A fine young boy who comes to church with his grandparents recently told them that when he goes to another church he likes the building, and when he comes to this church, he likes the people! This wonderful observation by this fine young man should serve as a reminder to all of us about what really matters most. It caused me to think about why people choose to attend a church. Sometimes people go to church because of the programs/ministries offered by the church. In my mind, this seems to be the deciding factor for most people in our day. They like the youth program, children’s program, college program, singles program, program for young families, education programs, sports programs, etc. Of course this will vary depending on the life stage in which one finds himself at the time. Sometimes people choose a church because of the number of people in their age group. They are looking for people who are at or near their place in life. Sometimes people choose a church based on the opportunities to be involved or the ability to not be involved. They want to participate in the worship services and other programs. Some choose a church based on the size of the church. Through the years, people have said that they want to be a part of a smaller church because they can be more involved or because it provides more of a family atmosphere. We have also heard from some through the years that …

“Go to the ant …consider her ways and be wise” (Proverbs 6:6). The Bible talks about a number of animals this way, but have you ever actually done it? Have you ever truly considered the ant so that you could be wise? Maybe we are too lifted in our pride or bigness. Maybe we think we just don’t have the time. Maybe we see those ants as nothing more than a threat that need to be exterminated. God, however, said they were not only wise, but that you and I could learn from them. To be completely honest, I had never really given ants much thought to the point where I would observe them. I never really noticed them and their exceptional nature, except for those little red ones that make mounds in my front yard and sting me when I walk by them. I notice how exceptionally adept they are at getting on me if I so much as even dare to brush against their bothersome burrow for but a fraction of a second. How did they do it? I mean, do they have a large force of ready and waiting mobilized, armored, teeth-sharpened Special Forces ants prepared to face certain death to protect the queen? Just a short while ago, however, I had the opportunity, because my wife pointed it out, to observe an amazing thing among the ants (not fire ones – those in northern states who don’t know fire ants, pray now and thank God you …

A new year inevitably brings New Year’s resolutions. A new year does offer good opportunities to make changes in our lives, to evaluate where we’ve been, where we want to go and how best to accomplish all this. While change just for the sake of change usually doesn’t last, it is biblical to take inventory of ourselves. “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves!” (2 Corinthians 13:5). What are some things in which we can determine to be stronger, which we can resolve for the new year, that will make a positive difference in our relationship with God? Resolve to be faithful in every opportunity to assemble with your spiritual family. Everyone wants to be encouraged and strengthened, but how do we find that encouragement and strength? It’s impossible to live the Christian life alone. The writer of Hebrews shows us how to be stimulated to love and good deeds, and it’s by not forsaking our assembling together (10:24-25). We need the fellowship and blessings fellowship offers! Resolve to spend time in Scripture every day. The Bible is God’s revelation to us; through His Word, He speaks to us. By Scripture, we are warned, taught and motivated (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Through the Word of God, we are enabled to overcome temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13). The Bible helps us live victoriously (1 John 5:4). It is such a readily available resource; every home has at least one, usually more. Without God’s Word filling your heart and …

In James 1:22-25, the writer gives a very appropriate analogy showing two different types of people, those who hear God’s Word and ignore it, and those who hear it and obey it. The first group is compared to a person who looks in the mirror, sees his/her unkempt reflection and simply walks away not caring about their appearance. Such individuals are not considered to be wise or to care about themselves and their image before others. Yet, how many people fall into this category spiritually? They see what the Bible says about their deeds, but they walk away as though they saw nothing. On the other hand, the second group of people is the one that looks into the mirror, sees the changes that need to be made, and takes the time to make them. Spiritually, we need to be like this example. When we look to God’s Word and see the changes that need to be made, we ensure they are accomplished in our lives. How do you look in the mirror?

Think with me for a moment. What is the most wonderful thing anyone ever did for you? Many of us would remember the loving hand of a mother, the kindness of a father, the fellowship of a close friend. Who can argue that when our companion agreed to take us for life that such was a good and wonderful thing? Yet, as great and wonderful as these things may be, there is something even greater and far more wonderful. We find what that is as we read Hebrews 2:9. “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.” Listen to it again – He tasted death for everyone. He didn’t just die for selected ones, He died for us all. Also, He died that we might have “redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7). This is a gift that no other could ever give. It could only be given by the sinless Son of God, the only One qualified to offer Himself. What does He ask in return? He tells us: “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). He is a friend to you. Are you a friend to Him? Hear Him again in John 15:14: “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.” Are you doing so?

Among other things, actress Elizabeth Taylor is known for her love of diamond jewelry. On one occasion, she was attending a social gathering where one of the guests noticed the large diamond that she was wearing. “That’s a bit vulgar,” the woman remarked. Unabashed, Taylor offered to let the woman try the ring on. As the woman gazed at the ring on her own finger, Taylor commented, “There, it’s not so vulgar now, is it?” Sometimes, when the ring is on our finger, it doesn’t seem as gaudy as when it is on someone else’s finger. For example, when other people buy a nice house or a new car, they are covetous. However, when we do it, it is simply good stewardship. In like manner, when other people’s children misbehave, they are brats. However, when our own children misbehave, they are simply high-strung or energetic. The faults of others often appear big, while our own appear small or not at all. We need to make sure that when we judge, we are fair. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus declared: Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the same measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck our of your …

“The Gospel in 5 Seconds” does not address time, but things that are “second” in sequence, or in line, connected with the Gospel. The Gospel is the “good news” that Christ died for our sins and was raised for our justification. The Gospel is the complete story of God’s power, love and desire that all who hear it, believe and obey it will have everlasting life. Five Things That Are Second: The Gospel is contained in a “Second Law” (cf. Hebrews 8:6-13; 10:9). John 1:17 says, “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” This second law is that which saves us eternally (cf. Matthew 5:17; Colossians 2:14; Galatians 3:19; 6:2). The Gospel commands a “Second Birth.” Jesus told Nicodemus: “…except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). Question: How are we born again? Answer: “…born of water and the spirit…” (John 3:5). The second birth involves baptism for the remission of sins (cf. Acts 2:38; 1 Peter 1:22-23; 3:20-21). The Gospel promises a “Second Coming” of Christ. Hebrews 9:28 says, “…He will appear a second time…” There is much speculation on when Christ will return and what will happen when He does (cf. Mark 13:32; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Christ’s return is true (Acts 17:31). Our responsibility is to prepare for His return (Matthew 24:44). The Gospel warns of a “Second Death.” To be born once is to die twice. To be born twice is to die once. Physical death is …

Life, from time to time, brings all sorts of aggravations, difficulties, sicknesses, etc. We run hither and to simply trying to keep up with what makes up our life. Sometimes, we get so caught up in the little things of right now that we are enveloped in them, and we lose sight of what really matters. This morning, a young man is in emergency surgery as I write. He was in an automobile accident Saturday night. His right knee is so damaged that he will have to have a thorough reconstruction of it done. The required surgery is so extensive that even world-renowned surgeons in Birmingham cannot perform it. Today, they have found a ruptured artery in his foot, and are having to repair that. Knee surgery will have to wait a while. As I stood Sunday afternoon talking with him, his mother and father, I could not help but think about that son laying in that bed, injured but surviving. It helps you realize what really matters. I know another young woman. She is a wonderful person and a faithful Christian. I will not go into all the details of what she is facing. I cannot help but feel the deepest of pain for her predicament. None of it is her fault, yet she suffers. Her situation is as close to that of Job that I can remember seeing. You would think I was making it up if I went into all the details; they are so bizarre and …

The Christian is encouraged by the precious and exceeding great promises found in God’s Word. For example, Jesus said, “that whosoever believeth may in him have eternal life” (John 3:15). As Christians, if we walk in the light of God’s Word, we have the promise of continual cleansing from sin by the blood of Jesus (1 John 1:7). We might say that we have blessed assurance. While we rightly believe in the security of the believer, at the same time, we understand that many of God’s promises (including salvation) are conditional. To reap the benefit, we must comply with God’s conditions to become Christians; man must comply with God’s terms of pardon. To Christians John wrote, “whosoever is begotten of God [becomes a Christian] doeth no sin [does not continue in the practice of sin] because his seed [the Word of God] abideth in him…” (1 John 3:9; Luke 8:11). Remember what John had taught in 1:7 about our responsibility of walking in the light. Peter told those of a like precious faith that “if these things [Christian graces, 2 Peter 1:5-7] are yours and abound they make you to be not idle nor unfruitful …for ye do these things, ye shall never stumble” (2 Peter 1:8-10). Obviously, the opposite is true too. Christians are secure in their salvation when the Word of God abides in us and when we do the things the Lord has commanded. Though “God gave unto us eternal life” and “the free gift of God …

The more I preach the more I am convinced that much of our preaching fails (even when we have a lot of responses) because our preaching is predominantly anthropocentric. It is most natural for man to want to know, “What good thing must I do to be saved?” The reason man is lost in the first place is because he is more concerned about what he wants than he is about what God wants. So when he discovers he is lost, if his question about how to be saved is answered solely or primarily in terms of his wants, needs, desires and actions, he may stay basically anthropocentric. Because of the Calvinistic emphasis on God’s sovereign grace and the fact that the followers of that theology taught that man could do nothing, our preaching has emphasized what man has to do to accept that grace. At least mine has, and I shall continue to denounce the Calvinistic theory as contrary to God’s Word, even though some connected with the Lord’s church are now teaching it, and teach that man must respond to God’s grace in God’s appointed way. However, even if man did not need to do anything, our preaching could still be man-centered if it dwelt primarily on man’s needs, wants and desires. It would be well to start our teaching with the nature and purpose of God rather than with the wants and desires of man. Most evangelists of the denominational type urge their hearers to accept Jesus as their personal Savior. …

Perhaps the first thought that comes to your mind will be the beautiful hymn, “Blest Be the Tie,” but the title of this article is not taken from the song. It might seem odd but the ‘tie’ that I have reference to is the one that I wear around my neck on occasions. You see, the person who taught me how to tie a ‘half-Windsor knot’ was an older brother in Christ who influenced me greatly when I was but a lad and a member of my home congregation in Summerville, Georgia. Brother Julius Sprayberry was our song leader, and he often taught a Bible class on Sunday morning and/or Wednesday night. It was Christian men like him and brother Charles Cochran, along with several other Christian men and women, who influenced my life for good. The widows of brethren Sprayberry and Cochran (Thelma & Frances, respectively) still attend the South Commerce congregation in my hometown. When I was a boy growing up in this small church, there was no ‘youth minister’ as such, but the love and influence exerted upon the young people by the adult members guided us in the way of the Lord and gave us a real sense of belonging and security. We did not have a ‘full-time’ preacher for many years, but the men of the congregation would lead us in our worship assemblies. In fact, one of the members, brother Roland Hemphill, baptized me when I was a lad of thirteen. These brothers and …

God’s instruction regarding faith can hardly be overly emphasized (Hebrews 11:1ff). Faith is not a step into the darkness. Rather, faith is built upon substance of hope and evidence of the unseen. Wonderful is the design of God in creation (Hebrews 3:4). Whereas every house is built by mankind, God is the builder of the man as well as the materials used in the building of a house. Does not design call upon us to be more trusting in God? The guidance of God by his Word (John 17:17) is into a set apart (sanctified) life. The lifestyle is different than the world. Old friends will think ‘strange’ of us when they see us living the sanctified way (1 Peter 4:4). It’s the ‘strait gate and narrow way’ (Matthew 7:13-14) that Jesus taught which will help us into life eternal. The way of the Lord is different in outcome than the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21). Does not telling the truth, being merciful, helping others in need and extending the Gospel which saves (Romans 1:16) seem to bring the outcomes that cause us to be even more trusting in God and His way of life? Why not trust in God for our pardon from sin? The initial pardon of an obedient faith (John 8:24, 31-32) is brought about by continuing in His Word. As we see more and more responsibilities, we repent, confess Christ and are baptized into Him (Acts 2:38; Romans 10:10; Galatians 3:26-27). While living within this …

A few years ago, there was a discussion going on about whether or not the Scriptures condemn the practice of homosexuality. One of the members of the discussion panel made this statement: “Scripture contains no timeless, normative, moral truths.” In other words, what was wrong in the days of Abraham, Paul or other characters of both the Old and New testaments may have been wrong for them, but that means nothing to us. A preacher stood up in the audience and said to the panel, “Wait a minute, I’m rather confused.” “…people are constantly coming to me and asking if something they have done is wrong and if they need forgiveness. For example, isn’t it always wrong to abuse a child?” A female member of the panel answered, “What counts as abuse differs from society to society; so we can’t really use the word ‘abuse’ without tying it to a historical context.” Wow! In some societies a woman making such a statement as that would be taken out, tied to a post and publicly flogged. Or, she might even be repeatedly raped by a dozen or more men, but if that was tied to the historical context of that society, then no wrong would have been done according to this female relativist! If it is acceptable in some societies, or even in some micro-societies, for children to be molested sexually before the age of consent, and if that is tied to that particular historical context, it is not abuse! Friends, …

