Sermons - church of Christ at Elkins

In the context of Ephesians 5:18-19, the word of God uses three different Greek words to describing singing: ado, humneo, and psallo.As we look at this lesson, let's study through the scriptures to see what is told about singing in worship services.This is a 4 point lesson on 1) Singing in Crisis, 2) Singing in cheerfulness, 3) Singing in Worship, 4) Singing in Teaching.What song did He give you? Please listen and share.

Memorial Day - a day that our country celebrates and honors those that served selflessly for others.In this lesson, we will explore another sort of memorial that Christians have privilege and opportunity to remember each and every first day of the week....the Lord's Supper.Come and join us as we talk about the preparation, the feast, and the memorial. Please listen and share.

It is estimated that we speak about 11,000,000 words per year. That would be about 750,000,000 over a lifetime.What do these words end up doing though? Are they words that will benefit? Words that will convince souls to come to Christ? Words that are angry? Words that are idle?What words are you speaking?This lesson approaches some of the importance of the "few words" that Jesus spoke in his 3.5 years of public ministry.We don't have a complete record of all that was said, as John said that the world would not be able to contain the books of all that He did; however, we do have some examples of some meaningful, powerful, and certainly eternal words that He spoke.Please listen and share.

In 1 Corinthians 12-13, Paul explains some gifts that were being desired, a bit selfishly it seemed, and abused.He closes out chapter 12 with the words that there was a more excellent gift.Chapter 13 describes that gift, and we look at the text in detail of how that gift works in us in this lesson. Please listen and share.

Jeremiah was told to "Write it down." Then, when the words were destroyed, he was told to write it down again.How important is it to "write it down?" How about the way that we "write" our lives?Please listen to this lesson that uses the illustration of a pencil to show how our lives are certainly being "written down" daily.Special thanks to Steve Vice for sharing notes on this lesson.

When is the last time that you have gotten on your knees?Maybe it was a family member in need, maybe a job in jeopardy, maybe a situation in your relationship....but what about something...or someone that is lost?Have you gotten on your knees to find someone that is lost?Please listen to this message, share it with others, and get on your knees with me! 

There was a day that those looking for hope no longer had any hope. That day was not much different than any other day...except that the Messiah had been executed!There was no hope of salvation that day. No hope of eternity that day. No hope of forgiveness that day...no hope...just no hope.There will come another day where there will be no hope. Many will find that day sadly. Please listen and share this lesson on a day of no hope!

We sometimes sing a song with the words "King of my life I crown thee now." In this song, we make proclamation that we place Christ as our King in our lives.How about in our heart? Have we made Christ the King of our heart?Listen to this lesson about some Old Testament king passages, and then see if you have made Jesus the "King of My Heart."Please listen and share.

Faith is the substance of things hoped for. However, where does our hope come from? Is it something that can be found in Noah? Maybe in Abraham? Was it something that we would see well ahead of time?We all have hopes in our lives. The greatest hope should be eternity in heaven.I have that hope, and I hope you do too!Please listen and share this message from the gospel!

Today, we live in one of the most immoral times that seem like are around on this side of the Cross.It is hard to live a life without sin. Matter of fact, the Bible tells us that we "all sin and fall short of the glory of God."However, if we surround ourselves with people with great moral values, if we maintain a life of getting away as fast as we can from sinful things, if we shut out all of the evil in which Satan is putting in front of us each and every day - our lives can be moral...in an immoral world.Please listen to brother Jack Honeycutt teach us more about living morally in an immoral world.Please listen and share!

In today's world, youth are faced with all kinds of destructive actions. Moral destruction, social destruction, and even physical destruction.Seems as if nearly once per week you may hear about a young person in our area committing suicide, or at the least cutting themselves, or doing other things that could cause great pain or death.Why do these young folks give reason for this? Well, we know that there is NO reason for such to happen; however, the common elements that are discussed regarding these incidents, causing those that are shunned in school to seek criminal or detrimental activity tend to be the reason given.It is time for us to understand these topics better, and to help our young folks to come together in the strength of God's word to overcome these things. On the back side, it is time for our youth to STOP bullying and pressuring their friends in a way that they will feel these things.Please listen to this wonderful lesson from brother Trent Key from the Mt. Leo congregation in Warren County, and then share it with others...

The final in this series on Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage. The world is confused on marriage, but seems to be even more confused when it comes to divorce and remarriage.Listen to this lesson based on the biblical tenets of remarriage after a divorce and see if the truth can be known!Please listen and share.

This is the second in our series of lessons for tbh2015.This lesson is presented by Joey Ferrell from the church of Christ at Elkins.The title speaks realms about the subject. Social Media is something that is in our everyday world these days. How is it helpful? How is it hurtful? Do you know all you need to know about how social media can affect your soul?Please listen and share.

