Spencer Iowa Church of Christ

06/27/2024

06/27/2024

If you have been affected by the recent flood or know someone who has, the Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort Team will be at the Church of Christ in Spencer Iowa. They will be there 1-8 Thursday and Friday and 10-6 Saturday.
They will distribute Free Food pack, Free Cleaning Supplies, and Free Water.
This is open to all in Northwest Iowa.
The Church is located at 1304 St. Luke drive

09/16/2023

Sundays Sermon
YOU ARE AN EPISTLE OF CHRIST
(2 Corinthians 3:2-3)
INTRODUCTION:
A. The power of influence is staggering.
1. Astronomers, watching the peculiar behavior of the planet Uranus, deducted that it must be under the influence of another planet.
2. Thus convinced, they pointed their great telescope in the correct direction and discovered the planet Neptune.
B. What is influence?
1. Influence is that moral or spiritual force, power or capacity by which we have an EFFECT upon a person, condition, or development.
2. Jesus presents this moral force – influence, under several metaphors:
a. Salt – Matthew 5:13 You are the salt of the earth.
b. Light – Matthew 5:14 You are the light of the world.
c. Leaven – Matthew 13:33 The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened
C. In today’s lesson we are going to study a metaphor used by Paul with reference to influence
1. 2 Corinthians 3:2-3 You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; 3 clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.
2. With reference to influence – “We are epistles of Christ”
DISCUSSION: [ discussion of this sermon on influence – the power of influence ]
A. EPISTLES ARE ALWAYS WRITTEN ON MATERIALS WHICH HAVE UNDERGONE A CHANGE
1. If the epistle is written on paper, the wood pulp, or rags, out of which the paper was made, underwent a change.
a. In like manner, we cannot exert a wholesome influence for Christ until we have undergone a change.
b. This spiritual change is conversion.
2. This change – conversion – is vitally important
a. Matthew 18:3 Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven
b. Acts 3:19 Repent therefore and be converted.
3. This change is produced by the word of God
a. “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul” (Psa. 19:7)
b. Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation.
4. This change is threefold in nature:
a. There is a change of heart which is produced by faith (Acts 15:9) purifying their hearts by faith.
b. There is a change of life – produced by repentance (Mt. 12:41) The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here.
c. There is a change of state – produced by baptism (Rom. 6:3) Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?
5. This change results in a new life
a. Galatians 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation.
b. Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
B. EPISTLES ARE READ, WITH THE READER BEING INFLUENCED THEREBY
1. Just as people will read letters, so will they read us.
2. For example, notice 1 Peter 3:1 Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives,
3. One of the greatest ways that we can win souls to Christ is by our lives – people read us like an open book
C. EPISTLES ARE WRITTEN FOR THE GOOD OF OTHERS
1. The motto of all Christians should be, JOY “Jesus first, others second, and You last.”
2. Christ lived for the good of others
a. Matthew 20:28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
3. Do not the Scriptures say:
a. “Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth” (1 Cor. 10:24)
b. “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves” (Rom. 15:1).
D. EPISTLES CONVEY THE EXPRESSION OF THEIR AUTHOR
1. As epistles of Christ, we are to give an expression of Christ to the world
a. We are to have the mind of Christ (Phil. 2:5)
b. We are to have Christ living in us (Gal. 2:20)
c. We are to magnify Christ in our lives (Phil. 1:20) Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.
d. Our lives are to be transformed into the image of Christ (2 Cor. 3:18). But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
2. To have seen Christ was to have seen the Father (Jn. 14:9)
a. Correspondingly, to see a true Christian is to see Christ.
b. Question: Can others see Christ in me; in my speech, in my dress, in what I do, in my attitude, and in where I go?
c. What impression of Christ do others get by reading our epistle of life?
E. EPISTLES BEAR THE SIGNATURE OF THEIR AUTHOR
1. As epistles of Christ we wear His name
a. “The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch” (Acts 11:26)
b. In the New Testament, our Lord’s disciples were called by Christ’s name – Christian
c. You cannot even say the word Christian without saying Christ.
d. James said, “Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called” (Jam. 2:7).
2. As epistles bearing the name of Christ, let us so live as to never bring shame and reproach on this name
3. We must so live so as to reflect the true meaning of the name Christian.
F. EPISTLES SHOULD BE WRITTEN SO AS TO BE EASILY READ
1. As our Lord’s epistles, people should be able to easily tell that we are His disciples
a. John 13:35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
b. Christians are to be different, for Paul said _ Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
2. Let us so live that no one would ever say, “Why, if you hadn’t told me I would have never known you were a member of the church!”
G. SOME EPISTLES DO NOT CONTAIN MUCH
1. A new college freshman wrote home a short note:
a. “Dear Dad: No money. No fun. Your son.”
b. Receiving this short note, the Dad replied. “Dear Son: No money. No Fun. Too bad. Your Dad.
c. Yes, it is true that some letters do not contain much, but what does our epistle of Christ contain?
2. As an epistle of Christ we are to lead a full and abundant life, seeking to exert as great an influence for the glory of Christ as possible.
a. Christ certainly lived an abundant life … He went about doing good (Acts 10:38)
b. Notice the emphasis placed upon “fullness” in the following texts:
1) Acts 9:36 At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did.
2) Romans 15:14 Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.
3. Finally, in this sermon on influence – the power of influence…
H. EPISTLES MAY BECOME BLOTTED
1. The blot will be the first thing seen.
a. And, the Christian must be extremely careful lest his life become stained and spotted; for, so often, people will more readily see a blot than a virtue.
b. The Christian has been washed white in the blood of Jesus (Rev. 1:5).
c. But, sin and the world will spot, blot and blemish (Jam. 1:27).
d. And, when Christians let their lives become blemished – their influence for good has been greatly hurt.
2. Thus, IT IS A MUST, that every Christian resolve that he is going to maintain his spiritual purity at all costs.
3. To be unconcerned about maintaining our spiritual purity is to show a fundamental lack of appreciation for what Christ and His blood has done for us.
CONCLUSION
Poem: The Gospel According to You
There’s a Gospel according to Matthew; To Mark;
To Luke; and John too.
There’s another gospel that many are reading…
The Gospel according to You.
All teachings we find in the Bible
Are facts we know to be true;
You must live them to make them the Gospel…
The Gospel according to You
Many read not the words of the Bible;
I will tell you what some of them do…
They are reading the book you are writing…
The Gospel according to you.
There’s Great Power In Gospel Preaching
The Bible teaches that this is true.
But the sermon most likely to influence others
Is The Gospel according to You.
God help us to be faithful to Jesus…
To live all His teachings so true,
So that all may see His Spirit
In the Gospel according to You
You are writing a gospel, a chapter each day;
By things that you do; By things you say.
Others read that gospel, whether faithless or true!
Say! What is the Gospel According To You?
Leroy Brownlow
I would like to leave you with this, What kind of Epistle are we leaving?
Invitation.

