Posts by John Stephen Smith
Serve One Another
Scripture for today’s sermon: WORD STUDY Matthew 20:25-28 John 12:23-26 Galatians 5:1, 13 ULTIMATE FREEDOM IN SERVING ONE ANOTHER Galatians 5:13 Hebrews 10:4 John 8:32-36 SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING SERVING ONE ANOTHER Galatians 5:13 1 Peter 2:1-2 THE UNIVERSAL EXPRESSION SERVING ONE ANOTHER Galatians 5:13 1 John 3:16-18 1 Peter 3:15
Reset: Sharing Your Faith, Part 4 of 4
We Praise God to worship him, to be strengthened spiritually, and to make Him known! 1 Corinthians 14:26 – “What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation.” 1 Corinthians 14:24: “But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, as the secrets…
Admonish One Another
Scripture for today’s sermon: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 – 18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” 20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the…
Organization of Church of Christ
Lesson 4: The Catholic Church is famous for its worldwide hierarchy which peaks in the office of “Pope,” a seat fully unknown to Peter or any of the other apostles who walked with Jesus. Protestantism has generally erected a similar type of organization in which local congregations forfeit their scriptural autonomy to leaders with power over regions or the whole. Any church that follows the New Testament, however, will respect the pattern for organization and governing found in God’s will. When there were no denominations during the writing of the New Testament, every…
Reset: Worship, Part 3 of 4
The English word “worship” comes from the Anglo-Saxon word “worth-ship,” which refers to extolling the praises of God because he’s worthy of our praise! Why do we worship? He is A_____________________! 2 Samuel 22:4 – “I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and have been saved from my enemies.” Note: 1 Chronicles 16:25; Psalm 18:3; 48:1; 96:4; 145:3 Revelation 5:12 – “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength…
Undenominational Nature of the Church of Christ – “Is Christ divided?”
Lesson 3: In the first century, not a single denomination existed among Christians anywhere. There existed only the church that Jesus built, with her individual members assembled in local congregations. Denominationalism began to rise during the Protestant Reformation and today there are hundreds of major sects. Because this division is not authorized in the New Testament, it is not a proper state for Christ’s church. The church of Christ today endeavors to foster unity under no creed but the Bible…
Edify One Another
Scripture for today’s sermon: 1 Thessalonians 5:11 11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO EDIFY THE PRACTICES OF BUILDING UP ONE ANOTHER: Hebrews 10:24-25 OUR THREE RESPONSES TO THE SOURCE OF LIFE: “Let us draw near.” “Let us hold fast.” “Let us keep gathering together.”
Reset: Prayer, Part 2 of 4
Steps to reset your life in the Word: 1. Find a A________________ to get into the Word – and be consistent. Make it an appointment you’ll keep and guard jealously. 2. Find a B_________________, or several places, where you can get alone and stay focused. 3. Eliminate C___________________. Spend twenty to thirty focused minutes alone with God letting his word speak into your life. 4. Take D____________________. Keep a journal and write down insights. 5. Start and end with E_________________________.…
Recognition of Bible Authority
Lesson 2: The authority of God in men’s lives has always been an important principle, but one just as often neglected or ignored. Bible authority for the church and its individual members is established on the pages of the New Testament, but many important lessons can be gleaned from an examination of the Old Testament as well. Bible Authority in the Old Testament A classic lesson is learned from God’s command to Noah to build the ark. The Lord specified…
Live In Harmony with One Another
Scripture for today’s sermon: 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.[a] Never be wise in your own sight. – Romans 12:16 – BACKGROUND FOR ROMANS Acts 2 THE CHURCH IN NEED OF HARMONY Romans 12:16, 18 Romans 3:23 Romans 4:23–25 Romans 5:12–21 Romans 6:1 THE CHURCH LIVING IN HARMONY Romans 12:1 Rom 14:17–18 Rom 8:1–11