Category: Preaching

In Stephen’s defense, recorded in Acts 7, the preacher convicted his Jewish audience of their sin of rebellion in rejecting the Son of God and His will for man. For this, he was executed. His steadfast faith is a wonderful example for us.

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Last week the Old Granbury Road congregation had a gospel meeting, with Harry Osborne doing the preaching. We announced it, and I am thankful that several of our number took advantage of the opportunities to hear the gospel preached by a capable servant.

In fact, we had 21 that attended on Monday, 6 on Tuesday (as reported to me), and 16 on Thursday. That is a pretty good representation, and the support was an encouragement to that fine congregation.

However, the greater benefit was to those of us who attended. The singing was encouraging, the messages edifying, and the association with other Christians a joy.

I know some may tire of my many appeals to attend such efforts, but I feel like the apostle Paul who wrote the Philippians, “I seek the fruit that abounds to your account” (4:17). Paul was referring to their gift to him, but the principle applies here as well. By encouraging and supporting brethren elsewhere, you bear fruit for the Master. God is pleased with your selflessness, and you receive the added strength that worship and study brings. It is a win—win experience, and one I wish that more brethren would pursue regularly.

I know that it takes time, especially if the building is an hour or so away. It takes effort to get the kids ready, or to get those old bones moving. But I promise the effort is worth it. Many opportunities will present themselves in the next few months. So, how about it!

Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

In Romans 10:15 Paul describes how precious and important are preachers, and their efforts to save the souls of men. The gospel is the means by which God has chosen to save the world.

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Jesus often taught by parable. A parable is a story told, using simple objects or situations, to illustrate a spiritual principle. Such illustrations can be extremely powerful, and this is certainly the case with his Parable of the Sower. The parable is included in all of the synoptic gospels, (Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23; Mark 4:2-9, 13-20; Luke 8:4-15).

The accounts reveal that the disciples were first confused about the meaning of this parable. Fortunately for us, Jesus gave to them and us a clear explanation of his words. Consider the following important points that can be derived from this parable. Citations will be from the account recorded by Luke:

Continue reading “The Parable of the Sower” →

Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

In Colossians 4:2-6, Paul requested prayers, that he might be able and effective in the preaching of the gospel. He expresses that we need to have the same desire.

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Sermon by Josh Cox.

The text of Matthew 10, where Jesus commissioned his apostles to spread his gospel is used as a parallel to express our own responsibilities to preach the good news.

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The book of Joshua contains a wonderful summary of his leadership of Israel. Joshua was a man of great character and loyalty to God. During his service to God and His people, the nation took possession of the land of Canaan, obtaining the inheritance God had promised to Abraham and his descendants.

While each individual is responsible for his own relationship with God, a good leader can exert influence to keep men faithful to the Almighty. Joshua is an example of such a man. As he ascended to the leadership role, God promised him, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (1:9). Of course, that favor was contingent upon his loyalty to the Lord, “Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go” (1:7).

Continue reading “Joshua: A Godly and Successful Leader” →

The narrative of 2 Kings 7, where the lepers’ felt need to share the good news of God’s victory over Syria is used to express our obligation to share the gospel with the world.

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Powerpoint Slides

In order to be effective in the work of evangelism, we must diligently equip ourselves through a study of God’s word, and take advantage of every opportunity to share it with others!

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Powerpoint Slides

In 2 Corinthians 11 and 12, the apostle Paul refers to himself as a fool. However, he was willing to be considered as such, that he might preach the gospel of Christ.

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In the last 100 years, our nation has been involved in numerous wars. The first World War was believed by many to be the “war to end all wars.” Surely mankind learned its lesson from the atrocities and loss of life. Alas, no. The second World War erupted only a few decades after, followed by America’s involvement in the Korean conflict, the Vietnam War, two separate wars with Iraq, the war in Afghanistan, and our present undeclared war with Muslim Militants. Other, minor conflicts pepper our nation’s history over the last century.

It seems war is inevitable. Even though many have wearied of the loss of life and economic privation that accompanies warfare, evil men remain resolute in their desire to subdue, conquer, and press their ideologies upon others. This demonstrates a universal truth. Peace is not attained unilaterally. It takes a willingness on the part of all, to be established and maintained.

Continue reading “Wage the Good Warfare” →

The sermon uses the text of Acts 4:5-14, (the example of Peter and John’s preaching) as an example to us. When we are with Jesus (in fellowship with him):

1. It will be noticed by others
2. Our confidence will be placed in Christ
3. We will have boldness

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The Apostle Paul uses the metaphor of a soldier to describe the Christian’s relationship to Christ. Several important lessons can be derives from the word picture he draws.

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I came across a quote from George Whitefield the other day. Whitefield was an Anglican preacher who lived in the mid 1700’s. Here is the quote:

“It is a poor sermon that gives no offense; that neither makes the hearer displeased with himself nor with the preacher.”

These words encapsulate the purpose of gospel preaching. It is designed to convict. Now, not all sermons have the intent of causing such displeasure, but many do. So, the next time you are irritated at the preacher for what he said, consider the fact that he is supposed to rile you up, supposed to make you unhappy, supposed to convict you of sin. That’s his job. If he does it well, you are going to be unsettled by his words from time to time. The question is, will you be unhappy with him (the wrong reaction) or with yourself (the correct reaction)? Think about it…

“I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

(2 Timothy 4:1-5)

Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

Romans 1 and Romans 10 show the relationship between the preaching of the gospel, and the formation of the faith that saves men’s souls.

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