Month: March 2010

This sermon examines the severe denunciation of the Pharisee, spoken by the Lord in Matthew 23.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

In preparation for the meeting beginning the next week with brother Micky Galloway, this sermon emphasizes the importance and benefits of the preaching done in these special efforts.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

The last supper that Jesus took with his disciples before his betrayal has long been a favorite subject of artists. Leonardo Da Vinci’s painting of the event is a classic, prints of which hang in homes and grace the pages of many Bibles. It is only one of thousands of paintings on the subject that have been completed in the past 1,000 or so years.

Recently researchers took 52 of those paintings, and did an interesting thing. They analyzed the size of the plates and food portrayed in the paintings, to see if it would cast any light on the change in eating habits over the past millenium.

Continue reading “In the News: Gluttony and the Last Supper” →

In the past several months we have had a number of things done to the building to maintain and improve it. Most of it was necessary work: Replacing the air conditioners due to theft, and the carpet in the auditorium due to water damage. Also, new lights, and the addition of ceiling fans to combat the mold problem we have had due to moisture.

The building is in great shape, and ready for our upcoming gospel meeting, but the work got me to thinking about the importance of maintaining the church. (Not the building … the people!)

That is what edification is, “soul maintenance.” Paul encouraged the Thessalonians, “Therefore comfort each other, and edify one another, just as you also are doing” (1 Thess. 5;11). Our upcoming meeting is a good opportunity for such edification.

The practice of hospitality is emphasized as an important part of the Christian walk. Gaius was commended by the apostle John for his expressions of hospitality for “the brethren and for strangers” (3 John 4).

Gaius’ hospitality included the keeping and feeding of preachers of the gospel of Christ. Because of his help to them, John said that Gaius did “well”, and indicated that when we receive these men, “we may become fellow workers for the truth” (vs. 8).

We put up a meal list for brother Micky Galloway, who will be preaching for us in our meeting April 3-8. This is your opportunity to emulate Gaius, and receive the commendation of our Lord.

If you show hospitality to a preacher, he gets a meal, but you get a far greater blessing!

My family had a wonderful day yesterday (and the Davis family did as well, I trust). I am so proud for Josh and Rachel, and I sincerely believe that they will have a long and happy life together.

I am thankful for my children, and for my family, and for my brethren in Christ. Things were very hectic at the wedding, and the reception following, and I didn’t get an opportunity to thank those who were able to come.

The apostle Paul wrote, “And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it” (1 Corinthians 12:26).

We certainly had cause to rejoice yesterday. And, we are so grateful that our brethren were there to rejoice with us!

Revelation 3:14-22

Our Lord’s final letter to the seven churches in Asia was addressed to the Laodiceans. Laodicea was about 100 miles inland of Ephesus, just northwest of Colosse.

The city was a wealthy one, and apparently the church was as well. This letter is unique among the twelve, in that there is nothing positive said about the congregation.

Though rich materially, Jesus said that the church was, “wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked.”

The sin of the Laodiceans was apathy, colorfully described as being “lukewarm.” Equally colorful is the response of the Lord, “because you are lukewarm … I will vomit you out of my mouth” (vs. 16).

The Lord rebuked the Laodiceans because He loved them. He loves us as well. Remember, apathy is unpalatable to Him. If we are going to stand acceptable in His sight, we must give ourselves wholly to His service. Nothing less will suffice.

This sermon seeks to give a scriptural answer to perhaps the most perplexing question that man can ask.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

This sermon describes, through the use of metaphors contained in scripture, the relationship between Christ and His church.

Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Using Peter’s first epistle, this sermon describes an aspect of God’s call to Christians. We are to be holy in all our conduct.

Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio AM (Part 1): Click Here .

Sermon Audio PM (Part 2): Click Here .