Orangeburg (SC) Church of Christ Audio

The 3rd letter of John is written to a faithful brother named Gaius, who is praised for his faithfulness and his hospitality.  John contrasts that with a terrible leader named Diotrephes, who wanted to have all the glory for himself.  John’s letter reminds us that we need to be open to one another and be … Continue reading That You May Know: Lesson 12 – Receive Faithful Brethren – 3 John

Paul’s words in 1 Thessalonians 4 and 5 are encouraging.   They are meant to give us hope, especially when we consider those loved ones that have left us to go on to their reward.  But it is also a reminder that Jesus will come again, and as we consider that theme, we should consider what … Continue reading The Coming Day of the Lord – 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11 (5/25/25 p.m. sermon)

Every day living as a Christian is part of a lifelong walk with Jesus.  Throughout the New Testament are reminders of how we should walk, that is how we should live as followers of Christ. In 1 Thessalonians 4, there are three thoughts for us to consider: we must walk in sanctification, in brotherly love, … Continue reading Walking to Please God – 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 (5/25/25 a.m. sermon)

One thing we can be certain of is that God will never lie to us.  And when he makes a promise, we know that his promise will be kept.  He has promised that there will never come a time when he will abandon us, so we can live in contentment and confidence. Teacher: Justin P. … Continue reading Unseen Faith: Lesson 13 – Perhaps the Greatest Promise of All – Hebrews 13:5-6

John’s 2nd letter briefly covers many of the same subjects that were covered in his first letter.  He adds one reminder of how Christians deal with those who bring false teaching. Teacher: Justin P. Sivley

It is heartbreaking to think of a Christian ever knowing saying or sharing something that is not true. And yet, many share things every day that do not line up with the facts.  This lesson is a call to action, to take a stand for what is true, to be determined to speak no word … Continue reading A People of Truth – 1 Kings 22 (5/18/25 p.m. sermon)

Paul applauded the church in Thessalonica for their reception of God’s word, and sought to encourage them as the word worked within them.  Through the remainder of Chapter 2 and 3, we can see different ways that the word, working in us, helps us in our walk with Christ. Speaker: Justin P. Sivley

As the book of Hebrews begins to draw to a close, a number of instructions are given in Chapter 13.  This week we look at a few of these instructions in the first few verses of the chapter, especially focusing on love for brethren and hospitality for strangers.  Teacher: Matt Burleson

The second half of our two part study of 1 John 5.  We have been focusing on the confidence that we have in the the knowledge of Christ.  Last time we consider our confidence in victory and in the witnesses.  This week we consider our confidence in prayer and in our overcoming of sin through … Continue reading That You May Know: Lesson 10b – Knowledge Provides Confidence (5/14/25 Bible Class)

All of us have lived through evil days in our lives.  Some have lived through more than others, but all who follow Christ ask the same question.  What are we to do in evil days?  Many answers could be given, but this week we will look at some thoughts from the words of Paul in … Continue reading Walking in Love in Evil Days – Ephesians 5:1-21 (5/11/25 p.m. sermon)

On Mother’s Day, our thoughts turn to a passage in 1 Thessalonians where Paul used the image of a mother to describe his care for the church. As we examine the apostle’s words, we also consider the care that each Christians should have for God’s people. Speaker: Justin P. Sivley

The race that Christians run is not a sprint, but a marathon.  It is going to take discipline and endurance.  We must set aside those things which hold us back, and focus on Jesus who has gone before us to help us finish the race.  Teacher: Matt Burleson

As John begins to bring his letter to a close, he writes once more in effort to build the confidence of his readers.  In this first part of the lesson, we are going to focus on the confidence of victory that we have in Christ, as well as the confidence that we have in the … Continue reading That You May Know: Lesson 10a – Knowledge Provides Confidence – 1 John 5:1-13

Recently I had a conversation with ChatGPT that had an impact on me. When it told me that it was praying for me, I realized that it feels good to hear those words.  And if it can make someone feel good when a computer program says it, how much more when a brother or sister … Continue reading When Artificial Intelligence Prayed for Me – James 5:18 (5/4/25 First Sunday Devo)

Paul and his companions left the church of Thessalonica shortly after it was planted, and though the church faced challenges, they remained strong, and Paul had glowing praise for them in the beginning of his letter to them. Speaker: Justin P. Sivley

Life is filled with decisions.  Some are ultimately inconsequential, but some have considerable impact. There were multiple decisions in the life of Moses, decisions that were made through faith, that ultimately led to the delivery of Israel from Egyptian bondage.  Teacher: Justin P. Sivley

