Sooner East Church of Christ Sermons

Our 2023 Fall Gospel Meeting comes to a close as Timothy Fleming concludes our study on Calvinism by examining the final pillar in Calvin's doctrine of TULIP - the Perseverance of the Saints. Calvin proposes that those who have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit (i.e., those chosen by God) will never fall away from God. However, if this is true, then man has no responsibility to continue making righteous decisions because either God will forgive them regardless of what they do, or they were never saved in the first place. 

[1Jo 2:24-25 NKJV] 24 Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that He has promised us--eternal life.

This concludes our 2023 Fall Gospel Meeting on Calvinism. If you are curious about what God's Word really says about these doctrines, please reach out to Sooner East Church of Christ. We would love to study the Bible more closely with you and discuss the rich truth that it holds.

Download for best quality.

Timothy Fleming continues his series on Calvinism by exploring the fourth pillar of John Calvin's teachings, Irresistible Grace, represented by the acronym TULIP. This dangerous teaching flies in the face of sound doctrine that clearly describes how God's offering of salvation is placed upon all of mankind and that we all have the opportunity and responsibility to respond to His gift with our own genuine faith rather than being selected by Him individually - without anything done on our part to enter into a relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ. 

[Rom 1:16 NKJV] 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

Download for best quality.

In the third installment of Sooner's 2023 Fall Gospel Meeting, Timothy Fleming addresses John Calvin's third pillar of doctrine (represented by the acronym TULIP), known as "Limited Atonement." Calvinism posits that Jesus' sacrifice wasn't made for the whole world, but exclusively for those whom God had elected to be saved before time began. Therefore, Christ only served as a substitutionary sacrifice for a limited number of people whom God had ordained to be saved - not the whole world.

However, this is the complete opposite of what the Bible teaches about the nature of atonement for sins. Follow along as we gain a clearer picture of who God had in mind when His ultimate plan for mankind was fulfilled through Christ's death on the cross.

[Heb 2:9 KJV] 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

Download for best quality.

The second installment of Sooner's 2023 Fall Gospel Meeting addresses John Calvin's second pillar of his theological teachings, represented by the acronym TULIP. The doctrine of "Unconditional Election" claims that mankind lacks the ability or choice to accept salvation through Jesus Christ and that the elect are chosen by God alone before the foundation of the world, effectively removing the concept of free will. Yet, if this is true, doesn't this mean that God would have created only a select few to receive glory, and the rest of all mankind was created solely for the purpose of being sent to Hell? If so, what are we to do with verses such as 2 Peter 3:9?

[2Pe 3:9 NKJV] 9 The Lord is not slack concerning [His] promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Timothy Fleming helps the audience see what the Bible truly says about man's role in accepting the gift of salvation from God by carefully dismantling John Calvin's teachings through careful examination of God's word in part two of his series on Calvinism.

Download for best quality.

Guest speaker, Timothy Fleming, starts off our Fall 2023 Gospel Meeting by giving an overview of this week's topic, Calvinism. John Calvin's teachings have pervaded throughout many disciplines of Christianity over the centuries. Today, many churches do not even recognize that they still follow his doctrine in some form or fashion, leading many Christians with a confused understanding of their faith. 

Timothy helps us embark on an understanding of the dangers of this false doctrine by addressing Calvin's 5 pillars - represented by the acronym: TULIP. In this sermon, our speaker tackles the first pillar, known as "Total Depravity." Follow along in your Bibles as we gain a more clear picture of what Scripture has to say about the subject.

[Psa 89:14 KJV] 14 Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.

Download for best quality.

Elder Tony Springer presents part two of a multi-part series centered on distinguishing the baptism of the Holy Spirit in scripture. 

Download for best quality.

The concept of the Godhead has fascinated and perplexed believers for ages. In this lesson, Scott Blomgren explains how God the Father, the Christ - His Son, and the Holy Spirit are three in one, yet each exist with their own roles. This is an excellent resource for all who are interested in the nature and character of God.

Photo from browntrail.church.of.christ

Download for best quality.

Miles Chaney offers some thoughts about a concept that many of us encounter in our daily lives. Sometimes, people are overwhelmed by the vast amount of religions, denominations, and practices that characterize people's beliefs. Any number of reasons can cause people look for other forms of worship, or leave their faith entirely. How do we respond when their crisis of faith causes them to give up? 

Photo from dallasleasereturns.com

Download for best quality.

Joe Baker asks the audience to think about their prayer life. Do you take time to talk with your Creator? Looking at Jesus' example in Matthew Ch. 6 of the model prayer, Joe discusses what it means to develop a life that incorporates conversations with God on a frequent and genuine basis.

Download for best quality.

Photo by Jack Sharp on Unsplash

Deacon Loy Smith presents a lesson for the members at Sooner East about how we can prepare ourselves to be useful workers for the Master, ready to do His will in our church congregation and local community. Listeners are encouraged to bring enthusiasm and resolve to opportunities presented by the leadership here so that we can grow in righteousness, faith, love, and peace. While this lesson lends to the members here, it is equally beneficial for all audiences who are interested in presenting themselves as vessels of honor, prepared for every good work.

[2Ti 2:20-21 NKJV] 20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

Download for best quality.