Joshua series: Eleven hundred pieces of silver (June 23, 2019) – Elder Bryce Lowrance continues preaching from the book of Joshua. He begins in Joshua 18 and the place of peace that was Shiloh, turning next to the account of the tribe of Dan and Judges 18. Brother Bryce exhorts us to not be slack concerning living a thankful life in His kingdom so that we might have peace and joy here in this world. He then looks specifically at the lessons that can be gleaned by tying together the eleven hundred pieces of silver mentioned in Judges 16, the eleven hundred shekels of silver in Judges 17, and the flashback to Joshua that is Judges 18. Brother Bryce considers how a little slothfulness, arrogance, and error affected Micah and his household, adding how the one household of Micah ultimately affected the tribe of Dan, and later Samson, when the tribe of Dan didn’t deal with Micah as the Lord commanded. Making application today, Brother Bryce reminds us to not mix in the idolatry of this world in either our homes or churches, to repent of the things we know we ought not to do, and to do small things every day for our brothers and sisters in Christ, in thankfulness and for the benefit of His kingdom, not ourselves.
Pulling Weeds (June 16, 2019) – Elder Bryce Lowrance preaches about the how the church doesn’t have problems that need to be fixed but rather is a garden to be tended, focusing on a how weeds affect a garden. He notes that the weeds in between the rows of a garden are a problem, to be sure, but that those weeds are not nearly as dangerous and difficult to deal with as the weeds closest to and in between the good plants. He begins by considering 2nd Chronicles 7:14 to remind us our problems are largely are our own creation. As for how to identify the weeds and sin around us, he explains proper judgment in the context of Matthew 7 and how we should not make judgment to condemnation as to who is going to hell. Brother Bryce then turns to Jude to establish how the “beloved” are exhorted to be compassionate and to help their brothers and sisters deal with the weeds in their lives. He also considers how we should recognize and deal with the weeds in our own lives so that we “can run with patience the race that is set before us,” noting that we are running that race already and should run the race as a marathon, together, knowing our Savior was victorious.
Elder Bryce Lowrance preaches about the new birth, beginning by recounting Jesus’s conversation with a Pharisee named Nicodemus as recorded in John chapter 3, specifically how Jesus tells Nicodemus to marvel not at the truth that is the new birth or to think that Nicodemus has any part in accomplishing the new birth. He then turns to 1st Corinthians chapter 2, going through the chapter to explain how and what the Apostle Paul preached. He notes that the wisdom and power that Paul preached was the Lord’s wisdom and the Lord’s power, adding that we are born of the spirit “that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.”
Elder Bryce Lowrance preaches concerning the importance of singing in church worship. He begins in Psalm 22 before noticing how the Apostle Paul actually quotes Psalm 22 in Hebrews 2:12. In comparing the two texts, Brother Bryce explains how you can establish that singing praises is indeed how we praise God in our local church assembly. He then turns to Colossians 3, explaining how the chapter is about spiritual warfare and unity of a thankful church body. To show our thankfulness, the Apostle Paul instructs us in verse 16 to teach and admonish one another by singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with grace in our hearts to the Lord.
Elder Bryce Lowrance begins preaching in first Corinthians chapter 15 concerning the gospel, namely the importance to the gospel of the resurrection, that Jesus Christ rose from the dead, and that the dead will be raised on the last day. He then turns to the gospel according to Luke chapter 24, focusing on the account given in verses 13-36. Brother Bryce looks at what Old Testament scriptures Jesus might have preached to the two disciples when it was written in verse 27 “And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” Finally, he also considers how it was recorded that their hearts burned at the gospel message, encouraging us to rejoice and share with others when our hearts burn within us at the preaching of the gospel, including the assurance in knowing He is risen and alive today.
Elder Bryce Lowrance continues preaching from the book of Joshua and considers what it means to follow the Lord. He begins in chapter three recounting how unified the Israelites were as they moved and followed after the ark of the covenant. He notes in verse four that the space was there “that ye may know the way by which ye must go.” Brother Bryce exhorts the church that we should stay in the word of God to know the way we must go today. He goes on to add that we should glorify God, and he looks to passages in Psalm 119 and Ephesian 1 to explain how we are in Christ and that His word should inform our Christian walk here in this world.
Beginning in Hebrews chapter 11, Brother Bryce considers Rahab’s act of faith in “receiving the spies in peace” as recorded in the book of Joshua. He notes how God is the author of Rahab’s faith, that Rahab is therefore just, and that she also lived by faith and did so when she asks that her loved ones be spared. Looking to the events in the book of Joshua, he establishes how God showed Rahab that he loves her, even as she doesn’t have it all right. Ultimately, Brother Bryce considers how encouraged we should be here today that the Lord changed the heart of the harlot Rahab and that we’re never too far away from the Lord that He can’t change our hearts, as well.
