ScriptureStream

By Mark Watson

Just the gospel, plainly spoken. ScriptureStream compiles lessons presented at the Benchley church of Christ, located just north of Bryan, TX. Visit ScriptureStream.com for full notes on each lesson a... more

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How many episodes does ScriptureStream have?

The podcast currently has 3,278 episodes available.

ScriptureStream episodes:

August 12, 2026I Samuel, Part 2
I Samuel 3
I Samuel 3:8 - Why did it take Eli three times to realize this was a message from God? Eli had received word from God in the past. I Samuel 3:1 says that word of the Lord was rare in those days.
I Samuel 3:10 - Samuel slept every night near the ark of the covenant. Getting direct word from God was a big deal!
I Samuel 3:15 - Samuel was not given a fun message to deliver. This was legitimately scary for a young man. Eli had already been warned by God about the behavior of his sons, but we are not told Samuel was party to this. By giving this warning to Samuel to take to Eli, God was warning Samuel also. This may have also been a bit of a test for Samuel to see if he would be able to take bad news to people in high places. God would require this many more times in the future.
I Samuel 3:18 - To his credit, Eli accepted the judgment. However, Eli also did not act to repent and restrain his sons. We have examples in the Bible of God relenting from judgment He had planned to bring down on people because they acted swiftly to change their ways (Ninevah, for example).
I Samuel 4
I Samuel 4:3 - The Philistines assumed God was with Israel, but Israel did not consider this.
I Samuel 4:10 - Because Israel did not consult with God, they lost 4,000 men (I Samuel 4:2), then another 30,000 men.
I Samuel 4:4 - Hophni and Phineas thought God had to be with them if they had the ark of the covenant with them. This was a grace misunderstanding of how God works (not to mention a violation of God’s laws about the ark).
I Samuel 4:18 - As if the death of his sons was not enough, it seems to have been the capture of the ark that truly stunned Eli, resulting in his death.
...more
45min
August 09, 2026School is Around the Corner
Introduction
Ecclesiastes 12:1; 11:9-10
Challenge yourselv to be a good learner and thinker.
I Corinthians 14:20
Sometimes, learning isn’t so much about the subject itself but about learning how to learn and think.
Matthew 18:12
Matthew 21:28-32
Matthew 22:42
Jesus was always trying to get people to think.
Develop a good work ethic.
Nehemiah 1:1; 4:1, 6, 11, 17
Nehemiah 6:9, 15 - Enemies tried to trick and frighten Nehemiah, but he would not be deterred.
Get to work! Have a good attitude!
Colossians 3:23-24
Manage your time well.
Matthew 6:25, 33
Who is the most important?
Can you do your homework and your Bible lesson?
You may have to reduce school stuff to make room for God.
Be kind.
Ephesians 4:31
Acts 9:36; 10:32
Job 4:4
Younger people are looking up to you!
Even a small act of kindness goes a long way.
Learn humility.
I Corinthians 13:4-7
Proverbs 16:18
We compare ourselves with others in school, and that can lead to pride.
Romans 12:16
James 4:6
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
...more
25min
August 09, 2026The New Testament Church, Part 2
What does “church” mean? (continued)
The Bible’s use of “ekklesia”: universal spiritual group (continued)
Matthew 16:13-20 (Acts 2:36-41)
The term “universal church”
The word “catholic” means “universal.”
One single Savior ➡️ one, single group of saved people (church)
The Bible’s use of “ekklesia”: local spiritual group
I Corinthians 1:2
I Thessalonians 1:1
The Bible’s use of “ekklesia”: local church assembly
I Corinthians 14:4, 5, 12, 19, 23, 28, 33, 34, 35
I Corinthians 11:18, 22
The Bible’s use of “ekklesia”: Christians in certain regions
