Category: Preaching

Peter intimates that his reason for writing this short epistle was the certainty he would soon die, “knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me” (vs. 14). So, he desired to remind them of certain important things. Things such as the need for maturity and growth, the hope of heaven, the trustworthiness of revelation, the danger of false teachers, and the faithfulness of the Lord’s promise of coming judgment.

These are things his readers already knew, “you know and are established in the present truth” (vs. 12). Yet, three times in this short passage he refers to the importance of reminding them of these truths. He said, 1) He was writing to remind them; 2) He would continue to remind them as long as he lived; and 3) He would ensure they would have a reminder of these things after he died.

This points out an important part of the work of preaching. Preaching is not only done to teach brethren what they do not know about God’s will; it is also done to remind them of what they do know, lest they be guilty of forgetfulness or neglect.

The sermon discusses the gospel (the foolishness of God), and expresses why, even as simple people, we can trust in our understanding of the meaning of, and the dependability of, His word. (Lesson based from 1 Corinthians 1:18-31)

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Occasionally I receive a bulletin called Preacher Talk written by Cecil May Jr. May is, I believe, the President of Faulkner University in Montgomery, AL, and a long time preacher among the institutional churches. He is a good writer, and wrote the following short article titled, Selective Preaching, in the May 2011 issue.

Continue reading “In the News: On “Selective Preaching”” →

In his second letter to Timothy, the Apostle Paul clearly expressed the serious nature of the work of preaching the gospel. He expected Timothy to take the work seriously, and accomplish the will of the Lord.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Meeting season has begun. As mentioned last Wednesday evening, the Old Granbury Road congregation is having brother Jimmy Stevens in a gospel meeting that begins today. Weeknight meeting time is 7:30 pm, through Friday.
Also, the Woodmont congregation has a meeting starting with brother Terrell Bunting next Sunday. If you are of a mind to travel that far, the Hewitt congregation (the Waco area) is having brother Maurice Barnett, also starting next Sunday.

Our own meeting begins in three weeks, and we need to begin our efforts in inviting others to come hear brother Kris Braddock preach the gospel. Area congregations will be more likely to attend our meeting if you have already been to theirs.

There is absolutely no better way to spend a weekday evening than in worship. You will be edified by the preaching efforts. So how about it? Will you be going to the meetings this season?

The West Side congregation supported brother Chip Foster in a recent preaching trip he took the the Philippines. Brother Foster preaches at the Old Granbury Road church of Christ in Granbury, TX. He was gone from February 21 – March 11, 2011. (Note: The powerpoint file is saved in the 2007 .pptx format, and is very large. 60 MB’s. It contains many photographs in it’s 105 slides).

Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

In 2 Timothy 4:5, the Apostle Paul exhorted young Timothy, “But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” The admonition is serious, and any man who would take on the work should have an understanding of what God requires of him. It is also important that all Christians know what is the evangelist’s work.

Too many times I have heard the simplistic answer, “The evangelist is to evangelize!” The Greek word for evangelist means, “the bringer of good tidings … one who brings good news.” So, looking at the definition, the evangelist preaches the gospel to the lost. When this is contended, it is sometimes intended to limit the work of the evangelist to that single act, preaching to the lost.

Continue reading “The Work of an Evangelist” →

Jesus told his disciples in John 5:18, 20, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you…” 20 “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.”

In the last week there were two news releases that pointed out the hatred the world has for Jesus, (and God, cf. John 15:23). This hate is seen in reaction to those who purport to be his followers. (Note: I am not saying that their claim to be Christians is legitimate, only that they are perceived to be by the world).

Continue reading “In the News: Prejudice Against Christ” →

This post contains short summaries and links to both audio and Powerpoint presentations of all the sermons Mo Hafley preached for the West Side congregation in the Fall 2010 meeting, November 6-11.

