The Struggle

Appointed to Serve

This is an exciting time around Manchester Church of Christ! The elders will have more to share, but we’re in the process of adding to our leadership team, specifically in the role of deacon. However, this does raise a couple of important questions: Who is a deacon? And what exactly does a deacon do? We learn first and foremost about who a deacon is from Paul’s first letter to Timothy. Here, he is writing to his young protégé about serving the church in Ephesus, a city known for political influence, spirituality, and magic. In other words, Ephesus is a difficult place to be a Christian. About midway through the letter, Paul gives Timothy practical instructions regarding church leadership; first about elders and then about deacons.  It’s here we learn, in short, that deacons are to exhibit the same character and ethic of Jesus Christ himself. Paul doesn’t address skills, talents, or resumes. Instead, he urges Timothy and the church to look for men who serve (for “deacon” simply means “servant”) with the heart of Jesus Christ. However, this leads to the second question: What exactly does a deacon do? It’s here that Acts 6 [https://netbible.org/bible/Acts+6] is helpful. Perhaps you’re familiar with the situation. There’s a dispute over distribution and the burden would prevent the apostles from tending to their primary task. Guided by the Holy Spirit, they appoint servants who can resolve the situation and serve the church. This passage, rather than providing an explicit job description, does provide some insight into the missional ethos of deacons: Deacons are to demonstrate the character of Christ and to attend to the unseen and overlooked. -Caleb McCaughan [https://manchestercofc.org/sermon-speaker/caleb-mccaughan/] Dinner Table Conversations:  Adult & Teen Table Talk:  Paul emphasizes character over charisma when describing deacons (sincerity, integrity, faithfulness in the home). Why do you think character in “unseen” areas of life matters so much for those who serve the church? How can our congregation do a better job of noticing and encouraging those who serve faithfully behind the scenes? Little Learners’ Table Talk:  Can you think of a job at home or church that nobody notices, but that still really helps people? (Like taking out the trash, picking up toys, or helping a friend who’s sad.) Sermon Title: Appointed to Serve Sermon Series: Church Leadership (2026) Sermon Passage: 1 Timothy 3:8-13 [https://netbible.org/bible/1+Timothy+3] Closing Scripture: John 13:12-17 [https://netbible.org/bible/John+13] The post Appointed to Serve [https://manchestercofc.org/sermons/appointed-to-serve/] appeared first on Manchester Church of Christ [https://manchestercofc.org].

Apologetics

Many of us claim that we believe in Jesus Christ, but how many of us can explain why in detail? That’s what we will be talking about today! The purpose of the lesson is to help you explain exactly why you believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. To be able to apply 1 Peter 3:15 [https://netbible.org/bible/1+Peter+3], “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence. We as Christians want to be able to explain to the world with excitement not only what we believe, but why we can believe it! My Apologetics course has this proposition which was very encouraging for me, “There is abundant evidence from historical sources which is adequate to prove that Jesus is the Son of God and the Bible is the true Word of God,”.There’s so much information out there that proves why we can believe these teachings with confidence and assurance. This sermon will be the tip of the iceberg in terms of content, but a great start on how we can share our faith with those who struggle with doubt or disbelief. Praise God that all of you are here to learn more about Jesus Christ!! -Logan Nuñez Sermon Title: Apologetics Sermon Passage: 1 Peter 3:13-16 [https://netbible.org/bible/1+Peter+3] Closing Scripture: Matthew 5:13-15 [https://netbible.org/bible/Matthew+5] The post Apologetics [https://manchestercofc.org/sermons/apologetics/] appeared first on Manchester Church of Christ [https://manchestercofc.org].

What Are You Boasting In?

So, we’ve come to the end. After six months, our journey through Galatians ends this Sunday and we are left with one question: What are you boasting in? Paul has been writing this letter to a series of churches throughout Galatia who have been dealing with the issue of church unity. How can Gentile and Jewish Christians be one? Enflaming this tension are false teachers proclaiming that the simplest way to achieve unity is for the Gentile Christians to circumcise themselves and observe Jewish traditions. Paul then raises a challenge to the church. You have one thing that you can boast in; one thing that you can build your life upon. What will it be? The marks of circumcision and other self-made marks of righteousness? Or will you boast in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ? Paul is declaring to the church that your identity in Christ is the foundation for your freedom. It is through the cross of Jesus that we have been reconciled to God. It is through this reconciliation that we are a new creation. And it is in this new creation that we have freedom. All along throughout Galatians, Paul has been hammering home that it is Christ who is the foundation of our lives. It is Christ who shapes our identity. May we go forward as the family of faith together renewed and strengthened in our identity as Jesus-followers. -Caleb McCaughan [https://manchestercofc.org/sermon-speaker/caleb-mccaughan/] Dinner Table Conversations:  Adult & Teen Table Talk:  Paul says he will “never boast except in the cross of Christ.” What are some things (achievements, appearances, opinions of others) that we’re tempted to boast in or build our identity on instead? Paul bore “the marks of Jesus” from suffering for the gospel. Where has your identity in Christ cost you something, and how did that shape your faith? Little Learners’ Table Talk:  The Bible says the most important thing about us is that we belong to Jesus. How does it make you feel to know that God loves you no matter what? Sermon Title: What Are You Boasting In? Sermon Series: Set Free [https://manchestercofc.org/sermon-series/set-free/] Sermon Passage: Galatians 6:11-18 [https://netbible.org/bible/Galatians+6] Closing Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9-10 [https://netbible.org/bible/1+Peter+2] The post What Are You Boasting In? [https://manchestercofc.org/sermons/what-are-you-boasting-in/] appeared first on Manchester Church of Christ [https://manchestercofc.org].

