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By David Watson

Benchley, May 2, 2012

• We grow by learning God’s word.
• I Peter 2:2 – We are to desire God’s word.
• Hosea 4:6 – The Israelites were destroyed because of lack of knowledge.
• We have many methods available to help us learn God’s word: sermons, Bible studies, teachings from more knowledgeable Christians, and our own study.
• II Peter 1:13; 3:1-2 – It is helpful to be reminded of things we’ve learned before so that we do not forget God’s word.
• We grow by putting God’s word into practice.
• Hebrews 5:12-14 – We must study and practice so we will be ready for the solid food of God’s word.
• I Timothy 3:4-5 – An elder must show his spiritual maturity by managing his own house well.

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By David Watson

Benchley, April 8, 2012

• I Peter 2:9-10 – All Christians are a chosen race and a royal priesthood. There is no clergy/laity distinction before God.
• I Peter 2:18 – We are to be submissive to our masters even if they are unreasonable.
• Because of your good deeds (I Peter 2:12)
• How much good are we doing? We can’t just refrain from evil – we must actively do good.
• Daniel 6:4 – We should be like Daniel in the sense that people can find no wrongdoing in us.
• Follow in His steps (I Peter 2:21)
• Now is the time to follow in Jesus’ footsteps!
• Like newborn babies (I Peter 2:2)
• We should all long for God’s word like newborn babies long for milk.
• Ecclesiastes 3:11 – The Bible gives answers to man’s questions about the universe.
• The effect of the “milk” is to help us grow in respect to salvation.

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By David Watson

Benchley, March 11, 2012

• How useless the earthly body is
• John 19:38-42 – Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus tend to the body of Jesus
• I Corinthians 15:35-50
• What really mattered in a person’s life
• Acts 9:36-39 – the people showing all the things that Tabitha had done and made
• You have to do things you’re not ready to do
• Luke 12:19-21 – The rich man was not prepared to die.
• The value of hope through Christ
• II Samuel 12:16-23 – David’s grief and hope for seeing his son in heaven.
• I Thessalonians 4:13
• I Timothy 4:13 – Read the word of God!
• II Timothy 1:5; 3:15
• I Corinthians 15:20-26

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By Joel Moore

Benchley, February 19, 2012

• II Kings 5:1-12 – the story of Naaman the leper
• The difference between king and prophet
• Naaman brought his letter to the king, but he really needed to speak to God’s prophet Elisha.
• Luke 19:10; John 1:29 – Jesus is the one to whom we must point others for salvation.
• II Kings 5:7 – We must be careful not to assume what we do not know as the king of Israel did.
• The difference between wave and wash
• II Kings 5:11 – Naaman had already decided how God was going to cure him.
• Am I obeying all of what is written in God’s word? Let us not presume what God wants us to do like Naaman did.
• The difference between Pharpar and Jordan
• II Kings 5:12
• Leviticus 10:1-4 – What difference did the fire make for Nadab and Abihu? It was the difference between life and death!
• Galatians 1:8 – What difference does the message make? It’s the difference between being acceptable or not before God!
• Hebrews 8:4-5 – Like Moses, we are to work according to the pattern God has shown us.
• II Kings 5:13-14 – Naaman obeyed God and was cleansed.

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By David Watson

Benchley, February 5, 2012

• Get on God’s side by reading and praying.
• Ezra 7:10; 8:21-23; 9:6
• From reading God’s law, Ezra knew what he had to teach the people and what they were doing wrong.
• Acts 8:34-35 – The Ethiopian started by reading God’s word and Philip started teaching him based on what the Ethiopian had read.
• Surround yourself with people who will help.
• Ezra 7:28; 8:1,15-20
• Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 – the advantage of having a companion who will help
• II Corinthians 7:5-7 – Paul was comforted by the arrival of Titus.
• Learn your lesson from last time.
• Ezra 9:13-14
• Acts 8:9-24 – Simon tried to return to his old ways when he tried to buy the power of God from the apostles, but Peter refused and rebuked him.
• Acts 5:27

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By Jesse Jenkins

Benchley, January 8, 2012

• To study the Bible regularly, frequently, and diligently. (I Timothy 4:13; II Timothy 2:15)
• To pray often and fervently. (I Thessalonians 5:17)
• To teach the word more (Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 10:24-25)
• To give liberally and willingly.
• To have fellowship in all scriptural functions of the congregation when possible.
• To love my brethren and work in unity with them in all things in the Lord. (Romans 12:18)
• To serve in such a way as to cause the congregation to grow; not to live so as to hold it back.
• To keep self pure in manner of living.
• To keep church pure.
• To become more Christ-like day by day.
• Summed up: to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ. (II Peter 3:18)

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By David Watson

Benchley, January 1, 2012

• Lamentations 3:40
• Have I lived more righteously?
• Romans 6:12-13 – We need to use our bodies in righteous ways to serve God.
• I Timothy 6:11; II Timothy 2:22
• Have I gotten better about reading the Bible?
• Luke 10:38-42 – It is important to make God a priority in our lives.
• Bible reading has a long term positive impact on us.
• Deuteronomy 17:18-20 – God’s rules for Bible study for rulers. They were to write their own copy of the law and read it all the days of their lives. This was to help the king fear God and keep him humble.
• Have I increased my prayers?
• Daniel 6:10 – Daniel refused to stop praying, even when the king passed a law against it.
• Romans 12:12; I Thessalonians 5:17 – Pray without ceasing.
• James 5:13
• Have I done better in sharing the gospel?
• Mark 12:41-44 – God considers one’s abilities and not just the amount that he serves.
• I Corinthians 3:6 – God causes the growth. We don’t have to do everything ourselves – just what we can!

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By Jesse Jenkins

Benchley, December 25, 2011

• Hebrews 5:12 – We must strive to study to get to the point that we can teach others and handle the more difficult parts of scripture. We must also put what we learn to use so that we will grow. Without study and use of the word, we will not grow.
• Hebrews 6:1-2 – Jesse Jenkins takes the position that this is talking about putting aside the old covenant and studying the new law from God and obeying that.
• Hebrews 6:3 – In context, this is referring to letting go of the old covenant. The phrase “if God permits” is referring to the people’s inclination to let go of the old law. We know from many other passages that this is what God wanted them to do.
• Hebrews 6:4-6 – Once they had experienced the blessings of the new law, it is senseless to return to the old law. Once you have learned the new law and forsaken it, there is nothing left to bring you back to repentance.

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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 28, 2011

• Hebrews 13:4
• Malachi 2:16 – The United States has the highest divorce rate in the world.
• Psalms 127:3-5
• The Bible is loved and taught.
• II Timothy 3:16-17 – The importance of the Bible.
• When this happens in a home, the sanctity of marriage is upheld. Matthew 19:4-6
• James 4:8 – God draws near to us through His word.
• The father is true and strong.
• Ephesians 5:23-25 – The husband is to be the leader and love his wife.
• I Timothy 5:8 – A man is to provide for his own.
• Joshua 24:15
• “No success in life makes up for failure in the home.”
• The mother is the homemaker.
• Responsibilities of wives – Titus 2:4-5; I Timothy 5:4; Ephesians 5:24; Proverbs 30:10-31
• Children are led to know Christ.
• Responsibilities of children to parents and parents to children – Ephesians 6:1,4
• Children must be disciplined – Proverbs 22:6; 23:13; 13:24