College Hill Church of Christ

Preparing to Grow
by Pat McIntosh

Anyone who has attempted to grow a garden of vegetables or planted flowers knows that you don’t just walk out your back door and throw seeds on the ground. Preparations have to be made. The garden is plowed. Then the soil must prepared. I once planted tomato plants and put a teaspoon of Miracle Grow on them before even putting the plants in the ground. Simply put, for growth to occur, preparations must be made.

For many, church growth is all about programs and plans that will help them bring members in. But, not all churches are prepared to grow in both number and spirit (true growth). The church at Laodicea is a classic example (Rev. 3:15-19). They had a name, but their approach to spiritual life was not conducive to growth. Even if a successful campaign had been launched there, how many would have remained faithful in that “lukewarm” spiritual environment?

Church growth studies have shown that mortality rates of new converts is high. Unless a congregation has matured and/or grown to a certain level, they will be unprepared for the steps that will lead to lasting growth. These steps include, but are not limited to, the “atmosphere” of our worship services, how welcome we make visitors feel and the spiritual state of the individual members comprising the local congregation.

Desire for growth is a great thing. I am excited about the prospects here based on the initial discussions we have been having. I hope the desire to grow “spreads like a fire” in this congregation. We can and will grow if we make the preparation and expend the energy necessary to do so. Let us pray about this regularly and vow to do our part in this vital process.

Sunday A.M. Sermon – “Preparing to Grow”
Introduction – Rev. 3:15-19

1. What must we do as a congregation? – Jno. 13:34-35; Heb. 10:24-25; Rom. 15:1-3
2. What must we do as individuals? – Phil. 3:12-15; 2 Pet. 1:5-10; Jno. 17:20-21; 1 Thes. 4:9-10; 1 Pet. 1:21-22; 4:8-9; Matt. 5:14-16

Sunday P.M. Sermon – “For Me To Live Is…? (Phil. 1:21-23)

The Power of a Challenge
by Pat McIntosh

Many of us have had to be motivated by a challenge to due to inaction. When playing football in
high school, our coach was a master at getting us “pumped up” before a big game. Many of us
have faced several challenges regarding weight and other health issues. Often, as children, we
tried to challenge someone by saying “I dare you.” To be “double dog dared” was to receive the
ultimate challenge as kids.

All of us face certain times when we need some kind of motivation. We all face situations in life
that go “unchallenged” in life and we, at times, need help. There is something exciting about a
challenge, especially as we meet it head on as a collective body of believers in a successful
manner.

We are facing a major challenge as a congregation today. The growth of this congregation is on
the minds of many and there are obstacles to be overcome and victories to be won. But, we need
to meet challenges and overcome them in the days, months and years ahead.

We do not have to face this on our own. Yes, we can support and encourage one another. But,
God has provided the means and the opportunity for this to occur, at least on some scale. The
author of the book of Hebrews indicates that “on the first day of the week” we are to come
together as a body and “exhort one another” (Heb. 10:24-26). There is something that we can all
do for the cause of Christ, and we must encourage one another to fill our much-needed roles.
These roles include, but are not limited to direct evangelistic roles. We need to “find our niche”
and perform what we can do to aid the congregation. Are you willing to fill your need? Let us
work together in this effort!

Sunday A.M. Sermon – The Power of a Challenge
Introduction – Heb. 10:24-25

1. Challenge Defined – Eccl. 9:10
2. Consequences of Failure –
3. The Power of a Challenge – 1 Cor. 1:10; 2 Tim. 4:2; 1 Cor. 16:8-9
4. God’s Challenge – Matt. 6:33; 7:7-8; Mk. 16:15-16; Matt. 5:44; 1 Thes. 5:16-18; Heb. 12:1-2

Sunday P.M. Sermon – Basics for Living in Christ (Col. 3:1-3)

Do Not Fear
by Pat McIntosh

 We are all born with at least two fears: the fear of falling and the fear of noise. We soon develop many more, depending largely upon our culture or personality. It would be interesting to know how many phobias are mentioned in our dictionary. Members of a psychology class asked 500 people, “What are you afraid of?” The 500 people listed 7000 fears! In reality, fear only exists when we allow it to do so. It can only control us when we give it the power to do so.

The book of Lamentations is a compilation of five poems written by Jeremiah. Jeremiah wrote about Judah in the days preceding their being carried away into Babylonian captivity. He tried to get them to repent before that punishment was levied, but to no avail. In the midst of that upcoming heartache God, through Jeremiah says, “Do not fear.”

Certain fears are good and healthy. The fear of burning enables us to be careful around fire. If we have a “healthy fear” (in contrast to a phobia) of things, they will actually aid us in avoiding the danger associated with them. The fear Jeremiah addressed had to do with the kind of fear that required divine help in overcoming. We need (and have received) divine comfort and encouragement in times of fear. There are times when even the strongest of us face a certain fear. This fear may be unique to us or shared by the corporate whole. To deal with such, let us remember the words of the Psalmist: “Yeah, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (Psa. 23:4). God cares for us and knows what we fear. May we look to Him and His word for aid in such times.

Sunday A.M. Sermon – Do Not Fear (Lam. 3:55-57)

1. What God said in the past removes it today
2. The need for divine help – Psa. 23:4; Heb. 13:5-6
3. Help has been provided – 2 Pet. 1:2-4; Rom. 15:4; Psa. 55:1-5; 46:1-3; 2 Cor. 1:3-4; 1 Cor. 10:13; 1 Jno. 4:16-18; Heb. 2:14-15; Eph. 1:3-6
4. Assurance provides motivation – Matt. 7:7-8; Heb. 4:16; 2 Thes. 1:6-9

Sunday P.M. Sermon – Bearing One Another’s Burdens (Gal. 6:2-5)