Category: Obedience

The appropriate response of Philemon to Paul’s petition on behalf of the slave Onesimus would be to receive him back, and treat him as a brother in Christ. Paul encouraged him to receive him, “that is, my own heart” (12); and “as you would me” (17).

Further, Paul’s purpose was to have Philemon act out of good will rather than necessity. This is a common theme in scripture. God does not want his children to act appropriately merely out of necessity. He wants his children to do so out of a sense of right, and willingly.

Finally, Paul appealed to the possibility of divine providence in the actions of Onesimus. Paul didn’t deny that the slave was wrong in running away, but believed that God has used that as an opportunity for the man to be taught the truth: “perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever” (15).

The relationship of Onesimus to Philemon had now changed. They were brothers in Christ. Such a relationship demands fraternal devotion and a recognition of common heritage and equality (cf. Galatians 3:28).

The following is a poem written by Tracy Gallman. Sister Gallman prepared the children’s curriculum for our recent Family Bible Study Week. The poem appeared in that material. I commend it to you!

The Path
“Walking in Sunlight”

There is a Path we are called to walk on;
By faith and not by sight.
A path where Jesus is
A Path that reveals His light.

His light will guide you and teach you
About His love and care,
The Path will never be lonely
As long as Jesus is there.

The Path may at times become rocky
And full of weeds, but…
Don’t lean on your own understanding –
Look to Jesus – Trust Him –
And with new eyes you will see
The path that Jesus sees.

Jesus calls all who hear
To follow Him along their way,
He promises to guide, guard and Save you
If in His Path you will stay.

Tracy Gallman

A careful consideration of Philippians 3 reveals the necessity of surrendering ourselves to Christ, and then diligence in a life of obedience to the Master, pressing on in the hope of the resurrection and eternal life.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Faithful Christians who contend for truth, and claim authority for religious practices are often unfairly called Pharisees, or referred to with derision as legalists and patternists. This sermon describes the sins of the Pharisees, and defends the concept of obedience to God’s authority.

Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .

Sermon 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 .

In John 10:7, Jesus said, “…I am the door of the sheep.” In verse 9, “…If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved.” The college age class studied this text last week. In reading it, four things come to mind.

1. Authority. Jesus is the one who is able to save us. Hence, we are to give our allegiance to Him, and submit to His will.
2. Exclusivity. Jesus is THE door. There is only one. The only way to salvation is through Him. “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
3. Efficacy. Jesus has the ability to accomplish what he promises. He promised salvation, and delivered. He died on the cross, paying for our sins, and was raised from the dead, blazing the trail to eternal life.
4. Accountability. We have to enter the door. Something is required of us! “And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him” (Hebrews 5:9).

This post contains short summaries and links to both audio and Powerpoint presentations of all the sermons Mo Hafley preached for the West Side congregation in the Fall 2010 meeting, November 6-11.

Lesson 1: Looking Unto Jesus

In this sermon, Mo Hafley of Paden City, WV uses the text of Hebrews 12:1-7, to establish the nature of the Christian’s race on earth, and the motivation behind it as we look to Jesus, our Savior.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Lesson 2: How We Worship

This sermon by Mo Hafley is a discussion on proper worship to God, with an emphasis on focus and proper spirituality when we sing, pray, commune around the Lord’s table, give of our means, and listen to the preaching of the Word of God.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Lesson 3: A Few Days with Paul

This sermon by Mo Hafley is a discussion of Paul’s ministry in Thessalonica and Berea, as recorded by Luke in Acts 17:1-13. Paul and the first century disciples showed great courage in the preaching of the gospel of Christ.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Lesson 4: Parents and Children

This sermon by Mo Hafley is a wonderful treatment of God’s word on the topic of Parenting. In it, Mo shows what God expects of Christian parents, and even has some words of admonition for children.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Lesson 5: Preaching Properly

In this sermon, Mo Hafley discusses the proper tone we are to take in preaching. Emphasis is placed upon militance in preaching, as too often in our day and time people heap up for themselves teachers having itching ears. Soft preaching is not God’s way.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Lesson 6: Holy Living in an Unholy World

This sermon by Mo Hafley documents the moral evil that is present in our world, and especially our nation. Biblical advice is given to Christians, explaining how we are to navigate in such troublesome waters.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .

Lesson 7: Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego

This lesson is an expository treatment of Daniel 3, showing the courage of these great servants of God. Regardless of consequence, Christians must emulate them.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Lesson 8: Evidences

This lesson by Mo Hafley is a concise detailing of various internal and external evidences, given to prove God’s existence, and the validity of the Bible as God’s revelation.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .

Lesson 9: Homesick for Heaven

This lesson was an appropriate ending to our gospel meeting with Mo Hafley. He used homesickness (an emotion we have all felt) to explain the type of desire and expectation we as Christians should have regarding our heavenly home.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

There are numerous momentous decisions made by Bible characters that had far reaching implications for themselves, their descendents, and even all of mankind.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

1 Kings 18 records a conversation between two faithful servants of God, the prophet Elijah, and the servant Obadiah, from King Ahab’s house. Though different, they were both faithful, and teach us some important lessons.

Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

After some delay, all eight sermons preached by Micky Galloway during his April 2010 meeting are now available online. These can be accessed in this post, or by going to the 2010 Sermons Archive page.

Sunday Morning Class: My People Love to Have it So

Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .
Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Sunday AM: The Soundness of God’s People

Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .
Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Sunday PM: The Promise

Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .
Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Monday PM: Committment to Family

Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .
Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Tuesday PM: A Marriage That Will Not Fail

Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .
Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Wednesday AM: Jesus, The Master Teacher

Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .
Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Wednesday PM: What God Expects of Us as a Family

Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .
Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Thursday PM: Victory in Jesus

Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .
Sermon Audio: Click Here .

This short lesson was preached by Brantley Gallman during our fifth Sunday night singing. Using the text of Hebrews 11, Brantley shares some lessons from the life of Rahab.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

A sermon expressing the importance of obedience to Jesus Christ.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

The only way, ultimately, to save your life is to live in such a way as to please God!

Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

This sermon seeks to give a scriptural answer to perhaps the most perplexing question that man can ask.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:1-2).

Paul here gives us a wonderful promise, though you note it is conditioned upon our walking according to the Spirit rather than the flesh. You can go to his epistle to the Galatians (5:16-26) for an extended discussion of the difference between walking according to the flesh and the Spirit. In verse 24 of that passage, the point is well made, “And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”

It doesn’t make sense to claim to be a Christian unless you are willing to live the life you claim!