Sowing Well

What would it look like if the way we use our efforts and resources was shaped by the gospel? Not just our beliefs and relationships, but our entire being? In Galatians 6:6-10 [https://netbible.org/bible/Galatians+6], Paul begins with a simple principle: whatever you sow, you will reap. I’d wager that this is something we all know instinctively. For example, you don’t plant carrots and expect corn to grow. Rather than providing a farming lesson, however, Paul is trying to teach the churches of Galatia (and us today) what it looks like to have our entire being transformed by the gospel. Is what we’re sowing with our lives, efforts, and resources matching up with who we say we are? Paul tells us that there are two options. Either we can sow to the flesh and direct our energy and resources toward self-preservation, comfort, and approval. Or we an sow to the Spirit and invest in the things that produce lasting, eternal life. To further illustrate this, Paul gets specific. He points to the community caring for those who teach, doing good to all people, and refusing to grow weary even when the harvest feels far off. I’m willing to argue that the last part might be the most important and honest thing Pauls says. Faithful sowing is tiring. The results aren’t always visible. But Paul insists the harvest is coming. It will be worth it. This Sunday, we’ll explore what it looks like to be a church that sows well. Not because our hand is forced, but out of gratitude for what God has already given us in Jesus Christ. -Caleb McCaughan [https://manchestercofc.org/sermon-speaker/caleb-mccaughan/] Dinner Table Conversations:  Adult & Teen Table Talk:  When you hear the phrase “sowing and reaping,” what comes to mind first? How does Paul’s use of it in Galatians 6 [https://netbible.org/bible/Galatians+6] expand or challenge that initial instinct? Paul tells us to “do good to all people, especially those who belong to the family of believers.” What does it look like in practice for this church to do good to both groups — and are there ways we tend to neglect one or the other? Little Learners’ Table Talk:  Did you know that when we are generous and kind to others, it’s one way of saying thank you to Jesus for being generous to us first? What is something Jesus has given you that you are really grateful for? Sermon Title: Sowing Well Sermon Series: Set Free [https://manchestercofc.org/sermon-series/set-free/] Sermon Passage: Galatians 6:6-10 [https://netbible.org/bible/Galatians+6] Closing Scripture: Matthew 6:19-21 [https://netbible.org/bible/Matthew+6] The post Sowing Well [https://manchestercofc.org/sermons/sowing-well/] appeared first on Manchester Church of Christ [https://manchestercofc.org].

Gospel Relationships

What happens when someone in the church falls into sin? What does it actually look like to help them? And what’s the difference between carrying someone else’s burden and carrying your own? In Galatians 6:1-5, [https://netbible.org/bible/Galatians+6] Paul gives the church a surprisingly practical word about how gospel community and relationships in the reality of everyday life. He calls the believers to restore one another, but in a specific way: gently. The word he uses for restore is the same word that you would use to describe the setting of a dislocated bone. Skilled. Careful. Gentle. Not unnecessarily harsh, but not naively soft either. At the same time, Paul raises a tension that we might miss if we’re not looking for it. He tells us to carry each other’s burdens, and then a few verses later he tells us that each person must carry their own load. Is that a contradiction? Or is Paul pointing towards something for us to wrestle with? This Sunday, we’ll explore what it means to be the kind of community Paul is describing. We’ll look at the temptations that keep us from helping one another well, and the gospel posture that makes restoration possible through Jesus Christ. -Caleb McCaughan [https://manchestercofc.org/sermon-speaker/caleb-mccaughan/] Dinner Table Conversations:  Adult & Teen Table Talk:  Paul warns that in the act of restoring someone, we may also be tempted. In what ways have you seen that temptation show up? Either the temptation to fall into the same sin, or the temptation toward pride? Paul tells us both to carry each other’s burdens and to carry our own load. Where in your life right now might you need to let someone else help carry a burden? Where might you be tempted to pass your load on to others rather than doing the hard work yourself? Little Learners’ Table Talk:  God loves us even when we make mistakes. How does it feel to know that? How can we show that same love to the people around us? Sermon Title: Gospel Relationships Sermon Series: Set Free [https://manchestercofc.org/sermon-series/set-free/] Sermon Passage: Galatians 6:1-5 [https://netbible.org/bible/Galatians+6] Closing Scripture: Matthew 22:37-40 [https://netbible.org/bible/Matthew+22] The post Gospel Relationships [https://manchestercofc.org/sermons/gospel-relationships/] appeared first on Manchester Church of Christ [https://manchestercofc.org].