Category: Article

by Justin Morton

Our family has spent the last couple of days in Knoxville celebrating our dear friends’ daughter’s wedding. We have been planning and talking about this weekend for almost a year. While I have been honored to officiate several weddings over the years, honestly, this time just hit differently. We have known the bride and her family for thirteen years. We vacationed together, ate meals together and spent countless hours in one another’s homes laughing the night away. We celebrated highs and mourned lows together. And even though we moved away from Knoxville, we remain close friends with this wonderful family.

As I prepared for the wedding, I was reminded of how important it is to have deep, godly friendships as we walk through this life. Even Jesus, the very Son of God, had a close group of friends while He lived on this earth (Matt. 10:1-4; Mk. 5:37). Deep relationships are vital. The Bible teaches essential thoughts such as, “A friend loves at all times” (Prov. 17:17) and “The sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel” (Prov. 27:9). You and I need people in our lives we can count on to not only love us, but to be there for us and to share godly wisdom with us.

This weekend has been special for my family as we celebrated this momentous occasion with some of our closest friends. We couldn’t imagine not being a part of it. Are you making the effort to build lasting relationships with other believers? If not, start today! Invest in relationships with brothers and sisters who will laugh with you, cry with you and help you get to heaven.

            Moses E. Lard once wrote that “perhaps no passage in the New Testament has given rise to more extended controversy than” Romans 8:28-30.[1] While a discussion of all the misunderstandings about this passage are beyond the scope of this article, I believe most would agree that God’s plan for all mankind is “to be conformed to the image of His Son.” Christians often say they want to be Christ-like or to look like Jesus and we know that man was originally created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). However, sin soon separated man from God and redemption/reconciliation became necessary – as God knew before creation began (Ephesians 1:3-7; 2 Corinthians 5:17-19).

            When we obey the gospel by being baptized into the death of Christ (Romans 6:3-4), we become a new creation – a new man (or woman) – created in the image of Christ. Like the growth of children into adults, we must grow “in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” to become like Him (2 Peter 3:18a).

            May we resolve to let God mold us into what He wants us to be! That does not absolve us of our responsibility but becoming more like Jesus requires the total submission of our lives to the Father’s will. Consider the words of Isaiah 64:8 –

            But now, O Lord,

            You are our Father;

            We are the clay, and You our potter;

            And all we are the work of Your hand.  

Perhaps these hymns will drive the point home:

29 — All to Jesus I Surrender

197 – Have Thine Own Way, Lord

426 – More Like Jesus

619 – Take Time to Be Holy

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[1] Moses E. Lard, Commentary on Paul’s Letter to Romans. (Lexington, KY, 1875. Reprint, Delight, AR: Gospel Light Publishing Co.), 279.

by Justin Morton

Have you ever drawn the wrong conclusions about someone simply based on your first impression of that person? We may have drawn some unfair conclusions based on a limited experience with that individual.

Do you remember the story of Hannah? While she was at the temple praying, Eli watched her from a distance (I Samuel 1:12). Hannah was praying to the Lord for a son. What was odd to Eli was that this woman’s mouth was moving but he didn’t hear any words. That’s when Eli misjudged Hannah. Thinking she was drunk, Eli told her to put her wine away (I Samuel 1:13-14). Hannah had to explain to Eli that she was not drunk; she was pouring her heart out to the Lord in prayer (I Samuel 1:15-16). Eli drew a conclusion about Hannah that was false.

While we would like to think Eli is the only person to ever do such a thing, that’s simply not the case. Sometimes we are just as guilty of making assumptions about people that are not true. Maybe it happens with someone we work with, someone we go to school with or someone we see around town. Sadly, sometimes it even happens within the walls of the church building where we attend. People occasionally come and might be dressed or act a little differently compared to everyone else. When that happens, are we quick to draw conclusions?

Eli made a judgment about Hannah that proved to be inaccurate. Are we guilty of making judgments about people based only on what we are able to see on the outside? Let’s heed the words of Jesus and not judge according to appearances (John 7:24). The person we are making snap judgments about might be going through something we know nothing about. Instead, let’s spend time with these individuals and get to know their true character.

              Happy Mother’s Day!  In Paul’s Wednesday evening class, we have been studying the book of 1Samuel.  Several weeks ago, we studied about Hannah and how she prayed earnestly for a son, and how she would “give him to the Lord all the days of his life” (1 Samuel 1:11)  and how the Lord remembered her and blessed her with a son, Samuel.  We also studied about how Hannah brought Samuel to Eli the priest after he was weaned and entrusted him to the care of Eli to minister to the Lord.   

