Shadyside Church of Christ

Covenants have been the primary way in which God has dealt with individuals and peoples from early on.  Some of these early covenants are still in effect, but some are not.  Misunderstanding these differences has led to a lot of confusion in what people believe today and how they try to serve and worship God.  In fact, many Christians don't even know what a covenant is!

When Joseph's brothers return to Egypt to buy grain they bring Benjamin, a stipulation by "the man."  When Joseph's silver cup is planted in Benjamin's sack and "discovered," Judah steps up to plead for the lad since he had become surety for him to his father Jacob.  This is too much for Joseph, and he breaks down in tears as he reveals himself, telling his broth...

The famine is so severe that Jacob sends his sons to buy grain in Egypt.  Joseph recognizes them, but they don't know him.  He speaks harshly to them and treats them rather roughly.  He accuses them of being spies and finally holds Simeon hostage until they go back to Canaan and return with their younger brother.  All of this sparks guilt in the brothers seeing these events coming upon them f...

Joseph languished in prison for two years, but when Pharaoh had dreams, the chief cupbearer remembered him.  Not only was Joseph able to interpret Pharaoh's dreams, but he was also able to give him a remedy for the coming seven years of devastating famine.  All this was by the power of God, of course.  Pharaoh was so moved that he elevated Joseph to the second place of power in all of Egypt w...

Joseph prospers in the prison because God is with him, and he applies himself.  When the incarcerated chief cupbearer and chief baker have dreams, Joseph offers God's interpretations for them.  The chief cupbearer's dream indicates that he will be restored to his position with Pharaoh.  Joseph asks him to remember his plight, but the chief cupbearer fails to do so.  Joseph is forgotten i...

Joseph prospered as Potiphar's slave in Egypt because God was with him.  But he got thrown into jail because of false accusations made against him by Potiphar's wife because he refused her advances.  But even in the prison God caused him to prosper.  Joseph is a great example for all of us when we are in that "life isn't fair" mindset.

Life's Not Fair, Maybe - "Life's not fair" is a theme we hear often.  Joseph's life was very much like that, and we can learn a lot from it.  Young people especially need to learn to expect the twists and turns of life.  Sometimes it's good, and sometimes you don't get what you deserve.  However, when God is with you, He will see you through it all.

Jesus referred to Himself as "the bread of life" and "the living bread."  But He also spoke about "living water."  What was He talking about?  Was this another reference to Him or was this something else?  Who was this "living water" for?  What might it do for a person?  And how does one get it?  Is this something that's been somewhat overlooked? 

In a few years' time, the early disciples were accused of upsetting the world and proclaiming "another king, Jesus."  How had they "turned the world upside down" in such a short period of time?  What had they done?  What was the driving force in their lives?  And was Jesus really a King?  Is He still a King?

Filling in for Jeff this week is fellow Shadyside Church of Christ member, Bob Moore with his sermon titled...Pictures. Enjoy!

Jesus taught that His people were the "salt of the earth" and the "light of the world."  We understand those metaphors for what they are, but how do they translate into practical living?  Jesus mentions our "good works," but what are these?  Are we to fill an arena with 30,000 and preach the gospel to them?  Are we to head up a relief ministry which feeds thousands a...

It is quite easy to turn the Christian faith into a rule-keeping exercise.  "Do this, and don't do that."  Certainly there are things to do and not do, but at the center of it all stands a person - Jesus Christ.  He is the reason for and the focus of the Christian faith.  He is alive at the right hand of God and intercedes for us even now.  And the end of the journey is to be where...

After Nineveh repented, and Jonah saw that God relented of bringing disaster on the city, Jonah got angry.  He went to the east of the city, made himself a little shack and waited to see if the Lord would really not destroy the city.  But using a plant, a worm and a scorching east wind, God tried to teach Jonah a lesson about compassion.  We hope Jonah learned the lesson.  What about us? 

After Nineveh repented, and Jonah saw that God relented of bringing disaster on the city, Jonah got angry.  He went to the east of the city, made himself a little shack and waited to see if the Lord would really not destroy the city.  But using a plant, a worm and a scorching east wind, God tried to teach Jonah a lesson about compassion.  We hope Jonah learned the lesson.  What about us? 

After being thrown overboard from the floundering ship, the great fish swallowed Jonah.  Jonah had tried to flee from the presence of the Lord, so the Lord found him a good place for that - dark, lonely, uncomfortable, scary.  So, what do you do in such a place?  Jonah reflects, remembers and prays.  What does He learn?  

The Lord gave His prophet Jonah an assignment which he didn't want to do, so he tried to run from the presence of God.  He ended up in a very dark and lonely place.  Not a way to spend your life.  Has something like this ever happened to you?  Scriptures:  Jonah 1:1-3;  2 Kings 14:25;  Jonah 1:4-6;  Jonah 1:7-9;  Jonah 1:10-12;  Jonah 1:13-14;  Jonah 1:15-16;  Jonah 1:17

Defining God is an impossible task.  Scripture reveals many of His attributes and His nature.  Here we want to discus three aspects of His character.  God cannot act contrary to these, and they have always been behind everything which God has done or said.  God is holy.  God is love.  God is good.  We should be thankful that He is.  Scriptures:   Isaiah 55:6-9;  Leviticus 19:1-4;  Hebrews 12:7-11;...

For today's church to grow strong in the face of adversity and do the work of God, it must remain attached to its roots and the Source of its power.  One important way to provide encouragement in this endeavor is to take our cues from the early apostles who were witnesses of the life, death and resurrection of Christ Jesus.

Sermon Description: Some Christians still wonder about their forgiveness.  Their conscience still bothers them at times.  Can a person know they are forgiven of their sins?  How does that happen?  The Holy Spirit goes to great lengths in scripture to assure us that "in Christ" a person is forgiven of all trespasses.  So, how does that happen?

When the chief priests and elders had brought Jesus to Pilate, there was a lot of back and forth about who He was, what was happening, and the need to release one prisoner.  After all of this Pilate asked the question: "What shall I do with Jesus?"  It is a question which every person must ask and answer.  You cannot avoid it.  What about you?

Scripture teaches Christians to be ready for every good work to meet urgent needs.  However, sometimes we are so involved in something (even some good work) that we miss an opportunity which God puts right "under our noses."  In this event in Jesus' life, He teaches us about being ready and having the correct priorities. 

Many believers today are skipping the Sunday assembly of the saints in favor of virtual meetings or just being "spiritual."  But the early church met on the first day of the week, and there were several reasons they did so.  If these first disciples saw the need to meet on the first day of the week, how can we afford to ignore their example and teaching? 

Babylon was a very rich and imposing world power.  When Daniel and the other captives were led there in chains, they faced many pressures to abandon their heritage and faith, and to conform to Babylonian culture.  But Daniel and his three companions remained faithful, and God blessed them greatly.  Today, Christians are living in their own "Babylon."  Will you and I remain faithful? 

We humans are good at procrastinating.  Whether it's something in our every day affairs or our spiritual lives, we delay in doing things which we know we need to do.  Putting things off just keeps us mired in a place which we know we don't want to be.  So, is today the day for you to make those life-altering changes?  Is today the day for you to come back to Jesus?  To be baptized?  Is t...

Too often, we Christians tend to focus on the blessings of the next life and overlook the blessings promised in our daily walk with God.  These blessings are given by our Lord to help us face the rigors of life with peace and joy, so as not to get distracted by the troubles in the world and fall into despair and even lose faith.  God is with us and for us!