I know, I’ve got your attention. That little three letter word has a way of doing just that.  But this isn’t a gimmick, its the next lesson in our Letters From Dad series and its vitally important for everybody to be at TBC Sunday morning to hear it.  This Sunday morning I’m not going to hold back, pull any punches or gloss over anything that might be a little embarrassing for some to hear.  The costs are too high for me to do otherwise.  Our students and young marrieds are being told so many lies, sold so many bad ideas.  That’s why I think its high time for those of us who have the truth to quit being silly and start teaching our children and grandchildren, singles and single-again,”newly married” or “married for decades,” what the bible says about this God-given area of our lives.

Also, in this Sunday’s message I will be presenting what has come to be known as my “cake illustration.”  This is a very powerful presentation of the gift that God has given you to give to your spouse on your wedding night and the consequences of premarital sex. I think that any parent or grandparent of a teenager or college person would want them to see and experience the truth of this presentation.  For this year’s “cake illustration” I’ve special ordered two, three tiered wedding cakes.  Don’t miss it, or allow your loved-one to miss it, I am praying it makes a real difference in the lives of those who are there.  It’s going to be a powerful morning.

Also, Sunday night is our Graduate Recognition service.  Pastor Mike will be preaching to our graduates that evening and I can’t wait to hear what he has to say in his challenge to them.  Make plans to be there even if you don’t have  graduate this year.  Let’s show our love and support for these special young people at this very important time in their lives.

I hope you have a great weekend and I look forward to seeing you bright and early Sunday morning for Worship and Bible Fellowship.

HIS.

Pastor Brad

It’s that time of year again. Everybody is dieting, walking, working out - whatever needs to be done in order to half way look descent for the annual family trip to the beach.  (Even the preacher has lost about 15 pounds over the past 6 or so weeks, and I’m trying to safely get a little bit of sun.) In short, many are working hard at becoming physically fit.  Sadly, very few ever worry about becoming “fiscally fit” until it is too late. That’s why this Sunday morning, as we continue in our series of studies through the book of Proverbs that we’ve entitled ‘Letters From Dad,’ i’m going to share a message on ‘How To Become Fiscally Fit.’

One of the things that I’ve noticed over the past several months is just how young our church has become in recent years.  This fact brings both strengths and weaknesses to the church.  On one hand, with youth there comes a certain sense of excitement and vitality to a church.  Kids run around all over the place.  There’s energy and life.  On the other hand, many times with youth, there comes a lack of understanding and committment.  As a pastor I have sensed, and seen, that many of our families just don’t know how to manage the money that the Lord has entrusted to them.  They haven’t mastered money, money has mastered them.  This can be seen in rise in requests for financial help, and a decline in giving at the church.  No doubt, much of this can be attributed to the our nation and state’s economic condition.  But the current condition simply underscores the importance of learning how to manage money well, save for a rainy day and above all, remember that the firstfruits belong to God.

So, this Sunday morning I’m going to get really personal and very practical and I’m going to share straight from God’s Word on how to get a grip on your finances and be the person, or more precisely, the Christian that you’re supposed to be.  It’s going to be strong.  It’s going to be straight.  But it’s also going to be what’s needed. 

Don’t miss it.  Make plans to be at Temple bright and early for Bible Fellowship and Worship, and if you know somebody that this message might be a blessing, or a help, to don’t forget to give a friendly invite.

See you early Sunday morning!

HIS.

Pastor Brad

Mom. The very word conjures up all sorts of feelings in our hearts.  It can comfort the most lonely and convict the most hardened.  We could all recount stories of how  we have been loved and lead by our moms, and when all of the stories had been told, they wouldn’t have told the half of it.

As one poet put it:  “No painter’s brush, nor poet’s pen, in justice to her fame, has ever reached high enough to write a mother’s name.”

Dad may be the head of the home and the children may be the hub of the home, but there’s no doubt about it – Mom is the heart of the home.

