| Address: P.O. Box 8619 2551 Benvenue Road Rocky Mount, NC 27804 Phone: 252-985-3409 Minister: |
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Sunday: 9:00 am – Bible Class 10:00 am – Worship 6:00 pm – Evening Service Midweek: |
- A family of God whose desire is to demonstrate and reveal the Lordship of Jesus Christ -
We are studying prayer.
Join us for the next few weeks as we study what God’s Word says about it.
Don Adkins
Minister, River Road Church of Christ, Washington, NC
Share The Son – 2011 Gospel Meeting
October 7, 2011
I. Introduction: Titus 2:11-14, Genesis 6:8
A. God’s grace is free
B. God’s grace is available to all men – Mark 16:15,
C. God’s grace means we get more that what we deserve – Romans 6:23
II. There are three great benefits of grace:
A. Salvation – Titus 2:11
1. God doesn’t owe us grace – Ephesians 2:8-9
2. God gives grace freely – John 1:14-17, Galatians 3:26-28, 1 John 1:12, Romans 5:8, 15
3. John 3:16-17
B. Grace teaches us – Titus 2:12-13
1. Just say ‘no’ – Matthew 4:4, 7, 10
2. Just say ‘no’ to worldliness – Matthew 23:23, 1 John 2:15-17
3. We should keep looking forward to Christ’s second coming – 1 John 1:7
C. God’s grace brings transformation – Titus 2:14
1. Be transformed – Romans 3:23, Romans 12:1-2
2. Titus 3:4-7, Acts 20:28,
3. Transformed to do good works – Ephesians 2:10, Matthew 6:19-21, Revelation 14:13
III. Conclusion
IV. Invitation to:
A. Believe that Jesus is the son of God
B. Repent of your sins
C. Be baptized for the remission of sins
D. Live a faithful life
October 5, 2011
We have stepped into the fertile field of the grace of God this weekend. It has been the theme of this year’s “Share the Son,” and it is truly amazing. For years we have sung the song, and now we have explored the concept. Nothing captures the essence of the relationship between deity and humanity quite like it.
It takes very little time in Bible study to recognize the dilemma that we humans face. The painful point is driven home throughout Scripture that we are guilty of sin. No one is immune nor can anyone claim innocence (Romans 3:23). With the wages set (Romans 6:23), and payday coming, we all find ourselves with the same problem. Fortunately, the offended party has a plan for the offenders.
The Creator assumed the form of the creation and hand delivered grace. It was a glorious presentation (John 1:14). Angels proclaimed its arrival (Luke 2:13-14), and the world has never been the same. It was a mission of salvation that could never be achieved by manmade schemes and efforts. We had a problem that we could not fix. It required a gracious act of divinity to span the vast gulf between sinful man and the holy God. It took the cross beam of a crucifixion.
The grace of God reached to the depths of humanity. The religious were critical (Luke 5:29-30). The Savior did not act as they had supposed that He would. He dined with the undesirables, and they were offended. Older brothers (Think: The parable of the prodigal son) proliferated, and their objections intensified. His way is hard to fathom. We should have expected that. It is radically different from ours (Isaiah 55:8).
The eyewitnesses saw the glory that Jesus embodied, and what they observed was grace and truth in action (John 1:14). He came to save and to teach (Titus 2:11-12). It is an offer to set our relationship with God in order (Romans 3:24). The news could not be any better for guilty sinners than to have their records cleansed. It transforms Sauls into Pauls (1 Corinthians 15:10), and saves the faithful (Eph. 2:5-8). Without it, we would have no hope.
We have explored the riches of the grace of God for the past two evenings and conclude “Share the Son” this morning. Altogether too quickly it will come to an end, but the significance of the marvelous nature of our God will echo into eternity. May we step into this new week with a renewed gratitude for what He has done. His grace truly is amazing.
October 2, 2011
I. Our relationship with God has many facets such as Father (Matthew 6:9), king (Matthew 6:10) and master (1 Peter 2:16).
