The Preacher of old penned by inspiration of God’s Spirit, “Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions” (Ecclesiastes 7:29).  Indeed, man was created in the divine image of God (Genesis 1:26-27), having the volition and moral capability to do good, but sadly he has often veered from the paths of right into schemes of sin and iniquity.  In departing from God and his fellowship, man has traveled countless avenues.  In ancient times it was quite common for man to forsake the true and the living God for dumb idols of wood and gold.  A myriad of human souls have turned away from Jehovah in search of carnal fulfillment in fleshly lusts.  But always lurking in the human background, even from ancient times, is the evil companion modern science has termed “alcohol.”  In the great expanse of eternity many a soul will be forever lost due to alcohol and its surrounding sins. Alcohol may be truly called “the scourge of the ages,” for drunkenness is recorded in God’s Word as early as the postdiluvian life of Noah (Genesis 9:20-24).  The menace of this sin can be traced throughout Old Testament history, and it is condemned in the New Testament as well.  “Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying” (Romans 13:13).  “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with …

[Firm Foundation, Vol. 114, No. 7, July 1999, p. 20.] Jesus gave his disciples specific instructions for dealing with a Christian who sins against a brother (Matthew 18:15-17).  His lesson shows how a small personal offense can escalate into a deep public sin.  If the sinner is unwilling to repent after three sincere overtures from the offended brother, other witnesses, and, finally, “the church” intense magnification of the sin occurs.  In this instance, Jesus tells us we must let the sinner be to us “like a heathen and a tax collector” (v. 17). The modern church has almost disavowed this part of Jesus’ divine plan.  Not many elders will even consider it.  Few sermons mention it.  As a result Christians in the pew have no clue about it. But Jesus’ words are clear and understandable.  They form a series of imperative commands.  Obedience to these commands, in this circumstance, is compulsory for everyone who would be his disciple. Harshness or lack of love was not in Jesus’ mind or on his lips.  His dual concerns were the restoration of the sinner and the protection of innocent Christians from the leavening influence of sin.  He wanted his disciples to know that withdrawal of fellowship within the local congregation is the tool of last resort in pursuing these noble spiritual goals. The Comforter led the apostles into explicit affirmation of Jesus’ discipline of withdrawal.  Paul admonished the Thessalonians to “note,” “withdraw” from and refuse to “keep company” with “busybodies” in the church …

What is meant by the expression “place membership” as it pertains to a local congregation?  We must admit that we cannot find that expression in the Bible.  It may be for this reason that some think it an unscriptural concept.  Is it? In Romans 16:1, Paul wrote, “I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea.”  The subject of this verse is Phoebe.  Paul identifies her as a Christian by referring to her as “our sister.”  A Christian is one who has been immersed into Christ for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38).  Her status was that of “a servant.”  The word “servant” comes from the Greek word diaconon, and is by some rendered deaconess.  That Phoebe served in whatever capacity women may serve God I have no doubt.  That she served in any capacity of leadership over men I deny (1 Timothy 2:12).  Her sphere of activity was “the church of Cenchrea.”  She did not represent the “church at large” or “the church universal.”  The church in Cenchrea was a congregation of God’s people in a specific locality, being a harbor town nine miles west of Corinth. Sometimes brethren question whether placing membership in a local congregation is either necessary or scriptural.  People have said to me, “I am a member of the church wherever I go.”  I would not deny that statement, but I suggest that opponents to the idea of placing church membership need to carefully consider the New Testament teaching on …

The Apostle Peter wrote:”Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation.  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:20-21).The prophet served as a spokesman for God.  He delivered God’s message to God’s people, and on occasion made predictions about future events.  It is a mistake to think that his primary role involved foretelling the future.  He was first a preacher, and then a predictor of coming events. The prophet’s message was inspired by the Holy Ghost.  His message was not his own, and thus was not open to private interpretation.  The New Testament offers tremendous insight into the understanding of prophetic predictions.  Frequently, the writers of the New Testament refer to events in the life and ministry of Jesus as taking place in fulfillment of prophecy (Matthew 1:22; 2:4, 15).  We can be certain that these men were fairly interpreting the prophet’s message, however, much of what we read today regarding prophecy is far removed from the prophet’s original intent. Today, a great deal is being said and written regarding events in the Middle East and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.  But, there is little connection between what is occurring now and what the prophets predicted. Passages like Isaiah 13:1-6 and Jeremiah 50:8-9 are often cited as proof that prophecy regarding Babylon (Iraq) is being fulfilled in our generation, but the …

The Greek noun for faith is pistis; the corresponding verb is pisteuo.  Combined, these forms are employed some 243 times in the New Testament.  There is a great deal of confusion and controversy in the community of “Christendom” as to the meaning of these terms.  Unfortunately, sectarian bias has clouded the understanding of many on this important biblical theme. Depending on the context in which the words are found, their meanings can vary.  (1) Belief may involve merely being exposed to certain data and acknowledging such as reliable.  When Paul heard of divisions within the church at Corinth, he said:  “I partly believe it” (1 Corinthians 11:18).  He accepted the report as fairly credible. (2) Believing can go a step further, though, suggesting the idea of trust. Knowing the temperament of men, Jesus did not “trust” (pisteuo) himself to the Jews of Jerusalem (John 2:24).  God did “trust” Paul, however, and so committed the Gospel unto this apostle, to be proclaimed in a ministry to the Gentiles (Galatians 2:7). (3) Belief can be used – and frequently is – in the full sense of being obedient.  Jesus taught:  “He who believes (pisteuo) on the Son has eternal life; but he who obeys not (apeitho) the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (John 3:36 ASV).  [Note:  The King James translators did not favor us by rendering two different Greek terms by the same English word.  An important distinction was obscured.  Cf. Hebrews 3:18-19 ASV.]  In the ultimate sense, therefore, …

