Doing the things that Jesus did is a noble, worthwhile, and holy goal. But actions, thought, and feelings are all intertwined. If we want to truly be “like Christ” we surely need to not only change our actions and feelings, but also our thoughts. What did Jesus think? How did he think? How can we know? And how can we mold our own thought patterns into the “image of the Son”?
(This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on December 4, 2016.)
These past 8 month have been some of the wildest, most aggressive, and most heated in my memory, and things will not suddenly die down on Wednesday. Ultimately, we must ask: how does God expect me to live out my faith in tumultuous times such as these, and what should be my attitude toward my government and those who may be politically different than myself? Does God even care?
(Sorry this one got a little echo-y. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on November 6, 2016.)
If anyone had cause to boast, it was John the Baptist, a person foretold in prophecy, born miraculously, and the baptizer of Jesus himself. Yet, it was he who uttered the phrase that should be adopted by every disciple: “He must increase, and I must decrease.” What does this phrase mean, and how can it become effective in our own lives?
(Preaching through the Gospel of John. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on August 14, 2016.)
Social media has permeated every area of our lives. As it becomes a bigger part of the American experience, the question is apt: does God’s word have any guidance for us as we engage with this technology? And does it even matter?
(This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on April 17, 2016. For more interesting reading, see the current findings from the Pew Research Center.)
Why do we pick and choose from scripture? How much of what God says about salvation does He intend to be relevant to you and me? Why not just accept it all? Part 2 in a series on salvation.
(Series on Salvation. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on October 12, 2014.)
Is all worship acceptable to God? How can we know? Does it even matter?
(This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on August 31, 2014.)
I’ll begin with this: I am not a parent.
But I have been (still am) a child, and I hope to be a parent someday. As a former (current) child, and hopeful future parent, there is a discussion that I think we need to have in the Church.
I’ve been asked, recently and repeatedly, what can we do to get young people in the Church? It is a good and important question, the answer to which is both varied and complex. But there is one very easy way to get young people to attend Bible class, worship, and activities.
Make them.
Now, of course, only the parents of said young people can do this, and really, not only could parents do this, they should do this. At a preacher’s meeting, attended by 8 or 9 preachers ranging from the very experienced to the young and new, the question was raised: are young people and their parents taking elderships hostage? That is, they tell the elders of the Church that they will leave if the Church doesn’t provide this activity, or make worship more entertaining, or provide this fun thing for their children. When elderships can’t or won’t comply, the young families leave. It would be one thing if they left and went to another New Testament Church, but these families often leave and go to a denomination, or cease going anywhere. These older preachers have seen it time and time again.
What is that about? As parents, is the happiness or pleasure of their kids more important than their salvation? Would they rather their kids have fun than worship God? Can they not make their kids attend worship, even if they don’t think it is “fun?”
There are so many facets to this discussion, and I can’t hope to address them all here. The most common response to this that I have heard is that if the parents force their kids to assemble with the saints, their kids will grow up to hate the Church. But that is ridiculous. Parents make kids do things they don’t like all the time. All the time. Eat your vegetables, go to bed at a reasonable hour, do your homework. These are things that kids and teenagers don’t want to do, but should and need to do. And guess what, at a certain point the kids and teenagers realize the necessity of such things, and even find enjoyment in such things. I didn’t want to eat broccoli as a child, but now I like broccoli. Sure, maybe your kids think worship is boring, but so what? Is it important? Is it necessary? Is it valuable? Are you the parent or not?
Can worship and Bible class be boring? Sure, I guess. But the failures of the Bible class teacher should not prevent you from studying the Bible with your fellow Christians. The lack of enthusiasm in the worship should not prevent you from giving your best to God. Maybe these are opportunities for you, as a parent, to set an example for your children about what is important. An opportunity for you to demonstrate that it is the job of each individual Christian to make these things better.
How many times do parents warp their schedules to make sure their kids can attend sports practice, or theater, or activities of various sorts? And yet we can’t make sure they are at worship? Even on a Wednesday, is football practice more important than studying the Bible with your fellow Christians? Than submitting to the eldership that watches out for your soul in part by providing assembled worship opportunities? We want so much for our kids to be involved in all sorts of activities, but we don’t want them to learn about God?
I don’t thank my parents often enough for the way they raised me. Growing up, worship was not optional. I could not get out of it, no matter how much I complained or argued. It wasn’t that I couldn’t do things or have fun; I was allowed to involve myself in any activity I wanted, like soccer or football or academic clubs, with the understanding that when the doors of the Church were open, I would be there. Again, this was not optional. For as long as they were paying for my food, clothing, shelter, etc., they expected me to be at Church. If I wasn’t, then there were consequences. Simple. Like any other thing parents train their kids to do. I know for a fact that my wife’s parents took the same approach.
And guess what? We don’t hate the Church. This, like brushing our teeth and eating our vegetables, grew into an understanding of why it was necessary. It taught us the importance of putting God first. It taught us an important Biblical principle, that I wouldn’t come to understand until I grew up enough:
For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10
Watts in the Word 