A few years ago, I heard the late beloved Franklin Camp deliver a moving sermon as one of the speakers on the Faulkner University Lectureship. I believe the theme of the lectureship that year was, “Blessed Assurance.” Brother Camp was referring to various passages of Scripture that had sustained him over the years. He also related that in the month of May, l981, he learned that he had to have open-heart surgery. He said that he had to wait twelve days before he could have surgery. While lying on a hospital bed for that length of time, he admitted that he was afraid, realizing the seriousness of the kind of surgery. He then thought of Psalms 56 that was written by David during a very trying time in his life. David had to flee from the presence of Saul who sought to kill him, and he also had to deal with the Philistines who wanted him dead. In this particular psalm, David was seeking the help of God to deliver him from those who sought his life. In verses 3 and 4, David wrote, “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?” Again, in verses 10 and 11 it reads, “In God (I will praise His word), In the Lord (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not …

Our Lord Jesus Christ did not merely found a religion. Rather, He established the kingdom of God. Therefore, the people who make up His kingdom or church (Matthew 16:18-19) are subject to the Lordship of Jesus. They live by the standards of righteousness of the kingdom of God. Jesus Christ is the Head, and His disciples are the members of His body (Colossians 1:18). This body has only one Spirit—the Holy Spirit; only one heart—a new heart; only one mind—the mind of Christ; only one line of thinking—the Word of God; only one faith—a supernatural faith (in origin, Romans 10:17); only one character—God’s character; only one guidance—the guidance of the Spirit of Jesus (2 Peter 1:20-21). Anyone who is not in the body of Christ does not belong to the Lord Jesus. There is no use confessing Jesus as Lord if you do not obey Him or calling on Him if you do not listen to Him. Jesus said, “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46 NKJV). There is no benefit from attending a church assembly if you don’t behave as the Bible—particularly, the New Testament—teaches. For one to be in Jesus or to be a member of His body, a person must be born of water and the Spirit (John 3:3-5). Especially Christians need to demonstrate in their behavior and speech that they abide by the Word of God. Impenitent, erring Christians ultimately will be rejected and vomited …

There was persecution in Jerusalem! The whole city was in an uproar. The Jewish leaders wanted to stamp out Christianity! When that persecution broke out, the Bible says that the Christians in Jerusalem were scattered abroad. Well, instead of cutting out what they perceived as cancer, the Jewish persecutors only served to scatter the Christian message throughout the land. Christians went everywhere preaching the Word. “Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them” (Acts 8:5 NKJV). What did Philip preach when he “preached Christ” to them? We meet Philip earlier in the Book of Acts. He was a partner with Stephen who was killed in the Jerusalem persecution. We call Stephen the first Christian martyr. Philip and Stephen, and five other men, were chosen by the church to oversee the daily distribution the church was collecting for and giving to poor,  needy widows. Philip also had been given the power to work miracles. God gave the early church such gifts as these in order to confirm the message that they were preaching—the message of Christ. Acts 8:5 says that Philip preached Christ to the Samaritans; what does it mean to “preach Christ”? Acts 8:12 tells us more about Philip’s preaching. “But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized” (Acts 8:12). The result of Philip’s preaching is summed up in the words, “both men and women were …

This phrase, found some eight times in the Book of Revelation, declares so very clearly that the Christian must beat this world and its temptations, if he wants to get to Heaven. It cannot be said too often that we are at war: with the world’s standards (1 John 2:15-17), with the world’s peer pressure (Romans 12:2) and with the world’s god (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). As creatures of flesh as well as spirit, this would seem impossible. Yet, as Paul said, “Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” (Romans 7:24-25; 1 Corinthians 15:56-58). We can triumph over all these things so that we can have good hope of hearing on the Last Day, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21; Romans 8:31-37; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17). The answer is simple and, yet, involved. “This is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith” (1 John 5:4). It is also the grace found in the propitiation that covers our sins forever, found in Jesus Christ (1 John 2:1-2). It is also our faithful endurance to the Faith, our consistent obedience at all costs to endure to the end (2 Timothy 4:7-8). It is not impossible for us. In fact, every Christian has this power to overcome (Acts 2:39-42). However, Heaven and our God must mean everything to us. We must love nothing more than Him.

