PM Scripture Reading: Hebrews 11.1-6 Brent T. Willey THE FAITH THAT SAVES Hebrews 11.6 Introduction: “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him” (Heb. 11.6). This passage articulates one of the great themes of the Bible: the essentiality of The Faith That Saves! But “faith” in what? It is a couplet requiring faith in two facts… THAT GOD TRULY EXISTS! To “please Him” involves faithful obedience to God’s Word, “even unto death” (Rom. 10.17; cf., Rev. 2.10). To believe […]

AM Scripture Reading: Hebrews 3.7-13 This Morning’s Sermon: Brent T. Willey FUNCTIONAL ATHEISM Introduction: Literal atheism denies the existence of a creative God and embraces evolution. Functional atheism behaves as if there will be no personal accountability to God! Historically, many of the Israelites during the days of Moses were nothing more than Functional Atheists! (Heb. 3.7-13) Is this possible among us today? FUNCTIONAL ATHEISM: THE DANGER OF UNBELIEF “Unbelief” is fundamentally defiance against God and is the root of every kind of sin there is! (Heb. 3.7-13) Did Israel stop believing in the existence of God? Functional atheists ignore […]

I Find Refuge In Christ! Introduction: Please turn to Heb. 6.13-20 < let’s read it together… When God makes a promise, He keeps it, just as He did to Abraham. Historically, faithful people of God have “fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope” God has promised, namely, eternal life. This is one of the common themes found within the Davidic psalms (E.g., Psa. 62.7-8; there are about 10 Davidic “refuge” psalms.) The author of Hebrews now indicates that Christians have “hope as an anchor of the soul, both sure & steadfast” because Jesus, as our High Priest, offered […]

AM Scripture Reading: Romans 7.7-12 This Morning’s Sermon: Brent T. Willey THE EMERGENCE OF SIN Introduction: Most people do not think about “sin.” This is a mistake! Just how long has sin existed? When did it emerge? What is sin and how and why is it committed? When does sin become an issue in our lives personally? These are important questions and sadly the majority of the world does not understand how serious the “sin issue” is, but God’s Word informs us of everything we need to know about it. THE EMERGENCE OF SIN IN THE BEGINNING Sin is the […]

AM Scripture Reading: Romans 12.3-8 This Morning’s Sermon: Brent T. Willey …WE CARE… Introduction: The apostle Peter exhorted Christians: “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Pet. 5.7). The apostle Paul emphasized the importance of every member of Christ’s body. (Rom. 12.3-8 & 1 Cor. 12.12-27) Rom. 12.5: “so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.” 1 Cor. 12.25: “that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.” God uses His faithful children to provide the […]

AM Scripture Reading: James 3.1-12 This Morning’s Sermon: Brent T. Willey REGRETTABLE WORDS James 3.1-12 Introduction: James’ admonition is always timely and is in total agreement with Solomon’s proverbial wisdom (Prov. 18.21), as well as the judicious words of our Savior (Matt. 12.36-37). We would do well to contemplate James’ teaching regarding the power of the spoken word… V. 1: THE CONTEXT- Influencing Other Minds… “Teachers” [“masters” – kjv]: didaskalos- an instructor, with the thought of one who persuasively influences others. (E.g., 2 Tim. 4.2-4) We do not want to teach anything we would later regret! (2 Pet. 2.1-3) V. […]

PM Scripture Reading: Proverbs 4.20-27 Brent T. Willey “THE ISSUES OF LIFE” (There’s Always Somebody That Has It Worse Off In Life) Introduction: “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life” (Prov. 4.23). Tōwts-a-ōwth (“issues”): the boundary ends; the limits. In this context it refers to the territory of “life” itself [chayiym]. Life is filled with issues – lots of issues! ISSUES WITH CIRCUMSTANCES “Man who is born of woman…” (Job 14.1). Issues with our health. (Job 2.7-10) Issues with our jobs. (Phil. 2.14; Col. 3.23) Issues with our finances. (1 Tim. 6.10; […]

AM Scripture Reading: Acts 7.51-60 This Morning’s Sermon: Brent T. Willey A BUCKET OF ROCKS Acts 7.51-60 Introduction: Luke records in Acts 6.15: “And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.” However, just a few hours later, citizens of Jerusalem “stoned Stephen as he was calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 7.59). Stephen was the first Christian to die a martyr’s death as a result of his faithful resolve! WHY WAS STEPHEN STONED TO DEATH? An intriguing question with interesting historical implications. The testimony of […]

PM Scripture Reading: Acts 28.11-16 Brent T. Willey The Challenge of Brotherly Love Introduction: Upon seeing his brethren coming out to greet him, Paul first thanked God, and then he took courage. (Acts 28.15) Brotherly love should be viewed as both a blessing and a duty. (See 1 John 3.16-19) Yet, brotherly love can also be very challenging. Why? BROTHERLY LOVE IS DEMANDING Love demands we “turn the other cheek” (Luke 6.29). Love demands forbearance. (1 Pet. 3.8-9; 1 Thess. 5.15) Love demands forgiveness. (Matt. 18.21-22; Col. 3.12-14) Love demands action! (James 2.14-17) BROTHERLY LOVE IS OFTEN UNCOMFORTABLE The Jews […]

AM Scripture Reading: Galatians 5.22-26 Brent T. Willey Being Faithful Proverbs 20.6 & Revelation 2.10 Introduction: How is “faithful” used in the Bible? Hebrew: emuwnah- “firmness, fidelity or steadiness; reliability” (1 Sam. 26.23; Psa. 119.90; 119.86) Greek: pistos- “faithful, to be trusted, reliable” (1 Cor. 1.9; 1 Tim. 1.15; 2 Tim. 2.2) It is a part of the “fruit of the Spirit” (Gal. 5.22). The two primary texts: Proverbs 20.6 & Revelation 2.10 “WHO CAN FIND A FAITHFUL MAN?” Proverbs 20.6: “Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, but who can find a faithful man?” Proclaimed “goodness” – (Luke […]