Tri-Annual Singing!
June 20, 2026
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Sermon: Dangers Facing the Church
This sermon was adapted from an old bedsheet sermon chart created by Steve Hudgins years ago. The sermon was preached in two parts, AM and PM. I combined the two into a single recording of about 83 minutes. The sermon discusses 9 dangers facing the church: Ignorance, Neglectfulness, Worldliness, Boastfulness, Compromise, Materialism, Indifference, Doctrinal Error and Apostasy.
Sermon: The Facts About Jesus
The fundamental facts about Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God and Savior of mankind. These facts make up what is referred to in scripture as the Gospel. The gospel is the power of God unto salvation (cf. Romans 1:16).
Sermon: Who is the minister in your church?
It is an oft asked question, and an opportunity to teach. In fact, there is not clergy/laity distinction in the Lord’s church. In fact, we are all ministers (servants) in the Lord’s church.
Sermon: Walking in the Light
Walking in the light of God’s will reaps great benefits, including: Fellowship with other Christians, access to the cleansing blood of Christ, joy and exaltation and the assurance we will never stumble (cf. 1 John 1:7).
Sermon: “You have not passed this way before”
Joshua instructed the people to rely upon God’s guidance as they entered the promised land for the first time, for “You have not passed this way before.” The same admonition is relevant to our lives as we contemplate such varied things as our salvation, marriage, raising kids, and even the eventuality of death.
Invitation: Striving for Perfection
Invitation delivered by: Joshua Cox
It is true that no one is perfect. We all sin (cf. Romans 3:23). But, the fact that we aren’t perfect does not give us the right to not strive for perfection. Passages such as 1 John 3:6 show us as Christians that we must strive for perfection.
Sermon: Some Will Depart from the Faith
In 1 Timothy 4, the apostle Paul identifies and describes for Timothy false teachers who would soon trouble God’s people. He instructs Timothy to instruct the brethren regarding these false doctrines, that they might be protected by the truth of God’s word. In doing so, Paul tells Timothy that he would be a good minister of Jesus Christ.
Sermon: Answering Pharaoh’s Question
When Aaron and Moses approached Pharaoh with God’s demand that he let the Israelites leave Egypt (Exodus 5:1-2), Pharaoh’s question was “Who is the Lord, that I should obey Him.” This sermon answers the question. God is the Almighty, the Giver of Blessings, The One who requires obedience, the Just and Merciful, and the One to whom we must give account.
Mining the Scriptures: Ephesians 1:3-6
Typically, the apostle Paul begins his epistle with praise to God. He proclaims God to be the font of all spiritual blessings, and affirms these blessings are accomplished in the person of Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ life, death and resurrection the favor of God is complete.
What is interesting in this text is Paul’s reference to foreordination and predestination. This means that God’s scheme of redemption was a fait accompli before the universe was ever created.
When we talk about predestination, we must understand such predestination is not individual in nature. The affirmation that God chose us individually would negate the concept of free will and personal responsibility. It would make passages such as Mark 16:16 — (“He that believes and is baptized will be saved, he that believes not will be condemned”) — nonsensical.
God predestined that those who were among the sanctified —those who were among those adopted as sons — would be accepted. He gives us the choice as to whether we wish to be in that group or not. God is no respecter of persons.
In the News: Honoring Sacrifice
(Note: P.A. and Tippy Foster are charter members of the West Side congregation. P.A. serves as on of the elders of our congregation. They are two wonderful and godly individuals).
Last Tuesday Debbie and I had the distinct privilege of attending a reception honoring P.A. and Tippy Foster among a group of about 80 World War II veterans. In that group was a survivor of the Bataan death march, who remained a prisoner of war for three and one half years. There were also several who had stormed the beach at Normandy on D-Day. Tippy had the distinction of being the only lady among those honored. P.A. and Tippy both served in the Navy during the war.
Several of the men told of their experiences during the war. Some of these stories were humorous, but in all of them there was the recognition of just how horrific war is, and how great were the sacrifices of both those who survived the conflict, and those who lost their lives in service to their country and humanity.
What Men Say … What the Bible Says
(This article originally appeared as a paid ad in March 2012 in the newspapers published by Suburban Newspapers, Inc. The papers cover five small communities in the Forth Worth area).
Many religious people say that God doesn’t care what your doctrine is, as long as you believe in Christ. But, the apostle John wrote, “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son” (2 John 9).
Many religious people say they are glad that there are so many different churches where men may go and worship as they please. But, Jesus prayed to His Father in heaven, “That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me” (John 17:21).
Many religious people protest that objective truth is unknowable. However, Jesus said, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). Further, the apostle Paul promised concerning the revelation he had received from the Holy Spirit, “when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ” (Ephesians 3:4).
Many religious people are simply unwilling to work at knowing God’s will, and limiting themselves to His directions for them in their lives. The brethren at West Side know how important it is to study God’s word, and to use it as the blueprint they follow in their daily lives. Would you like to know and understand God’s will for you? Come visit the West Side church of Christ.
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Christ’s Church is Focused!
(This article originally appeared as a paid ad in February 2012 in the newspapers published by Suburban Newspapers, Inc. The papers cover five small communities in the Forth Worth area).
Over the past 100 years or so, many churches in America have changed their emphasis from saving souls to effecting change in secular society. The soup kitchen replaced the pulpit as the primary focus of the church, and the preaching of the gospel, God’s “power to save” (cf. Rom. 1:16), is no longer the central activity of professed Christians.
This “Social Gospel” has recently devolved from the effecting of social change to simply socializing! Churches today emphasize the “fun” to be had through entertainment and recreational activities offered as an appeal to the community. Catchwords such as “casual”, “contemporary”, and “dynamic” have replaced words such as “reverence”, “devotion” and “sacrifice.”
Dear friend, the “peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” (cf. Phil. 4:7), is not to be found in recreation and entertainment. The Lord’s church is to be involved in the evangelization of the world (Mark 16:15-16), and the edification of its members (Eph. 4:11-16).
Most people are mainly interested in the social things, and choose their church accordingly. However, if you are interested in a sacrificial life of devotion to the Master, and wish to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” we can help. Come visit the West Side church and see for yourself.
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Invitation: Give Me Thy Heart
Invitation delivered by: Justin Carrell
Justin notes that all we have belongs to God. We are merely stewards. If we recognize this, whether it is our money our our heart, all decisions we make will be made with God at the forefront of our mind.
From the Preacher’s Pen: The Proof is in the Pudding
Last Sunday I used the phrase “the proof is in the pudding” while preaching. It is a phrase I had long heard, but some were wondering about it’s origin and meaning. So, I looked it up.
The phrase is actually a misquote of the phrase “the proof of the pudding” (which is fairly nonsensical), but is a shortened form of the phrase, “the proof of the pudding is in the eating,” which makes more sense. It means that to fully test something you need to experience it yourself. There are examples of the phrase being used early in the 17th century.
When I use it I intend a similar idea. That it is possible to claim something to be true, but claiming is not the same as demonstrating it to be so. There are numerous applications of this in scripture. For example, in the area of repentance. The apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 7:11 about the Corinthians proving of themselves, “For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter.”
When it comes to repentance, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. It is not enough to say you are sorry for your sin, you must prove it in your life. Makes sense!
Sermon: Report on Philippine Work 2012
The West Side congregation helped in brother Chip Foster’s support for his recent preaching trip to the Philippines. On the evening of February 19, 2012, brother Foster came to West Side and gave a report of the work done.
Audio (18 MB, 1 hour, 20 minutes)
Powerpoint Slides (54 MB)
