Category: Obedience
Subject: Obedience
From the Preacher’s Pen: Fairness Goes Both Ways
God is eminently fair. He is both merciful and just. As we acknowledge our salvation is dependent upon His grace, extended in His Son Jesus, we must also note that He rightly requires obedience on our part. That is His right, and it is fair of Him to demand our allegiance.
When rebellious Israel proclaimed God to be unfair in His dealing with them, He replied clearly:
“‘Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways,’ says the Lord God. ‘Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,’ says the Lord God. ‘Therefore turn and live!’” (Ezekiel 18:30-32).
While God does not enjoy condemning men, He is fair! Those who do not turn from their iniquity (repent) will be condemned for their sins. We must get a “new heart and a new spirit.” For us, that means being born again! (cf. John 3:3-5).
Fairness goes both ways. God is fair in rewarding those who practice righteousness. He is pleased to grant the godly eternal life. And yet, though it saddens Him, it is fair of Him to condemn the ungodly to eternal death.
Sermon: The Story of Jehu
Sermon by Brantley Gallman.
Brantley examines a number of different lessons to be learned from the Old Testament narrative regarding King Jehu. (2 Kings 9 & 10)
Sermon: The Potter and the Clay
God is the Potter, we are the clay. We must allow him to prepare us for His use.
Invitation: The Stupidity of Evil
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
Proverbs 12:1-3, shows clearly that a wise man accepts the instruction of the Lord, while the evil man is stupid in not doing so.
Sermon: Integrity
The sermon shows that we must walk in integrity (cf. Psalm 26:11) toward ourselves, others, and ultimately, God.
Sermon: Fighting Against God
Conflict both within and without the church is unable to thwart God in His purpose. It is futile to fight against God!
Sermon: Steps of Salvation
A simple lesson, using a chart for personal work (Slide #2) of the PPTX file. Explains both God’s Part, and Man’s Part in the salvation of any individual.
Sermon: Followers of Christ
Discipleship requires sacrifice on the part of the follower. This is especially true as we consider what our Lord expects from us! It is worth the effort to examine, what kind of followers are we?
Sermon: Grace and Obedience
The texts of Ephesians 2:8-10, Philippians 2:12-13; James 2:14-26 and Luke 17:7-10 are used to describe the relationship of grace and obedience to the salvation of men.
Sermon: The Levites Left
2 Chronicles 11:14 reveals that the Levites left the northern Kingdom of Israel, under the rule of Jeroboam. The lesson explains why, and makes practical applications for us today.
Invitation: Well Pleasing to Him
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
In 2 Corinthians 5:7-11 Paul expressed his desire to be with Christ after death. As such, he determined to be well pleasing to Him.
Invitation: Contrasting Light and Darkness
Invitation delivered by: Armando Vera
In Ephesians 5:6-16, the apostle Paul contrasts light and darkness. We are to expose, rather than participate in the unfruitful works of darkness.
Invitation: Crucified With Christ
Invitation delivered by: Josh Jackson
In Galatians 2:20, the apostle Paul expressed his recognition that his salvation was dependent upon Jesus Christ. We too should be crucified with Christ, and have Him direct our lives.
Men Displeased with God
In 2 Kings 5, we learn of Naaman, a Syrian general and honorable man, who was stricken with the disease of leprosy. An Israelite maiden was a servant of Naaman’s wife, and told her mistress of the prophet Elisha, “If only my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! For he would heal him of his leprosy” (3).
Inquiries were made, and eventually Naaman made his way to Elisha’s house. Rather than meeting with the man, Elisha simply sent a messenger to him with the following message: “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean” (10).
Invitation: Receive the Kingdom as a Little Child
Invitation delivered by: Armando Vera
In Luke 18:16-17, Jesus commented on the innocence of the little children, noting the importance of becoming as a child to enter the kingdom of God.
