By J.D. Davis
Senior Pastor, Dublin Baptist Church, Dublin, OH

Focal Passage: Esther 4:6-17

I am sure that you are familiar with the statement “To be in the world, but not of the world,” but have you ever thought about what that really means. Last week, we saw how Mordecai made his stand by not bowing to Haman. This week’s Sunday School lesson centers on Esther making her stand by pleading with the King to obtain deliverance for her people, the Jews. Esther makes her stand in the world of Persian royalty, a very different world from the one she grew up in. She was in her Persian royal world, but she was not of that world. [Read more…]

By J.D. Davis
Senior Pastor, Dublin Baptist Church, Dublin, OH

Focal Passage: Esther 3:1-9

Sooner or later we all make a public spectacle of ourselves. Regardless of our intentions, we do something in public that is embarrassing or cannot be hidden. But have you ever intentionally made a public spectacle of yourself for the cause of Christ? This passage from Esther for this week’s Sunday School lesson gives the account of Mordecai refusing to bow before Haman. Because of his convictions and allegiance to the Lord, Mordecai intentionally makes a public spectacle of himself.

Mordecai makes his stand at the king’s gate, one of the most public venues of his day. He also offends Haman, a man full of pride who despises the Jews already. However, Mordecai chooses to make a public spectacle by refusing to bow to Haman. [Read more…]

By Chuck Williams
Pastor of First Baptist Church, Covington

Focal Passage: Hebrews 13:1-8

Whenever a pilot gets ready for takeoff there are standard procedures he must follow. If the proper preparations have not taken place, he and his passengers are at great risk. The pilot has spent years studying, testing, and training in order to navigate his craft properly.

The first 12 chapters of Hebrews are similar to the pilot’s preparation. These chapters give the readers a doctrinal foundation to stand on. Now it’s time for them to put it into practice; spread their wings and fly in the power of the Holy Spirit. In effect, the writer is saying “As you go out into God’s blue yonder these are some practical things that will be worked out in your journey.” [Read more…]

By Chuck Williams
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Covington

Focal Passage: Hebrews 12:18-24

Living in West Tennessee means that we are close to the New Madrid Fault. Every so often there is a tremor which reminds us that someday things will be “all shook up.” 200 years ago there was the big shaking which formed Reelfoot Lake. Some say we are living on borrowed time now. [Read more…]

By Chuck Williams
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Covington

Focal Passage: Hebrews 12:1-7

I have never been much of a runner. Everyone seems to talk about the benefits of “doing their cardios.” The main benefit I derive from “cardios” is wanting to take a nap. Maybe my suffering index isn’t too high. Hopefully it’s better in the spiritual world. [Read more…]

By Chuck Williams
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Covington

Focal Passage: Hebrews 11:1-7

I have five children; therefore I have lots of stories! One of my kids went through a romance break-up. I asked what problem caused this. The answer quickly came, “I could never do enough to please them plus I never felt like I measured up.”

Sadly this is how many Christians feel when it comes to their relationship with God. “I can’t do enough to please Him and I never measure up to His standards.” Yet there is a specific verse that talks about what pleases God — faith! The best way to get a migraine is to try and please everyone. Have you noticed that even God does not please everyone? We can please God by sitting back and having believing faith. Too many take faith to be an option for their life. This would be similar to buying a new car and the salesman asks, “So, what options are you interested in?” With the Lord faith is not optional. All of our life and its decisions are to be built on faith. [Read more…]

By Chuck Williams
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Covington

Focal Passage: Hebrews 8:1-13

Nothing lasts forever. When is the last time you shopped at Woolworths, bought gasoline at a Sinclair station, or tried explaining an 8-track player to someone under 30? Contracts, covenants, and sure things come and go. In today’s world is there a place that is permanent or a person who can truly transform? The writer of Hebrews answers yes when he challenges the readers to see Jesus as the Superior High Priest of the New Covenant.

Verse 1 tells us the priesthood of Christ is real and permanent, while the Hebrew economy was temporary by nature. Christ has been exalted to honor and glory in God’s presence at His right hand. The right hand was regarded as a place of great honor. To be at the right hand of God means that He is exalted to the highest honor in the universe. Of course God has no hands as we do, but the language conveys that He is nearest to God in love and affection. [Read more…]

By Chuck Williams
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Covington

Focal Passage: Hebrews 7:23-28

One time a preacher in the middle of his sermon asked the rhetorical question, “Do you know of anyone who has lived a perfect life?” Surprisingly an older man raised his hand. The pastor asked, “Well, who is this perfect person?” The man calmly replied, “Pastor, that would be my wife’s first husband.”

This man’s weary perception was not true reality, but it is an insight into what we need. Who is going to save us since we all fall short of perfection? The writer tells the new Jewish believers …

Only Jesus saves because He is eternal: vv. 23-24. The Levitical priests had a problem … they died. Therefore they had to transfer their priesthood to someone else. Even though Christ died, His death did not stop Him from continuing as a priest. He died voluntarily. He did not place an animal sacrifice on the altar; rather He placed Himself as victim upon the altar. Death had no power over Him, because He has risen to life again. He can truly say, “O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory?” [Read more…]

By Chuck Williams
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Covington

Focal Passage: Hebrews 6:1-8

A family who moved to a new neighborhood got a late start one morning. As a result, their 6-year-old girl missed her school bus. Though it would make him late, the father agreed to take her to school if she could give him directions. After going in circles for 20 minutes they finally arrived at school, which turned out to be a few miles from where they lived. Patiently the dad asked why they drove all over the neighborhood. She replied, “That’s how the school bus takes me.”

Sometimes your spiritual life is not making much progress because of detours, circle-going, and constant stops. Hebrews 1-5 encourages the readers to move on to maturity and get off dead center. Because of their Jewish background they want to go back to the ceremonial laws rather than move forward toward the cross. [Read more…]

By Chuck Williams
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Covington

Focal Passage: Hebrews 4:14-5:6

This passage is one of the great monuments in this letter. In chapters 1 and 2 the writer discusses the superiority of Christ as King of the angels. In chapter 3 He is shown to be superior to Moses. In this the last part of chapter 4 and the beginning of chapter 5, the writer goes to great length to show that Jesus is superior as a Priest to Aaron.

In verses 14-16 we see doctrine and duty. The doctrine part is that sinful man has always looked for someone to be a priest for him before God. Years ago as a college student, I was preaching a weekend revival at a small church. On my way back to the dorm I was caught speeding and a ticket was written. The next night at the service a man who had found out about my fine gave me an envelope to pay this cost. The feeling of relief and joy was one I still remember today. Christ has gone through the heavenlies and in celestial majesty paid the fine for our sins. Aaron went once a year through the blue veil into the tabernacle; but our High Priest has passed through the first heaven into the heaven of heavens and is seated at the right hand of the Father in glory. [Read more…]