Chattanooga Valley Baptist Church

In Nehemiah 1:1–4, we see a leader whose first response to brokenness is not action, but prayer that lingers. Nehemiah doesn’t rush past grief or seek quick solutions; he sits with the burden and returns to God again and again. His persistence in prayer reveals that God is shaping his heart long before He assigns him a task. Before the wall can rise, God patiently forms a man who knows how to wait...

In this week’s Advent message, we turn to the quiet but powerful story of Simeon, a man who spent his life waiting for God to keep a promise. When he finally holds the Christ Child in the temple, his waiting erupts into joy fulfilled—the deep gladness that comes when the King proves Himself faithful. Simeon shows us that joy isn’t about ideal circumstances but about trusting a God who keeps His wo...

While earthly kings issued decrees for power, heaven wrote a decree of love. Into straw and shadow came the King who would bring peace, not by force, but by sacrifice. The manger is God’s declaration that love moves first — love crosses the divide, love stoops low, love pays the cost. Here, wrapped in cloth, is the heart of God exposed: not distant affection, but embodied mercy. This is the Treaty...

Luke chapter 2 presents the opening lines of God’s peace treaty with a world that has long lived in opposition to its creator. Into the stillness of the night, God sends His messengers to announce the terms of peace that could never be earned. Drafted by the offended King Himself, this treaty is an offer of peace toward a people in rebellion. In the manger, God places His first signature on that t...

Ezra 10 pulls us into one of the most painful moments in Israel’s restoration story. After decades of exile, God brought His people home so they could walk in holiness again — but sin crept right back in. And suddenly Ezra is forced to lead the people through hard, heartbreaking decisions. This chapter reminds us that sometimes desperate times really do call for desperate measures — not because Go...

Ezra 9 opens with devastating news: after all God had done to restore His people, many of them — including leaders — had fallen back into the same sins that led their ancestors into exile. The very people God had rescued were already compromising their holiness. And when Ezra hears it, he doesn’t shrug, blame, or distance himself. He breaks. His response is one of holy grief. He tears his garments...

The eighth chapter of Ezra reminds us that the journey of faith is never a solo mission. As God’s people set out for Jerusalem, the road ahead was long, dangerous, and uncertain—but they were never alone. God’s presence guided them, His hand protected them, and His people walked together in obedience and trust. Ezra didn’t rely on soldiers or human strength; instead, he called the community to pra...

Ezra 7 marks a turning point in Israel’s story. The Temple was rebuilt, but now God sends Ezra to rebuild hearts through His Word. Scripture says again and again, “the hand of the Lord was upon him.” Ezra’s wisdom, courage, and success all flowed from God’s gracious hand at work in his life. His story reminds us that lasting impact doesn’t come from talent or position—it comes from walking closely...

In Ezra 6, the people of God gather to celebrate Passover—a meal that reminded them of freedom, redemption, and the grace that brought them home. After years of exile, they weren’t just rebuilding a temple; they were remembering the God who rescues and restores. Today, as we share in the Lord’s Supper, we join that same story. The Passover pointed forward to Jesus—the true Lamb of God—whose blood...

After years of opposition and delay, the Temple was finally completed—not through human strength, but through the abundant provision of God. Ezra 6 reminds us that when God purposes to accomplish His work, He supplies every resource, every person, and every opportunity needed to bring it to completion. What began with rubble and resistance ended in rejoicing and renewal, all because of the overflo...

In Ezra 5, God’s people face fresh opposition—but this time, their response is different. Confronted by the prophets’ message, they remember who they are: servants of the Most High. When threatened, they don’t back down—they press on, because their fear of God outweighs their fear of man. This passage reminds us that real courage isn’t about defiance; it’s about devotion. When we remember who we s...

In Ezra 4, Israel was offered help in rebuilding the temple—but they knew that partnership meant compromise. They drew the line, choosing purity over convenience. Today, we face the same pressure to blur the boundaries of truth. This message reminds us that God’s work must be done God’s way, and faithfulness means knowing where to draw the line. Now, let’s turn our attention to Pastor Brian for th...

