PM Scripture Reading: Ephesians 1.9-14 Brent T. Willey THE HOLY SPIRIT: Our Heavenly Guarantee  Introduction: The Holy Spirit is our guarantee of the heavenly reward! Read 2 Cor. 1.21-22; 5.5; Eph. 1.13-14; 4.30 Arrabōn [a)rrabw/n]: earnest-money deposited by the purchaser and forfeited if the purchase was not completed. Sphragizō [sfragi/zw]: to set a seal on something. Who has this guarantee? THOSE WHO ARE BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST Read Acts 2.36-41 The “gift of the Holy Spirit” (v. 38; cf., Acts 5.32). “For the promise is to you…” (v. 39). “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has […]

AM Scripture Reading: John 20.30-31 This Morning’s Sermon: Brent T. Willey DEEPENING OUR VIEW OF JESUS The 9th Chapter of John  Introduction: Jesus dealt with people on a very personal basis. First miracle and the cleansing the temple (John 2.1-22) Challenging Nicodemus (John 3.1-21) The Samaritan woman (John 4.5-26) Various miracles (John 4-7) The adulteress woman (John 8.1-12) Lazarus, Mary and Martha (John 11.1-44) What was the purpose of His words & actions? (John 20.30-31) There are several factors to consider in the account of John 9… A CLOSE LOOK AT THE ACCOUNT The healing (Vs. 1-12) The wrong question […]

This lesson is part of a 4 sermon series, The Miraculous Spiritual Gifts: Part One: Enumeration Part Two: Duration #1 Part Three: Duration #2 Part Four: Regulation PM Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 14. Brent T. Willey THE MIRACULOUS SPIRITUAL GIFTS Part Four: Regulation Introduction: Read 1 Corinthians 14.1-40 to get the overall feel of the text. The Corinthians were to “desire spiritual gifts” (v.1). The context of this statement is often overlooked… THE CONTEXT OF 1 CORINTHIANS 14 Verse 1: “Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.” Date of letter – ca. 55 AD. […]

AM Scripture Reading: Luke 8.4-6 This Morning’s Sermon: Brent T. Willey THE SEED, THE SOIL, THE SURRENDER Luke 8.4-15  Introduction: All three synoptic gospels record Jesus’ initial parable, the “parable of the sower” (Matt. 13; Mark 4 & Luke 8). Parabolé [parabolh/]: “a placing one thing by the side of another; a comparison with one thing with another” (Thayer). The purpose of parables was to teach important spiritual truths to those who honestly seek God. (Vs. 9-11) To assist His disciples in deciphering the parables, Jesus explains the meaning & application of the parable of the sower. THE SEED V. […]

This lesson is part of a 4 sermon series, The Miraculous Spiritual Gifts: Part One: Enumeration Part Two: Duration #1 Part Three: Duration #2 Part Four: Regulation PM Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 13.8-13 Brent T. Willey THE MIRACULOUS SPIRITUAL GIFTS Part Three: Duration #2 Introduction: The duration of the miraculous spiritual gifts is directly related to duration of the apostolic age. [Ca. 30 – 96 AD] 1 Corinthians 13 is Paul’s definitive teaching regarding the duration of these miraculous spiritual gifts (esp. vs. 8-13). THE CHRONOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE The duration of the apostolic age & the miraculous age… The apostles confirmed […]

This lesson is part of a 4 sermon series, The Miraculous Spiritual Gifts: Part One: Enumeration Part Two: Duration #1 Part Three: Duration #2 Part Four: Regulation PM Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 12.27-31 Brent T. Willey THE MIRACULOUS SPIRITUAL GIFTS Part Two: Duration #1 Introduction: That there would be miraculous signs during the apostolic age is undeniable. Jesus said so! (Mark 16.15-18) [Ca. 30-96… AD] After Paul describes “a more excellent way” (1 Cor. 12.31), he then outlines the future of the spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 13.8-13). ONE BODY, MANY MEMBERS, VARIOUS GIFTS Read 1 Cor. 12.11-31 Brief analysis of […]

This lesson is part of a 4 sermon series, The Miraculous Spiritual Gifts: Part One: Enumeration Part Two: Duration #1 Part Three: Duration #2 Part Four: Regulation PM Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 12.1-11 Brent T. Willey THE MIRACULOUS SPIRITUAL GIFTS Part One: Enumeration  Introduction: The apostle Paul discusses the miraculous gifts of the Spirit. The Enumeration of the Spiritual Gifts (1 Cor. 12) The Duration of the Spiritual Gifts (1 Cor. 13) The Regulation of the Spiritual Gifts (1 Cor. 14) Consider the spiritual gifts of the New Testament era. THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS ENUMERATED “Gifts” – charismátōn: pl. noun- “a […]

AM Scripture Reading: Philemon 10-16 This Morning’s Sermon: Brent T. Willey PHILEMON & ONESIMUS (What Brotherly Love Does) Introduction: While Paul’s letter to Philemon is rarely viewed as a “doctrinal” treatise, it astutely addresses significant instruction regarding human relationships. Background: Paul’s first imprisonment – (Acts 28; Col. 4.7-9) In Paul’s appeal for Philemon to receive Onesimus back as a brother, his epistle shows What Brotherly Love Does… ACKNOWLEDGES THE GOOD IN OTHERS! Read verses 4-7 Paul assured his gratitude for Philemon’s love and faith. MAKES REQUESTS – NOT DEMANDS! Read verses 8-9 Paul did not exercise (demand) his apostolic right. […]

AM Scripture Reading: Matthew 28.18-20 This Morning’s Sermon: Brent T. Willey BAPTISM ON TRIAL Introduction: Certain evangelical churches have placed baptism on trial and have concluded that it is not a necessary for salvation. Perhaps we need to put our baptism “on trial.” BAPTIZED TO BE BORN AGAIN We need to be “born again.” (John 3.1-7; cf., 1 Pet. 1.22-23). The “dead” man is buried in baptism and a “new” life emerges from that watery grave! (Rom. 6.3-7) BAPTISM BECAUSE OF PERSONAL CONVICTION The essential prerequisites: Learning, Belief & Repentance! (Matt. 28.19-20; Mark 16.16; Acts 8.36-37; Acts 2.38; 3.19) This […]

AM Scripture Reading: John 8.21-30 This Morning’s Sermon: Brent T. Willey Why I Am A Christian  Introduction: The reason I am a Christian is more complex than the reason I am a believer in God. Jesus’ claims are controversial and His demands are both stringent and challenging. (John 8.24; 14.6; 12.48) So why I a Christian? THE MESSIANIC PROPHECIES ARE COMPELLING Common objections: Prophecies after Jesus’ life. [1000 – 450 BC] Fulfilled prophecies were deliberately manipulated. Fulfillment was coincidental. [Just 8 prophecies- 1:1017] Some significant Old Testament prophecies about Jesus; Born of a virgin. (Isa. 7.14; Matt. 1.23) Born in […]