Lesson 1: Looking Unto Jesus

In this sermon, Mo Hafley of Paden City, WV uses the text of Hebrews 12:1-7, to establish the nature of the Christian’s race on earth, and the motivation behind it as we look to Jesus, our Savior.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Lesson 2: How We Worship

This sermon by Mo Hafley is a discussion on proper worship to God, with an emphasis on focus and proper spirituality when we sing, pray, commune around the Lord’s table, give of our means, and listen to the preaching of the Word of God.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Lesson 3: A Few Days with Paul

This sermon by Mo Hafley is a discussion of Paul’s ministry in Thessalonica and Berea, as recorded by Luke in Acts 17:1-13. Paul and the first century disciples showed great courage in the preaching of the gospel of Christ.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Lesson 4: Parents and Children

This sermon by Mo Hafley is a wonderful treatment of God’s word on the topic of Parenting. In it, Mo shows what God expects of Christian parents, and even has some words of admonition for children.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Lesson 5: Preaching Properly

In this sermon, Mo Hafley discusses the proper tone we are to take in preaching. Emphasis is placed upon militance in preaching, as too often in our day and time people heap up for themselves teachers having itching ears. Soft preaching is not God’s way.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Lesson 6: Holy Living in an Unholy World

This sermon by Mo Hafley documents the moral evil that is present in our world, and especially our nation. Biblical advice is given to Christians, explaining how we are to navigate in such troublesome waters.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .

Lesson 7: Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego

This lesson is an expository treatment of Daniel 3, showing the courage of these great servants of God. Regardless of consequence, Christians must emulate them.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Lesson 8: Evidences

This lesson by Mo Hafley is a concise detailing of various internal and external evidences, given to prove God’s existence, and the validity of the Bible as God’s revelation.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .

Lesson 9: Homesick for Heaven

This lesson was an appropriate ending to our gospel meeting with Mo Hafley. He used homesickness (an emotion we have all felt) to explain the type of desire and expectation we as Christians should have regarding our heavenly home.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

In Romans 10:15, the apostle Paul quoted the prophet Isaiah (52:7), writing, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”

I am not sure how beautiful Mo Hafley’s feet are, speaking literally. However, they certainly are precious to us, as they have brought him to us for the purpose of proclaiming that wonderful gospel.

In store for us is a week of edification and spiritual feasting. I want to personally encourage every member here at West Side to take full advantage of the preparations made by brother Hafley. Attend each preaching service, listen intently, and invite others to come as well.

Welcome, Mo! We are so pleased that you have come to preach to us the gospel of Christ!

1 Kings 18 records a conversation between two faithful servants of God, the prophet Elijah, and the servant Obadiah, from King Ahab’s house. Though different, they were both faithful, and teach us some important lessons.

Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Paul’s introductory comments in Romans are typical. In them he identifies himself as a bondservant of the Lord, engaged in the task of preaching His gospel.

He affirms his apostleship, and that the gospel had its inception in the prophets. (Remember, Philip preached Jesus to the Ethiopian using the text of Isaiah 53).

He affirms Jesus to be the Son of Man “born of the seed of David according to the flesh”, and to be the Son of God, attested “by the resurrection from the dead.”

It is amazing how often the apostle repeats those two facts throughout his writings: 1) I am an apostle by God’s choosing; 2) I am bound by God to preach the gospel of the Lord.

Paul also revealed something about the Roman Christians. He wrote, “among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ.” This calling is the process of sanctification. We are called out of the world, called to holiness. All of Paul’s instructions come from this fact concerning his brethren. “Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?” (6:2-3).

The sermon examines the proper attitudes toward God’s word.

Sermon Powerpoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

In preparation for the meeting beginning the next week with brother Micky Galloway, this sermon emphasizes the importance and benefits of the preaching done in these special efforts.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

The phrase “sound doctrine” appears several times in the New Testament, always in Paul’s epistles. This sermon examines the meaning and usage of the phrase.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .