Joy in Christ: Stay Busy
The saying, “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop,” has been around for years. Idleness is a recipe for displeasure, restlessness and despondency. Paul wrote in 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12, “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there […]
Popping the Question #2
In the previous article, we began examining the most difficult part of personal evangelism: coming right out and asking people to study with us. Unfortunately, we are sometimes reluctant to ask. We may engage in broad discussions of religious topics now and then, and we may even invite others to services of the church, but […]
What Shall I Do With Jesus?: The People on Pentecost
In our final example of what different people or groups did with Jesus in the first century, we will consider the Jews at Pentecost. They obeyed Him (Acts 2:37-41). The preaching they heard was not in vain. Hebrews 5:8-9 says, “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; […]
“Awake Not My Love”
Three times in the Song of Solomon, the Shulammite warns to “stir not up, nor awake my love, till he please” (2:7, 3:5, 8:4). This thrice-repeated phrase emphasizes that there is a need for patience when feelings of romantic love are kindled. Our world pushes our children to engage in the physical aspects of love […]
A New Life for New Disciples
Acts 2:43-47 contains a summary of the days immediately following the eventful Pentecost when Christ fulfilled His promise to His apostles that He would not leave them “orphans”. He would send the Holy Spirit who would be their “Helper” in the awesome task He’d given them: carrying the gospel into all the world. In addition […]
The Golden Text of the Bible: The Greatest Promise Is Everlasting Life
John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” For the people who believe, there awaits “everlasting life.” This is a synonym for heaven. God never intended hell to be our eternal abode — that was […]
The Mission of the Church: Conclusion
Over the last several posts, we have studied how the church was in the mind of God from all of eternity (Ephesians 3:10-11). It follows the authority of Christ and a divine pattern (Ephesians 1:22-23; Hebrews 8:5). That pattern states that the work of the church is the building up of the saints, benevolence among […]
The Changing Denominations: Conclusion
These series of articles have not been about “denomination bashing.” This has been an attempt to examine the dangerous changes that are sweeping denominations. The reason we must examine these changes is that if we are not careful, the Lord’s church will be influenced by these changes and become just as corrupted as so many […]
Faces Surrounding Calvary: Barabbas
Barabbas is often overlooked around Calvary. He was the recipient of the greatest of fortunes and the grandest of opportunities. Barabbas was a known criminal (Matthew 27:16; Mark 15:7; John 18:40). No doubt, he was anticipating the time of his death. If he feared death, his fear was full as the rooster crowed that Friday […]
The Mission of the Church: What the Mission Is Not
Now that we have seen what the church is supposed to do, let us now see what the church is not. First, the mission of the church is not social. The church of the Lord is not a “social institution.” While the gospel will work social reform, it does so by reforming the individual’s manner […]
