Sermon: I Am the Vine

John 15:1-8. Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches.” And, “without me you can do nothing.” The study concerns Jesus’s statements, and their significance.

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Invitation: Our Christian Family

Invitation delivered by: Ben Schmidt

Matthew 12:46-50. One of the most precious families we have is our Christian family. Acts 4:32-37. They are of one heart and one soul, helping one another.

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Sermon: Inheriting the Promises

The promises of God are wonderful and bountiful, but they are also conditional. the ultimate promise is that of heaven. May we have the patience and faith to receive it.

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From the Preacher’s Pen: Winter Weather and God’s Word

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Job’s friend Elihu, in describing the majesty of Almighty God, said among other things:

“From the chamber of the south comes the whirlwind, And cold from the scattering winds of the north. By the breath of God ice is given, And the broad waters are frozen” (Job 37:9-10).

With the weather of the last couple of days, we are reminded of the power of our God. It is one of a myriad of ways that nature proclaims His glory. “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20).

The same God that made the universe has revealed His will to man. Consider His words recorded by the prophet, “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:10-11).

The Almighty God who created the universe has promised us that His word will be accomplished on the earth. The only way this can be a pleasant truth is if one is in accord with that will. To oppose it is foolish. Those who do so are destined for ruin. There is, however, victory in Jesus!

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Invitation: Jesus Shows Us the Way to Heaven

Invitation delivered by: Joshua Jackson

John 17:1-ff. Jesus shows us the way to heaven.

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Sermon: Stop Waiting in Line!

There is no waiting in line:

  • To be heard by God in prayer.
  • To receive spiritual blessings.
  • To praise and worship God.
  • To read and learn more about God.

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From the Preacher’s Pen: A Good Tired

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I remember when playing sports in high school, one of the coaches referred to the fatigue after a workout as being a “good tired.” There was a feeling of accomplishment, and the realization that while the muscles were fatigued, progress had been made.

I must confess after the last month to feeling a “good tired” spiritually. Having preached several gospel meetings, listened to a week of preaching at the feet of brother Jerry Fite, and then attending meetings in Stonewall, LA, and at Woodmont, we then had our quarterly singing last night. So, I am ready to take a breath, and rest for a little while. But, it is a good tired. We have had many opportunities the past several weeks to exercise our spiritual muscles, and I hope that you too have taken advantage!

The apostle Paul once wrote, “But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance” (1 Timothy 4:7-9).

How do you exercise yourself toward godliness? Meetings, Bible study, singing and prayer are all important. However, in the context, the contrast is between godliness and the profane. It is in the application of God’s standard of righteousness that spiritual muscles are strengthened. Think of how silly it would be for someone to read about exercise, and think the reading to be sufficient to build physical muscles. You have to apply the principles by actually doing the work! The same is true with applying the principles from God’s word (cf. James 1:25). Try it, it’s a “good tired!”.

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Invitation: It Is All About Christ

Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

Galatians 3:28, there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female. All are one in Christ. Colossians 3:10-ff, all Christians should live godly, because Christ is the overriding influence in our lives.

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Sermon: Where Are the Nine?

Luke 17:11-ff. In a village of Samaria, Jesus healed 10 lepers of their disease. The text teaches the importance of expressing thanks for the blessings given by God.

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Sermon: The Significance of the Lord’s Resurrection

A lesson discussing the significance of the Lord’s Resurrection. It:

  • Proves Jesus is the Son of God
  • Validates our Faith
  • Assures us of future judgment

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Sermon: Fall Meeting 2013 (Jerry Fite)

The following wonderful lessons were preached by Jerry Fite at the West Side church from November 2-7, 2013. There were 9 lessons in all, with sermon audio and PPTX files supplied for each.

Unity in the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12)
(Saturday, November 2, 2013)

  • A study of 1 Corinthians 12 explaining in the context of spiritual gifts, that the purpose of a unified spiritual body is edification. The Corinthians were to exercise their spiritual gifts to edify all, as they were united in loving care for one another.

