Sermons - Benchley church of Christ

DM

April 19, 2014

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  • Revelation 3:14-19
    • There are a number of ways that we can fall into a state of uselessness!
      • Mediocre people attend worship fairly regularly because they think that is what they have to do, not what they want to do.
      • Mediocre people tend to choose what is popular over what is right when they are in conflict.
      • Mediocre people do not really want to be saved from their sins.
      • Mediocre people do not believe that the new life in Christ is better than the old life in sin.
      • Mediocre people rarely share their faith with their neighbors, coworkers, and friends.
      • Mediocre people gauge their “goodness” by comparing themselves to the world.
      • Mediocre people say they love Jesus and Jesus is a part of their lives.
      • Mediocre people love God, but they do not love Him with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength.
      • Mediocre people think about life on earth much more often than eternity in heaven.
      • Mediocre people probably drink and swear less than average, but besides that they really aren’t very different from your typical unbeliever.
      • Mediocre people walk by sight and not by faith.
  • In order to overcome this mediocrity, where do we start? James 1:12-15
  • Sin is discouraging and holds us in mediocrity.
    • The problem behind sin and spiritual mediocrity is not outside of us.
    • The problem is not God.
    • The problem is not family, friends, life circumstances, job, the economy, or any other thing outside of us.
    • We sin because something inside us tells us to do so.
    • The reason we are not soaring spiritually is because our minds are darkened from following our desires.
  • Ephesians 4:18-19
  • I Peter 5:8
  • Satan is actively trying to bring us down and he is good at what he does.
    • What’s wrong with wanting things?
    • What’s wrong with satisfying my desires?
    • What’s wrong with doing what I want?
  • II Corinthians 10:3-6
  • Romans 12:1-2
  • If we have relationships that reinforce evil desires in our minds, we need to approach those relationships from a new perspective. II Corinthians 6:14-15
  • How can we transform our minds?
    • Memorize scripture. Philippians 4:8
    • We must be transformed in mind. Matthew 6:19
    • The spiritual mediocrity plaguing our life starts with the desires within us. We must not be deceived.
    • Satan is scheming and seeking to ensnare us in these desires.
    • Preparing our minds to be places of holiness and purity will prepare us to overcome the spiritual mediocrity that brings us down.

For further study, see also:

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Sermons - Benchley church of Christ

DM

April 18, 2014

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  • Luke 20:19-23 – The priests and scribes try to trap Jesus.
  • Are we playing games with Jesus too?
    • The Jews thought the question posed what seemed to be an unbreakable dilemma.
  • Luke 20:24-26
    • Are we trying to play games with God like these men were and get around serving God like we should?
  • Governmental authority is instituted by God and must be respected!
    • Daniel 2:20-21
    • John 19:10-11
    • Romans 13:1-2
    • Philippians 3:20-21 – Our citizenship is in heaven.
  • Jeremiah 29:4-7 - Jeremiah’s council is good for us to follow today.
  • The Sadducees and Herodians now make their attempt to discredit Jesus.
    • Luke 20:27-38
    • Life in the coming age is different than the life that now is!
      • Marriage is not part of the age to come.
      • Our life will be spiritual life, not life in the flesh.
      • We do not know what heaven will be like.
      • It is not legitimate to project earthly considerations into the spiritual life.
    • On His point about the resurrection, Jesus is very clear!
      • The dead are raised!
      • There is no doubt or question about it!
      • Death is not the end of our existence.
      • Jesus uses the words of Moses.
    • But this is not the end of the scene
      • Luke 20:41-44
      • How can the Christ be David’s son when David calls Him Lord?
      • Who is this Jesus?
      • The implication of this teaching is clear. The Messiah must be God!
  • Jesus has an answer for whatever is holding us back.

For further study, see also:

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

Classes - Benchley church of Christ

JS

April 16, 2014

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  • Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16
    • Psalm (Strong’s G5568) – striking or plucking; a song of praise
      • psalmos – “primarily denoting a striking or twitching with the fingers” (Vine’s)
      • Luke 20:42; I Corinthians 14:26
    • Hymn (Strong’s G5215) – denotes a “song of praise addressed to God” (Vine’s)
    • Spiritual songs (Strong’s G4152, G5603)
      • Spiritual (G4152)
        • pneumatikos – spiritual
        • I Corinthians 3:1
      • Song (G5603)
        • ode (oh-day) – “an ode, song” (Vine’s)
    • The emphasis in these verses is on behavior and disposition during worship – not the detailed mechanics of musical worship.
    • Ephesians 5:18 – the contrast is between being drunk with wine and being filled with the spirit
    • When this type of worship is performed:
      • Acting in the name of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:20; Colossians 3:17)
      • Dissipation is displaced (Ephesians 5:18)
      • Thanks are given to God (Ephesians 5:20; Colossians 3:16)
      • Teaching and admonition (Colossians 3:16)
    • Teaching and admonishing in Psalms:
      • Psalm 60
      • Psalm 15 – Description of a citizen of Zion
      • Psalm 1 – Meditate on God’s law and abide by it
      • Psalm 50
      • Psalm 91 – Trust in my God

For further study, see also:

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

Sermons - Benchley church of Christ

JJ

April 13, 2014

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  • What “cross” are we to take up and bear?
  • The stake on which He died
    • Matthew 27:40
    • John 19:17
    • Luke 23:26
    • John 19:19
    • John 19:25
  • His death
    • Philippians 2:8
    • Colossians 1:20
    • Hebrews 12:2
  • The entire process of salvation
    • I Corinthians 1:17
    • I Corinthians 1:18
    • Galatians 5:11
    • Galatians 6:12
    • Galatians 6:14
    • Philippians 3:18
    • Colossians 2:14 – Nailing the law to the cross symbolically canceled it and made it of no effect.
  • Christ bore His own cross and each must bear his own cross to be saved.
    • Matthew 10:38
    • Luke 9:23
    • Luke 14:27
  • “What cross are we to take up and bear?” Let us look at Luke 9:23 again. If one comes to Jesus, he denies self, takes up his cross, and follows Jesus. Thus, one follows Jesus by denying self and following Jesus.

For further study, see also:

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

Sermons - Benchley church of Christ

DW

April 13, 2014

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  • Deuteronomy 8
  • Proverbs 30:7-9 – Give me neither poverty nor riches.
  • In times of need … trust in God.
    • Deuteronomy 8:2-6
    • Numbers 11:1-6
    • There is value in living through the lean times and learning to appreciate all the small blessings from God.
    • Philippians 4:10-13 – This is the attitude we want to have! We should be content in whatever state we are in.
    • Philippians 1:12-14
    • It’s in the dark days that we fall in love with the light.
  • In times of plenty … do not forget God.
    • Deuteronomy 8:10-14
    • II Chronicles 12:1; 26:16 – The danger of gaining power and pride.
    • Proverbs 16:18
    • I Timothy 6:17-19 – Do not be conceited.

For further study, see also:

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

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