Category: Steadfastness

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” (Ephesians 6:10).

The call to “be strong” is one that can be appreciated by all Christians. We all want to be strong. No one wants to be weak. However, spiritual strength is a challenge. Our adversary, the devil “walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

The fortunate truth revealed in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is that our strength is “in the Lord,” our power is “of His might.” He equips us in our battle with the devil.

While it is true that our redemption is accomplished through the sacrifice of our Lord, the emphasis of Paul in this text is the tools or “armor of God” that is supplied for our use. The list is given in verses 14-17:

“Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.”

When we equip ourselves with truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, the word of God and prayer, we will be blessed with God’s strength and might. Thus prepared, we will be able to “stand against the wiles of the devil” (11).

Sermon by Jeremiah Cox (Note: His first time preaching a full sermon, Age 19).

The scriptures are profitable to complete a man, and equip him for every good work (cf. 2 Timothy 3:16-17). Jeremiah identifies and applies the truths found in four verses designated by the Holy Spirit as “faithful sayings.”

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Sermon 9 of 9
Gospel Meeting May 5-10, 2012
Speaker: Chip Foster

In this lesson, brother Foster brought the meeting to a close with an encouraging and uplifting exhortation to zeal and steadfastness in applying the preaching we hear to our daily lives.

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Sermon 3 of 9
Gospel Meeting May 5-10, 2012
Speaker: Chip Foster

The sermon uses the text of Hosea to look at the state of Israel during the time of the prophet, and makes seven applications. Today we can be guilty of the same sins of Hosea’s time: 1) Lack of Knowledge; 2) Pride; 3) Instability; 4) Mixing with the World; 5) Corruption; 6) Backsliding; and 7) Idolatry.

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Invitation delivered by: Joshua Jackson

Joshua exorts us regarding the need for continual diligence and attention as we live each day as Christians.

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This letter the Lord wrote to the church at Ephesus was the first of seven written to churches in Asia. At the time of this writing, Ephesus was a large city — the most important seaport in Asia Minor.

Each of these letters follow the same pattern, and are found in chapters 2 and 3.

The Lord first commended the church at Ephesus for its work. The church was apparently diligent, steadfast, fruitful, and contended earnestly for the faith (Jude 3). They “hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans” as did the Lord.

However, something was missing. He admonished them for having “left your first love.” Though there was still the form of faithfulness in Ephesus, some zeal or vigor was missing. That lack of passion for Jesus was the reason for this censure.

The Lord called them to repentance, and here as elsewhere indicated that their salvation hung in the balance. This clearly indicates the fallacy of those who hold the doctrine of “once saved always saved.”

Here, those who “overcome” and receive the tree of life are the faithful and zealous. This is a wonderful lesson for us today!

Each local congregation must decide to be steadfast in the face of opposition and false doctrine; Zealous in the Lord’s work; and, work for Unity and Peace.
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Those who live by faith will be faithful in their walk. They will obey God, and diligently live for His cause. They will set their affections on things above, where their reward is to be found.

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One of the most sobering passages I can think of is found in John 15. There Jesus said, “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit” (vs. 2).

The text disproves the common belief expressed as “once saved, always saved” and soberly warns us to be industrious as Christian servants.

The text tells me that I need to develop the proper skills needed to be a fruit bearer. It tells me that I need to be spending the time and making the effort necessary to bear fruit. And, it tells me that I need to identify the type of fruit that Jesus expects me to produce.

It also tells me that there are a lot of Christians who need to get started before it’s too late! (Think about it!)

Stan

In two weeks, we will begin a Gospel Meeting with brother Jerry Fite, of Pasadena, TX. The effort will start on Saturday night at 7:30 pm, and will continue through the following Thursday. There will be a special Wednesday morning study together with our regular Sunday services and the weeknight preaching.

Jerry preaches for the Parkview congregation in Pasadena, and has been a faithful proclaimer of God’s word for many years. He is known to the brethren here, having spent a number of years at the Castleberry congregation as a young man, while his father Harold preached for that group. He held a meeting for our congregation in May of 1999, and we are glad to have him return to preach for us again.

Continue reading “The Importance of Gospel Meetings” →

This sermon is an exegetical treatment of Colossians 1:9-19. The text relates Paul’s prayer on behalf of the Colossians, “that you may be filled…” Also, the Preeminence of Christ is revealed and discussed.

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Bodily exercise profits a little, but is is much more important for the Christian to be spiritually fit. The lesson encourages and instructs in this.

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The sermon is an exegetical treatment of 2 Corinthians 8:8-15, where the apostle Paul calls the Corinthians to be steadfast in their Christian walk.

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As Christians we have duties and obligations with regard to membership in a local congregation. Our attitude in carrying out those duties is important. We should be enthusiastic, industrious, positive and persistent.

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