Tri-Annual Singing!
February 21, 2026
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Category: Judgment
Subject: Judgment
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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“The Day of the Lord”
The phrase “the day of the Lord” is typically used in scripture to reference a judgment of God. For example, in Joel 2:1-2, the prophet proclaims, “Blow the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; for the day of the Lord is coming, for it is at hand: A day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, like the morning clouds spread over the mountains…”
Joel was one of the prophets sent by God to seek to bring a rebellious nation to repentance. This particular judgment of God upon Israel took the form of a natural calamity — a plague of locusts devastating the land.
Consider the appropriate response to God’s judgment upon the land. “Now, therefore,” says the Lord, “Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” So rend your heart, and not your garments; return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; and He relents from doing harm” (Joel 2:12-13).
Whenever trial and tribulation occurs in our lives, whether individually or collectively, this should be considered. It is not that we know such tribulation comes from God’s judgment. But whether that be so, or if it simply be natural happenstance, we should always seek to examine our standing with God. Remember, the final day of judgment is coming, and it will come “as a thief in the night.” Now is the time for any needed repentance. Tomorrow may be too late.
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The Patternists: Who Judges the Steward?
“Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord” (1 Corinthians 4:1-4).
In our text Paul reveals himself as a servant of Christ. Christ had given him a specific stewardship. As an apostle, it was his responsibility to reveal God’s mysteries. His efforts enraged some. For example, the Judaizers in the early church despised the great apostle’s ministry among the Gentiles. It didn’t bother him in the least. He didn’t care. It was a “very small thing.”
Making Plans
Dick Hatch and I managed to establish a Thursday afternoon Bible class in the assisted living facility where he lives. Just about any afternoon would have worked, but I started out convinced that Thursday is great. I could see myself being there every class without fail.
In reality, I have missed two of the first six weeks we have had the class! The first Thursday I missed was because of sickness and ice on the roads. (I know, it is supposed to get up in the 90’s today). The second was this past Thursday when I had to take my mom to the hospital. “The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men …” (Robert Burns, “To a Mouse”)
Paul had a similar thing happen to him in Acts 16. After spending some time in the region of Galatia, he decided he wanted to go on to Asia to preach there. But, the Holy Spirit did not allow it. So, instead he and his companions “tried to go into Bithynia”, but again the effort was vetoed by the Spirit. Finally, a vision appeared to Paul, with a man of Macedonia pleading with him to come help them in that region (Acts 16:6-10).
We can’t know what God has in store for us. Only one thing is certain. “…you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away… you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.’ But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil” (James 4:14-16). Humble yourself and obey God now!
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The Patternists: Transgressions Bring Judgment
The book of Amos begins with declarations of judgment against various nations. The form of the declarations is uniform, beginning with the phrase, “for three transgressions… and for four.” For example, “Thus says the Lord: ‘For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, because they have threshed Gilead with implements of iron” (Amos 1:3). Also included are declarations against, Gaza (1:6), Tyre (1:9), Edom (1:11), Ammon (1:13), Moab (2:1), Judah (2:4) and Israel (2:6).
These simple declarations reveal why God’s judgment comes upon any people, either collectively or individually. They come because of transgressions. The Hebrew word in this context (pesa) is translated in the Old Testament using words like, transgression, sin, trespass and rebellion.
Continue reading “The Patternists: Transgressions Bring Judgment”
Sermon: Our God is a Consuming FIre
Speaker: Ian Tilley
A short (12 min.) discussion of the text of Hebrews 12:25-29, with applications.
Sermon: Jehoiakim’s Knife
The evil king Jehoaikim, when warned of coming judgments, did not fear nor repent. His rebelliousness brought destruction upon him and Judah.
Sermon: The Tents of the Righteous
The Psalmist stated in Psalm 118:15, “The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous…” Tents were familiar to the Jews and Christians in the first century. The use of the image in scripture teaches some good lessons.
fini
If you are a fan of foreign films, you may be aware of the Italian word “fini.” It is the small word at appears at the end of the credits. It means, “finished, done.” It is the Italian equivalent of the English phrase, “The End.”
This Sunday is the last Lord’s day in 2020. Thursday is the last day of the year, and this most challenging of years will be over.
The challenges will not end, however. Unfortunately the turning of a calendar page does not alleviate the trials and tribulations of life. While 2020 was particularly difficult, men have struggled with their physical existence from the beginning, (cf. Genesis 3:17-19).
With the right perspective, we become able to navigate the difficulties of our lives. Paul had that perspective, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).
There will be a day where all is finished and done. Jesus will one day return, bringing to an end the physical existence of man on the earth. In that day, all suffering will truly be fini. For the righteous, all that will remain is rest. “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4). Praise be to Him!
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Sermon: Go and Sin No More
20th in Series. Jesus deals with Pharisees who sought to entrap him when the brought a woman caught in the act of adultery to see what He would say. John 8:1-12
The Patternists: Was Paul a Patternist?
A careful reading of Paul’s epistles show that he expected careful obedience to the instructions he gave by the Spirit’s inspiration. In other words, Paul was establishing a pattern for his readers to follow. Their standing with God was dependent upon their following that pattern. Notice the following scriptures which bear this out.
“For in it [the gospel] the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith’” (Romans 1:17).
“Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them” (Romans 16:17).
“If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are” (1 Corinthians 3:17).
Sermon: Judge with Righteous Judgment
The lesson describes Jesus’ defense of His teaching and miracles at the feast of Tabernacles, in John 7:10-24
Sermon: No Hurry
Complacent individuals believe that they can wait until later to begin to serve the Lord. This malady affects Christians and non-Christians alike. The gospel is replete with admonitions to urgency in obeying God!
Sermon: Fall Meeting 2020, Jeremiah Cox
The following lessons were preached from November 1-6, 2020 during the West Side Fall Meeting.
Brother Jeremiah Cox is the evangelist for the Elm Street church of Christ in El Reno, Oklahoma. He and his wife Zoe and little girl Collins live in Yukon, OK.
Sunday Sermon in two parts
Boldness to Enter the Holiest (Hebrews 10)
Sunday Class
Asking for Wisdom in Faith (James 1)
Monday
The Defense for My Hope
Tuesday
Walking in the Light (1 John 1)
Wednesday
Memories from Home
Thursday
The Generic Jesus
Friday
If They Were Here, What Would They Say?
Sermon: Learning Lessons from the Dead
A discussion of Luke 16:19-31 (The Rich man and Lazarus)
