Category: Evangelism
Subject: Evangelism
Sermon: Examples of Zeal found in the Early Church
A textual study of Acts 4 & 5 revealing the zeal, and boldness of the apostles in preaching despite threats of persecution.
Sermon: Desensitized!
Christians must be careful to not become desensitized to Sin, as we encounter it frequently in our culture.
The Charge to Preach
Paul gave a serious charge to his ward Timothy, to preach the word! The charge was serious because it was made, “before God and the Lord Jesus Christ who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom” (2 Timothy 4:1).
Without forgetting in the context that Timothy was a young evangelist, I would like to emphasize how important it is to the Father and Son for disciples to share the gospel of our Lord. It is not worded as a suggestion, or even a plea. It is a charge!
The Almighty God in heaven, and His Son, to whom He gave the right to judge is giving an order to “Preach the word! Be ready in season, and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” (4:2).
The world frowns upon any Christian who has the temerity to “proselytize.” However, that is exactly what God requires of us. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you…” (Matthew 28:19-20).
Simply put, we take our marching orders from the Lord. And, as our general, He has been given absolute authority over us. We are to do His will, without hesitation or question. His marching orders are to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). Are we heeding the charge of our Lord?
Click below to…
Sermon: Spring Meeting, 2021 with JR Bronger
JR Bronger from Blue Springs, MO preached a wonderful series of gospel sermons for the West Side congregation, May 1-6, 2021:
Saturday PM: The Conversion of Saul (Acts 9)
- A discussion of the conversion of Saul of Tarsus. A religious terrorist who became a wonderful example of the saving power of God’s grace.
- Facebook Live Video of Sermon
Sunday 1st Service: Evangelizing the World
- In the first century, Christians were able to spread the gospel throughout the known world, despite opposition and challenges. If we have the same mindset today, we can be just as successful!
- Facebook Live Video of Sermon
Sunday Class: Successful Marriages
- Foundational teaching on the subject of marriage. Principles which, if followed, will guarantee strong marriages existing in accord with God’s desire.
- Facebook Live Video of Sermon
Sunday 2nd Service: The Hate of Christ and Christians
- The world hated Jesus Christ because of His mission and righteousness. He promised that the world would hate his followers as well. In our day such hate is prominent.
- Facebook Live Video of Sermon
Monday PM: Christians Are Running a Race
- A runner himself, brother Bronger uses the Hebrew writer’s imagery in Hebrews 12:1-2 to establish a few important truths regarding the race the Christian runs.
- Facebook Live Video of Sermon
Tuesday PM: A Rebel Returns
- A powerful lesson on rebellion and redemption, based on the Parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15. Young people need to hear this message!
- Facebook Live Video of Sermon
Wednesday PM: Do You Want to be Made Well?
- If you really wish for spiritual healing, you must stop thinking of yourself as a victim, stop blaming others for your failings, free yourself from fear and recognize the difference between wanting relief, and wanting a cure.
- Facebook Live Video of Sermon
Thursday PM: Hardening of Pharaoh’s Heart
- There were three responsible parties in the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart. God Himself with His demands. The wicked court magicians. And most prominently, Pharaoh himself.
- Facebook Live Video of Sermon
Sermon: The Work of Evangelism
Speaker: David Hightower
This short invitation lesson is David’s first effort. David is a fine young Christian, and his lesson on the importance of Evangelism as a work of every Christian is worth a listen and viewing!
Paul’s Love and Concern
“Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved” (Philippians 4:1).
The apostle Paul had a wonderful relationship with the church in Philippi. A faithful group, the brethren there had great affection for the apostle, and they showed that love through diligent care.
They sent Epaphroditus to Rome with a gift for Paul. Because of their support, his incarceration was easier to bear. Paul acknowledged their support in his letter, showing his appreciation for their generosity.
“But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity” (4:10).
“Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities” (4:14-16).
Because of their love for him, Paul loved them in return. He was invested in their spiritual welfare. His primary concern, as seen in (4:1), was for them to “stand fast in the Lord.”
Who do you love? Who is most important in your life? Have you told them that you are concerned for their soul? Have you let them know how important it is for them to “stand fast in the Lord.” Have you shown them how to do that? If not, why not?
Click below to…
Sermon: Fields White For Harvest (4:27-38)
Lesson 8 in Series (John 4:27-38)
Jesus expresses to His disciples that both His and their work in the world is to save souls.
