Sermon from January 03, 2010
Speaker: Glenn Record

 I.       Introduction

I.   Introduction
      A. Naming a child is something special for parents
      B. Joseph and Mary were not given the liberty to pick their firstborn son’s name. (Matt. 1:21-25)
           1. His name, “Jesus,” was to have a special meaning
           2. He would also be called by another special name
      C. Jesus was known by many names
           1. As with Isaiah 7:14, He was known by such descriptive names –even before He was born.
           2. Each of these names is revealing, and quite accurate.
II.  The Old Testament foretold what He would be called (Isaiah 9:6)
       A. There are hints of what He would be called in different places
             1. Psalms (110:1; 16:10); Zechariah (6:12); Daniel (7:13); Isaiah (7:14; 52:13)
       B. No place has more descriptive names than Isaiah 9:6
            1. They point to One Who would be nothing less than divine in nature
            2. The speak volumes about that which He will be capable of doing.
            3. They testify to what He will accomplish.
III. The story of His life shows these names are completely fitting.
        A. His life bore out the bold claims made of Him beforehand.
             1. Wonderful Counselor (1 Peter 1:12; John 1:18; 5:19,20; John 14:6)
             2. Mighty God (Mark 4:39; Matt. 14:25, ff; John 11:43,44)
             3. Everlasting Father (Acts 3:15; John 1:12; 5:21)
             4. Prince of Peace (Eph. 2:14-16)
        B. The ways in which Jesus was addressed by those He encountered coincides with these names.
              1. John 1:29; 1:49; 20:16; 20:28
IV. The ability to call Him by some names, however, is restricted.
        A. Every tongue will confess His name (Phil. 2:9-11)
        B. Jesus tells us some names for Him require participation, involvement on our part
             1. He can be called “Friend” – only if we do what He commands of us (John 15:14)
             2. He can be called “Lord” – if we obey Him (Luke 6:46; Matthew 7:21,23)
             3. His names are relationship names that imply our involvement in that relationship.
                  a. “Counselor” implies someone is “advised”
                  b. “Savior” implies someone is “saved”
                  c. “King” implies someone is “subject”
                  d. “Father” implies someone is “child”
V.   What Do You Call Him? 
        A. What title does your life bestow upon Him?
              1. Do you call Him “Savior?” – Has He saved you from sin?
              2. Do you call Him “Friend,” “Lord”?
              3. Do you call Him “Prince of Peace”?
              4. These are empty if our lives aren’t reflecting the relationship we claim.
         B. Calling upon Him requires entering into relationship with Him.
              1. You can begin a life of service, obedience by believing and obeying His gospel.
              2. Are you prepared to begin, or renew that relationship today?

December 20, 2009

Glenn Record

Sermon from December 13, 2009
Speaker: Glenn Record

Bringing Children To Jesus

Matthew 19:13-15

I. Jesus and Children

A. Jesus was extremely busy during the time of His ministry.

1. Jesus was truly pressed for time, dealing with real needs, the essential kingdom business.

2. John 21:25

B. The disciples knew how valuable His time was.

1. Important people wanted His time (John 3:1, 4:46; Luke 7:3, 23:8)

2. They tried to screen out those they didn’t feel were quite so important

a. Mark 10:46, ff.

b. Matthew 19:13-15; Luke 18:15,16

C. Jesus took time for children.

1. He indicated their great value. (Matt. 18:1-6)

2. The Holy Spirit intended for us to be aware of the value of children to God.

3. Perhaps Jesus has this message for us about children:

a. Children are worthy of our time.

b. Children are blessed by coming to Jesus.

c. Children are to be valued by His body, the church

II. Bringing children to Jesus.

A. God places on the parents the obligation of teaching the children to know Him
(Deut. 6:6,7; Eph 6:4)

B. The church can – and should – participate in helping parents achieve that objective

1. In order to accomplish this, we utilize times of age-appropriate Bible study

2. This requires participation of its members to make this effective

III. Teaching in Bible classes is great service!

A. Service to the children

1. Instilling knowledge

2. Sharing faith, Heb 11:1

B. Service to parents

1. Adds reinforcing voice for Christian parents

2. For those not from Christian homes, teaching is a very effective tool of evangelism.

C. Service to the church

1. Exercising gift (Romans 12:6,7)

2. Being part of what God gives the church (Eph 4:11-13)

3. Helps bring up stronger, more Biblically grounded generation of Christians

D. Service to Christ

1. We allow children to “come to Jesus,” experience His teachings

2. “Whoever receives such a child in my name receives me.” (Matt. 18:5)

