Tri-Annual Singing!
October 17, 2026
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Category: Subject Index
Study Material Categorized by Subject
Sermon: What Repentance is Not
The sermon uses the novel approach of identifying some untrue but common views about repentance to show what it isn’t, thereby clarifying what it actually is.
Sermon: Hannah’s Prayer
Using the first chapter of 1 Samuel, which records the prayer of Hannah, we learn the importance of fervency and persistency in prayer, that prayer must be in faith, and that God answers our prayers.
In the News: Can Science Explain the Heart of Man?
Today I was asked a question about how the Bible refers to the seat of emotions, intellect and will to be the heart of man. Passages such as, “I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And I will glorify Your name forevermore” (Psalm 86:12), use the metaphor. While we know the actual physical heart is a muscle that pumps blood, and that it is the brain that is the physical organ of thought and emotion, men have commonly referred to the heart in this poetic way.
I pointed out that using the word “brain” to refer to will, emotions and intellect of man is a metaphor as well. While it is true that the brain is the physical organ that regulates these things, it is a mistake to equate the brain with the mind. The truth is much more complex than that. To reduce such things as love, artistic expression, inspiration, genius and faith to the biological firing of synapses is to distort the essence of what it is to be a human being. Such reductionism is found in the efforts of some secular scientists who believe (as the term reductionism is defined) “that every complex phenomenon, especially in biology or psychology, can be explained by analyzing the simplest, most basic physical mechanisms that are in operation during the phenomenon.”
Continue reading “In the News: Can Science Explain the Heart of Man?”
Excessive Loyalty
Loyalty is a good thing. A very good thing. Consider the beautiful expression of Ruth’s loyalty to her mother-in-law Naomi, “But Ruth said: ‘Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, And there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me’” (Ruth 1:16-17).
Loyalty to God must be absolute. Divided loyalties are unacceptable. There is no way to be excessively loyal to Him. As Jesus said, “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me” (Matthew 10:37). Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 4:1-2, “Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.”
From the Preacher’s Pen: Fideism
Ron Doss shared with me a word that he recently came across, with which he and I were not familiar. The term was fideity, or fideism. (Interestingly, my spell checker in the computer program I use to prepare this bulletin doesn’t know the term either).
There are two definitions for fideism I want to share with you—both from online dictionaries. 1) exclusive reliance in religious matters upon faith, with consequent rejection of appeals to science or philosophy—dictionary.com; 2) The doctrine that knowledge depends on faith or revelation—oxforddictionaries.com.
The term would be used disparagingly toward Christians, as clearly indicated by the first definition. The question is, is it true? Well, it depends a bit upon the actual definition of the term. According to the second definition, absolutely so! We are dependent upon God’s revelation regarding what is true. Even if such revealed truth is counterintuitive to what we think would be true, we accept revelation above our own thoughts. “Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar” (Romans 3:4). However, if it is claimed that belief in God and His word is contradictory to true science or philosophy, and in order to believe we must be unreasonable, that is categorically untrue. As Paul wrote, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20).
If you want an example of unreasonable dependence upon faith, how about the idea that all you see today is the result of mere chance? Now that is a true example of fideism!
Invitation: Bearing Burdens
Invitation delivered by: Joshua Jackson
In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus promises us an easy burden and light yoke. We are given instructions (Gal. 6:2) to help bear one another’s burdens.
Sermon: Noah
The sermon contrasts what the Bible teaches about Noah and the worldwide flood, and what the newly released movie purports him to be. Also discussed is the Christian’s proper response to the movie.
Sermon: Blessings from God
Josh Cox uses Phillipians 4:4-6 to talk about the blessings we have from God, and the comfort and hope they supply.
From the Preacher’s Pen: Free to Choose
The wise man of Ecclesiastes wrote, “Truly, this only I have found: That God made man upright, But they have sought out many schemes” (7:29).
The text clearly teaches that man appears on the earth inherently good. This contrasts with the world view of the Reformed Theologian who contends that man is born to a state of absolute depravity. The text also absolves God of blame when evil abounds. It is not God’s fault or doing when suffering comes as the consequence of sinful behavior. God made man upright!
Why then do men do evil? Because God has given man a will, and men choose to do evil! “They have sought out many schemes.” No one wishes for God to do away with free will. It is His greatest gift, and the reason Moses wrote that God made man “in His own image” (Genesis 1:27). However, when God gave man the freedom of choice, it was inevitable that some would choose to do evil things. Adam did, “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned” (Romans 5:12).
Recently, I was given the following quote — a fitting end to this short missive. “You are free to choose, but you are not free from the consequences of your choice.” Wise words to consider the next time we are tempted to choose foolishly!
Mining the Scriptures: Colossians 1:13-14
In these verses, Paul switches from the prayers he offers for the Christians in Colosse to be worthy of Christ, to affirming the preeminence of God. In verse 13 he establishes two truths:
First, that God has delivered us from the power of darkness. That power is Satan (cf. Acts 26:18). Satan holds men captive in their sins, but God redeems us through the blood of His Son. By His sacrifice, Jesus secures for us “the forgiveness of sins” (vs. 14).
Second, when he delivers us from Satan’s clutches, the Father conveys us “into the Kingdom of the Son of His love.” This verse is important for several reasons. If we are in Jesus’ kingdom we are citizens, with full privileges and benefits. We are subject to the laws of the King, and are to recognize and respect His authority. Finally, in affirming that the Colossians had already been translated in Christ’s kingdom, Paul refutes the common view that the kingdom of Christ has yet to be established. This single verse clearly disproves a central tenet of the doctrine of Premillennialism.
Invitation: What It Means to be a Pilgrim
Invitation delivered by: Chad Gallman
1 Peter 2:11-12 is used as a text, as Chad explains what it means to be a pilgrim.
Sermon: The Dangers of the Comfortable Life
Our lives are comfortable, and in such comfort there is the danger of forgetting God, of trusting in ourselves and what we own, and in indulging ourselves in excess and sin.
Sermon: Christ Our Sacrifice
The significance of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, and what it accomplished for men.
Mining the Scriptures: Philippians 1:12-14
Our text establishes clearly the apostle Paul’s priorities in life. Though the “things which happened to me” included imprisonment and possible loss of life, Paul considered it a fortunate turn of events. Because of his trip to Rome and house arrest, the gospel was preached to individuals who otherwise would not hear it. Paul wrote of those in Caesar’s palace who were aware that his “chains are in Christ” (13).
A further benefit was the courage taken by others from Paul’s example. Because he preached boldly despite persecution, others were emboldened to do the same. This serves to illustrate the benefit of a godly example. If you live for Christ despite opposition, others see that and are encouraged to do the same.
Paul rejoiced because the gospel was preached. He didn’t care what it cost him personally. He understood the purpose of the message, and made its spread his life’s work (cf. Romans 1:15-16).
God Speaks to Me!
It is common for religious people to claim that they have received instructions or confirmation directly from God. They place great trust in the “directions” they have received, and use any coincidence as corroboration that God has spoken to them. When asked what God’s voice sounds like, they are seldom bold enough to describe an actual voice, but remain steadfast in their contention that they have been directed in some nebulous way by Him.
There is no doubt that at times God has spoken directly to man. The Old Testament gives examples of conversations between God and Adam, Abraham and Moses. The apostle Peter stated, “no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:20-21).