In 1 Peter 3:15, we find these words, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” This charge was given from the apostle Peter to Christians of the early church, but it still very much applies to us today. Let us take a close look at what we are charged with doing. Our Defense Peter said by inspiration that we must be ready to give an answer. This word “answer” comes from the Greek word apologia, which means a defense. As Christians, we must stand prepared to defend the faith we hold so dear. This preparation, however, will not come without effort on our part. We must study God’s Word (2 Timothy 2:15) in order to be knowledgeable, and we must be knowledgeable in order to capably defend what we believe. Notice also that the text says, “always ready.” This indicates continual preparation and study on the part of the faithful Christian. We might not know every single answer to every single question, but we stand ready to find the answers for every man who would ask. Our Disposition Our disposition is the manner in which we are to give an answer. This manner is given in the text. We are to give an answer to others with “meekness and fear.” Meekness means with humility. We should never beat people over the head with …

The apostle Paul wrote, “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:9-11 NKJV). Notice the word “excellent” (diapherō), which occurs 16 times in 13 verses (KJV), and it means “differ to one’s advantage from someone or something, be worth more than, be superior to” (BDAG 239). Thayer wrote of this term: “to test, prove, the things that differ, i.e. to distinguish between good and evil, lawful and unlawful.” The pursuit of excellence is not just a business slogan or a sports adage, but it is a call that every Christian must take seriously. On occasion, I have heard my dad talk with men about becoming preachers. He would encourage them to pursue excellence by preparing for this responsibility. I recall a conversation with one man he thought would be a good candidate for the ministry. In the course of the conversation, Dad explained that much of the work of a Gospel preacher was significant hours of study and preparation for effective delivery. The man replied he did not like to read or study. Dad demurred, “Well, then you really should not be a Gospel preacher.” Why would Dad have said such? My father (and I) believed that …

A Choice to Make (Joshua 24:14-15) Now therefore, fear the LORD, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD! And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Joshua called upon people to make a choice—serve the Lord, or don’t; be faithful or not; return to the gods of Egypt or choose to serve the LORD. We all have a choice to make in our lives. We can serve the Lord or we can serve Satan. We can choose righteousness or we can select depravity. Psalms 106:3 reads, “Blessed are those who keep justice, And he who does righteousness at all times!” Serving righteousness and making a choice to be righteous is not a one-time decision, but it is a path, a journey and a way of life that is chosen day after day. A Path to Follow (Proverbs 1:1a, 2, 6) Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly…But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. For the LORD knows the way …

Great Faith, Hope and Love: “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity” (1 Corinthians 13:13 KJV). “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us” (Ephesians 2:4). Great Mystery of Godliness in Christ: “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory” (1 Timothy 3:16). Great Salvation in Christ Jesus: “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him” (Hebrews 2:3). Greatness of Power: “And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power” (Ephesians 1:19). Great Precious Promises in Christ: “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2 Peter 1:4).

The Gospel of Christ is all about love. It was love that prompted the plan of salvation (Romans 5:8-10). It is love, not force, that kept Jesus on the cross (John 10:17-18). It is love that motivates service toward the gracious Lord (1 John 4:19). It is love that marks the believer as a true disciple (John 13:34-35). Love is a tender blessing between brethren, as Paul noted in Philippians 1:3-5. Further, love is demanded between lovers of God (1 John 3:14-18; 4:20-21). With all this instruction about love, one might be tempted to boldly proclaim, “Hate has no place in the Christian religion.” While such a statement would be understood appropriately in such a context, a broad view of Scripture will reveal that hatred has its place. With this shocking affirmation, Bible students will readily agree after consultation of a few passages. Paradoxically, Paul sadly noted that a love of the truth will sometimes engender hate from those who reject such truth, even among one’s brethren. Galatian brothers of Paul had, at first, loved him so much that they would have been willing to pluck out their eyes for him (Galatians 4:15). They received him as if he were an angel from God (Galatians 4:14). However, after some false teaching had leavened its way through them, they weren’t as fond of their brother, the apostle. Some of the hardest words are reserved for them (Galatians 1:6-8). He quite pointedly asked, “Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell …

