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Sunday, February 16, 2025
A Christian’s Speech
Serve One Another
Serve One Another
Christian LivingIntroduction: Jesus and his apostles were traveling to Jerusalem, where he would ultimately offer his life on the cross. An opportunity arises for him to impart a much-needed lesson on service. Consider Matthew 20:25-28. Spiritual greatness is not determined by the number of people who serve us but rather by the amount of service we give. Shortly before his death, he taught another profound lesson on service in Matthew 25:34-40. When we serve others, we are, in essence, serving the Lord. While God's word informs us of many ways to serve one another, let us focus primarily on two: being hospitable and visiting each other.
Be Hospitable. In describing Christian behavior, Paul, by inspiration, used these words (Romans 12:10, 13): “seeking after, striving for.” The word “hospitality” conveys the idea of welcoming others into your home and showing them love and generosity. This includes people you may not know very well. The attitude with which one extends hospitality is also very important (1 Peter 4:8-10).
Many biblical examples have been provided for us in God's word to learn from.
a) In 2 Kings 4:8-11, a woman showed hospitality to Elijah, the prophet. Years later, the kindness she had extended to him was repaid many times over when Elijah raised her son from the dead.
b) In 3 John 5-8, the recipient is known for assisting both brethren and strangers. He welcomes them and then sends them on their journey. Some of these individuals are missionaries who “went forth for his name's sake." By welcoming and supporting them during their mission to spread the gospel, he becomes a fellow worker for the truth.
c) In Luke 10:38-42, we find a familiar account of two sisters, Mary and Martha, who lived in Bethany, just east of Jerusalem. Jesus was welcomed into Martha's house. Mary, Martha, and their brother Lazarus were close friends of Jesus. However, Martha became overwhelmed with the tasks of serving and was “worried and troubled with many things.”
From this account, we can learn important lessons about hospitality. Martha may have been trying to do too much; a simple meal is often preferable to a grand feast. It seems that she was overly focused on the details and wanted everything to be perfect. Our home does not need to look as though it came from the cover of a magazine, nor does it require immaculate cleanliness. Martha's preoccupation with serving caused her to miss the opportunity to spend time with Jesus. We should prioritize time with our guests over excessive preparation, for that is what truly matters.
2. Visit One Another.
A key component of pure and undefiled (acceptable) religion is to visit orphans and widows (James 1:27). A visit includes activities such as showing interest, cheering, comforting, strengthening, encouraging, and providing assistance. Throughout time, God has desired for His people to care for those in need, as emphasized in Psalm 146:5-9.
Those who need visiting include widows (Acts 6 and 1 Timothy 5), the sick and afflicted (Matthew 25), and individuals who are elderly or shut-in at home (Proverbs 16:31). Let us remember the psalmist’s words in Psalm 41:1-3: “Blessed is he who considers the poor.”
Conclusion/invitation: Have you been lacking in your Christian service lately?
February, 2025
Sermon prepared by Bobby Stafford
Prepared by Bobby Stafford
The church of Christ at Granby, MO
Located at
516 East Pine St.
P.O. Box 664
Granby, Mo. 64844
(417) 472-7109For more lessons and Sermons, please visit
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Christ Our Passover
Christ Our Passover Introduction: Jesus is the central figure in the Bible, especially in the Passover. Many principles in the Passover point to Christ. 1. Exodus 12- the Passover begins a. the book of Exodus describes how God freed his people from Egyptian slavery. Because Pharaoh's heart was hardened, God punished Egypt with 10 plagues. As God was about to send the 10th and final plague, he gave commands to his people on how to escape the destruction of the firstborn so they would not be killed. b. The Passover sacrifice was a male lamb, without blemish, to be sacrificed in the late afternoon (Exodus 12: 3-6). No bones of the lamb were to be broken (Exodus 12: 46). The blood of the lamb was to be spread around the door frame of the houses where the Passover meal was to be eaten (Exodus 12: 7). The meal was to be eaten that night along with unleavened bread and bitter herbs (Exodus 12: 8- 10). They were to eat in a hurry, ready to leave Egypt at any moment (Exodus 12: 11). The blood around the door frames would be a sign to God, and He would “pass over” their houses and not destroy the firstborn (Exodus 12: 13). The Passover celebration was to be repeated throughout the generations as a memorial forever (Exodus 12: 14). 2. The Passover and Christ (Exodus 12: 1-2) a. The feast marked a new year and a new beginning in Christ, every believer is a new creation (2 Corinthians 5: 17 ). b. The Passover lamb had to be without blemish (Exodus 12: 5). Christ, our Passover, was inspected by the pilot, Herod, Annas, and Caiaphas. None could find fault (John 1: 29; 1 Peter 1: 18-21; 1 Peter 2: 21- 24 ). c. Jesus was sacrificed and died the same night as the Passover lamb (Mark 15:42, Luke 23:54, and John 19:31 & 42). d. The Passover was to be kept as a remembrance of how God had delivered them from Egyptian slavery. e. Jesus instituted the Lord's supper at the Passover (Luke 22: 19- 20). Every first day of the week, when we partake of the Lord's supper (Acts:20:7), we remember how our Passover lamb died for us on the cross and shed his blood.
