Tri-Annual Singing!
October 17, 2026
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Category: Faithfulness
Subject: Faithfulness
Mining the Scriptures: Jude 20-23
Though Jude’s primary purpose was to warn about false teacher’s, he also writes several words of instruction to his readers. In fact, verses 20-23 contain such, beginning with the phrase “But you…” As such these have application in our lives as well.
Build your faith (through an examination and cultivation of God’s word. We are to constantly be improving in our Christian walk). Pray in the Holy Spirit (this most probably indicates that we are to pray in accord with God’s will, that which the Holy Spirit has shared through His inspiration of the word). Keep yourselves in the love of God (this is our responsibility, to keep ourselves in God’s love. Obedience is how we show our devotion and love for Him). Look for Christ’s mercy (as Cornelius and other seeker’s of truth have done).
Finally, verses 22-23 explain how we are to deal with the sins of others. This depends upon the circumstances of the sin and sinner, how fully they are taken in the sin, and what is best to save them. Some need longsuffering and compassion, while others need a more direct and hasty treatment, “pulling them out of the fire” (23).
The Example of Those in Thessalonica
There is a section of Paul’s first letter to Thessalonica where he praises their faith and example to others. It is found in the latter part of the first chapter, and is an interesting read. “For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe” (1 Thessalonians 1:5-7). Consider some truths found in the text. Continue reading “The Example of Those in Thessalonica”
Sermon: The Christian and Maximal Effort
Lupe Florez shares a message of personal integrity and effort as Christians, as we respond to the gospel, and God’s gift of salvation.
Sermon: The Strength of Israel
In 1 Samuel 15, God is described as the Strength of Israel. The term here was used to establish the consequence of sin, and the fairness of God’s dealings with mankind.
Sermon Powerpoint View and Download:
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Sermon: Legacies of the Faithful
As we contemplate the legacies of those who have gone before, we can make the proper applications to ensure we too will serve God acceptably.
The Patternists: A Lifetime of Faithfulness
Solomon was a wise man. God greatly blessed his reign over Israel. He wrote Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. His advice to his son in the book of Proverbs serves as a guidebook to successfully navigating around the pitfalls of immorality and foolishness.
And yet, in the end, Solomon failed God. Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines. The Lord had warned him not to intermarry with these foreign women, but he ignored God. The text of 1 Kings 11 records his mistake. “Solomon clung to these in love” (2). “…his wives turned away his heart. For it was so, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the Lord his God, as was the heart of his father David. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and did not fully follow the Lords, as did his father David” (3b-6).
Continue reading “The Patternists: A Lifetime of Faithfulness”
Sermon: A Book of Remembrance
Speaker: Tommy Davis
In Malachi 3, the prophet reminded the people of their disobedience, and their responsibilities before God.
Sermon: Lessons from Joshua
Speaker: Aaron Collier.
A discussion of the book of Joshua in a class setting.
Sermon: Assurance
Speaker: Josh Cox
As faithful Christians, we have assurance due to our relationship with Christ. Josh Cox discusses how to properly live in that hope.
Cast Off
Psalm 60 is an acknowledgement of sin as Israel was “cast off” by God due to His displeasure (1). The Psalmist recognized that victory for Israel was possible only if God was with her. Consider these words at the end of the Psalm:
“Is it not You, O God, who cast us off? And You, O God, who did not go out with our armies? Give us help from trouble, for the help of man is useless. Through God we will do valiantly, for it is He who shall tread down our enemies” (10-12).
What a sad state to be “cast off” by God Himself. How could such happen? Well, it is certainly not because of any capricious tendency of God. Every time, the fault is with men. Jehovah told Israel through the prophet Isaiah, “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear” (Isaiah 59:2).
We can not prosper without God. No matter the circumstance, without God “the help of man is useless.” Only with God can we gain victory, through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ! (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:57). “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” (Revelation 11:15).
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Sermon: Our God is a Jealous God!
God was jealous for Israel, and demanded faithfulness from His covenant people. As Christians, we have that same relationship, and that same obligation!
The Patternists: Entrusted by God
The necessity, on every occasion, to respond to God’s authority in an appropriate manner is a central pattern found throughout scripture. While men feel that God is permissive and does not expect fealty from men, the Bible reveals otherwise, both explicitly, and implicitly.
As an example, consider Paul’s explanation of his God given stewardship in his first letter to the Thessalonians. “But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts” (1 Thessalonians 2:4).
The Patternists: Faithfulness and Industry
In his second letter to the Thessalonians, Paul gave thanks to God for them. They were “beloved by the Lord”, as He chose them “for salvation” (2:13). He called them by the “gospel” (cf. Romans 1:16), so that they might obtain “the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2:14). In these words their standing as God’s children is well established.
Paul did not stop with commending them for their faith. He did not just give thanks for the standing they enjoyed. He in the remainder of this chapter and beginning of the next exhorted them to faithfulness and industry, working for the Lord. This is similar to what he wrote to the Ephesians in Ephesians 2:8-10, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
Continue reading “The Patternists: Faithfulness and Industry”