Dictionaries define an annuity as an investment from which one receives an income over a long period of time. The most important aspect of an annuity is that it is a long-term plan. But listen to the apostle Paul’s words, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18). Paul had a long-term plan spiritually. He treated any suffering or sacrifice that he endured while upon the earth as an investment that would reap dividends beyond compare in the future.A short-range plan concentrates on the here and now without worrying about the possibility of a coming depression. It guarantees quick gain with nothing planned for the future. A short-range plan is easier and more affordable by most. It is easier to see because that is what everyone else has. A short-range plan of life guarantees sin for awhile and nothing for eternity. “By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season” (Hebrews 11:24-25).On the other hand, a long-range plan considers benefits that are not immediate but are of better quality and of lasting value. As Christians, we can look toward heaven (Revelation 21:1-4), a place that has quality beyond any comparison. Too often we get caught up in the rat race of every …

They are among the greatest words a parent can hear.  “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward.  Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth.  Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; they shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with their enemies in the gate” (Psalm 127:3-5, NKJV).The psalmist reminds us of both the blessing and responsibility of parenthood.  We see that every child matters greatly and should be cherished as a gift from God.  Since children are so special, they can make a difference.  Whether that difference is for good or evil depends on how seriously parents take the responsibility of spiritual nurture. To rear a child who stands mature in faith has never been easy.  Today, it is a task which is further complicated by the rush of modern life, the amount of things to which children are exposed and the number of competing ideas which can be broadcast right into our homes in our media-driven society. I write as a parent of two teenage sons when I ask, “What are we to do?”  How are we to go about the all-important task of nurturing our children into mature men and women who have their own faith in God?  It is because I have lived the rigors of parenting even as I have continued a lifetime of biblical studies that I am more convinced than ever that …

Honest Abe sits on his stone throne; Washington mans a silent portal; Vietnam’s heroes are etched in stone; JFK’s flame is eternal; MLK’s birthday is a holiday; MJ’s jersey is retired. Statues are raised to honor great men; calendars date the world’s important events; scenes of outstanding battles are forever marked.  Colleges and hospitals name buildings in honor of beneficiaries; streets are called after the famous who travel them.  Everybody who is anybody has a biography lining a library shelf.  How could one choose the greatest monument?  Is it the tallest?  Most read?  Widest known?  Most expensive? The world’s greatest monument neither originated in man’s mind nor was designed by a renowned artist.  It is not even recognized by most historians.  Its picture is not regularly taken nor is it mentioned in travel magazines.  It originated in the mind of God and was set up in honor of his crucified Son.  For about ten minutes each first day of the week, Christians keep a feast in honor of the One who lived and died for them.  They remember his life, lessons and especially his death.  Consider what makes the Lord’s Supper so unique. It Is Indestructible Though Destroyed. Marble slowly crumbles, bronze defaces, dates drop from calendars, biographies go out-of-print; streets are renamed after new heroes.  Men’s monuments do not last, but God’s memorial remains.  It is two thousand years old now and will last until the Lord returns.  At the same time, its component parts deteriorate with a few …

TITLE:   Hope SpokenTEXT:    Romans 10:13-17THESIS: To Emphasize the urgency with which the Gospel of Hope must be proclaimed to a sin-laden and sorrow-ridden world.SONG:   The Gospel Is For All INTRODUCTION: First, we must define biblical hope and distinguish it from mere earthly hope. Second, each Christian, each congregation of the Lord’s church, each eldership, each preacher and each teacher must prayerfully review his obligation to proclaim God’s Message of Hope. Third, we must identify the target audience to whom we ought to proclaim the Message of Hope. Fourth, we must re-evaluate the available mediums of communicating the divine Message of Hope (of course, with due consideration of biblical authority). BODY: I. Hope Defined. The concept of “hope” may be applied to non-spiritual matters pertaining to the physical universe and one’s existence therein. Further, “hope” may be applied to spiritual matters that transcend one’s physical surroundings. Most people who entertain hope do so with regard to their earthly existence only. Christians frequently entertain hope both regarding their earthly habitation and especially their spiritual citizenship in heaven. Unfortunately, vast numbers of the world’s population entertain neither earthly hope nor spiritual hope. Even more sad, many souls have an empty, false spiritual hope that is not substantiated by God’s Word. The apostle Paul wrote: “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable” (1 Corinthians 15:19). That sentiment is amplified for those whose hope pertains solely to this physical existence and doesn’t even entertain a heavenly pursuit (Luke 12:16-21). Most of the world’s population exists under some sort of great oppression that does not provide much prospect of hope in this life …