Wylie Church of Christ: Recent Episodes
Wylie Church of Christ
At the Wylie church of Christ, we strive to please God by returning to the pattern of Christian worship and living found in the New Testament. We are simply Christians. No More, No Less.
Minister Steve Minor discusses the importance of every member of the church playing their part in the Kingdom of God. He shares four reasons why getting involved is essential:
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We love our God more than anything else in this world. When we love God, it naturally overflows into a desire to serve Him.
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God expects every member to do their part. Romans 12:4-8 tells us that we are all gifts given to the church, and we should use those gifts to serve others.
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There's too much to do for just a few of us. The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few (Luke 10:2). We need your talents and abilities to help us reach the lost and build up the body of Christ.
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Your involvement builds everybody up. When we work together, we encourage and inspire one another. Hebrews 10:24-25 tells us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, but to stir one another up to love and good deeds.
Take some time today to prayerfully consider how you can use your gifts and abilities to serve God and His church. Talk to your pastor or another church leader about ways you can get involved. Don't wait to be asked – take the initiative and start serving today!
Jesus and his disciples preached about how the church should handle a person living a sinful life.
- Church discipline is a command from the Lord.
- Church discipline starts with a private, loving conversation.
- Church discipline continues using witnesses.
- Church discipline is completed by involving the whole congregation.
As challenging and difficult as it may be, every brother or sister who falls into sin must be disciplined if we are going to be the church Jesus built. And if the fallen ever come back to the Lord, the Lord calls the church to FULLY forgive.
What are we here to do? Jesus' Mission was spiritual, not physical. His Mission was about souls. What is the ultimate task of the church?
- We are called to be the Pillar and Ground of Truth.
- We are to Proclaim the Truth,
- We are to Equip ourselves to "Go to Work" for Jesus.
- We are Called to be Holy and Blameless.
Are you living your life as Jesus calls you to do?
Being active in church isn't enough if priorities are misplaced. Financial wealth or participation in church activities don't equate to spiritual acceptance. True dedication comes from personal involvement and prioritizing Jesus above all else.
Lukewarm Christians: Indifference and self-deception characterize lukewarm Christians. They are neither hot nor cold and are ultimately useless to God's Kingdom. The pastor outlines their characteristics and the harm they cause, urging them to become zealous and repent.
Hope for Change: Despite Jesus' disgust with lukewarmness, there is hope. He calls for action: becoming zealous and repenting. The pastor provides practical steps to achieve this, like spending time with God's word, serving the church, and prioritizing fellowship.
The sermon concludes with a challenge: everyone must fill in the blank "Starting today, I will grow in my Zeal for Jesus by..." This is a call to action for all mature Christians to recommit and prioritize their relationship with Jesus.
In summary.
True dedication comes from prioritizing Jesus above all else.
Lukewarm Christians are detrimental to the Church and need to change.
Hope for change lies in becoming zealous and repenting.
Each individual must take action to strengthen their faith.
This Christmas season, let's delve into the profound meaning of the Virgin birth, a cornerstone of Christian faith. More than just a festive detail, it holds immense theological weight.
Divine Intervention: This miraculous event wasn't a random occurrence; it was meticulously planned by God. The birth of Jesus wasn't a mere human desire, but a divine act driven by God's infinite love for humanity.
Fulfilling Prophecy: The Virgin birth wasn't an isolated incident. It was the fulfillment of prophecies foretold centuries ago, solidifying God's unwavering promises and establishing Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah.
Pre-existence and Divinity: Jesus wasn't simply a man born of woman. He pre-existed as the Word, eternally one with God. The Virgin birth allowed him to take on human form while retaining his divine essence, reconciling the seemingly impossible: fully God and fully man.
Significance for Us: This miraculous event carries immense implications for our lives. It demonstrates the depth of God's love, paving the way for our salvation through Jesus' sacrifice. It also serves as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness in fulfilling his promises.
Beyond the Season: While Christmas draws attention to the Virgin's birth, its significance transcends the season. It's a foundational truth that shapes our understanding of Jesus, God, and our own place in the grand story of salvation.
