One of my best memories as a kid is that of loading up the station wagon and heading to Bible study on Wednesday night. No matter the weather, or schoolwork (we had to do it immediately after school on Wednesdays), or ball, we were there. Do you know how embarrassing it was to be pulled out of practice or a game (the worst!) and have to leave the field with your parents (of all people!) to "go to church" while the others stayed and played? Funny how I still remember that. Not only did I survive, but also in the…
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When you lay out Acts 2 and 3, there are some great comparisons. Both begin the same basic way (Men of Judea, Men of Israel) and contain at least these similarities:
They start by clearing up misunderstandings and reference a direct act of God's power (2:15-20; 3:16-18).
They show how the miracles attest to Jesus (2:22; 3:16).
They speak to "the name of the Lord" (2:21, 38; 3:16).
They reference the guilt of killing Jesus (2:23; 3:14-15).
They affirm the resurrection of Jesus (2:24, 32; 3:15).
They show how it all happened according to…
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We must surely realize our need for such a pattern. No reputable contractor would attempt to construct a building without a blueprint. Even the most talented seamstress realizes the need for a pattern. This is because the tasks they undertake are difficult. Of how much more infinite difficulty is the task of the church, which is "the pillar and ground of the truth"? (1Timothy 3:15)
Indeed, concerning man's entire relationship to God, Jeremiah could cry in all truth, "O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to…
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If we think "traditional" worship is boring, then look not first at those who around us in judgment, but to our own hearts, "For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things."
Calling worship boring is more a revelation and judgment of our inner spiritual drought than of those who are sincerely striving to glorify God regardless of outward show. To call it boring is to lay the blame on others for not making it exciting for "me," as if worship is all about me in the first place. "But…
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Every once in a while, some well-meaning but misguided brother will chide us for teaching the old lessons. He will say, "You are answering questions which no one is asking any longer." By this he means to squelch our teaching on the first principles of Gospel obedience and salvation by grace through faith; the nature, organization, and work of the church; Biblical morality; and the need for scriptural authority.
Of course, we understand that some people aren't asking questions like, "What must I do to be saved?" as people did in Bible days (Acts 16:30). However, not everyone raised…
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As a faithful member of the church, you need to be impressed with the great opportunity and responsibility you have to teach another person the word of truth that you have learned. God wants all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of truth (1 Tim. 2:4). How will that happen? Since it is by the preaching and teaching of the gospel, God's power unto salvation (Rom. 1:16), that people are saved (1 Cor. 1:21), Christ wants all of His disciples to be teaching it to others (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15,16; 2 Tim. 2:2).
Why You Should…
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Sometimes we have the tendency to complain about little things in life. It is those little things which ought to prepare us for the more difficult things. Paul saw persecutions as hurdles one may jump. You won't jump those high hurdles if you can't jump the low ones. Use those low hurdles in life to be more successful as a Christian in the future. Jeremiah 12:5, "If you have raced with foot-runners and they have wearied you, how will you compete with horses? And if in a safe land you fall down, how will you fare in the thickets of…
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For years it has been stated that "honesty is the best policy." Nonetheless, there have been and continue to be those who act otherwise - Those who want to lie, cheat, over exaggerate, and deal dishonestly with others.
No matter how far from right this world may go, God's word must be respected. From it, we learn that honesty is commanded. Paul told the church at Rome to "…provide things honest in the sight of all men" (Rom. 12:17). For the Corinthians he prayed that they might "do that which is honest…" (2 Cor. 13:7). Is any less expected of God's…
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Conversations with students and young preachers frequently reveal discouragement with what they find in many churches. "These people couldn't care less-they are not on fire for the Lord's work."
My first thought is "How long have you cared - when did you catch fire?" The newly enthused likely fall into three groups: (1) new converts (perhaps starry-eyed, but we need their freshness as much as they need our experience); (2) new preachers, elders, deacons, teachers, etc., where new responsibility has awakened eyes to see brethren in a different light; and, (3) brethren shaken out of complacency by the influence…
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We're at that time, as Dickens described it, "when the old year is preparing . . . to call his friends around him, and amidst the sound of feasting and revelry to pass gently and calmly away."
Invariably, at the end of every year, we pause to remember loved ones who are no longer with us, and maybe we remember that we will soon join them—which can be a disquieting thought, unless it's quieted by hope.
In George MacDonald's book, At the Back of the North Wind, Diamond is a poor, young boy who sleeps in a hayloft.…
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The story is told of two parrots who lived near each other. The one was accustomed to singing hymns while the other was addicted to swearing. The owner of the latter obtained permission for it to associate with the former in the hope that its bad habit would be corrected. Instead, the opposite happened as both learned to swear!
The little story reminds us of a passage in 1 Corinthians 15:33 which says, "Do not be deceived: 'Evil company corrupts good habits.'" (NKJV). A person may feel like he can associate with wicked people and not be hurt. He…
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Sometimes people attempt to justify their sinful conduct on the basis of "well everyone else is doing it." If "everyone else" is dressing immodestly, what are we going to do? If "everyone else" is going to a "must see" R-rated movie, what are we going to do? If "everyone else" is lying, stealing, or cheating what are we going to do?
In the days of King Nebuchadnezzar, "everyone else" was bowing down and worshiping his golden image (see Dan. 3:1-7). But what did Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego do? They said "let it be known to you, O king, that…
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What can I do to improve my discipleship? I trust that these are matters all can benefit from, but I need to personalize this. I'm not simply asking, "What can I tell others to do?" but "What can I do?" Getting lost in the maze of responsibilities and thinking about what others need to do is easy. Far more difficult is the hard work of being honest with self, knowing what needs to change, and having the will to do it.
There are obvious actions and attitudes that are always on the table: more prayer, more study, more love,…