Sermon: Philip’s Preaching in Samaria
A sermon showing the power of the gospel in the conversion of men, illustrated by the preaching Philip did in the region of Samaria.
Is Church Important?
In answer to the question above, it certainly is important to God! The act of His son’s sacrifice on the cross was to, “purchase with His own blood” the church (cf. Acts 20:28).
The term church, used correctly, refers to the redeemed. “And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47).
There is no more important fellowship of which to be a part. And, understanding the importance of the church, perhaps it is good to consider the purpose of its establishment.
Men have ideas about this. They believe the church should be an agent of societal change. Of course, there are many such organizations that exist, so the church would only be another voice in the crowd.
Some think the church is simply a community of people who enjoy each other’s company. The church is a place to visit, eat and play together with people you like. A kind of social club. Many congregations make socializing the primary emphasis.
God said the church was established to save people. “And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned'” (Mark 16:15-16).
The Lord’s church is unique in the world. It is the divine institution given the responsibility by God to share the precious message of salvation. It is disturbing that men would trivialize it by giving it purposes and works that are neither unique nor divinely authorized.
The West Side church of Christ focuses on God’s work. We would love to have you come visit our worship services. If you do, you have this promise – the effort to save and strengthen souls will be the focus of our worship, teaching and work. That’s what God wants, what we want, and we hope it is your desire as well. Please come join us!
Click below to…
Sermon: Lessons from Peter
Speaker: Brantley Gallman
Lessons learned from the life of the apostle Peter, with applications to our own lives.
Sermon: Fishers of Men
The text of Luke 5:1-11 is examined, noting a conversation Jesus had with Simon Peter, and a notable miracle. Peter, Andrew, James & John all became Jesus’ disciples at this time.
Sermon: The Macedonian Call
This sermon discusses the preaching of the Apostle Paul, as recorded in Acts 17. There are many applications to our responsibilities that may be drawn from his example.
Sermon: Sharing the Gospel
All disciples are expected to share the gospel of our Lord with others. When it is done, it stirs things up. But, that is exactly what the gospel is supposed to do!
Sermon: 150 Years of Controversy
Lesson 2 of 5 in Lectureship Series: Controversy Among the People of God
Speaker: Stan Cox
This lesson examines controversies that have troubled God’s people in the last 150 years. This is especially an examination of the Lord’s church in recent history, here in America. Issues discussed include the Missionary Society, Instrumental Music, Premillennialism & the Grace/Unity movement.
Spiritual Navalwatching
I came across a quote from 1970 by a denominational writer that indicates a problem that, in my opinion, is applicable to the Lord’s church today. The quote is below, with some of my own comments after.
“…(We) of the late twentieth century contribute to the falsifying of the church’s proper function through our subjectivism … (The present) is possibly the most subjective period in all of church history. Today everybody talks in psychological terms. We enjoy nothing better than to probe our inner life and its real or imagined frustrations. We wallow in our misery. We go to psychologists, we go to psychiatrists, we go to counsellors. This predilection has been called “navelwatching” by some people; that is, we enjoy nothing better than to sit down narcissistically and look at our own psychic navels. This delightful activity allows us to become completely involved in ourselves. We enjoy our problems. Someone has called our epoch “the Age of Analysis” . . . and it is that, for we want to solve all our problems by subjective concentration upon them.”
John Warwick Montgomery
So much of the Christian’s responsibility is focused outward. We can become so entranced by our own spiritual “navels” that we leave the greater commands to “love God” and “love our neighbor” undone. It seems to me important to focus on God’s commandments, and our responsibilities to Him and others, and spend less time focused inwardly – “paralysis by analysis.” Now, I am not objecting to examining ourselves (cf. 2 Corinthians 13:5), but rather noting the destructive tendency to focus on self rather than others.
Are your insecurities, feelings, musings, captivating your attention? Does they lead to missed opportunities to do the Lord’s work? Does your faith consist predominately of introspection – whether of your failings or your strengths? If so, perhaps you need to look outside of yourself, and get busy doing “the work” (cf. James 1:25).
Some thoughts that came to my mind while reading the quote above:
- Truth is objective, not subjective.
- Selflessness is seen in our actions toward our fellow man.
- The spiritual works of evangelism and edification are indicators of a faithful, zealous Christian.
- Intellectualism does not equate to strength in faith (“…and the common people heard Him gladly” Mark 12:37).