Embrace the Message: This Christmas, let the Virgin birth be more than a historical footnote. Reflect on its profound meaning and allow it to shape your faith. Remember, God fulfilled his purpose through Jesus, and he invites us to fulfill ours by following him daily.
Life is worth living, Because He Lives.
A faithful church, despite its size or challenges, demonstrates three key characteristics: keeping the word of Jesus, maintaining faith, and persevering through trials.
- Small but impactful: The church in Philadelphia, though small, is commended for its faithfulness. This highlights that God values loyalty and devotion regardless of size or outward success.
- Keeping the word: Holding fast to Jesus' teachings provides the foundation for a strong church. The passage from James is cited to emphasize the importance of putting faith into action.
- Maintaining faith: Facing persecution and challenges is inevitable, but denying Jesus is not an option for a faithful church. Matthew 10 is referenced to underscore the importance of confessing faith in all circumstances.
- Persevering through trials: Enduring hardships tests and strengthens faith. James 1 is quoted to explain perseverance as holding onto faith and remaining steadfast through trials.
- Blessings of faithfulness: Being faithful brings rewards and opens doors to new opportunities, protection from evil, and ultimately, the Crown of Life.
We need to reflect on our faithfulness and recommit ourselves to living by example, like the church in Philadelphia. The importance of returning to Jesus and seeking baptism is essential.
Consider what it means to be a truly faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ. We need to have unwavering faith, and perseverance, and live according to God's word, regardless of external circumstances.
Let's take a look at the condition of the church at Sardis based on Revelation 3:1-6.
Reputation vs. Reality: The church had a good reputation for being alive, but Jesus revealed their true state: dead.
Wake Up: Jesus urged the church to wake up from their spiritual slumber and strengthen their fading faith.
Repentance is the Path Back: The only way for the church to revive and avoid spiritual death is through genuine repentance.
Be the Faithful Few: Even amidst the dead church, a few faithful individuals remained dedicated to Christ.
Challenge: Encourages the congregation to be like the faithful few, staying committed to Jesus and avoiding spiritual death.
What things do you elevate in your life? Where do you give your time? Is it your money, your work, your holidays, your phone? Where is your heart? Where is Jesus? #faith #hope #love #jesus #christ #wylie
The Church of Jesus Christ is the pillar and ground of truth. Proclaim your faith, even if it's in the middle of a wicked culture. Be the light in a dark place. #faith #hope #love #christ #jesus #wylie
What is the center of your life? Is it your job? Is it politics? Is it our government? If Jesus is the center of your life, Jesus said you will be persecuted. However, if you stay faithful, you will be rewarded. #faith #love #hope #jesus #christ #wylie
Any Christian or group of Christians can walk away from eternal salvation in Jesus if they choose to. Any Christian or group of Christians can be busy doing the Lord's work and still have deadly heart problems. Do yo have heart problems? Is your heart in Jesus? #faith #hope #love #christ #jesus #wylie
The Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, says recognize and trust his voice. Enter by Him to have safety and abundant life. He will stay by you and lead you. Do you have trouble with humility, trust, and/or hope? Take a closer look at the one that needs improvement in your life. #faith #hope #love #christ #jesus #wylie
Will You, by Faith, Obey the One Who Offers to Satisfy Your Sins by His Son's Blood? Power Words - "Propitiation". Originally Broadcast on February 12, 2023.
Wayne Roberts discusses Galatians 2:20 "What Life Do you Live?" Wayne is the Connection Minister at the Memorial church of Christ in Houston, Texas. He has worked previously in Colorado, California, and Oklahoma.
Paul Cartwright discusses Ephesians 3:14-21 "What is Your Why?" Paul is the Preaching Minister at the Webb Chapel church of Christ in Farmers Branch, Texas. Paul is a 2004 graduate of Harding University. He has worked previously in Arkansas, California, and Texas.
Steve Minor discusses that Hell is indeed a real place. Steve is the Preaching Minister at the Wylie church of Christ in Wylie, Texas.
Anthony Warnes discusses Hebrews 5:7-9; why prayer is good for us. Anthony is the Pulpit Minister at the Westhill church of Christ in Corsicana, Texas. Anthony is a 2007 graduate of the Bear Valley Bible Institute in Denver. He has worked previously in Wheat Ridge, CO and Broken Bow, OK.
