A preacher friend and I have lunch together every week when we are both in town. We always talk about family, sports and our work. We talk about recent activities that we have been involved with in our ministries. During a recent visit, he was telling me about being called by a local funeral home to preach a funeral for a homeless man. This particular man had one son who met with my friend about the funeral. My friend asked the son if he could tell him some things about his dad. The man replied by saying, “Sir, I am sorry to say that I did not know my dad.” He continued to tell him that he had not been involved with his dad’s life in many years. How tragic in our day that there are fathers and sons who do not know one another. After attempting to help families for more than thirty years, it is my belief that the most important relationship in a young boy’s life is his relationship with his father. I am thankful that as a young boy that my father was involved in my life. I am thankful that I had a son in whose life I was deeply involved when he was a young boy. It is not coincidental that God’s Word speaks about the relationship between fathers and sons. When God’s people were about to move into the Promised Land, God gave the following instructions. “Now this is the commandment, the statutes …

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). “I counted to infinity and back; what took so long?” That was what my youngest son said after he had to wait on me for about 10 minutes before he could get on the computer and play one of his learning games. I doubt very seriously that he understands the idea of infinity, except to say that it means a long time. We hear folks use the word or synonym this way all of the time. “That took an eternity to do!” “It’s been an eternity since I’ve seen you.” Yet, God has a whole different idea in mind. Eternity in the Bible carries several ideas, but two stand out as they are relative to man. First, it is what is next. Second, it is timeless, never-ending existence. For each and all of us, this eternity is coming, whether we like it or not, whether we believe it or not. Eternity is the next and final journey of our existence. How do we know? Because eternity does not end! There is no “next” in the eternal scheme of things. Knowing this to be so, God has made man aware of this by virtue of creation. From birth, the notion of eternity is real to us; we know there is more than this and must be …

Highway deaths were up in 2005 for the first time in 19 years. One reason for that, according to a study by the government’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is probably no surprise: distracted drivers. Distractions have always been an issue, but the new technologies that have burst on the scene have multiplied the problem. “Drivers talk on their cell phones, check their email or send text messages. They get directions from their GPS system, pop a CD into their stereo, change stations on satellite radio or help their kids with the backseat DVD player.” The study – which tracked hundreds of drivers in the Washington, D.C. area for over a year, and used sensor monitors to gather video and data about their behavior in the vehicles – “found that 8 of 10 collisions or near-crashes involved a lack of attention from drivers” just before impact. The study found that “a driver’s reaching for a moving object increased the risk” of a wreck nine times. Dialing a cellphone increased the risk of a wreck almost 3 times. Drowsy driving increased the likelihood of a wreck or near-wreck 4 to 6 times. Distractions cause crashes! Distractions also cause an even greater destruction. Jesus taught with many parables, one of which was the Parable of the Sower (see Mark 4:1-9). In the parable, He described how a farmer sowed seed (representing the Word of God), and it came in contact with four different types of soils (representing the hearts of people). Observe Jesus’ explanation …

How do husbands meet the needs of their wives? 1. Permanence – “dwell with her.” A wife should never question her husband’s faithfulness and commitment to their marriage vows. Permanence is more than living under the same roof, eating at the same table, sleeping in the same bed and paying the same mortgage; it involves a deep dwelling with her. A “till death do us part” kind of permanence. I tell my wife regularly, “Sweetie, you’re stuck with me!” (See Matthew 19:6b.) 2. Perception – “according to knowledge.” Know more about your wife than her height, weight, hair color, favorite food and eye color. Know her fears, goals, desires and ambitions. Know what makes her scared, happy, sad and excited. Few things make a woman more secure than knowing that her husband really knows her. (See Proverbs 24:3). 3. Praise – “giving honor unto the wife.” The word “honor” means, “praise.” It is used in 1:19 (“precious”) referring to the blood of Jesus. Praise your wife because she is precious. She was crafted carefully and was made a beautiful woman by her Creator. (See Proverbs 31:28.) 4. Protection – “weaker vessel.” Women are weaker physically, not morally or mentally. Men are stronger so you can pull her close and protect her. Christ died for the Church (Ephesians 5:25); be willing to protect your wife to the point of death. (See Ephesians 5:28.) 5. Provision – “weaker vessel.” Women are thrifty and frugal (Proverbs 31:10-31), however, God holds husbands responsible for providing for the family (1 Timothy 5:8). Blessed is the …

An old judge told of a troublesome dog, that whenever the moon was shining, went out and barked at it all night! Someone asked the judge what eventually came of the matter, “Oh,” said the judge, “the moon just kept on shining.” One of the hardest things for a Christian to do is to keep on shining when being barked at by others. Many times even insignificant matters can disturb and discourage us. Paul’s approach was to “Press on to the good…” No doubt, the enemies of Christ often barked at Him and tried to get Him to react in a mean and sinful way. However, He was the light of the world and would not give up His glory. He just kept on shining, and in doing that, He left us an example to follow when those who are teaching error bark at you for exposing their error. Do you bark at those who try to teach you the truth (Galatians 4:16)?

