The Preeminence of Christ

by Pastor Jim Jester

February 4, 2024

SCRIPTURE READING: Colossians 1:15-18

The epistle of Paul to the Colossians was written primarily to deal with the doctrinal heresy reported by Epaphras. The strange doctrine is not described directly, but we can infer its nature from what Paul says. It was a mixture of Judaism and some early form of Gnosticism which taught that Jesus was superhuman, but not truly God. He was greater than mankind, but not great enough to be the Savior. Thus those who believe in Christ must also go through angels to get to deeper levels of spirituality.

Doctrine of Balaam - Part 2

by Walter Giddings

January 21, 2024

Relevant Scripture: 2 Peter 2:15-17

Do the Enemies of Christ know us better than we know ourselves?  Do the wicked angels know more about us than we know about ourselves?  (Luke 16:8).  If the answers to these questions are yes, we are at a severe military disadvantage!  Our forefathers who framed The Republic believed that the congregation above is the church of Jesus Christ Triumphant, and the congregation on earth is the church of Jesus Christ militant.  We are in a war where the weapons of our warfare are not carnal.  Are we at a crucial disadvantage?  Could we be crucified in our own ignorance?  Does God ever fail His Family on earth?!  Does His Word warn and equip us for this Great Battle?! 

The Sin Nature

by Pastor Jim Jester

January 14, 2024

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 12:1-2

The subject of the doctrine on Original Sin, also known as the Sin Nature and other terms (as we shall see), always brings up questions. What is it; how many are there; is it defined in Genesis? But this is not the purpose of this sermon, so I won’t be listing the sins that occurred in the Garden of Eden or sins that similarly plague us today.

The Sin Nature, or “sin” (singular), is a part of our fallen mortal nature and personality that we inherited from Adam. It is not any particular “thing,” for many things can be sinful if they hinder our fellowship with God. It is those times when we fall short of what we, or what God expects of us. It is inward sins that we feel inside, such as: impatience, anger, or jealousy; even though we do not act upon them.

Who Killed Jesus?

Copied from the sermon notes of Pastor Don Elmore

January 28, 2024

Scripture Reading: Acts 5:30:

“The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.”

Who is the “ye” in this sentence? Who this pronoun represents identifies at least one of the killers.

Who is represented by the pronouns in the Bible is a big key to understanding the Scriptures. A pronoun can never be used first before the noun that it represents. The noun must be used before a pronoun is used to replace it. Pronouns refer to a noun that has already been mentioned. If the pronoun is used first, then the reader doesn’t know who it represents.

Rebekah's Gift to the Covenant

Copied from the sermon notes of Pastor Don Elmore

January 7, 2024

Scripture Reading: Genesis 17:4-6

Why is this subject almost never, if ever, talked about in most of the Christian churches of our day? The Bible is clear with the details of the people who are closely involved in this covenant and the ones that are put off to the side. The descendants of the objects of the covenant are very important because it is an everlasting covenant. It would be very important for the churches to study this most special event in the history of the world and see who is included and excluded.