Why are Worship and Bible Class Important? (Hebrews 2:1)
At the Southwest church of Christ, we meet every Sunday and Wednesday. On Sunday’s we have Bible class at 9:30 AM and Worship service at 10:30 AM & 6 PM. On Wednesdays, we meet for Bible study at 7:00 PM. I want to encourage us all to be at every single worship service and Bible class. It is so important that we all gather “every time the doors are open.” Why? Consider what the Hebrew writer said in Hebrews 2:1.…
Let Us Come Together!
According to John 17:20-23 one thing the Lord had on His mind during the ordeal of His death was our unity. Jesus wanted us to be united in purpose and in mind so that the world would look at us and know that the Father had sent the Son. Jesus knew the value of unity. He knew that a splintered body accomplishes nothing. He knew that the sense of community that is sewn into the fabric of fellowship would be…
From the Director’s Desk (August 2025) – Trent Kennedy
For decades, the study of the original languages of Scripture has been part of the curriculum at Southwest. Still today, the students take one quarter of Biblical Hebrew to introduce them to the language and alphabet (alephbet!), and four quarters of Biblical Greek to help them get a foundation for future study. Some have wondered why we study Greek at Southwest. Here are some reasons why we study Greek: Studying Greek reminds us of the original context. Studying Greek makes…
With What Measure – Don Walker
Jesus said, “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, shall they give into your bosom; for with what measure ye mete it shall be measured to you again” (Luke 6:38). There are some interesting lessons here. First, we cannot out give God! We give, and God sees to it we are given unto. In addition, what God gives is “pressed down, shaken together, and running over.” When you get a box…
The Tongue… – Wayne Jackson
Jesus Christ gave a stern warning regarding the unseemly language that sometimes proceeds from a person’s mouth. It is not without significance that two of the Ten Commandments deal with speech—taking the name of God in vain and bearing false witness against another person (Ex. 20:7,16). Similarly, in the Sermon on the Mount Jesus warned against the abuse of the tongue in “swearing falsely” (Matt. 5:33-37). The way one talks is a very revealing index to his character. The Scriptures…
What is Your Life? – Steve Lloyd
This article attempts to answer the question “What would we know about our origin and the purpose for our lives without the Old Testament?” That is a great question! In this article, we will explore life’s “big questions” as they relate to the Old Testament. First of all, let’s take a look at what is meant by “big questions.” Most writers agree that the “big questions” include the following: Who am I? Why am I here? What went wrong? What…
Do Not Be Covetous (Jas. 5:1–6) – John Haffner
The final chapter of James opens with a strong warning directed to the rich. The problem is not merely having wealth, but rather covetousness. This is the greedy, self-indulgent attitude that is never satisfied. It misuses riches while mistreating others. Hard work and honest success notwithstanding, James exposes the sort of heart that loves money more than God, and possessions more than people. This section of scripture offers a powerful reminder, we must not envy the rich or long for…
Do Not Speak Evil of One Another (Jas. 4:11-12) – John Baker
“If of others you’re tempted to speak, five things observe with care: of whom you speak, to whom you speak, and how, and when, and where.” Everybody has trouble with their tongue, but our Heavenly Father warns us to be careful with our words: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits” (Pro. 18:21). Christ reminds us that we will give account for every idle word we speak (Matt.…
Do not be Presumptuous (Jas. 4:13-17)
In 1 Corinthians 6:19 we find an important truth about our life. That is, it doesn’t belong to us. Paul said, “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” The idea that “you are not your own” is deeply troubling for the vast majority of those in our world. Western Culture is all about self autonomy. I can…
Jesus Did What!? (John 13:5)
The tongue is one of the smaller yet stronger muscles in the human body. It is a muscle often described as “tiny but mighty.” Yes, from a physical standpoint, this is true… BUT this truth also applies to its Biblical application. To illustrate just how powerful the tongue is, James gives us three illustrations of objects in this world that are small but have a great impact and control. He uses the bridle to show how a small bit can…
Tiny but Mighty (James 3:3-5)
The tongue is one of the smaller yet stronger muscles in the human body. It is a muscle often described as “tiny but mighty.” Yes, from a physical standpoint, this is true… BUT this truth also applies to its Biblical application. To illustrate just how powerful the tongue is, James gives us three illustrations of objects in this world that are small but have a great impact and control. He uses the bridle to show how a small bit can…
The Church and its Priorities
With so many unique challenges before us it is easy to lose sight of what is really important. The Bible has a great deal to say about priorities and it is important for us to ensure that our priorities are aligned correctly on an individual basis, but also on a congregational basis. First Timothy 6 lists some items that the church must prioritize. Sound Doctrine (1 Tim. 6:3-5) –Those who do not concern themselves with sound doctrine are guilty of…