Lesson of the Hour Dean Road

Most people avoid controversy. The secular world tells Christians to keep their faith to themselves. However, Christians cannot. Christians confess Christ openly. Furthermore, the faithful have the firm foundation to defend the faith. Even critical scholars admit that Jesus professed to be the Son of God. As Lewis presented, Jesus is either lunatic, liar, or Lord. The answer to many is quite clear. Jesus is the Lord. He is the Son of Man. This message encourages Christians to challenge the world with Jesus's question, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?"

Scripture Reading: Mark 14:60-62 (read by Christopher Howell)
Lesson by Scott Shifferd
Recorded December 9, 2018 at the Dean Road church of Christ in Jacksonville, FL

A person’s understanding of God shapes how that person views the world. The apostle Paul wrote a young church in Colossae seeking that they be filled with the knowledge of God’s will, so that they may walk in way that is pleasing to God. For this reason, Paul emphasized the preeminence and greatness of Jesus Christ. Seeing the greatness of Jesus Christ keeps one from blending the traditions and philosophies of human wisdom with the gospel. Viewing the world through Jesus Christ keeps believers from false teachings. This message encourages all Christians to give Christ preeminence in every part of one’s life.

Scripture Reading: John 1:1-3,14 (read by Phillip Bailey)
Lesson by Scott Shifferd
Recorded December 2, 2018 at the Dean Road church of Christ in Jacksonville, FL

In the last days, people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, and lovers of pleasure. They will have an appearance of religious devotion and yet deny God’s power. Paul spoke this warning telling Timothy how evil people and imposters will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. Within this context, Paul affirmed that every Scripture is God-breathed. The Bible is the product of men moved by the Spirit and speaking by God. Christians need the Scriptures to confront the deception in the world and proclaim the gospel by convincing, correcting, and encouraging others. This message proclaims the vital importance of the Scriptures for teaching and every good work.

Scripture Reading: II Peter 1:20-21 (read by Steve Berg)
Lesson by Scott Shifferd
Recorded November 25, 2018 at the Dean Road church of Christ in Jacksonville, FL

Most people avoid being judged. We seek the comfort, security, and acceptance of loved ones. However, no one will be able to escape judgment for our wrongdoing. Judgment day makes sense that all the wicked and evil acts ever done will come to a reckoning before the holy God. Jesus proclaimed various times of the coming of the Son of Man who will repay each person according to what each one has done. Jesus even depicted God separating the blessed and cursed according to their acts of compassion toward His brethren. For this reason, Christ preached that His disciples are to lose their lives, take up their crosses, and follow Him.

Scripture Reading: Matthew 19:28-30 (read by Justin Hirt)
Lesson by Scott Shifferd
Recorded November 11, 2018 at the Dean Road church of Christ in Jacksonville, FL

People grow in their experiences with others who model, coach, and teach them. According to the Bible, a disciple is someone who receives such instruction from a teacher. Most people stop closely following Christ because it costs too much. Many have simply given up on being a disciple — a Christian. This study encourages believers to live lives as disciples of Christ starting with some basics of being a disciple of Christ according to Jesus’s own words.

Scripture Reading: Luke 14:15-24 (read by Gene Bryant)
Lesson by Scott Shifferd
Recorded November 4, 2018 at the Dean Road church of Christ in Jacksonville, FL

The governor Festus thought that Paul was out of his mind for his faith in Jesus Christ. However, Paul proclaimed the gospel of Jesus's death and resurrection, and urged all to believe. This sermon will present the uneven ground for which we try to tell the gospel to the world. Unbelievers suppress the truth about God in unrighteousness. Unbelievers also assert arguments and lofty opinions from authority. Their view of God is always slanted. For this reason, Christians direct unbelievers from a right view of God to the gospel of Jesus's death, burial, and resurrection.

Scripture Reading: I Peter 3:14-15
Lesson by Scott Shifferd
Recorded July 8, 2018 at the Dean Road church of Christ in Jacksonville, FL