Shadyside Church of Christ

This year we are celebrating the 250th anniversary of our country and particularly the freedoms which we enjoy.  Few peoples have enjoyed such freedoms.  However, Jesus came to give all people even greater freedoms.  "It was for freedom that Christ set us free" (Galatians 5:1).  What are these priceless freedoms?  Do you have them? Scriptures:   Galatians 5:1;  2 Timothy 2:24-26;  Romans...

Every one of us carries around a load of cares and concerns about life and one's soul.  They can become so numerous and worrisome that a person gets weighed down and unable to function properly.  Jesus is well aware of the weight of these loads and offers His help.  He will help you discard what you can, and then help you carry the others.  But you must do it His way. Scriptures:  Matthew 9:3...

Dads have a major responsibility in rearing their children in the training and admonition of the Lord.  As such, they need to take their cues from our heavenly Father in the way He teaches and disciplines us.  If they don't follow the Lord's example, their children will suffer both immediate and long term harm. Scriptures:  1 John 3:1;  Ephesians 6:4;  Hebrews 12:4-10;  Romans 8:14-17

Besides Jesus, Peter is the only human being to walk on water.  With the wind howling and the waves churning, Peter tells Jesus to command him to come to Him.  But it wasn't all about Jesus.  Peter had to do three things himself for this to happen.  Do you know what they were?  They are they same things we must do to follow Jesus and "walk on water." Scriptures:   2 Corinthians 5:7;...

According to a recent survey, many Christians are now using AI (artificial intelligence) for personal Bible study and even for spiritual guidance.  Is this a good idea?  Can a computer programmed machine be relied upon to give faithful and true witness to the word of God?  What tools has God already set in place for us to understand His word and provide spiritual direction?  Hmmm? Scriptures:  2 T...

From time to time, that TV preacher comes on the air and tells us we are sinners and need to get right with God.  He is absolutely correct.  But then, he tells you to say a prayer to confess your sins and that you want to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior.  He might even say to invite Jesus into your heart.  Sadly, none of these are taught in the Bible for us to do to get right with the Lord. S...

When the world's on fire, what will matter?  Will it be how much stuff you've accumulated, such as wealth, property, degrees, status, etc.?  Or will it be what you have done with the years and resources and talents God has given you to serve Him and to be a blessing to others?  Hmmm? Scriptures:  2 Peter 3:3-9;  2 Peter 3:10-13;  Luke 12:13-21;  Philippians 2:12-16;  2 Timothy 4:6-8

Rahab was a resident of Jericho when Israel came to conquer Canaan.  Yet, she and her family did not perish with the others of her city.  How did that come about?  Rahab's faith is noted two times in the New Testament.  How did she come to believe and in whom?  Rahab's faith is worthy of our attention. Scriptures:   Hebrews 11:1;  Romans 10:17;  Joshua 2:1-11;  James 2:25-26;  Joshua 2:1...

The Holy Spirit is given to us at baptism to help in this conflict between good and evil.  We can, however, resist or quench the Spirit as He leads us to do what's right and good.  Paul writes of the works of the flesh being in stark contrast to the fruit of the Spirit.  If we allow ourselves to be led by the Spirit, love, joy, peace, et al, will blossom in our lives. Scriptures:  Acts 2:38;...

We briefly explore two questions.  What is the role of the Holy Spirit today?  It may surprise you that the Holy Spirit is not (as so many people mistakenly believe) all about the Holy Spirit!   Then, what is the "gift of the Holy Spirit" of which Peter spoke in Acts 2:38?  If we let the context inform us, the answer may surprise you as well. Scriptures:  John 16:7-15;  Acts 1:4-8;  Acts...

The topic of works in scripture can be confusing since there are several different kinds.  A work or deed is simply something a person does, but the reason or purpose for it is important.  There are good works and evil deeds which anyone can do.  Then there are works of the Law of Moses.  There are works of obedience and love.  We must be careful to differentiate among them. Scriptures:   Matthew...

The vine imagery is used in several places in scripture to refer to God's people and His desire for them to bear good fruit.  For the most part, Israel failed at this (Isaiah 5), and God planted the "true vine" - His Son Jesus to produce the desired good fruit of His glory.  Jesus warns that to bear much fruit, individuals must remain in Him, otherwise they will be cut off and burne...

