Tri-Annual Singing!
June 20, 2026
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Category: Authority
Subject: Authority
The Patternists: David and the Temple
In 1 Chronicles 17:1, David showed a sincere heart in his desire to build a permanent Temple to honor God. “Now it came to pass, when David was dwelling in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, ‘See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the Lord is under tent curtains.”
Interestingly, it seems that Nathan’s response to David was presumptuous. That is, it came from Nathan himself, rather than from God. Nathan said to David, “Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you” (17:2). Much of Nathan’s words were accurate. David was certainly a righteous king, and in general his reign was in accord with God’s purpose. However, it was wrong for Nathan to assume God would desire for David to build the temple.
The Patternists: Walking in the Light
In 1 John 1:7-9, John gives us a wonderful promise. “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Our question, since the promise is that God will cleanse us from all unrighteousness, is, “What does it mean to walk in the light?” John gives us some idea of that in his phrase, “as He is in the light.”
Sermon: Traditionalism
Description Josh Cox describes the dangers of traditionalism from two extremes. First, binding the traditions of men as equal to scripture. Second, rejecting expedient traditions as part of a compromise with current culture.
The Patternists: A Conditional Covenant
There are a number of agreements, or covenants which the Lord has entered into with mankind. Some of these covenants were unconditional. Some had conditions appended to them.
After God had destroyed the world with the flood, he placed a bow in the cloud, with the promise that he would never again destroy the world by water. No conditions were placed on this. It was God’s decision, regardless of man’s actions.
Sermon: Hear Him!
A study of the transfiguration of Jesus, recorded in Luke 9, establishing the major truth – that God wants us to hear His Son in these final days.
The Patternists: Lord’s Supper Observance – Frequency
Listening to a recent podcast by Donnie Rader, regarding the observance of the Lord’s Supper, I was struck by his explanation as to why the Supper is to be observed on the first day of every week.
He first noted that it is common for some religious groups to observe the Supper on a quarterly or annual basis, once a month or on special occasions. This is in contrast to what is revealed in scripture.
In Acts 20:7, the scripture states, “Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.”
Continue reading “The Patternists: Lord’s Supper Observance – Frequency”
Sermon: Taught and Established
Peter wrote in 2 Peter 14-18 that untaught and unstable people may twist the scriptures to their destruction. This shows us how important it is to be taught, and established in the faith.
Sermon: Lessons from the Baptism of John
As we contrast the baptism of John with baptism in the name of the Lord (for the remission of sins), we are left with truths that need to be taught today.
The Patternists: Walk in Wisdom
“Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Colossians 4:5-6).
According to these words from Paul, (representative of many other passages that affirm the same), Christians have responsibilities regarding how we interact with those outside the body of Christ. Elsewhere Paul wrote, “that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15). In our passage in Colossians, this passage instructs us in our speech.
Sermon: The Burning Bush
In Exodus 3, Jehovah spoke to Moses from the midst of a bush that burned, but was not consumed. A number of important lessons can be learned from that occasion.
The Patternists: The Bearer of Bad News
Jeroboam was rewarded by God with the 10 tribes which made up the northern kingdom of Israel. He became their king, according to the prophet Ahijah, because the reign of Solomon led to Israel forsaking Jehovah, and engaging in idolatry, cf. 1 Kings 11:29-39. His tenure as king was conditioned upon his obedience to God. The prophet Ahijah shared with Jeroboam these words from God, “Then it shall be, if you heed all that I command you, walk in my ways, do what is right in My sight, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as My servant David did, then I will be with you and build for you an enduring house, as I built for David, I will give Israel to you” (38).
Jeroboam responded to Jehovah’s gift of the northern kingdom by rebelling against Him. Just as Solomon led Israel into idolatry, Jeroboam encouraged the northern Kingdom he ruled to worship gold calves he had fashioned for them.
The Patternists: The Model Prayer
Jesus taught his disciples how to pray in His sermon recorded in Matthew 5-6. The prayer is found in 6:9-13:
“In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.
Amen.”
This prayer rather unfortunately has been designated as the Lord’s Prayer. I say unfortunately because it has become the practice of many to recite it as a prayer to God, rather than offering prayers “in this manner.”
The Patternists: “They Understood the Words”
The eighth chapter of Nehemiah is a wonderful narrative to help establish the importance of knowing and following the will of the Lord.
On this occasion, following the rebuilding and defense of the wall which had been erected to protect Jerusalem, the remnant of Judah (released from captivity), gathered together for a reading of the law. There were a number of times during Israel’s history where a renewal of the covenant between God and His people were made. It happened prior to Moses’ death in Moab (Deuteronomy 29). It happened again as Joshua neared his death (Joshua 24). When the lost law was found again during the reign of Josiah, he made the people commit to the covenant (2 Kings 23).
Continue reading “The Patternists: “They Understood the Words””
That Which is Perfect
The thirteenth chapter of 1 Corinthians serves as a parenthetical discussion of the importance of love, within the greater context of spiritual gifts. In the twelfth chapter, Paul admonished the Corinthians not to turn their use of spiritual gifts into a contest. The gifts all emanate from the Holy Spirit, and He gives the gifts “to each one individually as He wills.” (11). Since this is so, no man should be seeking to elevate himself above another based upon the gift the Holy Spirit has given him. Nor should any Christian perceive his own gift to be insignificant or unneeded.
Paul ends the chapter with these questions, “Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way” (29-31).
So, what is that better way? It is the way of love. Tongues and prophecy without love do no good (cf. 13:1-2). Even charity or self-sacrifice, if love is not present will be of no profit (cf. 13:3).
The Patternists: Solomon’s Heart Turns from the Lord
“But King Solomon loved many foreign women, as well as the daughter of Pharaoh: women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites — from the nations of whom the Lord had said to the children of Israel, ‘You shall not intermarry with them, nor they with you. Surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods.’ Solomon clung to these in love.” (1 Kings 11:1-2).
This passage is one among several that should give pause to every Christian of marrying age. Love is a powerful thing. Over the years, I have witnessed many Christians who have had their hearts turned away from God because of matters of the heart.
Much discussion has been had regarding whether a Christian should marry a non-Christian. Is it a sin? Is it allowed? Is it best?
Continue reading “The Patternists: Solomon’s Heart Turns from the Lord”
