Category: Sin
Subject: Sin
The Patternists: Walking in the Light
In 1 John 1:7-9, John gives us a wonderful promise. “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Our question, since the promise is that God will cleanse us from all unrighteousness, is, “What does it mean to walk in the light?” John gives us some idea of that in his phrase, “as He is in the light.”
Sermon: Antisemitism
A discussion of the form of racism known as antisemitism (a hatred of Jews). This, like any kind of prejudice against men, is sinful.
Cast Off
Psalm 60 is an acknowledgement of sin as Israel was “cast off” by God due to His displeasure (1). The Psalmist recognized that victory for Israel was possible only if God was with her. Consider these words at the end of the Psalm:
“Is it not You, O God, who cast us off? And You, O God, who did not go out with our armies? Give us help from trouble, for the help of man is useless. Through God we will do valiantly, for it is He who shall tread down our enemies” (10-12).
What a sad state to be “cast off” by God Himself. How could such happen? Well, it is certainly not because of any capricious tendency of God. Every time, the fault is with men. Jehovah told Israel through the prophet Isaiah, “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear” (Isaiah 59:2).
We can not prosper without God. No matter the circumstance, without God “the help of man is useless.” Only with God can we gain victory, through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ! (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:57). “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” (Revelation 11:15).
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Sermon: Spring Meeting, 2021 with JR Bronger
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.
- 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!
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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!
- 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.
- 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
How Does It Look to You?
How the world views it:
“Yes, they had an affair. But, people fall in and out of love. It’s nobody’s fault, really. God wants His children to be happy. You shouldn’t judge them.”
“The most important thing in George’s life is making money. He works his fingers to the bone, and is always thinking about, and trying to get rich. That’s not for me, but to each their own. You do you, and I’ll do me.”
“Old Billy is the consummate gambler. And he is good at it! Be careful around him, or he will fleece you, and take all you’ve got. He’s a good old boy, and a lot of fun to be around. Just keep your hand on your wallet!”
Sermon: Sinful Lusts
Defining it, determining its origin, discussing who is vulnerable, and a discussion of the admonitions against the lust that brings sin and death.
Scoundrels
An interesting word study is found in 2 Kings 21, which records the death of Naboth, who refused to sell King Ahab a vineyard he desired. His refusal to sell “the inheritance of my fathers” to Ahab, left the king pouting. Worse, it made Queen Jezebel angry.
Jezebel set in order a conspiracy to kill Naboth for his actions. Men were recruited to bear false witness against Naboth in the presence of the people, proclaiming, “Naboth has blasphemed God and the king” (vs. 13). On the basis of their testimony, Naboth was taken outside of the city and stoned to death. Ahab got his vineyard.
These men who bore false witness were identified as “sons of Belial” in the KJV, (vs. 10, 13). Later, Paul equated the name Belial with Satan Himself (cf. 2 Corinthians 6:15). Other translations call these men, “scoundrels” (NKJV), “base fellows” (ASV), “worthless men” (ESV), and “sons of worthlessness” (YLT).
The Hebrew words bên (sons) belîya’al (of Belial) indicate individuals who are without profit, worthless, destructive, wicked, evil, ungodly. Evil recruits evil for the express purpose of harming the righteous. Thus it has always been, and thus it shall always be. But remember, in the face of such ungodliness, “it is a righteous things with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you… in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 1:6-8).
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Sermon: The Truth Shall Make You Free
Lesson 23 in our series of Jesus teaching in the gospel of John covers 8:31-47. Jesus affirms the power of truth to free men from the slavery of sin. Also, he contends that the religious leaders have Satan as their father, because they are like him.
Sermon: Ugliness
Just like in Roman times, our society is full of ugliness and sin. Violence, oppression, immorality, vitriol and corruption is everywhere. What is the proper Christian response?
Sermon: Where I Go You Can Not Come
Lesson 22 in series
In John 8:21-30 Jesus informs the unbelieving Jews that their unwillingness to believe in Him would keep them from heaven. Faith in Jesus (cf. John 14:6) is the only way to the Father. Without belief in Jesus, sin separates man from God.
Sermon: Wrong is Always Wrong
Wrong is wrong, regardless of whether it is legal, you get caught doing it, you do it for the right reasons, someone else influences you, or the other person is doing even worse. It is wrong even if your conscience is clear or it is an expedient thing to do. It is wrong even if you refuse to admit it is wrong. It is wrong even if it is done in ignorance, or if others are doing it too. Wrong is ALWAYS Wrong!
COVID-19 (32) Learning from Juneteenth
President Abraham Lincoln signed his Emancipation Proclamation, freeing slaves, on January 1, 1863. However, many slaves remained in bondage as the Civil War raged on, as many refused to acknowledge the authority of Lincoln to do what he did.
General Robert E. Lee surrendered his southern army to General Ulysses S. Grant at the Appomattox Court House in Virginia on April 9, 1865, though Civil War hostilities actually continued up to 16 months following that surrender. Texas had not suffered as much as many of the southern states, and was last to reestablish a state government acknowledging the authority of the federal government. This occurred in August of 1866.
COVID-19 (10) The Most Contagious and Fatal of Diseases
The COVID-19 virus is highly contagious. How contagious is yet to be determined. The worst case scenario posted by the CDC (Center for Disease Control) posits between 160 and 214 million people could be infected this year, with deaths between 200,000 and 1.7 million. Those are big numbers, and especially with the death estimates, widely ranging. We should pray that our tactics to combat the spread of the virus are successful, and that the numbers are much smaller.
A big part of the problem is that the virus is new. You have heard the word “novel” being used to describe it. Before the latter part of 2019, no one had ever seen it. No one knew how it was transmitted, how easily it could be spread, how contagious it was. And, no one knew how to treat it.
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Sermon: Understanding of the Times
God expects Christians to have an understanding of the times in which we live, and react accordingly and appropriately. The days are evil and short, the evil that exists is not new, and ultimately it will not win. Knowing that victory is ours helps us to do what is required of us.
Sermon: A Covenant With My Eyes
The text of Job 31:1 reveals a conviction of Job not to lust with his eyes. This teaches us that we too need a determination not to involved ourselves in the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh or the pride of life.
