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By David Watson

Benchley, April 15, 2012

• I Peter 2:9-10
• Titus 2:14
• We need to get real about sin.
• I John 1:5-10 – If we say that we have no sin, we are liars and God’s word is not in us.
• The people who pretend sin is not a big deal will not be in heaven. Only those who are humble and willing to confess their sins to God will make it to heaven.
• I John 3:1,6-10 – You can’t claim to have fellowship with God and keep on sinning.
• We need to realize that we are not on our own.
• I Corinthians 6:13-17 – Our bodies belong to Christ. What we do with our body matters!
• I Corinthians 10:5
• Galatians 2:20; 5:24 – We must put away our fleshly lusts and live for Christ.
• We need to walk in newness of life.
• Romans 6:1-18
• Romans 8:9 – We must work on our attitude util it matches that of Christ.
• Acts 5:40-44
• Galatians 6:14
• Galatians 3:26-29 – To be an heir to the promise and be a part of that family, you must be in Christ.

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By David Watson

Benchley, April 15, 2012

• I Peter 3:13 – We may be persecuted, but no one can truly harm us when we follow God’s commands.
• I Peter 3:16-17 – See I Peter 2:12. A similar sentiment is repeated here regarding not giving others the opportunity to speak evil of us.
• I Peter 3:21 – See Romans 6:3-4. Baptism is connected to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.
• We went and made proclamation…
• I Peter 3:19

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By Jesse Jenkins

Benchley, February 26, 2012

• Acts 22:1-11 – Paul is struck blind on the way to Damascus.
• He saw Jesus (Acts 9:6).
• He saw that he was a sinner (I Timothy 1:15).
• This was a revelation to him because he thought he was doing God’s will.
• We must study the word of God so that we will know what sin is.
• He saw being religious was not enough (Philippians 3:5-8).
• Paul saw that the religion of his parents was not enough.
• He saw conscience is not a safe guide (Acts 23:1).
• I John 3:20-21 – The intellect, emotion, willpower, and conscience are all parts of the Biblical “heart”.
• He saw he must change when wrong (Philippians 3:5-8).
• An honest man will change from error to truth when he learns the truth.
• He saw the tragedy of living a lie (Galatians 1:15-17).
• He saw prayer does not save the sinner (Acts 9:11)
• Paul couldn’t just pray and be saved. He had to do what God commanded him to do.
• He saw that baptism is necessary for salvation (Acts 22:16).
• He saw that he must make Jesus’ word the rule of his life (Galatians 1:6-12).

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By David Watson

Benchley, October 9, 2011

• Mark 16:15-16 – Baptism is part of God’s plan for salvation. Belief is a requirement for baptism.
• John 3:3-5 – We must be born again through baptism.
• Acts 2:36-38 – Baptism must be in the name of Jesus Christ and is for the forgiveness of sins.
• Acts 11:13-14; 10:47-48 – Together, these passages show that baptism saves.
• Acts 22:16
• Romans 6:1-4
• I Corinthians 12:12-13
• Galatians 3:27 – Baptism clothes us in Christ.
• Colossians 2:9-12
• I Peter 3:20-21 – Baptism now saves you!
• What is the proper method of baptism?
• Definition of the word baptizo: to immerse; submerge
• John 3:23 – Much water was there for baptism.
• Mark 1:9-10; Acts 8:38 – getting in and out of the water for baptism
• How did sprinkling or pouring get started?
• Is the water special or holy?
• No. The act of baptism saves us, not any special power in the water.
• Isn’t baptism an outward sign of an inward doing?
• No. This is nowhere taught, exemplified, or implied in the Bible.
• This contradicts other passages about baptism.
• Why did Paul say, “Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel”?
• I Corinthians 1:11-17 – Verse 17 is a Not-But figure of speech. Paul was emphasizing the need to preach the gospel over his need to personally baptize people.
• Compare John 6:27.
• Who can and should be baptized?
• Those who have been taught the gospel. Matthew 28:19-20
• Those who have believed in the gospel. Acts 8:37; Mark 16:16
• Those who have repented of their sins. Acts 2:38
• Those who have confessed their faith in Christ. Romans 10:9-10; Acts 8:37
• Those who are guilty of sin (not children). Deuteronomy 1:39
• Do some people need to be baptized again?
• Yes. Ephesians 4:5; Acts 19:1-5
• You need to baptized again if:
• Before your first baptism, you had not been taught, believed, repented, and confessed. Matthew 28:19; Acts 8:37; 2:38
• Your first baptism was not for the forgiveness of sins. Acts 2:38