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The New Testament Canon
(Sunday Bible Class, November 3, 2013)

  • The lesson discusses the canon of scripture, and how it is obtained. The point is made that the church did not determine what books were conanical. Rather, they acknowledged what all understood to be true.

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Why Do You Do Good Works? (Ephesians 2:10)
(Sunday AM Worship, November 3, 2013)

  • We are to do good works as a second opportunity to truly live. We are alive by the grace of God, and therefore should be zealous for good works.

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Applying the Minister’s Checklist (1 Timothy 4:15-16)
(Sunday PM Worship, November 3, 2013)

  • Paul revealed to Timothy certain things that should be present for him to be effective as an evangelist. In application, brother Fite asks, “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if every child of God in the local church observed the checklist as well?

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Hold to the Pattern of Sound Words (2 Timothy 1:13)
(Monday, November 4, 2013)

  • In application, brother Fites calls for faithfulness to the gospel pattern in areas such as Music in worship, Benevolence, Evangelism and the plan of Salvation.

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Must I Forgive? Then How?
(Tuesday, November 5, 2013)

  • Jesus indicated in Matthew 6 that we must forgive others if we wish to be forgiven. The lesson examines the obligation to forgive, and what to do if a person is unwilling to ask forgiveness of us.

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Pay Attention to Your Speech (James 3:1-12)
(Wednesday AM Class, November 6, 2013)

  • An expository lesson discussing James 3. Brother Fite calls for us to pay attention to our speech. Our speech should bless, edify, give grace to those who hear, and be full of thanksgiving.

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A Plan for Raising Children to be Joyous Christians
(Wednesday PM, November 6, 2013)

  • How do we raise joyous children? By helping them to know: The Lord is the Creator of all; their Savior from sin; their High priest; and the presenter of the Crown of Eternal Life.

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Before the Judgment Seat
(Thursday, November 7, 2013)

  • When we stand before the judgment seat of Christ, some will be surprised. Because they are classed among the wicked; they will be the last rather than the first, they will be lost because they were not abounding in the work of the Lord. Live so that you will not be surprised at the judgment seat of Christ.

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Sermon: The Hope of Heaven

Sermon by Josh Cox.

Josh discusses the hope that we have as Christians for an eternity in heaven.

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Invitation: Wearing the Name of Christ

Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

The Christians were called Christians first in Antioch, cf. Acts 11:26. In 1 Peter 4:13, Peter uses the term in the context of suffering for the cause of Christ. We should not be ashamed of wearing the name of the Lord.

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The Patternists: Applications of the Pattern – Marriage

patternist-2.pngDivorce is common. Though the rate in America has lessened slightly in the last few decades, it is estimated that 40-50 percent of all marriages will end in a divorce.

We are not the only ones that suffer from that scourge. In Jesus’ day it was common for Jewish men to divorce their wives. The Pharisees asked Jesus about it in Matthew 19. Note his answer:

“Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reasona man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate” (4-6).

This is God’s pattern for marriage: One MAN, joined to one WOMAN, for LIFE. Those who violate this pattern disobey God. Homosexual marriage is invalidated by Jesus, as is the common practice of divorcing, and remarrying another.

This is borne out by Jesus’ statement in verse 9, “And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.”

You may note the single exception to the rule. One may divorce and remarry if they divorce for the cause of sexual immorality. (The greek term indicates any type of illicit sexual intercourse). No other reason is acceptable for divorce.

Men commonly violate this pattern. Some couldn’t care less about God’s pattern. Others offer various rationale to explain why it doesn’t apply to them. It does, to all mankind. One man, one woman, for a lifetime. Only one exception. God’s pattern for marriage.

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Sermon: General Aspects of the Christian Character

Colossians 3:12- 4:6. In the latter part of Colossians 3, Paul describes various aspects of the Christian’s character which will impact his life daily.

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