Cornerstone Truth

Suffering Victoriously As Christians… “It is ‘Go Time’ to be Fully Invested in Serving Christ and His Kingdom!”  It was and seems to be once again time to be fully invested in serving the LORD.  There are four fundamental responses that need to be consistently practiced as troublesome times continue to unfold.  First, a prayer life built upon sound judgment and soberness.  Next, we need to remain fervent in our love for the brethren.  Third we need to be hospitable with a great attitude,  Finally, we need to invest our God-given gifts, talents, abilities, and resources to advance Christ’s Kingdom.  The overall riding purpose is that God may be glorified in His people as we humbly do His will.  The post It Is “Go Time” To Be Fully Invested! appeared first on Pleasant Hill Church of Christ.

“Suffering Victoriously As Christians… Arm Yourselves with Christ’s Purpose in Suffering for Doing what is Right!”  As those who are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, we are to suffer like Christ according to the will of God.   To accomplish this we must, “arm ourselves,” by setting our mind, our intentions, and our purpose to share the gospel in both word and deed so others might become Christians!  In following Christ’s example, as we consistently invest our lives in the selfless sacrifice and service of others, we will grow in the holiness and righteousness of our Lord Jesus.  In so doing, we will also experience the slander of those who will malign us as we lay aside our former fleshly lusts to embrace the righteous life of Christ and His love for lost souls.  Our motivation in all this comes from knowing that all of us will stand before the judgment seat of Christ and be recompensed for the things we did in the flesh whether good or evil. The post Arm Yourselves with Christ’s Purpose in Suffering for Doing What is Right! appeared first on Pleasant Hill Church of Christ.

“Suffering Victoriously As Christians… In Your Marriage and the Family of God!”   Last week we introduced this lesson but this morning we will finish looking at the critically important human institutions of marriage and the church which is the family of God.  Remembering that we are looking at each of these human institutions, created by God, for God’s purpose we will examine marriage in the same light.  Marriage is also designed to fulfill the LORD’s ultimate purpose.  The husband and wife are to be subject to their God given purpose and role in the marriage relationship.  Submission to God’s will in any relationship means the sacrifice of “Self.”  In a person’s sacrifice in marriage, to be in submission to the LORD’s will, there is often pain of many different kinds.  We will focus on both the husband and wife in the LORD’s call to submit to Him and His will while serving each other in marriage.  To fulfill His will we must also examine the critical spiritual nature and adornment of the wife and the husband as God’s word directs.  We will conclude our lesson by examining our call to fulfill God’s purpose as Christians in context to being a part of His family.  We will describe the purpose of our submission to one another and what the nature of that submission looks like.    The post Submission in Marriage & the Family of God! Part 2 appeared first on Pleasant Hill Church of Christ.

“Suffering Victoriously As Christians… In Your Marriage and the Family of God!”   In the past few weeks we have learned that we are to be in subjection to every human institution such as civil governments and the institutions were we are employed.  This morning we will look at the critically important human institutions of marriage and the church which is the family of God.  Remembering that we are looking at each of these human institutions, created by God, for God’s purpose we will examine marriage in the same light.  Marriage is also designed to fulfill the LORD’s ultimate purpose.  The husband and wife is to be subject to their God given purpose and role in the marriage relationship.  Submission to God’s will in any relationship means the sacrifice of “Self.”  In a person’s sacrifice in marriage to be submission to the LORD’s will there is often times pain of many and varied different kinds.  We will focus on the both the husband and wife in the LORD’s call to submit to Him and His will while serving each other in marriage.  We will conclude our lesson by examining our call to fulfill God’s purpose as Christians in context to being a part of His family.  We will describe the purpose of our submission to one another and what the nature of that submission looks like.    The post Submission in Marriage & the Family of God! appeared first on Pleasant Hill Church of Christ.