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By Tim Stevens

Benchley, September 30, 2011

• Hebrews 11:13-16 – Those who died in faith sought a better, heavenly place.
• I Timothy 4:8
• A certainty
• Hebrews 9:27; Psalms 90:10; James 4:14 – Life is brief.
• Job 16:22; II Samuel 12:23 – There is no return from our eternal destination.
• Preparation
• I John 1:5-7; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Matthew 24:42-44; John 14:1-4 – We must be ready for the judgment.
• Guidance
• Proverbs 14:12; Jeremiah 10:23; John 8:12; I Timothy 2:5-6 – Jesus is our guide.
• Psalms 73:23-28 – God guides us with His counsel.
• Proverbs 3:5-8 – Trust in the Lord.
• John 6:63-69
• Isaiah 34:16; II Timothy 2:15; Acts 17:11 – Study the Bible!
• Psalms 19:7; I Timothy 4:16; II Timothy 3:16-17 – The word of God is perfect; it is all we need.
• One way
• There is only one right way to go. John 14:6; 10:16; 6:33-35
• Galatians 3:27; I Corinthians 12:13 – If we don’t put on Christ, we have no guide!
• Matthew 7:13-14 – The gate to salvation is narrow and has few travelers.
• Isaiah 35:8-10
• Ephesians 1:7 – We have redemption and forgiveness of our sins through Jesus’ blood.
• Philippians 3:14-16 – We must press on toward the goal.
• II Timothy 4:6-8 – Paul was on the right road. He was prepared.

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By Tim Stevens

Benchley, September 29, 2011

• From the rescuers above – there’s help!
• Romans 5:6-8; 8:3; John 8:23 – Christ died to save us when we couldn’t save ourselves.
• Romans 5:20-21; I John 2:1-2 – God’s grace saves us through Jesus’ sacrifice.
• Hebrews 4:14-16 – Jesus our High Priest
• Cooperation with the rescuer – a must!
• Romans 3:25-26 – God provided Jesus to serve as the sacrifice for our sins.
• Romans 10:5-11 – God provided the means for our salvation.
• Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:27 – We must be baptized and then live faithfully to be saved.
• We must cooperate with the plan God has put in place to be saved.
• Those being rescued – work together!
• Ephesians 4:1-3 – Keep the “unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
• Hebrews 10:36 – We must have endurance.
• We need to show the world how Christians should act! John 13:34-35
• There’s light at the end of the tunnel!
• Matthew 2:2 – Jesus’ birth brought a light over Bethlehem.
• Matthew 4:16; John 1:1-9 – Jesus is the light.
• Revelation 21:22-27 – The saved walk in the light of Jesus.
• I John 3:1-3

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By Tim Stevens

Benchley, September 26, 2011

• Romans 1:16-17
• The gospel: good news of the kingdom of God and of salvation through Jesus Christ.
• Acts 2:14-39 – gospel sermon Pentecost
• Discuss and explain scriptures.
• Peter: Acts 2:16,25,34-35
• Quoted Old Testament prophets (Joel, David)
• Steven: Acts 7
• Philip: Acts 8:28-35
• Christ as man’s only hope
• Peter: Acts 2:22-24; 31-33; 36
• Preached Jesus and salvation on Pentecost
• Philip: Acts 8:4-5
• Preached Christ to Samaritans and Ethiopians
• Paul: Acts 16:32; II Corinthians 4:5; I Corinthians 3:6
• Preached Christ
• I Peter 1:3-4
• Disturbed the audience
• Peter: Acts 2:36-37
• Jews “cut to the heart” on Pentecost
• Stephen: Acts 7
• Stoned to death
• Paul: Acts 17
• Some in Athens “mocked,” some “believed”
• Isaiah 30:9-10; Acts 20:7; II Timothy 4:2
• Acts 4:29,31 – They spoke with boldness.
• Caused one to ask questions
• Peter: Acts 2
• Philip: Acts 8
• Paul: Acts 16
• Told “how” to be saved
• Peter: Acts 2
• Philip: Acts 8:12,36-39
• Paul: Acts 16:30-33 – Philippian jailer believed and was baptized
• The plan of salvation
• Man’s version:
• Admit being a sinner
• Repent
• Believe
• Pray Sinner’s Prayer
• Remission of sins, saved!, alive!, child of God!
• Water baptism is an “outward showing of an inward doing” (Romans 6:3-4). Man wants to place salvation before baptism.
• God’s version:
• Hear (Acts 10:33; Romans 10:17)
• Believe (Acts 18:8; John 8:24)
• Repent (Acts 2:38; Luke 13:3)
• Confess (Acts 8:37; Romans 10:10)
• Baptized (Acts 2:38,47; Matthew 16:16; Romans 6:3-4)
• Produced conviction! (leading a person into the Lord’s church)
• Peter: Acts 2:41,47 – Jews on Pentecost added to the church
• The gospel also:
• Helps Christians grow! (Acts 2:42)
• Produces unity! (Acts 2:44)

