Southport church of Christ Podcast

Series: N/A

Service: Sunday Morning Worship

Type: Minister Sermon

Speaker: Philip Strong

Matt.5:20, "For I say to you, that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven."  Attaining the eternal reward of heaven is not a competition, and Jesus is not suggesting that we merely have to "beat" or "finished ahead of" someone else.  However, 1Cor.10:6,11 both emphasize that the past failures of others can and should serve as cautionary illustrations and examples to help steer us clear of their sinful disobedience.  So, what were the Pharisees really like, and how can we avoid their abysmal attitudes and actions?  Perhaps a look at Matt.23 will help show us how to not only do but be better...

Series: N/A

Service: Sunday Morning Worship

Type: Minister Sermon

Speaker: Philip Strong

As vitally important as Jesus’ resurrection was/is, unless the preaching of the gospel is believed- in all that the word implies, man’s greatest need of “forgiveness of sins” is left unmet… and is such case, Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection is wasted!  New dresses or suits, bunnies and chicks, baskets and colored eggs, family brunches or lunches, and once a year celebrations don’t appropriate the resurrection of Jesus into our salvation from sin.   We must follow Jesus into His death, burial, and resurrection to a new life in Him.  This lesson journeys through Romans 6:1-14 to manifest "our part" (aka "faith") of this transformation.

Series: N/A

Service: Sunday Morning Worship

Type: Minister Sermon

Speaker: Philip Strong

We previously considered Jesus as the Chief-Cornerstone and the Apostles and Prophets as the Foundation from Eph.2:19-20 (Lesson #1); and we've noted that for some, He instead became a "stone of stumbling and a rock of offence" from 1Pet.2:6-9 (Lesson #2).  But in this lesson we return to Eph.2:21-22 and consider what's involved in and required for one to become part of God's household or building.

Series: N/A

Service: Sunday Morning Worship

Type: Member Sermon

Speaker: Kevin Bray

Series: N/A

Service: Sunday Morning Worship

Type: Minister Sermon

Speaker: Philip Strong

"Free Moral Agency" is a term composed of man's words used to describe God's endowment (which is not thus described by inspiration).  Nonetheless, the principle, concept, or condition is a theme that runs from "cover to cover" throughout the Bible.  From "The Fall" of Eve and Adam onward, virtually every page of the sacred text is filled with examples of man's "free moral agency."  So, this lesson endeavors to help us more clearly understand it through the asking and answering of pertinent questions.  "What is it?" "Why did God create man with this 'free moral agency'?" And, "What's the point of all of this?"

Series: N/A

Service: Sunday Morning Worship

Type: Minister Sermon

Speaker: Philip Strong

In the last several years, fragility, weakness, and “having issues” have become seemingly commonplace-  perhaps even “fashionable.”  So much so that it is now somewhat rare for one to be healthy, strong, and well-balanced physically and mentally.  Though the rate of increase has considerably slowed for population, it has dramatically exploded for ailments, illnesses, sensitivities, and “mental health issues.”  Whether this is simply a product of better diagnostics for previously undetected or unreported problems, or we are or think we are (Hypochondria) just sicker, is not really relevant to our purposes and points of consideration in this lesson.  However, our motivations, attitudes and subsequent activities related to these maladies (whether real or imagined) are worthy of attention...

Series: N/A

Service: Sunday Morning Worship

Type: Minister Sermon

Speaker: Philip Strong

Two questions are paramount to the course and direction of our physical lives and our spiritual destinies: 1) Do you believe God exists? and, 2) What is your "perspective" of Him?  The first certainly starts us on the right track, but the latter, subsequent one determines whether or not we "rerailed" along the way.  If our "perspective" of God (His nature) is one-sided and incomplete, diaster results, even for those who "believe in" His existence.  This lesson shows not only how, but why  from Rom.2:4ff.

Series: N/A

Service: Sunday Morning Worship

Type: Minister Sermon

Speaker: Philip Strong

This is the first of a year-long series that will be presented on the first Sunday of each month, "Building a Good Foundation." In the previous lesson, Jesus Christ wass presented as the Chief Cornestone upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets in God's building from Eph.2:11-22.  This time, Jesus- though a choice and precious cornerstone, is manifested "a stone of stumbling" and "a rock of offense" from 1Pet.2:6-8.  A parallel is also drawn between the reasons then and now as to why this is so.

Series: N/A

Service: Sunday Morning Worship

Type: Minister Sermon

Speaker: Philip Strong

“That’s the ‘gospel’ truth!” was once a phrase utilized to emphasize the validity of what was just said… often by people mostly unfamiliar with the concepts of either “truth” or "the gospel”!  It’s one of those words that everyone knows and uses, but may not really be able to specifically define.  So, let’s consider exactly what “the gospel” is, and perhaps a little of what it isn’t as well!

Series: N/A

Service: Sunday Morning Worship

Type: Minister Sermon

Speaker: Philip Strong

The modern model for "evangelism" often takes one of two forms: 1) meet the "felt needs" (which are typically physical) of the object in order to 'earn the right' to address spiritual needs; or, 2) do everything you can to first "build relationships" with those whom you propose to teach.  Is this really the way John, Jesus, and other NT evangelists practiced "evangelism"?  This lesson examines some commonly held assumptions and models in light of what the Text actually says.