Church Blog (Page 9)

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…

The book of Psalms is remarkable in so many ways. Many of the psalms come from the heart of a shepherd boy of Bethlehem and give us great insight into the very soul of a man after God’s own heart. One of the psalms repeats a phrase over and over. The psalmist said, “Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men” (Psa. 107:1, 8, 15, 21,…

“The Pulpit is no place for politics!” is a refrain we hear often, and it is true. The church of Christ is a soul saving institution and our purpose is to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). Thus preachers are commanded to “Preach the Word!”(2 Tim. 4:1-2). Preaching is the act of heralding a message from the King. As such we are obligated to preach the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27), to point people to the cross (1…

When I was a student at Freed-Hardeman University, the Mooresville congregation near Lewisburg, Tennessee wanted to send me to help spread the gospel in Georgia. Through one of the teachers at the college, I made contact with the church in Savannah, and I preached in my first gospel meeting in an attempt to plant the Church in Statesboro, Georgia. I was there for two weeks knocking on doors and inviting the people to the upcoming meeting. On the Sunday before…