Acts 9:31
The difference between “church” and “churches”
Number
“church”
“churches”
There is only one (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:4).
There are many (Revelation 22:16; Romans 16:16).
Salvation
“church”
“churches”
Membership is equivalent to salvation (Ephesians 5:23-29; Hebrews 12:22-24; Matthew 16:13-20).
Members are not necessarily saved (I Corinthians 5), and the saved are not necessarily members (Acts 8:38-39; Revelation 1:9; III John 1:9-10).
Scope
“church”
“churches”
This refers to ALL the saved (Acts 2:47).
This refers to a limited group of (presumably) saved people functioning collectively in Divinely authorized work (Philippians 1:1).
Entrance and removal
“church”
“churches”
God decides (Acts 2:47; John 15:6).
People decide (Acts 9:26-28; I Corinthians 5:2, 7, 13).
Beginning and ending
“church”
“churches”
The church began when people were first saved by Christ (~33 A.D., Acts 2:36-47) and will never come to an end (Matthew 16:18; I Thessalonians 4:17).
They begin and end any time since Acts 2 (Acts 11:21-26; 15:41; 16:5; Revelation 2:5).
Oversight
“church”
“churches”
Jesus is the head of the church (Ephesians 1:22-23). There are no earthly leaders.
Elders are to be appointed in every church (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5).
Treasury
“church”
“churches”
There is none.
Churches collect and use money on a congregational level (I Corinthians 16:1-4; Philippians 4:15-16).
Work
“church”
“churches”
The word “church” in this sense simply refers to all saved people (Ephesians 5:23-29; Hebrews 12:22-24), but they are not a universally functioning entity.
Churches engage in lots of different actions and work.
Examples of the work of local churches:
Help needy saints in the local church (Acts 6:1-6)
Help needy saints in other churches (Romans 15:26)
Add/subtract members (Acts 9:26-28; I Corinthians 5:13)
Assembly to worship God and edify each other (I Corinthians 14:23-26)
Have overseers and deacons (Philippians 1:1)
Make decisions (I Corinthians 16:3)
Help sinners repent (Matthew 18:17)
Partake of the Lord’s Supper (I Corinthians 11:17-24)
Sing spiritual songs (I Corinthians 14:26)
Pray (I Corinthians 14:15)
Teach God’s word (I Corinthians 14:26)
Collect money (I Corinthians 16:2)
Sound forth the word (I Thessalonians 1:8)
Support preachers in other places (Philippians 4:15-16)
Romans 16:16 - This verse is sometimes cited as authority for collective action.
...more
41min
August 09, 2026Chiapas, Mexico Trip Report
Introduction
Acts 18:23
Acts 15:3
Acts 21:19-20
Disclaimers
Primarily my point of view
Generalizations
A unique situation
I may be slightly off on a few details, but the general observations hold true.
Pronunciation
Overview
Our work
A few names
4 key experiences
Churches visited
Based in San Cristobal
Thursday through Saturday, traveled to the Jahuaca region and stayed two nights as we visited churches in the area.
Each church told us who they wanted to speak.
Worship services were similar as you would expect, with tweaks to the order.
Larráinzar
Change in locations
Acts 17:16
Jady preached
Brooklyn taught the girls’ class
First taste of fellowship and hospitality with the Mexican brethren.
Acts 2:46
What God is doing in Chiapas
Experience #1: Sharing stories from the field
Sheily’s work in sharing the gospel
A heritage
One decision - to seek first the kingdom
Matthew 6:31-33
Dary changed jobs so he could have more time with his family and the evidence was obvious.
San Cristobal
First Sunday
Wednesday
Second Sunday
What God is doing in Chiapas
Experience #3: “I have two questions for you”
After the World Cup match ended, Dari came and said he had two questions for me.
Jesus’ prophecies in Luke 21
The gift of the Holy Spirit
One of the most fun Bible studies I’ve had.