IV. Conclusion

A. We must value children no less than Jesus did.

1. They were a focus of His important work on earth.

2. As parents, we must value our own children enough to bring them to Christ.

3. As a church, we must value, make time for, the children who we can influence for Christ

B. We must mimic children, as Jesus commands us, in order to be in His kingdom.

December 13, 2009

Sermon from October 11, 2009
Speaker: Glenn Record

Marvelous Faith – Sermon Outline

Sermon from August 02, 2009
Speaker: Glenn Record

Sermon from April 26, 2009
Speaker: Glenn Record

I.     Introduction
       A.  Most of this lesson is from Brother Wayne Jackson’s Christian Courier site.
       B.  On at Least two occasions, Jesus talks about His disciples fasting. (Matthew 6:16-18; 9:14-15)
            1.  ”The abstaining from food and drink for spiritual reasons.”
            2.  It was required under the Law of Moses on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:31)
            3.  Jesus seems to imply that His disciples will fast.
       C.  Are we to fast?
            1.  It is not commanded that we fast in the New Testament.
            2.  Thus, it is a voluntary observance.
            3.  But it appears to be understood that there will be times when it will be fitting to do so.
            4.  When is it appropriate to fast?
II.    Biblical occasions of fasting
       A.  Fasting may be beneficial in times of sorrow.
            1.  II Samuel 1:12
            2.  Nehemiah 1:4
            3.  II Samuel 12:16
       B.  Fasting often accompanied an attitude of repentance.
            1.  I Samuel 7:6
            2.  Jonah 3:5
       C.  Fasting was observed as part of significant religious events.
            1.  Exodus 34:28
            2.  Matthew 4:2
            3.  Acts 13:3
            4.  II Corinthians 6:5; 11:27
III.   Warnings concerning fasting
       A.  Fasting does not make one holy in and of itself. (Colossians 2:23)
       B.  Jesus spoke against practicing fasting in order to appear righteous. (Matthew 6:16-18)
       C.  Fasting must not lead to self-righteousness. (Luke 18:9-14)
IV.    Benefits of voluntary fasting
       A.  God honors fasting when it reflects sincere dedication.
            1.  Ahab (I Kings 21:27-29)
            2.  Jesus says God sees and rewards (Matthew 6:18)
       B.  Medical benefits
       C.  Mental sharpness
       D.  Self-discipline
       E.  Appreciation
V.    Conclusion
       A.  There is a kind of fasting that God does require of us (Isaiah 58:3-8)
            1.  In speaking through Isaiah, God explained why Israel’s fasting went unnoticed. (3-4)
            2.  God tells them the kind of fasting that He would have them observe. (58:5-7)
                 a.  Fast from self (5)
                 b.  Fasting from wickedness, oppression (6)
                 c.  Fasting from self-indulgence, self-service (7)
            3.  Those who so fast will be truly blessed as a result. (8)
       B.  We must deny ourselves to follow Jesus (Luke 9:23)

Glenn Record
April 26, 2009

Sermon from April 19, 2009
Speaker: Glenn Record

Sermon outline is available here.

I.    Introduction
      A.  I’ve recently heard a number of unusual efforts to bring people into church services.
           1.  they are commonly efforts to relate to people whose lives are far from the church.
           2.  But unfortunately, their efforts seem to be overreaching into the world.
           3.  Those who defend such approaches argue they are being “relevant”.
           4.  Beyone the publicized stunts, some churches are compromising in order to attract.
      B.  Should the church become worldlier in order to win the world?
           1.  I’m all for reaching to the world.
           2.  But it seems to me that there are serious flaws with this approach.
      C.  Jesus asked the question: “What did you go out to see?” (Matthew 11:7,ff)
           1.  What would draw people to the wilderness?
           2.  What will attract people to Christ today?
           3.  What we use to attract people says a great deal – about them and us.
II.   Drawing worldly people in a worldly way results in a worldly church.
      A.  Worldly methods will not result in drawing people to Christ.
           1.  ”Bait ad switch” with the gospel
           2.  There is an absence of a call repentance (Luke 24:47)
           3.  Even if these strategies bring people to the services, some serious questions remain.
      B.  When the church compromises, it moves closer to the world, not to God.
           1.  God is holy. The world isn’t. (James 4:4,8)
           2.  Again, questions arise from what would result even if these efforts succeed.
III.  God didn’t send His messengers out to compromise.
      A.  God knows that some people simply will not listen, no matter how they are approached.
           1.  Naysayers will find fault no matter the approach (Matthew 11:16-19)
           2.  Some will not listen no matter who is doing the talking (Luke 16:29-31)
      B.  Only by proclaiming the word of God will we draw submissive people.
           1.  the word of the cross is foolishness to some (I Corinthians 1:18-23)
           2.  Those who want a different message will never be satisfied.
           3.  God chose preaching to be the means by which to bring people to the church. (I Corinthians 1:21)
      C.  Only when we call on the world to repent will those in it do so.
           1.  Jesus said John came in the “way of righteousness” (Matthew 21:32)
           2.  Sinners responded to the call to righteousness.
IV.  We must be relevant while remaining true to the message.
      A.  The New Testament message was proclaimed in a relevant way.
           1.  The preaching of the gospel was relevant (Acts 17:28)
           2.  The New Testament writers were relevant to their audience
           3.  These messages were always true to the gospel message
      B.  We must be relevant yet remain unspotted from the world. (James 1:27)
           1.  Jesus associated with sinners, but never condoned sin (John 8:11; Hebrews 4:15; Matthew 4:17)
           2.  Paul was all things to all people – but always in submission to Christ (I Corinthians 9:19-22)
      C.  We must be relevant while focusing on the truth.
V.   Conclusion
      A.  God is glorified when His method of reaching lost souls is employed
      B.  What have you come out to see?

