Orangeburg (SC) Church of Christ Audio

The parents of John the Immerser, only identified in Luke 1, may often be overshadowed by their much more well known son.  Like the other families in this study, however, there is much we can learn from them about our walk with the Lord.  Zechariah (Zecharias) and Elizabeth especially teach us about continued faithfulness and persistence in prayer.

Teacher: Matt Burleson

The letters to the seven churches concluded, John is taken, in the Spirit, directly into the throne room of God, and there sees things that words really cannot describe (though John does his best).  Though we may look and try to identify the various symbols surrounding the throne of God, the most important points are: 1). that the throne is at the center of everything, 2). that God is still on that throne, and 3) that God is worthy of all praise. 

Teacher: Justin P. Sivley

God wants us to be confidence in our salvation.  He wants us to have the blessed assurance of an eternal home with Him.  We can find such assurance in the Bible, and one place where it can be found is in Romans 8.  This chapter, beloved by so many, speaks of our Acquittal in Christ, our Adoption as Heirs of God, and our Assistance in Him.

Speaker: Justin P. Sivley

1 Timothy 3 is often thought of in terms of what it says about the qualifications required for elders and deacons in the church.  It does certainly speak to that, but it was also in the immediate context that Paul speaks of one of the main themes of his letter, that one may know how they ought to conduct themselves in the church.  Though we acknowledge that the qualifications listed in 1 Timothy are required for elders and deacons, they also point to things that all Christians should be striving for, especially in terms of holiness, leadership, and maturity.

Speaker: Justin P. Sivley

The family of the prophet Hosea is certainly one of the most unconventional families in the Bible. His marrying of an unfaithful woman was meant to serve as a metaphor of God’s relationship with Israel, and a call for their repentance of their spiritual infidelity.

Teacher: Allen Hutchison

The last three churches which Jesus addresses, like the other four, remind us that the challenges that were being faced by the church then are still challenges that face the church today.

Teacher: Justin P. Sivley

Paul urged Christians to pray for all people in 1 Timothy 2, but he especially urged them to pray for leaders.  Many are happy to pray for leaders that they like, but the command includes even those that we don’t necessarily like.  The reasons that we pray have nothing to do with agreeing or disagreeing with the leader, but of being able to please God and do what He has called us to do.

Speaker: Justin P. Sivley

The first letter from Paul to Timothy was written to show how Christians ought to conduct themselves (3:15). That includes how we conduct ourselves in prayer, not just praying for our own needs, but for others, and especially for those who are in positions of leadership.

Speaker: Justin P. Sivley

Not every family has positive lessons for us to learn.  Some families come from a place of sin, and rather than showing us what to do, they show us what not to do.  Even still, within the story of David and Bathsheba are reminders of God’s continued love and grace.

Teacher: Matt Burleson

This week we continue our discussion of the seven churches of Asia by finishing our discussion of Pegamum, and spending some time with the church in Thyatira as well.

Teacher: Justin P. Sivley