Tri-Annual Singing!
October 17, 2026
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Category: Obedience
Subject: Obedience
Sermon: Legacies of the Faithful
As we contemplate the legacies of those who have gone before, we can make the proper applications to ensure we too will serve God acceptably.
The Patternists: “You are my portion, O Lord”
The 119 Psalm is a meditation upon the words of God. To the Psalmist, that was the Law given by Moses. To Christians today, our respect for that law continues even as we acknowledge that we live under the authority of the new covenant, ratified by the blood of Jesus. Both the old and new testaments are inspired scripture, (cf. 2 Peter 1:21), and are worthy of our attention and consideration.
We should express the same attitude toward God’s word as that expressed by the Psalmist in this Psalm. We direct our attention to verses 57-64 for some observations.
Continue reading “The Patternists: “You are my portion, O Lord””
The Patternists: If
The little word if has a great and important place in the relationship men have with God. In both the Old and New Testaments, it indicates that which is conditional. For example in Deuteronomy 28:1, Moses said, “Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth.”
God’s promise to Israel was conditional. If they observed God’s will, he would exalt them. All that is required to note this truth is to examine Israel’s history. Too often the nation did not keep the conditions of the covenant, and God’s favor would leave them. Upon repentance, his favor would return. This is the way God dealt with Israel, and the way that He deals with men today.
The Patternists: Jeroboam’s Folly
In recent weeks, I have had several conversations with those who claim men are so reasonable, that any obvious demonstration of God’s power would convince them of His existence and their need to follow Him. Their view mirrors that of the rich man of Luke 16, who begged Abraham to send Lazarus to his five brothers so that they wouldn’t lose their souls as well. Abraham answered in part, “If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead” (31).
The truth is, most men are sufficiently self-willed to reject truths of every type, no matter how obvious they may be. We see it everyday in politics, medicine and daily life. (Note: We can be guilty of the same, and need to be careful ourselves).
Sermon: Types of Fools
A list of five types of individuals who are identified as fools in scripture are discussed: The athiest, the disobedient, those who prate, those who meddle, and those who are careless.
Sermon Powerpoint View and Download:
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Sermon: The Court of Public Opinion
Public Opinion and peer pressure can bring fear to Christians, and even lead men to do things that God condemns. The wise man, who has discernment, listens to men rather than God.
Sermon Powerpoint View and Download:
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The Patternists: Moses’ Great Mistake
Numbers 20 records a willful mistake that Moses made, as he reacted in anger toward the ungrateful congregation. The Israelites were at Kadesh, lingering there following the death and burial of Miriam. There was no water for the people, and they begin to grumble, just as they had countless times before.
On a previous occasion when water was needed, God had instructed Moses to strike the rock at Rephidim. The occasion was almost exactly like this one (Exodus 17:1-7). The people contended with Moses. He stated himself that they asked, “Is the Lord among us or not?” (7).
The Patternists: You “Ought” To
“These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:14-15)
The English word “ought” is “used to indicate duty or correctness” (Oxford). The Greek word is dei, “it is necessary, there is need of, it behooves, is right and proper” (Thayer). It is important to key in on the word “necessary” in the definition, especially as it concerns the context of 1 Timothy 3.
Sermon: The Frist and Last Adam
The lesson compares Adam to Christ, listing both their similarities as a Type/Antitype comparison, as well as their differences.
Sermon Powerpoint View and Download:
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Sermon: Progress in Philippi
(A discussion of Acts 16). When the gospel falls on good hearts, fruit is borne, despite any opposition.
Sermon: The Helper, the Spirit of Truth
A discussion of Jesus’ conversation with His disciples, recorded in John 14:12-18.
The Patternists: Hold the Traditions
The apostle Paul used an interesting turn of phrase in exhorting his readers, in 2 Thessalonians 2:15, “Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.”
His exhortation is to be a response to the calling of God. The elect of God are eligible to obtain “the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (14). Because of what God has done for us as Christians, and the hope we enjoy, we have a responsibility to “stand fast.”
The Patternists: Conduct Yourselves in Fear
The apostle Peter, in his first epistle, emphasized the importance of living holy lives. “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:13-16).
The text continues with a discourse on the redemption of his readers. They were redeemed with “the precious blood of Christ” (19). Christ was raised from the dead, “so that your faith and hope are in God” (21).
Continue reading “The Patternists: Conduct Yourselves in Fear”
Glorifying God’s Word
There is an interesting phrase from the pen of the apostle Paul, “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you” (2 Thessalonians 3:1). The phrase is, “that the word of the Lord may…be glorified.” Paul was asking that these faithful brethren petition God on his behalf. It was his desire that through his efforts, the word of the Lord would spread swiftly. That is, that many would hear and repeat it. Also, that it would be glorified. By this Paul meant, as noted by Thayer, that through his efforts the value of the word of God would become evident or made manifest.
A similar statement is made by the Lord regarding our influence. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). We extol the greatness and righteousness of God whenever we live in accord with His will. Men see it, and “glorify” Him.
