Shadyside Church of Christ

From the beginning of His ministry, Jesus proclaimed the gospel of the kingdom of God.  With all of the rampant sexual immorality, government oppression, corruption of the religious leaders, abuse of the masses, etc., the people needed to hear good news.  Hmmm.  Sounds a good bit like today, doesn't it?  Perhaps people today would like to hear some good news.  The gospel of the kingdom of God...

(Note: Intermittent sound issues clear up around 8:30 ) Luke seems to pay special attention to the huge crowds which followed Jesus? It's no wonder the Romans eyed Him with suspicion, and the religious leaders were envious. What did move the huge numbers of people to follow Him? There were several reasons - some good and some not.

Sometimes when we are experiencing several troubles and miseries at the same time, or some problem just seems to hang around forever, we begin to wonder if God sees what's happening to us and if He cares. Hagar, the Egyptian maidservant of Sarai, assures us that God hears and sees us in our afflictions.

Why do some people accept Jesus with little hesitation while others totally reject Him and His words? This is a complex topic, but the Bible does give us some insight. If you are trying to teach someone about Jesus, or if you are seriously considering becoming His disciple but aren't quite there yet - this lesson is for you.

In six days, God created all things - from the earth itself and the heavens to the stars, vegetation, and sea creatures. On day six, He made mankind in His image, both male and female. On the seventh day, God rested from His work. In the law given to them by God, the Hebrews were told to honor this seven day cycle by working six days and resting on the seventh. Does this seven day "week"...

The Bible is a book of truth and reality.  Too often we're searching for doctrinal truths (which is needful), but we're overlooking the realities which are plainly presented (not good).  When Paul writes: "All things belong to you", do we even stop to ponder what he means?  Do we just take it for some spiritual imagery or apostolic speak?  Perhaps we need to look at the reality...

When we are sick, we seek medical help and do what the doctor tells us to do (usually!) - tests, medications, diet, exercise, etc. We want to be well. However, when we are having spiritual and emotional trouble, where do we go? Do we seek out Jesus' remedies which are found in the instruction in the Word? Are you making bad choices and messing up your life? Living with anxieties? Walking in a...

Could God be the God He is if He were not three Persons in One?  "No" becomes the obvious answer when John writes that "God is love."  With the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit experiencing this marvelous circle of love in eternity, it should not surprise us that love becomes the foundation for all that God does.  Creation, salvation of the human race, the great commandment...

Everyone has their "stuff."  We are blessed to live in a country where stuff is easily acquired, and God blesses us with abilities to prosper and buy things.  But we must take extreme care that our stuff does not become our security, that we do not forget God, and that we do not trade our souls for something which is eternally worthless.

When Israel's long-awaited King finally arrived, He was not what many expected. His humble beginnings gave a sure preview of both the King Himself and His kingdom. From His birth in tiny Bethlehem and His being laid in a feeding trough to the wonder of lowly shepherds, everything pointed to something different.

 When the host ran out of wine at the wedding in Cana, Jesus performed a miracle to save the celebration and also a lot of embarrassment. But He didn't do for the host family what they could do for themselves. The Lord works the same way today with and through His people. We don't work alone, and we don't just stand around waiting for God to do something. We work our best, and He do...

The apostle John tells us that the Word became flesh. Jesus was the God-Man, the Human God - a true mystery. It is something which we have difficulty understanding, and probably never fully will. But the life which Jesus lived on the earth does show us two important things. His life reveals God to us. And His life reveals to us what we humans should be - absent our sin. Amazingly, they are the sam...

 Our look at God's qualifications and qualities required for elders/bishops continues. In this lesson we consider how this brother relates to others, his family situation, his reputation and his heart to serve. We are to remember that we are judging these brothers in comparison with the word of God and should do so with objectivity and with kindness. 

 The Holy Spirit provides two descriptions of the Christian man who qualifies as an elder/overseer/pastor in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:1-9. We will look at those concerning his faith and his character & conduct in this lesson. With a couple of exceptions, we could say that these would identify any person who was a mature Christian. 

 Being an elder in a congregation is not a position to be held but a work to be accomplished. There is the work of shepherding the flock, equipping the members for the work of service, teaching the word, encouraging the congregation and more. Their leadership is vital to the spiritual well-being of the church and to the accomplishing of its mission. 

 We have leaders in every organization, from the national government and the military down to the local mayor and the head of the Band Patrons. Leadership was God's idea, and throughout the Bible we see leaders functioning in every group. The leader of God's people today holds a unique position at the center of the leadership triangle. 

 Scripture teaches us that in various situations God's people need revival. This was true of Israel, but the New Testament has words of revival for the church of God as well. In coming out of the situation with COVID-19, we have opportunity to refocus on doing the will of God. Let us make honest evaluation and be guided by His word in what we should be doing. May the Lord revive us in His way...

 Jesus faced off with the devil in the wilderness. Satan tempted Him through His human weaknesses and even tried to separate the Son from His Father. But Jesus would have none of it. He beat the devil. We can learn from Jesus about how to beat the devil when we are in a spiritual wilderness. 

It has been said that it is difficult for some men to say "I love you." Now he might say that to his dog or his truck, but he has trouble saying it to his wife! Some words are difficult for us to say because they reveal our hearts and bind on us some action we must take. However, if we want our relationships to improve and if we want to be pleasing to God, we need to speak certain words...

 The cross is the centerpiece of the gospel. We see its symbol everywhere. Other than Jesus Himself, the cross is the focus of the Christian faith. But what does it mean? What is the message of the cross? It might surprise you. 

 Many people want a Jesus of their own making to fit their already held beliefs and preconceived ideas. Jesus doesn't allow for that. If you truly believe in Jesus, you have to believe all that He taught and said - even creation, Noah and the flood, Jonah and the big fish, and more. 

 The woman had an incurable bleeding which the world's doctors had only made worse. Upon hearing about Jesus, she saw Him as her only hope. Even a large crowd was not enough to keep her from reaching out and touching His garment. We all have an incurable "bleeding" which the world cannot cure - sin. Only Jesus can remove the guilt and provide the power to overcome sin in our lives....

In talking with the woman at the well in Samaria, Jesus put a new perspective on worship. The current "worship war" was about whether to worship at Mt Gerizim or in Jerusalem. Jesus said that worship was not to be about a place but about an inner attitude and approach to God - "in spirit and truth." Not only does worship not involve a particular place, but the priesthood and sa...

Throughout history, kingdoms which seemed invincible have fallen. Just now, Afghanistan has fallen. Let us rejoice and be thankful that the Lord God has given us a kingdom which not only will never fall, but is unshakeable - the kingdom of God.

Jesus of Nazareth was the Word of God who became flesh. As such, He was a perfect human being living without sin. John tells us that both grace and truth came by Him. Too many people, even in the church, want the grace He brought but not the truth. The fact of the matter is that you can't have the one without the other. Jesus brought them both.