Bardwell church of Christ

09/14/2026

CLOTHED IN THE SPIRIT -- THE SIGNET RING
For centuries kings wore signet rings to “sign” or seal documents and signify their power. In the Bible, a signet ring symbolizes authority, identity, and authenticity.
In Genesis, Pharoah gave Joseph his signet ring, which granted him authority over Egypt, allowing him to act on behalf of the king. “And Pharoah took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph … and made him ruler over all the land of Egypt” (Genesis 41:42-43).
When King Ahasurerus gave Haman his ring, Haman sent letters to all the king’s provinces “sealed with the king’s ring” (Esther 3:12) to condemn the Jewish people.
Later, Mordecai wrote letters in the king’s name “and sealed it with the king’s ring” to save the Jews (Esther 8:10).
In Haggai 2:23, God declares that he will make Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, “as his signet” signifying Zerubbabel’s status and the authority bestowed upon him by God.
In the New Testament, Jesus told his disciples that he gave them authority and “power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10:19) … in essence his signet ring.
In Matthew 28:18, he reminds them that “all power [authority] is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” With the Great Commission, he has given them (and us) the authority to use His name as authority as Christians …his signet.

09/11/2026

Join us Sunday as Bill Sullivan will preach the 11 a.m. sermon entitled “Bible Reading: What It Does” from 2 Timothy 2:15.

09/11/2026

09/08/2026

CLOTHED IN THE SPIRIT -- A PHYLACTERY?
Traditionally, Jewish men wear a phylactery, a small leather box containing scriptures written on parchment, during prayer.
They were specifically instructed to wear them on their arm or forehead as a reminder of their connection to God’s law.
“And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the Lord’s law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the lord brought thee out of Egypt” (Exodus 13:9).
The Israelites were reminded again in Deuteronomy 6:8 and 11:18. God reinforced the command to teach and remember His commandments.
“Therefore, shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes.”
However, in the New Testament, Jesus criticized the scribes and Pharisees for being hypocritical. “But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, and love the uppermost rooms at the feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues” (Matthew 23:5-6).
Jesus pointed out that the Pharisees made their phylacteries larger to show off their religious devotion. This act was more about seeking recognition from others than a sincere commitment to God’s commandment. We should there-fore strive for authenticity in faith.

09/03/2026

Worship with us Sunday as Chance Farmer preaches the 11 a.m. sermon entitled “The Final Domino to Fall” from 2 Samuel 4.

08/31/2026

CLOTHED IN THE SPIRIT -- WEAR SPIRITUAL CROWNS
Crowns in the Bible are not merely decorative but represent the rewards for a life lived in accordance with God’s will.
The Bible describes distinctive crowns that believers can earn as rewards for their faithfulness, each a different aspect of a believer’s life and commitment to Christ.
The crown of life is awarded for enduring trials and remaining faithful under persecution. “Blessed is the man who endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life” (James 1:12).
The incorruptible crown is given for self-discipline and victory in the Christian life. “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain…Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible” (1 Corinthians 9:24-25).
A crown of glory is awarded to spiritual leaders who faithfully shepherd their congregations. “The elders which are among you I exhort…feed the flock of God…being ensamples to the flock…and when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away” (1 Peter 5:1-4).
A crown of righteousness is given to those who live righteously and eagerly await Christ’s return. “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).

08/25/2026

CLOTHED IN THE SPIRIT -- IN MODEST APPAREL
The Bible’s teaching on women’s dress was influenced by cultural norms and practices of the time.
Regardless of the era, women were encouraged to dress respectably, unlike the “daughters of Zion” (the Jewish women in the Old Testament) who were haughty and rebuked by the prophet Isaiah for their wickedness and their obsession with worldly values.
He specifically mentioned their chains, bracelets, bonnets, leg ornaments, headbands, earrings, rings, nose jewels, changeable suits of apparel, mantles, hoods, and veils, among other ornamental items (Isaiah 3:17-23).
Paul wrote to Timothy “that women [should] adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works” (1 Timothy 2:9-10).
Peter wrote that women should focus more on their inner character and not their outward appearance. “Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price” (1 Peter 3:3-4).
Solomon’s wisdom stated that “strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come” (Proverbs 31:25).

08/21/2026

Worship with us Sunday as Bill Sullivan will preach the 11 a.m. sermon entitled “The Great Confession” from Matthew 10:32-33.