Category: Judgment

Romans 11:22 affirms that God is both good, and severe, depending upon our standing with Him. The lesson affirms the need for obedience, that we might witness God’s goodness.

Audio

The sermon first establishes that all of God’s promises are sure. Then, discusses the following promises of God:

1. To supply every need we have.
2. That His grace is sufficient for us.
3. That His children will not be overtaken in temptation.
4. Victory over death.
5. That all things work together for good to those who love Him.
6. Those who believe and are baptized will be saved.
7. Eternal Life.

Audio

Powerpoint Slides

Invitation delivered by: Dennis Craig

Dennis uses the text of Psalm 90, the prayer of Moses near the end of a generation’s wandering in the wilderness, to discuss the frailty and duration of our life on earth.

Audio

The sermon follows the path of all men, from birth to death to eternity, in chart form.

Note: In addition to the audio link, there is a link to a zip file which extracts to a self-contained Prezi presentation. Also, there is a link to a handout that was included in the sermon as a hardcopy reminder of the material.

Audio

Prezi Zip File

Sermon Handout

Friday night the Castleberry girl’s basketball team won a game with the most exciting finish you can imagine. They were playing Mineral Wells, and were shorthanded. One of their players had blown an ACL ligament the previous week, and was out for the season. Their best player had a virus, and though she was playing, was struggling physically. None of their shots were falling, and they were down 12 points to start the fourth quarter.

The deficit continued until about halfway through the quarter, and then all of a sudden the shots started falling. The girls knew they had to win to keep their hopes of going to the playoffs alive. They dug down deep, and narrowed the deficit to one point. With 2.6 seconds left, Castleberry had the ball out of bounds. Josh (my son is the coach) drew up a play, and their best player banked home the shot for the win. The stands erupted, the girls (and Josh) went crazy, and everyone cheered.

Continue reading “In the News: Last Second Shot!” →

In Luke 16, our Lord revealed to his disciples the particulars of two men’s deaths: A rich man, “who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day,” but had insufficient love for God. A poor man named Lazarus who desired “to be fed crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table,” and was in good standing with God.

We know the spiritual standing of these two men, because Jesus revealed their disposition after death. The rich man, we are told, was in “torments in Hades” (vs. 23). Lazarus, in contrast, “was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom” where he received comfort (vs. 22).

Continue reading “Lessons Learned from Torment” →

The recent Baghdad bombing captivated and distressed the world’s population, as news services showed pictures of the devastation, and reported on the dead. A recent news article from the Sydney Morning Herald, dated December 24, 2012, in Australia, noted:

The attacks were the worst since a string of bombings in August that killed 74 people. But they were merely the latest in a country where stability and plurality remain a bitter illusion. The 16 bombs, 63 deaths and 185 wounded will undoubtedly be viewed through the prism of the grave political crisis that, within a week of the US withdrawal, has put an end to any hope of the country moving forward under a nationalist banner.

Additionally, the long time despot and leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-il, died on December 17th. There is much conjecture and concern as to what effect his passing will have on the stability of that nation. This is especially troubling since North Korea has nuclear capabilities. The fact that China, which has emerged as one of the preeminent economic and world powers is an ally of North Korea gives even greater cause for concern.

Continue reading “In the News: Our Unstable World” →

Back in late May, we noted that radio personality Harold Camping had incorrectly predicted the world would end on May 21st. It was a big story at the time, though I am not sure why. Such predictions have been made since the first century, and have always been bogus. There is a reason for this, as the Bible clearly reveals that man can’t know the day of the Lord’s second coming, “For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night” (1 Thessalonians 5:2).

Camping refused to admit that he was wrong when May 21st came and went. At least, not completely wrong. Instead, he claimed that Jesus had indeed come in judgment upon the world, but had in His mercy allowed the world to continue for five more months. He then proclaimed confidently that the universe would come to an end on October 21st. This tactic of revising predictions after the fact is again not unique. The Jehovah’s Witnesses, among others, have done it on several occasions.

Continue reading “In the News: October 21, Just Another Day” →

Invitation delivered by: Joshua Scroggins

Josh uses the text of Acts 26:28 and the lyrics of the song “Almost Persuaded” to exhort the audience to make the decision to serve Christ acceptably while time and opportunity remains.

Audio

To illustrate the condemnation reserved for false teachers, Jude used three examples in this text. First, those of the Exodus who exhibited unbelief despite the miraculous intervention of God. He “destroyed those who did not believe.” Second, the rebellious angels. Though little is revealed about this rebellion of higher beings, we know that God placed them under “everlasting chains.” Third, the immoral cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, that suffered by His hand, “the vengeance of eternal fire.”

These serve as an object lesson to the current false teachers that Jude warns his readers about. These evil men are sensuous and rebellious. Because of their evil ways, they are worthy of condemnation.

In verse 9 of the text, a reference is made to a conflict between Michael, the archangel, and the devil, about the body of Moses. We have no knowledge of the nature of the dispute, and it is worthless to speculate. However, the occasion is used to point out the audacity of the false teachers Jude condemns. Their brashness leads them to do things even Michael himself would not.

Invitation delivered by: Jeremiah Cox

Sometimes we can procrastinate when we know what the deadline is. However, we do not have that luxury when we are preparing for the day of the Lord. (cf. 2 Peter 3:10).

Audio: Click Here .

Using Matthew 10:16-26, this short talk points out that the cost of discipleship is persecution, and even (possibly) death. But, we have the promise of eternal life if we endure.

Audio: Click Here .

“Life is but a vapor.” The lesson examines James 4:13-17, and makes 3 points: 1) It is arrogant to a assume control of your life; 2) The proper thing to do is place your trust in God. And, 3), It is wrong to waste opportunities to do good.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Everyone noticed, I presume, the extreme weather we had last week? Temperatures in the teens, below zero wind chill, and ice and snow all led to a very uncomfortable experience for those forced to go outside to work or shop.

Some may prefer extreme cold to extreme hot, or vice versa, but no one really likes such difficult conditions. The week previous, temperatures in the 70’s made an afternoon stroll along the Trinity River a wonderful treat. Spring is delightful, and Fall is too, but there is a reason why the hot days of August and the frigid days of January are contemplated with such dread.

With this in mind, consider the eternal abode of the wicked. “The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 13:41-42).

May we all escape the extreme of eternal condemnation. This alone is sufficient reason to serve God!

This lesson combines a scripturally based dramatic enactment of the day of judgment (seen from the viewpoint of a Christian) interspersed with numerous scriptures describing that event. The sermon was preached by Dennis Craig.

Sermon Outline (Microsoft Word): Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .