Church Blog (Page 8)

There is a mistaken notion that Christianity is an adult’s religion, that the Lord’s work is reserved for those in their majority. Because of this misconception, many young people feel disenfranchised – that there is nothing for them to do- that they might as well wait until they are grown to obey the gospel and begin serving the Lord. Such is exactly what Satan would have them to do. In contrast with the above, Solomon, the wise sage of Israel,…

In the midst of confusing and conflicting confessions, where fancies and feelings are given expression to many and varied convictions, where men are confessing themselves instead of Christ, it is refreshing to tum again to the Bible and see what God has to say on the subject. The apostle Paul stresses confession in this way: “And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:11). Indeed, it is heartening to…

There are those who believe that if anything has become conventional or standard, it must be rejected in favor of the “original”. Evidently whatever is normal for the mainstream of society is put off, and pains are taken to express individuality in bold strokes that are sometimes shocking. Conformity and nonconformity are neither good nor bad inherently. What determines the acceptability of these terms is the standard either rejected or embraced. The apostle Paul said that we are not to…

The writer of Hebrews could so easily see the dangers faced by those Jewish Christians. The nation that killed God’s Son turned its wrath on the church almost from the day it began. Jesus had warned them about the trials that were coming. Obviously, they persecuted those Gentiles who had become followers of Jesus, but their persecution was even more fierce on the Christians addressed in this epistle. They had begun their walk with Jesus and faced many trials which…

In contrast to the two great uncertainties that should humble us (i.e. the uncertainty of material prosperity and physical health), James provides a powerful principle to guide us as we seek to safely tread into the unknown of the new year. This powerful principle is the principle of submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Instead of arrogantly boasting concerning that of which we cannot be certain (i.e. material prosperity and/or physical health), James wrote, “Instead you ought to say,…

Not only is it the case that the uncertainty of material prosperity should humble one as he faces a new year, but the uncertainty of physical health and life should do the same. James asked a question that should cause each one to be deeply impressed with the uncertainty of physical life on Earth. He said, … “whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life?” (James 4:14, emp. added). Think about this question, and…

The uncertainty of material prosperity should humble one as he faces a new year. One may rightfully desire material prosperity (cf. 3 John 2), yet there is no certain guarantee that such prosperity will come his way. The man Job was very prosperous, but in a relatively brief period of time he lost all of his material wealth (cf. Job 1:2-3, 13-17). Those to whom James initially wrote thought they had a year all planned. Their plans included engaging in…

M. Louise Haskins (1908) captured the uncertainty of a new year in words that were quoted to the British Empire in the 1939 Christmas radio broadcast of King George VI. Haskins wrote: And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year, “Give me a light, that I may tread safely into the unknown,” and he replied, “Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you…

Is there any better time for reflection than the end of a year? In one week the year 2022 will be history. We are one year closer to the time of our death and one year closer to determining where we will spend eternity. Consider the following thoughts which seem so timely as this year comes to a close. Are you numbering your days? This question comes from a consideration of Psalm 90. “The days of our lives are seventy…

The last chapter of John describes the third time Jesus appeared to the disciples after His resurrection. He had manifested Himself to them when Thomas was absent, then again when Thomas was with them. This chapter describes how seven of the disciples (including Thomas) had spent the entire night fishing and had caught nothing. They did not recognize the Man who told them to cast the nets on the right side of the boat, but they did as He told…

The Christian’s life is many times referred to as a “walk.” In fact the Apostle Paul will use this metaphorical meaning 32 times in his epistles. “Walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called” or “walk not as other Gentiles walk” are but two examples of the use of this term in Paul’s epistles (Eph. 4:1,17). The use of “walk” in this way means to “regulate one’s life” or “to conduct one’s self properly.” As Christians, not only do…

Too many pulpits these days are filled with stand-up comedians, motivational speakers and professional salesmen. Well, maybe not literally, but that appears to be the case in many places. A man gets up to speak during a worship service and he tells a funny joke, he shares some moving stories, he offers some advice for life, and oh, he sprinkles a couple Bible verses in there. Some may think that is an exaggeration, but it’s actually not far off in…