Category: Faith
Subject: Faith
Sermon: The Cowboy Bible
“What must I do to be saved?” is the most important question anyone can ask. This is a first principle lesson contrasting the beliefs concerning what someone must do to be saved that appears on the inside cover of “The Cowboy Bible” with what the scriptures actually teach.
Sermon: Caleb Followed the Lord Fully
Numbers 13 & 14 reveal the faithfulness of Caleb. He followed the Lord his whole life, with his whole heart, despite the opposition and danger that accompanied his service. He serves as a wonderful example to us.
Sermon: Soldiers of Christ
The Apostle Paul uses the metaphor of a soldier to describe the Christian’s relationship to Christ. Several important lessons can be derives from the word picture he draws.
Invitation: Taking Responsibility for Your Soul
Invitation delivered by: Josh Cox
The Bible teaches that man has a certain amount of responsibility for his own standing before God. Faith working together with obedience is the message of scripture.
Invitation: Preaching, the Gospel, Faith and Salvation
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
Romans 1 and Romans 10 show the relationship between the preaching of the gospel, and the formation of the faith that saves men’s souls.
Sermon: What about the thief?
Some argue that Christ’s declaration to the thief while on the cross argues that we can be saved by faith, apart from water baptism. This sermon answers that argument.
Sermon: Hiding Your Faith
Four different examples of individuals hiding their faith drive home the truth that if you desire to be saved, you must be willing to confess Jesus! (cf. Matthew 10:32-33).
Invitation: Our Sufficiency is in Christ
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
The 10th chapter of 2 Corinthians is examined to make the point that our sufficiency is not in ourselves, but in the Lord. Therefore, “he who glories, let him glory in the Lord.” (vs. 17)
From the Preacher’s Pen: Fideism
Ron Doss shared with me a word that he recently came across, with which he and I were not familiar. The term was fideity, or fideism. (Interestingly, my spell checker in the computer program I use to prepare this bulletin doesn’t know the term either).
There are two definitions for fideism I want to share with you—both from online dictionaries. 1) exclusive reliance in religious matters upon faith, with consequent rejection of appeals to science or philosophy—dictionary.com; 2) The doctrine that knowledge depends on faith or revelation—oxforddictionaries.com.
The term would be used disparagingly toward Christians, as clearly indicated by the first definition. The question is, is it true? Well, it depends a bit upon the actual definition of the term. According to the second definition, absolutely so! We are dependent upon God’s revelation regarding what is true. Even if such revealed truth is counterintuitive to what we think would be true, we accept revelation above our own thoughts. “Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar” (Romans 3:4). However, if it is claimed that belief in God and His word is contradictory to true science or philosophy, and in order to believe we must be unreasonable, that is categorically untrue. As Paul wrote, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20).
If you want an example of unreasonable dependence upon faith, how about the idea that all you see today is the result of mere chance? Now that is a true example of fideism!
Sermon: Jesus’ Walk on the Water
The sermon discusses the text of Matthew 14:22-33, and lessons learned (such as the power of faith, and the worthiness of Jesus as Lord and object of our worship).
Sermon: Inheriting the Promises
The promises of God are wonderful and bountiful, but they are also conditional. the ultimate promise is that of heaven. May we have the patience and faith to receive it.
Sermon: Fall Meeting 2013 (Jerry Fite)
The following wonderful lessons were preached by Jerry Fite at the West Side church from November 2-7, 2013. There were 9 lessons in all, with sermon audio and PPTX files supplied for each.
Unity in the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12)
(Saturday, November 2, 2013)
- A study of 1 Corinthians 12 explaining in the context of spiritual gifts, that the purpose of a unified spiritual body is edification. The Corinthians were to exercise their spiritual gifts to edify all, as they were united in loving care for one another.
The New Testament Canon
(Sunday Bible Class, November 3, 2013)
- The lesson discusses the canon of scripture, and how it is obtained. The point is made that the church did not determine what books were conanical. Rather, they acknowledged what all understood to be true.
Why Do You Do Good Works? (Ephesians 2:10)
(Sunday AM Worship, November 3, 2013)
- We are to do good works as a second opportunity to truly live. We are alive by the grace of God, and therefore should be zealous for good works.
Applying the Minister’s Checklist (1 Timothy 4:15-16)
(Sunday PM Worship, November 3, 2013)
- Paul revealed to Timothy certain things that should be present for him to be effective as an evangelist. In application, brother Fite asks, “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if every child of God in the local church observed the checklist as well?
Hold to the Pattern of Sound Words (2 Timothy 1:13)
(Monday, November 4, 2013)
- In application, brother Fites calls for faithfulness to the gospel pattern in areas such as Music in worship, Benevolence, Evangelism and the plan of Salvation.
Must I Forgive? Then How?
(Tuesday, November 5, 2013)
- Jesus indicated in Matthew 6 that we must forgive others if we wish to be forgiven. The lesson examines the obligation to forgive, and what to do if a person is unwilling to ask forgiveness of us.
Pay Attention to Your Speech (James 3:1-12)
(Wednesday AM Class, November 6, 2013)
- An expository lesson discussing James 3. Brother Fite calls for us to pay attention to our speech. Our speech should bless, edify, give grace to those who hear, and be full of thanksgiving.
A Plan for Raising Children to be Joyous Christians
(Wednesday PM, November 6, 2013)
- How do we raise joyous children? By helping them to know: The Lord is the Creator of all; their Savior from sin; their High priest; and the presenter of the Crown of Eternal Life.
Before the Judgment Seat
(Thursday, November 7, 2013)
- When we stand before the judgment seat of Christ, some will be surprised. Because they are classed among the wicked; they will be the last rather than the first, they will be lost because they were not abounding in the work of the Lord. Live so that you will not be surprised at the judgment seat of Christ.
In the News: Baptism Permits?
In a Fox News (internet) story from August 30, writer Todd Starnes reported:
“The National Park Service began enforcing a policy recently that required churches to obtain special use permits in order to baptize in public waters. As part of the same permit process, the NPS also mandated that churches give the Park Service 48 hours advance notice of pending baptisms.” (story link here)
Missouri Baptists complained vociferously about the restrictions, as it impacted their practice (for generations) of baptizing in area rivers.
The Patternists: The Consequence of Faith in God
Do you believe in an Almighty God who created the universe? Not all men do, but for those who believe in God, there is a consequence to their faith. God exists, so what’s next? The Psalmist said, “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well” (Psalm 139:14).
That God who is responsible for our existence deserves praise and obedience, if He so requires it. It is disrespectful of us to acknowledge His existence, and not willingly submit to His will. Consider the punishment of Aaron’s sons who were guilty of disobeying God (cf. Leviticus 10). God killed them because of their disobedience. When Moses explained to Aaron why Nadab and Abihu were destroyed, he quoted God as saying, “By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; and before all the people I must be glorified” (vs. 3). Aaron understood, and accepted the punishment as just.
The lesson for us? God expects us to carefully follow His instructions. He deserves praise and obedience, and He does indeed require it! In our time, He has granted all authority to His Son Jesus Christ (cf. Matthew 28:18). As God Himself said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” (Matthew 17:5). Those who refuse to listen to the Son, and obey His words are foolish indeed (cf. Matthew 7:26-27).
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