Sometimes, we hear phrases such as “great,” “vibrant,” “alive” or “on fire” to describe churches and their various activities. Such adjectives can be freely tossed about in conversation, but what they mean varies from one person to the next. Just what is it that really makes a church great? Some might suggest size. Surely, a big church must be a great church. The church in Philadelphia, however, was not big, as it had only a “limited strength” (Revelation 3:8). Size notwithstanding, God found no fault with them, and set before them an open door. Others might suggest prosperity. Surely, a church that is prosperous must be a great church. The church in Laodicea, however, was financially secure (Revelation 3:17). Finances notwithstanding, God counted them “wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.” Obviously, how we count greatness is not always how God counts greatness. So, what makes a church great? No doubt, since the church consists of those saved (Acts 2:47), it is that quality which, as individual Christians, makes us acceptable before God. When Jesus’ disciples were arguing which one of them was the greatest, He responded, “For whoever is least among you – this one is great” (Luke 9:48). Similarly, Jesus taught them, “The greatest among you will be your servant” (Matthew 23:11). Great churches consist of great members. Great members, in God’s sight, are those who humble themselves as slaves of the Lord. It is not in seeking greatness that one becomes great, but in seeking to do one’s …

“There is nothing you cannot do if you put your mind to it.” Most of us have heard this advice or tidbit of wisdom. Most have heard it multiple times, no doubt, throughout the course of their lives. I know that I have, but to be honest, this advice has always been lackluster to me. Something about it just does not sit right with me. You see, on one hand, I understand the point. We must think positively. It never benefits us to trudge through our day thinking that the things we would like to accomplish are just too far out of reach to be sensible. We do not know what the future holds, the steps of growth we can make and the doors that each will open. To think in terms of “I cannot” (and similar sentiments for that matter) is to close off or gravely limit that future and the possible opportunities we may have. On the other hand, something seems to be missing in this phrase. It is really not the “nothing you cannot do” part, but the “if you put your mind to it” part. Why does it not sit right with me? Well, there are a couple of reasons, but let me share the one that I think most vital. It leaves out Christ. You see, all things are possible, but not all things are possible for the wrong thinking person. The Bible encourages us to “have the mind of Christ.” That is the Christian …

In God’s Word, we learn of the kingdom, the church, which is the greatest institution ever known to man. Those who make up the kingdom are described as being “in Christ” (Galatians 3:26-27). In Christ is where all spiritual blessings are found (Ephesians 1:3). It is the greatest privilege to be a part of the blood-bought church of Christ (cf. Acts 20:28). Many years ago, the late L.L. Brigance wrote a letter of love to some fellow Christians. Among other things, brother Brigance wrote of the church, “this institution is divine in origin and nature. In it are wrapped up the greatest interests, the holiest desires, and the highest hopes of mankind…. All that makes life good and lovely… comes to us… through the religion of Christ [the church].” This sounds to me like the church is the greatest! We enjoy not only the spiritual blessings in Christ now, but if we live faithfully, we will be able to enjoy eternal blessings in Christ. In order to enjoy the great blessings in the greatest of institutions known to man, we must first be in the church and in Christ. How does one gain entrance into the church, the body of Christ? The Bible says we are baptized into the one body (1 Corinthians 12:13; cf. Ephesians 1:22-23, 4:4). Brother Brigance also said in his letter that once one becomes a Christian, “in order to enjoy its greatest blessings here and to enter joys eternal bye and bye, we must be true …

“Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone’” (1 Peter 2:7). The precious Son of God loved man so much he came to die on the cross in order to win our redemption. He showed compassion to the crippled (John 9:6-7), care toward the unsociable (Luke 15:1-2) and love toward the lost (John 4:35). Even though Christ lived life without sin and taught God’s Word as it should be taught, He still had enemies. The Jewish leaders did not hate Jesus because He hurt them or because He was out to get them; they hated Jesus because He did not fit their preconceived vision of the Messiah. The Jews longed for political freedom from Rome, but Jesus instead gave freedom from sin. The Jews longed for the wealth and prestige of Solomon’s day, but Jesus instead offered heavenly wealth and hope. The Jews focused on their interpretation of the Law and traditions of the elders, but Jesus only taught a simple religion of truth and spirit. Because Jesus did not fit their ideal image of the Savior, the Jews persecuted, ridiculed and ultimately crucified the Son of God on the cross. It is sad today to see how Christ is still so misunderstood. The televangelist preaches of a Christ who will take away our problems and make us rich if we will just send the check in the mail. Instead, the true Christ …