Christians are kind people (Galatians 5:22). People today are so unkind to one another, especially those who have differing political or religious views. This should not be the case with Christians. Our kindness to others does not depend on their kindness to us (Matthew 5:43-48). Christians have been called to the higher standard of the Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12). We are to treat others the way we want to be treated. This means everyone, whether we agree or not, whether they like us or not and whether they deserve it or not. Christians have the opportunity to change the world (1 Corinthians 12:31b), and it starts with being kind. People don’t care about how much you know until they know how much you care.

Preachers in Acts preached the Lord Jesus (Acts 11:20). Paul decided to know nothing “except Jesus and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2). We are to preach Jesus, His teachings, His life as our example, His death, His resurrection and His ascension to heaven, where “He always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25). Preaching Jesus to the Ethiopian treasurer included preaching baptism (Acts 8:35-38). When the Ephesians “learned Christ,” they learned a more moral and holy lifestyle, different from the pagans (Ephesians 4:17-20). Biblical preaching how husbands and wives are to treat each other (Ephesians 5:22-23), conduct in the workplace (Colossians 3:22-24), responding to unjust suffering (1 Peter 2:21) or being kind, gentle and forgiving (Ephesians 4:32) is all related to Christ. Preachers can neglect other essential things, but no one can preach Jesus too much.

In First Kings 13, we read about a young prophet who had honestly and resolutely refused the king’s invitation, though the king promised a great reward. The prophet said, “If you were to give me half of your house, I would not go in with you; nor would I eat bread nor drink water in this place. For so it was commanded me by the word of the Lord, saying, ‘You shall not eat bread, nor drink water, nor return by the same way you came’” (1 Kings 13:8-9). What a wonderful attitude we find in this man as he respected what the Lord had told him to do. Yet, in the following verses we read he was over persuaded by an old prophet to come back with him and eat with him in his house—contrary to the command of God. The old prophet, as we read, had deceived him by saying, “I too am a prophet as you are, and an angel spoke to me by the word of the Lord, saying, ‘Bring him back with you to your house, that he may eat bread and drink water.’” The text says, “He was lying to him.” “So he went back with him, and ate bread in his house, and drank water” (1 Kings 13:18-19). Next, we read, “Now it happened, as they sat at the table, that the word of the Lord came to the prophet who had brought him back; and he cried out to the man of …

There is an interesting expression in 1 Corinthians 7:14 that may need clarification. It says, “For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in the brother: else were your children unclean; but now they are holy.” The most basic thing we need to know is the meaning of “sanctified.” It simply means, “set apart.” It does not mean sinless or saved. The vessels of the tabernacle that were set apart for God’s use were holy or sanctified. The saints (Christians) at Corinth had been called and set apart for God’s use, but they committed many sins. What is meant by the statement that the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the wife? It is not “by the wife” as if she were the agent by whom the sanctification took place, but “in the wife” because it is the marriage relationship of which he speaks. It is noteworthy that the words “sanctified” are perfect tense. That denotes the present state that results from a past action. Apparently, the past action to which he refers was the sanctification that took place when the couple married and still is in effect. He is simply saying that the wife who has an unbelieving husband does not need to put him away as she would if the relationship itself were wrong or unholy. Although he is an unbeliever, the marriage bond was and is still sacred, so the unbeliever is set apart in a sanctified relationship. In this context, …

