Barnwell Church of Christ

08/11/2024

An encore presentation of a past radio broadcast

Sermon/lesson: "God’s Eternal Purpose" (Audio)

(I do not own the rights to the music. )

11/20/2022

(I do not own the rights to the music. )

Bible sermons/lessons from past local radio broadcasts

07/17/2022

“The Sorrow of Death”

By: William "Bill" Holmes

It seems as though not a week passes that a family in our community is not touched by the hand of death. It is apparent that over the past two years COVID-19 has accelerated the pace.
There is little or nothing we can say or do to prevent death from coming into our community. We should resolve to accept the God given fact that dying is as much a part of life as living. God has ordained it so (Genesis 3:19; Romans 5:12; Hebrews 9:27; James 2:26). Even though death is a common occurrence, yet its impact on our lives is not diminished in the least.
What is it about death that leaves some people with such a morbid feeling of helplessness and hopelessness? Many are terrified by even the thought of death. Is it because they believe that death is the “final curtain” of one’s existence? To believe that there isn’t life beyond the grave is to deny the truth of God’s Holy Scriptures. Have they not heard or read that the obedient and faithful shall inherit eternal life? We shall be resurrected with an immortal spiritual body (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:44, 53).
We should turn to God and seek comfort through His Word in times of sorrow. The word of God is the perfect source of hope and encouragement to bring comfort to the many hearts that have been stricken by the sorrow of death.
Knowing what God's attitude is concerning the death of the righteous should buffer the impact of our sorrow when death comes and takes our loved ones away (Psalm 116:15; Proverbs 14:32).
After the death of their leader Moses, Joshua spoke comforting words to the children of Israel by telling them “not to tremble or be dismayed, but to be strong and courageous.” God's encouraging words lift up every grieving spirit (See Joshua chapter 1).
Many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary to comfort them concerning the death of their brother, Lazarus. “When Jesus therefore saw her [Mary] weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, and said, where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him” (John 11:19, 33-36)! Let’s take our care and sorrow to Jesus for He loves and cares for us.
Jesus knows our every feeling in time of sorrow. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16). Always remember that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). We should take solace in knowing that the Lord is our Shepherd (Psalm 23).
God sent His Son Jesus into the world to redeem us from the curse of death. Jesus has abolished death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel (2 Timothy 1:10). Those who live and die in Christ shall be resurrected to everlasting life.
Our sorrowing hearts will turn to joy when we see the beauty, splendor and glory of the Holy City of God. All our troubles, trials and sorrow will end because "God shall wipe away all tears from their [our] eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away" (Revelation 21:4).
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:58). Take heart, and comfort yourselves with these words.

07/03/2022

Sermon: "Swiftly We're Turning1
(How Are We Using God’s Golden Moments?)

From A Past Radio Broadcast

(I do not own the rights to the music.)

https://youtu.be/U8Hlt4KVjRM

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1Swiftly We’re Turning © 1939 by Tillit S. Teddli

From A Past Radio Broadcast

06/26/2022

Sermon: "Where Has the Fear of God Gone?" (Audio)

From A Past Radio Broadcast of 4/9/2006

(I do not own the rights to the music.)

From A Past Radio Broadcast of 4/9/2006

06/19/2022

*Sermon: "Why Did My Savior Come to Earth?" (Audio)

(*From a Past Radio Broadcast -
5/17/2009)

(I do not own the rights to the music.)

(*From a past radio broadcast 5/17/2009)

05/22/2022

The apostles John and Peter claimed to have witnessed the resurrection. [3] The truth is that people do not die for a lie if they have nothing to gain from it. There was nothing to gain from perpetuating the lie of the resurrected Christ. If the apostles had nothing physical to gain by continuing…

05/12/2022

“What Does it Mean to be Lost?”

By William "Bill" Holmes

Text: "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost"(2 Corinthians 4:3).

Golden Text: "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost" (Luke 19:10 ESV).

Most folks think of the concept of “being lost” only as it is applied in the physical realm. We can easily understand that fact when we see the AMBER Alert1 lashes across our television screen notifying us that a child is missing from his home. At the outset, we don’t know whether the child simply wandered away from home and got lost or whether the child was abducted and in grave danger. People in the community unite and search diligently to find the lost child. Until the child is found and reunited with his family, the agonizing moments of separation seem like an eternity.
We know what it is like to be lost in the physical sense and how to respond to it. Yes, some of us have experienced and/or witnessed the roll-a-coaster excruciating emotional ride surrounding a missing or lost child. The sense of “all is well” is not realized until the safe recovery of the lost child. Great joy results when the lost is found.

