Posts by Christian Worker

Before we consider Peter in Luke 5:10, I want usto travel back to 2 Kings 7 and consider how fourdesperate lepers learned a timeless truth that mighthelp us understand the importance of evangelism. Howgood news was never meant to be kept to oneself. In 2 Kings 7, we see Israel’s dramatic rescue from abrutal Syrian siege led by King Ben-Hadad. Determinedto dominate the North Kingdom, Ben-Hadad failed to seethat God was in control and was using His prophet Elishato expose…

The apostle Paul reminded the church of Christ atRome about the patriarch Abraham and his strengthconcerning the promise of God. “He staggered notat the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong infaith, giving glory to God” (Rom. 4:20). To the church atCorinth he would pen, “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quityou like men, be strong” (1Cor. 16:13). When writing to thechurch at Ephesus, he would exhort them to live worthy of their calling by writing, “Finally, my…

Hostility seems to be the default today. No matter thesubject, there is an ever-present risk that contrastingviews or conflicting data points will cause thediscussion to devolve into HR reports, cancel culture, oroutright violence. And that’s just talking about gardeningpractices. So how do we handle the fear of potential persecution when we are called to share something farmore impactful and controversial, the Great Commission(Matt. 28:19-20)? The initial audience of Peter’s first epistle foundthemselves asking the same question, though withmuch more violent…

Towering above the landscape at Israel’s northernmostborder lie three summits, snowcapped for most ofthe year, and the streams from them serve as theheadwaters of the Jordan River. In the shadow of Hermon’slofty heights lies ancient Panias, the pagan city devoted tothe Greek god Pan, the goat deity of the wild, shepherds,and flocks. Today it is called Banias, but in Jesus’ day it wasCaesarea Philippi. What He and His disciples would havewitnessed upon visiting was a reddish limestone wall over130 ft…

Wrong thinking about God leads to wrongattitudes and actions. If I imagine Jehovahas the “Grandfather in the sky” who willgrant all my wishes because He loves me so much —I’ve created a new god by the same name. Similarly, if Ithink He is a hard Master just waiting to punish me, I’llreact in fear like the one-talent servant and hide insteadof serve (Matt. 25:24-25). God has revealed Himself tobe a loving and merciful Judge Who wants to save all,but will…

How incredible it must have been to have witnessedthe miracles of Jesus. To see the dead raised, leperscleansed, and storms subdued must have producedunshakable faith within those who experienced it first hand.Or, at least it should have. Miracles were not an “end” in andof themselves but were rather a “means to an end.” Theirpurpose was not to “wow” the crowds into following Jesus,but to prove the veracity of His claims and point them toHis Word (Mark 16:20). Sadly, many who…