Is It Wrong to Call Names?
Many people say it is wrong to call names from the pulpit or in a bulletin or periodical. They say it is “unchristian,” mean-spirited, and unnecessary. To them, it is anathema. Such people walk by sight, not by faith (cp. 2 Cor. 5:7). They do not get their attitude from the Bible, but the world–since […]
How Do You Measure Success?
Many become depressed talking to others about the gospel on account of the response they get. Some (possibly most) people simply don’t want to hear God’s message of salvation, and we feel we have failed because they’re not converted. Do you remember how often the apostle Paul was rejected? Do you remember how much trouble, […]
This New Year Can’t …
Our country emphasizes the changes of a new year. Many Christians, including me, are caught up in the joy and anticipation of renewal in their lives. That’s not at all “bad”, for such feelings may inspire one to reform his attitude and revise his actions. However, this new year is only a calculation of time. […]
Thinking Of Men Above What Is Written
The Corinthian church was deeply troubled when Paul wrote the letter of 1 Corinthians. Members of the church harbored sin, sued each other, abused gifts of the Spirit and doubted the resurrection (1 Corinthians 5, 6, 14, 15). Too, Paul addressed their excessive esteem for men, that is, they were lining up behind certain men […]
A New Year’s Resolution
I have decided to listen to my critics. At various times I have been told to stop attacking denominations in our newspaper articles, quit naming them from the pulpit and use fewer scriptures in my sermons. Even though the Lord and His apostles and prophets sought to destroy everything that exalted itself against God, I […]
In His Time
In this day and age, we are all about the “now”. We want what we want to know immediately and with our smart phones, we have all that we could ever want to know in the palm of our hands. If you’re like me, you plan every detail of your day, week, and life out […]
Individual Suffering
In John 9 Jesus addressed the issue of personal suffering. When His disciples assumed that a man’s blindness was the result of the man’s sin, Jesus answered, “Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him” (John 9:3). Jesus did not consider the man’s […]
Indictments of the Social Gospel
Churches today love the attraction of the “social gospel.” It is a philosophy of church growth which is designed to appeal to the outward necessities with the hope of teaching the inward necessities. In common business language, one would call this a “bait and switch” tactic. The purpose of this article is to examine five […]
Indianapolis Baptist Temple Seized
On February 13, 2001, the U.S. Marshal service seized the Indianapolis Baptist Temple for a $6 million tax debt. The debt is a result of the “Temple” not paying payroll and Social Security taxes on its employees since 1984. The “Temple’s” position is that God’s laws govern the church, not a man-made government’s law, and […]
The Church Isn’t …
There has always been a great misunderstanding about the church that Christ built. Many believe that the church is something that it’s not. Let’s consider a few things that the church isn’t. The Church Isn’t Plan B Premillennialists believe that the church was never supposed to exist. If the Jews hadn’t rejected Christ, the kingdom […]