Dari and I barely knew each other, but this is what he wanted to talk about.
GOD DID THAT.
San Julian
Our first rural church visit.
Comitán
What God is doing in Chiapas
Experience #2: I was sick, and you visited me
On our way to Comitán some started feeling sick.
Two bread bags and a roll of toilet paper
JESUS DID THAT.
Jahuaca
Francisco and Fermina hosted the Americans
They built a house to host visitors.
What God is doing in Chiapas
Experience #4: 10,000 years
As In Larráinzar, we sang after eating.
One of the last songs - Amazing Grace
Jahuaca - Gracias a Dios
Matthew 19:14
Notas y saludos
Romans 16:16
...more
40min
August 05, 2026I Samuel, Part 1
I Samuel 1
I Samuel 1:1-18
I Samuel 1:1 - I Chronicles seems to indicate that Samuel was a Levite.
I Samuel 1:6-8 - Favoritism is very destructive in a family! This also shows how God’s original plan for one man and one woman in marriage is the best.
I Samuel 1:19-28
Hannah had promised she would give the boy to Him and God granted her request. Hannah kept her promise! She also named her son Samuel, meaning “heard by God.”
I Samuel 2
I Samuel 2:1-11 - Hannah’s prayer
I Samuel 2:12-36
Eli was both a priest and a judge in Israel (I Samuel 4:18). Eli’s sons were also priests, but did evil.
Eli ended up raising Samuel and Samuel would later make the same mistake with his own sons in I Samuel 8, which is part of the reason Israel cried out for a king.
...more
42min
August 02, 2026Getting Started on the Right Foot
Introduction
Hebrews 13:1 - “Let love of the brethren continue”
Ephesians 4:3, 13-15
The right authority
Matthew 21:23 - They were not sincere, but this is a legitimate question.
I Corinthians 20:10-13
Isaiah 8:19-20
Commands
Matthew 28:18-20
Luke 17:7-10
I Corinthians 7:19
I Thessalonians 4:1-2, 11
II Thessalonians 3:4-6, 10-12
II Peter 2:21-3:2
I John 2:3-4; 3:22-24; 4:21-5:3
II John 1:4-6
Examples
John 15:12
Acts 20:35
I Corinthians 4:16; 10:6-11; 11:1
Philippians 3:17; 4:9
I Thessalonians 1:6
II Thessalonians 3:7-9
Hebrews 4:11
III John 1:9-11
Implications
Genesis 2:24 ➡️ Matthew 19:3-6
Exodus 3:6 ➡️ Mark 12:26-27
Psalms 16:10 ➡️ Acts 2:24-32
Psalms 110:1 ➡️ Matthew 22:41-46; Acts 2:33-36
Matthew 9:6 ➡️ Matthew 9:2
Acts 10:10-16 ➡️ Acts 10:28 - The gospel is for all.
Acts 16:9 ➡️ Acts 16:10
When we’re trying to understand God’s will on a particular matter, we take all of the information that’s available in the Bible (in whatever for it’s in) and bring it all into a harmonious conclusion - “So this is what God wants!”
Pitfalls we want to avoid
Let’s avoid appeals to human tradition
“But we’ve always done it this way.”
Matthew 15:1-9
II Thessalonians 2:15
Let’s avoid appeals to human authorities
“Well, ol’ brother so-and-so always said …”
Matthew 15:7-9
Acts 17:11
Instead of assuming, let’s ask sincere questions.
“What do you mean by that?” “Which verses teach that?”
John 7:24
Let’s love God and each other enough to eagerly get into the text!
Hebrews 13:1
...more
32min
August 02, 2026The New Testament Church, Part 1
Introduction
Christ is the head of His church.
Matthew 16:18
Acts 11:20-26
Acts 20:28
Ephesians 5:23-30
Let’s be precise and kind with our words.
Proverbs 15:1-4
“Legalist” - Romans 3:20; Matthew 15:9; II Thessalonians 1:8
“Anti-”
“Conservative” / “Liberal”
“Institutional” / “Non-institutional”
We’re not interested in trying to prove points based on tradition or bias.
John 12:48
We’re interested in Biblical truth.
It’s important to continually study this topic.
What does “church” mean?
The word “ekklesia”
Matthew 16:18
“the ‘called-out ones’ of God” (Mounce)
“properly, ‘a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place; an assembly’” (Thayer)
“a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both)” (Strong)
The word “group” is a good parallel to ekklesia.