“Unfeigned” literally means not being hypocritical. Originally, it meant one who was real and not just a play actor on a stage, acting out a part. He is genuine. Unfeigned love is, therefore, sincere affection without admixture of deceit; it is true affection. It is not in word only. Thus, we have in 1 Peter 1:22, “Seeing ye have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth unto unfeigned love of the brethren, love one another with a pure heart fervently.” They had purified their souls through their obedience to the truth. They had heard the word of the truth of the Gospel and had obeyed it (John 17:17; Romans 10:17; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). They then had the same spiritual parentage. They had become children of God. They had now been added to the New Testament church (Acts 2:47; 1 Corinthians 12:13). They had the same spiritual Father. They had become brothers and sisters in Christ. They were to love one another with a pure heart fervently. “Fervently” is from ektenos and describes an emotion that is forceful and warm. We read in 1 Peter 4:8, “Above all things, being fervent in your love among yourselves; for love covereth a multitude of sins: using hospitality one toward another without murmuring.” He described a warm, ardent love. The word from which fervent comes is Ktenos. It originally had to do with music, referring to the drawing out, of the stretching of a music string. The point being that children of God are not to love one another halfheartly …

“It is appointed for people to die once — and after this, judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). It is something a lot of people do not take time to think about anymore, but something everyone should. What happens when we pass from this existence? For some, the only existence they believe in is what they see, the here and now. Yet, creation itself offers testimony to the Creator (Romans 1:20), and God has set eternity in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11). For others, it is assumed that everyone will go to heaven when he or she dies. However, Scripture reminds us this is not so either. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord!’ will enter the kingdom of heaven; but only the one who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). The writer of Hebrews reminds us all that, once this physical existence ends, we all must face the judgment of God. Paul explains it this way to the church in Corinth; “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10). How one lives his or her life on earth determines what type of judgment one receives in eternity. Jesus said those who have done good will receive the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil will receive the resurrection of judgment (John 5:29). For those who have lived in faithful obedience to the …

The beauty of singing as a means of praise to God is something that truly cannot be paralleled by any of man’s inventions. Beyond the fact of its commandment by God and His statements that this is what He wants to hear, there are few things that can bring the wonderful sentiments of God’s graciousness and glory to bear like singing. Unfortunately, we seem to have a plague among the congregations in American society today. It seems that many congregations are filled with individuals who are afraid to sing out or unwilling to sing at all. These individuals, many times, do not understand the situation in which they are placing themselves with their actions. Singing is a command of God (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). As such, when we fail to fulfill that command, we are sinning because sin, by definition is going against God’s laws and commands (1 John 3:4). We must take very seriously the things that are stated in Scripture concerning this topic. They are not suggestions, but are commands that must be upheld. When one does not sing as God has commanded, there are a couple of things which that individual cannot complete as commanded. That individual cannot make melody in/with his or her heart to the Lord (Ephesians 5:19). There is a direct correlation made between “singing” and making melody in/with the heart. The degree to which we sing is the degree to which the melody of the heart is made to the Lord. It is …

One of the members at Highland Home told me about something that he observed while sitting on his porch the other day. Somehow, a little one-inch worm that was hanging off the edge of the roof caught his attention. He watched it as it started to lower itself on some kind of “string” that it appeared to be creating. It took long minutes of obviously great toil. Finally, the worm neared the first step of the porch. It abruptly stopped, and began to climb up, apparently eating the “string” it had made. Again, it took minutes of difficult labor for the worm to reach the top again. Then the little worm just made its way across the roof and out of sight. Before I go further, I have no scientific knowledge about this worm. I do not know why it did all that it did. I am sure that it was doing what God built into it through nature to do. I do not wish by my observations to indict God’s directions to that little worm. However, I cannot help but think of some ideas that this little drama of the worm brings to mind. If you have no goal, effort alone is not enough. Proverbs 29:18 reads, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Vision there involves, in context, the keeping of the law. However, I truly believe that the expression is not misused when we speak of the vision (based on truth) that leads us in a proper …

