A reason that people sometimes give for their lack of commitment to the Lord is that ‘it is impossible to know what the early Christians believed.’
This is a good question that begs to be answered! Is it possible to know for certain that the way you worship is correct and right in the eyes of God?
We can look to the Apostle Paul for guidance. He was a man of certainty. He wrote the following to the young evangelist:
“…I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.” (2 Tim 1:12, NKJV)
Are you certain in your faith? Shahe Gergian teaches that it is possible to be absolutely confident in your Christian walk.
We live in a world that is refusing to retain God in its rush to worldly wisdom. This, of course, is not novel but is as old a story as mankind itself.
We need to ask ourselves (as Christians) whether we are being transformed by God into saints or being conformed by the world into rebels. Shahe Gergian uses Romans chapter 1 as a springboard to discuss 21st century morality:
“And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving,unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.” Romans 1:28-32
There is a humorous (or not so funny) T-shirt that reads: “It’s only a gambling problem if you are losing!”
Is that ungodly sentiment true? Gambling has reached epidemic proportions in the United States. More money is spent on gambling than movies, video games, amusement parks, and spectator sports combined! (91 Billion/year)
Whether it is the office pool, the lottery, or Las Vegas casinos the servant of the Lord is going to have to take a stand on this issue. Where do you stand? Shahe Gergian instructs us from the word of God in this timely article called “Rolling the Dice.“
The censer of Aaron
In the book of Numbers we read the thrilling story of how Aaron stood with a burning censer to stop the plague of the wrath of the Lord:
So Moses said to Aaron, “Take a censer and put fire in it from the altar, put incense on it, and take it quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them; for wrath has gone out from the LORD. The plague has begun.” 47 Then Aaron took it as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the assembly; and already the plague had begun among the people. So he put in the incense and made atonement for the people. 48 And he stood between the dead and the living; so the plague was stopped. Numbers 16:46-48 (NKJV)
Jerry Dickinson uses this story to point out some things (and some individuals) in the modern world that stand between the dead and the living. Are you one of those who is standing in the midst of a sinful people? May God bless us to do His will.
Evangelist Jerry Dickinson
After a successful meeting at Rice Road Church of Christ from January 27th-31st, we make available to you these wonderful sermons presented by evangelist Jerry Dickinson. If you have a love for the scripture and enjoy being stirred up by gospel preaching, your time will be well spent by listening to these lessons!
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Put down your waterpot before Jesus
The story of the Samaritan woman who left her waterpot to go tell others about the Messiah is considered one of the most gripping and fascinating in the New Testament.
Allow evangelist Jerry Dickinson to thrill you with his riveting retelling of this epic encounter at Jacob’s well. We hope you enjoy.
The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” (John 4:28-29, NKJV)
The feast of Belshazzar, Rembrandt, 1635
The Bible is a literary miracle that we too often ignore, overlook, and disregard in our everyday life. Skeptics assail the Bible, but their efforts are as fruitless as throwing a handful of water against the light of the blazing sun.
In this recent sermon, evangelist Clint Defrance teaches that the Bible is not the book of the week, not the book of the year, but the book of the ages.
Psalm 119:89 Forever O Lord, Your Word is settled in heaven.
Are you confused about the ‘kingdom’ that Christ came to establish on the earth? Have you been taught that this kingdom has not yet come and is still in the future? If so, please listen to a three part series about Christ’s kingdom in prophecy, at hand, and with power. Evangelist Shahe Gergian skillfully expounds the scripture and brings great clarity to this subject. God bless you as you study His will.
The expression ‘know your enemy’ is attributed to the 6th century BC Chinese author Sun Tzu. This aphorism was intended for the carnal but applies even more readily to the spiritual realm. The Christian must make it his or her occupation to know the tactics of Satan, the great enemy of truth. In this sermon Clint addresses three areas that Satan uses to great effect to destroy the elect: 1) Materialism 2) Sports (athletics) and 3) Popular media. We hope you listen with a warrior’s heart.
“…lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.” 2nd Corinthians 2:11 (NKJV)
Did you know that some denominations teach that our tears will follow us into heaven? Sorrows and sadness we will not escape, but instead pain and anguish will plague our souls in eternity.
Evangelist Clint Defrance addresses this heresy in a recent sermon entitled ‘Tears in Heaven’. We hope you enjoy.
