Gospel Truths
WHY DID JESUS COME INTO THE WORLD? Answer: “He was manifested to take away our sins” (Hebrews 9:26; 1 John 3:5) FOR WHAT DID JESUS DIE? Answer: “He died for our sins according to the scriptures” (1 Cor 15:3) FOR WHOM DID JESUS DIE? Answer: For “sinners,” “the ungodly,” (Romans 5:6-10) DID GOD HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH JESUS’ DEATH FOR SIN? Answer: “He made him to be sin for us” (2 Corinthians 5:21) DID JESUS DIE WILLINGLY? Answer: “He…
Dear Christian, Be Careful With Social Media
[Editor’s Note]: Social media has been ablaze the past couple of weeks. I had considered writing something about how Christians should or should not use social media, until I saw a Facebook post by Andrew Crowe, preacher at our sister congregation in Century, Florida. He brings out a few more points that I had not considered. His words are wise and valuable. He simply begins with, “We need to be cautious about what we say when using social media.” Some…
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…
The “Rapture”
Maybe you have seen bumper stickers, or T-shirts saying something like: “In case of the Rapture, this vehicle will be unmanned” or “The Rapture: the only way to fly.” Even on Facebook and Twitter posts are frequently circulated by people who believe in the so-called rapture theory. What do they mean by that? What is the “rapture”? Does the Bible speak about a “rapture”? The “rapture” is part of a false doctrine called dispensationalism. It teaches that “soon” (it’s always…
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,…
Everyone Has a Place
The Apostle Paul wrote this about the church of our Lord, “The body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If…
Open Homes, Open Hearts
One of the most powerful places on earth is the home. Most homes are a place of love, warmth, rest, security, and privacy. It is a place of nourishment and growth. It is where family bonds are developed. In addition, godly homes provide a solid foundation for a strong church. That is why our homes are also an effective tool for securing a Bible study with our neighbors. The home is the perfect place to cultivate relationships and guide a…
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…
Congregational Evangelism
Belgian Draft Horses are very large animals, with an average height of 16-17 hands (5.3 – 5.5 feet at the withers – the ridge between the horse’s shoulder blades), and typically weigh between 2,100 and 2,300 lbs. Given their size, we would expect them to be very strong, and indeed they are. Once fully grown, they are capable of pulling 8,000 pounds. An interesting fact is that when two horses pull a load together, they don’t just pull 16,000 pounds,…