II. We respect the authority God put on earth.
A. Jesus came as a servant (Philippians 2:7-8), but demonstrated His authority:
1. Jesus taught with authority – Matthew 7:28-29
2. He had authority over nature – Mark 4:39-41
3. He changed water to wine – John 2:1-11
4. He had authority over the demons – Mark 5:1-13
5. He has authority over death – John 11:43, Matthew 28:18
B. Ephesians 1:22 – Christ has all authority for our benefit.
C. Romans 14:7-9 – Christ is the ultimate authority
III. We must respect God’s authority in everyday life. Romans 12:19-21, Romans 14:9, Acts 2:36, Ephesians 5:24
IV. We must respect those God placed in authority over us. 1 Peter 2:13, Ephesians 3:9, 1 Peter 2:13-15
A. 1 Peter 2:14
B. Pray for the government – 1 Timothy 2:1-4
C. Romans 13:1-10
D. 1 Peter 2:17
V. What will we do with Jesus? John 1:12, 14, John 14:15
VI. Invitation: Acts 2: 37-41
September 28, 2011
One of the most famous statements that Jesus ever made is not recorded in any of the gospel accounts. We can go through Matthew, Mark, Luke and John with a fine tooth comb and never find it. Paul quotes it, but it was recorded nowhere else. Yet, no more profound truth has ever been spoken, “It is more blessed to give than it is to receive (Acts 20:35).” This is divine wisdom at its most sublime.
It is not just a blessing to give; it is more blessed. It takes us to a different level. That is information that could only come from our Creator. Worldly wisdom tells us to accumulate as much as possible. We have watched greed consume our nation and bankrupt our ethics. The more we get the more we want. There is never enough. No surprise there, Solomon said that a long time ago (Ecclesiastes 5:10).
God demonstrated the superiority of giving when He gave His Son. His love drove Him to offer up the very best. We should learn from His example. He did not shun the world when they were in desperate need. He sent a savior. What the object of His affection needed the most was exactly what He provided. He gave. Surely, John 3:16 is among the most beloved verses in the Bible. He loved. He gave.
Jesus loved the church (Ephesians 5:25). We remember His comments to Peter that He would build His church (Matthew 16:18). Paul reminded the Ephesian elders that He purchased the church with His blood (Acts 20:28). He dramatically demonstrated His love for the church by giving all that it is possible to give; His life. That is why He came (Matthew 20:28).
His actions give weight to the words that echoed in Paul’s ears and flowed through his pen. This is the superior way. This is a greater blessing. Acquisition is not the answer. Huge bank accounts can lead to a distorted sense of security and values (Luke 12:15-21). They might even prove to be a hindrance to attaining true wealth (Luke 18:24-25). Giving. Yes, that is one of the keys to really living.
What divine wisdom! Rather than being dependent on someone giving us something in order to be blessed, it is reversed. It depends on what we do with what we have. God will supply us with the resources (2 Corinthians 9:8), and all we have to do is use them properly to experience a more blessed life.
The Justified Life – Mike HinrichsSeptember 25, 2011
I. We are constantly confronted by evil. How should we, after being justified, respond to it? Romans 5:1
II. What are the core principles of justification we use to respond to evil?
A. Romans 3:23
B. Grace of God – Romans 3:24
C. Faith – Romans 3:28
III. Grace
A. Grace appeared – Titus 2:11, John 1:14
B. Grace gives us instructions on how to live – Titus 2:12
C. Grace enriches us – 2 Corinthians 8:9, 2 Corinthians 9:8-14
IV. Faith
A. Faith is putting your trust in God.
B. Vengeance is mine – Romans 12: 9
C. God dealt graciously with us and will deal with evil – Romans 2:1-11, 2 Thessalonians 1:4-9
D. Love your enemy – Proverbs 25:21-22, Luke 10:30-37, Matthew 5:44, Luke 6:27-36
E. Don’t take your revenge – Romans 12:17-19
V. Invitation
September 21, 2011
Watch those wolves. They are a crafty bunch. They slip in among us and tear the flock to pieces. They prey on the unsuspecting and leave a trail of destroyed souls in their wake. Jesus called them false prophets (Matt. 7:15) in disguise. We should not be surprised. Satan has always been an expert at the masquerade (2 Cor. 11:14). His co-workers are as well.
