Tri-Annual Singing!
February 21, 2026
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Category: Preaching
Subject: Preaching
Sermon: Paul’s Address to the Ephesian Elders
Things we can learn from examining the great apostle’s meeting with the Ephesian elders while in Miletus. (Acts 20).
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Sermon: Preaching at the Areopagus (Acts 17)
An examination of Paul’s wonderful sermon preaching on Mars Hill in Acts 17.
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Sermon: Fair-Minded Toward God
The Noble Bereans (Acts 17:11) are examined to determine why their approach in examining Paul’s preaching was commended by God. May be we noble like the Bereans!
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The Purpose of Peter’s Epistles
A Discussion of 1 and 2 Peter, and the things the great apostle intended to remind us about before his passing.
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Sermon: My Convictions Regarding Modesty
A present issue of controversy. My convictions regarding the issue.
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Sermon: Truths About Preaching
What constitutes false teaching, and how does God require we limit ourselves as preacher’s of the gospel?
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What is “Sound” Doctrine?
In Titus 2, Paul exhorted the evangelist, “But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine.” This answers the question, “Is doctrine important?” Yes!
But it leads to another question. “What kind of doctrine is sound?” The Greek word translated “sound” (hygiain?) signifies wholeness, wellness (and in the realm of doctrine) uncorruptness. As Thayer put it, “Metaphorically, the phrase is used of one whose Christian opinions are free from any admixture of error.”
Put simply, sound doctrine is teaching that is based solely on God’s word. This is as it has always been, as men have sought to ensure their standing with God. Jesus Himself said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15).
The scriptures are where we gain access to God’s will. Paul wrote that scripture is inspired of God, and is sufficient for man. It is “profitable for doctrine” and in it alone the “man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
As the Psalmist so wonderfully exclaimed, “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You” (Psalms 119:9-11).
What Christ Gave the Church
We know that the church belongs to Christ, created for us that we might serve Him as He desires. He established His church, accomplishing it by dying on the cross for those who He chose through the gospel. Jesus gifted to us our salvation, as He Himself paved the way to heaven through His own resurrection from the dead. Consider Paul’s words, “‘When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men. (Now this, ‘He ascended’ – what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)’” (Ephesians 4:9-10).
The Holy Spirit used the word church (ekklesia), referencing God’s people, in two basic ways in scripture. The first is referred to as the universal use of the word church. It is that to which Jesus refers when He promised in Matthew 16:18, “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” In this sense it refers to the relationship that each saved person has with Christ when He comes to Him in faith. “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them … And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:41,47). Simply put: every person who has been saved in the past, is saved now in the present, or will be saved before the Lord comes again, — he or she is added to His church. This references our relationship with its privileges. There is no passage of scripture than activates this universal church in any way. Continue reading “What Christ Gave the Church”
Mining the Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
Paul here (and in chapter 3) seeks to downplay his personal abilities and proclamations, instead showing the Corinthians that the true power for salvation was in God’s word. He said in 3:7 that he was not “anything.” He stated in Romans 1:16 that the power of God to salvation was in the message of the gospel, not in the messenger.
So, here in chapter two he affirmed it wasn’t in his abilities of wisdom that salvation came. Only that in weakness, fear and much trembling he preached only Christ and Him crucified.
This demonstrates and important truth that Paul emphasized in all of his epistles. The power that brings redemption does not come from men, but from God. Not in human wisdom, but “in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.”
His conclusion here is an important one. We should not consider any success we have in Christ to be because of us! It is because of the power of God!
Earthen Vessels
In 2 Corinthians 4 we have an interesting comparison between the precious gospel of Christ, and the men and women who possess that gospel. In verse 4 Paul describes the good news in the following way, “the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”
In contrast, in verse 7 he simply states, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels.” Such a great dichotomy. The treasure is ultimate, of inestimable value. The vessel in which it is housed is not significant in comparison to the contents.
The value of the gospel is clearly indicated in scripture. In Romans 1:16, Paul writes that it is “the power of God to salvation.” In another place he wrote, “it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe” (1 Corinthians 1:21). In fact, the Lord Himself weighed in on the subject, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14). Continue reading “Earthen Vessels”
Sermon: Gospel Preaching
A treatment of the proper attitude and actions we should take as Christians in seeking to share the gospel message with others. We must be tactful and show love for others, but never compromise our defense of truth!
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Sermon: Do Not Be Ashamed
Paul was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. His conviction made him always to be willing to proclaim boldly God’s message. His example is one we seek to emulate (2 Timothy 1:8-12).
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Mining the Scriptures: James 2:1-4
Here we have a general command of James, which is produced by the characteristic of love. If indeed we want to heed Christ’s imperative: “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12), James’ admonition must be obeyed. “…Do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.”
Although the context gives the example of material wealth (not preferring the rich man over the poor), there is nothing in the admonition which would limit it to this case. An understanding of Galatians 3:28, which affirms the value of every soul, shows that any partiality shown, whether it be wealth, gender, race or culture is in fact becoming “judges with evil thoughts.”
The gospel of Christ is for every man. All have the same value to Him, and so should have the same value to us. Those who are vulnerable, disenfranchised, poor, desolate — whatever their state — as we consider their souls, should be cherished by us.
An Open Door
There are a number of occasions where the apostle Paul used the metaphor of a door to refer to an opportunity. For example, when Paul and Barnabas gave a report to the church in Antioch, Luke records, “Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles” (Acts 14:27). Paul himself wrote to the Corinthian church, saying in 1 Corinthians 16:8-9, “But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.” He wrote again in 2 Corinthians 2:12, “Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord, I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed to Macedonia.” Continue reading “An Open Door”
The Passion of Gospel Preaching
In 1 Corinthians 4:13, the apostle Paul referred to the constant criticism of the apostles, and their response. “Being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.”
The Greek word translated entreat in the passage is parakaleo?. It is define as a strong invitation or invocation, and is also translated beseech in various places in scripture. Literally, “to call near”. It is a word of passion, that can rightly bring the image of begging. Notice the use of the term in Romans 12:1-2:
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
