Category: Faith

Subject: Faith

The Response of Faith

The apostle Peter began his second epistle with a  proclamation of God’s mercy and grace. With His divine power, He “has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness.” Further, “by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises.” Because of this, we “may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (1:2-4).

What a wonderful expression of God’s love. He determined to save man from Himself, and sent His Son. It is through Jesus that God has “blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:3). When we have gained so much from Him, the obvious question we should be asking is—how should we respond to His munificence? Continue reading “The Response of Faith”

The Gospel Plan of Salvation

Speaker:  David Hightower

Sermon: “Is There Not A Cause?”

The 1 Samuel 17 narrative of David’s Battle with Goliath reveals certain applications that we can use as we are confronted with our own enemies (spiritual and physical).

Sermon Powerpoint View and Download:

<<———><><———>>

Sermon: The Weakening of Our Faith

While the world looks to magnets to weaken faith in God, we must concern ourselves with self-inflicted attacks on our faith. Instead, we must work and be diligent to increase our faith!

Sermon Powerpoint View and Download:

—————————

Sermon: Paul’s Discourse on Grace

Stan discusses the text of Ephesians 2. Using the context of the passage, he explains the concept of salvation by grace through faith.

Fall 2022 Meeting with Kyle Campbell

CanYou

Our Fall Meeting, 2022 with Kyle Campbell, November 5, 2002. A series of fundamental lessons answering fundamental questions.

The theme: “Can you show”

Lesson 1: Can You Show That There is a God? (Saturday)

Lesson 2: Can You Show that the Bible is the Word of God? (Sunday 9AM)

Lesson 3: Can You Show that Jesus Rose from the Dead? (Sunday 10AM)

Lesson 4: Can You Show What the Bible Says? (Sunday 11AM)

Lesson 5: Can You Show That the Bible Can be Understood? (Monday)

Lesson 6: Can You Show How We are Saved? (Tuesday)

Lesson 7: Can You Show What Worship Is? (Wednesday 10AM)

Lesson 8: Can You Show What the Church Does? (Wednesday PM)

Lesson 9: Can You Show That Chrisitans are Moral People (Thursday)

<<———><><———>>

Sermon: Anchors of Faith

Aaron Collier shares some valuable insights concerning Faith and its applications.

Sermon: Legacies of the Faithful

As we contemplate the legacies of those who have gone before, we can make the proper applications to ensure we too will serve God acceptably.

The Patternists: Jeroboam’s Folly

Jeroboam High Places

In recent weeks, I have had several conversations with those who claim men are so reasonable, that any obvious demonstration of God’s power would convince them of His existence and their need to follow Him. Their view mirrors that of the rich man of Luke 16, who begged Abraham to send Lazarus to his five brothers so that they wouldn’t lose their souls as well. Abraham answered in part, “If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead” (31).

The truth is, most men are sufficiently self-willed to reject truths of every type, no matter how obvious they may be. We see it everyday in politics, medicine and daily life. (Note: We can be guilty of the same, and need to be careful ourselves).

Continue reading “The Patternists: Jeroboam’s Folly”

Sermon: Why Job and Why Me?

Why Job

When experiencing tribulation, a typical question we ask, “God, why me?” It is a similar question that Job had regarding his state after great suffering. The lesson discusses the answers supplied to this question, and establishes the proper way to look at Job’s story.

Reasons for Thanksgiving

praying

In Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians, he began by expressing thanksgiving for them. Why was he thankful?

  1. Because it was fitting (3). In other words, there was a legitimate reason for his joy. Its origin was their conduct in Christ, which he lists in verses 3-4.
  2. Because their faith was growing exceedingly (3). These Christians hadn’t stalled in their faith as others did and can do today (Hebrews 5:12—6:6). Through diligence and effort, they were making progress, and growing stronger spiritually.
  3. Because their love for each other was abundant (3). John considered this the primary characteristic identifying the people of God (1 John 4:7-11). The Thessalonians were wonderful examples of the proper response to God’s love. “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
  4. Because they were strong in faith and patience in the midst of tribulation and persecution (10). It is one thing to be strong when the going is easy. It is a true reason to rejoice when faithfulness is seen despite the devil’s attempt to destroy it. The zeal of the Thessalonians was truly praiseworthy.

