Posts from March 2023
A Healthy Church is Faithful Through Persecution
A study of the seven churches in Asia Minor is, in many ways, like looking into a mirror. Every congregation of God’s people has strengths and weaknesses. There will always be victories and defeats, methods to reconsider, practices to be improved, and work to be done. There is no perfect congregation. The same could be said about those ancient congregations. A complete picture reveals strengths and weaknesses, reasons for commendation and reasons for condemnation. One noteworthy area of commendation is…
Atonement – Andy Baker
I will forever remember my brother and God’s servant, Chuck Horner, sitting in my Bible class. I, being a “green” Bible student, was talking about the Day of Atonement. Brother Horner raised his eyes with a twinkle and told me, “Brother Andy, you’re saying it wrong….” I thought “ah-TOHN-ment” was the correct pronunciation. He said, “it is in fact ‘AT…ONE…ment’.” I have never forgotten that, nor have I ceased in my preaching and teaching from saying it both ways. The…
Reconciliation – Richard D. Melson
The term about which I have been assigned to write is reconciliation. This is a wonderful word in the Scriptures–full of rich meaning and value. The term is used when there is a breach in the relationship between two men as in Matthew 5:24, or a husband and wife as used in 1 Corinthians 7:11, regarding which Wayne Jackson comments: “If one finds it absolutely imperative to become separated from a spouse (where no sexual infidelity has been involved), he…
Propitiation – Joey Davis
Every precious soul enters this world innocent of sin. Sin is the violation of God’s Will by those who are capable of understanding (1 John 3:4). The words of Ezekiel to the king of Tyre ring true, “you were all perfect in our ways from the day we were created, till iniquity was found in you” (Eze. 28:15). Isaiah spoke of a period of innocence, “For before the Child shall know to refuse the evil and choose the good…” (Isa.…
Redemption – Randy Robinson
The late, great Curtis Cates once described redemption as “the center and circumference of the Bible.” Indeed the entire Bible revolves around what we often refer to as the “scheme of redemption.” While the English word, “scheme,” often denotes something nefarious, it is simply synonymous with the word “plan.” When the first man and woman sinned in the Garden of Eden by eating the forbidden fruit, God gave them a glimpse into His plan for redemption (Gen. 3:15). However, subsequent…
Justification
It may be called, perhaps, the “Divine dilemma.” Jehovah is absolute in His holiness and therefore can have nothing to do with sin (Hab. 1:13). Sin, in fact, stands as a barrier between God and man (Isa. 59:1-2). It is a violation of God’s law (1 John 3:4) and, because God is absolute in His justice as well as His holiness, He must punish it (Rom. 3:23). And yet, this is not His desire. He “is not willing that any…
Forgiveness – Michael Light
The more we read and study the Bible the more we should be impressed with it. There are many different teaching methods employed; narratives of the lives of men and women (some presented as examples of correct living; others as ow not to live); direct statements – “thou shalt” and thou shalt not” instructions; parables, poetry and prophetic material. Texts can be studied in a host of ways; the immediate context, remote context and over all biblical context. Even the…
Jesus, Our Way to God
By His death on the cross, Jesus made possible the forgiveness of sins, and consequently, we are no longer the objects of God’s wrath (Rom. 5:9). Yet, as wonderful as being justified by the blood of Jesus may be, we need more than this. We need the kind of close relationship that existed between God and Adam before the fall, but if a close relationship is to exist between God and ourselves, we must understand who God is and feel…
A Healthy Church Opposes Sin
Each February the medical community celebrates national heart health month. It is a time to raise awareness for heart disease and to encourage individuals to exercise, eat well, and do everything they can to promote good cardiac health. Regular health screenings are always a good idea for those who want a healthy heart and body. Spiritually, the same principle applies. Individual and congregational spiritual health should be our priority and it is good, from time to time, to allow God’s…
Our Father Knows Best
To what extent are we willing to trust God? Are we willing to trust His plan for evangelism? As God’s people, we need to be assured of God’s wisdom for church growth because our Father knows best. Our Father knows the best mission, the salvation of souls. No doubt, it is that the highest calling because the soul is our most precious possession. This why Jesus once asked, “What profit is it to a man if he gains the whole…
Arise and Overcome!
Satan’s attacks are relentless–present in every area of our society. Therefore, Christians must constantly engage in a spiritual battle for the hearts and minds of humanity, and the salvation of souls. We must arise and meet the challenges of the day with faith and conviction, knowing that victory belongs to our God. For this reason, the Southwest Eldership decided to create an annual event that would help promote spiritual growth for every member of the body of Christ. The Arise!…