Shadyside Church of Christ

 Filling in for Jeff is Church Elder Mike Bassaro. Please join us for his lesson "Let's Get Going!" 

Many Christians are upset that the gay community has adopted the rainbow as their symbol. Have they stolen the rainbow from God? Is that possible? What should be the Christian response? No surprise that we find our answers in scripture, and also discover that God is so far ahead of any of us as to make our heads spin!

 In the New Testament, the Greek word for "worthy" also supports the word for "weighty." What makes a person a worthy person or of substantial standing in people's eyes? Why are some people rightly seen as "light weights?" Is there potential for all of us to be worthy individuals? The answer to this last question may surprise you. 

 Christians are engaged in the greatest war and the longest war ever fought. It is also the war with the most at stake - ETERNITY! It should be our pledge to one another, as it is with our armed forces, that no one should be left behind. Do we have this kind of love and concern for one another? Are we fighting to win?! 

 John teaches that if we want to say that we know Jesus, then we need to keep His commandments and walk as He walked. This is more than just lifestyle choice and doing good deeds. This is also about purpose for living and the blessedness which comes from being a part of something bigger than yourself - namely doing the will of God on earth. 

 Peter is a great study for many different reasons. In this, he helps us discover and understand the four persons that we are at various times in our lives. God knows who we are, but how well do we know ourselves? 

 Most people acknowledge that freedom isn't license to to whatever we want. In spiritual matters, Jesus provides freedom from the guilt of sin and the power of the devil. But that freedom is not to be in self-serving pursuits but in lives of loving service to the Lord and to others. Free to become the people He intended us to be. 

 Most Christians can easily provide a definition of grace as unmerited favor, but do they grasp its full meaning? Do they try to comprehend the richness of God's mercy and the depth of His love which moved Him to make His offer of salvation through His Son? Do they adopt this same graciousness into their own interaction with others? Some serious questions. 

Jesus told His disciples to ask for things in His name, and they would receive them. Paul wrote that whatever Christians say or do should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus. What's the point of using the name of Jesus?

 We're always wanting things to be bigger, faster and stronger. It's a sign of the times. When it comes to spiritual things, though, God is far ahead of us. He has seen the need for some things to be "greater" and has provided them for His people. 

 Solomon tells us that death and life are in the power of the tongue, and this is especially true for the Christian who has the gospel to share. Surprisingly, in one particular place, the apostle Paul was afraid to speak the good news - not unlike us at times. What was going on then, and what can we learn from him? 

After his great victory over the Baal prophets, Elijah fled for his life from Jezebel. But God showed up on Mount Horeb because He had other plans for Elijah. God always has other plans!

 Simon the magician had been wowing the crowds in Samaria for some time. Then he came face to face with some real power. This changed everything. 

 People need Jesus. Everybody needs Jesus. But people don't know how much they need Jesus. The church has the privilege and joy to tell people what only Jesus can do for them. 

 In the beginning, God breathed life into the lifeless body of Adam. In the same way, it is the Spirit of God who is active in giving life to the body of Christ, both to individual believers and to the church as a whole.  (Audio begins at 00:16)

Some people these days want nothing to do with the Bible, but they still want Jesus. What would He think about that? What was Jesus' view of Holy Scripture?

 Jesus came not only to save but also to rule. He is now reigning over both the physical and spirit realms as He is bringing "all enemies under His feet." 

Peter helps us "get a handle" on the scope and the richness of the salvation which is given to us in Christ Jesus . It far surpasses anything we have in this life.

When Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego were faced with bowing down to Nebuchadnezzar's gold image or going into his furnace, it was a "no brainer" for them. They chose the furnace! What do we choose today when faced with bowing down before and caving in to the gods of this world or being ridiculed, ostracized or cancelled? 

Finding true joy or blessedness is an on-going search for most people. They look for it in various things such as good health, a secure job, money, college degrees, entertainment, etc. However, Jesus teaches us that deep, soul-satisfying joy does not come via externals but in the spiritual things of the heart. As usual, His ways are true and very opposite of those of the world.

Elder Mike Bassaro presents his lesson "God Allows U-Turns" to the congregation. The lesson gives us examples of people who have fallen off God's path for them and still managed to change their ways and find their way back to His good graces. Enjoy!

Elder Mike Bassaro takes us through Ephesians Chapter 6, discussing the traits and knowledge the Christian needs to successfully battle the evil one.

 From its early days, members of the church have suffered for the name of Christ. In some countries even today, Christians experience kidnappings, imprisonment and death for their faith. Others of us have encountered milder forms of suffering including ridicule, ostracism, loss of jobs or businesses, broken families, etc. But whatever the suffering, God is fully aware of it, and He provides the co...

The Christian life is one of growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. The gospel draws us in to the lovely and powerful person of Jesus, and we seek His truth and ways as we journey on, making changes and adjustments as we learn. Apollos and the disciples at Ephesus are excellent examples of those who were following Jesus, but needed to make a change in their belief and obedience to Chr...

 Life is filled with choices. Some are mundane and others are matters of life and death. Leading up to His crucifixion, Pilate and the assembled Jews made several choices regarding Jesus of Nazareth. Those choices were very similar to the ones which we make on a regular basis, and especially about those we must make about following Jesus as we navigate our way through life.