The conflict between God and the devil has raged since the beginning.  Christians are naturally drawn into this battle by choosing Christ.  But this is a life and death struggle, and those who choose the side of the Lord must fight to win - otherwise, they will lose.  There's no place for slacking off or just going through the motions. Scriptures:   Revelation 12:1-4;  Revelation 12:5-9;  Rev...

Paul had great praise for Epaphroditus who risked his life "for the work of Christ."  Paul called him a "fellow worker," a "fellow soldier" and "my brother."  We can all learn much from Epaphroditus about serving in the kingdom of God. Scriptures:   Mark 10:43-45;  Philippians 1:3-8;  Philippians 4:18;  Philippians 2:19-26;  Philippians 2:27-30;  Philippians...

The word "evangelism" conjures up pictures of campaigns and door knocking.  But one of the easiest and still effective means of reaching people with the gospel is to invite them to worship.  Jesus invited people to follow Him.  When he had found the Messiah, Philip encouraged Nathanael to "Come and see."  He did, and the rest is history. Scriptures:   John 1:43-44;  John 1:45-4...

God gave Israel the blood of sacrificial animals to make atonement, or a covering, for their sins.  Now, Jesus' blood has been given to all people as a sacrifice for sin which will completely remove sins and provide forgiveness.  But how does a person avail themselves of Jesus' sacrificial blood?

When Naaman the Syrian was instructed by the prophet Elisha to dip seven times in the Jordan to cleanse his leprosy, he lost it!  But he was persuaded to do what the prophet said to do, and he was cleansed of his disease.  However, the cleansing of his leprosy was not the greatest thing which happened with Naaman in all of this.  Do you know what it was? Scriptures:    Luke 4:27;  2 Kings 5:1-5; ...

Paul goes to great lengths to inform the church at Colossae who Christ Jesus is and of all that He has done for them and for all people.  As Creator of all things, firstborn from the dead, and the One who reconciled all things to Himself (among other things), He is without equal.  This should prompt all of His disciples to live in a way which is worthy of the One who gave His life for them. Script...

God told Moses from the burning bush that He was "I AM WHO I AM."  John goes to great lengths in his gospel to show that Jesus came in the flesh to explain or declare God to us - that in fact He was this "I AM."  In a conversation with some Jews, Jesus said "before Abraham was I AM."  They knew what he meant and picked up stones to stone Him.  Never doubt that Jesus w...

James is a practical application kind of guy.  No ivory tower for him.  Hearing the word of God, learning and believing are necessary, but if we don't apply what we learn, it all becomes a useless exercise.  Living faith is life changing - both for me and those around me.

Have you ever doubted God?  Not that He exists, but that with all His promises to take care of His people, there are still a lot of bad things happening?  Maybe your prayers aren't being answered?  Incredibly, John the Baptist also did some doubting.  Despite his whole life being prophetically announced, when he was imprisoned by Herod, he began to wonder if Jesus was really the Coming One.

Just as God's people are in the world but not of the world, they are also living in a human body but not of that body.  They are "living stones" being built up in a spiritual house, the new living temple of God with Jesus as the chief cornerstone.  They are a "holy priesthood" offering up "spiritual sacrifices" through their good deeds and Christ-like behavior.

Even though the people of God still live in this world, their conduct is to reflect that of their Lord Jesus.  Being redeemed by the precious blood of Christ and born again through the living Word of God, they are to be a holy people who have renounced the ways of worldly lusts and evils, and turned to godly and righteous living.  

God's people are aliens on this earth, travelers who are on a journey elsewhere.  They are playing the "long game."  Their values are other worldly, their love is for Someone they have never seen nor talked with, and their hope is for a thing called "salvation" which offers such marvelous joy and glory that even angels want to see what it's all about!

We have all grown up believing in family and church traditions, legends and such like which have become "truth" for us.  Many of these beliefs are not true at all.  The Sadducees learned a hard lesson when they posed a question to Jesus whose answer to them included these words: "You are mistaken, not understanding the scriptures..."  How well do we read and understand the scri...