Glenn Record
April 19, 2009

Sermon from April 12, 2009
Speaker: Glenn Record

Sermon outline is available here.

April 12, 2009
Glenn Record

Sermon from March 01, 2009
Speaker: Glenn Record

Sermon outline available here.

I.     Introduction
       A.  We are to be people who speak the truth
       B.  But speaking the truth involves more than just not lying.
           1.  There is a need to speak relevant, pertinent truth.
           2.  Suppose you notice your neighbor’s house on fire, with him in it.
               a.  There is a need to communicate truth to him.
               b.  There are a number of things that you could talk about that would be truthful.
               c.  But what kind of neighbor are you if you neglect to mention that their house is on fire?
       C.  Love compels us to speak the necessary truths – even if we must do so bluntly.
           1.  We are told to be “speaking the truth in love”
           2.  Are we talking around the central spiritual issues?
           3.  Let us consider how we are to speak truth to the world.
II.    It is easier to speak inoffensive truths
       A.  We can easily rationalize away the need to speak frankly.
       B.  As a result, we speak less directly to the central truth of the Gospel.
       C.  But this isn’t the model we see in Jesus, or in His apostles.
           1.  They spoke bluntly, plainly stating the condition people were in.
           2.  They stated plainly what those in that condition needed to do.
III.   Jesus and the apostles spoke bluntly.
       A.  Jesus told people what they needed to hear, not what they wanted to hear.
           1.  To the crowd searching for physical food (John 6:25-27)
           2.  To the Jewish leadership (Luke 11:37-54)
           3.  To Nicodemus (John 3:1-5)
       B.  Peter told the people what they needed to hear, even though it indicted them.
           1.  At Pentecost, in trials (Acts 2:336-40; 4:10-12)
           2.  To Simon (Acts 8:19-23)
       C.  Paul told Peter what he needed to hear (Gal 2:14)
       D.  What was their motivation?
           1.  Were they fault-finding? Judgmental? Argumentative?
           2.  No! They spoke out of love, true concern for those in danger.
IV.  We too must be lovingly blunt in speaking the truth of the Bible message.
       A.  There is a great need for us to speak the whole truth.
           1.  We must not heal the woulds of people lightly (Jer. 6:14)
           2.  We do no service to our God or our neighbor by softly speaking irrelevant facts.
           3.  People who are lost without knowledge of the truth need to hear it. (Acts 20:27)
       B.  We must consider what we say (Col. 4:5-6)
           1.  We should not be rude, contentious
           2.  Our approach needs to be contemplated wisely
           3.  Our words need to be seasoned with salt.
       C.  There is no guarantee that it will be well received
           1.  Jesus’ direct, blunt message to the crowd was not well-received (John 6:41-42, 52, 60)
           2.  When we speak His message, we either draw men or repel them.
           3.  But revealing truth is the only way to bring about the repentance that leads to life.
V.    Conclusion
       A.  ”Speaking the truth” implies active participation in the truth.
       B.  Is your house on fire?

Glenn Record
March 1, 2009

Sermon from December 21, 2008
Speaker: Glenn Record

Sermon outline available here.

The Child of Promise
Hebrews 11:17-19

Sermon audio available here.

Sermon from December 14, 2008
Speaker: Glenn Record

Sermon outline available here.

The Priest-King
Genesis 14:18-21

Sermon Audio available here.

Sermon from December 07, 2008
Speaker: Glenn Record

Sermon outline available here.

The Last Adam
I Corinthians 15:45

Sermon audio available here.

Sermon from November 23, 2008
Speaker: Glenn Record

Sermon Outline is available here.

What Was Jesus Thankful For?
Matthew 11:25-26; 15:35-36; John 11:41-42

Sermon Audio is available here.

Sermon outline is available here

The Beatitudes – Spiritually Driven to Follow Jesus

Sermon Outline from September 14, 2008

Audio from this sermon is available here

Sermon from: August 31, 2008

Speaker: Glenn Record

Summer Series Lesson From: June 18, 2008
Speaker: Alan Smith

Sermon From: April 27, 2008
Speaker: Glenn Record