Category: Responsibilities

A simple examination of the book of Hebrews shows it to be a comparison and contrast between what went before, and what is now present in the kingdom of Christ. A simple way to think about the book is that it is about the better things in Jesus. A better covenant, a better Lawgiver, a better rest, a better High Priest, a better Sacrifice, a better sanctuary.

The book was written to a Jewish group that was faltering in their faith in Christ. They were pulled by the past to embrace their previous relationship to God through the old law, and were questioning their commitment to Jesus. This was in part because they had not grown as Christians, and needed “someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food” (5:12).

They had faltered in their growth disappointing the writer, but he had not lost all his trust in them. After his admonition he said, “But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation” (9). Here we have an important truth revealed. Since what Jesus has brought is better, better things are required of us as well! “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, what at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him” (2:3).

There is a text in Galatians 6 that begins in verse two by saying, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”  Later in the same context, verse five, he said, “For each one shall bear his own load.”

Now it is obvious to anyone who accepts the inspiration of scripture that there must be a difference between a burden and a load. The Holy Spirit does not contradict Himself, and if the two are the same, the thought produced is nonsensical. There are two aspects of the writing that serve to give us the true sense of Paul’s teaching. The first is an understanding of the definitions of the two words. The second and most important is the context, both immediate and remote.  Let’s consider. Continue reading “Burdens and Loads” →

God requires that Christians work together in His service. Too many have a “consumer mentality” when it comes to choosing a church. We should join a faithful congregation, that strives to to God’s work in God’s way.

• Audio
• Facebook Live Video of Sermon

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)

• A discussion of the conversion of Saul of Tarsus. A religious terrorist who became a wonderful example of the saving power of God’s grace.
• Audio
• Powerpoint
• Facebook Live Video of Sermon

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!
• Audio
• Powerpoint
• Facebook Live Video of Sermon

Sunday Class: Successful Marriages

• Foundational teaching on the subject of marriage. Principles which, if followed, will guarantee strong marriages existing in accord with God’s desire.
• Audio
• Powerpoint
• Facebook Live Video of Sermon

Sunday 2nd Service: The Hate of Christ and Christians

• The world hated Jesus Christ because of His mission and righteousness. He promised that the world would hate his followers as well. In our day such hate is prominent.
• Audio
• Powerpoint
• Facebook Live Video of Sermon

Monday PM: Christians Are Running a Race

• A runner himself, brother Bronger uses the Hebrew writer’s imagery in Hebrews 12:1-2 to establish a few important truths regarding the race the Christian runs.
• Audio
• Powerpoint
• Facebook Live Video of Sermon

Tuesday PM: A Rebel Returns

• A powerful lesson on rebellion and redemption, based on the Parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15. Young people need to hear this message!
• Audio
• Powerpoint
• Facebook Live Video of Sermon

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.
• Audio
• Powerpoint
• 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.
• Audio
• Powerpoint
• Facebook Live Video of Sermon

God was jealous for Israel, and demanded faithfulness from His covenant people. As Christians, we have that same relationship, and that same obligation!

• Audio
• Microsoft DOCX File
• Facebook Live Video of Sermon

“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory” (Colossians 3:1-4).

Too many today seek the glory, but are not willing to make the commitment. Have you noticed how often in scripture the two are combined? Jesus and His apostles all emphasized the commitment of the Christian life. You have obeyed the gospel, you are now a Christian. Because of this relationship and the glory that it brings, Jesus requires you to live commensurately. “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62).

As Paul rightly emphasizes, this commitment is a commitment of righteousness. In other words, you are a Christian, now stop sinning! He wrote in Romans 6:1-2, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live in any longer in it?”

Anyone who continues a worldly lifestyle while claiming to be a faithful Christian, “is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:4). Startling to many, but true!

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As I am writing this article, the President has been impeached, and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is about to swear in the United States Senators as jurors in the impeachment trial. Impeachment is a political process, as designed by framers of our constitution. In this case, it is also a partisan process, as Democrat and Republican representatives and senators are dividing (or are projected to divide) almost exclusively along party lines in their votes on the matter.

This is a sad time for Americans. The partisanship and rancor that is present in our nation is disheartening. It has been this way before, many times. In fact, politically our republic is messy, and unrest may be considered a fact of life. In some ways it is as it should be in any democratic process. The conflict consists of words, and protests seldom lead to actual violence. For this we are thankful.

Continue reading “Ruminations on Citizenship” →

In 1 Corinthians 12, the apostle Paul expressed the importance of every single Christian doing his or her part to bring growth to the local congregation. He noted that each individual member is unique, “And the eye cannot say to the hand, ’I have no need of you’; nor again the head to the feet, ’I have no need of you’” (21). He concluded that even those members who seem to be weaker “are necessary” (22).

Do we have the same view of our participation in congregational activities and duties? Do we consider our part to be necessary? Or even important?

Paul clearly states that “God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased” (18). “But God composed the body…” (24).

Never underestimate your importance to God and His people. Never underestimate what God expects of you, and how much His people need you to do your part.

Paul wrote, “Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually” (27). We need you to be an active member of the West Side congregation. We need to grow spiritually every day, and diligently perform the duties our Lord expects of our congregation. We can’t do that unless each and every one of us are doing our part. You are special! God knows it, and so do we. Do you?

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Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

In 1 Timothy 3:14-15, Paul uses the little word “ought” to establish that God will hold us accountable for our actions.

Audio

Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

Galatians 6:1-5 is examined, discussing the burdens and loads a Christian is called upon to bear.

Audio

Using John 15:1-ff, Josh Cox encourages his listeners to consider their responsibilities to bear fruit by asking “What can we do to bear fruit in the kingdom of God?”

Audio

To be a partaker of Christ (from the text of Hebrews 3:14) speaks both to the blessings of the relationship as well as the obligation of steadfastness that is seen in the context. The sermon examines the Privileges and Responsibilities of such a fellowship.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

The sermon is introduced by the text of Isaiah 2:1-3, where it is said, “Many people shall come and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths” (vs. 3).

This indicates that in the Kingdom of God, invitations will be extended to others. We as Christians are responsible for extending that invitation. Practical applications include inviting people to worship services, inviting them to study the Bible, and inviting them to obey the gospel of Christ.

Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Liberty, standing proudly on a small island in the New York harbor, has long been an important emblem to our nation. We have long believed as Americans that God has granted us the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

How sad it is that this pursuit of liberty and happiness has become so twisted in our present day. Our founding fathers recognized that liberty comes with a price. That price is personal responsibility.

Today so many are interested in only themselves. Their pursuit of pleasure is first and foremost in their lives. They talk about their “rights”. But, their right to drink has cost thousands of lives in automobile accidents. Their right to an abortion has led to the murder of countless unborn children. The rights of “two consenting adults” has led to broken homes, a lowering of societal values, and the scourge of disease.

Truly, there needs to be a change of emphasis. May we begin (or continue) to proclaim accountability. May we emphasize not our rights, but the rights of others. May we recognize that true happiness and liberty come in making ourselves slaves to our Lord. “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the {life} which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

In 1 Corinthians 15, the Apostle admonished the Corinthians who did not believe in the resurrection, indicating they should be ashamed. It is the purpose of preaching and admonition to shame individuals who are in sin. We all should be ashamed when we:

• Participate in Ungodliness
• Lack Knowledge
• Uphold Those Who Teach Error

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Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .