Thank You for Your Service!
Another year of Camp Hensel has come and gone, and it was a success! For more than 50 years the Southwest congregation has conducted the Hensel camp session with the help of our sister congregations from near and far. In that time we have seen hundreds of campers and staff members whose lives have been forever changed because of their time at camp. Every year friendships are born, problems are solved, and the bonds of fellowship are strengthened. It is…
Submit Not to Temptation
A wonderful blessing that we receive, when we become Christians, is the forgiveness of sins through the blood of Jesus Christ in baptism (Acts 22:16), but this does not mean that our problem with sin is over. In matter of fact, we still sin at times (1 John 1:8, 10). Thankfully, the Scriptures outlines the development of sin and how to overcome (James 1:12-15). The first stage is temptation (James 1:14). It includes two things: desire and enticement (an opportunity…
The Problem with False Doctrine
What is the core problem with false doctrine? False teaching is destructive (2 Pet. 2:1), but that is a result. It is empty (Matt. 15:9) but that speaks to quality. False doctrine is of the Devil (2 Cor. 11:3-4; 13-15), yes, but that has to do with origin. At its heart, the primary issue with false doctrine is that it denigrates the Cross of Christ. Consider Galatians 5:1-2, Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us…
From the Director’s Desk (May 2024) – Trent Kennedy
What are your high school students doing June 23-28? I know that the summer is a busy time with many great opportunities to learn, serve, and grow. There will be baseball camps and math camps and fine arts camps and more. But, there are also many opportunities for spiritual growth this summer. Did you know that the Southwest School of Bible Studies offers a Servants’ Academy the last week of June? This week is part camp, part future preachers training,…
The Prophets and Sin – Richard Massey
In past ages God used His holy prophets to deliver messages to mankind (Heb. 1:1). Whatever the prophets said, both vocally and with the pen, was designed to guide people into acceptable behavior before God. The Lord demands that human conduct be righteous, holy, and just. This would aptly describe moral behavior. A moral life is one that is clean, pure, and the which seeks the good of all men. On the other hand, immoral, or sinful behavior is detested…
The Prophets and the Church – Wayne Robbins
The personal words I share today may not be remembered or quoted a century from now. However, the words of the prophets, spoken thousands of years ago, still resonate and are frequently cited today. Unlike the prophets, I have never been guided by the Holy Spirit to write (2 Pet. 1:21). When the creator of all existence communicates a word to this earth, and it is recorded for us to read, it demands our attention. The prophets were God’s chosen…
How to Study the Prophets – Pat McIntosh
The Bible is a book intended to be read and understood by the reader. It is a book that delivers God’s will to man through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:19-21). Many, however, do not understand it and others see it as a mystical book that cannot be unlocked without some sense of divine aid. Others claim to understand it, but misuse it in various ways. This has resulted in mistaken views and, even…
The Prophets and Jehovah
The books of the prophets are a deep well of spiritual knowledge. As God’s spokesmen they uttered forth His will on a variety of subjects from the wickedness of idolatry to the evils of unjust leadership and the coming Messiah. There is much to learn from their work. One of the greatest subjects addressed throughout the prophets is the subject of God, Himself. As men of God they spent time with God and knew Him intimately. Thus their inspired pens…
The Prophets and the Messiah – John Haffner
As two men journeyed along the road to Emmaus, they were joined by Jesus. Their eyes were restrained to the extent that they were unable to recognize the Lord (Luke 24:16). The two conversed with their traveling companion, telling him about the “Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people” (Luke 24:19). They confessed their initial belief that this Jesus was the promised Redeemer of Israel, except He had been crucified so they had grown discouraged.…
The Prophets and Leaders – Johnie Scaggs, Jr.
Peter wrote, “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Pet. 1:21). Great men of God, whom God chose to be His Prophets, were given messages to His children concerning great Biblical truths. Sometimes, these messages were directed toward the leaders of God’s people. God often warned leaders to be careful how they lead His people. And the word of…
The Holiness of Christ
“Be Holy, for I am Holy” (1 Pet. 1:16). This is a call that rings upon every page of Scripture. It stretches from the foundation of the world to the end of time. From a people enslaved in Egypt to the redeemed of all ages. Its foundation is eternal, because it stands within the very nature of our Holy God. So, let’s consider the holiness of God our Savior and see what we can learn from Him. The call to…
From the Director’s Desk (April 2024) – Trent Kennedy
The power of God is on full display in the work of the Prophets. Isaiah’s prophecy of Cyrus (Isa. 44:24-45:7) demonstrates the foreknowledge of God and shows His power to perform His will in the governments of men. However, King Cyrus and his government pale in comparison to another King that Isaiah predicts. Isaiah describes a King (Isa. 9:7) Who would sit on David’s throne and rule a spiritual kingdom. This King could be called “God” and described as “eternal”…