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

October 25, 2026 - Sunday AM Sermon

 

In this episode Hiram invites listeners to imagine sitting down with iconic figures like Colin Powell, Viktor Frankl, Dolly Parton, and Maya Angelou — then reveals that the ultimate interview subject is the biblical Daniel. Using Daniel’s life as recorded in the 12-chapter book, the message explores how a young captive became a lifelong model of faithfulness under pressure.

The episode walks through practical lessons drawn from key episodes in Daniel’s story: establishing convictions early (Daniel 1), training the heart and emotions so they don’t rule us, and filling our minds with Scripture. It highlights the “elephant and rider” metaphor for shaping habits before the heat of the moment and encourages listeners to make a few lasting, faith-shaped decisions (Christ over the crowd, purity over pleasure, character over reputation).

Listeners also hear why seeking God and surrounding yourself with godly friends mattered for Daniel — including the prayerful example with Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego) that led to divine revelation in Daniel 2. The sermon stresses the importance of giving all glory to God when you succeed, contrasting Daniel’s humility with the downfall of leaders who exalt themselves.

Other core takeaways include standing firm under testing (the fiery furnace and the lions’ den), remaining active and faithful into old age, and learning to trust God even when prophecy or life circumstances remain unclear (Daniel chapters 7–12). Hiram points listeners back to Scriptures such as Psalm 16, Psalm 119, Matthew 6:33, and 2 Corinthians 5:7 to ground these applications.

The episode features brief congregational participation and concludes with a gospel invitation: to trust Christ, be baptized, and join the church in a life shaped by convictions, prayer, community, humility, perseverance, and trust in God even when the end is not yet visible.

 

Handout: 

A Lifetime of Faithfulness: An Interview with Daniel

Hiram Kemp

1. Establish Your __________________________ Early (Daniel 1:8)
2. Seek __________ & Surround Yourself with ___________ People
(Daniel 2:14-23, 2:46-49)
3. Give ________ the _______ When You _______ (Daniel 2:26-30)
4. When _________, Stand ____________ (Daniel 3:16-18, 6:6-10)
5. Keep ______________ in Old ________________ (Daniel 6:1-10)
6. Keep _____________ When You Don’t ___________ Understand
(Daniel 8:26-27, 12:8)

 

Duration 35:19

October 25, 2026 - Sunday AM Bible Class

 

In this bible class, Hiram, co-teaching this quarter with Neal, works through 1 Corinthians chapters 8–11, continuing a quarter-long study on the unified theme of "the same mind and the same judgment." The session reviews Paul’s three-chapter discussion (ch. 8–10) on meat offered to idols, summarizes the major takeaways—most notably, don’t be a stumbling block to others and put others’ souls and good above personal preference—and connects those lessons forward into the opening of chapter 11.

Hiram explains 1 Corinthians 11:1 ("Be imitators of me, even as I am of Christ") in the specific context of sacrificial service: Paul practiced giving up personal rights for the benefit of others, following Christ’s example (Philippians 2), and calls the Corinthians to do the same. Class participants contribute practical summaries—put others above self, do everything to God’s glory, and avoid actions that cause division in the body.

Turning to 1 Corinthians 11:2–16, the lesson places the head-covering passage in its first-century Corinthian context: a widespread cultural custom marking gender distinctions. The teacher stresses that Paul’s instruction addresses role distinctions and public perception in that culture, not worth or value. Key points cover the argument from creation, the social meaning of uncovered or shaved heads in Corinth, the appeal to "nature" as a cultural observation, and the caution against binding that custom across all cultures and eras. The class also notes connections to modesty in 1 Timothy 2:9 and practical sensitivity when visiting churches (anecdote: mission trip to Nigeria where local practice required head coverings).

The second half of the session examines 1 Corinthians 11:17–34 on the Lord’s Supper. Hiram explains Paul’s rebuke: the Corinthian worship gatherings had become divisive—wealthy members feasting while others went hungry—and the Lord’s Supper was being desecrated. Paul’s correction reframes the Supper as a congregational act that proclaims Christ’s death and anticipates his return, and warns against partaking "unworthily" by failing to discern the body—that is, the body of Christ and our relationship to fellow believers.

Practical applications spelled out in the class include: prioritize unity and sacrificial service (yield rights when necessary), respect cultural norms that don’t violate Scripture to avoid being a stumbling block, treat the Lord’s Supper as a communal observance (not a private or appetitive meal), examine yourself relationally toward other Christians before participating, and remember the Supper’s dual solemn and celebratory aspects as a proclamation until Christ returns. References and supporting passages cited include 1 Corinthians 8–11, Philippians 2, Genesis 2, Acts 20, 1 Corinthians 16, and Galatians 3.

The recording features interactive class discussion, local teaching illustrations (including reference to a family retreat with speaker Aubrey Johnson), real-world anecdotes, and clear, pastoral application intended to help listeners apply Paul’s principles on unity, modesty, and congregational worship in contemporary settings.

 

Duration 44:54

October 21, 2026 - Wednesday PM Bible Class

In this sermon episode, Roger, a church elder at Cumberland Trace continues the "Faithful Unto Death" series with a lesson titled "Don't Overlook These Jewels from the Psalms and Elsewhere in the Bible." Drawing primarily from the Psalms and other Scriptures, Roger examines what the Bible says about our faithfulness toward God and offers practical guidance for living a life of spiritual integrity.

