Outdated Preaching – Trent Kennedy
Born to a priestly family, set apart from birth, sent with the spirit and power of Elijah, and called the greatest among women, John the Immerser was a man among men. He was part prophet, part trailblazer, John was all preacher. The gospel account of Luke records more of the content of John’s preaching and specifics of his ministry than Matthew or Mark (Luke 3:1-21). When the word of the Lord came to John (Luke 3:2), like with other prophets,…
The Lion who is a Lamb – Tom Moore
One of the most exciting and informative ways to study the attributes of Christ is by giving close attention to the various figurative descriptions of our Lord set forth in holy Writ. For example, the Son of God, our Messiah, is called: Bread (John 6:35), Judge (2 Tim. 4:8), Shepherd (John 10:14), Passover (1 Cor. 5:7), Vine (John 15:1), Light (John 1:7), Way – Truth – Life (John 14:6), Door (John 10:9), Alpha and Omega (Rev. 1:8), and Word (John…
On Yearbooks and Modesty
Recently a Florida high school caused quite a stir when the yearbook coordinator digitally edited 80 yearbook photos. The edited photos were only of females and were altered to add more clothing to chests and shoulders. The School District’s chief of Community Relations reported “The yearbook coordinator made the decision to edit the photos based on her assessment that the females were not in dress code.” Many students and parents were appalled that the changes were made without their knowledge…
The Privilege of Preaching – Allen Webster
The most important event that takes place in any city on any day this week is the work the Gospel preacher does. And this includes New York, Hollywood, and Washington. Work done in New York may affect world finances or fashion; workers in Hollywood may produce new entertainment which will be enjoyed by millions, and decisions made in Washington may change the world for better or worse, but what the Gospel preacher does will matter when the world is on…
Fight the Good Fight of Faith
Imitating the popular spirit of the day, many brethren have raised the “white flag” and refused to engage in any type of spiritual aggression at all. But, while Christianity is indeed a religion of peace and love, it is also one that includes warfare and combat—spiritually speaking. Paul’s charge to Timothy was to “fight the good fight of faith (1 Tim. 6:12), and “war a good warfare” (1 Tim. 1:18). The clarion call to join the battle rings clearly throughout…
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…
I Want to be Like Joshua
Christianity is not for the faint of heart. Yes, it is the greatest life that one could live, but it is also full of challenges from the opposition of the outside world. Paul said, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12). How can we successfully overcome the challenges set before us? Consider the strength and courage of Joshua as a model. Four times in Joshua chapter one, Joshua is told…
The Christian’s Hope
To many the word “hope” is a synonym for “wish.” As such, hope has little to do with assurance or certainty and mostly deals in the realm of preference. Even Christians sometimes struggle to fully comprehend the biblical usage of the word “hope.” It is as if our hope is a type of appendix to our Christianity. We have the body of New Testament doctrine which instructs us regarding salvation and living a faithful life, and as an added bonus,…
117 Billion Gallons
117 billion gallons. That number represents the total storage capacity of the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir in Yosemite National Park. It is also the total amount of alcohol that is consumed every year, globally. Put another way, the human body contains 5 liters of blood. 117 billion gallons is equal to the total bloodstream of 89 billion people, which is almost 10x the total world population. (Alcohol.org) Our world is drowning in an ocean of alcohol. Christians are to hate what…
Counting Your Blessings (Various Sources)
If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the million who will not survive the week. If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation, you are ahead of 20 million people around the world. If you attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death, you are more blessed than almost three billion people in…
The Age of the Troll – Patrick Hammack
The internet is a remarkable thing. Now, I know that in the darker corners of the online world there are things that are unsavory to those professing Christ. But, all in all, the internet has made an undeniable and beneficial mark on our lives. Unless you want to set out for open wilderness, there are very few places that you can go and very few things you can do where the internet isn’t somehow involved, either directly or indirectly. Just…
From Garbage to Goodness – Justin Guess
Last month a cyclist was riding from Portland to Corpus Christi across the bay bridge. For an unknown reason, the man veered diagonally across two lanes of traffic, running into the wall. As he the collision happened, the man flipped over the barrier and fell about 30 feet down into the four foot water below. A couple following not too far behind witnessed the accident and pulled over immediately to render aid. A 60 year old man got out of…