Winter brings with it shorter days, colder temperatures, and the holiday season. The unavoidable Christmas festivities present a yearly challenge to the Christian: should the disciple of Christ engage in seasonal celebrations? Is Jesus’ birth the reason for the season? Or should Christians oppose Christmas and use the opportunity to talk with friends about scripture and God’s will?
These issues are dealt with in the following article which is not meant to offend or insult, but rather to question a syncretic ‘religious’ observance which has been created from ancient pagan sources. Please read with an open heart which is inclined to the Lord. May God bless you.
The Judas Tree
Judas Iscariot was quite the admirable disciple of Christ. He had the right reputation, the right association, and the right profession (as a gospel preacher). He was a saved person! Yet, despite these marvelous advantages he fell from the Lord and became the prototype of apostasy.
Evangelist Clint Defrance addresses this tragic man and challenges us to take to heart the dire lessons from his life.
Committed to you?
In John Chapter 2 we find somewhat enigmatic scripture:
“Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.” John 2:23-25
Clint expounds on the idea found in this scripture, that Jesus does not commit to all ‘religious’ people. Are you a deceived psuedo-disciple of Christ?
For the remission of sins
There are many who would have you believe that God has selected a fixed number of the ‘elect’ to be saved. The remaining numbers of countless lost have no hope and are outside the grace of God. This horrible and disastrous man-made theology flies in the face of myriad of scriptures including:
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men…” (Titus 2:11)
God is “…not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)
Evangelist Clint Defrance addresses this devil-spawned doctrine in this recent sermon. We hope you enjoy!
"Test the spirits"
Did you know that in one place the Bible teaches Christians ”do not believe?”
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1)
Unbelief is a necessary attribute of every Christian. We must test all teachings to see whether they are found in God’s word. In this sermon evangelist Clint Defrance discusses how Christians are to be like metallurgists testing metals as we run an ‘assay’ on every doctrine that we hear.
Have you ever wondered about how the Bible was so marvelously crafted by God and how that it arrived in its current form? Perhaps skeptics have challenged you with questions about recent high profile ‘new’ gospels (such as the gospel of Thomas)? If so, this presentation by Mike Criswell will be very informative to you. We hope you find it a blessing.
After a successful meeting at the end of October at the Rice Road Church of Christ, we make these audio sermons available to you. We hope you enjoy Mike’s teaching.
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Interest in the occult is growing in the mainstream culture. People are searching for some cryptic message, some mysterious secret. Indeed the word ‘occult’ means hidden. Why are not the plain truths of the Bible sufficient for our souls?
And when they say to you, “Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter,” should not a people seek their God? Should they seek the dead on behalf of the living? To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
Isaiah 8:19-20
Evangelist Clint Defrance addresses this subject in a recent sermon at the Rice Road Church of Christ. We hope you enjoy this teaching.
There are those who wish to deny and refute Jesus’ teachings on divorce and remarriage by relegating them to the Mosaic Covenant. Those teachings (they say) do not apply to Christians and thus can be ignored.
Is this true? In today’s article Clint Defrance tackles this subject and the larger issue of how to determine when scripture applies to us as part of the body of Christ. We hope you enjoy this study of God’s word.
Is it appropriate for a Christian to drink ’socially’? Is it permissible for medical purposes?
Didn’t Jesus turn water into alcoholic wine at a wedding?
Evangelist Clint Defrance answers these questions and demonstrates that there are seven divine curses upon beverage alcohol. If you believe that it is lawful for a Christian to drink please listen to this sermon and carefully consider your position on this vital Biblical subject.
The Bible tells us in 1 Samuel 4 that after the ark was stolen by the Philistines the Israelites were faced with a tragic reality: the glory has departed.
Is this true of your life? Or is it true of the church that you attend? Evangelist Clint Defrance addresses this timely issue in his sermon “Goodbye to Glory”. We hope you enjoy it.
Is it appropriate to name your first-born ‘Dufus’ or ‘Lemon Jello’? Obviously, those parents who do such things are on the outside of normalcy looking in. Most people understand that naming a child calls for prudent consideration so that the young child will escape years of torment and harassment.
