Sermon: It Is Decision Time

This ninth and last sermon preached by Jerry Fite in our gospel meeting May 9-14, 2009 has him exhorting those present to make the decision to serve God NOW.

Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Sermon: Your Choices

This eighth sermon preached by Jerry Fite in our gospel meeting May 9-14, 2009 shows that we must be righteous in the choices we make as we seek to serve God.

Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Sorry, the audio did not come out for this sermon. We have the powerpoint file only.

Sermon: Finding Common Ground

This seventh sermon preached by Jerry Fite in our gospel meeting May 9-14, 2009 reveals the only legitimate way we can find common ground religiously.

Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Sermon: Speaking as the Oracles of God

This sixth sermon preached by Jerry Fite in our gospel meeting May 9-14, 2009 establishes the absolute necessity of respecting the authority of God’s word.

Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Sermon: Radical Christianity

This fifth sermon preached by Jerry Fite in our gospel meeting May 9-14, 2009 points out that the Christian faith is a radical faith. Unlike the common expression of “Christianity” seen in our time, the true church and true Christian is and is seen as radical in our time.

Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Sermon: To Believe or Not to Believe

This fourth sermon preached by Jerry Fite in our gospel meeting May 9-14, 2009 asks the fundamental question that every man must and will answer. Do we, or do we not believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and Savior of mankind?

Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Sermon: When Does Jesus Want to Enter Your Life?

This third sermon preached by Jerry Fite in our gospel meeting May 9-14, 2009 indicates that Jesus wants to come into your life now, immediately. Hence, we should respond to the call of the gospel while there is yet time.

Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Sermon: What is Your Manner of Life?

This second sermon preached by Jerry Fite in our gospel meeting May 9-14, 2009 contains a special challenge to young people to live a life worthy of your call as a Christian.

Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Sermon: Purpose Driven Church

This first sermon preached by Jerry Fite in our gospel meeting May 9-14, 2009 contains a short review of Rick Warren’s book, The Purpose Driven Church, and a discussion of what the Bible reveals to be the true purpose of the Lord’s church.

Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Sermon: A Watchman in Israel

The lesson points out that one important purpose in preaching the gospel is to warn the sinner of his sin, that he may repent. Those who are unwilling to serve as watchmen in Israel will be held accountable.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Sermon: Blessings and Responsibilities

The Christian experiences great blessings due to his relationship with Christ. However, much is required of him as well.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Mining The Scriptures: 2 Timothy 1:8-12

Shovel

 

2 Timothy 1:8-12

2 Timothy 1:8-12

Even though the text is five verses long, it is made up of only two sentences. In the first sentence Paul exhorts Timothy, “…do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord” (vs. 8). In the second sentence Paul states, “…I am not ashamed” (vs. 12).

Paul tells Timothy not to be ashamed of the gospel for the following five reasons: 1) Jesus saved us and called us to holiness; 2) the holiness He calls us to is His own, not ours; 3) He revealed what that righteousness is when he appeared to us; 4) He has abolished death; 5) He has brought eternal life and glory to us.

Further, Paul told Timothy not to be ashamed of him (Paul) as an ambassador of God and a preacher of that message.

It is in this context that Paul affirms that he himself was not ashamed. He was willing to suffer because of his faith in Christ, and his confidence in Jesus Christ. “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep what I have committed to Him.”

May we have that same confidence, in the hope of eternal salvation, when that inevitable day of Judgment comes upon us.

In The News: Miss California and Marriage

ImageIn the Miss USA beauty pageant last week, Miss California made it to the top five, where each contestant was asked a question by one of the celebrity judges. The judge she drew is a man named Perez Hilton. Hilton is openly homosexual, and is famous as a gossip columnist, though he does not write for any paper. He created a blog (weblog) where he gossips, and “outs” homosexual celebrities. He is a very controversial character, and it is surprising that he was recruited to judge the competition.

Hilton’s question and Miss California’s (Carrie Prejean) answer follow here:

Q: Vermont recently became the 4th state to legalize same-sex marriage. Do you think every state should follow suit. Why or why not?

A: “Well I think its great that Americans are able to choose one or the other. We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage. And you know what, in my country, in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anybody out there, but that’s how I was raised and that’s how I think it should be between a man and a woman. Thank you very much.”

Continue reading “In The News: Miss California and Marriage”

From the Preacher’s Pen: Bearing Fruit

ImageOne 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

Mining The Scriptures: 1 Timothy 3:1-7

Shovel

 

1 Timothy 3:1-7

Paul’s list of qualifications outlines for us the type of men God wants to serve as overseers among His people.

The picture drawn is of men who are experienced, righteous, wise, knowledgeable, able and proven. They have shown by their domestic lives an ability to guide and nurture the souls of those in their care. They exhibit a self-discipline and demeanor that assures an even handed treatment of important issues that may trouble brethren. They have a familiarity with God’s word that allows them to defend the truth against those who would lead the flock astray.

These guidelines are divinely ordained. As such, they are not mere suggestions. In other words, those who do not meet the qualifications should not be appointed to serve. We do not know better than God, and do not have the right to make an “executive” decision and appoint a man who we “believe” would serve well despite his lack of qualifications. God is the “executive” and has the final say in who should serve in this important work.

As Paul wrote, “A bishop then must be…” (vs. 2).