This coming Sunday morning at Temple will be a very special day for all mother’s and children (no matter how young or old).  This will be a day to remember those who have raised us and loved us and sacrificed so much for us.  It will be a time of celebration and commemoration of that most precious of people – Mom.  That’s why I’m going to be preaching a message taken from Proverbs 31 that I have entitled, “Mom: The Heart of  a Heavenly Home.”  In this message I will be going through and sharing about the riches of a mother’s worth.  I’ll go into great detail about the record of a mother’s work.  Then, to conclude the message, I’ll be sharing about the reward of a mother’s walk.  I hope that you’ll make every effort to be there and to bring as many friends and family members as possible.

This is also the Sunday that we set aside for our “Parent/Child Dedication.”  This is a time where the parents bring their children before the church and even the Lord Himself, and pledge to live a dedicated, consistent, committed Christian life before their children so that their children will come to know Jesus at an early age.  Many have misunderstood what this time is all about.  It is not a baby show.  It is not a confirmation.  It is not some ceremony that has anything to do with the child.  It is primarily, and in all actually, only for the parents and the church congregation as a whole.  It is an agreement before God that we as parents, working together with the church family, are going to live our lives before our children in such a way as to show Jesus in all that we do the precious gifts that we’ve been entrusted with.  It is going to be a very special time and I want to encourage you to make plans to be a part of this important time together.

Let me also say that I know from personal experience that for many women, and even some men, Mother’s Day is a very hard day indeed.  Some have lost children, and others have yet to have any.  For those who have lost children, our hearts and prayers are with you.  For those who have yet to have any children, let me say a personal word to you.  Kim and I know how you feel.  We have been where you are, and we love you and are praying God’s special grace and peace in your life.  I know that there really isn’t anything that can be said that will fill the hurt in your heart, but I do know this – God does love you and He does have a very special plan for your life.  Finally, for those who have children, please take a moment to pray for those who hurt on this day and try to be understanding as well.  There are those wonderful women who never had any children of their own, but who have loved our children and ministered to our families and have been a “mom” to so many  children over the years. They, too, are blessed.

I look forward to worshiping with you and your family this Sunday morning.  It really is going to be a great day to be together with family.

HIS.

Pastor Brad

We are just hours away from the beginning of our 2010 “Greater Things” revival with Dr. Phil Hoskins.  I’ve been excited to see classes and friends gathering together at the church and around the community all during this past week to pray specifically for God to do something supernatural in our midst.  I really believe that stoking the fires of revival by prayer is not only pleasing to our God, but will pay off in eternal dividends this week. 

I want to encourage everybody to make an extra special effort to be at every service beginning tomorrow morning, Sunday, April 25 through Wednesday, April 28.  I’m going to be preaching a very special sermon to help prepare our church for revival.  I’ve entitled this sermon, Roadblocks to Revival.  I’ll be preaching from 2nd Chronicles 7:14 and identifying some of the roadblocks in the lives of people and churches that hinder God pouring out revival on us and in us.  Don’t miss it.  Don’t be a “roadblock to revival.”

Then beginning Sunday night, you will experience and engage in some of the greatest worship this side of Heaven.  Pastor Steve is pulling out all of the stops to help lead us to the Throne.  We will be led in worship by our choir and praise team and hear special music by quartets, duos and soloists.  It’s going to be glorious.

Then we will hear the Word preached with power and in the anointing of the Spirit by my friend and fellow pastor, Dr. Phil Hoskins.  Dr. Hoskins is not just a Tennessee boy, he’s a gifted pastor and leader and has been used by God to lead one of the greatest churches I know of anywhere – the Higher Ground Baptist Church in Kingsport, TN.

I can’t express to you in strong enough terms the vital necessity of your presence and prayers for every night of this revival.  Souls are in the balance.  Families are on the line.  Our church is going to go forward or fall behind in God’s plan for her depending on our commitment to Him this week.  Don’t miss it.

Have a great day with your family and wake up early tomorrow to worship Jesus and give yourself wholeheartedly to this coming week of revival.

HIS.