How often have you either read this passage or heard it quoted? What did it mean, and what does it mean to you? How do you apply it? Some think that it means that if one will live a good life till he dies, then Heaven and the crown of life awaits. The Bible certainly teaches that if one obeys God in becoming a Christian, then lives a faithful life all the days of his life, then Heaven will certainly be his home. However, this is not the passage to quote in favor of this great fact. Gene Burgett, in an article, pointed out that the key word in the passage is “death.” There was to be intensified suffering in the death addressed in the passage. Burgett then quoted Tacitus, a Roman Senator during the reign of Nero. Tacitus wrote: They were put to death with exquisite cruelty, and to their sufferings Nero added mockery and derision. Some were covered with skins of wild beasts and left to be devoured by dogs; others were nailed to crosses; numbers of them were burned alive; many were covered with inflammable matter, were set on fire to serve as torches during the night. With this knowledge, the exhortation to “be thou faithful unto death” (Revelation 2:10) takes on a new meaning. If you and I had lived in Smyrna in the first century, would we have been among those who were “faithful unto death”? When was the last time we allowed something of …

Occasionally, each of us may face some sort of personal crisis as we face a crucial and a decisive point or situation. This may involve an unstable condition as we anticipate an impending abrupt or decisive change. This context may be accompanied by an emotionally stressful or traumatic change in a person’s life. The various contexts where such a crisis may arise may be one of several—financial, employment, health, family, political, religious or some other meaningful context. Jesus was not immune from experiencing a crisis. In the latter part of His personal ministry (John 13:21), the Bible affirms that Jesus “was troubled in spirit.” If not the only occasion, this is most certainly a rare description of Jesus as He faced His pending death, as brutal as He knew it would be. Have you ever wondered what went through the mind of Jesus as He anticipated His cruel death? Upon what was He focusing at this time? What was the character of His actions at this singular moment when He was to die for you and me? While I am unable to fully answer the questions posed above, we can gain insight into the mind of Jesus on the occasion of this very traumatic moment in His personal ministry. As we look to chapters 14-16 of the Gospel of John, we may observe several striking things spoken of Jesus as He faced the ultimate personal crisis of any person who has ever lived in this earthly tabernacle. Consider: Jesus sought …

If you made a list of the most unread books from the Bible, I believe the Song of Solomon would make the list. How many sermons have you heard on this book? I have only preached once from it directly in three and a half years of full-time work. How many Bible study quarters have been dedicated to studying this book? It is just as inspired as the other 65 books that make up our Bible (2 Timothy 3:16-17). It is a part of all of the things that pertain to life and godliness that God wants us to have. There are many reasons why people stay away from the Song of Solomon. Some are put off by the book because of how often and plainly it discusses the sexual intimacy between a husband and a wife. One of my professors in grad school said, “We should not be afraid to talk about sex. There is an entire book in the Bible about it. However, we should not get carried away; there’s only one book in the Bible about it.” While his quote is somewhat exaggerated (i.e., Proverbs), the point is we cannot shy away from anything God has given us because it makes us uncomfortable. It is said that there were more commentaries written on this book by those who lived after the apostles than on any other book in the Old Testament. People in the past were very interested in this book and wrote about it a lot. …

The expression “new heavens and a new earth,” or something similar, occurs in four passages in the Bible, two in the Old Testament (Isaiah 65:17; 66:22) and two in the New Testament (2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:11). As with all other biblical topics, confusion results when the total teaching of the Bible is not allowed to define the meaning. When the total teaching of the Bible is considered, the “new heavens and a new earth” in Isaiah refer to the Messianic kingdom, while the expression in the New Testament refers to Heaven, the eternal home of the righteous. Background of the Phrase In Isaiah 65:1-16, the prophet gave a contrast between the Jews, God’s chosen people who rejected Him, and the Gentiles, who did not initially seek God and yet found Him. The chapter opens, “I was sought by those who did not ask for Me; I was found by those who did not seek Me. I said, ‘Here I am, here I am,’ To a nation that was not called by My name” (Isaiah 65:1; cf. Romans 10:17-21). God’s chosen people were described as “a rebellious people, Who walk in a way that is not good… A people who provoke Me to anger” (Isaiah 65:2-3). The main reason Isaiah gave as to why God’s chosen people made Him angry was because of their idolatrous ways (Isaiah 65:3-4). Their deceived attitude toward others was, “Keep to yourself, Do not come near me, For I am holier than you” (Isaiah 65:5). …