Being a father is not easy, but it is worth it! The Bible gives instructions about how to do it right. For example, notice Ephesians 6:4, “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” How do you bring up a child in the training and admonition of the Lord? Notice what fathers can do for their children. Pray for Them There are many biblical examples of fathers praying for their children: Jairus (Mark 5); the father with the demoniac son (Mark 9); Job (1:5) and David. Toward the end of his life, as David prepared to pass leadership to his son Solomon, he prayed a special prayer: “give my son Solomon a loyal heart to keep Your commandments and Your testimonies and Your statutes, to do all these things, and to build the temple for which I have made provision”(1 Chronicles 29:19). Pray for them and with them. Let them hear your prayers to God. One of the greatest gifts you can give your children is prayer. Spend Time With Them A recent survey revealed that the average five-year-old spends only 25 minutes per week with his father and most children spend 35 hours per week with some type of digital device. No wonder we have difficulty influencing our children. Notice God’s Word: “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall …

Throughout the Scriptures, God went through great detail to paint a beautiful picture of His special people as a vine or tree. That imagery allowed Him to make clear His love and devotion to His people. You have brought a vine out of Egypt; You have cast out the nations, and planted it. You prepared room for it, and caused it to take deep root, and it filled the land. The hills were covered with its shadow, and the mighty cedars with its boughs. (Psalm 80:8-10) Now let me sing to my Well-beloved a song of my Beloved regarding His vineyard: my Well-beloved has a vineyard on a very fruitful hill. He dug it up and cleared out its stones, and planted it with the choicest vine. He built a tower in its midst, and also made a winepress in it; so He expected it to bring forth good grapes, but it brought forth wild grapes. And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, judge, please, between Me and My vineyard. What more could have been done to My vineyard that I have not done in it? Why then, when I expected it to bring forth good grapes, did it bring forth wild grapes? (Isaiah 5:1-4) Do not miss the great pictures God painted for us. He uprooted the vine (Israel) from Egypt, brought it out, and rooted it deeply in the land. He did everything He could do to make the vine bring forth good fruit. That …

I do believe that the winter past was the mildest one I have ever witnessed in my lifetime. Like us, most of you did not even have to take the heavy clothes and coats out of the closet or put heavy blankets on the bed. Our fuel bills were even down considerably. We saw a few flakes of snow one time but there was no accumulation. Hot temperatures have arrived early, and we are already looking for ways to relieve ourselves of the heat. The big problem is that the temperature is beginning to rise and the clothes are coming off! Not only is this happening at swimming spots, but on the streets and in all public places. It is almost a disgrace to walk down a street, go to a park, etc. You get the picture! You see the same exposure I see. The prophet Jeremiah spoke of such a time as this in Jeremiah 8:12. “Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No, they were not at all ashamed and neither could they blush.” As people are exposing their bodies in public, they fail to realize how this may affect others in so many ways, and this goes for the male populace as well as the female. There have been times when I have actually had to turn my head away from some publicly exposed body. There are just some parts of our physical make-up that are private and not for public exposure. If these people would …

“Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:14-16). “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man” (Colossians 4:5-6). Once, several years ago, I went into a store in Valdosta, Georgia. I remember that it was a Winn-Dixie grocery store that we often used. I had just cashed a check, and had two $100 bills stuck in my pocket. That $200 was going to have to feed my family for the next month or more. After I left the store, I realized that somehow I had dropped that $200 out of my pocket. I went back and searched frantically for it. I never found it. I can still feel the giant bubble of despair that welled up in my chest and the desperate thoughts that raced through my mind: “How am I going to tell Barbara I have lost our grocery money?” “How am I going to feed my wife and children, now?” I know someone had a “lucky day” when they found that money, but it definitely was not a good day for me. As I think about this experience, I wonder how many, even more important things, I have lost, never to retrieve …

We live in a society that does a great deal of traveling. Before starting, people look at maps and some have electronic equipment sitting on the dashboard that maps the way for them. Not many depend on friends to personally give directions. Some folks, though they know the way, just cannot give proper directions. I have always endeavored to give careful, precise instructions when telling people how to get to Heaven. It is so sad to observe TV audiences in the thousands listening to someone tell them words that they are depending upon which cannot possibly get them to Heaven. Isaiah penned, “An highway shall be there, and a way” (Isaiah 35:8). It seems to me that he is telling us that there is one way with two descriptions. In the New Testament, we learn that Jesus did come, and He performed miracles aplenty proving His divinity. The eyes of the blind were opened, the ears of the deaf were unstopped and the lame were able to walk. There is no shortage of the evidence of Christ having come to Earth and performing the work God gave Him to do. In the great sermon on the mount, Jesus said, “Enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat; because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew …

Recent polls have shown that over 85% of Americans believe God exists. Many consider that to be proof the majority of Americans are godly and righteous people. However, it does not take much observation and consideration of American life and culture to recognize that many people in this country believe in the existence of God, but they live their lives as practical atheists. What is a practical atheist? The term “atheist” is one who is “against theism” (i.e., he or she does not believe in Deity). The term “practical” has a number of meanings, among them: “practicing, suitable for everyday use, virtual.” Therefore, a practical atheist is one who verbally promotes the existence of God, but practices an everyday lifestyle that denies the admission. Consider some ways one can be a practical atheist. Practical Atheists are Unconcerned with God’s Word If one were to believe that a Supreme Being created all things and is responsible for my very existence, and that He has taken the time to communicate to me information about who He is and what He expects, one would be considered wise and prudent to take the time to read and understand what has been given. Yet, most people do not have even a primitive understanding of the Bible. Their admission of belief in God is worthless because they do not know why they believe in Him, what He has commanded them to do or what He has said to mankind. There are many atheists who know more facts …

Our Lord taught, “Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest; take my yoke upon you and learn of me…” (Matthew 11:28-30). Are we making the time to learn of him? By learning of his way, we put the kingdom of God in first place (Matthew 6:33). We forgive our fellow man till seventy times seven (Matthew 18:22-35) and find God’s willingness to forgive us our trespasses against Him. Do we allow the double yoking? Everyone knows the seemingly added strength of having another person pick up the other side of a load. It’s a blessing that gives rest even while having more than doubled the work output. Jesus advised us of the utter impossibility of bearing any fruit unless we abide in the vine. In serving the Lord this way, we find “much fruit” (John 15:1-8). Many times, we are seeking to be loners. Much harm has come to society due to the deeds of many described as loners. However, the Lord desires for us to do all the good we can do while here below and offers a way to provide strength and rest in the process. Will you try to live life the Lord’s way?

Many times we have heard John 6:53 quoted or read in connection with the Lord’s Supper. It says, “Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you.” I have no objection to any appropriate Scripture being read at any particular time, but we do feel an obligation to point out that there is a danger in doing or saying a thing which may be right in one context, but imply a thing that is not right in another context. Even a simple thing like a song director asking the congregation to stand every time he sings, “Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus” may leave the impression that the physical act of standing up is the way to stand up for Jesus. I do not want to make an issue of it, or be a “nitpicker,” but the principle of teaching truth by our actions, our singing or our use of Scripture is important. Although the bread represents the body of Christ and the fruit of the vine represents His blood as we partake of the Lord’s Supper that is not the subject in John 6. Furthermore, the terms “flesh” and “body” are not synonymous in the New Testament. Too, we need to understand that many expressions like “flesh and blood” mean something different than the meaning of one word plus the meaning of another word. If one person plays “cat and mouse” with another, he does not play “cat” …

A mechanical instrument is an inanimate object. Since it is non-living, therefore, it is unable to comprehend any message from its maker. It does not entertain any rational thoughts to communicate to its maker. A mechanical instrument never expresses appreciation to its maker for making it in the first place, or to its owner for taking good care of it. It has no spirit with which to convey gratitude for its owner cleaning it, protecting it from bad weather or from abuse by a pet or small child. The members of our body are to be used faithfully as instruments of righteousness (Romans 6:13). While God wonderfully created man [not only physically, but also spiritually (in his own image)], including his heart and his lips whereby he may praise God, every mechanical instrument is inferior simply from the standpoint it is manmade. God is able to use the instruments he has made and sanctified for His service (i.e., our composite being – including our hearts and tongues). “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name” (Hebrews 13:15). In worship, man communicates messages from his spirit to God who is the infinite Spirit. These messages must convey our deep humility and submission to His Divine authority. God is God. I am not God. God is not a man, and so His thoughts and ways transcend our own. God has communicated through command and approved …

There are many people in the western world, the part of the world most influenced by the Bible, who would immediately answer, “No,” to the question making up our title. We refer not only to atheists who reject the very idea of a book coming from God, since they do not believe there is a God, but to others, some of whom claim to be Christians, who would agree with the atheists that the Bible is not a revelation from God. Many refer to the Bible as “the good book,” and to them that is all it is! However, the Bible is the most unique book in all the world, and it is either what it claims to be or it is not. If it is, all people everywhere are amenable to it and subject to its precious teachings. If it is not, it is the most remarkable hoax that has ever been foisted on the minds of unsuspecting humanity. There is no compromise position on this important issue, for the Bible either is, or is not, not only a revelation from God, but the final and complete one. Firstly, let it be pointed out that the Bible itself claims to be the revelation of the mind of God to man. Paul made this claim in 1 Corinthians 2:1-14. To this statement of the revelation and inspiration of the Sacred Volume, the apostle Peter added these words, “And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to …