In John’s gospel account, he refers to himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.”  He also emphasized Jesus’ teachings on love in a number of place. And in 1 John, he has already spoken of love on more than one occasion, but in Chapter 4 he really emphasizes the theme, and how God’s love should … Continue reading That You May Know: Lesson 9 – Abiding in God’s Love – 1 John 4:7-21

Sometimes, when Christians learn from 2 Peter 2 that there were angels who sinned, a sense of fear sets in wondering, “What if that happens to me in heaven?”  Our goal for this lesson is to answer the question and give hope that we do not have to worry about ending up like those angels … Continue reading What If I Sin in Heaven? – 2 Peter 2:4-9 (4/27/25 p.m. sermon)

The writer of Hebrews has established that we have a great high priest in Christ, and that he has opened the way for us to draw near to God.  Having that assurance, we are encouraged to draw near, to hold tight to our faith, and the help “sharpen” one another so that we can serve … Continue reading A Little Let Us – Hebrews 10:19-25 (4/27/25 a.m. sermon)

Perhaps there is no name in Scripture as synonymous with faith as that of Abraham.  Throughout the story of Abraham that we read in Genesis, Abraham shows again and again the strength of his faith in God.  Even at times when he showed weakness, he ultimately proved himself to be a man of great faith. … Continue reading Unseen Faith: Lesson 9 – Unyielding Faith for an Uncertain Future – Hebrews 11:8-10 (4/27/25 Bible Class)

Once again, John’s emphasis on true knowledge come to the forefront as he warns his readers about those who teach what is false.  Though we know that we have God’s Spirit, it is ever important to be on the lookout for those who teach and do that which is not in accordance with truth.  Teacher: … Continue reading That You May Know: Lesson 8 – Knowing the Spirit of Truth – 1 John 4:1-6

Jesus is our great High Priest.  He now sits at the right hand of God, ministering on our behalf as the mediator of a new and better covenant.  He has opened the door of access to God, and gives us opportunity through the New Covenant to know God and to have our sins truly and … Continue reading The Better Ministry of Jesus – Hebrews 8 (4/20/25 p.m. sermon)

The blessed gospel is for all, the gospel is for all.  Where sin has gone must go his grace the gospel is for all. As the first Gentiles were added to the church, it became clear through the words of the apostle Peter that that gospel which he preached was indeed for all people.  All … Continue reading Good News for All – Acts 10-11 (4/20/25 a.m. sermon)

Faith without works is dead.  Faith without works is not a real faith, and that is demonstrated throughout Hebrews 11. Those who are commended for their faith in Hebrews 11, like Noah, are commended because they acted on their faith.  Noah knew little about what God was about to bring on the earth in Genesis … Continue reading Unseen Faith: Lesson 8 – The Work of Faith – Hebrews 11:7 (4/20/25 Bible Class)

Love is a central theme to John’s writings, especially in the letters. Of the more than 70 times that John talks about love in his writings, over half of them are in 1-3 John, with many of those occuring in 1 John 3-4.  Love was commanded by our savior, and it is a proof of … Continue reading That You May Know: Lesson 7 – Love’s Compelling Nature – 1 John 3:11-24 (4/16/25 Bible Class)

The Christians that are being addressed by the writer of Hebrews had been part of the body of Christ for a while, long enough at least that the writer rebuked them for failing to mature. Where they should have been teaching others, they needed to be taught the basics again. We don’t want to be … Continue reading An Exhortation to Growth – Hebrews 5:11-14 (4/13/25 p.m. sermon)

No matter where we look right now, it is apparent that we are living in a world that is in turmoil. Fortunately, there is still rest to be found in God.  Psalm 46 lets us know that even when it seems like our world is falling apart, God is still a source of refuge. Speaker: … Continue reading Be Still and Know – Psalm 46 (4/13/25 a.m. sermon)

Perhaps the greatest thing that could be said about a person’s legacy is that “they walked with God.” This morning, Enoch inspires us as a man who did just that, and didn’t taste the bitterness of death because of his walk of faith. Teacher: Matt Burleson

We have such a wonderful hope in Jesus, and because of this hope, we should be motivated to be more like him. We’ve been called to walk in the light, to be pure as he is pure.  And if we walk in darkness, it will reveal us to not really be his disciples. Teacher: Justin … Continue reading That You May Know: Lesson 6 – Refraining from Sin – 1 John 3:1-10 (4/9/25 Bible Class)

At the heart of the book of Hebrews is the priesthood of Jesus. So much of the argument that is made in the book points back to this point, and paints a picture of a better priesthood than that which came before. Speaker: Justin P. Sivley