What do you think of when you hear the words preaching the Gospel? Most think of a man standing behind the pulpit on Sunday morning and delivering a sermon. Yet, the phrase “preach the Gospel” encompasses so much more than a Sunday morning sermon. The phrase means to bring, or declare good or glad tidings, and does not refer to only standing in a pulpit. It refers to the generic teaching of the Gospel to others. The early Christians were severely persecuted, yet the Bible says they went everywhere preaching the word (Acts 8:3-4). There are many reasons why we should do the same, but consider three reasons from Romans 1:14-16 that Paul preached the Gospel. Paul Preached Because He Was a Debtor The word debtor from v. 14 means one who owes anything, or is under obligation to another. Paul preached because he understood his debt to God, others and himself. He was obligated to God because God offered a plan to save him, even after he had persecuted and killed Christians. He also felt an obligation to others because he realized the difference the Gospel made in his life, and he wanted to share this with his fellowman. However, Paul also knew of his obligation to himself to preach. “Woe is unto me, if I preach not the Gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:16). He realized he had a personal responsibility. Today, each Christian has a personal obligation to share the good news with others. We have an obligation to …

The late Helen Keller was asked, “What would be worse than being born blind?” to which she replied, “Having sight without a vision.” As history shows, this was a lady with vision that made a great difference in this world. “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he” (Proverbs 29:18). In this context, the word “vision” means, “a message delivered by the prophets, a revealed message of God.” God’s Word indeed is vision to us, a direction in which to go. Therefore, when there is no direction, people will go anywhere and do anything. However, have we considered where there is vision?” Where there is vision, people are disciplined, lives are structured and priorities are right. Where there is vision there is the spirit of growth. There is the spirit of enthusiasm (Colossians 1:27-29) and evangelism (Matthew 28:18-20) in congregations that are growing. People love to be involved with such a congregation of the churches of Christ. New folks should be special guests each week. People have to move from “their pews and not complain a whit. Where there is vision there is “providing out of the people.” Was this not Jethro’s advice to Moses when he saw Moses’ workload (Exodus 18:20-22)? From among the people, reasoned Jethro, select those that could assist Moses over the “small matters.” Beloved, may we seek out from ourselves able men and women that are able to discern right from wrong and apply the right and defeat the …

For some time now, I have been contemplating a phenomenon that I, through observation, could see existed, but I did not quite know how to verbalize. However, I think the words have finally come to me. I have observed that when the subnormal becomes normal, then what is normal becomes abnormal. I have reached this conclusion after watching and hearing biblical concepts and spiritual people ridiculed as being “weird,” “radical” and “abnormal.” However, after assessing these doctrines and people, I have determined that they are not abnormal at all. Rather, they are being labeled as “abnormal” by people who unknowingly think “subnormal” is “normal.” Rather than talking in abstract, allow me to share a few concrete examples. A family is led in a quiet prayer at a restaurant. Another Christian across the room looks on and concludes they are “strange” and would himself, be embarrassed to be seen praying for his food. Is a praying family “abnormal?” Only through the eyes of one who thinks the “subnormal” is “normal.” A young lady will not wear revealing and suggestive clothing, but instead wears clothing that is modest. Her Christian peers may look at her and conclude she’s “out of touch” because she will not wear the latest fashions. However, is dressing modestly “abnormal?” Only through the eyes of one who thinks the “subnormal” is “normal.” A Christian couple attends a play, and due to the gratuitous cursing, decides to leave at intermission. Other Christians are present, and conclude the Christian couple who …

Basically, the public was introduced to television during the 1939-1940 World’s Fair in New York. World War II hindered and delayed television production until after the war. My generation enjoyed the radio. Radio had all sorts of programming from music, news and all kinds of shows: comedy, drama and the like. One of the favorites was “The Shadow,” a mystery show. The weekly program would start off with an eerie voice exclaiming, “Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!” followed by a weird laugh. Generally, we do not use the word lurking too much; even the sound of the word is creepy, is it not? Our English dictionary defines lurks and lurking in part as “To lie in wait, as in ambush. To exist unobserved or unsuspected as danger lurking around every bend” (The Free Dictionary by Farlex). Further, “Lurk implies a waiting in concealment or in the background, especially with sinister or menacing intentions” (Webster’s New World Dictionary, College Edition). Frequently, we are unaware of the evil that lurks in the hearts of men. We see the outward man and we can be fooled to the true nature of his makeup. For a biblical example, we ask ourselves and ponder, why would Cain hate his brother Abel? What caused Cain to possess an unobserved or unsuspected evil hidden within his being? God rejected Cain’s offering. Cain was wroth, that is, he was blazed up in anger, he was jealous of Abel. In his heated …