The Bible’s use of “ekklesia”: secular group
Israel in wilderness - Acts 7:38
Riotous mob - Acts 19:32, 41
Legal court - Acts 19:39
The Bible’s use of “ekklesia”:
Singular: Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 4:4 (Ephesians 1:22-23)
Plural: Acts 15:41; Romans 16:16
The Bible’s use of “ekklesia”: universal spiritual group
Ephesians 5:23-29
Hebrews 12:18-24
Matthew 16:13-20
...more
45min
August 02, 2026The Work of Local Churches, Part 1
Introduction
Christ is the head of His church.
Matthew 16:18
Acts 11:20-26
Acts 20:28
Ephesians 5:23-30
Let’s be precise and kind with our words.
Proverbs 15:1-4
“Legalist” - Romans 3:20; Matthew 15:9; II Thessalonians 1:8
“Anti-”
“Conservative” / “Liberal”
“Institutional” / “Non-institutional”
We’re not interested in trying to prove points based on tradition or bias.
John 12:48
We’re interested in Biblical truth.
It’s important to continually study this topic.
What does “church” mean?
The word “ekklesia”
Matthew 16:18
“the ‘called-out ones’ of God” (Mounce)
“properly, ‘a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place; an assembly’” (Thayer)
“a calling out, i.e. (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both)” (Strong)
The word “group” is a good parallel to ekklesia.
The Bible’s use of “ekklesia”: secular group
Israel in wilderness - Acts 7:38
Riotous mob - Acts 19:32, 41
Legal court - Acts 19:39
The Bible’s use of “ekklesia”:
Singular: Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 4:4 (Ephesians 1:22-23)
Plural: Acts 15:41; Romans 16:16
The Bible’s use of “ekklesia”: universal spiritual group
Ephesians 5:23-29
Hebrews 12:18-24
Matthew 16:13-20
...more
45min
July 29, 2026Luke 24, Part 2
Luke 24, continued
Luke 24:13-35 - The road to Emmaus
” … Two of them …”
It is suspected that one of the two men was Luke himself, but we don’t know for sure.
Discussion with Jesus
Jesus’ sermon to them
Overnight stay
Back to Jerusalem
Luke 24:36-49 - Jesus appears again
To the entire group
Surprised beyond belief
Shows His wounds
Takes food
Reminds them: law, prophets, psalms
“You are witnesses”
Stay here
Luke 24:50-53
Jesus leads them to Bethany
Blessed disciples
Carried up into Heaven
They worshipped Him
Deuteronomy 6:13 - Jesus was deity!
Joyful return to Jerusalem
Continually praised God
Luke final words
Why four gospel accounts?
Why did Luke write it?
What were some of the differences?
What is unique about the book of Luke?
Matthew - Jesus the King
Mark - Jesus the servant
Written more for Gentiles; explains Jewish traditions.
Emphasis was on Jesus’ actions more than His words
John - Jesus the Son of God
Emphasis was on the deity of Christ. John 20:30-31
Luke
An “orderly” account, designed for a Gentile audience.
Theophilus was likely a Roman Gentile
Gives most complete record fo young Jesus.
...more
38min
July 26, 2026Obedience
Introduction
Romans 1:5; 16:26
Why do we obey God?
Because we love Him!
I John 4:7-11, 19-21; 5:1-3 - Loving God means loving our brethren and vice versa. Loving God also means obeying Him.
John 4:31-34; 8:28-29
John 14:29-31 - Jesus was submitting to crucifixion because of His love for the Father.
John 17:4
Because His laws are good for us.
Deuteronomy 6:24
Proverbs 6:27-35 - God’s marriage law points us away from trouble.
Proverbs 23:30-35 - Stay away from alcohol.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
These are the only laws you can follow without hesitation. They are for our good!
Because we want to be saved.
Ecclesiastes 12:14
Ecclesiastes 11:9
Hebrews 5:8
James 2:20-24 - Belief here clearly includes obedience.
James 1:26, 21, 25 - We must obey to be blessed.
Matthew 7:21
...more
27min

FAQs about ScriptureStream:

How many episodes does ScriptureStream have?

The podcast currently has 3,278 episodes available.