So, a natural question to ask… Is our congregation one that Paul would “thank God always for”? Are we growing in faith? Abounding in Love? Remaining steadfast despite trials? It is important to be counted “worthy of this calling” (11).

Click below to…

Image

Sermon: The Beginning of the Gospel

Beginning of Gospel

An examination of the text of Acts 2, as Stan describes the power of the gospel to pierce hearts and save souls.

Sermon: Progress in Philippi

progress

(A discussion of Acts 16). When the gospel falls on good hearts, fruit is borne, despite any opposition.

Pandemic VS Endemic

Breaking news: We have been in the midst of a worldwide pandemic for more than two years now! (Duh!) This is the first worldwide pandemic that we have experienced in our lifetimes. This is fortunate, but I would have appreciated another 30 or so years before it happened (let the kids and grandkids deal with it).

Some experts are cautiously predicting that the pandemic is almost over. They say the best case scenario to hope for is for the COVID virus to become endemic. Pandemic, endemic, what is the difference?

Pandemic is defined as a disease that is, “prevalent in a country or the world.” A disease that is endemic is one that is regularly found in the population, (like colds or the flu). In other words, the COVID virus will always be around, but we are getting a handle on it.

How about a spiritual application? In our world is faith a pandemic or is it endemic? Well, true faith is certainly not prevalent in the world today — would it were so. It is more accurate to consider it endemic in society. It is always there, it is around, but it doesn’t particularly effect the majority of society.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we were able to [turn] the world upside down” (cf. Acts 17:6)? That’s what the Thessalonians accused Paul of doing. Our expressions of faith and efforts to preach the gospel should have an unsettling effect on our society. Are you doing your part to “spread” the faith of our Lord to “infect” those you meet day to day?

Click below to…

Image

Sermon: Fall 2021 Gospel Meeting (Dennis Scroggins)

Scroggins Meeting

All lessons preached by Dennis Scroggins, October 2-7, 2021

Lesson 1 (Saturday, October 2, 2021)
By Faith Noah Condemned the World

Dennis uses the example of Noah (and the text of Hebrews 11:7) to show that as he condemned the world by his righteous life, we as Christians are to shine as lights in the world as well.

Lesson 2 (Sunday @ 9am, October 3, 2021)
The Sin of Unforgiveness

Too often Christians harbor resentment and anger in their hearts when they have been offended. Such anger is self-destructive and sinful.

Lesson 3 (Sunday @ 10am, October 3, 2021)
Bitterness: The Devil’s Distraction

Bitterness of heart can destroy the spiritual well-being of the child of God. It is one of the Devil’s most successful tools in derailing the Christian walk.

Lesson 4 (Sunday @ 11am, October 3, 2021)
Spiritual Cannibalism

When Christians attack one another, it is a form of spiritual cannibalism. (Galatians 5:15), “But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!”

Lesson 5 (Monday, October 4, 2021)
Friendship – Fellowship

The basis for Christian fellowship has never been friendship. It revolves around obedience and faithfulness to the Word of God. Too often in the world today, Christians forget this truth.

Lesson 6 (Tuesday, October 5, 2021)
Why Does the Holy Spirit Speak to You, and Not to Me?

Many religious people believe the Holy Spirit speaks directly to them. The Bible reveals that the Holy Spirit guided the apostles into ALL truth, and now we have it in written form. So many, though sincere, are misguided in their feelings on the matter.

Lesson 7 (Wednesday, October 6, 2021)
Who is the Greatest Among You?

Greatness in the kingdom is the product of service. We must humble ourselves before God and man to serve Him as He desires.

Lesson 8 (Wednesday, October 7, 2021)
Progressive Church Movement Found in the Churches of Christ

A progressive attitude is present as a part of an ecumenical movement in many evangelical denominations. Progressive in the sense of a depature from the standard of God’s word. Unfortunately, such attitudes can be found in the Lord’s church as well.