And yet, as evangelist Clint points out in this recent audio sermon, when it comes to religion, many people have no concern for the name of the church they attend. Even though the Lord has taken great care to name His church, some feel at liberty to dispense with the Divine naming prerogative. They append various man-made non-Biblical descriptors to their religious body and go about their business assuming that God will respect their disregard for His Word.
Please enjoy Clint’s sermon and consider the name of the church that hangs outside your building. Is it what God’s word specifies? Is what goes on inside your church what God commands in His will?
Thanks to the efforts of the Fossil Creek Church of Christ the sermons from the 2009 Texas Labor Day meeting are now available! The nine preachers include (from left to right): Clint Defrance, Stan Owens, Johnny Elmore, Jerry Dickinson, Kevin Presley, Ronny Wade, Billy Dickinson, Bruce Roebuck, and Doug Hawkins. We hope you enjoy the Bible preaching as much as we did!
Friday evening:
Clint Defrance (How Can A Man Be Born Again?)
Johnny Elmore (The Solution to Moral Pollution)
Saturday Evening:
Billy Dickinson (How to Cure a Spiritual Recession)
Doug Hawkins (What if Jesus Wrote a Letter to You?)
Jerry Dickinson (Maintaining Good Looks)
Sunday Evening:
Bruce Roebuck (Some Regrets of Life)
Kevin Presley (Some Issues That Must Be Settled)
Ronny Wade (Men Who Should Not Preach)
Tags: 2009 Labor Day Meeting
We are excited to present a new series of gospel sermons entitled ‘Questions of Eternal Consequence’ by evangelist Clint Defrance. The first sermon in the series concerns the most important question that any person can entertain during their life. In the gospel of John 3:4 the Lord is asked ‘How can a man be born again?’
Have you looked at your life and considered this query? Please listen to this study with an open heart to the Lord’s will for you.
Tags: baptism, born again, born again Christian, salvation
Do you have a yearning to worship God in spirit and truth (John 4:24) but at the same time you are confused about which church is the Lord’s church? Is it possible to find the 1st century church of scripture still alive and well in the 21st century?
The answer is yes! Evangelist Clint Defrance addresses this topical issue in a recent sermon and shows that from a human perspective this quest seems impossible but you can know the church that Jesus referred to as ‘My church’ (Matt 16:18).
Please come with an open and honest heart and devote yourself to God’s word. Let us study together to learn the will of our Father in regard to the body of Christ, the church.
Tags: Church of Christ
If you would like to read Johnny Elmore’s six part study on the church of Christ
please visit the Fossil Creek Church of Christ Website.
Tags: Architect of Church, church, church colleges, evangelism, God's eternal purpose, johnny elmore, missionary societies, Pattern
Editor’s note: Special thanks to the Fossil Creek Church of Christ for making this article available. You will find other great articles at their website, www.fossilcreek.org. I offer you this introduction by Randy Cantrell, an Elder from the Fossil Creek Church of Christ :
“We have had this article rolling around for sometime. We don’t know who wrote it, but clearly it was written by a religious person with some Bible perspective. To our knowledge it was not written by anyone from our brotherhood, but the information is valuable. Each year we hear of more marriages in the Church disrupted by the sinful behavior of a husband. I fear the Lord’s Church has many who practice this secret sin. It’s time we deal with it and invite members to seek the help they need to repent. Salvation is at stake. Purity of life can be recaptured. We must try. “
For your spiritual edification and listening pleasure we make available to you the sermons preached by evangelist Johnny Elmore at the Rice Road church of Christ gospel meeting held August 12-16th, 2009 (Columbia, Missouri):
Things I Would Change About the Gospel
Tags: johnny elmore
Most Christians agree that smoking is bad for the body but some would disagree that using tobacco is sinful. Many struggle daily with this awful and damaging vice.
Evangelist Clint Defrance addresses this very significant topic in an excerpt from his sermon on ‘Your body and You’.
If you are grappling with this sin please listen to what the Bible has to say on this subject. Should a Christian use Tobacco?
We live in an era when it is commonplace to see the church marquee outside many denominations adorned with the name of a female pastor. Indeed, modern egalitarian society finds it nearly impossible to believe that God would not allow women to assume the same role in the church as men. ‘If God calls a woman to be a preacher, elder, or church leader’, they say, ‘who are we to prevent her from achieving her purpose in the Lord?’
