Watts in the Word
308 episodes - English - Latest episode: 4 days ago - ★★★★★ - 1 ratingJoin me, Chris Watts, as we dig into the most amazing book ever written, and discover what it means for you and me!
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Episodes
Introduction to Esther
October 02, 2023 13:53 - 38.3 MBWe begin our study of Esther with some top-level considerations of the book: it’s place in the story of the people of God in the Old Testament, it’s historical context, and the timeless themes in the book for God’s people in any era. Click Here to Listen. (Preaching through Esther. This sermon was preached at … Continue reading Introduction to Esther
The Resurrection of the Dead
October 02, 2023 13:40 - 33.2 MBThere is no Christian doctrine more elementary, no principle more basic, than the resurrection of the dead. It is not an understatement to say that the entire faith rests on this one event, this one teaching. Why is it so foundational, and what does that mean for us? Click Here to Listen. (Preaching on the … Continue reading The Resurrection of the Dead
The Laying on of Hands
September 25, 2023 15:47 - 31.2 MBRelative to the modern American Christian context, the “laying on of hands” seems most out of place in the list of “elementary doctrine of Christ” in Hebrews 6:1-2. Why is that? What is so essential about this doctrine, and what should it mean for Christians today? Click Here to Listen. (Preaching on the first principles … Continue reading The Laying on of Hands
The Armor of God
September 18, 2023 14:23 - 40.8 MB(NOTE: The first three minutes of this audio are very echoey. Sorry.) Paul closes his letter to the Ephesians with one of the more iconic sets of imagery in the New Testament: the Armor of God. What is the armor, and why do we need it? Click Here to Listen. (Preaching through Ephesians. This sermon … Continue reading The Armor of God
Instruction About Washings
September 18, 2023 14:14 - 34.2 MBThe phrase “instruction about washings” in Hebrews 6 is very unusual, especially considering that the opening verses of Hebrews 6 are supposed to be about “elementary doctrine of Christ.” What is meant by “washings,” and how is it an elementary doctrine? Click Here to Listen. (Preaching on the first principles of Christianity. This sermon was … Continue reading Instruction About Washings
Handling Authority
September 11, 2023 14:08 - 33.4 MBOne of the major themes in the latter half of Ephesians is authority, both in the church and in human relationships. This is a common refrain of the Bible; how should people in authority treat those under their charge, and how should those under authority act in submission? This is a lesson composed mostly of … Continue reading Handling Authority
Repentance from Dead Works
September 11, 2023 13:42 - 27.5 MB“Repentance” is a critical idea in God’s word, rightly grouped in with the “elementary doctrine of Christ” in Hebrews 6. What is repentance? What are the “dead works” that we need to repent of? Click Here to Listen. (Preaching on the first principles of Christianity. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ … Continue reading Repentance from Dead Works
Marriage in the Church
September 04, 2023 14:11 - 48 MBPaul’s words about marriage in Ephesians 5 are controversial, to say the least. Why does Paul lay out the instructions he does, and how do they fit into the broader context of relational commands in the New Testament? Click Here to Listen. (Preaching through Ephesians. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ … Continue reading Marriage in the Church
Faith Toward God
September 04, 2023 13:59 - 32.2 MBThe first in our list of “elementary doctrine of Christ” from Hebrews 6 is “faith toward God.” It’s hard to imagine a better example of a “first principle” of Christianity than faith. What is faith, and what makes it so foundational to our relationship with God? Click Here to Listen. (Preaching on first principles. This … Continue reading Faith Toward God
Returning to First Principles
August 28, 2023 14:05 - 29.4 MBWhat are the “First Principles” of Christianity, the things that without doing or knowing a person cannot actually be a Christian? Why are they so important? Click Here to Listen. (Preaching on first principles of Christianity. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on August 27, 2023.)
Children of Light and Dark
August 14, 2023 15:28 - 40.6 MB(NOTE: The first minute of this audio is very echoey. The audio resolves after a minute.) Why does God care about what kind of relationships we have? Why should we seriously consider who we develop relationships with, what those relationships mean in our lives, and how they affect us? Click Here to Listen. (Preaching through … Continue reading Children of Light and Dark
Biblical Relationships
August 14, 2023 15:24 - 32.8 MBWe conclude our study of living Biblically by considering relationships: what should Christian relationships look like? How should we build and develop relationships in all areas of our lives? Why does it matter? Click Here to Listen. (Preaching on living Biblically. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on August 13, 2023.)