Conclusion: Revelation 7:13-17 depicts a great scene of the saved in Christ. It is never too late for those whose sins have never been washed away in baptism to accept Jesus as their Passover.
Sermon prepared by Bobby Stafford March 17, 2024 Prepared by Bobby Stafford The church of Christ at Granby, MO Located at For more lessons and Sermons please visit https://granbychurchofchrist.org/ https://granbychurchofchrist.com/
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Friday, September 6, 2024
Imitate What Is Good
Christians are encouraged throughout the New Testament to follow what is good and shun the evil. In the short epistle of III John, we are given examples of both the good and the evil.
Body:
I. Imitate the Good – Gaius (III John Verse 11)
· John begins the letter by praying that Gaius would be in good physical health as his spiritual health prospered. (III John Verse 2) Our spiritual well-being needs to be at least as good as our material well-being.
o Losing one’s soul (Mark 8:36-37)
o Parable of rich fool (Luke 12:16-21)
o Wealth can destroy a person. (I Timothy 6:9-10) But if one has the right attitude toward money, they can do much good with their wealth.
· Gene Taylor notes, “How different the world would be if this prayer of John were realized in all people.”
o Many wealthy would become poor.
o Many poor would become wealthy.
o Many in good health would become sick.
o Many sick would get better.
o What about us? In what category would we best fit? (Hebrews 5:13-14, I Corinthians 11:30)
· Gaius possessed many qualities worthy of imitating.
o He didn’t follow the false teaching of his time, but followed the truth. (III John Verse 3) (John 17:17, Psalm 119:160)
o He also practiced the truth. (III John Verse 4) (Psalm 86:11) Note that II John Verses 1-2 are also equivalent to walking in the light. (I John 1:7)
o This was manifested in his life; he was concerned about others. (III John Verses 5-6) (Romans 12:13) He supported preaching of the truth. (III John Verses 7-8)
II. Shun the Evil – Diotrephes
· Diotrephes loved to have the preeminence and wanted to be at the head. He thought his opinion was always the best. Christians are not to think too highly of themselves. (Romans 12:3) Christians should have the attitude of Christ. (Philippians 2:1-4)
· He placed himself above an apostle and thought he had more authority. (I Thessalonians 4:8)
· He spoke malicious words against John. (Ephesians 5:3-4)
· He would not help or show concern for others. John said that he would be punished.
Conclusion:
Which of these two men are you most like? Your answer will determine the destiny of your soul.
Bobby Stafford
December 1, 2013
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Our Eyes Are On You
Have you ever found yourself in what looked like a hopeless situation? Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, knew what it meant to face overwhelming odds. His choice, and God’s response, teaches us several lessons about what to do in difficult circumstances. Text: II Chronicles 20:1-30 Body: I. The Need for Preparation (Verses 1-4) · Moabites and Ammonites [descendants of Lot] and also Meunites [from Mt. Seir] came in great multitudes to battle Judah. · The King was alarmed. His last experience on the battlefield was a narrow escape from death. So he set his face to seek the Lord. (II Chronicles 17:3-4) · Jehoshaphat proclaimed a fast. This would help draw them closer to God. This was an expression of humility and total dependence upon God. (Ezra 8:21-23) (Matthew 6:16-18)
II. The Need for Prayer (Verses 5-12) · Jehoshaphat addressed Jehovah as being over all nations. Other people believed in localized deities but the God of Israel was over the whole world. (Daniel 4:17) King David prayed similarly in I Chronicles 29:11-12. · He acknowledged God’s victories in the past over Israel’s enemies. (Psalm 44:1-8) · God had not allowed Israel to invade Ammon or Moab. (Deuteronomy 2) · “Set their eyes on God” (Psalm 123:1-2)
III. The Need to Listen (Verses13-17) · All of Judah waited quietly for an answer. · God spoke to them through Jahaziel and told them what they needed to do in the battle. [This is good advice for us as well.] 1. Do not be afraid or dismayed; fear will not change your circumstances nor help conquer your enemy. (Isaiah 41:10,13) (Luke 12:4-7) 2. Remember the battle isn’t yours. David and Goliath are an example of this. (I Samuel 17:46-47) 3. Stand firm and hold your position. (Ephesians 6:10-11,13)
IV. The Need to Trust (Verses 18-30) · Israel fell down and worshiped God. (Nehemiah 8:6) · Their trust in Jehovah was essential to victory. (Isaiah 7:9) “If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all.” · They must have trusted in God because the singers went first! (Verse 21) · Note their faith still had to act for God to bless them. It was an active and obedient trust. (Hebrews 11:6) · The result was that the kingdom was at rest. Conclusion: As did Jehoshaphat, we need to set our eyes on God; seek Him with all our heart; and trust Him with absolute confidence. (Romans 8:37) “__in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”
Bobby Stafford
December 1, 2013 | |||||
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Prove All Things
