More Blessed than the Apostles? - In One Way...YES!

Audio and Outline of a Sermon Rendered 3 June 2018, Morning Service, Archdale church of Christ, 2525 Archdale Drive, Charlotte, NC 28210 by Russell H McCullough:

https://soundcloud.com/archdale-church-of-christ/sounds-from-sunday-morning-5

Text: Luke 1.26 - 33; John 20.24 – 31
Thesis: We are more blessed than the apostles because we have only HEARD the testimony, never seeing it.
Introduction – Why does no one doubt the veracity of the existence of any other historical figure OTHER than Christ Jesus? 
• Who ever heard; “I would believe in the existence of Julius Caesar if only I could have seen him.”
• Who ever heard; “I would believe in the existence of Abraham Lincoln if only if I could have seen him.”
• Who ever heard: “I would believe in the existence of the law of gravity if only I can see it.”
• Today, people have more faith in the words of Charles Darwin than they do in the words of Jesus Christ!
• NO ONE here today has ever seen any of these mentioned.
1. We know of these and believe in their existence because of the testimony of the spoken word of 3rd parties.
a. People simply believe some 3rd parties and dismiss others.

I – Luke’s Testimony – Do you believe in angels?

a. Hearing is believing
b. Admiral Cochrane
• “Besides 9/11, the only other attack by an outside force on Washington, D.C. was in 1814 when Adm. George Cockburn of the British Royal Navy, literally walked into the White House, at Pres. James Madison’s dinner, drank his wine, and then sat fire to the place.”  DID YOU BELIEVE WHAT YOU HEARD OR NOT?

II – Luke’s Testimony – Do you believe in the virgin pregnancy?

a. Hearing is believing
b. Edwin Booth
• “Months before his assassination, Abraham Lincoln’s son Robert fell from a train platform in Jersey City.  The hand that pulled him to safety belonged to Edwin Booth, brother of John Wilkes Booth (Lincoln’s killer).”  DO YOU BELIEVE WHAT YOU HEARD OR NOT?

III – Luke’s Testimony – Do you believe in the eternal reign?

a. Hearing is believing
b. The Polish impostor
• “After a Polish impostor who claimed the throne of Russia was found out, he was executed, burned and had his ashes shot out of a cannon back toward Poland.”  DO YOU BELIEVE WHAT YOU JUST HEARD OR NOT?

CONCLUSION:  People believe what they want to believe without evidence and reject what they want to reject regardless of evidence!

 “The Gospel Call” – Acts 2.38 -

NOTE: Illustrations courtesy of “WTF Fun Facts”

Our Contrasting Walks - Bible Lesson & Answer Grid for FREE & Public Use

Ephesians

Paul’s Greatest Church Planting Success

 14 March 2018

Archdale church of Christ – Russ McCullough

Lesson # 12 – Ephesians 5.3 – 5.17

1.     How is the word “but” used in transition between vs. 2 and 3?

2.     The phrase “sexual immorality” is better translated F___________________

The Greek for this word is P______________ from which we get our English word P_________________.  It is an all inclusive word that describes A_____ sexual contact of A_______ outside of the marriage of one man to one woman.  This includes all forms of H__________________.

3.     What other two things must be avoided?

4.     How much variance in this decree is noted?

5.     Define, then, what is “proper among saints?”

6.     What 3 things are “out of place?”

7.     Replacing all of these things is T____________________.

8.     Discuss how that when there is thanksgiving that this battles all that is evil.

9.     Who has no inheritance in the Kingdom?

10. How is idolatry considered the same as covetousness?

11. The so-called “Word of Faith” movement is I_______________ for it is based on C__________________.

12. What kind of words deceive?  Give some examples of some of these kinds of words in our society.

13. Why is all of this so vitally important?

14. What does the word “associate” mean in vs. 7?  A better translation might be P________________ which literally means Co P___________________.

15. How does Paul use “Hebrew Parallelism” (C____________) in vs. 8?

16. How are we to walk?

17. How does Paul define this “fruit of the light?”

18. What are we to actively and continually to do?

19. How much darkness are we to allow into our world view?

20. What is a Christian need to do when confronting darkness?

21. How does one go about “exposing darkness” in the public square?

22. What is shameful for a Christian?

23. What happens when the light exposes these sins?  What (who) is the light?

24. The light, then, is actually the S________________ and we are but the V_____________ through which the light shines.

25. We are, therefore, to look C______________, how we W___________, not as U___________ but as W__________.

26. Why?

27. We escape foolishness when?

                                                      ANSWER GRID:

1.     How is the word “but” used in transition between vs. 2 and 3?

It contrasts the walk of the Godly and the un-godly

2.     The phrase “sexual immorality” is better translated F___________________

The Greek for this word is P______________ from which we get our English word P_________________.  It is an all-inclusive word that describes A_____ sexual contact of A_______ outside of the marriage of one man to one woman.  This includes all forms of H__________________.

