Cumberland Trace Church of Christ (Formerly Lehman Ave Church of Christ)

November 1, 2026 - Sunday PM Sermon This episode presents a single, in-depth sermon centered on John 17:20–21 and Jesus’ prayer for Christian unity. Neal opens with a historical anecdote about T.B. Larimore and a missing Bible page, uses that story to frame the urgency of Jesus’ plea, and walks listeners through the context of John 13–17 and the four-part structure of Jesus’ prayer. Key topics covered include the problem of denominational division (citing common estimates of thousands of denominations and a summary of major groupings), the difference between biblical unity and ecumenical compromise, and practical examples where churches must conform to Scripture—church organization, male spiritual leadership, and the New Testament pattern for salvation (belief, repentance, baptism). The sermon sets out three concrete observations for answering Jesus’ prayer: (1) Embrace His Word as authoritative—supported by passages such as Matthew 16:19, 2 Timothy 3:14–17, Hebrews 4:12, and Mark 16:16; (2) Imitate the unity of heaven—not a uniform blending of doctrines but unity grounded in truth, resisting “agree to disagree” compromises; and (3) Prioritize the world’s perception—because united obedience is a powerful witness (John 13:34–35, 1 Corinthians 1:10–13, Philippians 2:14–16). Neal criticizes superficial ecumenical attempts to unite at the cost of truth, references modern examples (including the play The Christians) to illustrate the cultural cost of visible division, and challenges listeners to examine common assumptions—about salvation, baptism, church structure, and moral teaching—against Scripture. The episode concludes with a direct call to action: a plea for humble submission to God’s Word, an invitation for listeners who have not yet united with Christ to repent and be baptized, and an encouragement to pursue undenominational, New Testament conformity so that the church might be an answer to Jesus’ prayer.   Handout:  Be An Answer to Jesus’ Prayer (John 17) Neal Pollard I. ________________________ HIS ______________________ (20) II. ______________ THE _____________ OF ______________ (21) III. ________________ THE _______________ OF _________ (21) IV. _____________ THE _____________ OF THE __________ (21)   Duration 30:17

November 1, 2026 - Sunday AM Sermon In this powerful sermon on the Parable of the Prodigal Son Neal explores why no one has gone too far to be reached by God’s mercy. Using Scripture passages (including Luke’s prodigal son account, John 3:16, Ephesians 3:17–19, 1 Corinthians 6, Acts, Mark 16:16, 1 John 1:9 and James 5:16) the message emphasizes the Father’s compassion — his looking, running, embracing and celebrating the returning child — and contrasts that welcome with the cold judgment of the elder brother. Topics covered include: the excuses people make that keep them from returning to God ("it’s been too long," "I’m as good where I am," fear of friends, hypocritical believers), the biblical path back (repentance, baptism, confession, restoration), and the centrality and worth of the church as God’s household. The sermon also draws on real-life illustrations — the sacrificial rescue of Victoria Hallman’s child, the thirty-year restoration of Edward Latulippe, and New Testament examples such as Cornelius, the Philippian jailer, and the apostles at Pentecost — to show that God saves sinners and restores those who return. Key points: God’s love bridges any distance; grace is available even to the deepest sinner; becoming part of God’s family involves faith, repentance and baptism; confessing and seeking help from fellow believers restores those who have fallen away; and delay or excuses risk never returning. The talk includes a sung reflection of the parable and closes with a direct invitation to respond — whether to be baptized for forgiveness, to confess and be restored, or to join the church family.   Handout: What The Prodigal Son Did Not Say (Luke 15) Neal Pollard “I’d Like To Come Home, But...” I. I’VE ____________________ TOO _______________________ II. I’M ABOUT AS ________ OFF HERE AS I’D BE AT ___________ III. I DON’T KNOW IF I CAN ___________ THE __________ HOME IV. I’M AFRAID OF WHAT MY ____________ WOULD ___________ V. THEN I THINK OF MY ______________ ___________ AT HOME VI. I THINK I’LL ____________________ A WHILE   Duration 28:37

