Life on the West Side

Christians love their neighbors as themselves . One way is by welcoming the stranger, which makes the church the society of equal outsiders. Join us as we consider the first of 5 defining characteristics of the early church that made them distinct and definable. The sermon today is titled "Welcoming The Stranger." This sermon is the second installment in our sub-series " How Will Th...

Christians love their neighbors as themselves. One way is by valuing the vulnerable, which means Christians value life from womb to tomb. Join us as we consider the first of 5 defining characteristics of the early church that made them distinct and definable. The sermon today is titled "Valuing The Vulnerable." This sermon is the first installment in our sub-series " How Will They K...

He will come again to judge the living and the dead. We believe in the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Join us as we consider the sixth of 7 core beliefs of the Christian faith. The sermon today is titled "Called To One Hope." This sermon is the eighth installment in our series " First Things First ." The Scripture reading is from 1 Peter 1:3 (ESV). Originall...

We believe in one Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life. Join us as we consider the sixth of 7 core beliefs of the Christian faith. The sermon today is titled "Indwelled By One Spirit." This sermon is the seventh installment in our series " First Things First ." The Scripture reading is from Romans 8:9-11 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy,...

The church universal affirms one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. Join us as we consider the fifth of 7 core beliefs of the Christian faith. The sermon today is titled "Sharing In One Baptism." This sermon is the sixth installment in our series " First Things First ." The Scripture reading is from 1 Peter 3:21 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Se...

What do Christians mean when they affirm one, holy, universal, apostolic church, and the communion of saints? Join us as we consider the fourth of 7 core beliefs of the Christian faith. The sermon today is titled "Belonging to One Body." This sermon is the fifth installment in our series " First Things First ." The Scripture reading is from 1 Corinthians 1:2 (ESV). Originally p...

We share one faith. What is that one faith? How do we articulate the gospel? Join us as we consider the third of 7 core beliefs of the Christian faith. The sermon today is titled "Rooted In One Faith." This sermon is the fourth installment in our series " First Things First ." The Scripture reading is from 1 Corinthians  (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Chr...

"I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only son, our Lord." What does this mean? Join us as we consider the second of 7 core beliefs of the Christian faith. The sermon today is titled "Following One Lord." This sermon is the third installment in our series " First Things First ." The Scripture reading is from Philippians 2:5-11 (ESV). Originally preached at the West S...

"I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth." What does this mean? Join us as we consider the first of 7 core beliefs of the Christian faith. The sermon today is titled "Loving One God." This sermon is the second installment in our series " First Things First ." The Scripture reading is from Mark 12:28-34 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Sid...

In a world full of competing messages, and with a church divided over competing claims, how do I know what matters most? What are the right hills to die on? The sermon today is titled "Finding The Right Hills To Die On." This sermon is the first installment in our series " First Things First ." The Scripture reading is from Ephesians 4:1-6 (ESV). Originally preached at the West...

My story is not glamorous. But how can my simple, personal, Christ-centered testimony make any difference? Join us as we wrap up exploring the main topics of the Alpha Course. The sermon today is titled "How And Why Should I Tell Others?" This sermon is the tenth installment in our series " Asking For A Friend: Finding Answers To Big Questions. " The Scripture reading is from M...

How does ChatGPT read the Bible? In this lesson, I ask AI to read Acts, and find a very similar reading to how I have understood the book all of my life. Join us as we explore the main topics of the Alpha Course. The sermon today is titled "How Can I Become A Jesus Follower?" This sermon is the ninth installment in our series " Asking For A Friend: Finding Answers To Big Questions....

How can my future be better? What does repentance bring? How can the Spirit of God give me a brand new life? Join us as we explore the main topics of the Alpha Course. The sermon today is titled "How Can I Make The Most of the Rest of My Life?" This sermon is the eighth installment in our series " Asking For A Friend: Finding Answers To Big Questions. " The Scripture reading is...

