PM Scripture Reading: Psalm 119.57-64 Brent T. Willey “My Ways” Psalm 119.57-60 Introduction: Psalm 119.57-60: “You are my portion, O Lord; I have said that I would keep Your words. I entreated Your favor with my whole heart; be merciful to me according to Your word. I thought about my ways, and turned my feet to Your testimonies. I made haste, and did not delay to keep Your commandments.” What did David do? I. “I THOUGHT ABOUT MY WAYS” Man’s thoughts and ways are not God’s. (Isa. 55.8-9) Cain thought differently than God. (Gen. 4) Nadab & Abihu thought differently… […]

AM Scripture Reading: 1 Timothy 4.1-5 (nkjv) This Morning’s Sermon:  Brent T. Willey PERSONAL APOSTASY Introduction: A commonly asked question is, “Why do some leave the faith?” Next, what do I mean by apostasy? Webster:“1:renunciation of a religious faith2:defection.” Greek: apostasia- “defection from the truth” (Strong); “a falling away” (Thayer); “abandonment” (Gingrich). Used twice in the New Testament: Acts 21.21; 2 Thess. 2.3 “Personal apostasy” is when one defects from the truth or abandons the true teachings of Christ, an issue that was addressed by Jesus Himself, as well as the apostles. What is more distressing is the fact than […]

PM Scripture Reading: Mal. 3:2-3 David M. Fiddament THE REFINER’S FIRE Introduction: The “Miller Process” gold refining technique purifies gold using chlorine gas and high temperatures. Gold has always been refined and tested by fire. In the same way, Christians are purified and tested with Godly fire! Will we be able to withstand the Refiner’s fire? I. PURIFIED BY FIRE A. Sin leaves a stain on our souls. (Psa. 51:2) B. The only cleansing agent is fire, or in our case; water. (Mal. 3:1-3; Eph. 5:25-27; 1 Pet. 1:22-23; Acts 22:16; Heb. 9:14) C. We are made to match the […]

PM Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 13.4-8 Tim Barkas LOVE CONQUERS ALL Introduction: Try to imagine what our world would be like if the genuine love as outlined in 1 Corinthians 13 was in the hearts of everybody today, or at least, in the hearts of most people. I. GOD’S LOVE TOWARD MANKIND God has loved man from the beginning. (Eph. 1.3-6) God’s love exemplified. (John 3.16; Rom. 5.8; 1 John 4.9-10) II. LOVE IS DEFINED BY GOD (I Cor. 13.4-8) Love is long suffering & is patient with others. (Eph. 4.2) Love is kind & does the right thing. (Eph. […]

AM Scripture Reading: Matthew 7:7-8 This Morning’s Sermon:   David M. Fiddament BLIND LIKE BARTIMAEUS Mark 10:46-52 Introduction: Let us read the account of a man who tried as hard as he could to seek Christ. (Mark 10:46-52) Mark 2:1-5, 11-12, and Mark 5:25-29, 34 are also stories of people with the determination to find Christ and to be healed. Today, as we study the account of Bartimaeus, let us make some applications to our own lives. Let us learn about what it takes to receive sight and to help others receive as well. I. BLIND LIKE BARTIMAEUS A. Searching. […]

AM Scripture Reading: Ecclesiastes 9.11-12 This Morning’s Sermon: John Krueger SALVATION IS A MARATHON Introduction: A marathon race, like salvation through Jesus Christ is open to everyone. (Mark 9.23) Running a marathon takes commitment, discipline, overcoming adversity, and is a long term project. (1 Cor. 9.24-27) Let us look at the specifics: I. SALVATION IS A LONG RANGE PROJECT: Salvation like running a race are not a sprint (Eccl. 9.11) Both require proper preparation (Matt. 13.1-9) II. SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND SALVATION REQUIRES DISCIPLINE: How is discipline accomplished (2 Tim. 2.5) To a certain extent, we must wear blinders (Heb. 12.1-2) […]

AM Scripture Reading: Psalm 103.8-13 This Morning’s Sermon: Brent T. Willey “JUST AS GOD FORGAVE YOU” Ephesians 4.32 Introduction: We have been quoting Ephesians 4.32 for several weeks now: “And be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” Not only does this emphasize that Christians are to forgive each other, but it also sets a precise guide for this forgiving spirit – “just as God in Christ forgave you” [kaqw\$ – kathōs: “according to” (Strong); “even as” (Vine)]. What does God’s perfect standard of forgiveness include? I. GOD IS WILLING TO FORGIVE […]

PM Scripture Reading: Psalm 130.1-8 Brent T. Willey “Waiting For The Lord” Psalm 130 Introduction: The psalmist declared, “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope” (Psa. 130.5 – nkjv). “Wait” is from qavah [hwq], a verb meaning, “to wait, look for, hope, expect” (Strong). Israel was impatient and needed to “wait for the Lord.” I. WAITING FOR OUR PRAYERS TO BE ANSWERED! Verses 1-2: We must take it to the Lord in prayer! Circumstances in life make the waiting feel eternal. Life can be challenging. (Eccl. 3.1-11) God gives us prayer as […]

AM Scripture Reading: Ephesians 3.14-19 This Morning’s Sermon: Brent T. Willey AT HOME IN OUR HEARTS Ephesians 3.17 Introduction: Paul’s earnest prayer for the Ephesian brethren was “that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith” (Read Eph. 3.14-19). “Dwell” is from the oikeō [oi)ke/w] family; literally, “to occupy a house, i.e., reside; by implication to cohabit” (Strong). Katoikeō [katoike/w] is the most frequent verb and properly means “to settle down in a dwelling” (Vine), or as Strong notes: “to house permanently, i.e., reside.” Kenneth Wuest’s translation: “That Christ may finally settle down and feel completely at home in your […]

PM Scripture Reading: Philippians 3.17 – 4.1 Brent T. Willey The Preferred Citizenship Philippians 3.20 Introduction: Paul knew the value of being a Roman citizen (Acts 16.35-39), but would his citizenship fail him (2 Tim. 2.9; 4.6)? More than anything, Paul longed for “the goal of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3.12-13), which is why he said in Phil. 3.20: “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” As Christians, we have a Preferred Citizenship… I. THE PHILIPPIANS WERE PROUD CITIZENS History: In 168 BC […]