Christian Living in the church of Christ:

Serve One Another

Introduction: Jesus and his apostles were traveling to Jerusalem, where he would ultimately offer his life on the cross. An opportunity arises for him to impart a much-needed lesson on service. Consider Matthew 20:25-28. Spiritual greatness is not determined by the number of people who serve us but rather by the amount of service we give. Shortly before his death, he taught another profound lesson on service in Matthew 25:34-40. When we serve others, we are, in essence, serving the Lord. While God's word informs us of many ways to serve one another, let us focus primarily on two: being hospitable and visiting each other.

   
Bobby Stafford
February 2025

A Christian’s Speech 

Introduction: I would imagine that if you asked the residents of almost any town whether they believe the Bible is indeed the word of God, most would say "yes." Yet, it is easy to see that their belief does not affect how they live daily. This is most evident in people's speech. Many believe there is nothing wrong with lying or taking God's name in vain, to name just a few examples. But what about the Christian? What should characterize his or her speech? It's to those questions in particular that we now turn our attention. 

Christian Living

Tongue

   
Bobby Stafford
February 2025

The Christian At Work

Introduction: Jesus prayed for the apostles in John 17:15 as follows: “I do not pray that you should take them out of the world, but that you should keep them from the evil one." We, as followers of Christ, must learn to live in the world without becoming like it. We are not to wear our Christianity only inside the church building and then take it off outside. This is particularly important in the workplace. How do we navigate the workplace without becoming like many of our co-workers? How do we let our light shine at work? It is to these questions that we now turn our attention.

   
Bobby Stafford
February 2025

A Living Sacrifice

Text: Romans 12: 1, 2

Romans chapter 12 is often referred to as “the Christian manual.” This chapter summarizes how a Christian is to live in this world. A pivotal verse (1-11) discusses the fundamental doctrines of the faith. Then, verses 12-16 focus on duties and applications based on those doctrines—“service.” Never forget that what we believe helps determine how we behave. For example, evolutionary teaching suggests no moral guidelines, equating animal behavior with human life that lacks value. Not only do we need to understand these doctrines in verses 1-11, but we must also allow them to change who we are and how we act. Knowledge by itself is not enough.

   
Bobby Stafford
February 2025

Conduct between slaves and masters

in Paul's letter to Timothy, he discusses the church's conduct concerning preachers, widows, elders, and now, in our text, slaves and masters. It has been estimated that there were 60 million slaves in the Roman Empire at the time of this letter was written. Some say the entire economy was built on slavery. Masters could legally do whatever they wanted with their slaves. They were considered merely property. It is in this background of the times that Paul writes about how Christian slaves are to conduct themselves.

Text: 1 Timothy 6: 1, 2

Bobby Stafford

A Good Servant

A servant of Jesus Christ submits to Jesus as Lord and spends their life serving him. Those who will hear the words “well done, good and faithful servant” on the day of judgment will be those who have been faithful in carrying out their duties, Matthew 25.

Sermon text:1 Timothy 4: 6-11

Bobby Stafford

Jesus Betrayed and Denied

Jesus and the apostles were in the garden of Gethsemane. Being in agony and deep distress, repetitions three times, the father that, if there is any way possible, remove this cup of suffering or death. The answer: there is no other way. So with strong determination, he forges ahead with God's plan for man's redemption. He tells his disciples,” Rise, let us be going. See, he who betrays me is at hand.”
To examine Judas betrayal and Peter's denial so as to help us never to betray or deny our savior.

Bobby Stafford

The Principle of Submission

Our society looks down upon any concept of “submission." Just by bringing up the subject, you would probably receive several dirty looks. Yet, it is a biblical subject addressed countless times throughout the sacred text.
Theme: examine the principle of submission as seen in the New Testament and determine how it applies to the woman's role question.

Bobby Stafford

The Vineyard Of The Lord
Isaiah 5

Vineyards were of great importance in biblical times period a song was written about vineyards during the days of Isaiah. It is recorded in the 5th chapter.  Verses one and two describes how everything possible had been done to the vineyard to make sure it would produce the best possible fruit. But it only produced wild grapes. Not only worthless, but noxious and offensive, possibly even poisonous.

