Tri-Annual Singing!
February 21, 2026
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Sermon: Sanctification and Sexuality
A sermon detailing God’s plan for human sexuality, the violations of that Pattern, and what God expects of His people.
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Sermon: A Powerful Message (Acts 13)
A discussion of Paul’s sermon in Antioch of Pisidia, recorded in Acts 13.
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Mining the Scriptures: Romans 2:1-3
After a lengthy denunciation of the sins of the Gentiles in chapter 1, the apostle Paul spoke plainly to his countrymen. While the Jews would quickly condemn such sexual immorality and idolatry in the lives of Gentile nations, the fact was the same types of immorality and idolatry had stained their own existence as a people.
It is the height of hypocrisy to condemn egregious sin in others when one is guilty of practicing the same evil. God judged the sin of the Gentiles in their rejection of Him. They “no longer retained God in their knowledge” (1:28), and as such were “deserving of death” (1:32).
Now consider the sobering nature of Paul’s question to the Jew, “And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?” (2:3).
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge you will be judged…” (Matthew 7:1-2a).
The Treatment of a Child
Paul expressed an interesting principle about child rearing in Galatians 4. The purpose of the text was to show that in the fulness of time the Father sent Jesus to us to redeem us. We were as children, in bondage (slaves) to the elements of the world, until we became the heirs of God through Jesus. Here is the passage: “Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father” (Galatians 4:1).
The reason the illustration is valid is that it in some way equates how earthly fathers deal with their children, to how God deals with us. So, let’s quickly examine a few points to be made from this one verse. Continue reading “The Treatment of a Child”
(2 of 13) Knowing Your Brothers and Sisters
As Christians we are part of God’s family. God is the Father (Matthew 23:9), Christ is the elder brother (Romans 8:29; Hebrews 2:11), and we have our relationship with them through adoption (Romans 8:15; Ephesians 1:3-6). The importance of this spiritual family with God as its Head can’t be overemphasized. It is because of it that we have the hope of eternity. Our hope is through adoption, as through it we become heirs, “that we may be also glorified together” (Romans 8:17).
Since matters of eternity trump temporal ones, it is right to say that our spiritual family is more important than our physical one. This is not to minimize our physical family and relationships. Jesus Himself is a wonderful example in this. He dearly loved his mother. One of his last acts before his death was to instruct His disciple John to care for her after His death (cf. John 19:26-27). However during His ministry Jesus showed His spiritual priorities as His physical family came to see Him and speak with Him. One of His disciples told Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You.” Jesus’ answer was one that every Christian should consider carefully. “But He answered and said to the one who told Him, ‘Who is My mother and who are My brothers?’ And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, ‘Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother’” (Matthew 12:48-50). Continue reading “(2 of 13) Knowing Your Brothers and Sisters”
Sermon: Sanctification and Honesty
A discussion of the fact that truth comes from God, and the Devil is the father of lies. Therefore, if we are to be children of God, holy and sanctified, we must emulate God in this.
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Sermon: The Race Set Before Us
A Discussion of Hebrews 11 & 12 as we look to these Old Testament characters whose faith teaches us important lessons!
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Mining the Scriptures: Acts 2:14-21
Most of Acts chapter 2 contains Peter’s gospel sermon. It was at this time God kept His promise to establish the Messianic kingdom, and was the first time the declaration of the ratified gospel of Jesus was preached.
As such it is a significant event and significant message. In examining the first part of the lesson, we note first of all the gospel is proclaimed to be heeded by men (cf. Romans 1:16; 10:17). While some were wrongly thinking that these men who were preaching in tongues were drunk (cf. vs. 13), Peter revealed what was actually in play.
Their baptism in the Holy Spirit and the signs accompanying this event was prophesied in the Old Testament, and Peter brings their minds to this passage (cf. Joel 2). Not only was this a sign that the apostle’s words were to be obeyed, but it also was an indication that God’s ultimate blessing to all men had come. “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (vs. 21).
“If the righteous one is scarcely saved”
Peter had an arresting thought he shared in his first epistle, “For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? Now, ‘If the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?’ Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator” (4:17-19). Consider the ramifications of this text.
First, we know that any man who is saved is “scarcely saved.” It has nothing to do with how righteous a man may strive to be. The reason for this is sin. The universality of sin is declared by inspiration, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). As the cost of that sin is our separation from God, man himself is incapable of securing his standing with Him. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Continue reading ““If the righteous one is scarcely saved””
But That Doesn’t Mean…!
In 1 Peter 4:3, Peter wrote, “For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.” As we consider this command, we have a tendency to try and figure out what is not included in this description. In other words, I am not supposed to do some things that the world engages in, but that doesn’t mean I can’t…, and then we give reasons why our particular desire can be enjoyed.
People will excuse all sorts of vices, simply because they think that Peter surely didn’t mean to include our particular predilection in his words.
Rather, I think it is important for us to look at it from the other direction. If I am not to live as the world lives, what all does that entail? It is possible that I am imbibing in worldly activities, enjoying worldly proclivities, acting in worldly ways. I need to examine myself and my life because it is really important I not do such things. I don’t want to be in the same boat as them (the Gentiles). “They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead” (5).
Our purpose is not to try to see what we can do in life, without going too far. It is to recognize how antithetical to God the world has become, and to draw near to Him!
(1 of 13) Iron Sharpening Iron
As we begin our new class this morning, I will start writing an article on each lesson to serve as a supplement to what we cover in the class.
The text of Proverbs 27:17 states, “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” This is the reading of the NKJ translation. The RSV puts it this way, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” The Amplified Bible (a translation and commentary in one) gets the general idea correct here in stating the obvious, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens [and influences] another [through discussion].” Continue reading “(1 of 13) Iron Sharpening Iron”
Sermon: Things We Learn from Adam
We share a biographical sketch of the first man, ADAM, and learn things taught by the texts concerning the man, who serves as a Type of Jesus Christ.
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Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin
Most are familiar with these words. It happened during a feast held by the last King of Babyon, Belshazzar. The Bible states that Belshazzar was the son of Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 5:2). There is some dispute by scholars as to this meaning, with some believing this indicates that Belshazzar was a descendent of the great king. Regardless, Belshazzar knew what had happened to Nebuchadnezzar because of pride (as stated in 4:19-37), and refused to learn the lesson Nebuchadnezzar had learned.
In chapter 5, we have the details given by the prophet regarding Belshazzar’s feast. It was a great feast for “a thousand of his lords” (5:1). It was a pretentious display of the king’s wealth, and in verse 4 we read, “They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stone.” Continue reading “Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin”