“Suffering Victoriously As Christians… In Your Place of Work!”   As we learned last week, we are to be in subjection to every human institution.  The places of commerce and work were we earn our living, “by the sweat of our brow,” is a very important place to serve the LORD according to His will.  We are taught to serve our earthly masters with all respect and honor regardless of whether they are good or unreasonable.  I serving them according to God’s will we may need to endure unjust suffering at the hand of our earthly masters.  If, when doing what is right according to God’s ethical standard for our behavior in the work place we will find favor with the LORD and receive His blessings.  To be able to do this we must look to Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith.  I following Christ’s example we recognize that Christ suffered when fulfilling His Father’s will and so we also may suffer injustice when doing the LORD’s will at our places of work.  To look to His example will give us the strength and courage to set our faces like flint to serve the LORD in every way at our places of employment.  In so doing, we will glorify His before men and receive praise, glory, and honor from the LORD on the last day. The post The Mindset of Christ in Suffering at Work! appeared first on Pleasant Hill Church of Christ.

“Suffering Victoriously As Christians!”   This is the theme of our present mini-series of sermons taken from the text of the first epistle of Peter.  This morning’s sermon is another call for a paradigm shift in our thinking to prepare us to experience, survive, and thrive during times of suffering in our future.  The audience Peter was addressing were Christians who were soon to experience the suffering at the hands of the corrupt and insane depot, Nero.  We don’t know what our future holds but to be mentally prepared is essential.  So, we must listen as the LORD speaks through Peter to prepare all Christian in every generation to suffer at the hands of godless men.  This morning we will wrestle with a little spoken of passage that calls us to fulfill God’s will be submitting ourselves to every human institution ordained by LORD.  This morning we will examine some of these institutions and how we must respond to them in order to live within the will of our God.  We will not be asked to do anything that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ did not do, but rather, we will be asked to walk in His footsteps in honoring all people including those who have the power and authority to inflict great suffering. The post Honor All People with Love, Fear, and Honor! appeared first on Pleasant Hill Church of Christ.

Morning assembly for Sunday October 5, 2025 with sermon from Kirk Parks. The post To the Church at Ephesus and P-Hill appeared first on Pleasant Hill Church of Christ.

Welcome to Sunday morning assembly for 9-21-2025 for Brian Braggs sermon. The post Sunday Assembly with Brian Bragg 9_21_25 appeared first on Pleasant Hill Church of Christ.

“Suffering Victoriously As Christians!”  Are you prepared to suffer and die for your faith?  The apostle Peter, using the power of the pen and inspiration by the Holy Spirit, worked to prepare God’s people for the pain and suffering of persecutions by Nero.  Today will be the last lesson on preparing our mindset and building our determination to endure to the end!, “Growing and Thriving as God’s People!”  is the title for this morning’s sermon.  Our study this morning will be taken form the passage of Scripture found in 1 Peter 2:1-12.  In our first point, we will hear of the critical importance of pruning or purging from our lives, as Jesus said, the bad fruit and then building the desire and longing to grow and be built up in His holy word!  In the second, Christ will be exulted as Cornerstone for the house of God and we will be called out as living stones in the great temple of the living God!  In this point we will be called to faithful obedience unto life or disbelief and rebellion leading to eternal condemnation.  Finally, we will learn once again, that as a person perceives themselves, so they will respond to the challenges or trials in this life.  As the chosen race, God’s precious people we are to proclaim the excellencies of the LORD in all we do and say!  Again, as Christians, we must recognize ourselves as strangers and aliens in a fallen and corrupt world.  In this, we must abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul and embrace the moral character and conduct of our Christ!  In finishing the lessons communicated thus far we will be prepared to learn how to respond in many facets of trials, persecutions, and sufferings for Christ.  The post Growing & Thriving as God’s People appeared first on Pleasant Hill Church of Christ.