Pastor Brad

“There’s no place like home.  There’s no place like home.”  After a week on the road, interviewing pastors from across the southeast, I more than identify with those words.  I’m glad to be home. I did have a great and profitable time talking to pastors and looking at the ministry of churches that are considered to be effective, evangelistic churches.  I started off at the North Metro First Baptist Church where Dr. Frank Cox is the pastor. To get to see some of the things this great church is doing to reach people and make a difference in their community was very worthwhile.  Then on Tuesday I moved over to the Crosspointe Church in Duluth where Dr. James Merritt is pastor and my good friend Alfred Burgess serves as the Next Generation pastor.  (This is also where one of TBC’s boys, Josh Frazier, serves as the student praise and worship leader.  Dr. Merritt is one of my pastoral heroes and personal mentors and has had a great impact on my life.  To get to spend the night at his home, talking about the Lord, ministry and family was a gift that I’m very thankful for.  From Atlanta, I drove through the hinterlands of Georgia to Warner Robins to hear Dr. Jeff Laborg, pastor of the Second Baptist Church, preach at his Wednesday night service.  There were about 300+ people (many, many more were in bible studies, orchestra practices and such across the complex) on the edge of their chairs in the church’s grand foyer to hear him preach from James chapter 1.  It was a tremendous message and I was both encouraged and challenged.  We then spent about 3 hours outside of a Starbucks talking all things ministry and SBC.  We got together again Wednesday morning for a time of fellowship before I started the trek home.  It has been a good week. 

Now that I’m home, I’ve set my sights toward this coming Sunday where I will conclude a sermon that I began last Sunday morning on the power of the tongue.  I will be finishing up this message by moving from the abuse of the tongue to the proper use of the tongue in the life of the believer. (Ben Franklin said, “A wise man is one who thinks twice before speaking and then doesn’t say anything.”) Don’t miss this message and make sure that you take copious notes so that you’ll be able to pass along and put into use the lessons we’ll be learning from Solomon. 

Also, tomorrow, Saturday April 17, beginning at 11:30 in the morning TBC’s Student Ministry will be hosting their BBQ and Bakesale fundraiser.  Make sure you come by as well as send your family and friends.  The food will be great and the cause is unmatched.  I’m already getting hungry just thinking about David Tafaoa’s BBQ.  “Two plates for me, please!” 

Well, we’re just a week out from our 2010 “Great Things” Spring Revival with Dr. Phil Hoskins. Your Bible Fellowship class should have set up a time to get together this coming week to pray for this important time in the life of TBC.  If they haven’t, make sure you’re there Sunday morning to remind them.  Also, everybody in your class should fill out a “Who Do You Know” card about the person they have invited to come with them on the first night of revival – April 25 @ 6 pm. It’s going to be a great time.  Dr. Phil is a great pastor, gifted leader and anointed preacher.  Whatever you have to cancel, postpone, or forgo to be there every night, DO IT – it’s that important.

I hope you have a great weekend and I look forward to seeing you and your family at Temple this coming Sunday morning. It’s going to be a terrific time together as we worship the Savior.

HIS.

Pastor Brad

“Twas the Sunday after Easter and all through the church. . .”  Those words could describe one of two different kinds of Sundays at TBC.  What will determine the difference?  You.  Many times on the Sunday after a big day (i.e. – Easter, Mother’s Day, High Attendance day or Revival) many church goers will “take a break” from Bible Fellowship and Worship because, after all, they were just there last week.  What happens is the church is hindered, those present are discouraged and those who “lay out” miss the opportunity to be a blessing and receive a blessing.

Temple had a tremendous Easter Sunday.  Let’s make this Sunday even better. 

Make plans not only to be present in both Bible Fellowship and Worship, but to bring somebody with you. I really believe that we’re going to have a great time in God’s house and I don’t want you to miss it.

This Sunday we’ll be back in our series of studies through the book of Proverbs that we’ve entitled, “Letters From Dad.”  This week I’m going to be talking about the power of the tongue and the weight of our words.  Solomon said, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue. . .” (Proverbs 18:21)  So many times we see what we say as something small or insignificant.  Solomon says that it is exactly the opposite.  There is tremendous power in the words that come out of our mouths. They can bring life or they can bring death. That’s why I’m going to be sharing the wise words that Solomon shares in a message entitled, “O, Be Careful Little Mouth What You Say.”  Don’t miss it.

