Month: April 2009

In the Miss USA beauty pageant last week, Miss California made it to the top five, where each contestant was asked a question by one of the celebrity judges. The judge she drew is a man named Perez Hilton. Hilton is openly homosexual, and is famous as a gossip columnist, though he does not write for any paper. He created a blog (weblog) where he gossips, and “outs” homosexual celebrities. He is a very controversial character, and it is surprising that he was recruited to judge the competition.

Hilton’s question and Miss California’s (Carrie Prejean) answer follow here:

Q: Vermont recently became the 4th state to legalize same-sex marriage. Do you think every state should follow suit. Why or why not?

A: “Well I think its great that Americans are able to choose one or the other. We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage. And you know what, in my country, in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anybody out there, but that’s how I was raised and that’s how I think it should be between a man and a woman. Thank you very much.”

Continue reading “In The News: Miss California and Marriage” →

One of the most sobering passages I can think of is found in John 15. There Jesus said, “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit” (vs. 2).

The text disproves the common belief expressed as “once saved, always saved” and soberly warns us to be industrious as Christian servants.

The text tells me that I need to develop the proper skills needed to be a fruit bearer. It tells me that I need to be spending the time and making the effort necessary to bear fruit. And, it tells me that I need to identify the type of fruit that Jesus expects me to produce.

It also tells me that there are a lot of Christians who need to get started before it’s too late! (Think about it!)

Stan

1 Timothy 3:1-7

Paul’s list of qualifications outlines for us the type of men God wants to serve as overseers among His people.

The picture drawn is of men who are experienced, righteous, wise, knowledgeable, able and proven. They have shown by their domestic lives an ability to guide and nurture the souls of those in their care. They exhibit a self-discipline and demeanor that assures an even handed treatment of important issues that may trouble brethren. They have a familiarity with God’s word that allows them to defend the truth against those who would lead the flock astray.

These guidelines are divinely ordained. As such, they are not mere suggestions. In other words, those who do not meet the qualifications should not be appointed to serve. We do not know better than God, and do not have the right to make an “executive” decision and appoint a man who we “believe” would serve well despite his lack of qualifications. God is the “executive” and has the final say in who should serve in this important work.

As Paul wrote, “A bishop then must be…” (vs. 2).

In two weeks, we will begin a Gospel Meeting with brother Jerry Fite, of Pasadena, TX. The effort will start on Saturday night at 7:30 pm, and will continue through the following Thursday. There will be a special Wednesday morning study together with our regular Sunday services and the weeknight preaching.

Jerry preaches for the Parkview congregation in Pasadena, and has been a faithful proclaimer of God’s word for many years. He is known to the brethren here, having spent a number of years at the Castleberry congregation as a young man, while his father Harold preached for that group. He held a meeting for our congregation in May of 1999, and we are glad to have him return to preach for us again.

Continue reading “The Importance of Gospel Meetings” →

This sermon is an exegetical treatment of Colossians 1:9-19. The text relates Paul’s prayer on behalf of the Colossians, “that you may be filled…” Also, the Preeminence of Christ is revealed and discussed.

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Both science and scripture agree, life begins at conception. As such, the legalization of abortion in 1973 stands as one of the most egregious sins against God and man that has been perpetrated by this nation. Christians must speak out against such atrocities.

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The New Testament well documents the serious nature of the sin of Hypocrisy, and God’s attitude towards it. Jesus condemned in harsh terms the hypocrisy of the Jewish leaders of his day. We must be aware of the sin, and avoid it.

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The Lesson is an exegetical treatment of Romans 12:1-8. There are four marks of devotion evident in the life of any faithful child of God. Self-sacrifice, Self-alteration, Self-examination and Self-involvement. The lesson identifies and discusses these marks.

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The lesson is an exegetical study on Romans 15:1-6 that instructs the Christian to be concerned about pleasing your brother or sister in Christ. But, points out that such an attempt to please must be within the parameters of what is beneficial to him or her.

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Bodily exercise profits a little, but is is much more important for the Christian to be spiritually fit. The lesson encourages and instructs in this.

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The sermon discusses a number of practical suggestions regarding prayer, study and personal conviction that will benefit any Christian, but especially those who are young, and young in the faith.

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The sermon makes a distinction between the congregational work of evangelism, and the preaching of truth that is the unique responsibility of the individual Christian. No one can do your teaching for you.

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The sermon is an exegetical treatment of 2 Corinthians 8:8-15, where the apostle Paul calls the Corinthians to be steadfast in their Christian walk.

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The sermon is a treatment of an email correspondence the speaker had with a Christian who holds to the “Positive Gospel” concept of preaching. What is the proper tone to be used in the preaching of the gospel of our Lord?

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The lesson addresses the proper response to those who object to the truth by using subjective standards. They appeal to their emotions, etc., saying such things as “God spoke to my heart…”

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