Versus three and four.  Nothing more could have been done. Good soil, Carefully prepared, Good stock, Protected.

Versus 5 through 7. Now Isaiah reveals the identity of the vineyard and the one who planted it.  The vineyard was the House of Israel. God expected good grapes, ones that listened to his word and produced justice and righteousness, not aggression and a cry for help. He expected love but received indifference; Holiness but received impurity. God had bent over backward for them but those days were over period now he would remove all his protection and it would be laid waste. The rest of the chapter describes several woes that are pronounced upon the wicked among his people.

Bobby Stafford

The Unity Of Grace, Law, Works & Faith
In God's Word
Chapter 1

GRACE, LAW, WORKS AND FAITH are all constituent components of Christianity.  Each one of these plays a vital role in the restoration of fellowship between God and mankind. None of these may be excluded from the Christian walk and result in a believer’s eternal home in heaven with God.  Without faith, it’s impossible to please Him (Hebrews 11:6), by grace we are saved through faith (Ephesians 2:8), the doers of the law will be justified, (Romans 2:13) and God accepts workers of righteousness (Acts 10:35).  Each one of these four statements is true when understood in context.   On the other hand, God’s gift of grace is not of works, (Ephesian 2:8), no flesh can be saved by the deeds of the law, (Romans 3:20), and those who work not but believe in Jesus will be counted righteous (Romans 4:5).  Like earlier statements, the last three are also true when properly understood in context.   Everything said in God’s word is true.  It is up to us to understand His word correctly, make the right conclusions and apply them to our lives accurately. 

David Hersey

Sowing & Reaping
2 Corinthians 9:6, Galatians 6:7-9

Today is the father of tomorrow. What we are today is the result of what we have been thinking and the way we have lived in the past.  The nation of Israel had to learn this in a very personal way, Judges 2: 1-4.  They failed to follow God's instructions and suffered the consequences. The Lord gives principles in scripture which serve as both warnings and encouragements, Galatians 6:7. This law is true in every area of life. When God created this world, he made it to operate according to certain rules, Genesis 8: 22.  While this verse discusses agriculture, this law applies universally.

Bobby Stafford

The Spirits In Prison

(mid 60s AD) 1st Peter written during time of intense persecution. Countless Christians were suffering for their faith. (1 Peter 3:13-17  encourage to follow the example of their master, Jesus Christ.

Text: 1 Peter 3:18-22

Bobby Stafford

Take Up His Cross

being a faithful disciple of our Lord doesn't just happen. We must first count cost of following Christ and then follow through with a lifelong commitment period it is this very thing that Jesus addresses in our text.

Text: Matthew 16:21-27

Bobby Stafford

Why I Should Become A Christian

In becoming a Christian, a person must make a deliberate choice. So why should you make this choice?

Bobby Stafford

Being A Disciple

Bobby Stafford

Good Company

1 Corinthians 15:33, "Evil company corrupts good habits"

Bobby Stafford

A Worthy Life
 

The meaning of worthy

Philippians 1:27, “Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” (NKJV).

What is implied in Paul's exhortation “only let your manner of life be worthy [axios] Of the gospel of Christ?  In English versions of the New Testament, the Greek word axios is usually translated “worthy”. But its flavour is expressed elsewhere when it is translated “in keeping with” (Matthew 3:8, Acts 26:20). Like many other words, there is a picture lying behind the origin of the Greek word axios. It means “properly, bringing up the other beam of the scales, bringing into equilibrium, and therefore equivalent.

The basic idea is that a life that is worthy of the gospel of Christ expresses in the form of a lifestyle what the gospel teaches in the form of a message. Such a life takes on a character that reflects the character of the lord Jesus Christ.

Bobby Stafford

Satan's Devices

We will explore some insights about Satan that we can understand through the Garden of Eden. We'll refer back to Genesis chapters 2 and 3 for our lesson tonight. So if you have your Bibles, please open them to Genesis 2 and 3; we'll begin in just a few moments. We aim to learn about Satan, whom the Bible describes as our adversary. Let’s analyze what we can glean from the account in Genesis 2 and 3 regarding the Garden of Eden.