This Sunday will also be our Discovery Luncheon for all new and prospective members.  Aside from being the first required step in our new member’s process, this  is a great way to get the inside scoop on what’s going on and how things work at TBC.  You’ll get to meet the different staff members and ministry leaders that make Temple such a terrific place to belong.  I’m really looking forward to spending this time with everybody and talking about what the Lord is doing at Temple.

Also, we are on the downhill stretch to our 2010 Spring Revival with Dr. Phil Hoskins.  We’re giving our Spring Revival this theme: “Greater Things” based on John 1:50 because we’re trusting God to do “Greater Things” in our lives and church during this special time together.  We will begin our series of Revival services on Sunday night, April 25th @ 6 pm and go through Wednesday night April 28 @ 7 pm.  There will be special emphases each night that you’ll want to be a part of and childcare will be provided for all services. Dr. Hoskins is the Senior Pastor at the Higher Ground Baptist Church in Kingsport and is a tremendous preacher that you won’t want to miss.  Plan on coming for each service and begin now to invite your lost and unchurched family members and friends.  It’s going to be great!

I hope you have a great weekend and I look forward to seeing each and every one of you this Sunday morning at Temple!

HIS.

Pastor Brad

It’s a thought unthinkable.  A total game changer. What if Jesus Christ did not rise from the dead?  What if He is still in a cold Palestinian tomb?  Well, Paul tells us what would happen in a world without Easter.  Our preaching would be profitless.  Our faith would be futile, and our ministry would be meaningless if Christ is not risen from the dead.  “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep!” (1 Cor. 15:20) I’m looking forward to preaching this message this coming Easter Sunday morning – “What If Easter Had Never Happened?”

I’m also very excited to get to gather together with you this coming Sunday at Temple.  It is going to be a tremendous time of worship and celebration of the risen Lord.  We don’t worship a dead teacher, we worship a resurrected Savior.  Death couldn’t hold our King.

I want to encourage you to do your best to not only be at Temple this Sunday morning, but bring somebody with you.  As my friend Dr. Frank Cox tweeted the other day, 82% of those you invite to come to church with you on Easter Sunday will come.  So, the question is: who have you invited?  It could just make an eternal difference in their life.

On a practical note, if you are a member or regular attender at TBC and are physically able, please park as far away from the building as possible.  There is ample parking at both the Loom and the Activity Center, not to mention up on the hill.  This will give more room for our guests on this great day.  Also, as you are finding your seat in the auditorium, please scoot as close to the middle of your aisle as are you are able.  Again, this will make it easier for our guests to find a seat.  Be friendly.  Speak to and greet those around you.  Remember how you felt the first Sunday you showed up at Temple and return the warm welcome that you received back then.

I’m trusting the Lord to do a great work this Sunday and I’m believing that He is going to touch lives, save souls and resurrect some relationships too.

It’s going to be a terrific, Christ-honoring morning of worship.  Don’t miss it.

Remember, “if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. But now Christ is risen from the dead. . .” 1 Cor. 15:17-20.

HIS.

Pastor Brad

As we quickly approach the most important day on the Christian calender, Resurrection Day (Or you may know it as “Easter”) I’m getting even more excited about what the Lord has for us this year.  Laura Kate and I walked through the auditorium an hour or so ago and most of the set is up for this year’s presentation of “The Crucified Lamb, The Risen Lord.”  If you have never seen this dynamic, musical presentation of the arrest, trial, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, it is something that you won’t want to miss.  Also, this is in our top three “Making Friends Forever” opportunities of the entire year.  This presentation is a power portrayal of the gospel and has been used by the Lord to bring many people into a saving relationship with Jesus.  Whatever you do, don’t miss one of the three showings, and make sure to bring your lost and unchurched friends.  Free tickets are available at the Welcome Center.

I want to thank you again for your faithfulness last weekend.  I know that on time change Sunday, many times it is easy to make an excuse and roll back over and sleep in.  You didn’t do that.  You were faithful and as a result we broke our record for attendance in both Bible Fellowship and Worship.  Thank you for your faithfulness.