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By Caleb Westbrook

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By Garren Stroud

Benchley, March 8, 2011

• The gospel is for all personalities
  • Driver:  Peter – Matthew 16:16,22; 17:4; 26:33
  • Analytical:  Paul – Romans 6:15-18; 7:15-f
  • Expressive:  Jude – Jude 11-18
  • Amiable
    • John – I John 2:10; 3:1-2
    • Philip – Acts 8:30
• The wisdom of man goes too far
  • Man says truth is not absolute.
    • Truth is based on each individual’s perspective.  What may be truth for one is not for another.  I Samuel 15:15-28
    • Pilate held to this wisdom.  John 18:38
  • There is absolute truth.  John 8:32; 17:17; Romans 1:25
  • There is a reason that truth is absolute.
    • Jeremiah 10:23; Isaiah 55:8-11; I Corinthians 2:9-16
• The truth concerning salvation
  • Faith is a must.  It is the truth from God.  Romans 1:16-17; Hebrews 11:6
  • Repentance is required.  It is the truth from God.  Luke 13:1-5; Acts 26:20
  • Confession must be made.  It is the truth from God.  Romans 10:9-10; Acts 8:37
  • Baptism is not an option.  It is the truth from God.  Acts 2:38; I Peter 3:21
  • The truth:  you can’t be saved without it!
• The truth converning living our lives as a Christian
  • Some have come to the point that organizational relationship places one in Christ.
    • II Timothy 2:15
    • The church saves no one.  Acts 2:47
    • Family lineage saves no one.  Ezekiel 18:20
    • Having our names in the directory does not place us in Christ.  Hebrews 12:23; Philippians 4:3
  • The child of God is in Christ by truth.  Colossians 1:21-23; I Peter 1:22
• Conclusion
  • The gospel is for all.  I John 4:4
  • The gospel can save all.  I Timothy 2:4

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By David Watson

Benchley, February 6, 2011

• The church belongs to Christ.
  • Acts 20:28 – Jesus purchased the church with His own blood.
  • Matthew 16:13-18 – Jesus built His church.
  • Colossians 1:13-18 – Jesus is the head of the church.
  • Ephesians 1:20-23 – Jesus is head over all things to the church.
  • Ephesians 5:23-32 – The church is subject to Christ.
• “Church” refers to all people who are in a saved relationship through Christ.
  • “church” (Greek transliteration:  ekklesia) – “a calling out”
  • Ephesians 5:23,27 – “Savior of the body”, “holy and blameless”
  • Hebrews 12:22-24 – “who are enrolled in heaven”
  • I Peter 2:5,9-10 – “a spiritual house”, “now you have received mercy”
• The word “church” used in three ways:
  • In the singular sense:
    • “I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18)
  • In the plural sense:
    • “All the churches of Christ greet you” (Romans 16:16)
  • In the assembled sense:
    • “Therefore if the whole church assembles together” (I Corinthians 14:23)
• How do we get into the saved relationship, and thus, the church?
  • Acts 2 – Beginning of the church!
  • We get into Christ and His church the same way they did that day:  hear, believe, repent, confess, and be baptized.
• Baptism
  • Galatians 3:27; I Corinthians 12:13; Romans 6:6
• What is we just went back to the Bible?
  • There would only be:
    • One church
    • One “type” of Christian
    • New Testament worship
    • New Testament church work (I Corinthians 9:14)
    • Elders, deacons, and members