The New Life
August 07, 2023 14:25 - 34.2 MBTransformation is at the heart of the Christian journey. What does that transformation entail, and how do we begin the process? (Click Here to Listen.) (Preaching through Ephesians. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church on August 6, 2023.)
Biblical Lifestyles
August 07, 2023 14:08 - 33.5 MBGod has said a lot of things about how He wants the Christian to live and spend their time, but what about all the areas of life where God hasn’t specifically outlined what a Christian should do? How can we make righteous decisions even in these? (Click Here to Listen.) (Preaching on living Biblically. This … Continue reading Biblical Lifestyles
Biblical Work
July 31, 2023 15:37 - 38.7 MBAs we move outward in our consideration of Biblical living (from thoughts, to gender, to families), we begin considering the ways families interface with the outside world. The first of these is work. What does the Bible say about work? How does God intend the Christian to behave in the economy? Click Here to Listen. … Continue reading Biblical Work
Biblical Families, Part 2
July 24, 2023 15:13 - 33 MBGod set forth a stated ideal purpose for the family and its structure, but what if your family already doesn’t look like God’s intent? What are some reasons why families end up different from what God designed, and how can we still facilitate the purpose of the family in such situations? Click Here to Listen. … Continue reading Biblical Families, Part 2
Unity
July 18, 2023 13:17 - 40.5 MBAs Paul transitions from big theological ideas in his letter to the Ephesians, to personal application and instruction for the individual Christian life, he does so by discussing Christian unity. Unity is the bridge between God’s Eternal Purpose, and the individual Christian’s responsibility. How do we create and maintain unity? Click Here to Listen. (Preaching … Continue reading Unity
Biblical Families, Part 1
July 18, 2023 13:06 - 29.4 MBFamily is a complicated, complex, and sometimes controversial topic, because humans can and do create such a wide variety of family structures. What did God intend originally for the family, and what does he want for the Christian? Click Here to Listen. (Preaching on living Biblically. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of … Continue reading Biblical Families, Part 1
A Prayer for Strength
July 10, 2023 14:24 - 37.6 MBHaving clarified his (and our) purpose in revealing the “mystery of the gospel”, Paul offers a prayer to God for strength for the reader. What does spiritual strength look like, and where does it come from? Click Here to Listen. (Preaching through Ephesians. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on July … Continue reading A Prayer for Strength
Biblical Womanhood
July 10, 2023 14:08 - 35.5 MBComing our our last lesson on Biblical Manhood, we now turn to women; what does God have to say about women and how what kind of people He intends for them to become? Click Here to Listen. (Preaching on living Biblically. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on July 9, 2023.)
The Mystery of the Gospel
July 03, 2023 14:23 - 35.7 MBAs we resume our study of Ephesians, we come to a section where Paul reveals his insights into “the mystery of the gospel.” What is this mystery, and why was it so mysterious? Click Here to Listen. (Preaching through Ephesians. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on July 2, 2023.)
Biblical Manhood
July 03, 2023 14:08 - 44.4 MBAs we transition into more specific areas of living Biblically, we begin with men: what does it mean to be a man, according to the Bible? What can we learn from men of God throughout history? Click Here to Listen. (Preaching on living Biblically. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on … Continue reading Biblical Manhood
The Church that Grows
July 03, 2023 13:55 - 34.6 MBThe growth of the early church was astonishingly rapid and expansive. Why? How? What did the early church do that helped them grow so quickly, and what does that mean for us? Click Here to Listen. (This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on June 25, 2023.)