I believe we are all familiar with signs that warn us of some dangers. I was raised very near the Atlantic Ocean. As a youngster, I spent many a day on the beach. At one time, my grandparents lived within walking distance to Coney Island Beach. As a teenager the Jacob Riis Park, Far Rockaway, NY was about five miles from where we lived. These beaches had warning signs for swimmers to beware of rip currents/riptides. These dangerous ocean currents can drag one into deeper waters. We are informed that more than 100 deaths annually are caused by riptides. Further, rip currents cause about 80% of rescues by brave beach lifeguards. Years ago and in our current times as Americans, we have been warned of approaching socialism or to be more accurate communism. We, as a nation, have winked at the obvious encroachments of socialistic thinking. Consider the following quote, “We are at war with communism and the sooner every red-blooded American realizes this the safer we will be” (Speech by the late FBI Chief J. Edgar Hoover, New York City, December 14, 1963). Another fast-moving intrusion to the American way of life is orthodox Islam with its pushing, now demanding of Sharia law to be used in our courts. “If Sharia law is being introduced in the courtroom, if your kid’s schoolbooks whitewash bloody Islamic history, if a mega-mosque is going up in a place not zoned for such things and the supremacists need laws changed to accommodate them, …

There have been a lot of changes in my life. Few, however, rival the change that took place on December 21, 2003. After sitting in on elders’ meetings and being with elders for well over twenty years, I became one. “They” and “them” quickly became “we” and “us.” As a preacher, I had been as close to being an elder as one could possibly be for all of those years without actually being one. As elderships in three different congregations had asked me to meet with them almost every time they met, I had seen godly men pray, plan, deliberate, discuss, question, rejoice, express sorrow and do a host of other things “up close and personal.” As the work of the church in general and the work of elders in particular were discussed, I had listened to members of those congregations as they expressed support for or concerns about what “they” did. I had heard what the members liked and what they did not like about “them.” In fact, I had my own opinions about these matters. While I did my best to keep these opinions to myself, I still had them. I could see (or at least I thought I could see) all kinds of ways that the work of the Lord could be done better if “they” would handle their responsibilities differently. Now that “they” is “us,” I hope you will indulge me as I share some things I have learned firsthand. Hopefully, these thoughts will provide some insight into …

Now, I thought that would catch the eye of you English majors when it should have been “And he had gone…” to the store or wherever. Recently, I heard a newscaster using that very phrase. I was talking with a public accountant just the other day and lo and behold, he used the same expression. It is good that we can laugh at ourselves. We need some humor along life’s way because of the great amount of seriousness we deal with in writing articles involving subject matters that often cause our hearts to be saddened. As a writer and public speaker, I have often used the wrong verb in a sentence. I still remember the time I inserted an adverb where I should not have done so. This occurred some 40 years ago, but this experience still lingers in my mind. I was preaching during the Sunday morning worship assembly, and I was speaking about the time when Peter denied the Lord. You know that Jesus had predicted he would and that something would happen when he did. Well, Peter did in fact deny the Lord and then I said, “And when that cock had…” It was then I began conjugating the word “crew” in my mind, and in that very moment I knew I was in trouble. The problem was I just did not know how to conjugate the word. A good friend who was a schoolteacher was sitting on the second pew knew I was in trouble, and …

The Scriptures clearly and repeatedly teach that one must be baptized to be saved. Christ Himself said that one must believe and be baptized to be saved (Mark 16:16). Peter said that it is necessary to repent and be baptized to have remission of sins (Acts 2:38). In 1 Peter 3:21, Peter wrote by inspiration that baptism saves, just as Noah and his family were saved by water. We are also told in God’s Word that baptism puts one into Christ (Galatians 3:26-27) and into the church (1 Corinthians 12:13). The new birth also involves baptism since one is born of water and of the Spirit (John 3:5). In the light of all of these Scriptures, how could anyone say that a person can be saved without baptism? Yet, there are many who do just that! Much of the denominational world teaches that the thief on the cross was saved without baptism. The record says: And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise. (Luke 23:39-43) Although nothing …

Two men were taking their small children for a stroll through the park on a beautiful evening. The two families met and stopped for a bit of small talk and enjoyable conversation. One of the men was a constant complainer who rarely ever saw anything to smile about, and the other was a loving, Christian man who was always friendly, kind and always smiling. While the children of the two men were playing and having a happy time together, a tall, red haired man walked by. Immediately the children of the complaining man began to make rude and unkind remarks about the stranger. The kind man told the complainer that he should speak to his children about being nice, kind and considerate of others, especially those who were strangers. The complainer retorted that all the children had acted in the same way. The kind man called all of the children together, and asked each of them what they thought of the redheaded stranger who had just walked by. The complainer’s children called him a redheaded bum, the stupidest man they ever saw, and that he looked very lazy with his hazel colored eyes. The Christian man’s children stated that the stranger had smiled kindly at them, and they thought that his red hair looked like a warm open fire. They said that his eyes sparkled like ‘ole Saint Nick, and they reflected again upon his smile, which they said reminded them of their Mother’s sweet smile. What made the difference? …