Sometimes, we create problems for ourselves by not learning from history or recalling truths that we have learned. There are some definite advantages to remembering those events or those truths. Solomon offered three admonitions to “remember.” First, in Ecclesiastes 11:8, he exhorted us to remember “days of darkness”—those times in our lives when things are not going well. We need to remember those days of sickness or struggle because they will help us appreciate more fully the good days. Second, he exhorted us to remember “your creator” (12:1). It is important, especially in light of 11:9, that we do not forget our God. He is going to bring us to account for all that we have done in the body, whether good or evil (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:10; John 5:28-29; Revelation 20:11-14). Third, he exhorted us to remember Him “before the silver cord is broken” (12:6). While some of these words have to be supplied, they are certainly implied in the Hebrew. Death isn’t going to keep us from thinking (cf. Luke 16:23-31), but it will be too late to think about following God. If one didn’t make such a choice during his life, it will be too late after death. Therefore, Solomon urged all to remember God now—before death ends all opportunity. Have you been remembering your God? Have you learned anything from the dark moments in your life? The wise man Solomon said you are a fool if you fail to keep these in mind.

God’s prophets endured hardship, persecution and death to tell forth the inspired Word of God. Yet, they did not have the plan of salvation revealed to them. They delivered the key elements without understanding how and to whom they would be applied. Angels also wanted to know how God would save man, but that plan was reserved for Christ’s followers (1 Peter 1:10-12). Prophets wrote Scripture as the Holy Spirit directed them (2 Peter 1:20-21). Peter indicated they did not comprehend some of the things they wrote but searched their own writings to gain understanding of God’s plan. Jesus told His followers that astonishing truth (Matthew 13:16-17). Moses wrote of God’s plan for the seed of woman to crush the head of Satan, but he did not realize the seed would be the Christ (Genesis 3:15). Isaiah told of the suffering servant and the glory that would follow, but he did not understand it would take place on the cross (Isaiah 53). David wrote a song anticipating the glorious resurrection that would follow the suffering, but he did not fully appreciate the powerful events (Psalm 16:8-11). The singer of Israel recorded the words that would be spoken on the cross, but he did not realize who would speak them (Psalm 22). The Messianic prophet spoke of a kingdom into which people from all nations would flow (Isaiah 2:1-5). He also described the painful beating God’s sin-bearer would receive, leaving him unrecognizable (52:13-15). Hosea told of those who had not been …

A recent Barna survey examined the question of truth in American culture, and how people responded to the concept of absolute truth. 91% of all US adults polled believe the best way to find yourself is by looking within yourself. 84% said the highest goal of life is to enjoy it as much as possible. 86% said to be fulfilled in life, one should pursue the things he desires most. 79% stated people can believe whatever they want, as long as those beliefs don’t affect society. The results for those who consider themselves practicing Christians are not much different. 76% believe to find oneself is to look within oneself. 67% said one should enjoy life as much as possible. 72% said one should pursue the things he desires most. 61% think a person can believe whatever he wants as long as it doesn’t affect society. Interestingly enough, these topics were entitled, “The Morality of Self-Fulfillment.” In a summary statement of this, David Kinnaman, President of Barna group, said, “Millions of Christians have grafted New Age dogma onto their spiritual person. When we peel back the layers, we find that many Christians are using the way of Jesus to pursue the way of self…While we wring our hands about secularism spreading through culture, a majority of churchgoing Christians have embraced corrupt, me-centered theology” (The End of Absolutes: America’s New Moral Code). Of course, not everyone falls into these categories, but the survey does offer some insights worth considering. Our culture is …