Category: Sin

Subject: Sin

Sermon: “And the Lord turned and looked at Peter”

And the Lord turned and looked at Peter

It was traumatic to Peter when the Lord looked at him, and he realized he had denied Him three times. We too seek to avoid such trauma, by rationalizing, covering up, lying about, and hiding our own sins.

Sermon Powerpoint View and Download:

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The Danger of Assumption

Good VS Evil

When the wicked in the world engage in evil without suffering consequences, what do we think? Do we think that this not fair? Do we think that God is not fair? Do we think that God is evil? Some have gone beyond thinking it, and have actively said as much.

God has something to say on the matter. In Psalm 50, He speaks to the wicked regarding their evil works. Consider His words:

“These things you have done, and I kept silent;
You thought that I was altogether like you;
But I will rebuke you,
And set them in order before your eyes.
“Now consider this, you who forget God,
Lest I tear you in pieces,
And there be none to deliver:
Whoever offers praise glorifies Me;
And to him who orders his conduct aright
I will show the salvation of God.”

(Psalms 50:21-23)

It is a mistake to assume that God is anything at all like the wicked. Though He does not always work in ways we understand, we know two truths absolutely. One, those who “forget God” will eventually pay for their sin, (cf. Romans 1:28-32). Two, the one who “orders his conduct aright” will be saved by God (cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:5-7).

God is righteous in character and judgment. In the end, righteousness will prevail!

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Causing Grief

grief

In 2 Corinthians 2, the apostle Paul gives instructions to the church to “forgive and comfort” the man who had been disciplined by them. It’s almost certain that the man under consideration was the man guilty of fornication, referred to in 1 Corinthians 5. They had done as Paul commanded, and withdrew fellowship from him. The text obviously intimates the man’s eventual repentance, and now Paul calls upon the Corinthians to forgive him, and receive him back into their fellowship.

Why would they hesitate to bring him back? Because his sin and rebellion had caused them grief! He hadn’t personally grieved Paul, as Paul was not part of that congregation, but all of them in Corinth, “to some extent,” had been caused grief by him.

The word grief here, (lupeo), means to make sorrowful, to offend, (Thayer). Two simple, but important points are here made.

First, no matter the trouble, sorrow and offense we endure from a man who is caught and remains in sin — we are called to forgive and comfort him upon repentance. It is not right for us to hold sin against another. We are to express our love to them and receive them back, regardless of the grief they may have caused us.

Second, when you sin, your sin causes grief to others. It may be slight, it may be great, but your actions impact your brethren! Sin is characteristically selfish and self-centered. You’re not only hurting yourself. Something to think about!

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Sermon: Night and Darkness

Night and Darkness

Day and Light are contrasted with Night and Darkness in scripture. The lesson discusses the realm of spiritual Night and Darkness, and the Holy Spirit’s call to Wake Up!

Sermon: What is Fair?

What is Fair

An examination of Ezekiel 18, which give us much insight as to the grievous nature of sin, and how our righteous God deals with both those who pursue sin, and those who pursue righteousness.

The Patternists: Transgressions Bring Judgment

transgression

The book of Amos begins with declarations of judgment against various nations. The form of the declarations is uniform, beginning with the phrase, “for three transgressions… and for four.” For example, “Thus says the Lord: ‘For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, because they have threshed Gilead with implements of iron” (Amos 1:3). Also included are declarations against, Gaza (1:6), Tyre (1:9), Edom (1:11), Ammon (1:13), Moab (2:1), Judah (2:4) and Israel (2:6).

These simple declarations reveal why God’s judgment comes upon any people, either collectively or individually. They come because of transgressions. The Hebrew word in this context (pesa) is translated in the Old Testament using words like, transgression, sin, trespass and rebellion.

Continue reading “The Patternists: Transgressions Bring Judgment” →

Sermon: Abomination

Abomination

A discussion of what men believe are abominations, and what is an abomination to Almighty God. (Hint: They are often very different!)

Sermon: The Humbling of Kings

The Humbling of Kings

A discussion of kings Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar and Darius when they witness the power of Jehovah God. (Daniel 2-6)

Sermon: Jehoiakim’s Knife

Jehoiakim’s Knife

The evil king Jehoaikim, when warned of coming judgments, did not fear nor repent. His rebelliousness brought destruction upon him and Judah.

Sermon: Learning from Israel’s Defeat at Ai (Joshua 7)

Israels Defeat At Ai

We learn of the consequences of sin, and the need to separate ourselves from ungodly men and worldly things, by looking at the narrative of Israel’s defeat at the hands of the men from Ai.

Invitation: Repentance and Sin

Repentance

Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

A short 10 minute talk where the following point is made. Sin constitutes a turning away from God. Repentance is a turn back to God. No sin can be forgiven unless repentance is present.

Audio

The Patternists: Walking in the Light

walk 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.”

Continue reading “The Patternists: Walking in the Light” →

Sermon: Antisemitism

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

Despair4

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

Bronger Meeting

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)

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

Sunday 2nd Service: The Hate of Christ and Christians

Monday PM: Christians Are Running a Race

Tuesday PM: A Rebel Returns

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