Sermons – Eastside church of Christ

Gideon lived during a time when the Midianites oppressed the Israelites. The people cried out to God, and an angel called Gideon to deliver them. Gideon believed God had abandoned them, and that he was the last one who should be called upon to deliver the people. Yet he was persuaded to answer the call. Gideon was a hero of faith (Hebrews 11:32), but he was not a perfect man. His example can inspire us to do great things for the Lord, while also serving as a cautionary tale showing how easy it is for God’s people to sin and lose faith.

Throughout the New Testament, our efforts in the cause of Christ are likened to our involvement in a military conflict (cf. 1 Timothy 6:12; Ephesians 6:11). Jude also used this type of language in our text: “Contend earnestly for the faith.” What does this mean? How do we do this? And why is this necessary?

People talk a lot about developing good habits (eating, exercise, etc.). This can be incredibly helpful. It is also beneficial in our spiritual lives, helping us grow to spiritual maturity. To be effective, we need to be intentional about these habits and willing to put in the effort to develop them. These are also things that each of us can do but that no one can do for us. So we are going to consider some spiritual disciplines – regular practices that help our spiritual development.

Genesis 4 tells us about Cain and Abel – two brothers, the sons of Adam and Eve, and one killed the other. Abel is an example of one who faithfully obeyed God (Hebrews 11:4). Cain is an example of one who chose to do what was evil instead (1 John 3:12). But what should Cain have done? He could have chosen to do right, or make correction after his initial sin. There were several steps that led Cain away “from the presence of the Lord” (Genesis 4:16). How could this departure have been stopped? And what lessons can we learn from this today?

We have a regular practice in the assembly of taking up a collection on the first day of the week. From time to time, it is good to evaluate WHY we do this and HOW we are doing it. Is this still a practice that the church needs to be doing today? As individuals, are we giving in a way that pleases God?

God addressed the worship that was being offered to Him, saying, “Where is My honor?” (Malachi 1:6). They had not dishonored God by ceasing to worship Him, but they may as well have (Malachi 1:10). Instead, they were worshipping in a way that did not honor Him. We need to learn from their mistakes so we can offer worship to God that honors Him.

Some passages in the Bible repeat a phrase to emphasize a thought in order to help us remember it. Why is this necessary? We may hear something and understand it but immediately think of an excuse for not doing it, then dismiss it. Yet by repeating the instruction, it sends a signal that we really do need to take this seriously. In this lesson, we are going to notice a few examples of this in the New Testament.

James warned Christians about “friendship with the world.” He used very strong language, saying that one who “wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” Knowing this danger, it is vitally important that we know what this means. In this lesson, we are going to discuss what friendship with the world looks like, and what our relationship with the world ought to be.

God is great, and the creator of all things. Yet He still cares for us and gives strength to those who wait for Him.

Shortly before His crucifixion, Jesus spoke to His apostles and promised to send the Holy Spirit. He would “convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.” This would have a direct impact on the apostles’ teaching, and it should with ours as well.