Tri-Annual Singing!
October 17, 2026
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Category: Obedience
Subject: Obedience
Sermon: Lessons Learned from a Fish’s Belly
An examination of Jonah, chapters 1 and 2. The lesson examines what we can learn and apply from Jonah’s time spent in the belly of a great fish. 1) You can’t hide from God; 2) God hears our prayers as we turn to Him; 3) God disciplines us so that we will turn to Him; 4) Salvation is of the Lord; 5) Obedience without thanksgiving is empty.
The Thessalonian Example
The apostle Paul obviously considered the church in Thessalonica to be a faithful congregation. “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God” (1 Thessalonians 1:2-4). They had received the gospel of the Lord from Paul and others, and through their obedience to it had become “examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe” (1:7).
The concept of faithfulness is married to an acceptance of truth, coupled with an effort to conform to it. Consider Paul’s description of the Christians in Thessalonica, “For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe. 14 For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus” (1:13-14).
Sermon: Be Strong!
The lesson examines Paul’s exhortation to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:1-7 to be strong! Endure hardship as a soldier, compete honestly as an athlete, and work diligently as a farmer.
Sermon: Participation Matters
The lesson is designed to encourage work in the local congregation. Both the duties and blessings of participation are discussed.
Sermon: Do You See Yourself?
Felix and Paul are presented as two examples, illustrating the forgetful hearer, and the doer of the work, noted in James 1:21-25.
Sermon: Heroes of Faith
Four character studies from the list of Heroes given in Hebrews 11. The legacy of faith of Enoch, Gideon, Barak and Jephthah are examined, with applications made.
An Earnest and Urgent Pursuit of Heaven
The Christian is defined by his purpose in life. It is not to get wealthy, not to get famous, not to “go for the gusto”, it is to serve the Lord. Few people live for this purpose. “…narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:14).
The Bible reveals clearly two truths. First, men ought to have service to the Lord as their primary purpose in life. “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14). Second, if a man lives his life without serving God, his life is ultimately empty of meaning. “I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind” (Ecclesiastes 1:14). (Note: the phrase “under the sun” indicates works that are done without an acknowledgment of God’s existence). Stated simply, the only way to have a meaningful life is to put God first.
Do Nothing
The following illustration has made the rounds, and make a wonderful point…
An infidel died and left his farm to the devil. The court decided the way to give it to the devil was to do nothing. The farm grew weeds, the soil eroded, the house and barn rotted.
You can give your life to the devil the same way. Do nothing.
(via Cecil May Jr.’s Preacher Talk, Fall 2017)
Our Lord said, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).
The easy way is the way of dissipation (ruin). Those who lose their souls will do so, not because they can’t get it right, but because the simply do not try. “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12).
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Sermon: Zacchaeus
This lesson uses the example of Zacchaeus to illustrate how we may overcome formidable obstacles in order to see (be reconciled with) Jesus.
Sermon: The Woman About to be Stoned
This lesson discusses an example of Jesus’ masterful dealing’s with man. We see His ability to deftly handle the efforts of His enemies to destroy His reputation, to convict the hearts of men, and His great compassion and love for the souls of men.
Sermon: Those Noble Bereans
The Bereans were noble because they kept OPEN minds, OPEN Bibles and OPEN Schedules. We need to emulate them.
Are You A Legalist?
The term “legalist” is used quite often in religion, and always in a negative sense. If someone calls you a legalist, they are not giving you a compliment.
The term is not used in scripture, so we must go to secular sources to define it. Dictionary.com does so:
- strict adherence, or the principle of strict adherence, to law or prescription, especially to the letter rather than the spirit.
- Theology
- the doctrine that salvation is gained through good works.
- The judging of conduct in terms of adherence to precise laws.
Looking at the definition above, it would be inappropriate for Christians to ascribe to any of the definitions, save perhaps the last. Let me explain. Continue reading “Are You A Legalist?”
Are You a Friend to Jesus?
Invitation by:Â Josh Jackson
The text of John 15 is discussed to indicate the necessity of expressing our love for Jesus, by being obedient to Him.