We continue this morning teaching through our mini-series titled, “Suffering Victoriously As Christians!”  For those who have been following our sermons this year regarding the 8th Law of Momentum – The Power of Suffering, you realize the whole focus has been to give the faithful Christian man and woman the right mindset regarding suffering.  The carnally minded person avoids suffering, complains about it, and ultimately succumbs to it in discouragement and despair, but the spiritually minded person embraces it when it comes and grows ever stronger in faithfulness and service to our King!  This series of lessons on suffering victoriously will be based on an expository study of the letter of 1st Peter.  Today we will finish our study from the lesson, “Our Faithful Response to His Great Salvation!”  Understanding His amazing grace and love for us in paying our debt of sin, filling us with His Holy Spirit, and reserving our place in heaven through Christ’s resurrection our response of faithfulness must be one of total commitment to living only for Him.  To prepare for times of great suffering ahead, Peter describes what our faithful response to God’s great salvation should look like.  First, we will examine the 3 Building Blocks for developing the right mindset to prepare for suffering.  Next, we will learn of the 3 Cornerstones for our Conduct to strengthen us for triumph in times of trial.  Finally, we will drill down on two very important truths about the LORD’s great salvation that are given to inspire us to persevere and power through tough times, holding on to the hope of eternal life in the face of, what Paul calls, light and momentary affliction! The post Our Faithful Responses to His Salvation appeared first on Pleasant Hill Church of Christ.

“Suffering Victoriously As the Christ!”  from the epistle of Peter! For those who have been following our sermons this year regarding the 8th Law of Momentum – The Power of Suffering, our focus has been to give the faithful Christian man and woman the right mindset regarding suffering.  The carnal mind person avoids it, complains about it, and ultimately succumbs to it in discouragement and despair, but the spiritually minded person embraces it when it comes and grows ever stronger in faithfulness and service to our King!  This series of lessons on suffering victoriously will be found in an expository study of the first epistle of the Apostle Peter.  This morning we will focus on the inner man and his responsive faithfulness to Christ in our lesson titled, “Our Faithful Responses for His Salvation.”  In this lesson we will learn about the 3 Building Blocks for the right mindset to be victorious in suffering.  Next we will examine the 3 Cornerstones for Conduct which is our behavioral responses to His amazing salvation.  Finally, we will examine how His grace motivates or faithfulness in developing the right mindset and living our lives with a focus on pleasing our LORD in ever respect while suffering according to His will. The post Our Faithful Responses for His Salvation! appeared first on Pleasant Hill Church of Christ.

Morning Assembly for August 24th and sermon by Bill Compton. The post The Nature and Security of Our Salvation! appeared first on Pleasant Hill Church of Christ.

This morning we begin our main mini-series titled, “Suffering Victoriously As the Christ!”  For those who have been following our sermons this year regarding the 8th Law of Momentum – The Power of Suffering, you realize the whole focus has been to give the faithful Christian man and woman the right mindset regarding suffering.  The carnal mind person avoids it, complains about it, and ultimately succumbs to it in discouragement and despair, but the spiritually minded person embraces it when it comes and grows ever stronger in faithfulness and service to our King!  This series of lessons on suffering victoriously will be found in an expository study of the first epistle of the Apostle Peter.  This morning we will begin with the lesson titled, “Introduction to Prepare our Minds for Action!”  In this lesson we will learn about the date, location, audience and author of this amazing call to victorious living in the face of suffering for the faith.  In the second half of the sermon we will briefly introduce the theme and purpose of the epistle by describing the seven parts of the letter written to build the faith and the fortitude of the first century Christians to face the immanent and increasing suffering for being followers of Christ. The post Introduction to Preparing Our Minds for Action! appeared first on Pleasant Hill Church of Christ.

Sermon for Aug 10th 2025 with Bill Compton. The post The Suffering and Success in All Labor Proverbs 14:23 appeared first on Pleasant Hill Church of Christ.