Then we read in 1 Samuel 2:19 that Hannah would make for Samuel a little robe and take it to him each year.  Sometimes we read right past this verse and don’t really take the time to think about the magnitude of what Hannah has done.  Imagine the faith and the strength that Hannah had to pray, to the point of weeping, for a son, and then leave him with the priest when he was a small child.  The love that she had for Samuel was no doubt strong, but her faith in the Lord was stronger.  It is hard to fathom the strength and love it took Hannah to leave Samuel.    

How blessed we are at Walter Hill with so many babies!  The Elders love to hear the cries of the little ones in the auditorium because we know that means the church will have servants and leaders in the years to come.  How thankful we are that we have Mothers that know the importance of children being in the worship assembly.  As we celebrate Mothers today, let’s be especially thankful for the Moms that we have here at Walter Hill and the amount of work that they put into making sure their children know, at a very young age, the importance of worshipping the Lord each Lord’s day.

Connected Through Christ

This weekend our teens are on our annual spring retreat, a time for our teens to get away from the world and focus on growing closer to God.  This year our theme is “Connected Through Christ”.  The goal is to spend time studying how Christ connects us to God, connects us to one another, and how we can connect others to Christ through sharing the Gospel.  It is my hope our teens will leave our retreat encouraged by what Jesus has accomplished on the cross.  Through His death on the cross, Jesus reconciled us to God, established the church, and gave us great news to share with the world.

2 Corinthians 5:21 has become the backbone of our retreat, as Paul summarizes the significance of Jesus’ death on the cross.  It reads, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (ESV)  Jesus is our substitute.  We, as sinners, deserved death – Jesus did not.   Yet, Jesus died taking on the sins of the entire world, giving us His righteousness.

Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross also made it possible for us to enjoy fellowship as brothers and sisters in Christ.  Galatians 3:26-27 is where Paul explains, we are baptized into Christ therefore becoming children of God. The connection we share with one another would be so much less significant if Christ had not made us family.  I am thankful for the way our church family at Walter Hill loves one another and demonstrates to our youth what it means to be a part of God’s family.

What a blessing to share the message of Christ with those who need to be connected to God and His church.

            We live in uncertain times with inflation and its impact on living expenses and retirement accounts. Coupled with rampant immorality and international tensions, we all need something to hold on to – someone in whom we can trust. Everyone reading these words knows who that someone is! Only God Almighty can supply our every need. We all need to pause and heed His words recorded in Psalm 46:10a – “Be still, and know that I am God.”

            It is so easy to focus on the negative news and fail to heed inspired wisdom: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

            There are several scriptures describing how God cares for His people such as Matthew 6:25-33, 10:29-31; Luke 11:9-13; and Ephesians 3:20-21 – to name a few. But a splendid example is given of God’s goodness when He came in the flesh and miraculously fed the 5,000. This miracle is so important because it is recorded in all four gospels – Matthew 14:13-21; Mark 6:31-44; Luke 9:11-17; and John 6:1-13. Please take two minutes and read this familiar account again.

            I want us to notice four things to encourage us – even in the worst of times. First, God is compassionate and sensitive to our needs. Secondly, no matter our age or our physical or social stature, God can use us. Thirdly, God can use whatever we have to His glory. In this case, five barley loaves – the cheapest bread available – and two “small” fish in God’s hands fed 5,000 men and an unknown number of women and children. Finally, God’s provisions are always sufficient. Everyone’s hunger was filled and there were twelve baskets of leftovers.

            Don’t you believe God understands what we’re going through? If not, let Him know through the avenue of prayer!

by Justin Morton

Each year nearly 10,000 people from across the Southeast assemble at the Opryland hotel in Nashville for the Lads 2 Leaders convention. If you are not familiar with Lads 2 Leaders, or L2L, this annual event is held at nine different sites throughout the United States and focuses on leadership and service training for young people.

Several of us were blessed to watch as participants boldly and courageously stood before large groups and led songs, gave speeches, participated in puppets, answered Bible Bowl questions and debated the topic of human life beginning at conception. All of our students who participated represented Walter Hill well! If your child or grandchild is not involved in L2L, will you consider investing in this wonderful program? L2L offers many different ways to be involved, even if one cannot attend the yearly convention. More information about Walter Hill’s plans for next year is coming soon.