Thinking Biblically
July 03, 2023 13:42 - 40.4 MBIf we want to live Biblically, we must first consider how to think Biblically: as we think, so we are. What does it mean to think Biblically, and how do we develop this mindset? Click Here to Listen. (Preaching on how to live Biblically. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on … Continue reading Thinking Biblically
Living Biblically
June 05, 2023 14:37 - 29.7 MBChristians want to be “Biblical”, but what does that mean? How does that desire translate to practical, tangible choices in life? Over the next few weeks we will examine what “living Biblically” looks like in certain areas of life, beginning with unpacking the concept itself. Click Here to Listen. (Preaching on living according to God’s … Continue reading Living Biblically
The Future of Jesus’s Church
May 30, 2023 13:55 - 35.5 MBWe have seen how Jesus promised to build his church, and how he used the apostles and prophets to do so. But what about once all the apostles had died? How did they expect future generations (including us!) to keep building Jesus’s church? Click Here to Listen. (Preaching on the Church that Jesus Built. This sermon … Continue reading The Future of Jesus’s Church
Organizing Jesus’s Church
May 22, 2023 15:18 - 27.9 MBThe church that Jesus built is made out of people, and thus has all the attendant problems and opportunities that come with any group of people. How did the apostles ensure that things would run smoothly as the church expanded and exploded beyond their ability to directly control? Click Here to Listen. (Preaching on the … Continue reading Organizing Jesus’s Church
Killing the Hostility
May 16, 2023 13:42 - 36.7 MBGod’s eternal purpose in the cross has one major roadblock; people, and the way we hate and divide each other. How does the power of the cross help us overcome this problem? Click Here to Listen. (Preaching through Ephesians. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on May 14, 2023.)
The Problem with Jesus’s Church
May 16, 2023 13:34 - 28.3 MBThe church that Jesus built has a problem. It’s a big one, yet one that was inevitable in the way that Jesus chose to build. What is the problem, and what is Jesus doing about it? Click Here to Listen. (Preaching on the church that Jesus built. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church … Continue reading The Problem with Jesus’s Church
A Prayer for Knowledge
May 08, 2023 13:44 - 30.9 MBThe letter to the Ephesians begins with deeply complex and important issues. Perhaps this is why the second section of the letter is about a prayer for knowledge and understanding. What is it that Paul wants his readers to understand? Click Here to Listen. (Preaching through Ephesians. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church … Continue reading A Prayer for Knowledge
The Mission of Jesus’s Church
May 08, 2023 13:40 - 27.5 MBWhen Jesus promised to build his church, what purpose did he have in mind? What did he desire to accomplish by creating such a group of people, and how do we fit into his goals? Click Here to Listen. (Preaching on the church that Jesus built. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of … Continue reading The Mission of Jesus’s Church
The Foundation of Jesus’s Church
May 01, 2023 14:46 - 29.7 MBJesus promised Peter that “on this rock, I will build my church.” What was the rock upon which Jesus would build his church? Click Here to Listen. (Preaching on the Church that Jesus built. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on April 30, 2023.)
The Church that Jesus Built
April 24, 2023 14:01 - 28.3 MBJesus promised Peter in Matthew 16 that he would build his church. What did Jesus mean by this promise? What would his church look like? How would he build it? This week we start a new series on the formation, foundation, and origin of the Jesus’s church. Click Here to Listen. (Preaching on the church … Continue reading The Church that Jesus Built
God’s Eternal Purpose
April 17, 2023 19:00 - 42 MBWe begin our study of Ephesians by considering the foreknowledge, predestination, and eternal purpose of God. Click Here to Listen. (Preaching through Ephesians. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on April 16, 2023.)
The Providence of God
April 17, 2023 18:48 - 32.6 MBPaul concludes his letter to the Philippians with a reminder of how God had provided for Paul throughout his many struggles. What can we learn about the providence of God and our attitude toward His providence? Click Here to Listen. (Preaching through Philippians. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on April … Continue reading The Providence of God
The Victorious Lamb
April 10, 2023 14:46 - 37 MBWe conclude our study of the image of the lamb throughout scripture the way the Bible itself does: with the Victorious Lamb of Revelation. What should the Lamb’s presence and action in Revelation inspire in us? Click Here to Listen. (Preaching on the Lamb throughout scripture. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of … Continue reading The Victorious Lamb
The Power of the Resurrection
April 10, 2023 14:14 - 30.7 MBOn a day when so much of the world is at least peripherally aware of the Resurrection, it is worth examining the power of Christ’s resurrection and it’s importance in our lives. Click Here to Listen. (This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on April 9, 2023.)
Behold the Lamb!
April 03, 2023 14:11 - 34.3 MBAs we transition from the Old Testament concept of lambs and lamb sacrifices into the New Testament, we are now equipped to appreciate John’s command to “Behold the Lamb of God!” (Note: The first part of the audio was not captured. Sorry!) Click Here to Listen. (Preaching on the lamb throughout scripture. This sermon was … Continue reading Behold the Lamb!
