“O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord?” (Acts 13:10 NKJV). Denial of God’s Word is as old as the Garden of Eden. It was to Mother Eve that Satan stated, “You shall not surely die” (Genesis 3:4). God had told Adam and Eve that if they ate of the tree of knowledge of good and evil they would surely die. Satan proceeded to “explain” that God just didn’t want Adam and Eve to become as wise as Him. On top of Mt. Sinai God was writing, “You shall not make for yourselves a carved image…” (Exodus 20:4). At the foot of the mountain the people were proclaiming, “This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt,” concerning the golden calf that Aaron had fashioned (Exodus 32:1-4). In Matthew 15:1-14, Jesus stated that men offered vain worship to God when they did so according to the doctrines of men. These were people who “explained away” God’s directions and substituted their own. Modern man hasn’t changed, at least not for the better. On every side, we find those who still attempt to “explain away” God’s authoritative message, whether it be in morals, doctrine or both. Jesus stated to His apostles in plain and understandable words, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will …

I consider myself an average fellow. I understand that there are many things I do not comprehend. Although I may not understand something, it does not mean I will not accept it. For example, the medical profession can do great and wonderful things for us. I may not understand a surgical procedure. Yet, I can accept a surgeon’s knowledge and expertise to perform an operation. Frankly, I do not understand the creation of the universe. Nevertheless, I accept it. I accept it because there is no other explanation that makes sense. How can an explosion per the “Big Bang” hypothesis produce order? We know that dead matter—rocks, dirt or a pit of slime—cannot produce all that lives on our earth. The whole universe runs like a “well-oiled machine,” and it is beyond complexity. Therefore, I believe, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Geneses 1:1).  I understand right from wrong because I accept the Word of God, the Bible, as the only true source for worldwide morality. These ethical precepts are extremely simple to understand. Man can understand these principles, and yet, he can refuse to accept and to obey them. There are many reasons why mankind refuses to recognize the rightness of God-given commandments. The point is, men can understand correctness and do not accept it because of rebellion. Countless people will not accept nor comply with God’s commandments in their entirety. “How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the …

When I first began preaching, one of the major challenges I had to overcome was choosing a topic. I found it intimidating to decide which topic was worth preaching. I thought if I chose the wrong topic, I might waste everybody’s time. Since then, I’ve had a change in attitude towards picking my lessons. Of course, I still have no desire to waste time, but I am less likely to believe that I’m doing that. Whether it is teaching or preaching, I’ve found that I will not go wrong if I ask myself certain questions. Perhaps we all could benefit from asking these questions. 1. Does my lesson come from the Bible? One of the most important things for any Gospel preacher or teacher to keep in mind is that he is not the source of his message. As teachers of God’s Word, we should be plagiarists! All of our material should come from one source. Not ourselves. Not others. What we preach must come from the inspired Word of God. Several times the Bible warns us of the dangers of adding our own ideas to the words of the Bible or taking away from solid doctrine (Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32, Revelation 22:18). 2. Have I neglected to preach the whole message? This question does not ask whether you have preached in a single sermon every lesson that the Bible contains. You could not preach the whole Bible in a lifetime. What you can do, however, is to be sure you have not neglected relevant information to your topic. …

My ship sails over life’s darkening main.Traversing lightning and thunder and rain. Through threatening waves goes the strong prow.As in deep prayer on bended knee I do bow. My Bible, the rudder, a strong mighty force.Guiding, correcting and righting my course. With daily devotion from God’s Holy Word.Urging me onward to serve my Dear Lord. Christ at the helm of the ship strong and true.He’s the Shipmaster, He captains the crew.

Many events from the life of Joseph exemplify the great faith that he had in God. You may recall the advances of Potiphar’s wife toward the young, vulnerable Joseph. He maintained his purity, for he knew to give in to temptation was to sin against God (Genesis 39:9). Perhaps you remember Joseph’s attitude toward his brothers who had so mistreated him. His faith in God allowed Joseph to maintain an attitude of love and concern for his brothers (Genesis 50:19-21). However, no other event in the life of Joseph shows his great faith in God as does the commandment he gave concerning his death (Genesis 50:25-26) that his bones were to be taken to that land promised by God to His people. Many great lessons can be gleaned from the injunction Joseph gave concerning his burial. First, it shows that Joseph’s faith was not dimmed. He was separated from everything and everyone he knew and loved—everyone, that is, except for God. Joseph was in an idolatrous nation where no one knew him. He could have very easily renounced his faith in God and done as he pleased, but Joseph’s faith in God would not allow him to do so. He was separated from God’s people, yet he was determined to please God, even if he were the only one in the whole nation who was willing to take this stand. His faith was his own. It was not inherited, and it was not reliant upon others. Because of this, Joseph …

This is a key phrase in the Song of Solomon (2:16; 6:3; 7:10). The couple belonged to no one else but to each other. Certainly, Solomon would have done well to have continually acknowledged this truth and not to have turned his affections to other wives. The New Testament often speaks of the unity shared by man and wife (Matthew 19:6; Hebrews 13:6). The Shulamite maiden in the Song of Solomon had the confidence that her beloved belonged to her. Should not every wife live with this same confidence? Also, she left no doubt in his mind that she was his. He needed not concern himself that she might have intentions of being unfaithful to him. When individuals make commitments to one another, they also make commitments to God. God sees and knows what people do and whether they are indeed faithful. The road to unfaithfulness begins when one does not control lusts. This is why Job said that he had “made a covenant” with his eyes. Looking upon a virgin was the beginning of the road to unfaithfulness, and Job knew it (Job 31:1). This is why Jesus taught so strongly against lust (Matthew 5:27-28). The words, “I belong to you,” are only words unless he or she intends to back up the statement with diligent effort to remain faithful. The foundation for this is to control one’s lusts (James 1:13-14). Most say, on their wedding day, “until death do we part.” Committed couples mean it!

In Scotland, as in many nations, there is a narrow and dangerous mountain road. There is no way around it; therefore, many must travel it to reach their destinations. So many have lost their lives traveling this dangerous road that many people have termed it, “the dark mile.” This is applicable to our lives. Between here and Heaven, we must travel the dark mile or the dark miles. There is no way around them. We must travel them to go to Heaven. They are treacherous, resulting in many spiritual causalities. We can travel this dark mile safely if we learn the nature of adversity. Adversity is certain. What person has been exempted from trials, adversity and difficult times? We know they come to all whether they are righteous or evil, young or old, educated or uneducated, rich or poor. All we have to do is to look around us or simply look closely at our own lives. Becoming a Christian does not exempt us from trials; therefore, none should be surprised when they are part of life. The Bible teaches that we should expect them. “Yet man is born to trouble, as the sparks fly upward” (Job 5:7). “Man that is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble” (Job 14:1). “We must through much tribulation [trials] enter into the kingdom of God [Heaven]” (Acts 14:22). Adversities are uncertain. Trials come to each of us, and they are uncertain. They are uncertain in the kind of trial we undergo. None knows what form …

Years ago, brother Leroy Brownlow penned a helpful book with the title, Why I Am a Member of the Church of Christ. Recently, I was asked to preach a sermon on the subject. I’m no Leroy Brownlow, but I humbly submit these thoughts in article form. I am a member of the church of Christ for the sake of unity in truth. Christ Jesus prayed on the night before His death that believers in Him would be one as He and the Father are one (John 17:20-21). Such unity between members of the Godhead serves as the example for the kind of unity God desires of His church. That precludes ecumenism, where everybody agrees to disagree on matters of doctrine. It demands adherence to revealed truth on such matters. Paul’s plea was for Christians to “speak the same thing, that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10). As long as I’ve been able to understand language, I’ve known this to be the plea of the church of Christ. Granted, we have some divisions among us. This is due to sin and not due to Christ’s design. To the extent that Christ’s design for the church over which He rules is followed, we achieve unity. I am a member of the church of Christ for the sake of truth in love. Ephesians 4:1-16 is an excellent passage on the achieving of unity. Two factors are required: …

Paul wrote to the assembly at Ephesus and penned six times concerning peace. He desired that they have peace (1:2). He wanted these Christians to know that the peace of God is real. It is available to a Christian, but it is not the world’s kind of peace. The world desires to have peace, meaning a lack of struggle, a lack of war and the absence of difficulties in life. “I am at peace,” we are told when a person is calm in mind, when sitting in the right yoga pose or when breathing the right way. Peace Is Tied Directly toSanctification and Faithfulness. “To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 1:1-2). This understanding that our peace originates with God, and more specifically with Christ, is valid for more than Christians individually. It is true for Christians collectively as well. Paul wrote that Jesus Christ Himself is our peace (2:14). Christ “has made both one,” the text says. Verse 15 clarifies, “so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace.” Jew and Gentile were being brought together from diverse backgrounds, often with opposing worldviews, and becoming one in Christ Jesus. The blood of Christ washes the sins of humanity away and breaks down the walls of separation in this world. It makes peace. Peace is Proclaimed(Ephesians 2:16-18). “…and that He might reconcile them both …

In our lives, no matter what “baggage” we carry around, no matter what “equipment” we use and no matter what “things” are necessary, the Bible should always be considered standard equipment to us! It is the only book that meets the needs of man under all conditions. Make the Bible a part of your life. Carry it, read it, study it and live it! Don’t let the Bible become an unused, unknown, undesired thing in your life as it has become in many people’s lives today!

Methods have changed throughout the years, but the same respect for the Message must remain the same. God bless the efforts put forth then and nowadays. How do you carry out the Great Commission? Did not Jesus say, “Go and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15-16)? Since the beginning, disciples continue to hold a sympathetic heart for those lost in sin and others who desire to carry out the Great Commission.  Please think to leave evangelistic tracts in your home as well as in public places. In addition, be sure to have devotional times with your family, which will go a long way in the conversion and edification of family members. Become more spiritual in thought and discussion. The new you will help everyone else, as well as yourself.

Jesus told us to be humble (Matthew 23:12). Did He practice what He preached? Consider some examples from His life. He left the glory of Heaven to come to Earth. Jesus had the very best home, the ultimate “comfort zone”! Yet, He left it for us. “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men”(Philippians 2:5-7). Can you leave your “comfort zone” to serve God? Who provided your “comfort zone” (James 1:17)? He chose a lowly birth. He was not born in a king’s palace but in a stable, and He was laid in a manger (Luke 2:1-7). He was born into a poor family, and He had to help them by working as a carpenter (Mark 6:3). Do you envy other people who have more things or more expensive things than you? He obeyed His parents during His childhood. He “was subject to them” (Luke2:51). Is it always easy to obey your parents and honor them? Obeying your parents “in the Lord” is always right, and it is pleasing to God (Colossians 3:20; Ephesians 6:1-3). He did not seek riches, houses and land. He warned one man who wanted to follow Him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head” …

A preacher was once asked why he did not preach tithing. He responded by saying he could not afford to preach it because it would cut the contribution too much. His point was that where he preached, the members gave well beyond 10% of their income. However, not many congregations would fall into that category. Some have estimated that our brotherhood’s contributions represent 5-7% of our collective income, while other estimates claiming to be more accurate say our contributions only represent 2-3% of our collective income (Gambill 49). In either case, it is not too difficult to see why many congregations do not have the funds to properly do the Lord’s work. Contributions would probably double or even triple if members gave 10%. This often brings up the question, “What about tithing?” Thus, a comparison of Old Testament tithing with New Testament giving is profitable. Old Testament “Tithing” The practice of tithing existed long before the Law was given to Moses at Sinai. Many nations in ancient history tithed property, produce, and currency. Some biblical examples are Abram, who paid a tenth to Melchizedek (Genesis 14:17-20) and Jacob, who promised to give God a tenth of everything (Genesis 28:20-22). According to some sources, when considering all the requirements under the Law of Moses, the Israelites may have given closer to 30% (“Tithe”). According to the Pentateuch, there were three different tithes. First, a tithe was to be given by the people to support the Levites who had no inheritance (Numbers …

Not sensationalism! Not gimmicks! Not more committees, mere programs or a “fun and games” emphasis! These things may be “right-on” for civic clubs, social clubs and country clubs, but not for the Lord’s church! What does it take to build a strong church? I believe with all my heart that the following things are essential!  It is my conviction that these ingredients will build a strong church! I pray fervently that all eight points will become a reality in every congregation more than ever before!

Psalm 119 is the longest Psalm. It is also the longest chapter in the Bible. It is an acrostic. Each verse in each section of eight verses begins with the same letter of the Hebrew alphabet, through 22 sections in (Hebrew) alphabetical order. Quite a literary feat! In addition, every one of the 176 verses contains a synonym for God’s Word: “law” verse 1, “testimonies” verse 2, “ways” verse 3, “precepts” verse 4, “statutes” verse 5, “commandments” verse 6, “rules” verse 7, “statutes” verse 8, etc. God’s Word is our joy and delight. “In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches” (14). “I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word” (16). “Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors” (24). “The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces” (72). “Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day” (97). God’s Word keeps us from sin. “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word” (9). “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (11). God’s Word is eternal and unchanging. “Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens” (89). “Your righteousness is righteous forever, and your law is true” (142). “Your testimonies are righteous forever; give me understanding that I may live” (144). “The sum of your word is truth, and every …

Apparently, because of the holiness of God and the unworthiness of man, God always selected one to serve as an intermediary between the two. When simplified, it is like to a baseball player who having had a ball hit his direction, fields it and throws it to another player centrally located who can throw home. Similarly, we cannot reach “home” by our own strength and ability, so God chose men like the patriarchs, judges, prophets, Moses and then Christ, during the Christian dispensation, to stand between or be equidistant between the two sides. The writer of Hebrews declared that God can save those who come to Him though Christ, for He always lives to make intercession for him (Hebrews 7:25). God spoke to us through the inspired Paul to tell us that Jesus was the one and only Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5). There is one God, one Mediator and one humanity. “He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth” (Acts 17:26). It is important that we understand that we, the one humanity, reach God through Christ (John 14:6). There were many religions that existed before the coming of Christ, such as Confucianism, Buddhism and Zoroastrianism. Why did Christ come if salvation did not depend upon Him? Contemporary groups put “saints” before Christ and the church’s authority before Him. Preachers are to preach the Word so sinners can believe on Jesus of whom they have heard (Romans 10:14). The preacher …

“For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6). At the beginning of time, darkness enveloped the earth. Then, God spoke. He said, “Let there be light,” and thus was the dawning of creation (Genesis 1). Man was soon after formed in the image of God, but almost immediately, he fell into isolation and spiritual darkness (Genesis 3). The rest of the Old Testament was spent in anticipation of a new light (Isaiah 9:1-7). Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4 that this light has now shined upon man. This light has illuminated the way back into the presence of the Father and signals the dawning of a new creation, a re-creation. This light is the Gospel! To truly know the Gospel is to behold the glory of Christ, the perfect image of God. When we encounter the Lord’s glory, we “are being transformed into the same image” (2 Corinthians 3:18), “are renewed day by day” (4:16) and are being made into “a new creation” (5:17). When did you last get to experience a sunrise? Early this morning, I saw the sunrise at a nearby state park, and it was magnificent. As dawn broke, sunlight encircled creation and reflected off the lake there. Nature sprang to life! The Word of God is the light of life (John 1:1-5). As we step into the Gospel …

The Bible provides the basis for us to make decisions from day to day and in all situations concerning right and wrong behavior. We tend to follow social norms in deciding what is acceptable behavior. This approach allows us to adjust behavior based on current values and social trends. The result is (1) the acceptance of abortion, homosexuality and perverted sexual norms, (2) aggressive, selfish and greedy lifestyles, (3) dishonesty in every relationship, including family, business and government, and (4) disregard for the needs of the less fortunate among us. We must return to using biblical benchmarks to assess behavior and determine right and wrong in every situation and on every issue. The best place to start is with the response of Jesus in Matthew 22:36-40 when He was asked what was the greatest commandment. His response was, “And he said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all you mind. This is the great and first commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” These commands are repeated over and over as the apostles taught believers and followers of Jesus in the first century (Romans 13:9; Galatians 5:14; James 2:8). Luke’s account of this question (Luke 10:27-37) includes the story of the “good Samaritan.” Other benchmarks that reflect this basic commandment are provided to address specific situations and attitudes. …

Micaiah the prophet spoke his famous words in 1 Kings 22:14, “As the Lord lives, whatever the Lord says to me, that will I speak.” There is always a temptation to speak what the crowd wants spoken. Fear of physical persecution is always present; however, we have been commanded by the Almighty to say those things that are written in His word. It is true that stepping on toes can exact a price from those who proclaim the Word, but this is the price of being God’s man. Recently, I spoke of Jeremiah and his challenge as he performed the duties of God’s messenger. In Jeremiah 26:2-3, it says, “Thus says the Lord: Stand in the court of the Lord’s house, and speak to all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the Lord’s house, all the words that I command you to speak to them. Do not diminish a word. Perhaps everyone will listen and turn from his evil way, that I may relent concerning the calamity which I purpose to bring on them because of the evil of their doings.” God shows optimism that the people might listen and repent. He would gladly relent from the punishment that their evil deeds have brought upon them. Unfortunately, they would not turn from their evil ways before God. This is the duty of God’s man, to warn them that their wrongs have consequences. In 2 Timothy 4:3-4, Paul told Timothy, “For the time will come when they will …