This is the first in our series in the TBH youth event held at the church of Christ at Elkins on 3/21/2015.This lesson is titled "Texting/Sexting/Snapping/Yapping and all those other cool things that smartphones can do" presented by Drew Milligan from the Corinth church of Christ in Dekalb County.

God put the method in order of marriage in the beginning of time with a covenant. Breaking this covenant means that someone is destroying a work that God has put into place.Our society has some alarming statistics regarding divorce, as well as the attitude of divorce. It is very disturbing and it creeps its way into the church more and more each day.This lesson is a biblically based discussion of divorce. It is not meant to condemn, judge, or call out other than the basis of the Bible.Please listen to this lesson and share it with others.

In the beginning, God created man in His own image. When God saw that there was not a suitable mate for man, He created woman. In Genesis 1-2, we see that this creation resulted in the first command of family in the Bible - marriage. Leaving father and mother and cleaving (holding on too, grasping, longing for) to your spouse.In the wedding vows spoken in religious ceremonies, the words "till death do us part" is often stated. And it should be.In Revelation, a different marriage is discussed in great detail, but is in likeness to the marriage that we have in our physical realm between husband and wife.This lesson explores points in between of the plan, the product, the promise, and the purpose between Genesis and Revelation.Please listen and share this lesson with others, and may your marriage be a blessing.

Frank Sinatra penned a song titled "I Did it My Way" that is used many times at or near the end of someone's life.Unfortunately, people sometimes choose to do things "my way" instead of the way that God has purposed.Listen to this story of four different situations where this happened in the Old Testament. Then, decide if where and how you worship God is God's way, or if you are doing it "my way."Please listen and share.

When you can't get through the door, maybe it's time to go through the roof!Listen and share this expository lesson on Mark 2:1-12 and see if your own faith would be met with the same response from Jesus as these men were when He said "Your sins are forgiven."

Have you ever just felt like saying "I quit?"Most of us have. Some of us have admittedly done it. We have quit in the church, we have quit in learning, and we may have quit Jesus.But, what if we looked at the reasons that WE might want to quit...and then apply them to what some in the Bible were faced with...such as the lesson from Paul to Timothy in 2 Timothy 4? Or to the church in Sardis with the words of Jesus? Or, to the disciples that just couldn't take the sayings of Jesus in John 6?Maybe it IS time for us to say "I QUIT" but maybe not the same quitting that you may think.Please listen and share.

"In sickness and in health; for better or for worse; for richer or poorer"In the most sacred covenant in this earthly life, we may utter these words to our spouse in a commitment of vows.What about when we become a Christian? Do we utter the same vows as the "bride of Christ"?For richer or poorer. Let's take a journey and study some aspects of the poor, the rich, the attitude and the challenge given in all of these in this lesson. Please listen and share!

Oh Korah, how can you revolt? The nation of Israel was such an innocent nation.The sons of Korah lament their repentance well in Psalm 85. You see, there is a way that we can be "dead", and need to be revived! Come and join us on this theme of revival in "Revive Us Again!" Please listen and share!

Sometimes it's all about the attitude! Jesus showed us that attitude matters in the sermon on the mount, and taught us that the heart follows the attitude.What is your attitude like? Is it one that will resonate in a gladness of others, or is it one that nobody wants to be around. Listen to this lesson, decide about your own attitude, and then share it with others.

Jesus taught us a lot in His life. He taught us how to be saved, how to help others save, and how to spend eternity in heaven being faithful.He taught us such great things in a perspective that we can understand easily.One thing that He taught us is to teach others. He did this by Himself, telling those to follow Him, teaching the apostles to go out on their own, then sending out others.Listen to this lesson on evangelism - Jesus the Challenge and share it with others!

Have you ever waited until the absolute last second to do something? We all have I am sure. Sometimes it may seem that it is okay to do so, but in some cases...it may cost more than you may be bargaining for.Come and join us as we discuss what happened on August 29, 2005 and how those that may have waited until the last second didn't fair so well.Please listen and share!

Ever really think about the greatest gift that you have gotten, or even that you may have purchased for someone?Was it expensive? Was it valuable? Was it sentimental? Was it something that YOU liked more than they did?How did you wrap it? Was it fancy? In a big box? Small box? Plain box? Gift bag?You know when it comes to gift giving...and gift receiving, there are many things to consider:1. Popularity2. Expense3. If it keeps on giving4. Packaging5. Is it truly the greatest gift?Join us in this lesson about the "Greatest Gift" and see what that gift might be. Please share this message with others. It will bless them.

Many times, we want to and need to prepare for certain things.It may be a trip, an event, a test, etc.In our human lives, we put a lot of emphasis on these types of things, but sometimes forget to prepare for the most important things in life...the end of our lives.Listen and share this lesson with others. It is a very needed one that was hard to deliver because we all need to prepare better.