It was my turn to present the Wednesday night devotional, Bible study at the Mayfield church. Since we are blessed with many young folks and teenagers at the Mayfield congregation, I thought a lesson on evolution vs. creation would be interesting. I started off discussing the complexity of our universe and the wonders of our created earth. How wonderfully made we humans are. “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well” (Psalm 139:14). To illustrate how it would be impossible that order could come from disorder and chaos via the theory of the big bang, I showed the audience a 3 x 5 inch index card. I tore it in half and asked, “How long would it take, if I dropped the two halves on the floor to meet in completeness?” I dropped the two pieces, and of course, they were still divided. Picking the pieces up, I said, “Now with very little intelligence.” I got a good laugh at this point; I put the two pieces together. Next, I presented a plastic zip-lock bag filled with small pieces of a cut up 3 x 5 index card. I explained that since our universe, our earth and the whole of living beings, the animal kingdom and plant life, are beyond complexity, I asked the same question. “How long would it take, if you toss the pieces on the ground, for them to come together as an …

It was a day like most days before, and yet it was wonderfully different. When the rooster crowed early and he awoke to the dawning of a new day, he never imagined how life-altering this day would be. Later in the day, the forty-something-year-old man had been brought to a prime location at the gate of the temple called “Beautiful.” There he had come to seek alms from beautiful spirited, benevolent countrymen coming to pray in the middle of the afternoon. He couldn’t work to provide a living, to purchase material goods, or a roof over his head. Why, he couldn’t even stand on his feet, for he had a disease that had afflicted him every single day of his life. What a grand occasion in a public setting for the power and the glory of God to be set on display once again. Among the multitudes, along came Peter and John to pray. Peter and John approached the needy man, and whether they searched themselves for any spare coins we simply are not told. At Peter’s command, they fastened their eyes on one another and Peter spoke with confidence the cheer bringing words:  “Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have give I unto thee. In the name of Jesus of Nazareth, rise up and walk” (Acts 3:6). Peter then took him by the right hand, lifted him up, and his feet and ankle bones immediately received strength. He jumped for joy and praised our God …

There was a daddy who had nine big, strapping sons that formed the starting lineup of the best team that ever played baseball. The daddy was the manager, and he always found fault with anything his sons did. Let one of his sons hit a homerun, and he would say something like, “Boy, he put the ole’ apple right down the middle, didn’t he? Blind man coulda hit that one. Your grandma coulda put the wood on that one. If a guy couldn’t hit that one, there’d be something wrong with him, I’d say. Wind practically took that one out of here, didn’t even need to hit it much.” If you think that was bad, you should have heard him when one of them made a mistake. It was obvious that this wasn’t “home on the range,” because there was always a discouraging word. His sons could never please him, and if they did, he forgot it. When his oldest son, Edwin Jim, Jr., turned and ran to the centerfield fence for a long fly ball and threw his glove forty feet in the air to snag the ball and caught the ball and glove, his daddy said, “I saw a man in Superior, Wisconsin, do that a long time ago, but he did it at night, and the ball was his a lot harder.” Thought: Those boys could have used some encouragement. What is true of sons in general is true of sons of God. “Blessed be the God and …

Among the earliest Christian writings appearing after the New Testament respond to attacks on Christianity by pagan and Jewish authors. These writings had a two-fold aim. On one hand they wanted to prove Christians innocent of false accusations made against them. On the other, their purpose was evangelistic; they wanted to lead others out of error and into truth. In Church History, these writings are known as the Apologists. The Apologists took their cue from the New Testament (Gamble 84). The apostle Paul stated that he “was appointed for the defense of the gospel” (Philippians 1:17 NKJV). This word for defense in Greek was apologia, meaning “verbal defense, answer, reply.” To preach Christ included a defense of the truth. The Apologists followed the spirit of Peter as he said, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15). By the second century, Christianity was winning converts from the upper levels of Greco-Roman society. Some of these converts were educated in the philosophical schools of their day and were taught the rhetorical skills of formal debate. They put their learning to good use as they answered the critics of Christianity. They were firm believers that the “pen is mightier than the sword,” and they utilized writing as a way to make public defense of their beliefs and practices. Among these writers were Aristides, …