Christians believe in the Resurrection. But did it happen? Let us assess 6 historical claims and reason to the best explanation. Join us as we explore the main topics of the Alpha Course. The sermon today is titled "Did Jesus Rise?" This sermon is the seventh installment in our series " Asking For A Friend: Finding Answers To Big Questions. " The Scripture reading is from John...

Evil is real. But what can be done about it? How can I resist it? Does it make a difference that the Holy Spirit lives within me? Join us as we explore the main topics of the Alpha Course. The sermon today is titled "How Can I Resist Evil?" This sermon is the sixth installment in our series " Asking For A Friend: Finding Answers To Big Questions. " The Scripture reading is from...

Does God really lead me? How do I know the Spirit is guiding me? Will He show me where to go, or will He go with me wherever I go? Join us as we explore the main topics of the Alpha Course. The sermon today is titled "How Can God Guide Me?" This sermon is the fifth installment in our series " Asking For A Friend: Finding Answers To Big Questions. " The Scripture reading is from...

How can a normal person feel assurance? How can I know Jesus is my Savior, I am one with him, and the abundant life is truly mine? Join us as we explore the main topics of the Alpha Course. The sermon today is titled "How Can I Have Faith?" This sermon is the fourth installment in our series " Asking For A Friend: Finding Answers To Big Questions. " The Scripture reading is fro...

Who would anyone want to kill Jesus? What is the historical answer? What is the theological answer? Join us as we explore the main topics of the Alpha Course. The sermon today is titled "Why Did Jesus Die?" This sermon is the third installment in our series " Asking For A Friend: Finding Answers To Big Questions. " The Scripture reading is from Galatians 2:20 (NIV). Originally...

Who Is Jesus Christ? Who is the Jesus of history? Who is the Jesus of the Gospels? Who is Jesus...to you? Join us as we explore the main topics of the Alpha Course. The sermon today is titled "Who Is Jesus?" This sermon is the second installment in our series " Asking For A Friend: Finding Answers To Big Questions. " The Scripture reading is from John 6:35 (NIV). Originally pre...

Is this all there is? What if I told you the God I see in Jesus Christ offers the answers to your deepest longings? Join us as we explore the main topics of the Alpha Course. The sermon today is titled "Is There More To Life Than This?" This sermon is the first installment in our series " Asking For A Friend: Finding Answers To Big Questions. " The Scripture reading is from Joh...

Are we ready for when outsiders start coming in? This is part of a year-long focus on the heart of the Christian faith so that we can share with our neighbors the faith of a Christian heart. The sermon today is titled "What Outsiders Need To Hear." This sermon is the third and final installment in our series " Back To The Basics ." The Scripture reading is from 1 Corinthians 14...

Compassion, Civility, Conviction, and Courage. Then...start to speak! This is part of a year-long focus on the heart of the Christian faith so that we can share with our neighbors the faith of a Christian heart. The sermon today is titled "What Insiders Need To Know." This sermon is the second installment in our series " Back To The Basics ." The Scripture reading is from John...

What if we went about "gospeling" as a way of life--the Jesus way? This is part of a year-long focus on the heart of the Christian faith so that we can share with our neighbors the faith of a Christian heart. The sermon today is titled "Evangelism And The Jesus Method." This sermon is the first installment in our series " Back To The Basics ." The Scripture reading is...

Our King has come, is coming, and will come again. What does it mean to think of Jesus as "our coming King"? In this first lesson of the series, I ask us to consider the conversations before creation. The sermon today is titled "The Return of the King." This sermon is the third installment in our series " The Coming King. " The Scripture reading is from Daniel 7:9-14...

Our King has come, is coming, and will come again. What does it mean to think of Jesus as "our coming King"? In this first lesson of the series, I ask us to consider the conversations before creation. The sermon today is titled "Old Testament Promises." This sermon is the second installment in our series " The Coming King. " The Scripture reading is from Isaiah 11:1-1...