Bobby Stafford

Comforting Words

This evening, we will look at First Thessalonians chapter 4, verses 13 through 18. I hope you can grab your Bibles, as we will reference some of Kaiser's words, and I thank him for his help. If you have your Bibles, we will start here in just a couple of minutes and explore some comforting verses from First Thessalonians chapter 4.

I think it's about time to begin. The Bible offers a message for us, regardless of the circumstances or conditions we find ourselves in during this life. It tells us that it is a lamp for our feet and a light for our path; it guides us in the right direction when challenges arise. At times, words may seem inadequate, but the Apostle Paul shares about 120 comforting words in a very concise manner. First Thessalonians 4:18 states, "Therefore comfort one another with these words." Properly spoken and chosen words can bring great comfort.

Bobby Stafford

Bobby Stafford

Bobby Stafford

The Assembling of the Saints

The early church/ekklesia regularly assembled regularly.  The purpose of this article is to examine whether there is sufficient evidence within God’s word to draw the conclusion that Christians/Believers regularly assembled in the early church for the purpose of worshiping God.   This study from God’s Word is in response to those who seek to deny the reality of assembled Christians for the purpose of worship toward God in the early church. 

 

To begin, we will examine the original Greek word translated as church in the New Testament.  An accurate understanding of this word in the original language is useful in a study of Christian assemblies. 

The Greek word for church in most cases is Ekklesia

Christian Living

David Hersey

Thoughts for a New Year
(Out with the old & in with the new)

Bobby Stafford

More Important Than Numbers

Some churches are so focused on numbers they will do almost anything to boost their attendance. If we love the Lord, we will certainly desire growth and bigger attendance, but not at any cost. We need to recognize there are things more important than numbers.

Christian Living

Bobby Stafford

The Christian As A Priest

what does it mean for Christians to be called to be priests? To answer that fully, we must begin at Mount Sinai with the nation of Israel.

Christian Living

Bobby Stafford

Feeding The Five Thousand

Taking them by surprise, He tells the people to sit down on the grass in groups fifty to one hundred. Christ blesses and gives thanks for the loaves and fishes. He multiplied the loaves and fishes into enough food to feed the multitude. When the apostles gathered the leftovers, they had more food than they had before the meal.

Become more like Christ. What can we learn about Him from this account?

Christian Living

Bobby Stafford

There Are No Minor Servants

After a victory over the Amalekites, and upon his return, we find this account in David’s life:
20 Then David took all the flocks and herds they had driven before those other livestock, and said, “This is David’s spoil.”
21Now David came to the two hundred men who had been so weary that they could not follow David, whom they also had made to stay at the Brook Besor. So they went out to meet David and to meet the people who were with him. And when David came near the people, he greeted them. 22Then all the wicked and worthless men of those who went with David answered and said, “Because they did not go with us, we will not give them any of the spoil that we have recovered, except for every man’s wife and children, that they may lead them away and depart.”
23But David said, “My brethren, you shall not do so with what the Lord has given us, who has preserved us and delivered into our hand the troop that came against us. 24For who will heed you in this matter? But as his part is who goes down to the battle, so shall his part be who stays by the supplies; they shall share alike.” 25So it was, from that day forward; he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel to this day. (1 Samuel 30:20-25)
The ones who had “gone down to the battle” were no more important than those who had stayed “by the supplies.” These were protecting the homeland. David’s declaration was fair and right—“statute and ordinance.”
God has made this a part of His plan:

Christian Living

Bobby Stafford

Christian Soldier

Tomorrow as a nation we will celebrate Memorial Day.  So, before I begin this morning, I would ask all of you to bow with me in a silent prayer of thanks to the men and women who have died in defense of our country….  Amen.

Now I want to put some numbers in to your mind so get your notebooks out.  First, since the Revolutionary War to today, which is a time period of 244 years, the best estimate of soldiers killed in battle by U.S. soldiers is 1,498,000.  The largest number of deaths in a single war belongs to the Civil War with approximately 750,000 or just over half of all military deaths in our country’s history.  World War 2’s 400,000 deaths are the next largest single statistic. When you add World War 1’s death toll of 117,000 you can see that more 83% of all military deaths come from just these 3 conflicts.  Each of these wars lasted about 4 years, or 2% of our nation’s history.  So as a nation we have lost just over 83% of our total 1.5 million soldier’s deaths in just under 6% of our history.

