Jesus, Our Way to Forgiveness
In Romans 6:23, the Apostle Paul wrote, “the wages [the payment] of sin is death…”, and he is not simply talking about physical death. This “death” is ultimately the “second death”, which involves eternal torment for those who die in their sins (Rev. 21:8). So why is sin considered so bad that the un-forgiven sinners must experience torment? To understand, we must appreciate the nature of God and the problem of sin. God’s nature is such that it is impossible…
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…
We Have no King but Caesar!
The Kingship of Jesus is one of the themes of the book of John, particularly toward the end. In fact, the words “King” and “kingdom” appear 15 times in John 18-19, the two chapters describing His trial and crucifixion. Many of those occurrences, perhaps surprisingly, come from the lips of Pontius Pilate. The Jews delivered Jesus to Pilate for crucifixion. Because they had no legitimate accusation to raise against Him, and the law would not allow them to carry out…
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…
Jesus, the Old Testament, and Obedience!
Beginning in Matthew 5:17, Jesus begins teaching against the religious leaders who were guilty of perverting Old Testament teaching. They were accusing Jesus of speaking evil of the Law of Moses, and that He came to destroy the law, but Jesus did not come to minimize or ridicule the law because He knew that the law was holy, just, and good (Ps. 119:105). These Jews had a misconception concerning the law, which led to their false accusations. Therefore, Jesus in…
Don’t Preach Politics!
“The Pulpit is no place for politics!” is a refrain we hear often, and it is true. The church of Christ is a soul saving institution and our purpose is to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). Thus preachers are commanded to “Preach the Word!”(2 Tim. 4:1-2). Preaching is the act of heralding a message from the King. As such we are obligated to preach the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27), to point people to the cross (1…
How Shall We Increase?
Church growth is a spiritual blessing given by Almighty God. Yet, His spiritual blessings are conditioned upon our obedience to Christ (Eph. 1:3), and He has given two conditions for church growth: sowing and watering (1 Cor. 3:6; Matt. 13:19). If we execute these conditions, God will give the increase. What is involved in sowing the seed of the kingdom? We must have the right seed, God’s word (Lk. 8:11; Matt. 13:19) because it is incorruptible, endures forever (1 Pet.…
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…
The Ruin of a Ruler
Solomon wrote, “Pride goeth before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Pro. 16:18; KJV). Scripture provides numerous illustrations of the truth of this proverb. Consider the Assyrian commander who asked, “Who are they among all the gods of the countries, that have delivered their country out of mine hand, that the Lord should deliver Jerusalem out of mine hand” (2 Kings 18:35)? He soon learned the answer when the angel of the Lord killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers in…