The wolves sneak in among us with the most harmless appearances. They look like sheep, and who is alarmed by them? That is one of their most useful tools. They are hard to identify and cause no concern. Look underneath the costume, and it is a different story. Inside they are destructive. No wonder Paul warned the Ephesian elders to watch out for them (Acts 20:29). They were waiting for him to leave so that they could pounce.
They act in secrecy (2 Peter 2:1). Under the cloak of deception they slip their false teaching into the mix and win huge followings (2 Peter 2:2). They appeal to our fleshly, sensual side. It sounds good and makes us feel good. It brings about ridicule on the truth. They exploit and ruin. They look good in the beginning, but their fruit does not fall far from that famous tree in the garden. The outcome is the same; separation from the tree of life. Watch those wolves.
Our heads are turned by the large numbers that embrace their message. Surely, all those people cannot be wrong, can they? Their appeal is to the worldly side of us (1 John 4:5), and that strikes our human ears in a very pleasing way. They communicate in terms that the masses like and embrace. If we are not careful, their volume will overwhelm us, too.
Wolves are welcomed in some places. Paul warned about that, too (2 Timothy 3:3). Truth can have a rough edge to it that offends our sensibilities at times. We must be loving in our presentation of it, but present it we must. The Lord knows that unwatched flocks are susceptible, so He placed shepherds to watch for them. They come in all shapes and sizes among the flock, even among the leadership (Acts 20:28). Watch those wolves. They will eat you up.
Never Stop – Mike HinrichsSeptember 18, 2011
I. We should always pray so that we don’t lose heart. Luke 18:1, Matthew 9:36-38
II. The Devil has a plan to destroy us.
A. He is vicious. He tempted Jesus (Matthew 3:16 – 4:10) and seeks to devour us (1 Peter 5:8-9). Luke 18:8, 1 Thessalonians 5:17
B. He is powerful. We must arm ourselves with God’s armor – Ephesians 6:11-18
C. He is invisible. He has people working for him – 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, Matthew 7:15
D. He has many resources -1 John 5:19, Matthew 4:1-10
III. How do we prepare for this?
A. We are vulnerable – 1 Corinthians 10;5, 11-12, Luke 22:31-32, John 13:1-2, Acts 5:1-3
B. Pray without ceasing – 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Luke 18:1
IV. There is victory in Christ – John 16:33
A. 2 Corinthians 2:14, Ephesians 3:20-21, Romans 8:37 KJV, 1 John 4:1,4
B. Romans 12:12
C. Luke 18:1-8
V. Invitation – Acts 2:38, Hebrews 10:25
September 14, 2011
How quickly we lose our focus. The work week begins and the job consumes us. Monday turns into Friday in the twinkling of an eye. The weekend arrives with seventy-two hours worth of chores to get done in two days. Exhausted, we stagger across the finish line of one week and into another. Jobs, homes and families fill our minds leaving little room for anything else. Does the Lord get lost in the shuffle?
The Israelites blazed a trail that no one should travel. They forgot. It seems incomprehensible that all of the plagues and the parting of the Red Sea would slip their minds, but they did (Psalm 106:13). People sure do have short memories, and memory lapses are the starting point for an ugly downward spiral. They became spiritual deaf and increasingly disobedient. After all that the Lord had done for them, they became a bunch of rebellious grumblers (Psalm 106:25).
