Church Blog (Page 20)

Church Blog (Page 20)

Crucify the Flesh

Peter wrote of the “exceedingly great and precious promises” given to the children of God (2 Pet. 1:4). Indeed, our Father has promised us great things. Blessings such as forgiveness (1 John 1:9), fellowship (Heb. 13:5), peace (Phil. 4:7), and eternal life (1 John 2:25) are all ours to enjoy. These promises motivate us to faithfulness and comfort us in times of distress. No wonder the Hebrews writer reminded his readers of them to encourage them to remain faithful to…
Diverse of big group of peoples hands together outdoors

A Word of Advice for the Church – Ronnie Scherffius

The book of Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings that teach practical and moral lessons. Written by Solomon (Pro. 1:1), it served as instructions to make a son wise and knowledgeable (Pro.1:2, 8; 2:1; 3:1; et al.). Though the book was written as instruction to an individual, there are many proverbs we can apply to the church. Let us note a few to emphasize the importance of laboring in the work of the church.  A working church is a…
Summer vacation, school College break in summer, students get time off, Academic year end. Young

A Word of Advice for Young People – Trent Kennedy

To the youth in the pew Young people, you must realize that living in sin is an option, but it is not a good option. Some temptations may be greater for youth (2 Tim. 2:22). Many have tried it before coming to their senses (cf. Luke 15:17). Moses, educated in the ways of Egypt and understanding the lifestyle he could have led apart from God, chose to be associated with God and God’s people instead of enjoying “the pleasures of…
Grandparents and grandchild jumping outdoors

A Word of Advice for Grandparents – Dave Rogers

“Grandparent.” Whether applied to an aged and enfeebled nursing home resident or a marathon-running, mountain-biking, adventure-seeking 45-year-old, in many ears this word conveys only one image—old.  My own grandparents seemed “ancient” during my own childhood, though they were all about the age I have now attained.  Two were faithful Christians and two were not, yet all are precious to me, and their examples are a large part of who I am now.  Solomon wrote, “The memory of the just is…
Young mixed race parents parents having fun piggybacking their children in the garden

A Word of Advice for Parents – Allen Webster

In Proverbs, Solomon invites us into the intimacy of his family circle. Twenty-three times in the book he addresses “my son.” Forty times he mentions mothers and fathers. Five times he mentions a wife (5:18; 6:29; 18:22; 19:13-14) and five additional times he mentions a wise, virtuous, or gracious woman (possibly referring to his wife or a future daughter-in-law). Let’s allow the world’s wise man to give us the verbs we need to successfully prepare our children for heaven. Observe…
men's legs in jeans and old travel vintage leather boots

A Word of Advice for Elders and Deacons – Ken Hope

As a former elder and deacon, I’m excited about this opportunity to share some much-needed advice to others serving in these areas.  Before the advice, let me first sound a word of appreciation. “Thank you” to all the men who have served in the past or are presently serving as an elder or deacon in the Lord’s church.  As you have found out, this work is “the toughest job you’ll ever love” (to borrow a catchphrase from the Peace Corps). …
Love listening to music

A Wise Man Will Hear…

What does it mean to be wise? Who is a wise man? History’s pages are filled with the lives of those to whom we may point in an attempt to answer those questions. But no man, regardless of how wise he may be, could ever rival the wisdom of Solomon. Jehovah gave Solomon a “wise and understanding heart” unlike any before or after him (1 Kings 3:12). It seems fitting, then, that if one wants to know the true character…
Book Bible close-up, on a beautiful terrace background. Morning time.

A Word of Advice for Preachers – Kevin Rhodes

Preaching is a personal profession. For those who put their heart and soul into it, their work and identity intertwine so extensively that they sometimes have trouble distinguishing the two. This reality makes offering advice to preachers a task fraught with challenges lest any recommendation come across as criticism or, worse, an attack. Nevertheless, advice—even unsolicited—provides an opportunity for personal evaluation and potential improvement. And while I am well aware that I do not possess perfect answers for a work…

Arise and Evangelize!

The need for soul-winners has never been greater. Jesus said, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore, pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into the harvest” (Matt. 9:37-38). The 6th annual Arise! Spiritual Growth Workshop was designed to help us answer that call. Every lesson approached evangelism from a different perspective and challenged us to arise and gather the harvest. We now seek to apply the lessons learned so that we may…

Arise and Meet Ahab!

The names Ahab and Jezebel are synonymous with wickedness. Of all the accounts of their iniquity, perhaps the most disturbing is found in 1 Kings 21. A man named Naboth owned a vineyard next to the palace which Ahab decided he had to have. When Naboth rejected Ahab’s overtures, Jezebel set a plan in motion which ultimately resulted in the murder of Naboth and Ahab’s possession of his vineyard. Though they certainly thought they had gotten away with murder, such…
Four old keys hanging

The Effective Ministry – Rick Brumback

No person has ever affected human affairs at their most radical level more than Jesus, the “Word become flesh” (John 1:14). But upon what did His power of influence depend? Extraordinary earthly prerogative? Wealth? Education? Social standing? No; in fact in these areas He was largely unremarkable. Nevertheless, He changed the world. 1. Looks With the emphasis on beauty and looks so prevalent today, some may suppose that we could have greater influence, and greater respect, among others if we…
Question blocks

Is this not? – Mike Riley

When Jesus revealed His divinity to the Jews residing in Nazareth, they questioned His authority (Matt. 13:53-58). This was not unexpected, considering they only knew Him as “the carpenter’s son” (Matt. 13:55; Mark 6:3). After all, Jesus’ teaching was quite different from that of the Jewish religious teachers of the day (Matt. 7:28-29; John 7:46). By and large, the Galileans could not believe that “the carpenter’s son” was the Son of God. Because they had known him from boyhood, they…