Tri-Annual Singing!
June 20, 2026
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Category: Christian Living
Subject: Christian Living
The Danger of Idleness
There is an interesting correlation between idleness and sin. Most are familiar with the saying, “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.” Though the origin of the saying is unknown, it’s use dates back to Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, and probably had it’s inspiration from principles that are found in scripture.
Proverbs 16:27 says, “An ungodly man digs up evil, and it is on his lips like a burning fire.” The Living Bible paraphrase rather inaccurately rendered this scripture, “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.” But, that is not really what the passage is saying.
Paul did have something to say about idleness, however. In his second letter to the Thessalonians he wrote, “For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread” (3:10-12).
Work serves two purposes. It allows for self-sufficiency. It shows a lack of character when you can support your and yours, and you allow others to do it instead. And, it keeps you busy, so that you do not concern yourself with inappropriate things. Truly, “Idle hands are the Devil’s workshop!”
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The Keys to a Successful Life
Take the time to do a book search at the Amazon site. Type in “successful living”, and look at the myriad titles that come up. Some of them have reference to financial success, some simply happiness, some claim a Biblical basis for their ideas.
How is success defined? The writer of Ecclesiastes sought to answer that very question. Things such as wisdom, pleasure, money, work ethic, perspective, friendship, popularity, honor, laughter and youthfulness were considered and rejected. He came to the realization that life lived without God in the picture is vain. Without God, there can be no success.
Sermon: Colorful Thoughts
Our thoughts can be black (despair and defeat); Red (anger and envy); Yellow (cowardice and weakness), but they should be white (true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, praiseworthy
I Press On
“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me” (Philippians 1:12). Paul’s words here are often passed over in favor of quoting the two that follow. “Brethren I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (1:13-14).
But, verse 12 adds much to the thought Paul is expressing in the text. Primarily, it states the fact that Paul had not yet attained whatever “that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me” is. What is it? The glorious prize! The crown of righteousness!
You have two religious attitudes that prevail in our day. The first is the view that because I have been saved, the attaining of the goal is a fait accompli. I may should press on, but I don’t have to press on. I am saved. I am going to heaven. My eternal destiny is set.
The second is that expressed by Paul in our text. He was saved, but he knew that the crown of righteousness had not yet been awarded. As such, he lived with purpose. He sought daily to maintain his relationship with the Lord, pressing forward to attain the goal. He did not want to become a castaway! (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:27). Paul’s attitude is the correct one. Don’t presume, get to work!
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Sermon: The Purity of Our Motivation
In 2 Corinthians 5:12-21, the apostle discusses his motivation to serve Christ. A lesson we all would do well to heed.
Sermon: The Christian’s Role in Politics
Speaker: Josh Cox
Josh explains some scriptural principles that should guide every Christian as we seek to navigate voting and political involvement in a divisive culture.
- Facebook Live Video of Sermon (Note: The audio in this video feed is not very good).
Sermon: Radical Christianity
Speaker: Tommy Davis
Using young King Josiah as an example, Tommy notes the importance of being radical in our service to the Lord
Sermon: Lessons from Peter
Speaker: Tommy Davis
Tommy uses the text of Peter’s epistles to establish lessons to benefit God’s children.
Sermon: Growing Spiritually
Paralleling spiritual and physical growth, the text of 1 Peter 2 is used to explain the means of obtaining the spiritual growth we seek.
“But God composed the body”
In 1 Corinthians 12, the apostle Paul expressed the importance of every single Christian doing his or her part to bring growth to the local congregation. He noted that each individual member is unique, “And the eye cannot say to the hand, ’I have no need of you’; nor again the head to the feet, ’I have no need of you’” (21). He concluded that even those members who seem to be weaker “are necessary” (22).
Do we have the same view of our participation in congregational activities and duties? Do we consider our part to be necessary? Or even important?
Paul clearly states that “God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased” (18). “But God composed the body…” (24).
Never underestimate your importance to God and His people. Never underestimate what God expects of you, and how much His people need you to do your part.
Paul wrote, “Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually” (27). We need you to be an active member of the West Side congregation. We need to grow spiritually every day, and diligently perform the duties our Lord expects of our congregation. We can’t do that unless each and every one of us are doing our part. You are special! God knows it, and so do we. Do you?
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Sermon: Renewal
In Isaiah 40:31, the prophet makes the promise, “but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” In order to be renewed, we must trust the Lord, alter our thinking, and rededicate ourselves to His service!
Sermon: A Living Sacrifice
Romans 12 well describes the life of one who presents himself to God as a living Sacrifice. Such a life includes: Thinking Soberly, Functioning Faithfully, Loving Sincerely, Serving Fervently and Living Peaceably.
Sermon: 9 Tools to Handle Challenges
It helps to have a spiritual “toolbox” with all of the tools needed to effectively handle the challenges of life. Fortunately, God has supplied us with those tools.
Sermon: The Glow of a Converted Soul
A converted soul will be evident to all. Their approach to life will be changed, impacting every aspect of their walk. Their desire to conform to God’s word will impact every decision they make.