Christian Living

Scott Perkins

What It Means To Be Called By God

Christian Living

Bobby Stafford

Are You Drifting?

Many of us here today have floated down a Creek in a canoe or inner tube. You need to do little but relax and drift. Takes little effort to drift doesn't it? But drifting can be dangerous if you are not paying attention. You may come upon a swift current around rocks or even a falls.

The danger of drifting is not limited to the physical world. Listen to Hebrews 2: 1- 3. Christians may drift spiritually to their destruction.

Bobby Stafford

Giving All Diligence (II Peter 1:5-8)

Peter reminds his readers of the “exceedingly great and precious promises” that God had given them: forgiveness, salvation, a hope of eternal life in heaven along with a share in the divine nature.  Everything they needed to know about these marvelous blessings had been revealed and was available for them.  Because of these wonderful promises, spiritual growth on the part of the Christian was both natural and essential.

Text:  II Peter 1:5-8

Bobby Stafford

In This World But Not Of This World

This world is not our home is it?   God will one day burn it all up; Destroy it, 2 Peter 3.  Jesus said heaven an earth would passed away, Matthew 24:35.  this world is only temporary so we should not set our hopes on it, but rather our eternal home.

we also used end in hand we reach that heavenly home, was limited world without the world live in us. We are told not to be conformed to this world, Romans 12:2.  We must allow scripture and only scripture to guide our journey here on earth, 1 Peter 2:11.

Bobby Stafford

Time and Chance

How often in the news after a disaster has struck have you heard someone say, “Why God?  Why did You do this?  Why didn’t You stop this from happening?”  Disasters like a tornado wiping put a town or a flood destroying dozens of houses.  Or it could be a drunk driver killing a family of four or a child dying from cancer.  Some ask why while others blame God.  The question is:  “Did God cause these things to happen?”  The wise man Solomon answered this question in our text:  Ecclesiastes 9:1-12.

Text:  Ecclesiastes 9:1-12

Bobby Stafford

Don't Be Deceived

  P. T. Barnum once said, “A sucker is born every minute.”  More and more unsuspecting people are being deceived [scammed] every day.  The Internet has only made things much worse.  Most of us have received E-mails from Nigeria promising millions of dollars. 

  What is worse are spiritual scams – our nation and the world are filled with false religions and cults.  (I Timothy 4:1) “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.” NKJV  These try to lure people in with false promises.  No wonder the apostle John gave this warning in I John 4:1-6. 

  We simply cannot believe everything we hear or read.  We must be a discerning people because our souls are at stake.

Bobby Stafford

Are You Right With God?

Bobby Stafford

Trusting God in Tough Times

What is the most difficult experience you’ve ever gone through? Maybe it was the death of a spouse, or of a child, or of a parent? Possibly it was an act of violence committed against you or a loved one. Or maybe it was a natural disaster like a tornado or hurricane?
What were you thoughts toward God at that time? Was it anger, or maybe disappointment? Did you pray? If so, what did you say to Him?
Our text today is a message of great hope: Habakkuk 3:16-19. Lewis states it is “one of the greatest declarations of faith to be found in biblical literature.” Habakkuk’s name means “one who embraces.” He was going to cling to God regardless of how bad things got; and he lived in tough times, too. It was a time of violence and oppression, brutality, theft. (Habakkuk 1:1-4) “The burden which the prophet Habakkuk saw. O Lord, how long shall I cry, And You will not hear? Even cry out to You, ‘Violence!’ And You will not save. Why do You show me iniquity, And cause me to see trouble? For plundering and violence are before me; There is strife, and contention arises. Therefore the law is powerless, And justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; Therefore perverse judgment proceeds.” NKJV His feeling of despair is seen in Verse 16. He offers up a prayer of passion and through it we can learn how to trust God in tough times.
Text: Habakkuk 3:16-19Text:  Habakkuk 3:16-19

