Tri-Annual Singing!
February 21, 2026
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Category: Local Church
Subject: Local Church
Corporate Worship: An Introduction
We recognize the opportunity for us to worship God as individual Christians. For example, we are told in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without ceasing.” And in James 5:16, “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” These verses are examples of personal worship to God, as we praise His name in our devotions toward Him.
There is also an idea of collective worship in the New Testament. From the very beginning of the church we are told the new converts, “continued steadfastly in the apostle’s doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42). An explicit example of this worship is given in Acts 20:7, when the disciples in Troas “came together to break bread.”
A term used for such worship is “corporate” worship. The word corporate in this context means “group.” Simply put, worship that God calls us to do together. As we look severally at the different acts of worship authorized by God, we begin here with some introductory thoughts. Continue reading “Corporate Worship: An Introduction”
(1 of 13) Iron Sharpening Iron
As we begin our new class this morning, I will start writing an article on each lesson to serve as a supplement to what we cover in the class.
The text of Proverbs 27:17 states, “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” This is the reading of the NKJ translation. The RSV puts it this way, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” The Amplified Bible (a translation and commentary in one) gets the general idea correct here in stating the obvious, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens [and influences] another [through discussion].” Continue reading “(1 of 13) Iron Sharpening Iron”
Sermons: Equipping the Local Church
What is the church? And how did God organize and equip it to do His will in the world?
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Sermon: What is the Church?
A contrast is made with societal views of the church, and what the Bible reveals concerning it.
Sermon Powerpoint View and Download:
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Sermon: Duties of Local Church Membership
God requires that Christians work together in His service. Too many have a “consumer mentality” when it comes to choosing a church. We should join a faithful congregation, that strives to to God’s work in God’s way.
Three Rules
Social media is often criticized as a waste of time, and a potential stumbling block to Christians. This certainly can be so, but there are also good messages and thoughts that you come across from time to time.
A couple of weeks ago, I came across this jewel, and wanted to share it with you. Read it, and consider your own practice when you come to worship on the Lord’s day. Are you doing a good job of interacting with visitors and other members, to make them feel welcome and cared for? Consider these words:
My husband has three rules of engagement when we go to church.
- An alone person in our gathering is an emergency.
- Friends can wait.
- Introduce a newcomer to someone else.
Her husband sounds like a man who understands the importance of the church as a family. Each member of our congregation is equally important and significant. Each member is deserving of our attention and expressions of love. Is every member getting what they need and deserve from you? Think about it!
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Sermon: The Church as Family
Speaker: Ian Tilley
Ian Tilley describes and shows by the scripture what it is like to be a member of a faithful congregation of God’s people. As Christians, we are a family!
Sermon: Choosing a Good Local Church
Speaker: Josh Cox
A discussion of the scriptural guidelines that should be considered when considering which local congregation of Christians to join.
Open Your Hearts to Us
We live in cynical times. The dishonesty and fickleness of the world makes it difficult for us to trust our fellow man. We see everywhere politicians breaking campaign promises, marital infidelities and corrupt businesses acting in unethical ways. Each of us from time to time may have experienced betrayal even from family and friends. Perhaps we even have been guilty of failing others in this regard.
However, there are many faithful Christians that we can trust. They love God, and love us, and we can be confident that they are always looking out for what is best for us. It is a wonderful thing to find a faithful brother or sister, especially if we take advantage of their goodness by letting ourselves trust them.
Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “Open your hearts to us. We have wronged no one, we have cheated no one. I do not say this to condemn; for I have said before that you are in our hearts, to died together and to live together” (2 Corinthians 7:2-3).
There is no doubt that Paul was true to his word. He was a wonderful man, who even while admonishing the Corinthian Christians, only wanted what was best for them. If they opened their hearts to Paul, they could be sure he would do anything to help them, even to die for them.
You know Christians like that! Open your hearts to them! And look at your own heart, are you such a person?
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Sermon: Hope, Self Esteem and Our Spiritual Family
Speaker: Josh Jackson
The world struggles with despair. The rise in suicide, drug abuse and sexual promiscuity are all indicators of dysfunction. The answer to these problems is spiritual in nature. Hope, Self-Esteem and the spiritual family of God.
“But God composed the body”
In 1 Corinthians 12, the apostle Paul expressed the importance of every single Christian doing his or her part to bring growth to the local congregation. He noted that each individual member is unique, “And the eye cannot say to the hand, ’I have no need of you’; nor again the head to the feet, ’I have no need of you’” (21). He concluded that even those members who seem to be weaker “are necessary” (22).
Do we have the same view of our participation in congregational activities and duties? Do we consider our part to be necessary? Or even important?
Paul clearly states that “God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased” (18). “But God composed the body…” (24).
Never underestimate your importance to God and His people. Never underestimate what God expects of you, and how much His people need you to do your part.
Paul wrote, “Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually” (27). We need you to be an active member of the West Side congregation. We need to grow spiritually every day, and diligently perform the duties our Lord expects of our congregation. We can’t do that unless each and every one of us are doing our part. You are special! God knows it, and so do we. Do you?
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Sermon: Congregational Autonomy
A discussion and defining of the scriptural concept of congregational autonomy, coupled with an examination of historical abuses.
Challenges Confronting the Church
This class consisted of four lessons, taken from Mark Copeland’s topical sermon series. I chose four lessons from that series:
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Introduction
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Denominationalism
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Secularism
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Traditionalism
The class took place on each Wednesday evening in December, 2016. The material consists of:
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The four lessons (the material is the same as it appears on brother Copeland’s site, except for reformatting.
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The teacher’s notes (some highlighting, and the addition of scriptures)
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Audio of the four classes
Materials
Audio
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Lesson 1Challenges-Intro
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Lesson 2Challenges-Denominationalism
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Lesson 3Challenges-Secularism
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Lesson 4 Challenges-Traditionalism
Mission: Possible!
Every TV episode and Movie begins the same way, with a recorded message containing the words: “Your mission, should you choose to accept it…”
I remember as a kid loving the Mission: Impossible television program. It had a group of “cool” spies who were able to accomplish the “impossible” because of their intelligence, bravery and gadgets. Each mission consisted of various stated objectives, authorized by some shadowy governmental agency. They were not freelancers, they followed the directives of the agency. Because of their abilities and position, they were give a job to do, and they did it.
The show came to mind recently as I involved myself in a study of the “mission” given by God to His church. The parallels are obvious, and illustrate the nature of God’s relationship to His people.
Invitation: The One Body
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
In 1 Corinthians 12 the apostle Paul uses the concept of a physical body as a metaphor for the church. The lesson teaches the necessity of each member, and the care each should show toward one another.
