Christian Worker
From Now On You Will Catch Men
Before we consider Peter in Luke 5:10, I want usto travel back to 2 Kings 7 and consider how fourdesperate lepers learned a timeless truth that mighthelp us understand the importance of evangelism. Howgood news was never meant to be kept to oneself. In 2 Kings 7, we see Israel’s dramatic rescue from abrutal Syrian siege led by King Ben-Hadad. Determinedto dominate the North Kingdom, Ben-Hadad failed to seethat God was in control and was using His prophet Elishato expose…
I Will Not Deny You!
The apostle Paul reminded the church of Christ atRome about the patriarch Abraham and his strengthconcerning the promise of God. “He staggered notat the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong infaith, giving glory to God” (Rom. 4:20). To the church atCorinth he would pen, “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quityou like men, be strong” (1Cor. 16:13). When writing to thechurch at Ephesus, he would exhort them to live worthy of their calling by writing, “Finally, my…
Be Ready Always to Give an Answer
Hostility seems to be the default today. No matter thesubject, there is an ever-present risk that contrastingviews or conflicting data points will cause thediscussion to devolve into HR reports, cancel culture, oroutright violence. And that’s just talking about gardeningpractices. So how do we handle the fear of potential persecution when we are called to share something farmore impactful and controversial, the Great Commission(Matt. 28:19-20)? The initial audience of Peter’s first epistle foundthemselves asking the same question, though withmuch more violent…
“You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God”
Towering above the landscape at Israel’s northernmostborder lie three summits, snowcapped for most ofthe year, and the streams from them serve as theheadwaters of the Jordan River. In the shadow of Hermon’slofty heights lies ancient Panias, the pagan city devoted tothe Greek god Pan, the goat deity of the wild, shepherds,and flocks. Today it is called Banias, but in Jesus’ day it wasCaesarea Philippi. What He and His disciples would havewitnessed upon visiting was a reddish limestone wall over130 ft…
The Lord is Not Slack Concerning His Promise
Wrong thinking about God leads to wrongattitudes and actions. If I imagine Jehovahas the “Grandfather in the sky” who willgrant all my wishes because He loves me so much —I’ve created a new god by the same name. Similarly, if Ithink He is a hard Master just waiting to punish me, I’llreact in fear like the one-talent servant and hide insteadof serve (Matt. 25:24-25). God has revealed Himself tobe a loving and merciful Judge Who wants to save all,but will…
Lord, to Whom Shall We Go?
How incredible it must have been to have witnessedthe miracles of Jesus. To see the dead raised, leperscleansed, and storms subdued must have producedunshakable faith within those who experienced it first hand.Or, at least it should have. Miracles were not an “end” in andof themselves but were rather a “means to an end.” Theirpurpose was not to “wow” the crowds into following Jesus,but to prove the veracity of His claims and point them toHis Word (Mark 16:20). Sadly, many who…
Influence or Influenced? (Colossians 3:17)
In our world today, it is estimated that roughly 6.5 to 7 billion people own a smartphone. Of those numbers, almost 6 billion people are on social media. Of these billions of users, millions of them are striving to be “influencers.” They make posts and videos trying to convince people how to eat, workout, dress, travel, handle finances, parent, work, practice Christianity, and live their lives. It can be quite overwhelming. The reality is, billions of people are being influenced…
From the Director’s Desk
Have you ever been through events in your life that have changed you? Think about boot camp. A soldier who enters basic training for a military branch will graduate as a different person. The experience with its training, focus, emphasis, discipline, feedback, and arrangement transforms someone from a citizen to a soldier (sailor/airman/ marine/guardsman). There are other transformative experiences in life. Some last days or weeks while others last months or years. After such experiences, one may look back and…
From Slaves to Free
“I think slavery is the next thing to hell.” – Harriet Tubman, 1856 Harriet Tubman was a conductor for the Underground Railroad. She knew the difficulties of escaping slavery; thus, she was likened to Moses. Egypt had enslaved Israel, and during their Exodus, Moses and the Israelites overcame many difficulties. The struggles they faced while escaping Egyptian slavery are notably similar to the struggles Christians face while escaping slavery to sin (John 8:34). Though Pharaoh never stood a chance at…
From Sheep to Wolves
The reader might have noticed the titles of this issue tend to reflect a change from the negative to the positive. The exception to that rule is the subject of my assignment. As Christians, we want things to move from bad to good (and not the other way around), but the reality is the devil is hard at work (1 Pet. 5:8). Sadly, some who were faithful in the past have departed from the faith (1 Tim. 4:1). What are…
From Persecutor to Apostle
The account of the conversion of Saul of Tarsus, whom we know now as Paul the Apostle, is one of the greatest conversion stories and testimonies known to man. We first see this individual as a young zealous man, eager to destroy a fast-growing religious group called “The Christians” or “Jesus Followers.” Young Saul was no idiot. He was well-versed in the Law, studied at the feet of Gamaliel, was a Hebrew of the Hebrews; as to the Law, was…
From Poor to Rich
It is undoubtedly the most amazing “Rags to Riches” story of all time. We follow the descent of Jesus from heaven to earth to humility to humiliation to death and now, exalted to the highest place (Phil. 2:5-11). What’s more remarkable is that He shares the riches of His glory with us who at one time were the ones who put Him to death (Rom. 5:5-8; 2 Cor. 8:9). We are heirs together with Him. So many people are working…