Venice church of Christ

Christians are to rejoice in the Lord always: in the good times, and especially in the bad times. Rejoicing in the Lord doesn't demand plastic smiles. It's a disposition to be maintained no matter what the circumstances, for the Lord will strengthen and sustain us through all we must endure, and will glorify us beyond anything we can imagine in the end. Rejoice! | The Fruit of the Spirit | Righteo...

The chief priests and elders had challenged Jesus. He would now thoroughly provoke and instigate them with the parable of the two sons. Which "son" will we prove to be? The Parable of the Two Sons | Matthew 21:28-32 | Jesus' Parables | Outline | Video "But what think ye? A man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, 'Son, go work to-day in the vineyard.' And he answered and said, 'I will...

Jesus knew that difficult days lay ahead for His disciples. They might well grow weary and lose spirit in praying for justice to come in the Lord's Kingdom. And so He proclaimed the parable of the persistent widow (or parable of the importunate widow, or parable of the unjust judge). God's purposes will be accomplished speedily. But will the Son of Man find faith on the Day on which He returns? Th...

The Pharisees loved money, trusted in their standing before God, and considered themselves holy. Jesus proclaimed to them the grand reversal in the story of the rich man and Lazarus. We do well to also heed His message. The Rich Man and Lazarus | Luke 16:19-31 | Jesus' Parables | Outline | Video "Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, faring sumptuously ever...

Days of YHWH have come before; they are dark days, full of judgment and wrath. They come from disasters natural and artificial, from internal and external threats. They were not the end of the world; but they were the end of a world. We have much to learn from them. The Day of YHWH | Outline | Video

<p>The world has never really thought much of humility, yet it remains the essential posture for the servant of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Those who humble themselves like Jesus will be exalted with Him; those who exalt themselves will be humiliated on the final day.</p> <p>Humility | Fruit of the Spirit | Righteousness | <a href="http://www.deusvitae.com/outlines/humility.t...

The New Testament indicates local churches were autonomous relative to one another. What does that mean? Why does it matter? How should it influence the work of the local church? Seeking Autonomy | Association in the Faith | Outline | Video

Christians are to jointly participate in the faith. But what are the limits of that association? On what basis, and to what end? Defining Our Spiritual Association | Association in the Faith | Sermon Outline

Jesus prayed for all believers to be one with one another as Jesus is with the Father (John 17:20-23). Those who belong to Jesus will share in that unity. But why is the world of Christendom so divided? How can Christians strive to better manifest the unity of the faith? Seeking Biblical Unity | Association in the Faith | Sermon Outline

"All you need is love," they say. Who would disagree? But what is love? How can we know of it? Why is it often so hard? Love | Fruit of the Spirit | Righteousness | Sermon Outline

It's not just a great political slogan. It's the Gospel truth. We are the ones for whom we have been waiting to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ and serve actively in His Kingdom! We Are the Ones For Whom We Have Been Waiting | Sermon Outline

Paul summed up all he was saying in Romans 8:1-39: in Christ God is for us. No other created thing can separate us from His love. We may encounter difficulty and distress; God remains for us, and there is no condemnation if we remain in Christ Jesus. What other message could prove more encouraging? God's Love | Romans 8:31-39 | Romans 8:1-39: A Most Encouraging Chapter | Sermon Outline What then s...

Righteousness: is it only about lists of things to do or not to do? Is it an insurance policy for prosperity? Is righteousness the particular provenance of a specific group? We do well to explore the textures inherent in understanding righteousness in the sight of God. Righteousness | Righteousness | Sermon Outline

Christians have hope in Jesus for redemption and resurrection. The Spirit intercedes for them in prayer. All will work together for good for them: they are being conformed to the image of Jesus, and will obtain His glory. Our Hope | Romans 8:24-30 | Romans 8:1-39: A Most Encouraging Chapter | Sermon Outline For in hope were we saved: but hope that is seen is not hope: for who hopeth for that which...

God has given us life in Christ through the Spirit; we are to live like it. God has adopted us as His children in Christ; we will inherit God's Kingdom with Christ if we suffer with Him. Fear not; the sufferings we endure cannot compare to the glory God will give us when we obtain the resurrection of life. Adoption and Redemption | Romans 8:12-23 | Romans 8:1-39: A Most Encouraging Chapter | Sermo...

Finally, in Christ, mankind can finally be freed from the shackles of sin and death and find life. Those who are in Christ walk according to the Spirit, and in the Spirit have life. Those who live according to the flesh will not find life. No Condemnation | Romans 8:1-11 | Romans 8:1-39: A Most Encouraging Chapter | Sermon Outline There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ J...

Differing personality types which are catalyzing great changes in politics and culture also exist within the church. Authoritarianism and nonauthoritarianism, even with all the challenges in the framework and terminology, has great explanatory power. There is room for both in the Kingdom; each needs the strengths and critiques of the other. Authoritarianism | Authority | Sermon Outline

Kids these days, right? OK boomer. There's a lot of generational warfare right now. Yet no one age or generation is better or worse than another; each has its strengths and weaknesses. We all do better to use what we have in our situation to benefit one another. Youth and Age | Life in Faith | Sermon Outline

Life has its ups and downs; so does life in faith. Experiencing discouragement does not make a person a bad Christian. It's all about how we handle discouragement: whether we give up or we persevere in faith in God in Christ. Down in Christ | Life in Faith | Sermon Outline

Among the Lord's people we speak of "encouragement" frequently. What is "encouragement"? Why is it necessary? And how do we most effectively encourage one another in Jesus? Encouragement | Life in Faith | Sermon Outline

<p>Christians who seek Biblical authority for all they do will often be called "legalists."  To seek authority need not make one a legalist; nevertheless, legalism and a law-based posture represent dangerous temptations for Christians as it proved to be for the Pharisees of the past.  We cannot earn our salvation; we do well to maintain a faith-based posture before God in Christ!&l...

Most of us are not spending our time in wanton sin. But we are saturated with all kinds of good works that consume much of our time. Yet there is the better part, to sit at the feet of Jesus. How well do we prioritize the better part over the good part? Establishing Priorities | Luke 10:38-42 | Jesus' Instruction | Sermon Outline Now as they went on their way, he entered into a certain village: an...

Jesus demands full commitment and the renunciation of all things. God gives salvation in Jesus as a free gift, but it costs us everything. To this end we all do well to count the cost to see whether we will follow the Lord and obtain life or turn aside in our own ways unto death. Counting the Cost | Luke 14:25-33 | Jesus' Instruction | Sermon Outline Now there went with him great multitudes: and h...

God has given authority to people as a stewardship; they are to serve those under their charge as those who will have to give an account. Yet people are sinners, and authority gets abused. Why do people abuse authority? What does abuse of authority look like? What should Christians do about the abuse of authority? Abuse of Authority | Authority | Sermon Outline

The Christian's relationship with any nation-state is fraught with tension and difficulty: presenting oneself as an obedient subject while maintaining a greater loyalty to God and the Kingdom of Jesus. This challenge is all the more complicated in the United States of America, a representative republic. How can we most effectively serve Jesus in America? Serving Jesus in America | Serving Jesus To...