09/01/2023

Sundays Sermon What must we do to run the Christian race? 1) Follow the Rules, 2) Look to our example, 3) Look to the Prize 4) Endure to the End.
INTRODUCTION:
1. Read: 1 Corinthians 9:24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.
2. About the Text:
1) We spoke in a previous lesson about preparing to run the race.
a. The Proper Attitude
b. The Proper Nutrition
c. The Proper Training
d. The Proper Attire
2) Once we have prepared to run the race, then we must do it; we must run!
3) What does one gain from running a race?
a. Exercise
b. Good health
c. Personal Satisfaction
d. A Prize
4) The prize for the Christian is so much greater than any earthly prize one may win.
5) What do we need to do to run the Christian race?
What must we do to run the Christian race?
I. FOLLOW THE RULES
1. Those who participate in races must follow the rules.
1) You must start at the right time.
2) You must stay within the prescribed boundaries of the course.
3) You must not cheat by using performance enhancing drugs.
4) You cannot get your grandmother to give you a ride.
2. We have rules to follow in the Christian race as well.
1) Must follow the rules.
a. 2 Timothy 2:5 “And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules..”
b. John 14:15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”
c. 1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.”
2) Number 1 and 2 Rules: Matthew 22:36-40
3) Rules of morality.
a. The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17)
b. Works of the Flesh (Galatians 5:19-21) Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
c. Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
d. Christian Graces (2 Peter 1:5-7) But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.
4) Rules of spirituality.
a. Study God’s word – Acts 17:11, These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.
2 Timothy 2:15, Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Psalm 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law, he meditates day and night.
b. Pray – 1 Thessalonians 5:17, pray without ceasing,
Luke 18:1, Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart,
Ephesians 6:18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints
c. Remember the Lord – Acts 20:7, Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight.
1 Corinthians 11:23-27 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me. 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.”
d. Sing Praises to God – Acts 16:25, But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
Ephesians 5:19, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,
e. Give to God – 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: 2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
3. We could add many more. We must observe all things (Matthew 28:18-20). And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
II. LOOK TO OUR EXAMPLE
1. Athletes often have heroes or causes.
1) There are many in the history of sports.
a. Babe Ruth
b. Jesse Owens
c. Mark Spitz
d. Carl Lewis
e. Jim Thorpe
2) Sometimes an athlete will run for a charitable event or good cause.
a. March of Dimes
b. Cancer Awareness
c. American Heart Association
d. Children’s Hospitals
e. Etc.
2. Christians who run the race look to their hero and cause as well, Jesus.
1) He is our reason for living.
a. Philippians 1:21 “For to me to live is Christ?.”
b. Galatians 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
2) He is the model for us to follow.
a. Hebrews 12:2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
b. 1 Peter 2:21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
3) So we must follow Him.
a. Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
b. Mark 10:21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”
III. LOOK TO THE PRIZE
1. Athletes allow the prize to motivate them.
1) The World Series
2) The Olympic Gold Medal
3) The Super bowl
4) The Stanley Cup
2. The Christian also has a prize for which to run.
1) Described as a Prize
a. 1 Corinthians 9:24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.
b. Philippians 3:14 “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
2) Described as a Crown
a. 1 Corinthians 9:25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.
b. Revelation 2:10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
3) Eternal Life
a. 1 John 2:25 “And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life.”
b. 1 Timothy 6:12 “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”
c. Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
IV. ENDURE TO THE END
1. Athletes understand that if they are to be victorious, they must endure.
1) In running, you must endure the distance.
2) In soccer you must endure the time.
3) In football, you must endure the season.
2. As Christians we must endure through life.
1) Love endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:7
2) 2 Timothy 4:5 “But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry..”
3) James 1:12 “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”
6) James 5:11 “ Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.”
7) 1 Corinthians 15:58 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.
CONCLUSION:
1. What must we do to run the Christian race?
1) Follow the Rules
2) Look to our Example
3) Look to the Prize
4) Endure to the End
2. Invitation