November 1, 2026 - Sunday AM Bible Class In this episode Neal dives into 1 Corinthians chapter 12, placing Paul’s teaching on spiritual gifts in its historical and scriptural context. The talk reviews the controversies scattered through 1 Corinthians, explains how chapter 12 begins a sustained discussion of unity and spiritual gifts, and previews how chapters 13–14 continue the subject. Key scriptural passages are examined to answer two primary questions: how did the Corinthians receive their gifts and why were the miraculous gifts given? The episode walks through Acts 2, 8 and 19 to show the pattern of receiving the Spirit and the imparting of miraculous gifts by the apostles (laying on of hands). Mark 16 and Hebrews 2 are used to argue that signs, wonders and gifts served to confirm the new message before the New Testament was completed, while passages like Acts 2:38 and Ephesians 1:13 are used to distinguish the Spirit as the believer’s seal from the special, miraculous manifestations. Neal (with co-teacher Hiram referenced and lively interaction with congregation members) unpacks Paul’s main points in 1 Corinthians 12: the variety of gifts, the single source (the one Spirit), the divine distribution according to God’s will, and the purpose of every gift for the common good. The body-of-Christ illustration (verses 12–26) is emphasized: every member has a necessary, distinct role and the church must express unity, mutual care, and empathetic response to suffering and honor. Practical application is offered for today’s church: while miraculous, revelatory gifts (tongues, prophecy, sign-gifts) were foundational in the apostolic age to confirm revelation, the Spirit now guides believers through the completed Word and through providence. Contemporary gifts and abilities—teaching, encouragement, craftsmanship, generosity, leadership and other ministries—are highlighted as ways God equips each believer to build up the body. The episode closes by setting the stage for 1 Corinthians 13 and a deeper treatment of love’s primacy in the exercise of gifts. Duration 42:47

October 18, 2026 - Wednesday Bible Class This episode is a sermon-style lesson exploring whether faith is inherited or must be personally owned, and how believers can remain faithful until death. Bill opens by reflecting on the blessing of a godly heritage, reads Deuteronomy 6 and Psalm 78, and frames the central question: should we rely on inherited faith or make faith a personal commitment? Topics covered include the difference between practicing faith (worship, Bible study, fellowship) and persevering in faith (endurance, guarding and passing faith on), the parable of the sower, and New Testament and Old Testament examples—from the Samaritan woman, the Ethiopian eunuch, and the apostles to Timothy, Demas, Paul (Saul of Tarsus), Abraham, Moses, and David. Key scriptures referenced include Hebrews 12:1–3, Revelation 2:10, Philippians 1:6, 1 Corinthians 10:13, 2 Timothy, Joshua 24:15, and Hebrews 11. Bill emphasizes practical application with ten specific goals and habits to sustain faith: intentionally avoid temptation, pray constantly, put God first, beware of busyness, overcome fear, know your spiritual temperature, avoid ungodly influences, fight laziness, count the cost, and memorize and meditate on Scripture. He also stresses the role of mentors, testimony, and community—"iron sharpens iron"—and the need for a transformative, not merely informational, faith. Throughout the talk the teacher uses personal testimony (as a first-generation believer who found faith through mentors) and biblical stories to encourage listeners that whether faith begins in the home or in a dramatic conversion, each person must choose and persevere. The episode closes with pastoral exhortations to anchor hope in God’s promises, trust Him with decisions, hold fast to hope, and a short prayer asking for strength to remain faithful to the end.   Duration 38:31  

October 25, 2026 - Sunday PM Sermon   This episode asks a timeless question: can you have joy when circumstances change and life isn’t what you expected? Opening with the story of Joni Eareckson Tada — a young diver who became a quadriplegic and moved from bitterness to faith, creativity, and advocacy — the speaker uses her life as a window into how Christians can find joy amid suffering. The message unfolds as a close reading of the book of Hebrews, tracing the key word "better" through the letter and diagnosing the spiritual struggles facing the original recipients: negligence, hardness of heart, immaturity, and the danger of falling away. The speaker highlights how Hebrews offers "hooks" and resources to hang on to faith, and points to four occurrences of the word "joy" in the closing chapters as practical anchors for believers. Key lessons: there is joy in what you possess in Christ — because it is better, lasting, and rewarding; joy in what lies ahead — by looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who endured the cross for the joy set before him; joy in what suffering produces — how discipline and trials refine faith and produce the peaceful fruit of righteousness; and joy in seeing others grow — investing in people and shepherding with an eternal perspective. Neal illustrates these truths with practical and cultural examples (from doxxing and economic instability to Ernest Shackleton’s endurance and the marathon metaphor) and ties them to Scripture (Hebrews 10–13, Hebrews 12:2, Matthew 6, 1 Timothy 6, John 10, and others). He emphasizes that Christian joy is internal and rooted in relationship with God, not in changing external circumstances. Listeners can expect both theological depth and pastoral application: encouragement to remember the better and lasting promises of Christ, guidance on how to endure trials by looking forward, and a call to patience and investment in others. The episode closes with an invitation to respond in faith, to seek restoration if you’ve wandered, and to bring burdens before the church community for prayer and support.   Handout:  Reassuring Truths About Joy Neal Pollard I. There is Joy in What We ___________________ (Hebrews 10:34) II. There is Joy in What ____________ ___________ (Hebrews 12:2) III. There is Joy in What ______________ Produces (Hebrews 12:11) IV. There is Joy in Seeing ___________ _________ (Hebrews 13:17)   Duration 33:11