Theopneustos is the Greek word that is translated as "inspired" in 2 Timothy 3:16-17. The word is a culmination of "theos" (God) and "Pneustos" (Breath). So, in essence, God-breathed would be a great rendition as well.Listen in as we explore four points in this thought:Life from breathLife with breathLife in breathand Life without breath.Please share as well.

Ever have something that just feels like it has taken your life away? Ever need a friend to help you through a tough time? Ever wonder if something bad happens in your life...Does Jesus Care?There were many of these same questions in the times of Jesus on this earth. Martha asked Jesus "Don't you care?" And, one of the most memorable times that we can see this type of question is in Mark 4 when the disciples said "Teacher, don't You care that we are perishing?"What was the problem with the question? Listen to this lesson and set the stage for yourself, then see if you can identify why Jesus replied the way that He did when He said, "Why is it that you have no faith?"Please listen and share.

Being part of a family is a very unique situation. Outsiders are not part of the family, friends aren't necessarily part of the family, and certainly those that do not know us are not part of the family.The same would apply to our spiritual or "God's Family". There are only three ways to be part of a family - birth, marriage, or adoption. To be a "Part of the Family" that God has set in order, you have to do experience all of these.Join us as we discuss being a "Part of the Family" then share with your own friends and family in order for them to see what God's Family is all about!

What a friend we have in Jesus!Friendship is a remarkable thing. It is a way to show emotions and compassion for one another like none other. It is a way for us to experience love in a manner that only friends know...but, what about the friend that we have in Jesus? Have you given much thought to what His friendship means?Listen along and share this message, and let's all remember "What a Friend We Have in Jesus!"

Family is one of the most important things that we have on this earth. Our earthly family should be those that we truly try to teach and convince to be obedient to Jesus Christ.Sometimes, we want to say more than we can ever say. Sometimes, we do not have a chance to say what we want to say. Sometimes...we just want to tell our family something....much like the rich man did.Take a journey through this lesson on family and please remember to consider your own family. 

Saturday night during our gospel meeting, we met afterward with about 50 or 60 folks and had a singing to edify and learn some new songs. Here is the recording. Some sound great...some are a work in progress :)Enjoy, but please no criticism.

Jesus Christ is called many things in scripture. One of these terms is "Shepherd". More specifically, Jesus is called the "Good Shepherd".What is a Good Shepherd? Follow us through the final lesson of "Something Good Can Come From Nazareth" with Tom Bowling. Please consider sharing this with your friends.

What if you received a gift, but never opened it. What if when you opened your gift, you got tired of the use of the gift and set it aside? How about grace? Is this gift one that you have not opened...or that you have put aside?Listen to this outstanding lesson on Grace in the series "Something Good Can Come From Nazareth" by Tom Bowling and share with your friends. It may save their souls!

In Matthew 16, Jesus said "I will build MY church." The Body cannot survive with more than one head.The Bible compares the church to the physical body many times, and truly we can see why...we do not see people walking around with 3 heads, and certainly Christ was NOT a 3-headed monster. One Head. One Body. One Christ.Come and join us on this journey through Nazareth with Tom Bowling, minister of the Caverns Road church of Christ in Marianna, FL as he presents this series of lessons based on material from Doug Tooley of the Wartburg church of Christ.*There is not a video version of this lesson.

When Jesus began His adult ministry, prophecy was beginning to be seen. When He began to choose His disciples to be apostles, one of the men came excitedly to his friend when he met the Messiah and said "Come and see!" His friend said "What good can come from Nazareth?"Come and join us on this journey through Nazareth with Tom Bowling, minister of the Caverns Road church of Christ in Marianna, FL as he presents this series of lessons based on material from Doug Tooley of the Wartburg church of Christ. Please listen and share!

One of the greatest things in the world that we know is friendship. Well, that is also a great attribute of the church as well.Listen to this lesson on how to be a friend to the church, to the lost, to the erring, and to Jesus.Please listen and share...and be a friend!

Let me introduce this lesson as a lesson of first principles. Please know that this lesson is taught with only love and kindness and is not meant to be judgmental toward any, but only the truth that is in God's word.How many times do you hear the question: "What denomination are you?" This is a question that is asked frequently when someone may associate you with religion. What is your answer?Do you answer immediately with "I am a member of....", or do you do like I personally do sometimes and answer with pure silence in awkwardness of what your answer will spark in conversation or controversy?Please listen to this lesson on denominationalism and understand that God does not desire divisions...and also...that the church that Christ built is NOT a denomination, but is truly "pre-denominational."Listen and share!

