PM Scripture Reading: James 1.21-25 Brent T. Willey IS THE CHURCH OF CHRIST “LEGALISTIC”? Introduction: We are often accused of being “legalistic,” largely because of our views on baptism, the Lord’s Supper & instrumental music. Do these insistent beliefs make us “legalists”? WHAT IS LEGALISM? “Strict, literal, (often too strict) or excessive conformity to the law or to a religious or moral code” (Webster). Does the Bible deal with the problem of legalism? Yes! Jesus: Matt. 15.1-9 Paul: Col. 2.20-23 Judaizers: Acts 15.5, 24; cf., Rom. 14.10-14; Titus 3.9-11 “LEGALISM” versus “LAW KEEPING” Obedience to God’s law is demanded! Jesus: […]

AM Scripture Reading: Romans 2.12-16 This Morning’s Sermon: Brent T. Willey Not Without Law Introduction: God has given humanity “law” from the very beginning of time, both natural and spiritual. Without law, chaos reigns… However, failing to understand God’s plan, that was “promised before time began,” many have characterized Christianity as a relatively new religion. Is that so? (See Titus 1.2 & 2 Tim. 1.9) Humanity is Not Without Law, and never has been… THE MORAL LAW FROM THE BEGINNING! Moral law has existed from the time Adam & Eve ate the fruit of the knowledge of good & evil. […]

PM Scripture Reading: Isaiah 10.20-23 Brent T. Willey The Remnant of God Introduction: Though Israel suffered various calamities because of their overall disobedience to God, there remained a “remnant.” There are 8 Hebrew words and 2 Greek words that can be translated as “remnant” in the biblical text. The most prolific: Hebrew: sha’ar & she’eriyth; Greek: leimma – Defined: “a remainder, the rest of something, residue, to be left over” (E.g., Gen. 7.23; 1 Kings 19.18; Jer. 42.2; Rom. 9.27). Rom. 11.5: “Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace.” Who […]

AM Scripture Reading: Psalm 92.12-15 This Morning’s Sermon: Brent T. Willey STILL ON THE TRACK (“Faithful Until Death” ) Introduction: The 92nd Psalm portrays “the righteous” as healthy trees. “Flourish like a palm tree” and “grow like a cedar in Lebanon” (v.12). “They shall bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing” (v. 14). How important is it to “be faithful until death” (Rev. 2.10)? There is so much we can learn from the faithfulness and dedication of our senior saints… DOING WHAT THEY CAN DO Read Mark 14.1-9 } V. 8: “She has done what she […]

AM Scripture Reading: Revelation 2.1-7 Sermon Series: Keeping The Church Strong & Growing Brent T. Willey Lesson #5: LESSONS FROM EPHESUS Introduction: We may know more about the church at Ephesus than any other congregation we can read about in the New Testament. 50-52 AD: Paul’s 2nd journey (Acts 18) 54-57 AD: Paul’s 3rd journey – 3 year stay (Acts 19) 58 AD: Paul meets with elders (Acts 20) 62 AD: Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus 64-65 / 66-67 AD: Paul’s two letters to Timothy at Ephesus 78-79 [67/96] AD: Letter to the loveless church (Rev. 2.1-7) At […]

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: 1 Peter 2.4-10 Brent T. Willey THE VALUE OF THE OIKOS FAMILY (Not the Yogurt Variety) Introduction: The OIKOS family is an important grouping of words found in the New Testament Greek and the Septuagint (LXX). OIKOS “denotes (a) a house, a dwelling, e.g., Matt. 9.6-7; 11.8; it is used of the tabernacle, as the house of God, Matt. 12.4…; (b) by metonymy, of the members of a household or family, e.g., Luke 10.5; Acts 7.10…” (Vine). OIKODOMEŌ “literally, to build a house [a house; dome/w, to build], hence to build anything, e.g., Matt. 7.24; Luke 4.29; […]

AM Scripture Reading: Acts 16.1-5 Sermon Series: Keeping The Church Strong & Growing Brent T. Willey Lesson #1: AUTHORITY, ATTITUDE & ACTION Introduction: Every biblical subject must be approached from a foundational standpoint, and this is certainly true with the Lord’s church. Luke records, “So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily” (Acts 16.5), which should be our goal as well. How can this be accomplished? This is achieved by a multi-faceted endeavor that demands three essential elements: Authority, Attitude & Action! The church continues to face perilous times as there are those individuals who […]