Fornication, Porneia, Pornography, All, Any, Homosexuality

3.     What other two things must be avoided?

Impurity, Covetousness

4.     How much variance in this decree is noted?

None

5.     Define, then, what is “proper among saints?”

The absence of all the above

6.     What 3 things are “out of place?”

Filthiness, Foolish Talk, Crude Joking

7.     Replacing all of these things is T____________________.

Thanksgiving

8.     Discuss how that when there is thanksgiving that this battles all that is evil.

See Romans 1.21 & Ecclesiastes 12.13 – 14.   A truly thankful person is a God-fearer

9.     Who has no inheritance in the Kingdom?

The Fornicator, The Impure, and The Covetous

10. How is idolatry considered the same as covetousness?

The idol was seen as a kind of ATM machine to get what one wanted.  The idol seemed to offer man a kind of quid-pro-quo “let’s make a deal” religious program

11. What kind of words deceive?  Give some examples of some of these kinds of words in our society.

Empty, Congregational input – Hint: one example: “Missional”

12. Why is all of this so vitally important?

Because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience

13. What does the word “associate” mean in vs. 7?  A better translation might be P________________ which literally means Co P___________________.

Partaker, Co-Participant

14. How does Paul use “Hebrew Parallelism” (C____________) in vs. 8?

Contrast.  Darkness is contrasted with light

15. How are we to walk?

As children of light

16. How does Paul define this “fruit of the light?”

All that is Good, Right and True

17. What are we to actively and continually to do?

Proving what is acceptable to God / Discerning what is pleasing to God

18. How much darkness are we to allow into our world view?

None

19. What does a Christian need to do when confronting darkness?

Take no part in it and instead expose it

20. How does one go about “exposing darkness” in the public square?

Congregational response

21. What is shameful for a Christian?

To speak of what evil doers do in secret

22. What happens when the light exposes these sins?  What (who) is the light?

Evil becomes visible for what it is.  Jesus Christ per John 8.12.  Jesus Christ is the Word per John 1.1

23. The light, then, is actually the S________________ and we are but the V_____________ through which the light shines.

Scriptures, Vessels

24. We are, therefore, to look C______________, how we W___________, not as U___________ but as W__________.

Carefully, Walk, Un-wise, Wise

25. Why?

The days are evil

26. We escape foolishness when?

When we understand what the Will of the Lord is

The Character of Mary

LISTEN! to "The Character of Mary" on SOUNDCLOUD!

https://soundcloud.com/archdale-church-of-christ/sunday-morning-012818-luke-1-acoc-the-character-of-mary-russ-mcculloughj

“The Character of Mary”

“From Ulster Plantation to the Carolina’s with the Gospel!” *

Text: 

Luke 1.26 - 28

Thesis: Mary, though a sinner, has many Godly character qualities we would do well to emulate AND her character was not sufficient for her own salvation.

Introduction:

1.      My Mother once told me to “have character, don’t be one.”

2.    The Oxford Dictionary defines character as those “mental and moral qualities that define an individual.”

3.     Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines character as; “a mark by cutting or engraving, as on stone, metal, or other hard material...”   “A mark or figure made by stamping or impression, as on coins...”   “The peculiar qualities that distinguish (one person) from others.”

4.    Share quotes 1 through 5

5.     Did Mary’s good character make her favorable?

6.    Does my good character make me favorable?

Lawful

              Moral

                           Troubled

                                                Discerning

                                                                     Fearful

(“endued with Grace”) Ephesians 2.5, 8, 14 -18         FAVORABLE

                                                                     Great

                                                Son of God

                           Reign on David’s Throne

              Reign over Jacob forever

Eternal Kingdom

CONCLUSION:  

·       We find the Grace of God the same way Mary did – Concession, surrender, submission, obedience, contrition, and brokenness.

·       All the good character of all the good people of all time is not sufficient to warrant out salvation.

The Meaning of the Text in It’s Theological, Historical & Cultural Context: Favor, Grace, and Obedience CANNOT be separated!

The Challenge of the Text for Christians Today – “The question is not; “Do I know Jesus?”  The question is; “Does JESUS know me?”  

