Posts from 2025
From the Director’s Desk (May 2025) – Trent Kennedy
Big Change Coming! Southwest Servant’s Academy has been a mainstay for the School’s summer schedule each June since Rick Brumback directed the school. This week-long academy exposes high school students to the rigors of studying at SWSBS. However, the June schedule has become too crowded with Camp Hensel and the School’s graduation. So this year, Southwest Servants’ Academy is going through some changes: Date: August 7-10 instead of the end of June. Timeframe: Thursday night – Sunday morning instead of…
Gospel Parallels: Faith And Works – Dave Rogers
When Noah built the ark, he was in the minority but he was right—and it rained! When sold into slavery by his brothers Joseph was definitely “in the minority,” yet God blessed him for doing what was right! Though ridiculed by others, David slew Goliath because he acted according to God’s will. Christians are the minority: God calls us to preach like righteous Noah, so that lost ones may hear and heed His warning! We must teach so that even…
How Did Jesus Use His Words? – Anthony Scherffius
In this study through the book of James, we have seen much concerning the tongue and the responsibility of being a teacher. James records for us the severity of teaching, and how those who take on this weighty responsibility will receive a stricter judgment. James further discusses the positive and negative power of the tongue, and how the Christian must be consistent with this great member of the body. James paints a beautiful word picture for us concerning this very…
Be Consistent! (Jas. 3:9-12) – Carl McCann
“The tongue is in the middle of everything whether good or bad.” (Robert R. Taylor) James chapter 3 is entirely devoted to the power of the tongue. The ability we have to communicate in words can be a tremendous blessing or a horrific curse to the hearers (Pro. 18:21). The assigned context highlights how unnatural it is for professed believers in God to have a language that does not mesh with what they claim to believe. Seven times Jesus identifies…
The Negative Power of the Tongue (Jas. 3:5-8) – Allen Webster
Aloose tongue is a loaded weapon. Wars have been declared by words. Friendships have ended over a sentence. Marriages have collapsed over repeated verbal wounds. Churches have split because of loose lips. Solomon warned, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Pro. 18:21). James echoes that theme (Jas. 3:5–8). The little tongue can be overwhelmingly destructive. The Tongue Has the Power to Destroy Like Fire (James 3:5–6). James compares the tongue to a spark that sets an…
A Weighty Responsibility (Jas. 3:1) – John Haffner
In the Lord’s church, the teaching of God’s Word is paramount. It is by sound instruction that faith is born, nurtured, and sustained. The apostle Paul declared, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17). Preaching and teaching are, therefore, essential to the spiritual health of the church. Yet, while this is a noble and necessary work, it is also very much a work not to be entered into lightly. At the start…
The Positive Power of the Tongue (Jas. 3:2-5a)
In Exodus 4:11 the Lord asked Moses, “Who has made man’s mouth?” and in Romans 6:13 Paul commanded “present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.” The Lord intricately designed our bodies (Ps. 139:13-16) to be used for His glory, and that includes our mouths. But, sadly, we often underestimate the good that can be accomplished for God with them. If you were to ask any Bible student to…
The Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit
It is one of the more intriguing but also difficult, and sometimes frightening passages in the New Testament. Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation” (Mark 3:28-29; cf. Matt. 12:24-32). The idea of an “unpardonable sin” is unsettling. What is the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit? Can it…
Another Night with the Frogs (Exodus 8:9,10)
Have you ever made a decision that felt like an absolute “no-brainer?” This type of decision requires almost zero thought. For example, if you asked me if I thought the Texas A&M Aggies were better than the Texas Longhorns, I would say yes without hesitation! It’s a nobrainer… What about suffering? If we were suffering and we were given the option to stop hurting, most often we would say yes without hesitation. In Exodus 8:9, Pharaoh was given a decision…
He Stole Our Hearts
The ever suave and masterful politician, Absalom carefully and purposefully engrained himself within the hearts of Israel. Second Samuel 15:1-6 records his strategy. For four years the king’s son positioned himself at the city gates, shaking hands and kissing the people. When someone felt slighted because their case had not garnered the attention of the king, Absalom was quick to console them. “Oh that I were made judge in the land, and everyone who has any suit or cause would…
From the Director’s Desk (April 2025) – Trent Kennedy
This is the time of year when we really get a clear view of next year’s incoming class. Currently, we have admitted 17 students to begin their studies in August of 2025. Two of those are foreign students, and their studies depend on the approval of the US Embassy. We also have three more students who are considering SWSBS. Whether it is 15 students, 20 students, or somewhere in between, this looks to be a very large class. This is…
How the Church Can Love Her Neighbor – Chris Willcut
If you were to ask a Jew in Jesus’ day what the greatest command of the law was, you would likely receive a variety of answers. Some might say the most important thing is consistent tithing, others might think about the many feasts to remember, and some might consider the dietary restrictions the most important command of the law to keep. However, when a Jewish lawyer asked Jesus this question, He told this man, “‘You shall love the Lord your…