When the foundation of the temple was laid, some shouted for joy while others wept over what was lost. Ezra 3 shows us that God’s work stirs different responses.  Some will experience grief for the past.  Others will be overwhelmed with hope for the future. These are real and valid human responses that God is very much mindful of. The question for us today is this: how will we respond when God is...

The altar is one of the most significant places in the Old Testament, as it was the place where sacrifices were offered. The first thing the returning exiles did when they began rebuilding Jerusalem was to construct the altar. This text serves as a powerful reminder that renewal doesn’t begin with buildings and structures; it begins with worship.   Now, let’s turn our attention to Pastor Brian for...

Lists of names in the Bible can be challenging to read, and even more challenging to preach. However, the presence of these names reveals something about God’s heart to us. He cares about his promises, and he cares about his people. However, this list represents more than just a census; this is a list of people who are part of God’s covenant community that exists, not for itself, but to reflect Go...

In this message from Ezra 1, Pastor Brian Carroll unpacks how God stirred the heart of Cyrus the Great, the most powerful ruler of his time, to fulfill His divine purposes. Though Cyrus was called “king of kings,” he was ultimately subject to the true King of Kings. This sermon reminds us that no authority, power, or ruler stands above God’s sovereign hand. Now, let’s turn our attention to this we...

This week, we begin a brand new sermon series through the Old Testament books of Ezra and Nehemiah.  This series is called "A Work in Progress."  These two books of the bible detail how God's people rebuilt the Temple and the walls of Jerusalem.  However, while they were working on building the city, God was working on building his people. In this week's sermon, entitled Demolition Day, Pastor Bri...

In today’s sermon, entitled “The Call to Endure, Pastor Brian Carroll challenges us to consider what it means to endure in faith and finish well. Drawing from Paul’s final words in 2 Timothy chapter 4, verses 1 through 8, we’re reminded that overcoming means faithfully serving Christ in every season, using our God-given gifts with purpose, and living every day with the finish line in mind. This is...

In today’s sermon, entitled “The Challenge”, Pastor Brian Carroll takes us to Hebrews 5:11–14, reminding us that spiritual growth requires effort. Too often we settle for immaturity—forgetting lessons, neglecting disciplines, and lacking discernment. But God calls us to move from milk to solid food, training ourselves through consistent obedience. This challenge isn’t meant to shame us, but to str...

In this week’s sermon, entitled “The Affirmation, ”from Galatians chapter 6, verses 9 through 10, Pastor Brian Carroll encourages us not to lose heart in doing good. Drawing on both Scripture and real-life examples, he highlights how God’s people are called to serve others with wisdom, perseverance, and love—especially within the household of faith.

In this closing message from the book of Revelation, Pastor Brian Carroll reminds us of Jesus’ urgent promise, “I am coming soon,” and calls believers to live expectantly, pray fervently for His return, and actively share the good news of Jesus. While we wait, we depend on God’s grace to sustain us, knowing the work is not finished until every ear has heard the good news. Now, let’s turn our atten...

In today’s message, Pastor Brian Carroll takes us to the final chapter of the Bible, where Jesus offers both a gift to His Bride—the Church—and an invitation to the lost. As we approach the end of Revelation, we’re reminded that the story doesn’t close with judgment, but with an open call: “Come.” This is The Invitation.

This week, Pastor Brian continues to walk through the final chapter of Revelation with a message titled The Eyewitness. As the Apostle John reflects on all he has seen and heard, he embraces his responsibility to testify—and reminds us that we have that same calling. While we may not have witnessed the visions of Revelation firsthand, we have experienced the life-changing power of Jesus. This serm...

This week, we explore the River of Life in Revelation 22, verses 1 through five—a powerful image that ties together the entire biblical story from Eden to eternity. Pastor Brian Carroll unpacks how this river, flowing from the throne of God, symbolizes the healing, restoration, and abundant life available through Christ. We see how the themes of living water, the tree of life, and the end of the c...

In this week’s message, Pastor Brian leads us into one of the most breathtaking and mysterious passages in all of Scripture—John’s vision of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21. This is more than a description of a future city; it’s a declaration of God’s glory, His perfect presence, and His eternal promise to dwell with His people. As we study the stunning imagery of streets of gold, foundations o...