Huntington First Brethren Church

Sermon Notes | June 21, 2026
What Does a Godly Man Look Like?
Pastor Rob Vance

Joshua 24

Dads are supposed to be there to provide for their families physically, but also spiritually. "This is the way we're supposed to go."

Biblical male leadership is not bullying, but loving and sacrificial.

The dad is held responsible for his family before the Lord.

Joshua 24:1--Joshua was a father figure to the Israelites.

Joshua 24:14--There is only one way to heaven.

A godly man takes a stand for righteousness and truth.

Too many men are absent in their leading. We need men to rise up.

We aren't perfect. We learn from Jesus.

Joshua 24:15--Who will you worship?

God gets in your business, because He cares about how you live.

Joshua wanted his nation to please the Lord.

Live the Christian life in front of your kids and grandkids.

"As for me and my house..." Joshua led his family to the Lord, regardless of what choice the other Israelites made.

Joshua took a stand for the Lord. He said, "We're going to follow the Lord."

A godly man leads his family to please Jesus.

https://huntingtonfirstbrethren.org/2026/06/21/what-does-a-godly-man-look-like/

Sermon Notes | June 14, 2026
Let's Be Salt, Because It's What We Are (Pt 2)
Pastor Rob Vance

Matthew 5:13-16

Review:

#1 - Christians are like salt in that they have infinite value in this world.

#2 - Christians are like salt in that they act like a preservative.

This week:

#3 - Christians are like salt in that they promote thirst.

If you eat a bunch of salt, you get thirsty.

Make Christ attractive and desirable. Make others thirsty for Christ!

Titus 2:10--Act in such a way they make the teachings of Christ attractive.

Create spiritual thirst in others.

Attractive = arrangement of jewels to set off their full beauty

Make faith beautiful to those outside the faith.

There's a family atmosphere in the Brethren church. That's attractive to others.

Others should see the difference Christ makes in our lives. And we should make a difference in the lives of others.

#4 - Christians are like salt in that they could lose their saltiness/usefulness.

Technically, salt can't lose its flavor, but in ancient times, it could be contaminated and ruined.

Is there anything impure in you? Anything that keeps you from being as "salty" as you could be?

If so, with confession and repentance, you can get the "saltiness" back and get right with God.

If you're going to be salt, you need to have contact with the world. You can't be scared.

It takes a discerning heart and mind to know when you're impacting the world and when the world is impacting you.

You are the salt. Ask God to help you be the salt you're supposed to be.

Leviticus 2:13--Don't leave the salt out of the grain offering.

https://huntingtonfirstbrethren.org/2026/06/14/lets-be-salt-because-its-what-we-are-pt-2/

Sermon Notes | June 7, 2026
Let's Be Salt, Because It's What We Are (Pt 1)
Pastor Rob Vance

Matthew 5:13-16

We have an impact on one another. Be a good influence.

This passage doesn't tell us to add salt to our lives. It says you are the salt.

Be what you were created to be.

#1 - Christians are like salt in that they have infinite value in this world.

Salt was a necessity of life in ancient times. It was sometimes used as payment, it was so valuable. They were dependent on salt to preserve food.

Being called "salt" is a compliment!

Job 6:6--can flavorless food be eaten without salt?

We add flavor to this world.

We are valuable people because we tell others who Jesus is.

#2 - Christians are like salt in that they act like a preservative.

They didn't use freezers or canning in ancient times. They used salt to preserve food.

We are to arrest the decay of our world.

The book What If Jesus Hadn't Been Born? demonstrates the good things Christians have had on this world: value of human life (against infanticide), adopt unwanted babies, orphanages, Red Cross, colleges and universities, treatment of the insane.

Barna research indicates the average Christian is indistinguishable.

We are supposed to be different!

Many times, we are not salt like we should be. There should be something about us that points people to Jesus.

2 Thessalonians 2:7--The Holy Spirit works through the church.

https://huntingtonfirstbrethren.org/2026/06/07/lets-be-salt-because-its-what-we-are-pt-1/