Bobby Stafford

Uncertain Times

Christian Living

Bobby Stafford

The Fallow Ground

Christian Living

Bobby Stafford

Freedom in Christ

Liberty is a very precious thing.  America was founded because men wanted freedom.  Countless numbers of people have died to obtain it and keep it.  Blood throughout the age has been shed as the price for freedom.  Nowhere is this more true than when we consider the church.  Our Lord shed His precious blood for His church.  (Acts 20:28) “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” NKJV  He has set us free by His truth.  (John 8:32) “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” NJKV  He came into the world to bring liberty to His people.  (Luke 4:16-21) “So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up.  And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.  And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah.  And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:  ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed, To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.’  Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down.  And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him.  And He began to say to them, ‘Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.’ ” NKJV

Bobby Stafford

If Anyone Desires to Follow Me

“Some have reported that in the days of the early church some Christians would carve images for the pagans.  They would try to justify their actions by saying, ‘We do not bow down to these images’ or ‘We have a talent’ and also, ‘After all, somebody will do it anyway, and I have to live.’  Tertullian challenged them with a very probing question, ‘Must you live?’ ”

These had not counted the cost of being a disciple of Jesus Christ.  “Disciple”: “One who follows and accepts the teachings of another and helps spread that doctrine.”  There are disciples of Karl Marx and Charles Darwin.  The word is used over two hundred times in the New Testament.  (Acts 11:26) “And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch.  So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people.  And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” NKJV  Followers of Jesus Christ are those who have been taught the Word and live in it and by it.  (John 8:31) “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.’ ” NKJV  Note that by definition disciples of denominations are not Christians.  In our text Luke 14:25-35, Jesus answers the question, “What will it cost to be His disciple?”

Text:  Luke 14:25-35 

Bobby Stafford

Heavenly Thinking

After discussing in the previous verses how man-made religions are of no help in reaching those heavenly shores, Paul now instructs his readers as to what one needs to do to live eternally in the presence of God.

Text:  Colossians 3:1-4

Bobby Stafford

Can I Know I’m Saved?

Jesus wants everyone to be saved.  (II Peter 3:9) “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” NKJV  He made it possible so that everyone could be saved.  (John 4:42) “Then they said to the woman, ‘Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.’ ” NKJV  But we also know that we do sin.  (I John 1:8) “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” NKJV  So can I know with assurance that I am saved?  If so, how?

Bobby Stafford

Do You Not Know These Things

Review Jesus’ discussion concerning the new birth.

Text:  John 3:9-18

I.  A Lesson in Humility  John 3:9-13 

II.  A Lesson from the Old Testament  John 3:14-15 

III.  A Lesson about Biblical Faith  John 3:16-18 

Bobby Stafford

What Does “Being Spiritual” Really Mean?

How often have you heard the words “spiritual” tossed around today, especially on TV?  It is often claimed, “He is so spiritual.”  The description of the worship service is “highly spiritual.”  Or some among us are saying, “We need to be more spiritual.”  Are they using the term as the Bible uses it?  Some relate it to ‘emotionalism’ or ‘spookiness’ even.  Looking for spirituality in the New Age movement, or mysticism or spiritism as in the Victorian era in England. . .  These are counterfeit spirituality.

There are only two spiritual realms:  the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of the devil.  (I John 5:19)  We either walk in the light of God’s Word or in the darkness of the world.  Those outside of Christ are not citizens of the Kingdom of heaven; they are not truly spiritual.  It is written to Christians in  Romans 8:14.  Spirituality is described in the Bible.  The god of this world has blinded them to the true spirituality of the gospel.  (II Corinthians 4:3-4)

Without question, a spiritual tree will yield spiritual fruit.  In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul lists the spiritual fruit.  Read, “Without these, one certainly cannot claim to be “spiritual.

In addition to these characteristics of a spiritual man, the apostle Paul in the very next chapter reveals nine additional marks of a spiritually-minded disciple.

Bobby Stafford

How Shall We Then Live?