It’s going to be a great weekend at Temple.  The message this Sunday morning is going to be “Who Is A Fool?”  This is a question that you’ll want to know the answer to, so make sure you don’t miss this message. 

Again, as we approach Easter, make plans to worship the risen Lord with us at Temple.  Invite your family and friends.  It’s going to be a great couple of weeks, so don’t miss a service. 

Have a great weekend.

HIS.

Pastor Brad

This Sunday is going to be another great day at Temple!   As a matter of fact, there is so much going on that I don’t know exactly where to start.  So, I guess I’ll just take it in the order that it comes.

Tonight our Temple Student Ministry will begin a weekend intended to help them FOCUS on God and His will for their life.  Pastor Mike has done a terrific job in putting together what I believe will be a weekend that will make an eternal impact in the lives of our students.  I’m excited about the leaders that are coming to Temple this weekend from literally all across the Southeast.  They are tremendous young men and women who have a heart for God and teenagers.  Please pray for them as they lead and love this weekend. 

Of course, for those who have been at Temple for any time at all, the name Josh Frazier is a much known and much loved name.  Josh will be leading out in the worship throughout our DNow weekend.  He will be sharing in the morning worship service and leading in the evening.  Josh was recently called to be the lead Student Praise and Worship minister at Crosspointe Church in Duluth, GA where Dr. James Merritt is the pastor.  Josh is one of our own and we are honored to start his ordination process this weekend by lincensing him to the gospel ministry.

Matt Hubbard from Calvary Baptist Church in Alexandria, LA and founder of Imagine Ministries will be our guest speaker in the evening service.  It will be a time of culmination and commitment for both students and parents alike.  This will be a powerful service that will touch the hearts of all ages.  Don’t miss it or use it as an excuse to get out of church.  We will be having “church!”

This is also time change weekend.  You will lose an hour of sleep Saturday night, so don’t forget to set your clocks forward one hour Saturday.  In fact, one of my pastor friends posted a suggestion on Facebook this morning encouraging his people to set their clocks forward Saturday morning that way it won’t be any different for you Saturday night or Sunday morning. I think that’s a great idea.

Finally I will be picking up in our “Letters from Dad” series on Sunday morning.  Since it is DNow weekend, I am going to be sharing a very important message on relationships entitled, “The Good, The Bad And The Ugly.”  Proverbs 12:26 says, “The righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them astray.”  If you are the parent of older children, teenagers, or a college student this is a message that you will want them to hear.  It just might make the difference between success and failure; a long happy, healthy life or a life cut short, wasted, ruined.  In fact, this is a message that every single one of us could benefit from, so make it a point to come and bring your entire family. 

I look forward to seeing you and your family at 9:15 Sunday morning as we gather together in fellowship and worship around the Bible.  Be praying for God to do something “exceeding, abundantly, above anything that we can ask or think” in your life and the life of TBC this weekend. 

It’s going to be a great Sunday at TBC!

HIS.

Pastor Brad

I’m really excited about this coming Sunday! One of the things that I’m most excited about is a new series of studies that I’ll begin on Sunday morning.  I’ve entitled it, “Letters from Dad,” after Greg Vaughn’s book of the same title.

In this study I will be going through the lesson letters that Solomon sent to his son that eventually became the book of Proverbs in our Bible.

In this study we’re going to be going through 10 or so lessons that Solomon gave to his son to help him learn, love and live life to the fullest.

Don’t miss week!  It’s going to be a very encouraging and enlightening time as we learn together from God’s Word.

I’m going to begin this study this Sunday with a sermon entitled, “Be Wise – Or Be Otherwise” from Proverbs 1:1-7.

Also, I’m excited to see another one of our young people (MacKenzie Sherman) openly profess her faith in Jesus through Believer’s Baptism.

We’ll finish up a great day of worship, Bible study and fellowship by picking up in our Sunday night series, “Exploring Ephesians: Realizing our Riches in Jesus.” This week we’ll be going through Ephesians 4:13-16.

It’s going to be a wonderful time together at Temple!  Make sure to invite your family and friends and come expecting God to speak to you.

HIS.

Pastor Brad