Posts by Westside Church of Christ (Page 4)

Almost everywhere we turn today we are exposed to the idea that having is the key to happiness. After all, more and bigger are always better. A bigger and better house, car, computer, education, job, bank account, etc. – that’s what is needed for happiness. Christians should be thankful for and enjoy all of God’s blessings (1 Tim. 6:17-19). Life is a stewardship, a sacred trust, and we should manage all of God’s good gifts with love and wisdom (Luke…

His name is mentioned exactly one time in all of Scripture. Yet, we know the Holy Spirit saw fit for it be included in Holy Writ for nothing is included or excluded by accident. When listing obscure names in the Bible, even the best of Bible students might have overlooked the name, Manaen. The one time we read of this man in the Bible, this is what we read, “Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers,…

How’s your intake? Most believers are aware that Scripture admonishes us to, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly with all wisdom” (Colossians 3:16). We know Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). We must appreciate there’s a variety of rich ways to take in God’s word. When it comes to Bible intake – to internalizing God’s word and making it a part…

That the Son of God marveled is in itself a marvel! The Lord’s work in creation, salvation and providence ought to cause all humanity to marvel and be awe-struck! (Psalm 8; 19:1; Acts 14:17; Revelation 5:8-14). In a world that’s too easily “amazed” in some ways and not enough in others, there’s a place for restoring the biblical doctrine of amazement. The people of God must not suffer from blindness and “awe amnesia” when it comes to contemplating the wonders…

“Praise the Lord all nations! Extol him, all peoples! For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever, Praise the Lord!” (Psalm 117). Psalm 117 might be titled, “Pure Praise.” Consisting of only two verses, it is a tribute to the beauty of brevity, to the wise man’s general exhortation to “let your words be few” (Ecclesiastes 5:2). Although the shortest chapter not just in Psalms but in all of Scripture, it’s large…

One doesn’t have to say much to say a lot, and in no case is this more true than of God Himself! The apostle Paul suffered from a “thorn” in the flesh (2 Corinthians 12:7). Scripture does not tell us precisely what Paul’s “thorn” was; however it was something Paul repeatedly pleaded with God to remove (verse 8). The reserve used in God’s word can be just as beautiful sometimes as what the Bible reveals. By not telling us exactly…

“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:6-7). Anything one adds to Jesus and His gospel subtracts from their beauty, sufficiency and preeminence. In other words, adding to Jesus and the gospel is really bad math! That’s exactly what Paul is dealing with in the book of Colossians. One finds in Jesus “all the treasures…

If one is to be saved (forgiven of their sins and in possession of hope of going to heaven) one must be converted. Hear the words of Jesus, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven,” (Matthew 18:3). The word ‘converted’ means to change or to turn. The desire of God is for all men everywhere to be converted – that is to change…

The elders wish to thank Mike for a thoughtful, powerful and timely message Sunday morning on what we can do for our country. We 100% support the message for it was directly from God’s word, I Timothy 2:1-4. We also appreciate the spirit in which it was given. We challenge the congregation for the next four weeks leading up to the election, to be on our knees daily, praying specifically for our country and its leaders. And after the election…

We find ourselves in a season of polling and we can take them for what they are worth. There was a statistic heard recently to bring to your attention that seems to hit very close to the mark. In a recent poll it was stated that the average congregation of the Lord’s church is baptizing eight souls per year. Of those eight, the majority are young people being raised in Godly homes of members of the same congregation. That means…

We were made to crave relationships. We just seem to have in our DNA the desire to worship and the desire for community. What’s more – we all need people in our world who will help us along life’s way to better know, love and serve the true and living God. Some of those we encounter in life will be exceptionally close friends; others may just be someone we observed along the horizon at a critical moment. These individuals help…

Don’t we all enjoy relationships? We have so many different relationships, no matter who we are in this life. In Romans 12, Paul addresses various relationships and responsibilities of the individuals involved in each one. As you look through the chapter, here is a simple break-down for your study and consideration: 1. Relationship with God (12:1-2) 2. Relationship to the talents given to us individually by God (12:3-8) 3. Relationship with other Christians (12:9-16) 4. Relationship with Non-Christians (12:17-21) Give…