Category: Hope

Sermon by Kris Braddock: Kris examines the confused and sorrowful reactions of Jesus’ disciples in the time between his death and resurrection. The lesson is resolved with the realization of hope in Jesus’ victory over death. A great final lesson for our meeting.

Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

The apostle Paul was thankful to God for the Colossians. He prayed on their behalf out of a sense of appreciation for their faith, and the expressions of their love for other Christians. He had heard of this faith and love from their brother Epaphras, who declared it while visiting with him (vs. 7-8).

It is interesting that Paul’s expression of thanks came in the form of supplication to God. By expressing his thanks to God, he prayed God’s blessings on their behalf. This is a wonderful practice, and should be emulated by all Christians.

Paul also described their motivation for such faith and love — the hope of heaven! This hope was made known to them in the preaching of the gospel, and it was this hope that led them to bear fruit for Christ.

John wrote that God showed His love for us by sending “His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” He continued, “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4:10-11). Christ’s death and resurrection secures for us the hope of heaven. In return, we are obligated to faith, and love for one another.

This sermon shows that our love for God is the result of the love and benevolence we have received from Him. He has created us, saved us by His grace, sustained us on this earth, and given us hope for a future home with Him.

Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

This post contains short summaries and links to both audio and Powerpoint presentations of all the sermons Mo Hafley preached for the West Side congregation in the Fall 2010 meeting, November 6-11.

Lesson 1: Looking Unto Jesus

In this sermon, Mo Hafley of Paden City, WV uses the text of Hebrews 12:1-7, to establish the nature of the Christian’s race on earth, and the motivation behind it as we look to Jesus, our Savior.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Lesson 2: How We Worship

This sermon by Mo Hafley is a discussion on proper worship to God, with an emphasis on focus and proper spirituality when we sing, pray, commune around the Lord’s table, give of our means, and listen to the preaching of the Word of God.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Lesson 3: A Few Days with Paul

This sermon by Mo Hafley is a discussion of Paul’s ministry in Thessalonica and Berea, as recorded by Luke in Acts 17:1-13. Paul and the first century disciples showed great courage in the preaching of the gospel of Christ.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Lesson 4: Parents and Children

This sermon by Mo Hafley is a wonderful treatment of God’s word on the topic of Parenting. In it, Mo shows what God expects of Christian parents, and even has some words of admonition for children.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Lesson 5: Preaching Properly

In this sermon, Mo Hafley discusses the proper tone we are to take in preaching. Emphasis is placed upon militance in preaching, as too often in our day and time people heap up for themselves teachers having itching ears. Soft preaching is not God’s way.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Lesson 6: Holy Living in an Unholy World

This sermon by Mo Hafley documents the moral evil that is present in our world, and especially our nation. Biblical advice is given to Christians, explaining how we are to navigate in such troublesome waters.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .

Lesson 7: Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego

This lesson is an expository treatment of Daniel 3, showing the courage of these great servants of God. Regardless of consequence, Christians must emulate them.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Lesson 8: Evidences

This lesson by Mo Hafley is a concise detailing of various internal and external evidences, given to prove God’s existence, and the validity of the Bible as God’s revelation.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .

Lesson 9: Homesick for Heaven

This lesson was an appropriate ending to our gospel meeting with Mo Hafley. He used homesickness (an emotion we have all felt) to explain the type of desire and expectation we as Christians should have regarding our heavenly home.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

After some delay, all eight sermons preached by Micky Galloway during his April 2010 meeting are now available online. These can be accessed in this post, or by going to the 2010 Sermons Archive page.

Sunday Morning Class: My People Love to Have it So

Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .
Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Sunday AM: The Soundness of God’s People

Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .
Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Sunday PM: The Promise

Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .
Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Monday PM: Committment to Family

Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .
Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Tuesday PM: A Marriage That Will Not Fail

Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .
Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Wednesday AM: Jesus, The Master Teacher

Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .
Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Wednesday PM: What God Expects of Us as a Family

Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .
Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Thursday PM: Victory in Jesus

Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .
Sermon Audio: Click Here .

2 Peter 1:5-11

Here the apostle Peter calls Christians to add to themselves various righteous characteristics. The list includes: virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love.

Peter indicates they are to do this for “this very reason”, referring back to the previous verses where eternal promises are alluded to as being given by God’s divine power. In effect, the promise of redemption and hope of heaven are our motivation to living a godly life. Considering what God has done for us in sending Jesus leads us to diligence, that we might mature into the disciples God would have us to be.

Verses 8-11 indicate that these promises are conditional, but sure. If we add these characteristics to the foundation, faith; there is no doubt as to what we will receive. “For so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom…” (vs. 11).

It is our choice. Will we choose apathy, leading to spiritual blindness and apostasy? Or, will we choose zeal, leading to a sure standing with God, and an eternal abode with our “Lord and Savior Jesus Christ”?

A proper understanding of why the Christian has hope will dispel much of the religious error surrounding the concept, and will benefit the child of God by increasing his assurance based upon his faith in God.

The basis of the Christian’s assurance is NOT:

• Predestination
• Experiences (Emotions)
• Good Works

Rather, the basis of the Christian’s assurance is the promises of God.

Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

The Christian’s Hope is based upon the character, promises and accomplishments of God. Because of it, we are protected, purified and stabilized .

Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Man is different than the animals. He was created by God in His image. His purpose on earth is to serve God, and do His will. In doing this, he secures for himself a place in eternity in the presence of God.

Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

2 Corinthians 1:3-6

In the beginning of his second epistle to the church in Corinth, Paul begins by praising God the Father. Specifically, he praises God for the comfort He supplies, calling Him the Father of mercies.

Paul was comforted by God throughout all the trials of his life. He gives a list of these in chapter 11 of the letter. It must be noted that the consolation is supplied “through Christ” (vs. 5).

This is the wonderful promise we receive, if we suffer with Christ, we will also receive comfort through Him. As always, our standing with God and the privileges therein enjoyed are tied to our relationship with His Son, and the Grace that God delivered through Him.

It is equally wonderful that our consolation in Christ equips us to comfort each other during tribulation or difficulty. We can raise the focus of the downtrodden above the present distress to the eternal hope that we together enjoy as brethren and children of God.

In Israel’s covenant with God, cities of refuge were established, that allowed one who had taken a life accidentally to flee and escape the wrath of any avenger until such time as the congregation could rule on his fate. Hebrews 6:13-ff reveals that Christ is our refuge, and those who flee to Him reside in hope.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

The phrase “hold fast” is used numerous times in the New Testament, teaching us the necessity to be steadfast in our pursuit of God’s Word, and the hope of Heaven.

Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

The hope the Christian has in Christ is sure and steadfast. In contrast, the world is without hope, leading to despair in this life, and eternal condemnation.

Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

AOTS Number 37

Because the hope we have in Christ does not depend upon self, there is no reason for the Christian to be a pessimist.

To listen to this Podcast, click here .

To subscribe to the AOTS feed, click here .

In his epistle to the Philippians, the apostle Paul expressed his attitude toward his service to Christ. Simply put, he wasn’t about to “count his chickens before they hatched.” In his own words, “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” (Philippians 3:13-14).

The reason for this single-minded approach in his service to the Lord is stated in the preceding verses, “that I may gain Christ, and be found in him” (vs. 8b-9a). Further, he longed for the result of such a fellowship with his Lord, “if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection of the dead” (vs. 11).

Continue reading ““I Press Toward the Goal”” →