What does it mean when the Scripture says, we are to be conformed to the death of Christ?  It could be assumed it speaks of our being crucified or sharing in a martyr’s death for being a Christian.  In today’s sermon we will review the first two questions we answered last week and finish by focusing on the third question which we did not have time to start.  First, we will review question one, what does it mean to be conformed to Christ’s death.  We will define and illustrate the words conform and fashion.  Next, we will review the answer to the second question, what does it mean, He died to sin for all?  To help with this point we will read and examine the text from Romans 6:8-11.  Finally we will finish by carefully taking a look at the question, what does it mean to consider that the members of your earthly body are dead to sin.  To do this we will refer to the word’s of the Apostle Paul in his letter to the church is Colossae in Colossians 3:1-11. The post The Meaning of Being Conformed to His Death _Part 2 appeared first on Pleasant Hill Church of Christ.

What does it mean when the Scripture says, we are to be conformed to the death of Christ?  It could be assumed it speaks of our being crucified or sharing in a martyr’s death for being a Christian.  In today’s sermon we will answer three questions.  First, we will answer the question, what does it mean to be conformed to Christ’s death.  We will define and illustrate the words conform and fashion.  Next, we will answer the question, what does it mean, He died to sin for all?  We will read and examine the text from Romans 6:8-11.  Finally we will finish with the question, what does it mean to consider that the members of your earthly body are dead to sin.  To do this we will refer to the word’s of the Apostle Paul in his letter to the church is Colossae in Colossians 3:1-11. The post The Meaning of Being Conformed to His Death appeared first on Pleasant Hill Church of Christ.

Morning Assembly for 7/13/2025 with Brian Bragg The post Back to Fundamentals with Brian Bragg appeared first on Pleasant Hill Church of Christ.

We will finish our trilogy of sermons through Philippians 3:7-21 today!  This morning we will examine the question “How?”  How can we endure the sufferings of Christ when we experience the fellowship of His suffering and death?  To answer our question we will read and review Philippians 3:1-11 and then continue our reading and focus on the the meaning of verses 12 through 21.  Initially, we will examine our need to press on to the goal for the prize of the upward call of Christ Jesus.  Next, we will learn of the right attitude and dedication we need to stay the course and keep growing in faith.  Finally, we will look to the example and pattern both Jesus and the Apostle Paul gave us to secure our place with them in heaven having endured the trials, tribulations, and temptations in this life. The post How Can We Endure the Sufferings of Christ? appeared first on Pleasant Hill Church of Christ.

The first sermon in our trilogy of sermons through Philippians 3:7-16 was titled, “To Know the Fellowship of His Suffering”  This week, during our second sermon, we will examine the question “Why?”, why do we want to know the suffering of Christ and why do we want to experience the fellowship of His suffering and death?  Not too many years ago, in business communities, the mantra was, “What is Your Why?”  Honestly, this is a great question to ask in determining the real reason or driving force behind what we choose to do.  Motives, intentions, purpose, and reasons will drive and continue to motivate a person in any pursuit or objective.  Should we not then ask the question, why would we want to know and experience the fellowship of Christ’s sufferings and be conformed to His death?   The answer is clear.  We should desire to know and participate in the kind of sufferings Christ experienced to prepare ourselves for His imminent return for His people. Once we have finished this sermon we will  conclude this trilogy of sermons by answering the question “How?”  How can we prepare to experience and  endure the sufferings of Christ and His death for the salvation of others according to LORD’s will. The post Why Should We Know the Sufferings of Christ? appeared first on Pleasant Hill Church of Christ.

This mornings sermon begins a trilogy of sermons regarding our fellowship with the sufferings of Christ.  Our first sermon is titled, “To Know the Fellowship of His Suffering” and we will examine the Paul’s statement of desiring to know the sufferings of Christ.  We will look at Christ’s suffering and then Paul’s suffering and then answer the question, “What about us?”  Next week we will examine the question “Why?”, why do we want to know the suffering of Christ and why do we want to experience the fellowship of His suffering and death?  Finally, we conclude this trilogy with the question “How?” how can we prepare and endure the sufferings of Christ and His death for the salvation of others according to LORD’s will. The post To Know the Fellowship of His Sufferings! appeared first on Pleasant Hill Church of Christ.