The question we need to ask, however, is ‘What does the Bible say?’ It is certain on the day of judgment that our cultural norms and customs will not be worth a penny when the books are opened and we are judged by what is written therein. Please consider Johnny Elmore’s wonderful article on this topic with an open heart. We are sure it will be useful spiritually to you.
May Women Teach the Bible in Public? by Johnny Elmore
And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.
Revelation 20:12
Preachers at the 4th of July Meeting 2009
The 4th of July Meeting in Springfield, Missouri this year was a great success and thanks to the efforts of the local brethren the gospel was preached to the lost, saints were edified, and the work of the Lord was done.
The above photo (which can be clicked to enlarge for more detail) shows some of the preachers who were in attendance at the meeting. We present just a few of the wonderful sermons given at the meeting for your listening pleasure and eternal good. For more of the sermons given at the meeting please visit the ‘Let The Bible Speak’ website. May God bless His work!
Brett Hickey “Are you Standing on the Promises or Sitting on the Premises?”
Bruce Roebuck “The Spirit of Christ”
Ronny Wade “The Power of One Man”
Don King “Born to Serve The Lord”
Dwayne Permenter “A Living Sacrifice (Following Jesus is Conditional)”
One of the many false theological systems that Christians must combat is known as ‘Calvinism’. It bears the somewhat intimidating name of the French reformer John Calvin because of his prominence in its development. Sadly, many people who consider themselves followers of Christ have imbibed its erroneous dogma and believe that God shows favoritism to certain ‘elect’ people.
If you would like to learn more about Calvin and his teachings of ‘predestination’ and ‘total depravity’ please read evangelist Glen Osburn’s series of articles about the doctrine. We trust it will help you to be more prepared to spread the pure word of God unadulterated by the doctrines of men.
Tags: Calvinism, Glenn Osburn, john calvin
‘The Possibility of Apostasy’ by C.R. Nichol is now available as a PDF book download. Brother Nichols lived from 1876 to 1971 and he was described as a captivating preacher who presented a large amount of scripture in each sermon. He was a renowned debater (60 debates by the age of 28). His impact in the churches of Christ is difficult to overestimate and it is said he baptized 30000 people in his lifetime. We trust that you will benefit from the excellent and thorough study of this difficult and controversial subject.
Keith and Anne Thompson
Keith and Anne Thomson are currently traveling around the United States to promote the work in Tanzania, Africa. Keith and Anne (a registered nurse) live in Western Australia and worship with the Armadale Church of Christ near Perth. They have recently been working with brethren in Arusha, Tanzania.
Allen Mkita
The church in Arusha was established when a young church of Christ preacher named Allen Mkita studied himself out of multiple cups on the communion table. He, his wife, and a small group of Christians began worshipping together and believed for a time they were the only Christians in the world who were worshipping scripturally. However, Allen discovered through the internet that there were like-minded disciples and was soon in contact with Tony Melton, Jerry Cutter, and Keith Thomson.
The first visit with these independent minded Tanzanian brethren was in March 2008. Allen and others organized more studies than the visiting preachers could manage. In just a short time the Lord has blessed the work in the Arusha area and several broken loaf and multiple cup congregations have taken a stand for the truth. Because of the conviction and dedication to the scripture of these African brethren, Keith is very enthusiastic about their work in the nation of Tanzania.
If you would be interested in having Keith and Anne visit your congregation in the three months they are visiting the states please contact them or brother Mike Criswell.
To hear Keith’s 4th of July sermon click here:
For other sermons by Keith, try these 2 links:
Three things every Christian needs to Grow
May God bless His work all across the world !
Tags: africa, Allen Mkita, Anne Thompson, Keith Thompson, Tanzania
We know that God is righteous and God is just. However, a troubling question to Christians (and unbelievers) is as follows: “Is God fair to let a man die and go to hell who has never even once heard the name of Jesus Christ or heard a gospel sermon?”
This question has been the subject of great debate since the inception of Christianity. The great author C.S. Lewis famously said: “We are not pronouncing all other religions to be totally false, but rather saying that in Christ whatever is true in all religions is consummated and perfected.” Kathryn Lindskoog wrote: “Lewis expressed hope that many true seekers like Akhenaton and Plato, who never had a chance to find Christ in this life, will find Him in the next one.”
Evangelist Clint Defrance addresses these questions and more in a wonderful audio sermon entitled “Jesus Christ, the Only Way“. 
