Sermons - Benchley church of Christ

JS

October 14, 2018

-- / --
  • Introduction
    • Matthew 16:16 – “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
  • Defining “Son of God”
    • Equal with deity
      • NOT as “sons of God” in Noah’s day. Genesis 6:2
      • NOT as “children of God” as the Israelites.
      • NOT as “children of God” as saints in that church. Romans 8:14
      • BUT as deity, possessing the qualities others do not have.
    • Excellent testimony – enemies knew that “Son of God” meant deity. John 10:30-36; 19:7
  • What evidence was in Peter’s day causing one to say Jesus is the “Son of God”?
    • Prophecy and fulfillment
      • From the beginning. Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 7:14; Galatians 4:4
      • Abraham’s seed. Genesis 22:18; Galatians 3:16. Isaac, Jacob, Judah, lineage of David.
      • Over 300 Bible prophecies made and fulfilled concerning Christ. Luke 24:44-45
      • It is impossible for that many statements to be made, hundreds of years before Jesus was born, and none fail without God guiding the prophets.
      • It convinced the enemy crowd on Pentecost. Acts 13:13-15, 27; 2:25-37
      • Stephen and Paul appealed to Old Testament to confirm sermons. Acts 7, 13
    • Testimony
      • God himself, Hebrews 1:1-2, 5; Matthew 3:17; 17:5
      • John the Baptist, John 1:29-34 (see also Matthew 3:17)
      • Apostles, II Peter 1:16-18; (see also Matthew 17:5); John 6:69; Acts 9:20
      • Enemies, Matthew 8:28-29; 27:50-54
      • Jesus himself, John 9:35-37
    • Miracles – friends and enemies testified that Jesus performed miracles
      • Purpose of miracles, John 5:16-23, 36; 10:37-38
      • Apostles would perform miracles, John 14:11-12; Mark 16:15-20
      • Enemies could not deny these testimonies, John 9:16, 29-33; Acts 2:22; 4:10, 13-17
    • Resurrection – Romans 1:1-4; John 20:24-29; I Corinthians 15:3-8
    • Unwritten evidence – John 20:29-31; 21:24-25
    • Infinite testimony from thousands. GOD DOES NOT ASK US TO BELIEVE A “STORY”. HE WANTS US TO BELIEVE IN A REAL PERSON AND REAL EVENTS.
  • Why should we arrive at the same conclusion?
    • These facts have never been refuted. Even secular history documents these facts.
    • Christ’s church still stands today as evidence. Matthew 16:16-19; Ephesians 1:22-23; 3:8-12
    • What if Jesus was not the Son of God? No Rock à No Foundation à No spiritual building à No church. Yet the church is living today as proof of Jesus.
  • What should we do with this conclusion? Matthew 28:18-20
    • We either accept that Jesus is the Son of God and save our souls –OR—
    • Reject the testimony and be eternally lost. John 8:18-25
  • Conclusion: Hebrews 5:8-9

For further study, see also:

Questions or comments? Join our Discord server for further study.

JS

October 14, 2018

-- / --
  • Introduction
    • The scriptures offer us comfort in times of trials. Hebrews 11-12 shows the power of faith in a faithless world. This text alone offers comfort, but a detailed study in the Old Testament of those characters mentioned offers even greater encouragement.
  • Parameters in studying Hebrews 11-12
    • Primary purpose, Hebrews 12:12-13, 3
    • God requires faith, Hebrews 11:6
    • Comfort from trusting evidence of what is not seen, either in the present (God, King Jesus, Holy Spirit) or future (eternal reward). Hebrews 11:1, 3, 8
    • People of strong faith “see” and “embrace” an invisible reward. Hebrews 11:9-10, 13
    • Enduring and persevering in trials makes faith stronger. Hebrews 12:7, 11; James 1:2-4
    • Faith grants us citizenship in an “unshaken” kingdom. Hebrews 12:28-29; Philippians 3:20-4:1
    • God offered countless “real” examples of faith to which we can relate. Hebrews 11
  • Examples of Faith in a Faithless World
    • Those of the Old Testament are our examples. God confirms their reality. I Corinthians 10:6, 11; Romans 15:4
      • Hebrews 11:1-2 – elders’ good testimony. Example: Hebrews 11:4-5, Abel and Enoch. God preserved evidence.
      • Hebrews 12:1 – great cloud of witnesses, yet more unmentioned, Hebrews 11:32. See also John 20:30; 21:25.
    • Heroes of faith, Hebrews 11:1-12:1
      • Trusted and obeyed God, Hebrews 11:1-22
      • Trusted and obeyed God during afflictions, Hebrews 11:23-12:1
    • Why they can comfort me in trying times – Hebrews 12:1-29
  • Conclusion
    • We will all face trials, individually, congregationally, nationally. But with strong faith, we can endure and be comforted that God rewards the faithful.

