Seffner Church of Christ

06/23/2026

In his letter to the saints at Rome, the apostle Paul exclaimed, saying, "Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off" (Romans 11:22).

This verse suggests two traits which are ascribed to God – goodness and severity. Thus far, in our studies of various events recorded in the book of Genesis, we have witnessed both the goodness and severity of God.

Surely His goodness was manifested in the creation of the material universe with all its abundant wealth, and then the creation of man, who would have dominion over the lower creation and who would enjoy the blessings which God placed here in such abundance.

However, the severity of God was demonstrated in the fall of man. In sorrow, the woman would bring forth children. Man would earn his living by the sweat of his face, or by hard work, and opportunity to eat of the tree of life -- at least, on earth -- was from thenceforth denied.

And the goodness and severity of God was especially evident in the lifetime of Noah. Through the goodness of God, righteous Noah and his family were spared.

Also, His goodness was demonstrated in His stated provisions for the sparing of seven pairs (the male and female) of every clean beast, and the saving of two (the male and female) of every beast that was not clean.

But surely the severity of God is expressed in the following verses: "And the rain was on the earth forty days and forty nights…The waters prevailed and greatly increased on the earth…And the waters prevailed exceedingly on the earth, and all the high hills under the whole heaven were covered…And all flesh died that moved on the earth: birds and cattle and beasts and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, and every man. All in whose nostrils was the breath of the spirit of life, all that was on the dry land, died" (Genesis 7:12,18-19,21-22).

Man's cup of iniquity was full. God's patience had reached its limit. His Spirit ceased to strive with man. The flood came, and God thus purged the earth of its former iniquity.

In 2 Peter 3, the apostle Peter cited the example of the Genesis flood in order to prove that God does not forget His promises. And He applied that reasoning to the second coming of Christ.

The fact that He brought forth the flood as promised implies that God will also send forth His Son as promised, at which time the universe will be burned up (not just flooded), and at which time the judgment will begin.

This is why we must obey Christ in this life.

--Bobby Witherington.

If you live in our area, we invite you to visit with us!

Bible Study Sunday 10:00 AM
Worship Sunday 11:00 AM
Worship Sunday 6:00 PM
Bible Study Wednesday 7:30 PM

Seffner Church of Christ
621 E Wheeler Rd,
Seffner, FL 33584
Tel. 813-684-1297
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.seffnercoc.org
YouTube:

06/19/2026

John 8:12

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying,
“I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (NKJV).

06/16/2026

06/13/2026

Just a reminder, our gospel meeting begins tomorrow (Sunday 14th-Wednesday 17th June).

All are welcome. We look forward to seeing you then.

Dates: June 14-17, 2026
Time: See flyer below
Location: Seffner Church of Christ
621 East Wheeler Road
Seffner, Florida 33584
Phone: 813-684-1297
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.seffnercoc.org

06/09/2026

We warmly invite you to join us for a Gospel Meeting where we will come together in worship, learning, and encouragement.

This is a great time to learn more about God and His word, and to meet together to strengthen faith.

Dates: June 14-17, 2026
Time: See flyer below
Location: Seffner Church of Christ
621 East Wheeler Road
Seffner, Florida 33584
Phone: 813-684-1297
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.seffnercoc.org

06/05/2026

Please mark your calendars for June 14-17, and join us for our Gospel Meeting with lessons covering how to live godly in a sinful world. The full list of subjects and times is below.

All are welcome, and we look forward to seeing you!

Please let us know if you have questions or need directions.

Date: June 14-17, 2026
Times: See flyer below
Location: Seffner Church of Christ
621 East Wheeler Road
Seffner, Florida 33584
Phone: 813-684-1297
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.seffnercoc.org

06/02/2026

In our previous study, we discussed Noah as a man and as a preacher of righteousness.

Today, as we enlarge upon the thoughts presented in the previous message, we call Genesis 6:14-16 to your attention: “Make yourself an ark of gopherwood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch. And this is how you shall make it: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits. You shall make a window for the ark, and you shall finish it to a cubit from above; and set the door of the ark in its side. You shall make it with lower, second, and third decks” (NKJV).

In some respects, the ark was to be like the hulk of a ship. It was not designed to sail upon the waters since there was no shore to sail to, but rather to float upon the waters, waiting for them to recede.

Concerning the ark, it was to be of gopher wood, 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high. It was to have three stories, one door, and one window. Considering its size and the simple tools of that day, this was one gigantic undertaking.

And in view of the fact that the world had never before been destroyed by a flood, the making of the ark must have subjected Noah to much ridicule. One is made to wonder how many people laughed about "Noah's folly." However, there is no indication of hesitancy or quibbling on the part of Noah.

Genesis 6:22 simply says: "Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did.” We are told in Hebrews 11:7 that Noah did it "By faith…" and this, of course, lets us know that the kind of faith which saves is the kind of faith that obeys.

Should anyone be prone to question this point, we ask what would have happened if Noah had simply said "Lord, I believe, and I have accepted you as my personal savior" -- and then neglected to build the ark?

Would he have been saved? Certainly not. Noah stood to benefit from the grace of God when he obeyed the instructions of grace.

In a very real sense, he had to work out his own salvation. And we also ask what would have happened if Noah had substituted a different kind of wood or changed the dimensions? Would the ark have floated? Surely we recognize that when God gave these instructions to Noah, he had no choice but to obey them if he wanted to spare his life.

But what about today? Is it any less important for us to accept the instructions of our Lord at face value, without equivocation, and carry them out precisely as the Lord has designated? In view of the fact that this Old Testament event is written for our learning, and in view of the fact that the Lord, according to Hebrews 5:9, is the “…author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him…,” what other conclusion can we reach? Thank you.

--Bobby Witherington.

If you live in our area, we invite you to visit with us!

Bible Study Sunday 10:00 AM
Worship Sunday 11:00 AM
Worship Sunday 6:00 PM
Bible Study Wednesday 7:30 PM

Seffner Church of Christ
621 E Wheeler Rd,
Seffner, FL 33584
Tel. 813-684-1297
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.seffnercoc.org
YouTube: