Pilgrim Baptist Church
Independent Baptist
We are NOT Mega-Church Entertainment.
You don't need entertainment. You need the preaching of the Word of God.
1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
We are a CHURCH BUILT BY JESUS CHRIST.
In today's world of "modern-mega-churches" it has been increasingly difficult for conservative Christians to find a solid bible-preaching church. There are few churches left that will preach against sin and challenge you to live a holy life separated unto the Lord Jesus Christ. The church is NOT an entertainment center. It is the pillar and ground of truth.
Jesus said: I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
WE'VE GOT WHAT YOU NEED.
Families need to get back to simple, Christ-centered, expositional preaching.
Sadly, many modern churches have purposely moved away from expositional Bible preaching. They have replaced it with "felt-needs preaching", a man-centered philosophy that reasons people have real needs and the pastor should develop sermons to meet those needs.
The 1st problem with "felt-needs" preaching is that no preacher on the face of the earth can discern what you really need. ONLY God knows your needs.
Expositional preaching, on the other hand, pierces and discerns your heart. It meets so many more needs because it depends on the word of God to meet your known and unknown needs. It's vitally important that you're in a church that teaches verse-by-verse from the Bible.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
The 2nd problem with "felt-needs" preaching is that most of the "needs" are really just carnal "wants". People don't NEED self-esteem sermons on health, wealth, prosperity, and 10-tips-to-a-better-you. This is 'band-aid' preaching that never gets to the heart of the matter.
Expositional preaching, on the other hand, is 'heart-transplant' preaching. More than ever, people need to have their hearts compelled to fall in love with Christ, the author of the Book! People don't need to leave the church-house thinking they are AWESOME, they need to leaving KNOWING that Christ is AWE-SOME.
Psalms 119:161 ...but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.
The 3rd problem with "felt-needs" preaching is that it becomes more about stories, rather than books of the Bible. It becomes more about jokes, rather than chapters of the Bible. It becomes more about inspirational quotes, rather than verses in the Bible.
Expositional preaching, on the other hand, helps you understand that the word of God is far BETTER & more SUPERIOR than any story or inspirational quote man can come up with. Because expositional preaching primarily focuses on magnifying the word of God, people learn the Bible better and can apply it's principles to their lives faster.
Psalms 138:2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
The 4th problem with "felt-needs" preaching is that it's centered around YOU getting your problem fixed. We live in a selfish world. People have so many choices that if they don't get their problem fixed immediately they're gone. This results in a multitude of preachers preparing "Mr. Fix-It Sermons" each week.
Expositional preaching, on other hand, is centered around CHRIST and His Word. It allows the preacher to address needs as they arise in the text. It allows the people time to patiently grow as they seek to know God more, instead of seeking to have their felt needs immediately met. It produces a church-family that is willing to gather together and help each other as they read, believe, trust, and obey the Word of God.
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness.
Service Times
Sunday Service Times:
10 am - Sunday School
11 am - Morning Service
6 pm - Evening Service
Midweek Service:
6 pm - Thursday
The Last Sunday of Every Month:
10 am - the Lord's Supper
11 am - Morning Service
12 pm - Fellowship Lunch
2 pm - Afternoon Service
Location
229 W. Jere Whitson Rd.
Cookeville
Tennessee
United States
38501
Staff
Jimmy Fortunato
Pastor
Contacts
Find a church near you: JoinMyChurch.org