The Antidote to Worry
April 03, 2023 13:57 - 31.9 MBWorry is an insidious, destructive force in our lives, just as it was for Paul and the Philippians. How did Paul overcome worry in his own life, how did he expect the Philippians to, and how can we emulate these successes in our own lives? Click Here to Listen. (Preaching through Philippians. This sermon was … Continue reading The Antidote to Worry
The Goal of Christianity
March 27, 2023 15:37 - 30.7 MBAfter reminding the Philippians not to get distracted by things that don’t matter, Paul answers some of the deepest questions of Christianity. What is the point of all this? What is the goal of our faith? And, how can we make sure we reach that goal? Click Here to Listen. (Preaching through Philippians. This sermon … Continue reading The Goal of Christianity
Lamb Laws
March 20, 2023 14:47 - 40 MBThere are a lot of laws concerning lamb sacrifices in the Old Testament. What was the point, and what can we learn about the sacrifice of the True Lamb by looking at these laws? Click Here to Listen. (Preaching on the Lamb throughout Scripture. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on … Continue reading Lamb Laws
Things that Don’t Matter
March 20, 2023 14:38 - 40.6 MBWe all want to be joyful and have meaningful fellowship, but we are often so bad at it. What kinds of things get in the way of our pursuit of these blessings? Click Here to Listen. (Preaching through Philippians. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on March 19, 2023.)
The Passover Lamb
March 13, 2023 14:30 - 44.5 MBThe Passover in Exodus 12 is one of the most important stories in the Bible, not just for the Israelites but for Christians as well. What does this story teach us about our Passover Lamb, Jesus? Click Here to Listen. (Preaching on the lamb through the Bible. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church … Continue reading The Passover Lamb
What Does Unity Look Like?
March 13, 2023 14:18 - 31.4 MBWhat are we to make of the personal correspondence in the New Testament, such as Paul’s discussion of Timothy and Epaphroditus in Philippians? What should the modern Christian learn from these sections of scripture? Click Here to Listen. (Preaching through Philippians. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on March 12, 2023.)
Abraham’s Sacrifice
March 06, 2023 15:07 - 37.8 MBAs we consider the concept of “the lamb” throughout the Bible, we begin with the story of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22, which introduces the major themes of sacrifice and providence. How does this impact our understanding of Jesus the Lamb? Click Here to Listen. (Preaching on the lamb throughout the Bible. This sermon … Continue reading Abraham’s Sacrifice
United Against the Enemey
March 06, 2023 14:54 - 32.5 MBPaul was in a difficult situation while writing Philippians, and clearly worried that it would cause the church in Philippi to despair. What advice did he give them to persevere and overcome the forces arrayed against them? Click Here to Listen. (Preaching through Philippians. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on … Continue reading United Against the Enemey
The Source of Joy
February 27, 2023 15:06 - 32.8 MBWe have already examined Paul situation in writing the letter to the Philippians. How was Paul doing in his confinement? What was his attitude, both toward his situation and toward the Philippians? Click Here to Listen. (Preaching on Philippians. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on February 26, 2023.)
Paul and the Philippians
February 20, 2023 15:06 - 30.9 MB(NOTE: The first 5 minutes of this audio is very distorted. Sorry.) We begin our series on the letter to the Philippians by considering Paul’s previous relationship with the people in Philippi. Why did he feel such great love for them? Click Here to Listen. (Preaching on Philippians. This sermon was preached at the Dewey … Continue reading Paul and the Philippians
The Duality of Man
February 13, 2023 14:59 - 41.9 MBWe conclude our look at David’s life and see the core idea of almost all Bible characters: no one is perfect. David exemplifies both the best and worst parts of human nature. How then could God call him “a man after his own heart”? Click Here to Listen. (Preaching on the life of David. This … Continue reading The Duality of Man
Strangers and Sojourners
February 13, 2023 14:44 - 31.5 MBAs we conclude our series on church membership, we consider the concepts of homelands, nationalities, and identity. How should being a church member affect the way we think about these things? Click Here to Listen. (Preaching on church membership. This sermon was preached at the Dewey Church of Christ on February 12, 2023.)