The plights of the lost in sin:

However, the plights of the multitudes that are lost in sin and separated from God barely get any attention. What does it really mean to be lost in sin? To be lost in sin means to be separated from God (Isaiah 59:1, 2). We are not separated from God by birth. Humanity is not separated by the sins of Adam and Eve. We are separated by sins we personally commit.
Sin is something one does, not something with which he is born. Sins are not inherited: "The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him." (Ezekiel 18:20). The Bible teaches that one sins when he/she transgresses also the law (1 John 3:4).
To be lost in sin also means spiritual death. People can be alive physically and yet, be spiritually dead. Before I had obeyed the gospel to become a Christian, I was lost and dead in my trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1). Anyone who has not become a new creature in Christ is dead in his trespasses and sins.

Torments await the eternally lost:

To be lost in sin also means torments after death. The story of the rich man and Lazarus describes the fate of man after death. The spirit of Lazarus was carried away by the angels into Abraham’s bosom. Into “Abraham’s bosom” personifies the heavenly rest that awaits the obedient children of God (Hebrews 4:9). The rich man died and was tormented in the flames in Hades [Tartarus]. Agony, despair and torments engulf the person lost in sin (Luke 16:19-31).

“Lake Gehenna” is the abode of the lost:

To be lost in sin ultimately means the second death. The first death is the physical death that no one will escape (Romans 5:12; Hebrews 9:27; James 2:26; Ecclesiastes 12:7). The second death, which will take place after the Judgment, is described as the lake that burns with fire and brimstone (a.k.a. Gehenna; Revelation 20:12-15; 21:8).
Those who die in their sins are bound for “lake” Gehenna and to be separated from God throughout eternity (Matthew 25:41, 46). The sad news is that eternity has no end. Words cannot convey the depth of the suffering and hopelessness of being eternally lost.

God’s plan rescues and saves the lost:

We can sense the agony in the heart of Jesus when He bemoaned the sad state of Jerusalem: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee…" (Matthew 23:37). Yet, Jesus is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (cf. 2 Peter 3:9).
God sent His Son into the world “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10; Matthew 1:21; John 3:16; Mark 1:2). The gospel of Christ is preached to rescue and save the lost (Mark 16:15, 16; Romans 1:16, 17; 6:17).
Will the lost answer the call of repentance? Knowing what it means to be lost in sin, they should hasten to have their sins washed away in the blood of the Lamb (Acts 22:16; Colossians 2:12; Ephesians 1:7; Revelation 1:5). Hope for the lost is assured only through the obedience of the gospel.
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1(America’s Missing Broadcast Emergency Response, established 1996, Arlington, Texas)

05/01/2022

PREACHING THE WORD

From A Past Radio Broadcast:

SERMON: "A Place Called Hell" (8/15/2010 (AUDIO)

(I do not own the rights to the music.)

Bible sermons/lessons from past local radio broadcasts

04/24/2022

“Order My Steps in Your Word”

By: William "Bill" Holmes

The topic statement is taken from the 133rd verse of Psalm 119 (NKJV). David is the author of this psalm. David through all his trials, tribulations, and “ups and downs” in life still maintained a special relationship with God. To that end “the LORD has sought out for Himself a man [David] after His own heart, who will do all My will” (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22).
God testified that David was a “man after My own heart,” chosen to be king of ancient Israel. When we allow God to direct our steps by His word, we will obtain the same testimony of God. Why? Because like David we will do all God’s will.
David's writings express the devotion, dedication, loyalty and commitment he had with God. David without ceasing beseeched God in prayer to have Go d’s grace to be ever present upon him. A good attitude of the heart allows God’s grace to help us direct our footsteps in the right path. We can choose to follow the way of the Lord, or the ways of the ungodly.

The Word is all sufficient:

In this ever changing world, wouldn’t it be the right thing to do to seek direction through the word of God? Let us humbly submit ourselves to the unchanging God of heaven and have our steps be directed by His unchanging Word (Psalm 102:12; Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 6:18, 13:8; Titus 1:2; Matthew 24:35).
Since God is eternal, His Word is also eternal. The Word is all sufficient to produce the desired result of God (2 Timothy 3:16, 17; Isaiah 55:11).

Way of the Righteous/End of the Ungodly:

All of the ways invented by men, the way of the Lord is the best way known to the human race. The prophet Jeremiah penned these words of the Lord: “O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jeremiah 10:23).
What is the end of those who try to direct their own steps? “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12). "Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once" (Proverbs 28:18). "For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish" (Psalm 1:6).

