Settlement Road Church of Christ

Sermons: April 05, 2015 to June 28, 2015

 

June 28, 2015

The lesson for the week  is : "Grace and Faith"

Scripture: Romans 3:21-24

Guest Speaker: Elder Calvin Kidd

 

 

The grace of God is beyond what we can imagine. God's grace has  brought us thus far and will continue to see us through.

 

God's grace came in the form of Jesus Christ. As Gentiles, we were lost, but a way was made through Jesus Christ.

 

 

 

Related scriptures discussed were:

Romans 5:1-25

Ephesians 2:1-22

 

 

June 21, 2015

The lesson for the week  is : "The Will of God is to be Grateful"

Scripture: I Thessalonians 5:16-18

 

We are living in a world that has lost its' ability to say 'please' and 'thank you'. This is also a spiritual problem. Jesus cured ten men suffering from leprosy; yet only one returned to say 'thank you'. In the Old Testament, thanksgiving was a central part of praise and thanksgiving is found in the New Testament.

 

As Christians, we are to rejoice. We know that joy comes from within and is not based on circumstances outside of us. Joy comes from knowing Jesus. To pray without ceasing means that we always have a prayerful attitude. As Christians, we work to please God and not man.

 

As Christians, our faith will be tested when we go through stormy weather, trials and tribulations and when things get tough. But this is our oppotunity to get and stay close to God, because our blessing(s) are on the way. No matter what your current situation, as a Christian, we all have something to be thankful for.

 

 

Related scriptures discussed were:

Psalms 69:30-31

Psalms 100:5

Psalms 30:4-5

I Corinthians 14:16-17

 

 

June 14, 2015

The lesson for the week  is : "When Your Rope Runs Out" - Guest Speaker: Dr. Rodney Comer - New Harvest Church of Christ - Montgomery, AL

Scripture: II Kings 4:1-7

 

As a Christian, you are born in this world, but you are not of this world. However, you (the church) are not immune from trouble(s). As a Christian, you can be down, but not out; you are sustained by your faith in God and what He can do. God watches and knows everything at all times.

 

In the lesson text, the widow woman was in a terrible condition. She had lost her husband, had two young sons who did not work and had no means of support for her family. Her sons were about to be taken as slaves to pay off her debts. She was at the end of her rope. But in spite of her condition, she held on to her faith. She reminded Elisha that her husband was a man of God. Elisha asked her two questions:

1. What can I do for you?

2. What do you have in your house?

 

When you are at the end of your rope, look at what is in your house - your thoughts, your faith, your relationship with God. Faith in God is more than money in the bank. When waiting on God, you are waiting on the best you have ever had.

 

 

Related scriptures discussed were:

I Peter 5:7

Hebrews 4:15

Proverbs 15:3

II Corinthians 16:9

Matthew 6:33

 

 

June 7, 2015

The lesson for the week  is : "What You are Thinking - It Matters"

Scripture: Romans 12:1-3 & Matthew 14:31

 

Your thoughts play a serious part in your life. What thoughts you put in your mind dictate what will happen. When your thinking becomes contaminated, it interfers with what is God's will in your life.

 

God made you and has programmed you for victory; however, your thinking must be in line with God's word and it is up to you to keep the victory. You have to reprogram your mind to think on good thoughs and not dwell on negative thoughts.  Your emotions will respond to what you are thinking about. You have to let the past go and concentrate on God's future for you - let go and let God.

 

There will be times when you will face discouragement, even though you are doing God's will. But God will turn it around for your good. When you have the attitude of faith, God will show up and show out.

 

Related scriptures discussed were:

I Peter 5:7

Romans 8:28

Romans 8:31

Isaiah 54:17

Matthew 21:21

Matthew 14:22-31

 

 

 

May 31, 2015

The lesson for the week  is : "Hold My Mule" - Guest Speaker - Bro. Stan Tippins

Scripture: II Samuel 18:9

 

A mule is the offspring of a female horse and a male donkey.

 

There are many external and internal characteristics of a mule that are found in humans. A mule:

1. has a long face and big eyes

2. will kick out to the side

3. will step on your feet

4. will bite you

5. is very intelligent

6. is hard headed

7. is stronger than a horse

A person that owns a mule must learn how to or know how to control or hold his mule.

 

We all have a personal mule in us and it will mess us up if we do not hold our mule.