The infinite wisdom of a weekly reminder is crystal clear, and to place it at the beginning of the week is pure genius. It is a first day reminder for our feeble memories. It comes before work, school or chores. The Jews illustrated how quickly we unravel when we take our eyes and minds off of the Lord. We need to be reminded, and that is just what we do.
It refocuses our attention on Jesus. In the midst of the demands of life, our minds can easily be filled with the wrong things. Poor thinking is reflected in decisions that lead us away from God. Before long we have drifted, and He no longer seems like our Father but more like a stranger. “Do this in remembrance of Me (1 Corinthians 11:24).” He who knows us best said that. There must be a reason.
It is a simple act. There is no pilgrimage to make or mountain to climb. It is merely breaking some unleavened bread and taking a sip of grape juice. No one would be impressed…well, except Jesus. It is the way that He said to hold on to His memory. We recall the body and the blood. It turns our entire week toward Him. Every step that we take is guided by that light.
It is a brief moment to reflect on the Son of God and to take a close look at Him. We are in the picture, too, as we hold up the metaphorical mirror to see how we look. The covenant brings it all into focus. Remember what He has done to make it possible for us to be forgiven and be children of God. Are we living like we belong in the family?
What’s Going on Here – Mike HinrichsSeptember 11, 2011
I. Introduction: We live in an imperfect world.
II. Problem: ‘In the world you have tribulation’
A. James 1:2, John 16:33, 2 Timothy 3:1-5
B. We must see things differently in order to cope with tribulation – Romans 8:28, Romans 12:2, James 1:2
III. Process: ‘The testing of your faith produces endurance’
A. 2 Timothy 3:10-12, 1 John 3:10-13
B. Work on your weaknesses – 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
C. Draw on the information you know – James 1:2-3
D. Learn from trials – James 1:3, Hebrews 12:1-11, Romans 5:3
IV. Promise: ‘That you may be perfect and complete’
A. James 1:4
B. What does the perfect person look like? James 3:1-2, 13-17, 1 Corinthians 13, Matthew 5:43-48, Galatians 5:22-23
C. The ultimate promise is eternal life – Hebrews 10:36, 1 John 2:25
V. Summary
VI. Invitation: Acts 2:38
September 7, 2011
Nine-one-one. We cannot hear those numbers without thinking back to ten years ago today. We were horrified as we watched the demolition of the World Trade Center and other terrorist attempts by means of airplanes. Wickedness was at work as they commandeered modern technology. The destruction was horrible. The loss of lives was startling. We witnessed the awful truth about terrorism. Our world has been shaking ever since.
The first shot in the terrorist’s war on civilization was fired long before 2001. It came by way of a serpent in a pristine garden. The strategy was clear: Climb into the minds of the people. Eve provides a case study. Tantalize the innocent with visions of grandeur. Raise questions about God. Create doubt about the consequences of disobedience. Promise benefits from it, instead. It is all about mind games. The ultimate terrorist is a master at them.
His gun is never empty. He sneaks into our thoughts when we least expect it. He distracts us with passion. We are warned by way of illustration (Eve!) and instruction (1 John 2:15-17) to keep our lusts in check. Hopefully we’ve learned from history. The Israelites drove off that cliff in between Egypt and Israel, and the consequences were dreadful (1 Corinthians 10:5-11). Examples are very useful, even bad ones, and there are plenty of those.
The assault began centuries ago in a perfect environment. It took just five chapters of biblical history to reach the breaking point. Thoughts had gone from bad to worse and had permeated almost every brain (Genesis 6:5). It was an overwhelming sight that broke the heart of God and brought about the flood of destruction. The terrorism that began in the garden had reached its pinnacle. It was a powerful force but no match for the Lord.
Our surroundings are nothing like the Garden of Eden. We live in a field that is fertile for mind infiltration, and Satan uses multiple weapons in his intellectual attack. The events of a decade ago are just one. Pleasure tugs at our thoughts. Pain evokes retaliation. Either will knock us off of the narrow way that leads to life, and when that happens it is mission accomplished for the master terrorist.