Posts by Troy Spradlin
A Tax Collector and a Zealot
Have you ever considered that some of Jesus’ disciples probably held vastly different political beliefs views from each other? Most likely Simon the Zealot and Matthew the tax collector did! The Jewish sect known Zealots were a radical Jewish political movement that vehemently opposed Roman rule in Judea, even causing the First Jewish-Roman War. They were extremely “zealous for God,” known for their militant resistance, and believed that God would help them expel Roman control. There was also subgroup within…
Why Not Just Do What He Said To Do?
Second Kings 5 recounts the story of a Syrian military commander, Naaman, who was afflicted with leprosy. One of his servants gave him a simple message: if he went to the prophet in Israel, he could be healed (5:3). The servant said nothing about going to the king, involving the government, taking gifts, money, or anything concerning wealth. Yet, with just a few snap decisions and actions, Naaman had changed the simple message and perverted it far beyond what had…
How Is Your GPS?
What would we do without Google or Apple Maps these days? It is so convenient to enter an address on your computer or phone and it not only tell you where it is located, but also how many miles away, how long it will take to get there, and several options for how to travel there! Incredible! It is nothing short of amazing that your position can also be tracked “live” while you are driving to your desired destination –…
Tithing Is Not For the Christian
Did you know that Christians are not commanded to tithe? Yet, there are a numerous religious groups that teach, even demand, that their members are to tithe. The word “tithe” means “a tenth,” so, they are teaching that Christians are to give 10% of their earnings, or whatever money they receive, to the church. Where do those groups get that idea? And, is it Biblical? Let’s turn to the Bible and see what we can learn. The concept and teachings…
What Your Attendance Says About Your Faith
Worship is a beautiful, sacred, spiritual discipline that God expects all of His people to exercise and fulfill. It is God’s will that we worship Him (Matt 4:10; John 4:23-24; Rev 22:9). Worship, in reality, is a precious privilege that is given to Christians (Heb 4:14-16). It is an opportunity to come before the Creator of the universe, Yahweh Almighty, and render adoration and praise to Him for what He has done for us (Ps 45:11, 138:2). It is what…
Can You Be Taught Wrong and Baptized Right?
I have had the blessed privilege of studying the Bible with many precious souls over the years. I can tell you that it is nothing short of amazing to see the Word of God working in someone’s life (it’s one of the things I love most about ministry)! Whenever a seeker begins to make the connections and realize the status of their soul, it puts them on the precipice of the most important decision of their life – to obey…
How Can I Fortify the Faith of My Children?
My heart hurts deeply for Christian parents whose children have left the church. Many have shared their heartaches with me and I can’t even begin to imagine how much that truly pains them. I’ve also had the privilege to help many parents concerned about the faith of their children. Thanks be to God, most of them have gone on to be strong disciples of the Lord. It is, indeed, a difficult challenge to raise godly children in a social environment…
What does God Expect from Me as a Parent?
When it comes to general advice on parenting, there are far more experienced and knowledgeable people in that regard than me. However, when it comes to counsel for parents concerning spiritual matters, there is a singular, divine standard that applies universally and supersedes any human knowledge. It is the Word of God. The Bible should be – and is – the best source of guidance for parents on how to raise children. Since “Children are a heritage from the Lord,…
The Power of God to Salvation
In the beginning of his letter to the church at Rome, Paul stated, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed … ” (Romans 1:16-17) That’s a great passage that we often quote to emphasize boldness in evangelizing. But, what does Paul mean by the “power of…
The Purpose of the Church
In the years I have been in ministry, I have learned that people have a vast number of ideas about what the purpose of the church is. Some of our religious friends have a concept in mind that is more akin to a country club or a social organization. They go to church primarily to mingle and fraternize. To others, the church is a family identity. Phrases like, “Our family has always been, and will always be (fill in the…
God is a God of Patterns
I will be the first to admit that I am a creature of habit. I typically do the same things, eat the same kinds of foods, and wear the same kinds of clothes on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. One could easily identify a consistent pattern in my lifestyle. Although I have made a few adjustments over the years depending on certain factors, like getting married, job changes, moving, or health reasons, I continue to have a distinguishable routine…
Where Two or Three Are Gathered
There are many verses in the Bible that people like to quote that are actually a misuse of the verse, completely misunderstood, or simply do not exist. One such verse is Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” This verse is frequently cited to validate small gatherings of disciples, suggesting that even if only a few people are present, the Lord is still among them and it is therefore a…
- 1
- 2