For now, let’s just say thank you! Thank you to the parents who supported and encouraged their children to participate. Thank you to the volunteers who helped our young people prepare for their different events. Thank you to Scott and Heather Miller for being our L2L coordinators. And thank you to all the young people who participated: Maizie Bailey, Josie Cooper, Will Cooper, Emma Dickerson, Charlotte Foster, Ian Foster, Ryan Foster, Halaina Harris, Izzy Jernigan, Katie Jernigan, Dylan Knox, Tyler Lancaster, Kate Lykins, Robert Lykins, Kayla Miller, Josh Miller, Eli Mitchell, Ella Mitchell, Caden Morton, Cameron Morton, Elijah Phillips, Jacolby Rainey, Danek Smith, and Zoie Smith.

We are so proud of each one of you. We cannot wait to see what Lads to Leaders 2024 teaches us about serving our God and our church family!

What does the empty tomb mean for us?

              If you have driven through Cookeville, you have surely noticed the large cross on the side of the interstate.  When we see a cross such as this, we think of Jesus’ sacrifice and death on a cross.  Each Sunday, we remember the Lord’s death, burial and resurrection as we partake of the emblems of the Lord’s Supper just as the early church that came together on the first day of the week to break bread in His remembrance as we see from Acts 20:7.

Do you ever think about the empty tomb and what it means for us?  Jesus tells His disciples in Mark 8:31 that He would suffer many things, be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and after three days rise again.  Matthew 28:5-6 says “But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know you seek Jesus who was crucified.  He is not here; for He is risen, as He said.  Come see the place where the Lord lay.”

We see in Acts 2:24 that death couldn’t hold Him.  Jesus tells Martha in John 11:25 “I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.”  In John 14:6 He says “I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me.”  The empty tomb points to the resurrection of the body of Jesus and assures us that if we have obeyed His commandments, death isn’t the end of our journey with Him.  What does the empty tomb mean for you?

by Justin Morton

Easter Sunday is only one week away. Many people may be planning to attend a church service on that day. Why not use this opportunity to invite a friend, neighbor, coworker or loved one to come worship with you at Walter Hill? You might be surprised at the response to your invitation. Andrew issued his own invitation to his brother, and the result of that invitation led to one of the leaders of the early church (Jn 1:40-42). What results might come from the invitation you extend to someone? You just might invite someone whose life will be transformed by the power of God. 

Some of our members are in Amory, MS this weekend helping serve those affected by the tornadoes. We are thankful for those who have traveled as well as those who provided various resources for their trip. How can you help someone in need this week?

This coming weekend a few of our young people are participating in the Lads to Leaders convention at the Opryland Hotel. Lads to Leaders is a wonderful program designed to help young people develop skills for their service to God. We are so proud of our young people who are participating this year, and the hard work and time they have put into L2L. In the coming weeks you will hear more information about our L2L plans for next year. We would love to have more children participate in this program, and we also can use additional adult volunteers. Will you consider participating in this great work?

Being a part of God’s family provides each of us with some unique opportunities to invite, to serve and to learn. Will you make the most of this week’s opportunities?

            Jesus told a story recorded in Luke 16:19-31 aimed at the Pharisees “who were lovers of money” (Luke 16:14). Whether this is a parable or a true story is not an issue since it was spoken by Emanuel and His parables were always true to life. There are many lessons to be gleaned from this great story of reversal but I want us to notice three realities of death.

            Faithful children of God will enter divine rest upon their demise. Lazarus was evidently an Israelite and “was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom” (verse 22).

            On the other hand, sinners who have refused God’s redemptive measures – as apparently the rich man had – will enter into torments within the Hadean world (the intermediate state of the dead).

            Our eternal destiny is sealed at death. A great gulf will forever separate the godly from the wicked (verse 26).

            While this story verifies Paul’s statement in 1 Timothy 6:10 about the “love of money”, it should impress upon us the need to make our “call and election sure” (2 Peter 1:10). We don’t want to miss heaven!

            There are many details about death and beyond that I don’t know but the New Testament reveals enough that I want to avoid hell and spend eternity in heaven. Yes, heaven will be a place devoid of tears, sorrow, pain, and death (Revelation 21:4). By contrast, hell will be an “everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels” (Matthew 25:41). And, unless Jesus returns first, our deaths are assured – and then the judgment (Hebrews 9:27).

            But whether we’re alive or dead when Christ returns, faithful Christians – those in Christ – have this promise from 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 – “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.” And that’s where Lazarus will be!