The worship we offer to God and the subsequent life we lead upon leaving the service of worship are intimately related. Those are misguided who deny the importance of a firm adherence to the biblical pattern of worship as it relates to our broader relationship with God. History – both Biblical and otherwise – shows …
Continue reading Worship and Morality
“Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even …
Continue reading He Who Judges Me Is the Lord
There is a scarlet thread of redemption that runs through the scriptures. From Genesis to Revelation we can see God’s plan unfold before us. This plan for mankind was necessary “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). However, the world wants to focus on the scheme of redemption without acknowledging …
Continue reading Remorse for Sin
Matthew 10 After being moved to compassion by the scene of the weary and scattered multitudes, Jesus said, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest”(9:37-38). It is then that Jesus chose twelve from among His disciples to be His …
Continue reading On Discipleship
“The way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jeremiah 10:23). This takes humility to accept. The world has rejected this view of life. It is considered demeaning to depend on the guidance of another. Weakness and inferiority is displayed in the pursuit of counsel. …
Continue reading Wise Counsel
The church presents a wonderful image of God’s grace. Its members represent the complexities of humanity while simultaneously highlighting its simplicity. Despite the former, the latter stems from the common fact that all have sinned and need God’s saving grace (cf. Romans 3:21-26). None have anything in which to boast save the cross of Christ …
Continue reading Aiding Spiritual Growth
Matthew 9:18-34; Mark 5:21-43; Luke 8:40-56 All three synoptic accounts record a harrowing act of intense effort made by a desperate woman to access the healing power of Jesus. The account manifests the requisite effort on the part of man to access what is obviously a gift. The nature of such effort is also demonstrated. …
Continue reading Facebook: Our Effort in Salvation
Acts 3 records the healing of the lame man who “laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful” (v. 2). Those who witnessed the lame man walking at the side of Peter and John were “greatly amazed” (v. 11). This opened a door of opportunity for Peter to speak about the Christ to the ones …
Continue reading Times of Refreshing
“for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10) This verse stands for the theme of the gospel. Jesus came to save sinners (cf. 1 Timothy 1:15). It provides great comfort to know our Creator is so concerned with our eternity. When Jesus entered flesh, He did …
Continue reading Facebook: Seeking is a Two-Way Street
While Paul waited for Silas and Timothy in Athens, “his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols” (Acts 17:16). To illustrate the state of that city, the Holy Spirit used the word, kateidōlos. The word is used only in this place. It means “utterly idolatrous” (Strong). Athens was “wholly given …
Continue reading Transcendence