No doubt we live in trying times.  Our world is experiencing a global economic crisis.  Nations are going bankrupt, multitudes are losing their retirement, countless people are out of work.  Natural disasters have wreaked havoc around the world causing loss of life and property. Corruption is apparent in all levels of government.  As one writer put it, there’s a “pervasive sense of anxiety.”  One psychiatrist believes there is a “psychological pandemic of fear” in our world. 

We, of course, can’t predict the future.  We do not know what lies ahead for America or our world.  God only knows.  But how should we live in times like these?  Should we be optimists or pessimists?  Or maybe should we be in between?  One writer, Ray Pritchard, advises that we turn to God’s Word found in Ephesians 5:15-17 to guide us through these times. 

Text:  Ephesians 5:15-17 

Bobby Stafford

Bobby Stafford

Christian Living

Bobby Stafford

If God Loves Everybody, Why Will Anybody Be Lost?
Sermon outline from Romans

    “If God loves everybody, why will anybody be lost?” M. Connelly      The answer is: Love is a two-way street.  Some will be lost because they do not return God’s love and refuse to follow His commandments. 

Christian Living

Bobby Stafford

From Glory to Greater Glory
II Corinthians 3:7-11

Wherever Paul went, he had enemies.  In Corinth, his opponents were trying to lure the Christians into believing that the Law of Moses, at least in part, was still in effect.  Paul assured the Christians it was not. 

Bobby Stafford

Blessed Is the Man

the Psalmist wrote this.  Read Psalm 1.  “Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night.  He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.  The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.  Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.  For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.” NKJV

This marvelous work may have served as an introduction to the entire collection of Psalms.  As are many introductions, it may have been written last to state in a simple and concise way what the other one hundred forty-nine Psalms sought to bring forth, the blessedness of the righteous and the ultimate despair of the ungodly.

Christian Living

Bobby Stafford

Christian Living

Bobby Stafford

Christian Living

Bobby Stafford

Lead Us To God

All of us need guidance in our lives.  In the Model Prayer given in Matthew 6:13 by Jesus, He instructs the disciples to pray “Lead us not into temptation.”  This informs us of how important it is for Christians to pray for God’s guidance.  Temptation may have two different meanings depending on the context.

1.   A trial to prove man’s integrity, virtue

2.   An enticement to sin 

It is the first definition that will be the focus of this lesson.

God has always tested men’s faith.  The Bible informs us of how God tested Abraham, Job, and Paul to name a few.  Trials reveal our true selves.

Bobby Stafford

What Does Holiness Look Like?

Read Leviticus 19:1-2.  “And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them:  ‘You shall be holy, for I the  Lord your God am holy.” NKJV  The title “Holy One of Israel” emphasizes God’s uniqueness and separation from all that is evil.  From the beginning, Jehovah has called His people to become holy as He is holy.  Because we are made in His image, we are to  follow in His steps.  We are to reflect the divine likeness.  (I Peter 1:15-16) “but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’ ” NKJV  (I Peter 2:9) “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;” NKJV  In our text, God gives instructions on how to remain pure clean and undefiled by sin.  Why is this so important?  Listen to the words of the historian, Will Durant:  “There is no significant example of a society successfully maintaining moral life without the aid of religion.”  So as a nation, we must return to God or perish.  So what does a holy, moral life look like?  Let’s examine  Leviticus 19:3-18.  [Our text] 

Christian Living

Bobby Stafford

Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?

If God exists and He’s all powerful, why does He allow bad things to happen to good people?  Pain and suffering cause many people to question their faith.  Atheists often claim this proves that God doesn’t exist.  So, does the reality of pain and suffering prove there is no God?  If not, what are the causes of it and what purposes does it serve in our world?

Bobby Stafford

Sincerity in the Christian’s Life

In the ancient world, dishonest pottery dealers filled cracks in their inferior products with wax before glazing and painting them, making worthless pots difficult to distinguish from expensive ones.  The only way to avoid being defrauded was to hold the pot to the sun, making the wax-filled cracks obvious.  Dealers marked their fine pottery that could withstand “sun-testing” as cera – “without wax.”

Note:  Philippians 1:9-11.  “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” NKJV  Be able to recognize the highest and best; be sincere – “tested by light of the sun.”  Our character must be able to withstand the full glare of the light of day with nothing concealed or hidden.