The question right now

The question when you pull out of the parking lot

The question at 5:30 this evening

The question tonight at bedtime

The question when you get up in the morning

The question when you clock in to work in the morning

The question when you clock out tomorrow evening

The question every day and in every circumstance

Write it on your mirror in your bathroom; “Does Jesus know me?”

Finding grace is not the same as surrendering to grace.  The Rich Young Ruler found grace and he walked away from grace.

“The Gospel Call”

Find favor,

be endued with Grace,

obey the Gospel! 

Whatever you do today, DON’T walk away from God’s Favor.

“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit!”

·         My fifth great uncle was Hugh Gaston who was rector at the Ballywillan Presbyterian Church (pictured above left) in County Antrim, Ulster Plantation (Northern Ireland) and wrote the most dangerous book of his time; Gaston’s Collections.  It allowed “the ploughman to know more Bible than his clergyman.”  Hugh fled to South Carolina where he died prematurely of the measles.  He is buried just one hour south of Charlotte in Chester County, S.C. in “Burnt Meeting House Cemetery.”   Uncle Hugh continues to inspire my ministry to this very day.  You can read more about Uncle Hugh here: http://www.ballywillanpci.org/rev-hugh-gaston

Ruins photo courtesy of: ballywillanpci.org.

Russell H. McCullough / Archdale church of Christ, 2525 Archdale Drive, Charlotte, NC 28210

www.archdale.org 

gospelcall.blogspot.com - 

Date:  28 January 2018

Ezekiel 35 - Will We Choose Disaster Like Edom?

https://soundcloud.com/archdale-church-of-christ/ezekiel-35-30-august-2017-voice-170830

Abounding Grace - An Exposition of Romans 5.18 - 21

When judgement shows up, grace has already been there. - Orpheus Haywood

The Admiral and the Crow

“The Admiral and the Crow”

Sermon 2 in the Series – “Why I am a Member of the church of Christ”

“From Ulster Plantation to the Carolina’s with the Gospel!” *

Russell H. McCullough / Archdale church of Christ, 2525 Archdale Drive, Charlotte, NC 28210

www.archdale.org / gospelcall.blogspot.com - Date:  

Text: Matthew 16.16 - 20

Thesis: I am a member of the church of Christ “Because It was Founded on the Scriptural Foundation”

1           Introduction

A.   Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson “turned a blind eye” to Admiral Parkers signal to retreat at the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801.

B.   In the age of sail before the discovery of latitude and longitude coordination, at the top of the tallest mast on the ship was the “crow’s nest.”  So-called for it contained just that, a nest of crows in a cage.  When released the crow would immediately fly to land in the shortest and fastest route possible, thus the saying “as the crow flies.”

2          To What Does “Upon This Rock” Reflect?

A.   Petros – Peter

B.   PETRA – the CONFESSION

C.    “IF” there would have been the office of the pope then:

1.      Paul would have been pope for he was the one who chastised Peter in Galatians and not the other way around.

2.     Paul would have been pope since he was the “apostle to the gentiles.”

3.    Paul would have been pope since he was not married and Peter was.

3          I Corinthians 3.11

A.   No other foundation

4         Ephesians 2.20

A.   Christ is the chief cornerstone

1.      Psalms 118.22 – rejected corner

2.     Matthew 21.42 – Jesus applied this to Himself

3.    Acts 4.11 - Peter applied this to Christ

B.   The witnesses are one and the same as they are part of the foundation

a.    Acts 1

5          CONCLUSION: The one Singular Jesus Christ build his one and only singular church on the one singular foundation of which He is the only singular chief and cornerstone!

6         The Meaning of the Text in It’s Theological, Historical & Cultural Context:

A.   Jesus promised, built, and is head of only one church – HIS!

7          The Challenge of the Text for Christians Today

A.    We must continue to strive to “contend for the faith that was once delivered to the saints.”

8         “The Gospel Call”

·         My fifth great uncle was Hugh Gaston who was rector at the Ballywillan Presbyterian Church (pictured above left) in County Antrim, Ulster Plantation (Northern Ireland) and wrote the most dangerous book of his time; Gaston’s Collections.  It allowed “the ploughman to know more Bible than his clergyman.”  Hugh fled to South Carolina where he died prematurely of the measles.  He is buried just one hour south of Charlotte in Chester County, S.C. in “Burnt Meeting House Cemetery.”   Uncle Hugh continues to inspire my ministry to this very day.  You can read more about Uncle Hugh here: http://www.ballywillanpci.org/rev-hugh-gaston

Ruins photo courtesy of: ballywillanpci.org.

"What Will Owner of the Vineyard Do?"

“What Will the Owner of the Vineyard Do?”