For further study, see also:

Questions or comments? Join our Discord server for further study.

JJ

October 10, 2018

-- / --
  • Matthew 5:13-32
  • Matthew 5:13 – Salt is a physical preservative. Jesus is using it as a metaphor to refer to the saving influence of a Christian.
  • Matthew 5:14 – Christians light the way for other people to come to Christ.
  • Matthew 5:16 – See Ephesians 2:8 in reference to “good works.”
  • Matthew 5:19 – “Greatest” and “least” here could be used to mean “in reference to” the kingdom of heaven, rather than implying that one could annul the commandments of God, teach others to do the same, and still make it into heaven.
  • Matthew 5:24 – See Luke 13:3. Try to make things right with your brother, whether it is your fault or not.

For further study, see also:

Questions or comments? Join our Discord server for further study.

Sermons - Benchley church of Christ

JS

October 07, 2018

-- / --
  • Introduction
    • Matthew 5:13 – Jesus commands His disciples to be different and let their light shine.
    • Ephesians 4:29
    • I Thessalonians 4:13-17 – The Bible uses euphemisms.
  • Do I use any of these euphemisms?
    • “Venting”
    • “Explaining”
    • “Teaching”
    • “Sharing examples”
    • “Truth”
    • II Corinthians 12:20; Colossians 3:8; I Peter 2:1
  • Major areas of temptation
    • School
      • Students, teachers, parents, administrators
      • “Love is kind” – I Corinthians 13:4
    • Work
      • Boss, underlings, fellow employees, former employees, former bosses
      • “Love your enemies” – Luke 6:27
    • Church
      • Sinners, former sinners, elders, elderships, preachers, elders/deacons/preachers’ wives/families, teachers, students. Local and elsewhere!
      • Proverbs 6:19 – “One who spreads strife among brothers is an abomination to the Lord.”
  • Is it I?
    • Romans 12:15
    • Ephesians 4:29; I Corinthians 6:6-8
    • What am I hoping for?
      • Proverbs 17:4
    • What do I do about it?
      • Do I only talk about it?
      • Luke 6:27-28, 35
    • What is my goal?
    • Does it motivate or demotivate me?
      • I Corinthians 13:6
    • Do I seek it or shy away from it?
    • What do others think of the people in my life?
    • What version of the story am I more likely to accept as true – negative or positive?
      • I Corinthians 13:7
    • Does it make me feel more self-righteous?
      • Luke 18:9-14
  • Strategies for success
    • Stop talking
      • Proverbs 10:19; James 1:19
    • Flee temptation
      • I Corinthians 10:13-14; Hebrews 12:13
    • Address the heart
      • Mark 7:20-22
    • Find interests, passion for profitable things
      • Proverbs 10:20
    • Put yourself in the situation
      • Matthew 7:12; Galatians 5:14; Ephesians 4:31
    • Accountability partner
    • Find an example
    • Don’t make excuses!
  • Summary
    • James 1:27; 3:8-12
    • If we are gossiping, we are not serving God correctly!
    • Psalms 15:1-3; 50:16, 20
    • Ephesians 4:29
    • Colossians 3:8, 12

For further study, see also:

Questions or comments? Join our Discord server for further study.

Classes - Benchley church of Christ

JJ

October 07, 2018

-- / --
  • Historical overview of perversions in church organization and leadership
    • Catholic church
    • 1849 – missionary societies
    • 1950s – sponsoring churches
  • Acts 2:42 – the start of the Lord’s church
  • Acts 11:30 – elders appointed in local churches
  • Acts 8:4 – Persecution scatters Christians, who go everywhere preaching the Word.
  • Titus 1:5 – This verse implies that a church can exist even without elders. A church should strive to develop men who are qualified to be elders so it can do the work God has assigned more effectively.
  • Congregational independence is effective.
    • Congregational independence is practical.

For further study, see also:

Questions or comments? Join our Discord server for further study.

1
299
300
301
647

Listen on Apple PodcastsListen on Google PodcastsListon on Stitcher

© 2026, Mark Watson

Powered by Gatsby