Walk not after the ungodly:

OWhen our lives are directed by the word of God, we will not walk in lock steps with the ungodly (Psalm 1:1-6). God wants us to come out from among them and be separate (2 Corinthians 6:14-17). We are admonished not to love this old corrupt world and the things therein (1 John 2:15). Walking by the word keeps us from being again entangled therein with the pollution of the world and be overcome; the latter end is worse than the beginning (2 Peter 2:20). When our steps are not directed by the word of God, our lives are like houses built upon the sand (Matthew 7:24-27).

The steps of a good man:

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths (Proverbs 3:6). For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly (Psalm 84:11). If we pattern our lives after the example Jesus left, our steps will always lead us in the path of righteousness.
"The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way" (Psalm 37:23). "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Psalm 119:105).
If we let the word of God direct our steps, we will not walk in darkness.

04/17/2022

"Living Hope through the Resurrection"

By: William "Bill" Holmes

Text: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (1 Peter 1:3).

There was a blues song in the 30's/40’s that contained a stanza that went somewhat like this: “When you’re dead you’re done; so let the good times roll.” It suggested that death was the-end-all and the-be-all to one’s existence. “Why not take it easy, eat, drink and be merry because there is no life or hope beyond the grave,” so say those who champion this philosophy.

The Sadducees deny the resurrection:

Perhaps, those words could have been lifted right out of a page of the textbook from the school of the Sadduceans. The Sadducees (who stood in strong opposition to Jesus’ teaching) taught that there is no resurrection of the dead (Matthew 22:23; Mark 12:18; Luke 20:27; Acts 23:8). They erred not knowing the Scriptures, nor what they teach about the resurrection of the dead.
The scoffers, skeptics and nonbelievers of the 21st century have joined the Sadducees by embracing the erroneous view that there is no resurrection of the dead. To ascribe to this view, one must completely reject the indisputable evidence presented by the empty tomboy. Yes, the empty tomb is an insurmountable problem to those who deny the resurrection.

The resurrection was/is a true event:

How do we know that the resurrection of Jesus actually took place? Was it a true event, or an elaborate conspiracy plot? The empty tomb itself provides undeniable proof that Jesus’ resurrection was/is a reality. Furthermore, the confirmatory testimonies of hundreds of eyewitnesses cannot be successfully disputed (Matthew 28:1-9; Mark 16:9, 12; Acts 1:22; 1 Corinthians 15:4-8).
It is made clear that if there were even a slight hint at the possibility of the disciples pulling off such a grand conspiracy, Pontius Pilate and the Pharisees made certain, from the outset, that such a thing would not happen (See Matthew 27:62-66). Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. So they went, and made the sepulcher sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch (Matthew 27:65, 66).
Thanks be to God that we can believe and confess that God raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 10:9). Christ’s resurrection is the heart and central message of the gospel (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4). His resurrection demonstrates the power He has over sin and death.

Significance of the resurrection:

Let’s reflect on the real significance of the Lord’s resurrection and the living hope that lies therein. Jesus spoke of His resurrection in a conversation to console Martha, the sister of the deceased Lazarus. He told her that her brother shall rise again (John 11:23). “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall live” (John 11:25). Although Jesus was speaking directly to Martha, His proclamation speaks to the entire world that the hope of eternal life is in His resurrection.
On an earlier occasion Jesus told His disciples that one day all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth – the just to the resurrection of life – the unjust to the resurrection of condemnation (John 5:28, 29).
Christ’s resurrection gives hope to the faithful. The wicked and the unjust will not find hope nor comfort in their resurrection (cf. Daniel 12:2; Acts 24:15; Revelation 21:8).

Baptism is our first resurrection:

The relationship of baptism and the resurrection is the foundation that anchors our living hope in that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Christ shed his blood in His death (John 19:34).
Christ’s blood was poured out for the remission of sins (Matthew 26:28; Hebrews 9:22).
It was necessary for our salvation for Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day. The preaching of the gospel teaches us how to be resurrected in Christ. To have living hope through the resurrection, you are to be "buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead" (Colossians 2:12 NKJV).
The apostle Paul expresses it in this fashion: "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection" (Romans 6:3-5; cf. Galatians 3:26, 27; 1 Peter 3:21). To deny the truths of these scriptures is to reject Christ’s death and burial and the power of God to raise Him from the dead.
And finally, when we assembly every Sunday, we faithful Christians express our living hope in Christ’s resurrection as we partake of the Lord’s Supper (John 20:1ff; Acts 20:7). Amen!