Why “Liberal” and “Conservative” Churches?
During the past several decades many have asked this question. Some sincere brethren who have been caught up in one stream or the other never fully understood, and many who were too young before have now grown to adulthood wondering why. It is therefore a good question worthy of repeated investigation. Labels of “liberal” and […]
The 9/11 Anniversary
After thinking a few days about the upcoming anniversary of 9/11, I was wondering if anyone remembers the unity the country had after those devastating attacks so long ago. The country pulled together and there was a more spiritual feeling in the nation. Many signs and banners mentioned God and I remember preachers who stayed […]
What One Tolerates, the Next Accepts
John Wesley once wrote, “What one generation tolerates, the next generation will embrace.” Both sacred and secular history have proven the truth of this assessment time and time again. Everything from dancing to drinking, from abortion to mercy-killing, has gone from toleration to acceptance. In the home and in the church, everything from immodesty to […]
The Kingdom Is Like Seed and Leaven
From Matthew 13 is taken two of the seven parables recorded there. In Matthew the citation begins, “The kingdom of heaven is likened unto …” but as has been shown in other articles, Matthew is the only one of the four gospels which uses the phrase “the kingdom of heaven.” The other three use exclusively […]
The Kingdom Is Like a Sower
Jesus used parables to teach about His kingdom. Often He would say, “The kingdom of God is likened unto …” and then would name the particular parable He taught to teach about the nature of His kingdom. The parable of the sower found in Matthew 13:3-9, Mark 4:2-9, and Luke 8:4-8 is not specifically referenced […]
The Kingdom: Psalm 110:1 and 1 Corinthians 15:25-28
It has been seen in Hebrews 1:1-3, 13 that Christ has absolute rule. He will rule until every enemy is subjected to Him. In Mathew 22:42-46, Psalm 110:1 was cited to show that while Jesus was a descendant of David, thus “David’s son,” He was also his Lord, thus God. The use of Psalm 110:1 […]
“A Shadow of Things to Come”
“… Let no man, therefore, judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a feast day, or a new moon, or a sabbath day; which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is Christ’s…” (Col. 2:16-17). Paul has shown the Colossians that the “bond written in ordinances” which was […]
Water Fountains and Soccer Fields
The Bible does not state that Noah used hammers, saws, and axes in the construction of the ark. However, these instruments were authorized by the command, “Make yourself an ark of gopherwood” (Genesis 6:14). Without the instruction to build the ark, the tools would have been unauthorized. The Bible does not mention church buildings per […]
The Kingdom Is Like Wheat and Tares
The parable of the wheat and tares, unlike other parables in this group of seven about the kingdom, is found only in Matthew 13. It is one of the three parables Jesus gave on this occasion of which He offered an explanation. It is unique in that this parable is the only one of the […]
The Rule of the Peace of Christ
“And let the peace of Christ rule in y our hearts to the which also ye were called in one body, and be ye thankful” (Col. 3:15). Jesus is called the “Prince of Peace” in Isaiah 9:6. He was a man of peace and so must be His disciples. We are commanded “Be at peace […]