Bobby Stafford

Better Things

Most parents have a great desire that their children have better things than they had – a better education, better health, a better house, better job. . . overall a better life.  They would never want them to have worse things than they had.

The book of Hebrews is often called the “Epistle of better things.”  The entire letter, all thirteen chapters, points readers to the fact that Christ and Christianity are vastly “better” than Judaism, the Law of Moses.  Let us look at these “better things.”

Bobby Stafford

A House of Prayer

Jesus, in Matthew 21:13, quotes Isaiah 56 which says that the temple, the house of God, was to be a house of prayer.  “And He said to them, ‘It is written, My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.’ ” NKJV  This denoted the spiritual nature of God’s house, both then and now.  Paul tells Timothy in I Timothy 3:15 that the church today is the house of God and the principle remains the same – God’s people, the church, are to be collectively a house of prayer.  (I Timothy 3:15) “but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” NKJV

Bobby Stafford

A Charge From The Lord

When a person is given a “charge”, he is given a task or a responsibility.  In our Biblical text, Jesus charges His disciples with a responsibility by giving them four commands.

Text:  John 15:1-25

Bobby Stafford

What Lies Ahead

2017 is over.  2018 is here.  Let us use today to reflect briefly on the past and then look ahead to the new year.

Body:

I.            The Past

II.          The Future

Let this year be one of new beginnings.  Some wonderful things happened last year, like our VBS.  Let’s look forward to more in 2018.

Bobby Stafford

Who Is My Brother?

The term brother is used in different ways:

·       All of humanity  (Acts 17:24, 26) “God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. 26 And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings,” NKJV [Common Blood]

·       Same parents  (Genesis 26)  [Isaac and Rebekah, Parents of Jacob and Esau]

·       Disciples of the Lord  (Matthew 12:46-50) “While He was still talking to the multitudes, behold, His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him.  Then one said to Him, ‘Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You.’  But He answered and said to the one who told Him, ‘Who is My mother and who are My brothers?’  And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, ‘Here are My mother and My brothers!  For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.’ ” NKJV  It is this last use with which we are concerned.

Bobby Stafford

Search Me, Oh God

Very few people know us well.  Very few people can relate to what I have gone through or can understand my thoughts and feelings.  But we can be comfortable with the following words of Jeremiah:  “But you, O Lord, know me; you see me and You have tested my heart toward you.”  Jeremiah 12:3  David penned a psalm in which these same thoughts are expressed.

Text:  Psalm 139

Bobby Stafford

Be Not Conformed

“Before the colonist imposed national boundaries, the kings of Laos and Vietnam reached an agreement on taxation in the border areas.  Those who ate short-grain rice, built their houses on stilts, and decorated them with Indian-style serpents were considered Laotians.  On the other hand, those who ate long-grain rice, built their houses on the ground, and decorated them with Chinese-style dragons were considered Vietnamese.

The exact location of a person’s home was not what determined his or her nationality.  Instead, each person belonged to the kingdom whose cultural values he or she exhibited.

So it is with us:  we live in the world, but as part of God’s kingdom, we are to live according to his kingdom’s standards and values.”

Text:  Romans 12:1-2  “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” NKJV

Theme:  We must not be fashioned according to this world, but rather live according to the standard of the kingdom of God.

Bobby Stafford

How Shall the Young Secure their Hearts?

Three thousand years ago the wise man Solomon wrote this:  Ecclesiastes 12:1 “Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, Before the difficult days come, And the years draw near when you say, ‘I have no pleasure in them.’ ”  Two thousand years ago the inspired apostle Paul wrote this:  I Timothy 4:12 “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” NKJV  While you are young is the time to anchor your life in God and His Word, to honor Him who made you and gave you life.  The Bible informs young people how to secure their hearts; it provides principles by which to glorify God in this life and enjoy the next.

This song was based on Psalm 119:9 with words by Isaac Watts and music by Beethoven.

How Shall The Young Secure

1.   How shall the young secure their hearts, And guard their lives from sin?  Thy word the choicest rules imparts To keep the conscience clean,  To keep the conscience clean.