I Thessalonians 5:21 proclaims, “Prove all things. Hold fast to that which is good.” It’s imperative that we are able to show to others in God’s Word what we believe and why. Some people ignorantly claim that you can prove anything by the Bible. Such is not true. Certainly there are people who have perverted and abased God’s Word and handled it deceitfully throughout the years. (II Corinthians 4:2) But there are things which can be proven by the Bible. This particular list was composed by Brother David Pharr. Body: 1. I can prove by the Bible that Christ is the author of eternal salvation to all those who obey Him (Hebrews 5:9); but there is not a man on earth that can prove the doctrine of faith only. (James 2:24) 2. I can prove by the Bible that grace will pardon the faithful (Titus 3:7); but no one can prove that grace makes sin without repentance acceptable, that grace makes all worship as acceptable as true worship, or that grace makes all marriages acceptable. (Romans 6:1-2,12,15-16) 3. I can prove by the Bible that Christ gave us one church of which He is the head (Matthew 16:18); but there is not a man on earth that can prove Jesus built any denomination. (Ephesians 5:23) 4. I can prove by the Bible that sins are washed away by Jesus’ blood (Ephesians 1:7); but no one can prove sins are removed before one is baptized. (Acts 22:16, I Peter 3:21) 5. I can prove by the Bible that baptism is a burial (immersion); but there is not a man on earth that can prove sprinkling or pouring is acceptable to God. (Colossians 2:12, Romans 6:3-4) 6. I can prove by the Bible that a person who is faithful until death will receive a crown of life (Revelation 2:10); but no man can prove that a Christian can’t fall and be lost. (Luke 8:13, II Peter 2:20-21) 7. I can prove by the Bible that Jesus is coming again (Acts 1:9); but there is not a man on earth that can prove He will set up a throne in Jerusalem and reign on earth for a thousand years. (II Thessalonians 1:7-8, I Thessalonians 4:16-17) Conclusion: Prove all things. Hold fast to that which is good. Trust God’s promise that if you are faithful until death, you will be given a crown of life. Bobby Stafford December 15, 2013
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Monday, August 12, 2024
A Christian’s Aspirations
A Christian’s Aspirations
introduction: what
do you aspire to? What is your ambition
in life? What do you want to accomplish?
The Holy Spirit instructs Christians to
focus their ambitions in a certain direction, 1 very different than the world's.
Text: 1 Thessalonians 4: 11-12
Body:
1.
Aspire to live quietly.
·
Fair-not running Heather or thither but stay at
home and mind their own business, 2nd thessalonians 3: 11-12. Not causing division or disruption. Peaceful-free
from hostility and conflict towards others. Not trying to cause problems.
Describes a Christian woman, 1 Peter 3:4. Try to get along with people, as best
you can. Do your best not to stir the pot.
·
Try not to go out of our way to draw attention
to ourselves. Not desiring people to look at us and all that we are doing.
Don't make a display of ourselves. Matthew 23: 5-7.
·
Leading a quiet life also means not allowing the
world to distract us from our Christian service. Recall the following account of the sower and
the seed, luke 8: 14. These three are obstacles to being fruitful spurts of
Christ. 2 Timothy 2: 4
2.
Mind your own business
·
this would include not meddling in the affairs
of others. Being a busy body is evidence of a disorderly life, 2nd Thessalonians
3: 11. An undisciplined life. We are not
to be nosey, wanting to know everything going on in other people's lives. Many
people love to hear all the latest gossip. What is happening with Mr. X or
missus why, proverbs 26: 17. The dog will probably bite you don't invade
people's privacy.
·
Advice- do not interfere in other people's
lives. Let them open up to you if they want. Do not pry. If someone is not ready to share, do not
pressure them. Be there for them, but do not dig or pry.
3.
Work with your own hands
·
God expects those who are able to work to do so,
2nd Thessalonians 3: 10-11. Not willing
to work karma being idle and doing nothing gets many people in trouble. And
idle mind is the devil's playground, proverbs 19: 15.
·
Christians are meant to work, we have
responsibilities while we are on earth. We must not ignore them, 1 Timothy 5:8. Doing nothing is bad in God's eyes.
·
We are to be diligent in our work, colossians 3:
23, also Ecclesiastes 9: 10.
4.
Walk properly
·
we are to behave properly toward outsiders-
those outside the body of christ. Set a proper christian example, 1 peter 2: 12. Hopefully our walk might lead others to
become followers of Christ. We are to be light bearers to the world,
philippians 2: 15. Our light should
penetrate the spiritual darkness in the world. Also send full behavior may
cause unbelievers to speak against God, Romans 2: 24. We do not want our
improper behavior to cause others to speak against the gospel or the church.
Our proper walk includes not being in need. We should not be lazier others need
to support us. We should never take advantage of the kindness and generosity of
others. We need to do our best to care for ourselves, Ecclesiastes 11:6.
Conclusion:
the Holy Spirit in our text reveals what a
Christian aspirations and ambitions should be. Aspire to live quietly, mind
your own business, work with your own hands, and walk properly toward outsiders.
Prepared By Bobby Stafford
The church of Christ at Granby, MO
Located at
516 East Pine St.
P.O. Box 664
Granby, Mo. 64844
(417) 472-7109
For more lessons and Sermons please visit