AM Scripture Reading: Romans 12.1-8 Sermon Series: Keeping The Church Strong & Growing Brent T. Willey Lesson #4: UNITY & ENTHUSIASM! Introduction: There are two spiritual malignancies that face many local congregations today: Division & Apathy! While these are not the only problems a local church can encounter, like cancer, division & apathy can destroy the body from the inside out. The obvious answers to these two insidious spiritual maladies are Unity & Enthusiasm! UNITY: LOVING INTEGRATION Jesus prayed for unity! (John 17.20-21) We are to be “One in Christ” (Gal. 3.26-28; 1 Cor. 12.12-27). We must remove divisive barriers! […]

PM Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4.1-6 This Evening’s Sermon: Brent T. Willey THE “ONENESS” OF CHRISTIANITY Introduction: “It is possible to fail in many ways…while to succeed is possible only in one way.” (Aristotle; ca 350 BC). Jesus epitomized “oneness” more than anyone else in history! (Cf., John 10.30; 14.6; 10.16) What is “oneness” in Christianity? I. “ONENESS” IN WHO WE ARE Our “oneness” is the result of our obedience to the one saving gospel! (Cf., Mark 16.15-16; Rom. 1.16-17; Gal. 1.8-9) Paul’s emphasis of “one” in Ephesians 4.4-6 is defining! Our bond to “one God.” (Matt. 28.19) We are a […]

AM Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 5.6-11 This Morning’s Speaker: Brent T. Willey THE ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE Introduction: During the War of 1812, General Andrew Jackson once said to his bickering troops: “Gentlemen! Let’s remember, the enemy is over there.” Spiritually, who is our real enemy? (1 Pet. 5.8) Our adversary the devil is a formidable opponent. (Eph. 6.11) Beware of his schemes… DISTRACTION Satan seeks to distract us from godliness. By temptation. (1 Cor. 10.12-13; 1 John 2.15-17) By time. (Acts 24.25; cf., 2 Cor. 6.1-2; James 4.14)  The correct mind-set offsets this distraction! (Rom. 8.1-8) DISCOURAGEMENT This is […]