In Sermons: showing 16-30 of 120

The Debt We Owed

Contributed by Scott Coltrain on Aug 12, 2015

An explanation of how exactly we were debtors to God.

The Debt We Owed A parable in Matthew 18 speaks of us sinners as being debtors to God. Many of our favorite hymns and spiritual songs we sing speak of our debt to God being paid by Christ. The question we may have is: just how exactly were we in debt to God? We are created to glorify and please ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:23-35

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Biblical Predestination

Contributed by Scott Coltrain on Jul 24, 2015

A simple study that shows that people are free moral agents who choose their eternal destiny rather than the Calvinist Predestination that God has predetermined by decree from eternity past who specifically will be saved and who will be condemned

Biblical Predestination Predestination is a Biblical subject but many readers of the New Testament find the doctrine of predestination confusing. Differing views as to what is meant by predestination began as early as the 5th Century as can be gleaned from the debates between Augustine and ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Indwelling Of The Holy Spirit And The Early Church Fathers

Contributed by Scott Coltrain on Jul 11, 2015

The doctrine that the Holy Spirit comes to abide inside or indwell the person who obeys the Gospel is not new. The Early Church Fathers believed and taught this doctrine. Herein, we look at a sampling of their words.

The belief that the Scriptures teach that the Holy Spirit personally comes to abide within the Christian is not new. Writings from the first three centuries of the Church indicate that it was an accepted doctrine of the Early Church. The writings indicate the belief that the Spirit was given to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Letter To The Laodicea Congregation Series

Contributed by Scott Coltrain on May 24, 2015

A congregation that is not actively benefitting and transforming the culture in which it finds itself, it is sickening to Jesus, the Head of the Church. Jesus condemns the Laodicean 'Health & Wealth Gospel' which is promoted by modern-day televangelists.

Verse 14 – Jesus introduces Himself to the congregation at Laodicea by three titles: (1) “The Amen” which is a reminder that the Lord – by His death on the Cross – is the living confirmation of the New Covenant with its promises. 2 Corinthians 1:19-20, “For ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:14-21

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Letter To The Philadelphia Congregation Series

Contributed by Scott Coltrain on May 24, 2015

Due to their rejection of Christ, the Jews lost their position as being God's Chosen. The Church, composed of the believing Jewish Remnant and Gentiles, is now God's Chosen. Christians, alone, have access to the throne of God.

Verse 7 – Again, we see that this letter is sent to the angel of the church; that is, to the leadership of the congregation in Philadelphia. In the other Letters to the six other congregations, Jesus introduced Himself by taking phrases from the vision of Christ in Chapter 1. This is not ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:7-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Letter To The Sardis Congregation Series

Contributed by Scott Coltrain on May 24, 2015

Congregational leaders need to keep themselves and their members alive and zealously active by invoking and cooperating with the life-reviving Holy Spirit.

Verse 1 - In each of the seven letters, Jesus introduces Himself differently to each church congregation. He does this because, in each case, the way He introduces Himself is relevant to the situations of each church congregation and the message they need to heed. Jesus introduces Himself to ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Letter To The Thyatira Congregation Series

Contributed by Scott Coltrain on May 24, 2015

Both Christ and the Apostle Paul warned that the leaven of sin can destroy a congregation. The leadership at Thyatira are chastened for not practicing congregational discipline.

Verse 18 – Jesus introduces Himself to the leadership and, secondarily, to the congregation at Thyatira as “the Son of God, Who has eyes like a flame of fire.” The significance of this designation in relationship with the Thyatiran brethren is twofold: (1) This city's god and ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:18-28

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Letter To The Pergamum Congregation Series

Contributed by Scott Coltrain on May 24, 2015

Compromising in holiness is far more dangerous than severe persecution of a congregation and individual Christian.

Verse 12 - Jesus introduces Himself as having a two-edged sword. The significance of that will be plainly understood later in this letter. Verse 13 - Jesus first tells the congregation that He knows that one of the greatest challenges they must deal with is dwelling where they do - Pergamum - ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:12-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Letter To The Smyrna Congregation Series

Contributed by Scott Coltrain on May 24, 2015

Persecution is to be expected by the godly and enduring persecution can bring great spiritual good.

Verse 8 – Jesus introduces Himself as being “the First and the Last, Who was dead, and has come to life.” The importance of this particular self-designation to the Smyrna Church of Christ will be seen when we have studied the challenges facing this congregation. Verse 9 ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Letter To The Ephesian Congregation Series

Contributed by Scott Coltrain on May 24, 2015

The danger of being dutiful and pure without love for Christ Jesus.

Verse 1 - The message is sent by the One Who walks among the congregations and Who supports and holds accountable the leadership of the congregations. Verse 2 - Jesus begins with the statement "I know". Because He walks among the congregations, He knows everything about each congregation. Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Gift Of The Holy Spirit

Contributed by Scott Coltrain on Oct 4, 2014

This study examines the Scriptural identity of the Gift of the Holy Spirit and, also, how to receive the Gift and why we receive this precious Gift.

When one obeys the Gospel of Jesus Christ, they receive the Holy Spirit. Paul asked the Galatian brethren (3:2): "This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit from the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?" The Spirit was not received through their observing ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Godhead

Contributed by Scott Coltrain on Oct 3, 2014

In this study, we glean the basic Scriptural facts about the nature of the Godhead.

My in-depth study of the Godhead was prompted, some some 20 years ago, by a disagreement on the subject between two close spiritual friends of mine. Each person was adamant that they understood the true doctrine of the subject and the other person's doctrine was heretical. I studied the ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Rapture Theory Debunked

Contributed by Scott Coltrain on Aug 23, 2014

The Rapture Theory has been adopted by many Christians as being sound doctrine. In this study, we examine the subject by noting that this subject was created by taking texts out of context and ignoring plain statements of Scripture.

The Rapture Theory claims, in short, that the Lord will come secretly to resurrect only faithful Christians before the coming of the “Great Tribulation” on the Earth. After the seven years of Tribulation on the Earth, all people will be resurrected and brought before the Judgment Seat ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Bible And Modern Israel

Contributed by Scott Coltrain on Aug 15, 2014

A Biblical study considering whether or not modern Israel holds any significance in the eyes of God.

Throughout my life, I have noted that our Nation's foreign-policy has been to support Israel in its struggles with its Arab and Palestinian neighbors. Nearly a half trillion dollars of humanitarian and military aid has been given to Israel to defend the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:29

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Bible Is Trustworthy

Contributed by Scott Coltrain on Aug 3, 2014

An examination of the internal and external evidence which testifies to the reliability of the Bible as God's Word.

Is the Bible trustworthy in its claim to be God's Word? I can definitely say that there are sound evidences to support the position that the Bible's claim to be Divinely-inspired is trustworthy. There are both internal and external evidences that the Bible is truly God's Word. The internal ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