Posts by Christian Worker
A New Song – John Haffner
Together with the many images presented in Revelation, we see songs of praise detailing the power of Jesus, the Lamb of God (Rev. 5:9; 14:3; 15:3-4). Such songs have always accompanied the salvation which God brings to His people (Ex. 15:1-21; Judges 5:1-31). The term “new song” is used multiple times in the Psalms, especially in relation to a time of deliverance (Ps. 33:3; 40:1-3; 96:1; 144:9-11; 149:1). Each fresh victory called for a song adapted to the occasion. Isaiah…
New Heavens and a New Earth – Allen Webster
At the invitation of the City of Jacksonville, Alabama, I led the invocation at a city council meeting. It was both enlightening and encouraging to see the wisdom and plans of the mayor and council members. They discussed such future decisions as where to build city fire and police departments and their training/correctional facilities, how to enforce community ordinances regarding noise and rental properties, city finance and senior citizen activities, and the promotion of city employees. They listened to citizen…
A New Creation – Troy Spradlin
When someone rises out of the precious waters of baptism, is there something different about them? Based solely upon appearance, no changes are discernible. Yet, from a spiritual perspective, everything about them has changed! We know this because the Bible reveals that a remarkable transformation has taken place. It describes the conversion with some rather peculiar verbiage. For example, when a penitent believer is immersed into water, they are said to have “died and been buried” (Rom. 6:1-4). It is…
A New Covenant – Kevin Cauley
Jeremiah 31:31 is one of the most transformative prophecies of the Old Testament: God promised that the covenant with Moses would end. In its place, He would establish a New Covenant. Much of Jeremiah is very bad news: Judah is going into slavery to be punished for their sins! However, Jeremiah’s message is tempered with the good news that a remnant will return. Jeremiah chapter thirty-one prophesies the restoration of God’s people from their captivity. In verse two God says,…
My Favorite Bible Character: Joseph: Garrett English
Those who are parents understand there are few people to whom we would entrust our own children in the case that we pass on. We would consider a number of qualifications and requirements so seriously in making a selection that it would likely be a truly difficult decision. This is what amazes me about Joseph, the father of Jesus. God allowed Joseph to be His earthly father, meaning he would see to the physical and emotional upbringing of His only…
My Favorite Bible Character: David: Ross Haffner
After King Saul’s reign was proven to be a disaster, by disobedience to God, he was told that it would not continue and that the, “Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart” (1 Sam. 13:14). David was chosen because “the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7). Four key moments from David’s life illustrate why he was a good…
My Favorite Bible Character: Amos: Pat McIntosh
An invitation to write regarding a favorite biblical character has its own set of challenges. Is one selected over another because of the doctrinal content for which he is known? Is there a particular doctrinal or historical issue that sets one above another? Is there a character trait that attracts your attention that others may not reflect? In many ways, therefore, this is a somewhat subjective endeavor. At the congregation where I serve as an associate minister, it is a…
My Favorite Bible Character: The Apostle Paul – Ronnie Scherffius
Who is your favorite person in the Bible? Why are they your favorite? Was he a man of faith or a man of action? Was her life a model of purity, or did she boldly assert herself at her own peril? Everyone has a favorite person or “character” in the Bible. David, the shepherd boy who slew the giant and would become King of Israel, is the hero of many young boys. For others, it may be Jonathan who repeatedly…
Do I Have the Right to Sin? – Ronnie Scherffius
In American society, we are constantly bombarded with ”rights”: women’s rights, civil rights, human rights, children’s rights, parents’ rights, homosexual’s rights, immigrant’s rights, victims’ rights—even criminals have lawyers that specialize in rights of violators of civil law! The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) fights tooth and nail for the right of freedom of speech (a right that seems to be extended to all except those who espouse and promote Christian values). One hot-button topic and a rights issue that has…
When They Return – Don Walker
In the fifteenth chapter of Luke, Jesus spoke the parables of “the lost things.” There was a lost sheep, a lost coin, and a lost son. Though our space does not allow a full study of this great chapter, there are observations that will help us concerning our attitude towards those that return. First, we would see the urgency on the part of the shepherd and the woman. It says of both of them, they went after and sought diligently…
Check your Sources – Kevin W. Rhodes
Historical writings provide an essential resource for Bible students, offering important information regarding the background of various biblical texts and sometimes filling in gaps of knowledge that further illuminate events recorded in Scripture. Nathan Steinmeyer, for example, notes how Shishak’s Bubastite Portal inscription provides corroborative evidence regarding that ruler’s march on Jerusalem recorded in 1 Kings 14:25-28 and 2 Chronicles 12:1-12. Likewise, Josephus’ account of Herod Agrippa I’s death provides additional information explaining the details of what happened to the…
Through Preaching – Clay Bond
The word of God has the ability to reach into the innermost depths of our being and transform who and what we are. When the Gospel is properly heeded and applied, it produces abundant life (John 10:10). The words of the prophet Jeremiah, “O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD”, ought to ring in our ears, for these words reflect our Creator’s greatest desire (Jer. 22:29). The word of God is “quick, and powerful, and sharper than…