Realizing the Power of My Words

Take Heed How to Build a Life in Christ

Series: N/A Service: Sun AM Worship Type: Sermon Speaker: Shawn Bain In Ephesians 2, Paul explains how Jesus Christ is the foundation for building a Christian life, uniting living stones into a true habitation of the Spirit. Key Takeaways: * The Foundation is Crucial: A life pleasing to God must be built upon Jesus Christ as the chief cornerstone. * Habitation of the Spirit: The church is not just a physical building but a collection of individuals where the Holy Spirit dwells. * Every Stone Matters: Each member must contribute through love and fellowship to keep the church strong and prevent decay. * Focus on the Next Step: Rather than dwelling on past mistakes, look forward and take the faithful next step toward God. Read the full transcript at https://vpchurchofchrist.org/media/articles/2026/07/12/take-heed-how-to-build-a-life-in-christ-transcript [https://vpchurchofchrist.org/media/articles/2026/07/12/take-heed-how-to-build-a-life-in-christ-transcript]

Building By Faith: Jesus

Series: VBS 2026: Building By Faith Service: Vacation Bible Study Type: Sermon Speaker: Manly Thweatt Jesus the Master Builder: Learn to build a strong spiritual foundation on the Rock. Discover permanency, spiritual strength, and perseverance in Matthew 7. Key Takeaways: * Foundation Matters Most: Just as physical buildings require a solid base to withstand storms, a Christian's life must be built upon the absolute truth of Jesus Christ. * Christ Builds Permanency: Our faith provides a reliable, permanent, and unchanging anchor to return to when we drift off the correct path. * Monitor Spiritual Vital Signs: Just like taking vital signs for physical health, we must actively monitor our spiritual well-being and not ignore the warning signs of sin. * Avoid Emotional Foundations: Basing big life decisions on fleeting emotions or feelings is unstable, unlike the reliable and proven word of God. * Embrace Spiritual Perseverance: Our faith may bend during difficult trials and storms, but relying on Christ ensures it will not break under the pressure. * The Church is Christ's Design: Jesus constructed His eternal church upon the divine revelation that He is the Son of the Living God, creating a permanent place of hope. Read the full transcript at https://vpchurchofchrist.org/media/articles/2026/07/10/building-by-faith-jesus-transcript [https://vpchurchofchrist.org/media/articles/2026/07/10/building-by-faith-jesus-transcript]

Building By Faith: Nehemiah

Series: VBS 2026: Building By Faith Service: Vacation Bible Study Type: Sermon Speaker: Mike Wrenn How was Nehemiah able to spearhead a successful rebuilding of the Jerusalem wall? Through prayer, courageous action, and perseverance. Learn to build by faith and spark spiritual renewal. Key Takeaways: * Faith begins with prayer: Before taking any action or organizing workers, Nehemiah mourned, confessed his sins, and sought God's guidance. * Faith acts courageously: Trusting God requires careful planning and the bravery to make difficult requests to achieve His purposes. * Faith builds together: Every person has a vital role in God's work, meaning success requires unity and a willingness to do even the unpleasant tasks. * Faith perseveres through opposition: When faced with mockery and distraction, believers must stay focused on the main work without compromising. * Faith produces spiritual renewal: The ultimate goal of any faithful effort is obedience to God's word and finding strength in His joy. * Faith requires ongoing commitment: Maintaining spiritual victories and continued faithfulness is often more difficult than the initial building phase. Read the full transcript at https://vpchurchofchrist.org/media/articles/2026/07/09/building-by-faith-nehemiah-transcript [https://vpchurchofchrist.org/media/articles/2026/07/09/building-by-faith-nehemiah-transcript]

Building By Faith: Noah

Series: VBS 2026: Building By Faith Service: Vacation Bible Study Type: Sermon Speaker: Levi Davenport Noah's faith and the wise builder in Matthew 7 teach Christians to build a strong spiritual foundation through character and commitments. Key Takeaways: * Preparation reveals belief: Preparing for the future, much like Noah building the ark, demonstrates genuine faith in God's promises. * Character sustains work: Initial faith starts a project, but it requires patience, discipline, and godly character to see it through. * Storms are inevitable: Every person will face life's storms, and survival depends entirely on the strength of their foundation. * Foundations require multiple elements: Just as concrete needs sand, water, and cement, a spiritual foundation requires character and active commitments. * Weakness spreads: A compromised spiritual foundation will eventually affect every aspect of a person's life and relationships. Read the full transcript at https://vpchurchofchrist.org/media/articles/2026/07/08/building-by-faith-noah-transcript [https://vpchurchofchrist.org/media/articles/2026/07/08/building-by-faith-noah-transcript]

The Illusion of Independence: Finding True Freedom in Christ

Series: N/A Service: Sun AM Worship Type: Sermon Speaker: Shawn Bain This sermon explores Luke 15, John 8, and Romans 6, revealing why true independence means submission to God. Key Takeaways: * The Illusion of Independence: True freedom is not about doing whatever you want, as self-rule often leads to spiritual bondage. * The Prodigal Son's Mistake: The younger son sought freedom by leaving his father but only found true peace when returning to a disciplined environment. * Delivered to Serve: God freed the Israelites from Egypt not just to be independent, but so they could serve Him wholeheartedly. * Truth Brings Freedom: According to Jesus in John 8, spiritual liberty comes from knowing and abiding in His truth rather than relying on national heritage. * The Cost of Self-Will: Proverbs 14 and Jeremiah 10 warn that human independence without God's direction leads to destruction and chaos. * Servants of Righteousness: Romans 6 teaches that we are either bound to sin or bound to God, and eternal life comes from surrendering to His will. Read the full transcript at https://vpchurchofchrist.org/media/articles/2026/07/05/the-illusion-of-independence-finding-true-freedom-in-christ-transcript [https://vpchurchofchrist.org/media/articles/2026/07/05/the-illusion-of-independence-finding-true-freedom-in-christ-transcript]