Brandon Watson discusses John 10;11,27; the good shepherd, Jesus Christ. Brandon is the Family and Education Minister at the Westhill church of Christ in Corsicana, Texas. Clint is a graduate of Heritage Christian University in Florence, Alabama, and attended Bear Valley Bible Institute in Denver, Colorado.
Clint Brown discusses Psalms 73, the logical and emotional problem of evil. Cory Collins is the minister at the Farmersville church of Christ in Farmersville, Texas. Clint is a 1998 graduate of the Brown Trail School of Preaching.
Cory Collins discusses Hebrews 12:1-3, running the Christian race. Cory Collins is the minister at the Keller church of Christ in Keller, Texas. Cory posts regularly to his website "Serving and Sharing" (http://coryhcollins.blogspot.com/). He is the author of several books including "Where Fresh Waters Flow".
Jacob Hawk discusses Ephesians 1:3. Jacob is currently the Young Adults and Singles Minister at Preston Crest Church of Christ in Dallas, Texas. He is an author, and seminar speaker and produces a weekly podcast.
Originally broadcast on June 1, 2022.
Steve Bailey discusses Galatians 6:9-10, encouraging Christians not to be weary. Steve Bailey is the preaching minister at the Brown Street Church of Christ in Waxahachie, Texas. He has been a minister for 45 years.
Originally broadcast on June 1, 2022.
The prophet Haggai calls the complacent people of Judah to resume the rebuilding of the temple and in that way give glory to God.
Next to Obadiah, Haggai is the shortest book in the Old Testament, containing only two chapters comprised of a total of 38 verses. Delivered in simple prose, Haggai’s prophecy consists of messages from God delivered to the nation after the rebuilding of Solomon’s temple had ceased for about 10 years. The book’s straightforward style is enhanced by the use of questions, recurring expressions, and commands. Why was the temple so important? After all, the proper sacrifices and rituals could be carried out on a makeshift altar. But God’s reputation was at stake. He could not be properly honored so long as the house he called home lay in ruins. The temple symbolized God’s presence and Israel’s priorities. Haggai clearly shows the consequences of disobedience and obedience. When the people give priority to God and his house, they are blessed rather than cursed. Obedience brings the encouragement and strength of the Spirit of God.
Here begins the private teaching phase of the gospel of John. Through chapter 17, John's text will focus on the words spoken by Jesus in the last hours prior to His arrest. This comes on the heels of an impassioned plea by Christ to the wider world, recorded at the end of chapter 12 (John 12:44–50).
This passage contains one of the most famous stories of the Bible: the resurrection of Lazarus. Scripture gives few details about the relationship between Jesus and the three siblings: Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. We know that Jesus spent some time in their home (Luke 10:38–42), was greatly honored by Mary (Mark 14:3–9), considered a teacher by the two sisters (John 11:28), and that His love of the family was well-known (John 11:36). Despite that closeness, this narrative opens with Jesus some distance away, avoiding the hostile religious leaders of Jerusalem (John 10:39–40).
The prophet Zechariah rebukes and encourages the discouraged exiles who have returned to Jerusalem from Babylonia to complete the rebuilding of the temple.
When John wrote this gospel, the other three accounts of Jesus' life—Matthew, Mark, and Luke—had already been established and distributed. Partly for that reason, it seems, he focuses on details which the other Gospels do not include. That's especially true of meanings behind Jesus' miracles and parables. It's also why John focuses so much time and energy on what Jesus said to His disciples. John uses several groups of sevens, including seven unique miracles, seven overt witnesses to Jesus, and seven "I Am" statements. This chapter is only about halfway through John's text, but he has already offered all those items, but for two "I Am" remarks (John 14:6; 15:1).
The first section of this chapter describes Jesus' encounter with opponents who have brought Him a woman guilty of sin. In this incident, Jesus demonstrates that these men are acting hypocritically: attempting to trick Jesus using the law, while they themselves are not completely following it! At the same time, Jesus shows that simply having power, such as the authority to execute a guilty sinner, does not make using it the best choice. Instead, Jesus demonstrates mercy and fully applies both the letter and intent of the law, as God intended: with "right judgment."
