Venice church of Christ

In 753 BCE, all seemed well in the northern Kingdom of Israel: the integrity of their territory was restored, the land was at peace, the people prospered. Forty years later it was all gone. What happened? The Day of YHWH in 722. How did it go down, and what can we as Christians learn from it? The Day of YHWH in 722 | The Day of YHWH | Sermon Outline

Anyone who would read the Bible in English is confronted with an alphabet soup of translations and versions. What are the differences among them? What Bibles should we read? Today we explore the differences among versions based in translation of the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. Bible Versions and Differences in Translation | The Bible | Sermon Outline

Satan; the Devil; the Evil One. From beginning to end of the New Testament he is the Adversary of mankind. We learn much about his temptations and deceptions in the New Testament, as well as how to stand firm against his devices. Satan in the New Testament | Satan | Sermon Outline

The very name evokes fear, pain, frustration, and misery: Satan. Many have many views and ideas about who Satan is and what he is about. From the Old Testament we get a picture of Satan not as familiar to many, but unfortunately all too real in temptation. Satan in the Old Testament | Satan | Sermon Outline

The reader of the Bible in English is confronted with an alphabet soup of Bible translations and versions. We begin to explore the differences in Bible versions by exploring the differences which sometimes exists in the base Greek texts. Bible Versions and Differences in Texts | The Bible | Sermon Outline

Jerusalem was in disrepair, lowly and humiliated. Nehemiah had a heart to restore its standing. God would support and sustain them; the people needed to work; they needed to be encouraged. And they needed each other. To the Work! | Nehemiah 4:1-23 | Experiences of God's People | Sermon Outline

A deceived king; a blasphemous decree. Daniel proved faithful; Daniel was vindicated. But what is the story of Daniel and the lion's den all about? What ought the people of God learn from the experience? Daniel in the Lion's Den | Daniel 6:1-28 | Experiences of God's People | Sermon Outline

The Old Testament represents the majority of our Bibles. Where did it come from? Can we have confidence that it accurately reflects God's words and work among the Israelites? The Old Testament Text | The Bible | Sermon Outline

Christians in America enjoy many blessings and opportunities, but America also provides temptations toward idolatry. Join Adam as he warns against some specifically American forms of idolatry.

Israel had followed the customs of the nations. To Elijah, they limped between two opinions. Israel could not waver; they had to choose whom they would serve. Follow YHWH or Baal | 1 Kings 18:20-40 | Experiences of God's People | Sermon Outline So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel. And Elijah came near unto all the people, and said, "Ho...

In the middle of many anxieties and trials, Jacob was called upon to wrestle all night. He would be then known as Israel, for he strove with man and God and prevailed. Ever since the people of God have been known as those who wrestle with God. Jacob to Israel: Wrestling With God | Genesis 32:22-32 | Sermon Outline And [Jacob] rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two handmaids, and h...

Our understanding of what God has done in Jesus of Nazareth derives from what is made known in the New Testament. Many would cast aspersions on the quality and accuracy of the New Testament we have in English translations today. What shall we say to these things? Can we have confidence in the New Testament as the full, complete revelation of what God has made known in Jesus, and that our New Testa...

We are hearing all sorts of news about abuse, assault, and harassment allegations now brought to light. #MeToo and #ChurchToo movements have exposed the prevalence of such behaviors, even unfortunately among those who would profess the Lord Jesus. What do the Scriptures teach about abuse, assault, and harassment, and how should Christians respond to such claims and behaviors? Abuse, Assault, and H...

Paul would have the Colossian Christians follow the higher way of Jesus in the household and among outsiders, walking in wisdom, glorifying Jesus in all they did. We do well to learn and do likewise. Walking in Wisdom | Colossians 3:18-4:18 | Sermon Outline Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Children, obey...

Paul has encouraged the Colossian Christians to root themselves in Jesus, the image of the invisible God, the treasury of all wisdom and knowledge. If they want to be alive in Christ, they must follow His higher way, taking off the worldly lusts and sins which lead to death, and to put on righteousness and its fruit. The Higher Way | Colossians 3:1-17 | Sermon Outline If then ye were raised togeth...

The world is full of all sorts of religious claims. Christians still insist on using the Bible as their spiritual standard. How can that be? The Bible: Our Spiritual Standard | The Bible | Sermon Outline

Paul made his concern for the Colossian Christians clear: plunderers were about, seeking to rob them of their prized hope. They must be skeptical of philosophical claims based in the basic elements of the world; they must resist the imposition of Jewish customs; they must turn away from arrogant mysticism; they need to be careful about ascetic strictures. They did well to be grounded in Christ, in...

Paul had never met the Colossian Christians; he nevertheless sought to strengthen them in their faith and assurance in Jesus. Jesus is the treasure of all knowledge and wisdom; we have no need to look elsewhere. Striving for Edification | Colossians 1:24-2:7 | Sermon Outline Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and fill up on my part that which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ in m...

Paul had never met the Colossian Christians but had heard good things about them and their faith. He wrote to encourage them to stand firm in their faith, for they had believed in the Gospel of the glorious Christ, Jesus of Nazareth, the image of the invisible God, who secured redemption for the whole cosmos. The Glorious Christ | Colossians 1:1-23 | Sermon Outline Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus...

Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness: that the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work ( 2 Timothy 3:16-17 ). Christians believe in "plenary inspiration" of the Bible: the Bible is complete, and the Bible is inspired of God. What does it mean to believe in the inspiratio...

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and for ever. Amen. Peter provided what he expected to be his final exhortation; he left a message ringing in the ears of all Christians: grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus. Growing in grace means dispensing with Neo-Stoic moralism and trusting in God and His strength; growing in knowledge...

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies ( Ephesians 1:3 ). People are quite interested in the heavenly realm; the New Testament speaks a little regarding "the heavenlies" and the beings which inhabit it. Join us as we explore what is made known about "the heavenlies" and what we are to do about it. The Hea...

It's a term we hear all over the place anymore. People are trying to be "spiritual" but not "religious." Even as people seem to question Christianity, "spirituality" remains popular. But what is "spiritual"? To what does it actually refer? Is it always good, healthy, or positive? What Is "Spiritual"? | The Heavenly Realm | Sermon Outline

Christians are known as people who are supposed to read the Bible and do the things it says to do. But why is that? On what basis is the Bible authoritative for Christianity? The Authority of the Bible | The Bible | Sermon Outline

From that time began Jesus to preach, and to say, "Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" ( Matthew 4:17 ). The Kingdom of Heaven is a crucial element of the preaching and work of the Lord Jesus. But what is the Kingdom? Who is in it? Where is it? How is it manifest? Join us as we explore the Kingdom of Heaven in Scripture. The Kingdom of Heaven | The Heavenly Realm | Sermon Outline