 

If we do not hold our mule, our heads will get out of place and we will do things that are wrong and try to take over the kingdom.

 

Like Absalom, we will get out of place and will test God to the farthest limits of His patience. How many times, like Absalom, have we been caught up and left hanging?

 

Related scriptures discussed were:

Romans 7:19

Romans 3:23

Proverbs 6:18

Proverbs 19:23

James 4:10-11

 

May 24, 2015

The lesson for the week  is : "Whatever You Need, God Got It"

Scripture: Ephesians 1:3

 

If you need a job, a husband, a wife, money, or the blood to continue to run warm in your veins, God got it. But you have to get in the church first.

 

Whatever you need is in Christ. If you are in Christ, stay there. You will have to endure tough times, backbiters, liars, people who don't like you. But trust in God and He will open His window of blessings. God will handle all the things that you can't handle.

 

God will do things in His time, so that you can learn something; therefore, you must learn to wait patiently.

 

God wants to hear from you. He is listening for you and He will set you up on solid ground. Talk to God before making a decision. Sing praises to God and He will show up to show out and people will see it.

 

When you trust in God, you will have everything you need.

 

 

Related scriptures discussed were:

Matthew 24:13

Psalms 34:8

I Peter 2:3

Psalms 46:1

Psalms 116:1-5

Psalms 40:1

Philippians 4:17-19

Acts 5:29

Luke 6:38

 

 

 

May 17, 2015

The lesson for the week  is : "Jesus Just Keeps on Hanging Around"

Scripture: I Corinthians 15:5-8

 

Jesus made a number of appearances after His resurrection. His post-resurrection ministry lasted 40 days. We would expect Jesus to return to heaven after completing His work on earth.

 

But Jesus hung around to:

1. restore a child of God

2. forgive those who denied Him

3. appear before His half brother, James

4. appear before the apostles and 500 brethen at once

 

Jesus goes to the one who needs Him the most; He is in the business of giving us a second chance.

 

Jesus has gone back to heaven, but He is still hanging around:

1. to forgive us of our sins

2. to give us the joy of salvation

3. to hear and answer our prayers

4. because He has taken away the sins of the world

 

Jesus wants us to remember what we have been taught. He will be with us until the end of the world.

As members of the body of Christ, we can conquer anything through Christ.

 

 

Related scriptures discussed were:

Acts 1:3

John 19:30

Luke 1:3

Luke 24:36

Mark 3:21

Acts 12:17

Acts, Chapter 1

Psalms 121:1

Luke 1:37

 

 

May 10, 2015

The lesson for the week  is : "The Devil is Lashing Out Against Your Family"

Scripture: I Peter 5:8

 

A family is defined as a social group composed of a husband and wife and their offspring. Satan's main goal is to destroy your family.

 

The definition of an adversary is an enemy; Satan is not your friend. Satan is a home wrecker; he seeks to deceive; he will frustrate; he will keep you from church. Satan will not be satisfied until everything in your family is turned upside down.

 

Your family cannot overcome or defeat Satan without God. Every family needs God. 

 

Children are a heritage of the Lord and parents have the responsibility to raise their children according to the bible; in the way of the Lord. You must keep children connected to the word of God. You must take time out with your children; otherwise you willl reap what you sow. 

 

 

 

Related scriptures discussed were:

Proverbs 22:28

Matthew 19:5-6

Psalms 127:3

Proverbs 22:6

 

May 3, 2015

The lesson for the week  is : "Encourage One Another" - Guest Speaker: Deacon Clement Gamble

Scripture: Romans 14:19

 

The definition of edify is to build up, to establish, to improve the mind. One of our responsibilities as Christians is to support, to cheer, to promote, to advance forward one another. We know that we must do what is needed to keep peace and harmony in the church. While there are those that do not have the knowledge of God, we must not abuse our liberty in Christ - that abuse might cause others to fall.

 

There are times when we will have to encourage ourselves and this can be accomplished in three steps:

1. stop

2. pause

3. go to God 

 

Related scriptures discussed were:

Romans 14:11-12

Romans 12:18

I Corinthians 8:9

II Corinthians 4:8-11

John 14 :1-6

Mark 10:29

Matthew 11:28

Romans 6:3-4

Romans 12:2

I Samuel 30:6

 

 

April 26, 2015

The lesson for the week  is : "What is Your Life?"

