A Bittersweet Farewell
October 25th, 2025, is our last Sunday with the beloved Westbrook family. Saying goodbye is never easy, especially when the people you are saying goodbye to have made such a meaningful impact on the congregation. For the past 10 years, the Westbrook family have labored for the Lord here at Southwest, leaving a footprint that will be seen even after they have moved. Cody’s preaching from the pulpit, teaching in the classroom, compassionate visits to homes and hospitals, and being…
Does God Exist? (1 Peter 3:15)
According to the Pew Research Center, the number of atheists in our country has doubled over the last 10 years. While they still only make up roughly 4% of Americans, there are countries in Europe where 1 in every 4 people deny the existence of God. These numbers do not even include agnostics (those who deny that we can know that God exists with certainty) or those who are “indifferent” on the matter. The point is, if we are to…
The Problem of Partiality (James 2:9)
“But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors” (James 2:9). Partiality is a sin. The Bible is clear on the subject, but…what is partiality? What does it look like, and if we struggle with it, how do we overcome it? Partiality is the attitude of unfair preference or approval towards someone. In James 2:1, some versions of the Bible will even use the phrase “personal favoritism” to describe this attitude of…
Every Congregation Needs a Bridge (Proverbs 11:14)
There is a chasm in the Lord’s church. A gap is seen as you walk through the doors of a church building. A divide is felt as one moves within the body of Christ, from worship, Bible studies, and fellowship. This division is not due to doctrine or differing opinions, but age. Older members tend to associate with other older members, while younger members often connect solely with their peers. Our youth meet for devotionals and family gatherings, while our…
Be Still and Know That I Am God (Psalm 46:10)
It began as a dark day in the history of God’s people. The Northern Tribes of Israel had already been destroyed and carried away, and now, the Assyrian army marched into Judah. King Sennacherib had his sights set on Jerusalem, the capital city. His armies conquered and destroyed until they had surrounded the city. In his own words, Sennacherib described the siege as having trapped King Hezekiah, much like a bird in a cage (2 Kings 19, Isaiah 36-37, Sennacherib’s…
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…