Category: Perseverence

Subject: Perseverence

Sermon: A Divisive Christ?

A discussion of Matthew 10:21-42 showing that reconciliation and peace with God, though it is valuable and secures us blessings, sometimes will cause division with even our closest family members.

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Struck Down but Not Destroyed

Various texts in the New Testament are examined to contrast the difficulties and limitations of this life as compared to our state and hope in eternity.

The Patternists: If

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.

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Sermon: Endurance

endurance

Speaker: Aaron Collier

Aaron uses the example of endurance bicycling to talk about what true endurance is, making application to the Christian’s life.

Practical Christian Attributes

faith

The apostle Peter promised that the adding of various attributes to our faith will preclude us being “barren [or] unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” In fact, “you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:8,10-11).

We might ask why are these attributes key? It is because they equip us to act and to be the type of people who please God. They direct us in the paths of righteousness! This is especially true in our interactions with others. Remember, the two great commandments are to love God and love your neighbor (cf. Matthew 22:37-40). If we keep the necessity of love for God and man at the forefront of our thinking, it is easy to see why Peter would call for these qualities to be present in our lives.

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Sermon: Spring Meeting, 2021 with JR Bronger

Bronger Meeting

JR Bronger from Blue Springs, MO preached a wonderful series of gospel sermons for the West Side congregation, May 1-6, 2021:

Saturday PM: The Conversion of Saul (Acts 9)

Sunday 1st Service: Evangelizing the World

  • In the first century, Christians were able to spread the gospel throughout the known world, despite opposition and challenges. If we have the same mindset today, we can be just as successful!
  • Facebook Live Video of Sermon

Sunday Class: Successful Marriages

Sunday 2nd Service: The Hate of Christ and Christians

Monday PM: Christians Are Running a Race

Tuesday PM: A Rebel Returns

Wednesday PM: Do You Want to be Made Well?

  • If you really wish for spiritual healing, you must stop thinking of yourself as a victim, stop blaming others for your failings, free yourself from fear and recognize the difference between wanting relief, and wanting a cure.
  • Facebook Live Video of Sermon

Thursday PM: Hardening of Pharaoh’s Heart

  • There were three responsible parties in the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart. God Himself with His demands. The wicked court magicians. And most prominently, Pharaoh himself.
  • Facebook Live Video of Sermon

Sermon: The Need for Patience

The Need for Patience

Our time is no different from any other age. In every generation, the Christian is in need of patience as he seeks to do the will of his Master.

Sermon: Job’s Worst Day

Jobs Worst Day

Five things we can learn from Job’s response after losing his possessions and family. He said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21)

COVID-19 (25) The Power of Patience

Patience

It was inevitable. Six weeks ago when the government started encouraging people to stay home, just about everyone was on board. The virus is extremely contagious, and we all were concerned about our health, and the health of our loved ones. But, as time has passed, people have started getting antsy. Many have lost their jobs, the economy has almost completely shut down, and the protests have begun. Whether you believe that there is legitimacy to the claims of government overreach, or you believe that protesters are acting selfishly and dangerously, it is clear that the patience of the American populace is wearing thin.

Protests have taken place in Ohio, North Carolina, New York, Kentucky, Wyoming, Utah, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Texas, Oregon, Idaho and Washington. In Lansing, Michigan, almost 5,000 people showed up at the state Capitol on April 16th to protest the governor’s strong stay at home order. There has long been a debate over governmental regulation vs. personal liberty. The pandemic is putting these discordant views into sharp relief.

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COVID-19 (1) Remember the Works of the Lord

I have decided to write what I hope to be a daily, short article, to help everyone at West Side (another others who read it) during this time of isolation from one another. I will at least do the weekdays, though I can’t promise which time of day it will be posted. (I’m not that organized!)

sunrise1

The 77th Psalm, a psalm of Asaph, begins as follows:

“I cried out to God with my voice— to God my voice;
And He gave ear to me.
In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord;
My hand was stretched out in the night without ceasing;
My soul refused to be comforted.
I remembered God, and was troubled;
I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed”
(1-3).

Today is a day of trouble for our nation, and brethren everywhere. We are concerned and anxious, and there is a tendency in times such as these to question. We appeal to God and we ask why? We complain, we feel overwhelmed. It is hard for us to focus on the blessings of God; to trust in His providential care; to see the possibility of an end to our suffering. We ask with the Psalmist, “Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has He in anger shut up His tender mercies?” (9).

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Sermon: Competing for a Crown

Competing for a Crown

Based on 1 Corinthians 9:25, the sermon establishes the importance of self-control, rule following and endurance for the Christian. Using the metaphor of athletic endeavor, which the apostle Paul used as illustration.

Sermon: Zacchaeus

9 - Zacchaeus

This lesson uses the example of Zacchaeus to illustrate how we may overcome formidable obstacles in order to see (be reconciled with) Jesus.

Audio

Powerpoint Slides

Invitation: Rich and Wicked

Invitation by Stan Cox

In James 5, we have a description of rich, wicked people who were oppressing Christians.  Whether the wicked rich, or any other, if we live for God we will overcome such persecution, and live eternally in joy!

Audio

Sermon: Rejected in His Own Country

Image

The rejection of Jesus by his hometown of Nazareth serves to teach us important lessons about perseverence, respect for the will of God, and ridding ourselves of personal prejudices. (Lesson text: Matthew 13:53-58).

Audio

Powerpoint Slides

Spring 2007 Gospel Meeting with Nathan Quinn

Faith Under Fire

Spring 2016 Gospel Meeting. Speaker: Nathan Quinn
May 6-11, 2017
Theme: Faith Under Fire (Lessons from 1 Peter)

  • Audio 1 (What Angels Long to See)
  • Audio 2 (Conducting Ourselves with Fear)
  • Audio 3 (The Enduring Word of God)
  • Audio 4 (The Day the Lord Has Made)
  • Audio 5 (Imitating Christ by Suffering)
  • Audio 6 (Understanding God’s Will for You)
  • Audio 7 (Living the Good Life)
  • Audio 8 (Be Sober in Spirit)
  • Audio 9 (The True Grace of God)