The talk walks through key passages including Psalms 1, 15, 101, and 119, and touches on Jeremiah 10:23, Proverbs 14:2, James 4:8, and teachings from the Sermon on the Mount. Using vivid metaphors—the tree planted by streams of water, the contrast between the way of the righteous and the wicked, and the chaff driven by the wind—the speaker highlights spiritual patterns and progressions (walking, standing, sitting) that lead either toward intimacy with God or away from it.

Major themes include: delighting in and meditating on God's Word Day and night; building a storehouse of scripture "hidden in the heart" to prevent sin; exercising integrity, moral courage, and spiritual agility in daily decisions; refusing to set anything wicked before the eyes or let a perverse heart cling; and recognizing the power of influence when making disciples.

The episode emphasizes concrete habits listeners can adopt: steady Bible study, regular prayer, public and private witness of God’s testimonies, teaching by example, and intentionally shaping one’s associations. The speaker urges listeners to build a reservoir of scriptural knowledge so that when crossroads come, they’ll have the wisdom to choose rightly and to speak God’s truth boldly and without shame.

Closing with pastoral encouragement and personal reflection, the message reminds listeners that remaining faithful is a day-by-day practice—one step at a time—relying on God to order our steps. Practical, scripture-rich, and pastoral in tone, this episode equips Christians to press forward in faith, protect their hearts, and deepen their devotion to God's Word.

 

Duration 41:33

October 18, 2026 - Sunday PM Sermon

In this episode Neal reflects on recent church life — the record-setting trunk-or-treat, and the upcoming family retreat with an elders-appointed speaker on “Serving Through Encouragement.” Jeremy leads the songs and a travel anecdote (worshiping in Palmerston North, New Zealand) sets a warm, relatable tone before the sermon focuses on worship itself.

The core of the message unpacks Psalm 95 and connects it with New Testament teaching (John 4:24, Hebrews, 1 Corinthians 14, Colossians 2, Matthew 15:9 and Acts 17). The sermon distinguishes acceptable worship from three problem types—vain worship (following men’s commands), ignorant worship (missing God’s design), and will-worship (imposing our preferences over God’s)—and explains why worship must be offered both in spirit and in truth.

Practically, Neal offers a “divine packing list” for worship: bring your heart (avoid hardening or desensitization), bring eager anticipation (longing to meet with God and the community), bring praise (joyful, expressive, grateful, reverent, obedient), bring active participation (corporate engagement, not passive attendance), and bring yourself (remove distractions and shoo away the “buzzards” that pick at your worship). Stories — from a distracted song leader clipping nails to Abraham shooing birds during sacrifice — illustrate how small things can derail devotion.

The episode closes by emphasizing results: worship that pleases God (Hebrews 13:15–16) transforms attitudes, strengthens discipleship, and serves as a witness to others. Listeners can expect encouragement, practical instruction for weekly worship, scriptural grounding, and a pastoral invitation to respond (renew commitment, return from drifting, or request prayer) as the congregation stands and sings.

 

Duration 31:59

October 18, 2026 - Sunday AM Sermon

 

In this episode Neal expounds on 2 Corinthians 5 to help listeners identify the motivations that should drive a Christian life — from longing for a renewed body to the certainty of Christ’s presence and the coming judgment. The message weaves Scripture (2 Corinthians 5; 1 Corinthians 15; Philippians 1:21; Revelation 21; Psalm 139; Ecclesiastes 12) with vivid illustrations — the Waldorf Astoria hotel as a metaphor for a greater eternal house, battlefield heroism by Desmond Doss, sacrificial rescue by Maximilian Kolbe, the Titanic as a picture of eternal separation — to press home what it looks like to live with eternity in view.

The episode features a pastor-style exposition addressing practical and spiritual implications: what it means to be "absent from the body and present with the Lord," how believers should "walk by faith and not by sight," and why pleasing God, fearing the Lord, and being seized by Christ’s love are powerful motives for holy living.

Key points covered: the promise of a new, imperishable body; the comfort of Christ’s immediate presence for those who trust Him; the seriousness of the coming judgment (including the private secrets and spoken words that will be evaluated); the motivating power of the fear of the Lord balanced with the compelling love of Christ; and the ministry of reconciliation that calls believers to represent Christ and win souls.

Listeners will also hear pastoral application and a clear invitation at the close: for believers to renew their devotion and for those not yet committed to respond to God’s grace through repentance, public confession, and baptism. Expect biblical teaching, real-life illustrations, and a pastoral summons to live with eternity as your aim.

 

Handout: 

What Moves You To Serve Christ (2 Corinthians 5)

Neal Pollard

I. I WANT TO _______ IN THE NEW ________ BUILT BY ________ (1-4)
II. I DESIRE THE ___________________ OF ________________ (5-8)
III. I LONG TO ____________________________________ CHRIST (9)
IV. I WILL ____________________ BEFORE __________________ (10)
A. I Will _______________________________________ Appear There
B. I Will Stand Before The ______________ _____________ Of Christ
C. I Will Be ______________ According To What I Have ____________
V. I KNOW THE ___________________ OF THE _______________ (11)
VI. I AM _________________ BY THE __________ OF CHRIST (14-16)
VII. I AM _______________ TO THE ____________ OF CHRIST (17-20)
VIII. I AM ______________ FOR THE ______________ OF CHRIST (21)

 

Duration 31:54