AM Scripture Reading: Ephesians 6.10-18 This Morning’s Sermon: Brent T. Willey WHAT THE CHURCH NEEDS: “Strengthened in the Faith & Increased in Number” Acts 16.5 Introduction: Luke records, “So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily” (Acts 16.5; cf., 15.41). Strong congregations obviously respect the authority of God’s inspired word, and also pray for guidance. (Eph. 6.10-18) The church needs to be properly armed. (Vs. 13-17) Fervent prayer is a must! (V. 18) Please consider six biblical principles of strength and growth… EDUCATION A good solid diet! (Heb. 5.12-14; Acts 20.28-32) Carefully handling God’s word. […]

AM Scripture Reading: Acts 4.8-12 This Morning’s Sermon: Brent T. Willey JESUS CHRIST: “No Other Name” Acts 4.10-12 Introduction: In his defense before the Sanhedrin (Acts 4.5-12), Peter clearly identifies the source of the power that caused the lame man to be miraculously healed at the gate of the temple (Acts 3.1-10). Peter concludes: “Nor is there salvation in any other name, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4.12). Our identity is to be associated with “Jesus Christ” ! INDIVIDUALLY: A “CHRISTIAN” The term “Christian” has been generically […]

AM Scripture Reading: Acts 2.42-47 This Morning’s Sermon: Brent T. Willey THE FIRST SUNDAY SERMON (What A Beginning!) Introduction: In my Last Sunday Sermon (The Days of Our Lives), I dealt with beginnings, transitions and decisions. Having embarked upon a new year (2015), we now turn our attention to The First Sunday Sermon… The first Sunday on which the early disciples met on the Day of Pentecost in the city of Jerusalem over 1900 years ago has tremendous significance for Christians today! (Acts 2.1-47) FIRST SUNDAY PLANNING Nothing occurred coincidentally on that Sunday in Jerusalem! Jesus promised to build His […]

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: Titus 1.4-9 Sermon Series: Keeping The Church Strong & Growing Brent T. Willey Lesson #2: GOD’S APPOINTED LEADERS IN THE CHURCH Introduction: “For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you” (Titus 1.5). Why? The local church will always be in need of leadership! Notice how the apostle Paul addressed the Philippian church: “To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons” (Phil. 1.1). DEFINING THE BIBLICAL DESCRIPTIONS The Eldership: […]

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 […]

AM Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4. 1-6 This Morning’s Sermon: Brent T. Willey Why The “Lord’s” Church?  Introduction: We must be members of the church, but not just any church… Unfortunate Fact: There are many “churches” in the world, many which claim to be following biblical teachings. Is that possible in light of Eph. 4.1-6? This fact emphasizes our need to recognize the characteristics of the Lord’s church as seen in the New Testament. IT TEACHES THE PURE GOSPEL There is only one true gospel! (Gal. 1.6-9) The “whole counsel of God” (Acts 20.27-32; 2 Tim. 3.16-17). The saving gospel! (Rom. […]

AM Scripture Reading: Ephesians 5.23-27 This Morning’s Sermon: Brent T. Willey Why The Church?  Introduction: “In order to be a Christian, do I have to be a member of the church?” This is much like asking, “In order to be a human, do I have to be a member of the human race?” Interestingly, one is born into both. (Cf., John 3.3-7) The very fact that Christ died for the church and purchased it with His own blood is reason enough to acknowledge its essential nature. (Eph. 5.25; Acts 20.28) So, Why The Church? IT IS GOD’S “CALLED OUT” PEOPLE […]

AM Scripture Reading: John 4.19-26 This Morning’s Sermon: Brent T. Willey PERSONALIZING WORSHIP & GETTING MORE OUT OF IT Introduction: Some background regarding the Samaritans is necessary in order to understand the discourse between Jesus and the Samaritan woman. (John 4.5-26; cf., 2 Kings 17; Ezra 4.1-3) In verse 22, Jesus accurately concluded of the Samaritans at large, “You worship what you do not know…” God desires that we personalize worship and make it a more meaningful experience, but this requires an investment on our part – physically, spiritually and emotionally! PERSONALIZING WORSHIP This does not mean making worship about “me.” […]