John 4 is the fourth chapter of the Gospel of John in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. The major part of this chapter recalls Jesus' interaction with the Samaritan woman at the well.
Chapter 5 presents John's first record of Jesus directly confronting His enemies. Most of this passage is taken up by the words of Christ Himself, responding to Jewish critics. Many of John's recurring themes are found in this passage. Among these are the miraculous "signs" of Jesus, His claims of divinity, and the warped perspective of those who reject Him.
John chapter 6 packs several crucial moments into one narrative. The passage states that the events occur "after" the narrative of chapter 5, which turns out to be several months later. This chapter describes the high point of Jesus' worldly popularity. He disrupts this almost immediately by telling the crowd something they do not want to hear. This passage also includes the fourth and fifth of John's seven miraculous signs, the third of John's seven witnesses to Jesus' divinity, and the first of John's seven "I AM" statements ascribed to Jesus.
The first section of this chapter describes Jesus' encounter with opponents who have brought Him a woman guilty of sin. In this incident, Jesus demonstrates that these men are acting hypocritically: attempting to trick Jesus using the law, while they themselves are not completely following it! At the same time, Jesus shows that simply having power, such as the authority to execute a guilty sinner, does not make using it the best choice. Instead, Jesus demonstrates mercy and fully applies both the letter and intent of the law, as God intended: with "right judgment."
This passage of the gospel of John heightens the tension between Jesus and His followers, and the religious leaders who despise Him. In prior chapters, Jesus has confronted the hypocrisy of those who claim to understand Scripture, but who reject what it says. He has also challenged tradition by healing on the Sabbath day. In this chapter, Jesus will once again perform a miracle on the Sabbath, resulting in no small controversy. When the dust settles, local religious leaders will be thoroughly embarrassed not by Jesus, but by the man who has been healed.
Chapter 10 continues uninterrupted from the end of chapter 9. In fact, all of chapters 7, 8, 9, and the first half of chapter 10 occur in a fairly continuous timeline. At the end of chapter 9, Jesus was debating those who objected to His giving sight to a man born blind (John 9). As this chapter opens, Jesus is still speaking to those critics and attempting to explain the truth to them.
John 3 is the third chapter of the Gospel of John in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It deals with Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus, one of the Jewish Pharisees, and John the Baptist's continued testimony regarding Jesus.
The purpose of the Book of Micah was to pronounce doom on both kingdoms (Israel and Judah) and predict a bright future for God's people who stayed faithful (remnant).
John makes it clear that Jesus was not just a man; he was and is the eternal Son of God. He is the Light of the World because he offers the gift of eternal life to all people. How blind and foolish to call Jesus nothing more than an unusually good man or moral teacher. Yet we sometimes act as if this were true when we casually toss around his words and go about living our own way. If Jesus is the eternal Son of God, we should pay attention to his divine identity and life-giving message.
Minister Steve Minor introduces a new Wednesday night series: A Life of Truth and Grace - A Study of the Book of John.
John's Gospel is more than a historical account of the life of Jesus; it is a powerful argument for the Incarnation, a conclusive demonstration that Jesus was, and is, the very heaven-sent Son of God and the only source of life.
When the disciples saw Jesus’ miracle, they believed in him. The miracle showed his power over nature and revealed the way he would go about his ministry—helping others, speaking with authority, and being in personal touch with people.
Minister Steve Minor introduces a new Wednesday night series titled God Preachers: The Minor Prophets. A Prophet's task was to receive a message from God and then speak that message for God to the people. The first installment in the series focuses on Obadiah and the fall of Edom.
There are three lessons we can learn from Joel. The first is the consequences of disobedience. God ultimately calls us to obedience. He cannot tolerate disobedience and as a father to a child, there are consequences. No one can escape God’s wrath. God wants nothing more than to be with His people. All He asks of us is complete obedience. Disobedience is the one thing He cannot tolerate, and there are consequences. Joel teaches us today that consequences are inevitable, but we can repent and reap the rewards of God’s spirit being poured over us.
Nahum is strictly about the destruction of Nineveh for its mistreatment of others. Not only did Nahum predict Nineveh's destruction, but he also indicated that the fall of the city would bring comfort to others (Judah).