Category: Christian Living
Subject: Christian Living
From the Preacher’s Pen: A Successful Life
A Successful Life
(Psalm 119:59-60)
“I thought about my ways, And turned my feet to Your testimonies. I made haste, and did not delay to keep Your commandments.”
Take Inventory
“I thought about my ways…”
(1 Corinthians 11:28; 2 Corinthians 10:12; Luke 15:17)
Go to the Right Source
“And turned my feet to Your Testimonies”
(Romans 1:16; Proverbs 16:25; Psalm 119:105)
Do Not Delay
“I made hast and did not delay”
(Colossians 3:23; 2 Corinthians 6:2; Acts 16:33)
Do the Will of God
“to keep Your commandments”
(Matthew 7:21; 1 John 5:3; Hebrews 5:8-9)
A successful life will be rewarded by the Almighty! “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23).
Sermon: The TRUE Daniel Plan
There is a new diet book out called, The Daniel Plan. It references a passage from Daniel 1:8, where Daniel refused the diet of the king of Babylon. There is a true plan found in the book of Daniel, which if followed, will bring spiritual benefits and health.
Sermon: Spring 2015 Meeting Sermons – Heath Rogers
Below are the links to the audio and powerpoint presentations from Heath Rogers, who held a meeting at the West Side church on May 9-14, 2015.
Lesson 1: “Whom Are You Seeking?”
Lesson 2: Help in Times of Trouble
Lesson 3: Lessons from Hezekiah’s Prayer
Lesson 4: Making Evangelism a Priority
Lesson 5: The Grace of God
Lesson 6: Mediocrity
Lesson 7: A Man After God’s Own Heart
Lesson 8: Can We Understand the Bible Alike?
Lesson 9: The Second Coming of Christ
Sermon: Ways of the Wise
Based in part on Ephesians 5:15-17. The sermon discusses the ways of the wise. A wise man: Receives counsel; Guards his tongue; Flees from evil; Is prepared; and Obeys God.
Note: Powerpoint file created by Jeremiah Cox.
Sermon: Stand Fast in the Lord
In Philippians 4, the apostle exhorts his brethren to stand fast in the Lord. The lesson examines the first 9 verses of that chapter to ascertain what that steadfastness entails.
Sermon: The Excuses of Moses
An interesting aspect of an examination of Moses’ excuses to God when he was charged with the task of leading the Israelites is that the excuses are common to each of us.
* Who am I?
* What shall I say?
* Suppose they will not believe me?
* I am slow of speech and tongue?
* Please send someone else!
Invitation: Ongoing Christian Development
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
2 Peter 1:5-11 talks of the need of continual spiritual development as a child of God.
In Colossians 3, the apostle Paul establishes certain building blocks of Christian character.From the Preacher’s Pen: Shortsighted
I am typing this short article while away from home, and handicapped by having left my reading glasses behind. As such, my near-sightedness is making it difficult to complete the task.
Naturally, I am reminded of Peter’s words in 2 Peter 1:9, “For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.” The things to which Peter refers are: faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love.
Consider that when Peter wrote these words there was no relief for a short sighted person. While I can pick up my glasses, they had no remedy. Such words would be especially poignant to one who suffered from near-sightedness, but would be a vivid picture to all. The Christian without his virtues is severely handicapped. It is difficult for him to accomplish his life’s purpose to serve God, and receive the reward.
In contrast, Peter writes, “For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (vs. 8). Peter promises the clear-sighted Christian an entrance “into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (vs. 11). This requires diligence on our part (cf. vs. 10), and it certainly takes work to mature through the process of adding to our faith. What about it? How hard are you working to for such spiritual focus?
Sermon: Words of Wisdom
The book of Ecclesiastes contains several miscellaneous words of wisdom in its pages that have beneficial applications to the Christian’s life.
Sermon: A Committed Life
We must not look back once we become a professing child of God. We must focus our lives on serving Christ first!
Sermon: Proper Attitudes toward Spiritual Work
Every faithful Christian has that which he can and should do for God, as a member of a local congregation. To be useful for the Lord, certain attitudes must be present. Things such as eagerness, diligence, positivity and persistence.
Sermon: The Obligations of Freedom in Christ
The sermon is an exegetical treatment of Galatians 5 & 6, noting that the liberty we obtain in Christ is liberty from sin, not responsibility.
Sermon: At the Crossroads
We all must make choices in our lives. Ultimately, our eternal destiny depends upon taking the narrow and difficult path that leads to life. The lesson discusses several questions all must ask themselves at one time or another, including:
- Will you obey the gospel?
- Will you live above sin?
- Will you pay the price of discipleship?
- Will you remember God while you are young?
- Will you endure to the end?
Invitation: If then you were raised with Christ
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
In Colossians 3:1, Paul introduces an “if/then” statement which establishes two things. If you were raised with Christ, you have an obligation to serve Him, and you have the hope of reward for such service.