Martha and Mary were hosting Jesus in Luke 10 when Martha showed an attitude that was not of a great heart in servantry. She was more concerned with what Mary was doing than what she was doing.Jesus kindly rebuked her and told her to look at the bigger picture.In John 13, Jesus again shows us that servantry has to be in the right attitude. Jesus, the Christ, got down on His hands and knees to do something that was so menial and something that a King would never be expected to do. He washed the feet of His disciples...even the one that betrayed Him!How is our attitude towards serving? Is it as Martha's? Or is it more like Christ's?Friends, I pray that my attitude is always more like Christ than anyone else. Please listen and share this message.

Not a very popular subject, but one that is certainly needed in our society. Honesty is more than just being fair, it is about holding fast to the truth in all things and not lying.There is no such thing as a "little" or "white" lie. Lying is lying, and lying is a sin! We all have probably been guilty of this "little" (as many people call it) sin, and need to repent if we have not already.Please listen and share this lesson with others.

Jesus came into this world as our Light; yet, He tells us to be a "light unto the world."More light is certainly needed in our world today. Light conquers darkness. Light changes things. Light reveals truth. Light guides us.Take a listen to the message in the words of the Bible about light and darkness, then, let your light so shine before men that they can see your good works!. Please listen and share!

Many in the religious world are confused about what a pastor really is.In Ephesians 4:11, the Bible says that there would be some given to be pastors and teachers.When you follow the root Greek words (the original language), you can find out that the term "pastor" is the same word translated "shepherd" throughout the New Testament.You will also see that in the KJV, the terms "and" in different places of this text actually are two different words in origin. One is conductive, and the other is combining.The authority of the church has been established in truth. There is not a "one-man pastoral" role in the church. It is not there in the Bible...in English, or in Greek.Many confused people will call a preacher - pastor. This is most likely not accurate. The preacher does not have authority given to him as that of the shepherds. Listen to this fundamental lesson on authority in the church...and name calling...you might find yourself questioning and correcting someone's use of certain terms really soon.

Shepherds are to know their sheep. They are to protect them, guard them, guide them, and even know their names.The sheep, likewise, will know their shepherd. They will hear his voice and come after him.Jesus Christ says in John 10 - "I AM the Good Shepherd..."Do we know His voice? Do we trust in Him?Please listen to this lesson regarding shepherds in the church, and the Good Shepherd that we have in Jesus Christ.

When we read in Rom 10:17, we see that "faith comes by hearing...."How do we know what faith is? Hebrews 11:1 says that "faith is the substance of things hoped for..."Being faithful is a "first principle" of being a Christian. If we are not faithful, we do not have our promises waiting for us.Come and join us for this lesson on Being Faithful in Faith!Listen and share!

Take a journey "back" to the cross.Let's explore the cross from a different perspective. One that will guide us to being "At the Cross" and see where WE might be standing in this vision of the cross...Near the CrossIn Front of the CrossBeside the Crossor Behind the Cross.Please listen and share this message with others. If you have questions regarding the message, salvation, or the church, please contact us y phone, email, or Facebook message.

Forgiveness...something that we take too lightly.This five point lesson will guide you through the Biblical points of:Forgiveness: What is it?Forgiveness: Why is it important?Forgiveness: How can I forget, or others forget?Forgiveness: Why is it so hard to forgive?Forgiveness: The hardest person to forgive.Please listen and share this lesson and let's be more forgiving!

Is it possible that a person can "misworship" just as easily as they can "miss worship?"Victoria Osteen made some untrue comments earlier last week regarding "why we worship."Not only was she incorrect in her statements, but she never even tried to support her words with scripture.Tonight, we studied the "Who, What, When, Where, and How" of worship to God. Please join us in studying God's word together, then share this with someone else in an effort that they may see the truth of God's word!

The nation of Jerusalem had lived their lives in their own little world. So much so that the prophet Zephaniah brought them some pretty harsh judgments, statements from God, and some loving rebuke.It is wonderful to come to the conclusion of this chapter in Zephaniah and see that God wants His people restored! He frees them from their judgments! He shows joy over their return! He takes care of them....much like He still does today! Please listen and share to this expository sermon from Zephaniah chapter 3.

Zephaniah 3:8-13 gives a record of how God wanted His nation to STOP what they were doing and realize the ways that they were in.This is the 2nd part of a three part lesson on Stop. Look. Listen.Come and take this journey with us today and listen to the words of Zephaniah.Please listen and share.

America seemed to once be a "God-fearing" nation.Many people will seek to restore that to our nation; yet, are we really looking to get to where we need to be?Nineveh was a terrible and wicked place, but so was Jerusalem, and the prophet Zephaniah has a strong statement to make unto those that inhabited that land in a "Stop, Look, and Listen" passage of chapter 3. Join us for the first of three in this series of lessons. Please listen and share.

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ..."This is more than a verse in the Bible. It should be a mantra for Christians to use in their everyday lives.The gospel is perverted by so many that teach falsely and inject their own false doctrines. We need to be standing ready to defend that very thing that saves us...the gospel that has been given unto us.Please listen and share!