This morning as I was passing through the living room, I heard a few minutes of a talk show in which the guest taught that man has a natural inclination to sin. In my judgment, there are thousands in the church who believe the same thing, but they would be startled to know that they believe in John Calvin’s theory, rather than what the Bible teaches. One of my dearest Bible teachers of more than 50 years ago said, “Surely, if it can be put into human speech, here is a man handicapped with a radical defect in nature, yea, an inherent evil tendency in his flesh.” He taught that the “law of sin which dwelleth in my members” is “a power, which is impregnably entrenched in human nature.” He quoted several passages, such as Ephesians 2:3, which says, “and were by nature the children of wrath, even as the rest.” I pointed out to him what I think he already knew–that “phusis” (translated “nature”) means, “a mode of feeling and acting which by long habit has become nature” (Thayer 660). It has nothing at all to do with how one was born or what one’s inherent qualities are. However, he was so filled with the idea that man has a “fallen nature” and just “naturally” inclined to evil that it seemed to him every passage we would read dealing with man’s depravity and sinfulness led him to conclude that it taught the hereditary depravity of man. Romans 5:12 says, …

The writer of Hebrews admonished the saints in the early church, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25). It is very important for brethren to assemble together to worship God and to fellowship with each another. When we regularly gather together, we partake of a spiritual food that is essential to our spiritual growth. When we fail to feed on the Word, to worship and to fellowship with one another, we become weak and in danger of dying spiritually. Christians are the family of God, and, like our earthly families, we need each other. We are a special people, and as such, we should enjoy being together. “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another” (Romans 12:10). It is only natural that we should grow to love and to cherish our spiritual family while living on earth, for we are destined to be together for eternity in Heaven. We may occasionally hear someone declare, “I don’t need anyone.” This is the wrong attitude to have about life, and the person who makes such a statement may be hiding his loneliness behind the appearance of independence. Just as others are affected by our lives, we are affected by others. We need people in our lives—people to love, especially within our spiritual family. We need to know the joy of brotherly love and …

The ideal congregation has a membership that works well with others and strives to deepen godly fellowship with other faithful members. Paul’s working relationship with the Philippians was set in a positive light and provides an example for us (Philippians 4:3). John expressed interest in promoting godly fellowship as he addressed first century Christians (1 John 1:3). Working well with others contributes to deeper and stronger fellowship among faithful children of God. Those having achieved a quality working relationship with their coworkers do not place an emphasis upon personal power, prestige, influence or position. Rather, these seek the position and work for which they are best suited in the local congregation (1 Corinthians 12). Through such efforts, godly fellowship is promoted and qualitatively impacted. The passage of time may present one with opportunities to elect to work more closely with other children of God. May we possess the wisdom that will assist us in electing alternatives which will positively enhance our personal working relationship with others in the body of Christ, even at the expense of personal power, prestige and influence. [Editor’s Note: Most of the fussing and divisiveness within local congregations could be avoided or curbed when it appears upon remembering to Whom the church belongs—Jesus Christ. The body of Christ (Ephesians 4:12) or church is not human property over which mortals dare wrangle among themselves for dominance in any way (3 John 9-11). Every child of God is a servant of Christ. “…a servant of the Lord must not …

There are those who believe that the God of the Old Testament must be different from the God of the New Testament. They reason this because it seems to them the God of the Old Testament is vengeful as well as willing to quickly condemn and slaughter thousands of people. The God revealed in the New Testament, however, is perceived to be loving, caring, and a God of love and mercy. Of course, the truth is that God is merciful in both Old and New Testaments, as well as a God who recompenses sin in both Old and New Testaments. For example, one of my favorite passages from the Old Testament reflects this. “The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them, The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them” (Numbers 6:22-27). God is not breathing fire and brimstone here, but wanting Israel to know He chose them, He loves them and He desires to bless them as His people. Even those times when it seems He was acting harshly against them, He was disciplining them to encourage them to leave sin behind, along with the judgment it brings. Even in all …

God told Moses He wanted to send him to deliver His people. He responded, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” God took away the excuse by promising to be with him. Anyone is someone with Almighty God on his side (Exodus 3:9-12; Romans 8:31). Moses asked who he should say had sent him. God said to say, “I Am has sent me,” or the One who exists by His Own power (Exodus 3:13-14; Revelation 1:4)! Moses was to tell the Israelite elders that God had seen their suffering, would deliver them and take them to the promised land. Moses and the elders were to ask Pharaoh to let them go three days’ journey into the wilderness to worship their God. He foretold that Pharaoh would not let them go, even by a powerful hand. The Almighty would send them out with abundance as if Egypt had been plundered (Exodus 3:13-22; Genesis 15:14)! Moses said the people would not believe him. God gave him three miracles designed to convince the elders that he was God’s chosen messenger. His rod would become a serpent and turn back into a rod. His hand would be leprous and then whole again. Water from the river would turn to blood when poured out on the ground (Exodus 4:1-9). Moses next said he was not an eloquent public speaker, either before God began speaking or at that very moment. This excuse borders on …