Author: Stan Cox

Sermon by Marc Smith.

In this two part sermon, preached Sunday and Monday nights, Marc emphasized the danger of our becoming desensitized to sin, and gave suggestions and applications to ensure we remain sensitive to and obey God’s commands for us.

Audio Part One

Audio Part Two

Powerpoint Slides

Sermon by Marc Smith.

In this lesson, Marc uses Mark 2, and the phrase from the KJV indicating that the paralytic man was carried by four men to see Jesus. The phrase is used to illustrate the point that each of us have those who have borne, or influenced us in our lives. Saul of Tarsis is a good example, and four men are mentioned: Gamaliel, Stephen, Annanias and Barnabas who had a profound influence upon him and his conversion to Christ.

Audio

Powerpoint Slides

Sermon by Marc Smith.

This simple lesson by Marc establishes five important principles, taught by the Lord, important for a healthy and effective prayer life.

Audio

Sermon by Marc Smith:

In this lesson, Marc points out that while the terms conservative and liberal have been helpful in differentiating between churches in the past, they are irrelevant with regard to a congregation’s standing before God. Only one scriptural term is truly relevant: Sound. Is a congregation sound?

Audio

Powerpoint Slides

Some of you may be aware that when Kyle Chamblee was younger, he used to be a competitive gymnast. He and I were talking the other day, and since he knew I played golf, asked me if playing golf ever left my muscles sore.

I told him, no, that it didn’t. Golf after all, is not the most intense form of physical activity. It is one of those lifetime activities that can be enjoyed at any age, and just about any fitness level.

Continue reading “Using New Muscles” →

In these final verses, Paul continued the theme of charity that was the central part of the entire letter. He called upon Philemon to receive Onesimus back as an expression of charity. He then indicated a willingness to shoulder some of that burden himself — again as a demonstration of his love both for the slave Onesimus, and for Philemon as well.

If any loss had come to Philemon because of his slave’s actions, Paul pledged to repay it. However, he reminded Philemon of the debt he owed to Paul, “you owe me even your own self besides” (vs. 19). This should not be construed as an attempt by Paul to manipulate Philemon into absorbing any loss himself. No, Paul’s offer to repay was legitimate and sincere. Rather, Paul encouraged Philemon to note that he too owed a debt, and would desire a gracious response by Paul, as the one to whom he owed his spiritual life. As such, by Paul’s reasoning, he should respond in kind towards Onesimus. This principle was established in the “golden rule” (cf. Luke 6:31), as well as Jesus’ model prayer (Matthew 6:12).

Regardless, Paul expressed his confidence that Philemon would surpass his expectations. Content with that, he offered his salutations, and closed this beautiful letter to his beloved friend.

Invitation delivered by: Kyle Chamblee

Kyle appeals to the scriptures to give instructions on parenting children.

Audio

Primarily using Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus, the apostle indicates that spiritual soundness must include being sound in the faith, in personal faith, in speech, and in moral conduct.

Audio

In preparation for the upcoming Gospel Meeting, the sermon shows through scripture how that these efforts to share the gospel of Christ remain relevant in our time.

Audio

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:1-2)

The apostle’s exhortation impacts every aspect of our lives. We are to be transformed by our faith. As our mind’s are renewed through our acceptance of God’s perfect will, we become better citizens, parents, children, friends, husbands and wives. In the context of the chapter, there are several indications of the character of such a transformed life:

Continue reading “A Transformed Individual” →

On the PBS channel’s website, I recently came across a transcribed interview with a woman named Lori Anne Ferrell. Dr. Ferrell is a professor of early modern history and English at Claremont Graduate University, in Claremont, California. The interview covered aspects of English history in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, around the time that the King James Version of the Bible was translated. During the interview, Dr. Ferrell was asked about the influence of John Wycliffe upon Christian thought in that time period. As a part of her response, she said:

Continue reading “In the News: The Bible Only” →

Invitation delivered by: Justin Carrell

Justin uses parables found in Matthew 13 to help explain what is the Kingdom of God.

Audio

The apostle Paul wrote this epistle to Titus, “a true son in our common faith” (vs. 4). The salutation indicates that, as with Timothy (cf. 1 Timothy 1:2), Paul’s teaching had led to Titus’ conversion.

It was common for Paul, in his epistles, to defend his apostleship as being from God. Paul was not a usurper. In these few verses he states an eloquent argument for his apostleship, as a part of God’s overreaching scheme of redemption for man.

Paul’s apostleship was according to faith. It emanated from God. He states that God had committed him to the proclamation of that faith. God chose through the “foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe” (1 Corinthians 1:21).

So, the emphasis here is not really on Paul as a bondservant and an apostle, but on the message he was to proclaim. Paul describes that gospel as that which “accords with godliness” (vs. 1). It leads to a holy life. As such, it is “in hope of eternal life.” That is, in leading the elect to righteousness, it provides standing with God in judgment. This eternal hope is something we are assured of, as it is promised by God, and God can not lie (cf. vs. 2, Hebrews 6:18). This promise, as Paul indicated, predates the creation of man (cf. vs. 2).

While God can not be kept from answering prayers offered to Him, there are things that a man can do that can interfere with his petitions to God.

Audio

The sermon is an exegetical treatment of 1 Corinthians 15.

Audio