Sermon: I Am the True Vine

John40

Jesus is the source of life, and His disciples must be in spiritual fellowship with Him. Without Him we can do nothing.

Sermon: It is Finished

It is Finished

Speaker: Josh Cox

An examination of Jesus’ last words on the cross as He died for the sins of mankind. Applications are made to our own lives.

Sermon: Metamorphosis

Metamporphosis

Speaker: Justin Carrell
Justin uses the illustration of the metamorphosis of a butterfly to illustrate the importance of a transformed life (cf. Romans 12:1-2).

Making Plans

Calendar2

Dick Hatch and I managed to establish a Thursday afternoon Bible class in the assisted living facility where he lives. Just about any afternoon would have worked, but I started out convinced that Thursday is great. I could see myself being there every class without fail.

In reality, I have missed two of the first six weeks we have had the class! The first Thursday I missed was because of sickness and ice on the roads. (I know, it is supposed to get up in the 90’s today). The second was this past Thursday when I had to take my mom to the hospital. “The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men …” (Robert Burns, “To a Mouse”)

Paul had a similar thing happen to him in Acts 16. After spending some time in the region of Galatia, he decided he wanted to go on to Asia to preach there. But, the Holy Spirit did not allow it. So, instead he and his companions “tried to go into Bithynia”, but again the effort was vetoed by the Spirit. Finally, a vision appeared to Paul, with a man of Macedonia pleading with him to come help them in that region (Acts 16:6-10).

We can’t know what God has in store for us. Only one thing is certain. “…you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away… you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.’ But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil” (James 4:14-16). Humble yourself and obey God now!

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Sermon: The Beginning of the Gospel

Beginning of Gospel

An examination of the text of Acts 2, as Stan describes the power of the gospel to pierce hearts and save souls.

Sermon: He Will Teach You All Things

John39

A discussion of Jesus’ promise to send the Holy Spirit to aid the apostles in their work following His death. (John 14)

Sermon: Learning Contentment

Learning Contentment

Speaker: Jeremiah Cox
The apostle Paul learned how to be content, no matter his life’s circumstances. This is a lesson we greatly need to learn as well.

Sermon Powerpoint View and Download:

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Sermon: Seeking Counsel

Seeking Counsel

Speaker: Ian Tilley
Ian describes the importance of recognizing the benefit of counsel, or own need of it, and the importance of humbling ourselves that we might receive advice that others might give.

The Patternists: Love One Another

Love One Another

When we advocate for authority for all our practices, invariably some will seek to contrast such a position with the counterpoint of loving one another. As if the two are contradictory. They are not.

Why would the two be perceived as counterintuitive to one another? There are a couple of possible reasons. First, some may not realize that convicting others of sin is an act of love. Since the condemnation of sin can be unpleasant, it is perceived as unloving. Consider Paul’s words, “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:1-2). It is an act of love to bring someone back from sin to reconciliation.

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Three Rules

todolist

Social media is often criticized as a waste of time, and a potential stumbling block to Christians. This certainly can be so, but there are also good messages and thoughts that you come across from time to time.

A couple of weeks ago, I came across this jewel, and wanted to share it with you. Read it, and consider your own practice when you come to worship on the Lord’s day. Are you doing a good job of interacting with visitors and other members, to make them feel welcome and cared for? Consider these words:

My husband has three rules of engagement when we go to church.

  1. An alone person in our gathering is an emergency.
  2. Friends can wait.
  3. Introduce a newcomer to someone else.

Her husband sounds like a man who understands the importance of the church as a family. Each member of our congregation is equally important and significant. Each member is deserving of our attention and expressions of love. Is every member getting what they need and deserve from you? Think about it!

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Sermon: How Do I Apply God’s Truth in My Life?

Applying Truth

When the truth falls on a good heart, the response of faith leads to total commitment. May we all examine ourselves to ensure we are faithful to His will!

Sermon Powerpoint View and Download:

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Sermon: Progress in Philippi

progress

(A discussion of Acts 16). When the gospel falls on good hearts, fruit is borne, despite any opposition.

The Patternists: Be Reconciled to God

chain links

In 2 Corinthians, the apostle Paul makes an impassioned plea for holiness on the part of God’s people, as the proper response to the gift of grace they have received from God. This plea was necessary because of the failures the Corinthians had already experienced in their walk. These failures were clearly enumerated in his first epistle to them.

In chapter 5 of his second epistle, he speaks of the assurance of the resurrection. “For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (1). He notes the reality of judgment. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (10). He affirms that Christ “died for all” (15). That God “has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ…not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation” (18-19).

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The Fragrance of Christ

Incense

In 2 Corinthians 2:14-16, Paul poetically refers to the knowledge of Christ (which he preached) as a fragrance. He wrote, “For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing” (15).

It is interesting to note that in the NKJV the word “fragrance” is used in verses 14 and 15. But, the word “aroma” is used in verse 16. These are two similar, but different Greek words.

“Fragrance” comes from the Greek (euodia) and refers to a sweet or good scent. The KJV translates it “sweet savour.”

However, “aroma” is from the Greek (osme), and simply means a smell or odor. The KJV translates it “savour.” Why the difference?

Verses 14 and 15 refer to the objective reality. The gospel of Jesus Christ is sweet. It is good. There is no disputing this truth. Jesus died on the cross for mankind. His death was an expression of God’s grace, and love toward man.

Verse 16 refers to the subjective perception individuals have about the gospel of Christ. “To the one [those who are perishing] we are the aroma of death [a stench] leading to death, and to the other [those who are being saved] the aroma of life [a sweet scent] leading to life.”

The good news of the gospel is a sweet smell. But, the most important question is, “How does it smell to you?”

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Sermon: The Law of the Heart

Tommy

Speaker: Tommy Davis

A discussion of the difference between the Old Law (written on tablets), and the New Law, written on the hearts of men.