2.   Tis like the sun, a heav’nly light, That guides us all the day;  And, thro’ the dangers of the night, A lamp to lead our way,  A lamp to lead our way.

3.   Thy word is everlasting truth; How pure is ev’ry page!  That holy book shall guide our youth, And well support our age,  And well support our age.

Text:  Psalm 119:9-16 “

Christian Living

Bobby Stafford

Spiritual Danger

Check-ups are preformed on cars, houses, and people.  They want to see how they are doing.  Then they can make adjustments if needed.  A far greater need is for a spiritual check-up.  (II Corinthians 13:5)  “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith.  Test yourselves.  Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? – unless indeed you are disqualified.” NKJV  Many are in the process of dying spiritually.  (Jude 23)  “but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.” NKJV  There are those who are dangerously close to fiery destruction which awaits them.  God’s Word points out symptoms or danger signs of dying spiritually.  Just as a medical doctor asks us about our symptoms to diagnose our physical problems, the Bible lists warning signs for us to look out for.  This is so serious that it should make us nervous.

Drawing Near To God

Throughout the ages, kings, rulers, and presidents have enforced the strictest conditions and requirements for those wanting admittance to their presence. Jehovah, the Supreme Ruler, has set down conditions for coming to His presence as well.  The writer of Hebrews 10:22 gives the conditions for those of us who wish to draw near to Jehovah. 

Text:  Hebrews 10:22  “let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”  NKJV

Bobby Stafford

Overcoming Bad Traits

Are we developing the mind of Christ?  Are we putting into practice the attributes which He showed on earth?  Our goal is to become more like Him every day of our lives.  Let’s do our best to bring that about!

Text: Luke 12

Bobby Stafford

A Sweet Smelling Fragrance

“The traveler to the tropics is introduced to many fruits  that are new to his taste – pawpaw, mango, mangosteen,  pumelo, passion fruit, and durian. After the first experience,  some are eagerly welcomed again, others received sparingly,  still others positively rejected.  Christians have been born again  that they “should be a kind of first fruits of His creation.”  (James 1:18) “Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth,  that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.” NKJV  “Some, like the mangosteen, are universally admired.  Here is a sweetness that does not cloy.  Some, like  pawpaw, are taken on trial.  Perhaps one may grow to like  that sort of thing.  For still others, once is enough; yea,  too much.  In every contact, we are leaving the bitter odor  of ourselves or the fragrance of Christ’s presence within.”  Author Unknown

Theme:

Fragrance as it is seen in the lives of the children of God.

Bobby Stafford

Helping the Broken Hearted

Psalm 147:1-3 “Praise the Lord!  For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful.  The Lord builds up Jerusalem; He gathers together the outcasts of Israel, He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds.”

Theme:  Jesus’ plan for helping us helps the broken hearted.

Bobby Stafford

This World Is Not My Home

As the words of a popular song say, “This world is not my home; I’m just a passing thru. My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue”. Jesus says, “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:20-21). We must lay up our treasures in heaven, not here on the earth. The Bible says, “And as it is appointed for man to die once, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). When we draw our last breath, what we have accumulated here on the earth will go to someone else. After we pass from this life our fate is sealed and we will be judged by what is written in the word of God (John 12:48).

David Hersey

Gideon, an Unlikely Hero

Read Hebrews 11:32-34. “And what more shall I say?  For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets:  who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.”  NKJV  These six men all had a tremendous impact upon the lives of God’s people.  The first name listed, Gideon, was probably the least likely to be a hero.  A hero is a person who in the face of danger or adversity shows courage even to the point of self-sacrifice.  Christopher Reeve said, “I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.”  Jehovah often used unlikely people to carry out his will.  (I Corinthians 1:26-29) “For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.  But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence.”

Bobby Stafford

True Conversions

As Jesus’ earthly ministry draws to a close, He sets out on His final journey to Jerusalem.  In our account, He instructs His disciples about true greatness and that humility is essential to true conversion.

Text:  Matthew 18:1-4 “At that time disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’  Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.  Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.’” NKJV  Mark 10:13-15 “Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them.  But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.  Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.’ ” NKJV

Theme:  What does conversion really mean?

Bobby Stafford