenes. While it may seem that these invaders are overwhelming you must know that God is greater than all these adversaries. The creator of the universe is on your side. Romans 8:31 tells us, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Sometimes we don’t see God’s work in our life because we have been blinded by Satan. In Matthew 5:44 Jesus says we should love and pray for our enemies so that God may open their eyes. It is time to remember that a Christ-follower has the best defense in times of trouble. God’s got this!

Jeremiah 2:12-13 . . .

In these two verses, God gives Israel a very strong message through Jeremiah the prophet. From the beginning of this book “Thus saith the Lord” is written several times to make sure they know this comes directly from Him. In Verse 12, God lets them know that they have strayed. Then, in Verse 13, He gives the two evils they have committed. They have forsaken the living waters that are clean and last forever (God) and have turned instead to broken cisterns. Broken cisterns would be filled with dirty pond-like water not fit for consumption and would that ultimately dry up. God wants them to humble themselves and turn back to Him. Even the priests have forgotten God. So, it is time to bring charges on Israel to call them back from the brink. In the world we live in today, it often happens that we drift away from God and settle for the fish pond water. Have you drifted away from God? You know that He sent Living Water in the form of Jesus Christ that will last forever. Remember what Jesus said to the woman at the well in John 4:14, “Whoever drinks of the water that I give will never thirst.” Is it time for you to come to Jesus and find your way back to God? He is waiting.

July 30, 2023 . . .

Matthew 13:1-23 gives us the parable Jesus told to help people understand about the various ways in which the Word of God is received. He uses “seeds and soil” to describe the “Word and the Receiver of the Word.” The seeds are God’s Word. The Soil is the one who hears the Word. The Sower is the one who spreads the Word randomly to cover as many people as possible, but the Soil is the main character in this parable. There is the hard ground at the edges where the Word cannot penetrate, there is rocky soil that prevents the Word from taking root, there is thorny soil that chokes out the Word, and there is the Good Soil that produces 100, 60, or 30 times the Word cast. Anyone who has ever attempted to grow something would be able to relate to this parable. Spiritual growth takes time and effort. When the seed of God’s Word is sown, it needs to be cared for daily. What type of soil are you? Are you cultivating God’s Word in your own life? Are you removing the rocks and weeds of the world in order to create a deeper faith? Reread this passage and ask yourself what type of Soil you are. This parable needs to become personal. Become a disciple of Christ, learn, follow, and lead others as you cultivate your own faith. God loves you and will help you along the way.

July 9, 2023 . . .

In a review of Genesis Chapter 3, we find that the beautiful relationship that God had with man was disrupted when Adam and Eve were tempted by Satan. God had commanded them to not eat or touch the tree of knowledge. Satan convinced them that God was lying to them and that He just did not want them to be like Him. Satan made sin look desirable. Sin is often too powerful. But sin never delivers on all it promises. And then when man sins, he tries to evade the responsibility of sin by making excuses and blaming others. Satan even tried to temp Jesus in Matthew Chapter 4. In Isaiah 14:12-14, we see how Satan wanted to be like God and was sent out of Heaven and into the pit. There are many examples in the Old Testament where Satan tempts and succeeds in convincing man to sin. In our world today, we are seeing many examples of Satan’s success with temptation. He convinces people that they can be like God. We often flirt with sin and temptation, it’s fun, and we talk ourselves into it. But, wait! Because of the events of Genesis Chapter 3 we were given a Savior from God. He is Jesus Christ and He is the one who can redeem us. When we accept that fact, we are also told to go and sin no more. Our hope is built on nothing less than the solid rock of Jesus Christ. We will all face powerful temptations from Satan, but we have Jesus in our corner to fight for us and win the battle. Praise God!

July 2, 2023 . . .

I John 2:7-11 gives us a greater understanding of the love that we have been given by God through our savior Jesus Christ. Love is a word that is often thrown around carelessly. There are four types of love, but Agape love is the type John is talking about. Jesus gave us the commandment to love God and to love each other. This was an old commandment. John tells us that we can live in either light or darkness. We have been instructed to walk as Jesus walked. Jesus brought light into the world so that we may see. We stumble in the dark, we have dark feelings, and darkness does not develop love for others. Jesus Christ can help you overcome the dark feelings you have in your life. Don’t let circumstances create hate. That is when you fall into darkness. But you must be honest with yourself. Do not think that you are in the light when you have hate in your heart for anyone. Being in fellowship with Jesus and with each other, even when it seems difficult, is creating love and light for all. Jesus taught us to love and forgive others . . . to help create light in the darkness of this world. Are you truly walking in the light with Him?