With marvelous simplicity and in reverse order, arguing from the effect to the cause and from the last to the first, the apostle Paul traces the pattern of salvation in his letter to the church at Rome. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things” (Romans 10:13-15). The importance of hearing the Word of God is clearly emphasized in Romans 10. Paul declared that he preached “the word of faith” (verse 8). That divine message, received and believed, brings faith to the heart of the glad hearer and leads him to confess the Lord Jesus unto salvation (verses 9-10). Whether one is a Jew or Gentile makes “no difference” (verse 12); the one Lord has but one plan to save the sinner (cf. Romans 1:16-17). The way to faith is through the hearing of the Gospel! “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (verse 17). Here, then, is the first step in God’s plan for our soul’s salvation. In our study of the greatest question of the ages – what must .I …

One of the things that modern students of the New Testament have overlooked is the depth and intensity of the struggle that went on between our Lord and His Jewish enemies during His public ministry. If one reads the New Testament without some, at least superficial, knowledge of the prophecies dealing with the coming of Christ and His struggles to bring His kingdom into existence, he is very likely to overlook the stressful relationship that existed between Christ and His countrymen. This is one of the things that Christians need to understand to interpret properly the New Testament with regard to the great sacrifice that Christ made on the cross for the redemption of mankind. Glossing over the struggles between Christ and His enemies causes us to fail to stop and consider all the suffering that Christ endured at their hands from the time He was baptized by John in the wilderness of Jordan until He was finally nailed to the cross of Calvary. While it would be greatly beneficial to consider all these struggles, a number of which are dealt with in some detail in the Book of John, in a space as limited as ours, we cannot do that. Therefore, we wish to give a cursory glance to just one instance. In Mark 3:20-30, after Jesus had performed several of His mighty miracles, the scribes who had come from Jerusalem made a serious accusation against our Lord. They did not deny that He performed miracles, but they said, “He has Beelzebub, …

Colossians 3:5 tells us to mortify sin in our lives. To mortify means, “to make dead, to put to death, slay.” Five things are specifically mentioned (a host of others are found throughout the New Testament). The first item on the list is “fornication.” It is defined as “illicit sexual intercourse.” It includes men with women and men/women with animals. Its definition is very clear and understandable. First Corinthians 6:13 says, “the body is not for fornication.” By observation, though, you would not know fornication is evil (immoral). It is on display all around us: movies, television, music, videos, songs, magazines, books. The thoughts and intents of people’s hearts are filled with wickedness continually (cf. Genesis 6:5). First John 5:19 says, “The whole world lies in wickedness.” However, God tells us to “flee fornication” (1 Corinthians 6:18) and put it to death. When we obey the Gospel, we put away the old man of sin and walk in newness of life (Romans 6:1-18). How about you?

One unique aspect of the Bible is that the inspired writers pointed out the weak characteristics as well as the strong in various individuals. It is revealed that Peter, a pillar of the early church, denied the Lord (Matthew 27:69-75). David, a man after God’s own heart, committed adultery and had a man killed (2 Samuel 11:1-5, 14-21). Even the great man of faith, Abraham, spoke a falsehood regarding his wife Sarah (Genesis 12:13). Thus, it is not strange that the Holy Scriptures reveal to us the faults of Eli, a high priest of God, as well as his good points. Let us now consider the positive side and strengths of this great man. First, Eli was a descendant of Aaron through Ithamar, the youngest of his sons (compare Leviticus 10:1, 2, 12 with 1 Kings 2:27; 2 Samuel 8:17 and 1 Chronicles 24:3). He was the first of the line of Ithamar who held the office of high priest. Besides being a high priest, he was also a judge. In this capacity he judged Israel for forty years (1 Samuel 4:18). He took a genuine interest in the training of the young boy Samuel. It was Eli who told Hannah that her petition for a male child had been granted by the Lord God (1 Samuel 1:17). His submissive attitude toward the judgment of God against him must also be noted. When informed by Samuel he simply stated, “It is the Lord. Let Him do what seems good to …

Probably almost everyone who claims to believe in Christianity would at least pay lip service to the idea expressed in 1 Peter 2:21 that Christ left us “an example, that we should follow in his steps.” Yet, much of the religious world, and even some in the fellowship of the churches of Christ, do not understand what that means. For example, one religious group teaches their members that they are to be baptized (immersed in water) to follow the example of Jesus. Furthermore, since Jesus was not baptized for the remission of His sins, then our baptism cannot be for the remission of our sins. They miss the point on at least two or three counts. First, to follow the example of Jesus does not mean that we are to do the specific things He did, but by doing as he did – whatever God wanted him to do. For example, He probably walked 40 miles or so to be baptized. He was baptized in the River Jordan. We are not required to do either. I have talked with those who felt they should be baptized “in running water” to follow the example of Jesus. I told them I would be happy to open the faucet and the drain in the baptistery if it would help their feelings any! When one protested that it needed to be a river, I told her that to be consistent, it would have to be the Jordan! He took the Lord’s Supper in an upper room. Many years ago, I was …