As the Spring season comes upon us and we see the new growth of the season, it is a reminder that God has promised to make all things new.  Not only does he remind us of this every spring, but he has created something new in each person who has obeyed the gospel, and will … Continue reading All Things New – Revelations 21:1-5 (4/6/25 a.m. sermon)

Teacher: Justin P. Sivley

On a day when we gathered with brothers and sisters for a special time of singing, it was good to be reminded what a blessing it is to sing praise to our God.  Psalm 95 encourages us to sing together, to sing with joy, and to sing with thanksgiving. Speaker: Justin P. Sivley

No, we are not talking Performance Enhancing Drugs, but of a Christian’s “Power-Enhancing Devotion.”  Faith is is essential to our walk with Christ, and it keeps us going in the face of the difficulties of that walk. Teacher: Matt Burleson

Teacher: Justin P. Sivley

Speaker: Justin P. Sivley

Speaker: Justin P. Sivley

Teacher: Justin P. Sivley

Teacher: Matt Burleson

God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.  That means that as long as we walk in darkness, we can’t have fellowship with God.  We are all sinners in need of a savior.  Thankfully God has made provision for that need. Teacher: Justin P. Sivley

Jesus went around doing good.  He healed, he cast out demons, he fed multitudes, and he taught.  He did it free of charge, and he did it because it brought glory of the Father.  As Christ’s disciples, we must have the same zeal for good works, not doing them to be praised by others, but … Continue reading Zealous for Good Works – Titus 2:11-14 (3/9/25 a.m. sermon)

The writer of Hebrews warns his readers to be careful to pay close attention to the teachings of Christ which they had been given.  Failure to do so would result in a dangerous slipping of our faith, causing us to drift away. Teacher: Justin P. Sivley

One of John’s main purposes in writing his letters is to deal with the false doctrine of the antichrists (whom he describes in his letters).  He comes out of the gate with a denial of their claims that Jesus was not divine, showing by the evidence which he himself had been witness to that Jesus … Continue reading That You May Know: Lesson 2 – Confirming Christ’s Deity – 1 John 1:1-4 (3/5/25 Bible Class)

Sometimes, when someone hurts us, they will not be willing to try to make things right.  In times like these, though we may be able to forgive, there cannot be true reconciliation without repentance.  And often we will continue to feel the hurt even after we have forgiven them.  In times like this, we can … Continue reading When You Feel Betrayed – Psalm 27 (3/2/25 First Sunday Devo)

Sparked by a question from one of his disciples, Jesus explained in Matthew 18 that forgiveness is not to have a limit, but that just as God has forgiven us, we must be willing to forgive others. Speaker: Justin P. Sivley

As we begin the Spring quarter, we are going to be focusing on lessons from the book of Hebrews.  At the beginning of the book, the writer identifies how God has spoken in times past, as well as how he speaks to us now (through Jesus).   Teacher: Matt Burleson

The three letters attribute to John are short, but impactful.  As the first century was drawing to a close, and false teaching was beginning to grow, John sets out to deal with an early heresy and to encourage Christians to remember the blessings they had in the Lord. Teacher: Justin P. Sivley

Around Romans Chapter 12 the Apostle Paul shifts his focus from the need for justification and how one is justified, to how those who have been justified through faith in Christ shall live.  Early in the letter he quoted from Habakkuk stating that “the righteous shall live by faith.”  The latter chapters of that letter … Continue reading Living By Faith – Romans 1:16-17 (2/23/25 p.m. sermon)

Paul’s letter to the Romans is often said to contain the most complete examination of the Apostle’s theology, especially with regard to justification in Christ.  In the early verses of the letter he lays out key points that are developed throughout the letter.  All are in need of the salvation that the gospel offers, and … Continue reading That’s Good News – Romans 1:16-17 (2/23/25 a.m. sermon)

In the final lesson from this study, we see the culmination of a life of faith, though it was one that had been filled with ups and downs.  Despite previous failures, Abraham had grown in faith over the years, and had reached the point where he was prepared to obey God no matter what.  Just … Continue reading Faith Lessons from the Life of Abraham: Lessons 13 – The Pinnacle of Faith (2/23/25 Bible Class)

Our final lesson in the Gospel of John.  In the last chapter after appearing to a few of his disciples, Jesus has a moment with Peter, restoring the one who denied Him and commanding him to take care of the flock.  John speaks a bit about himself at the end, and though more about Jesus … Continue reading That You May Believe – Part 3 (2/19/25 Bible Class)