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By David Watson

Benchley, Apri 29, 2012

• Proof of God’s love
• I John 3:18 – Love is an action.
• He took the first step.
• I John 4:19
• Romans 5:6-8
• He worked a plan (I Peter 1:10)
• He gave His Son! (I John 4:9-10)
• He makes us His children (I John 3:1)
• Our response
• God loves you and you need to love Him back!
• Hosea 11:1-8,12
• Hebrews 6:4-6
• I John 4:20-5:3
• Luke 15:8-10 – parable of the lost coin

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By Larry Dickens

Benchley, March 5, 2012

• Faith comes from hearing and hearing from the word of Christ (Romans 10:17).
• God attested Jesus with miracles (Acts 2:22)
• Multitudes responded to the miracles (Matthew 15:31)
• Concerning miracles
• Many exclaim “miracle” when none has occurred.
• When someone is healing rapidly
• For the most natural of events
• When someone escapes injury or death
• Claims of miracles: apparitions, delusions, superstitions, frauds, modern day fake “faith” healers
• Many do not believe in miracles today or in the Bible
• Believers believe in the miracles of the Bible, but not in modern day miracles.
• Efforts are often to preach “faith in the miracles,” but need to be preaching to produce faith via the miracles
• The role of miracles
• Faith came from the Word (Christ) (Romans 10:7; John 1:14)
• God attested to Christ via miracles (Acts 2:22)
• Today faith comes from the Word revealed (Romans 10:7)
• The miracles were written that you might believe (John 20:30-31)
• What the miracles regarding Jesus tell us about Jesus
• Jesus is Lord of Creation
• Chemistry
• Water into wine (John 2:1-11) – the better wine
• Feeding 5000 plus women and children with five loves, two fish … with twelve baskets leftover (Matthew 14:21; 16:9; Mark 6:4; 8:19; Luke 9:14; John 6:10)
• Feeding 4000 plus women and children (Matthew 15:38; 16:10; Mark 8:9,20) … using seven loaves with seven “large” baskets leftover
• Biology
• Cursed the fig tree (Matthew 21:19-22)
• His virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14; Luke 1:34-35)
• The sea
• Walking on water (Matthew 14:25)
• Peace be still (Mark 4:39)
• Jesus is Lord over distance (space)
• Healing nobleman’s son (John 4:46-54)
• Healing Centurion’s servant (Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10)
• Jesus is Lord over the curse of sin: sickness
• Healing the blind man (John 9)
• The lepers (Luke 17:1-19)
• The lame, crippled, dumb, and others (Matthew 15:30-31)
• Jesus is Lord over the spirit world – casting out demons
• Seven demons of Mary Magdalene (Luke 8:2)
• The naed man and the Legion of demons which entered the swine (Matthew 8:28-34; Luke 8:27-39)
• Jesus is Lord over the curse: death
• Raising son of widow of Nain (Luke 7:11-17)
• Raising Jairus’ daughter (Mark 6; Luke 8)
• Raising Lazarus (John 11)
• The blessing of believing in the miracles (Luke 7:22-23)
• The resurrection of Jesus
• God made Jesus both Lord and Christ by His resurrection (Acts 2:24, 32, 36)
• The gospel message (I Corinthians 15:3-4)
• God raised up Jesus (Acts 3:15,26; 4:10; 13:30,37)
• Declared the Son of God by the resurrection (Romans 1:4)
• Therefore all men must confess Him (Romans 10:8-10)
• All men must obey the plan of salvation (Acts 2:38-41).

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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 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 Tim Stevens

Benchley, September 25, 2011

• I John 2:15-17
• James 4:4 – Do not be a friend of the world.
• Matthew 6:24 – We can’t serve God and the world.
• I John 5:17; I John 3:4 – Definition of sin.
• Proverbs 6:16-19 – Things the Lord hates.
• Ephesians 5:11 – Expose the works of darkness.
• God calls me to perfection.
• Psalms 139:23-24
• I Peter 2:21
• Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:2 – Sin separates us from God.
• Ephesians 1:3-4; I John 2:1-2 – Jesus came to save us when we sin.
• I John 1:7-10 – Jesus’ blood cleanses us from sin.
• His grace and forgiveness keeps me perfect.
• Proverbs 14:9 – Fools mock at sin.
• Romans 6:23 – The wages of sin is death.
• Romans 6:1-2 – Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?
• Titus 2:11-14 – Jesus came to redeem us from every lawless deed.
• Ephesians 1:7
• God seeks my progress.
• Romans 6:12-14 – Don’t let sin reign over you.

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By Chris Thomas

Benchley, September 18, 2011

• What the cross was
• What God made it
• Acts 2:3; 5:30; 10:39; Romans 3:25; Philippians 2:8; Hebrews 12:2; Romans 5:8; Ephesians 2:16; I Peter 1:10-12
• The Cross is for all.
• Titus 2:11-14; Romans 1:16; Matthew 28:19; Acts 1:8; Romans 9:6; Ephesians 3:1-12; Romans 10:11-12; Galatians 3:28
• The Cross is our only hope.
• John 14:6
• Christ is our unshakable foundation.
• The Cross is a call.
• Luke 9:23; Romans 12:1; II Timothy 2:22; 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12
• II Peter 3:10-13; Galatians 3:27 – the coming of the day of the Lord

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By Brent Hairston

Benchley, June 5, 2011

• Ephesians 1:9 – The mystery of God’s will was God’s plan that all have salvation through Christ. See Colossians 1:24-29; Ephesians 3:1-11
• Ephesians 1:13 – See Acts 19:1-6.

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By David Watson

Benchley, February 6, 2011

• Yes!
• Romans 16:24; I Corinthians 1:23; 16:23; II Corinthians 1:2
• “Grace” defined
  • Greek:  charis (Strongs: 5485)
  • Favor:  God to human
    • Luke 1:28-30; Acts 7:46
  • Favor:  Human to human
    • Acts 7:10; 24:27
  • Favor:  human to God
• We are saved by God’s grace
  • Titus 2:11-15; I Peter 1:10-13
  • Acts 15:11; Romans 3:24; Romans 5:15; II Corinthians 8:9; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 2:9; Ephesians 2:5
• We cannot earn salvation by works
  • Romans 4:1-8; 11:6; Galatians 2:21; 5:4; Ephesians 2:7-9; II timothy 1:8-9; titus 3:5-7; James 4:6; I Peter 5:5
• Studying the whole Bible
  • What else does the Bible say is involved in salvation?
    • Grace
    • God
    • Christ (II Timothy 1:10)
    • The blood of Christ (Ephesians 1:7)
    • The gospel message (I Corinthians 15:1-2)
    • Love (James 1:12)
    • Belief (Acts 16:30-31; John 8:24)
    • Repentance (Acts 17:30)
    • Confession (Romans 10:9-10)
    • Baptism (Acts 2:38)
    • Obedience (II Corinthians 5:10)

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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