Scripture: James 4:14

 

We all have life, but what is life? Some people believe that life is a product of change; some believe that life is found in the blood that flows through the body; other people believe that life is found in the breath that the body creates. However, life can't be defined by human words. Even the graveyard is quiet on the subject of life.

 

We do know that life is a one way street. There will be no rapture as we are not coming back to this world. We know that all plans depend on the continuance of life. We know that life is more than a birth or death certificate.

 

Our life will only be together if we are a faithful member of God's kingdom. Life is a precious gift from God and He has plans for our life. Life is an influence - parents influence children; adults influnce other adults; mature Christians influence newly converted Christians. We must let our light shine while here on earth.

 

Related scriptures discussed were:

Hebrews 9:27

John 10:10

Job 1:21

Genesis 1:26

Romans 14:7

 

April 19, 2015

The lesson for the week  is : "Trust in the Lord"

Scripture: Proverbs 3:4-7

 

No matter what you are going throught, trust in the Lord. People will talk about you, your parents, your children and laugh at you when you go through difficulties, but always trust in the Lord.

 

If you want a good reputation among men and good common sense, look toward God for wisdom or, as it is also called, understanding. Wisdom is defined as making a decision based on not only what will happen today, but also based on what will happen in the future after making that decision. However, you must have good common sense in addition to trusting God in making a decision. Know that God will never lead you astray. But remember, when praying to God, you must wait on an answer.

 

In everything you do, acknowledge God. As a Christian, you belong to God and everything you do represents Him. God has the right to direct your path. Make sure that when you make a decision, you have consulted God. Bad decisions can lead to a bad reputation. Don't be so sure of your own wisdom; you need wisdom that comes from above.

 

When you are trying to do the right thing, there will be people who will try to stop you. You must be strong enough to put God first in everything you do.

 

 

 

Related scriptures discussed were:

Matthew 6:33

Nehemiah 4:3

Hebrews 10:25

Nehemiah 6:1-3

Proverbs 1:24-26

Galatians 6:7, 9-10

 

 

April 12, 2015

The lesson for the week  is : "What If You Were on Your Dying Bed?"

Scripture: James 4:13-15

 

Most people when hearing the news of their impending death, will try to get things right with God.  They will love everyone and get closer to family and friends.  And while most people fear dying, everyone needs to be preparing for their death. Old people, middle age people, young people - everyone has to die.

 

As a Christian, a child of God, you will go through a lot of trouble here on earth.  So you need to get some wisdom to know how to deal with the troubles of life. But know this - if you can not do anything about it, leave it alone.

 

Living here on earth means that you are living on borrowed time from God and you must live "redeeming the time" - taking the opportunity to do good whenever you have the chance.  But regardless of what people say or do, you are a conqueror. Put God first in your life and in all things that you do - there will be no more crying as God will wipe away all tears.

 

 

 

Related scriptures discussed were:

Hebrews 9:27

Job 14:1

Ephesians 5:16

Matthew 24:13

Romans 8:36

Matthew 6:33

 

April 5, 2015

The lesson for the week  is : "Who Is Jesus?"

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-23

 

There are some questions asked that can be ignored or deemed not worthy of an answer. But there is one question that will determine your destiny - whether or not you will go to heaven or hell and that question is, 'Who is Jesus?'

 

There are one of four decisions that you can make about Jesus.

1.  He is a legend

2.  He is a liar

3.  He is a lunatic

4.  He is Lord

 

Who is Jesus? Here is brief description of the man called Jesus.

1. Jesus was a preacher - like John the Baptist, He brought the Good News to those willing to hear.

2. Jesus was a praying man - He taught His disciples to pray.

3. Jesus had a pathos (weeping) - He cried at the tomb of Lazarus.

4. Jesus is the Word, the thought of God.

5. Jesus was here before He was born in Bethlehem.

6. Jesus knew He had to go to Calvary - you can not have a great victory without suffering. That is why Christians must be willing to suffer for Christ on earth.

 

 

 

Related scriptures discussed were:

Jeremiah 9:1

John 1:1

Joshua 5:14

Exodus, Chapter 13

I Corinthians 10:1-4

Daniel, Chapter 3

II Samuel 23:3

John 3:7

Luke 19:5

John 3:14