Tag Archives: Bible

July 21, 2025 · 9:00 am

Persuasive Force

 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of Godmay be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

The Bible is the persuasive force for salvation and growth in the life of a Believer. Maturity and growth occur through the study and application of God’s Word. The Scriptures promote maturity, joy, and peace for the Christian. 

The Bible isn’t just a moral guidebook; it’s a powerful tool that God uses to draw us to Himself. Through its pages, we discover the grand narrative of creation, fall, and redemption. We learn about our own sinful nature and our desperate need for a Savior. But we also encounter the incredible news of God’s love and grace, manifested in the person of Jesus Christ.

Romans 10:17 reminds us that “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” It’s through Scripture that we’re persuaded of our need for salvation and led to put our trust in Christ. But the Bible’s persuasive power doesn’t stop at salvation – it continues to work in our lives, urging us towards spiritual maturity and deeper devotion to God.

Tony French

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July 17, 2025 · 9:00 pm

Careful Living

1 Dead flies putrefy the perfumer’s ointment, And cause it to give off a foul odor; So does a little folly to one respected for wisdom and honor. 2 A wise man’s heart is at his right hand, But a fool’s heart at his left. 3 Even when a fool walks along the way, He lacks wisdom, And he shows everyone that he is a fool. 4 If the spirit of the ruler rises against you, Do not leave your post; For conciliation pacifies great offenses.

Ecclesiastes 10:1-4

Solomon concludes the book of Ecclesiastes with application for the hearer. The last three chapters give instructions on how we are to live in the meaninglessness of life. It is advisable to give this matter careful consideration at this stage.

The writer commences with a warning against folly. Folly could be thought of as mindless pursuits that lead to nowhere. Folly doesn’t have to be sinful (though at times it includes sinful acts.) Even good things when done in mindless, non-thoughtful manner can be considered folly.

The preacher is making a point. Life is short and we need to be live carefully and thoughtfully. Recreation and fun have its place in our lives. But, when we are totally given over to these things they become our idols. We can lose God’s blessing and opportunities for growth when our time is occupied with folly.  Therefore, we need to avoid folly and use our time wisely.

Tony French

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June 2, 2025 · 9:00 am

Purify

19 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

2 Peter 1:19-21

In a world filled with distractions and conflicting voices, there’s one source of truth that stands the test of time – the Bible. This sacred text isn’t just a collection of ancient stories; it’s a living, breathing guide that has the power to shape our lives in profound ways. Today, let’s explore the transformative power of Scripture and how it can impact our daily walk with God.

The Bible: Our Spiritual Purifier

Imagine a filter that can cleanse not just water, but our very thoughts and actions. That’s precisely what the Word of God does for us. As we immerse ourselves in Scripture, it begins to purify our hearts and minds, gradually molding us to be more like Jesus. This transformation isn’t always visible to the naked eye, but over time, it becomes evident in the way we think, speak, and act.

Psalm 119:2-3 beautifully captures this truth: “Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity; they walk in his ways.” The more we engage with God’s Word, the more it cleanses us from within, helping us to resist sin and walk in God’s ways.

Tony French

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October 28, 2024 · 9:00 am

Sword Of The Spirit

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 

Ephesians 6:17

Let us take up the Word of God which is the sword of the Spirit. The Bible, God’s Holy Word, is our help and strength as we study it and apply it to our lives. Without it, we are left to wander and follow our own devices.

4 Facts About the Bible

**The Bible is God’s Truthful Word

**The Bible is God’s Total Word

**The Bible is God’s Timely Word

**The Bible is God’s Transforming Word

As Christians and as churches, let us not seek mere tradition, the past, or “that’s what we used to do” as our guiding light. Let us look to the light of God’s Word as He leads us into the future. Wield the Sword of the Spirit, Child of God. Take it up and fight against the schemes of the evil one.

Tony French

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July 13, 2023 · 6:00 pm

Obey

 “If you love Me, keep My commandments.

John 14:15

As Jesus’ teaches in Scripture, He calls for a response. His teaching has authority and power. It cannot be ignored. The hearer will either reject Christ’s teaching or follow Christ and be changed. There is no middle ground.

The same is true of us. We have a choice to make when confronted with the truth of God’s Word. We will obey it or we will forsake it. Jesus gives a helpful, practical principle to drive home His point in this verse of the Bible.

What will you do with Jesus’ message? Will you appropriate it and obey it? Or will you reject the Word of the Savior?

Tony French

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January 30, 2023 · 9:00 am

The Bible

How do know that Bible is the Word of God? How can we trust that the Bible is true? These are important questions that deserve an answer. Let us answer that query in three ways.

**The Bible is Inspired.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

**The Bible is Infallible.

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

Psalm 19:7-8

**The Bible is Authoritative

And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

2 Peter 1:19-21

These things are true. Therefore, let us commit to the continued study of God’s Word!

Tony French

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January 26, 2023 · 9:00 pm

Giving

“Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.”

Matthew 6:1

We learn early on that it is not proper to discuss money except in limited cases in our society. Protocols for speaking about money are probably helpful as they keep us from burrowing into someone else’s business. A healthy distance is not a bad thing.

But, did you know that Bible discusses money quite often? Money and material items are mentioned over 800 times in the Bible. Jesus teaches us about giving in chapter 6 of this sermon. Let’s examine what He said.

A fundamental underpinning for Christ’s teaching in vs. 2-18 is found in v. 1. It is do not serve God to be seen by others. Our motivation for serving, giving, praying, and fasting is not the attention of others but the attention of God.  We should serve and give quietly and humbly and not to be seen of men.

Teachings such as this are quite the opposite of what we hear in our world today. We are bombarded with messages about self-promotion, self-aggrandizement, and self-awareness. We want others to know what we are doing because we love the pats on the back and the praise of men and women. 

The praise of others is nice but it is not long lasting. At times, the same people who praise you one day are just as liable to criticize you the next day. Recognition is ok but it tends to be shallow and short-lived.

It is far better to do our works for the praise of God. May we seek to be God-pleasers first and not man/woman-pleasers.  If we do, we shall be rewarded by God.

Tony French

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