“From Ulster Plantation to the Carolina’s with the Gospel!” *

Russell H. McCullough / Archdale church of Christ, 2525 Archdale Drive, Charlotte, NC 28210

www.archdale.org / gospelcall.blogspot.com - Date:  23 April 2017

Text: Mark 12.1 – 12; Psalm 80.8 - 19

Thesis: The Owner of the Vineyard will return and destroy the evil tenants and give the vineyard to others

1           Introduction – What is involved in establishing and maintaining a vineyard?

A.    Purchasing the land

B.   A Vinedresser is hired

C.    Other workers are hired

D.   Plowing out the rocks

E.    Building a secure wall

F.    Building a tower to guard the vineyard

G.   Terraces are built on any steep hills

H.   A winepress must be built

I.       A permanent cover crop must be planted

J.     Vines are planted at approx. 1,555 per acre in mid-April by hand, one by one

K.   The trellis system is constructed

L.    The irrigation system is installed

M.In the first year, the vines are allowed to grow freely so as to establish a strong root system

N.  In February of the 2^nd year all the vines are pruned back to only 2 buds per branch

O.  In February of the 3^rd year the vines are all pruned back again

P.    In May of the 3^rd year and again after harvest in October of that year, fertilizer is applied

Q.  In July-August of the 3^rd year are cut back radically to remove up to 50% of the young crop

R.   The third year is the last year that slow growing vines are trained and spared

S.    Ongoing in every year during the months of March, April, and May constant care is taken to protect against frost.

T.    Ongoing in every year constant care is taken to discover and eradicate pests.

WHAT WILL THE OWNER OF THE VINEYARD DO?

U.   If unsuccessful in the October Harvest of year 3, all unsuccessful vines are uprooted and destroyed after the very first useable crop is gathered

2          The Owner of the Vineyard Went Into Another Country

A.   12.1

1)     Planted

2)    Fenced

3)   Dug a pit for winepress

4)   Built tower

5)   Leased to tennets

3          The Owner Sends a Servant to the Vineyard for Fruit

A.   12.2 – 3

1)     Took him and beat him

2)    Sent him away empty handed

4         The Owner Sends a Second Servant to the Vineyard for Fruit

A.   12.4

1)     Struck him on the head

2)   Treated him shamefully

5.  The Owner Sends Yet a Third Servant PLUS Many Other Servants to the Vineyard for Fruit

          A. 12.5

                   1) The 3^rd servant they killed

                   2) Some others they beat

                   3) Some others they killed

6.  Finally, the Owner Sends His Beloved Son to the Vineyard for Fruit,

          A. 12.6 – 8

1) The owner said; “He is my son, they will respect Him.”

2) The tenants said however; “He’s the heir!  Let’s kill him

    and take his inheritance for ourselves!”

3)   They took him, killed him, and threw him out of the

 vineyard.

7. WHAT WILL THE OWNER OF THE VINEYARD DO?

          A. 12.8 - 9

1) “He will come and destroy the tenants and give the

       vineyard to others.”

8.  The Answer in Scripture

          A. 12.10 – 11

                   1) The greatest shock in history!

5          CONCLUSION: The servants are the prophets and the beloved Son is the Christ. 

6         The Meaning of the Text in It’s Theological, Historical & Cultural Context: Israel has continually rejected God and His Will.  They have killed the prophets and they have killed the Christ.  Rejecting Christ is tantamount to murder.

A. Knowing far more about God’s will than they did, most are still rejecting God and His Son Jesus Christ.

7          The Challenge of the Text for Christians Today

A.    All we are servants in the Vineyard of God.  He will someday return.  Will we repent or perish?  Will we hear and obey or will we refuse to hear and kill the messenger?  WHAT WILL THE OWNER OF THE VINEYARD DO?  God is on His way back to his vineyard and he will arrive at any moment!

8         “The Gospel Call”

·         My fifth great uncle was Hugh Gaston who was rector at the Ballywillan Presbyterian Church (pictured above left) in County Antrim, Ulster Plantation (Northern Ireland) and wrote the most dangerous book of his time; Gaston’s Collections.  It allowed “the ploughman to know more Bible than his clergyman.”  Hugh fled to South Carolina where he died prematurely of the measles.  He is buried just one hour south of Charlotte in Chester County, S.C. in “Burnt Meeting House Cemetery.”   Uncle Hugh continues to inspire my ministry to this very day.  You can read more about Uncle Hugh here: http://www.ballywillanpci.org/rev-hugh-gaston

Ruins photo courtesy of: ballywillanpci.org.