Category: Obedience

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!” →

Invitation delivered by: Joshua Jackson

In our lives as Christians, we either do, or we do not. Too often Christians say that they “tried” to obey, or “tried” to avoid sin. Consider passages such as Matthew 25:34-46, either we will have done God’s will, or not. Our eternal destiny is at stake. Yoda had it right!

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Three principles are examined in this lesson on Stewardship: 1) All things belong to God; 2) We are to be stewards in what we have and who we are; and, 3) We will be held accountable for our stewardship.

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Powerpoint Slides

Paul’s epistle to the Romans is a much misunderstood book, especially as it relates to the apostle’s teaching on the subject of Justification by Faith. This sermon serves as an explanation of the first three chapters of the book as they relate to the topic.

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Invitation delivered by: Jeremiah Cox

Jeremiah uses the example of Paul, who was sincere even when persecuting Christians, to establish the truth that sincerity is serving God is insufficient. We must also be living in accord with His will.

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Invitation delivered by: Justin Carrell

Justin discusses why the tradition of offering an invitation at the end of our Wednesday Bible Study is a beneficial one.

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The metaphor of a door is used often in scripture. It references opportunity, the need for action, the desire of the Lord, and the way to salvation. The sermon discusses four of these points.

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Powerpoint Slides

Invitation delivered by: Jeremiah Cox

Jeremiah appeals to Matthew 7:21-ff and James 1:21-25 to establish the necessity of doing the will of God. This is contrasted with religious people who claim to serve God, but only practice the aspects of God’s will that suit them.

Audio: Click Here .

Consider the following admonition given at the beginning of the book of Haggai.

“Then the word of the LORD came by Haggai the prophet, saying, “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins? Now therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Consider your ways!’” (Haggai 1:3-5)

The application of this admonition should not be found exclusively with regard to the rebuilding of God’s temple, or the obvious present day application of caring for the building and grounds where we assemble. (Although that certainly would apply).

The question is, where do your interests and attention lie. Are you living selfishly, concerned primarily with your own comfort and concerns? Or, are you (first of all) concerned about the things of God?

Look around! The brethren at West Side have obligations. Toward God, toward one another, toward the lost. There are sick people, physical needs, preaching to be done — and, yes, work to be done on the building and grounds where we assemble.

Each of us need to “Consider” our ways, to make sure God is being put first!

To be a partaker of Christ (from the text of Hebrews 3:14) speaks both to the blessings of the relationship as well as the obligation of steadfastness that is seen in the context. The sermon examines the Privileges and Responsibilities of such a fellowship.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

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 .