Posts by Christian Worker (Page 7)
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…
The Truly Wise – Bryan Hodge
“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom” (James 3:13) The truly wise demonstrate their wisdom in two ways. First, they demonstrate it by good conduct. True wisdom goes beyond intellectual learning. Christians should seek to live by God’s word. James instructed, “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only…” (Jas. 1:22). Jesus stated, “Whoever hears these sayings of mine and does them, I…
Giving Good Advice – Ross Haffner
Those who are wise know that there are times when they need the advice of knowledgeable and mature Christians. “A wise man will hear and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels” (Pro. 1:5). God says we need advice, not only as individuals, but for the good of the whole society because “where no counsel is, the people fall” (Pro. 11:14). However, we should not make the mistake in thinking that any advice will…
In The Know – Bill Burk
The phrase, “In the know” means “in possession of information which is not generally known.” When it comes to the blessings we have in Jesus, the Lord wants us to know what we have. In other words, he wants us to understand what being “in Christ” means and the privileges that go along with it. The first fourteen verses of Ephesians chapter one speak of some of the things we now have in the Lord. We have been blessed (1:3);…
A Righteous Branch (Jeremiah 23:5-6) – Steven Lloyd
The prophet Jeremiah foretold the coming doom of Judah and Jerusalem, and lived to see the words of his prophecy fulfilled. Judah’s problems began early. When seen from a bird’s eye view, one strand of the Story the Bible tells can be summarized in this fashion. God begins by ruling and reigning over His creation as King. The Psalmist affirms that “The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits enthroned as king forever” (Ps. 29:10). Psalm 10:16 affirms,…
Peter’s Wife’s Mother – Ronnie Scherffius
“And he arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Simon’s house. And Simon’s wife’s mother was taken with a great fever; and they besought him for her. And he stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them.” (Luke 4:38-39) Each of the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, & Luke) records the occasion of Jesus healing Peter’s mother-in-law. A quick glance may leave one with the impression that the record is simply…
A Plea of Desperation and a Prayer of Dependence – Trent Kennedy
The second half of Psalm 42 begins with a prayer to God. In calling upon God, the psalmist uses the possessive pronoun “my.” It seems that he still has an unwavering faith in God to do what he is asking (cf. Jas. 1:6-8). When his personal pep talk in verse 5 did not ease his pain, notice where the writer turns, to God. This is the only proper perspective. In times of distress people need to turn to God. There…