How many of us know when we will be serving the congregation before we arrive for services? I would imagine there is a great variety of preparedness. The men of the congregation truly serve their fellow Christians when they guide our minds in worship. With that in mind, I wanted to provide some Scriptures for… Read More »
Here’s Why Your Faith Only Friends Believe What They Believe
[Editor’s note: This was published prior to 2021. It is republished here so it can be accessed.-JS] Have you ever been frustrated by your friends or relatives when discussing Bible issues because they hold so strongly to their “faith only” position on salvation? Have you ever wondered how someone can insist their deceased friend is… Read More »
Why The Ten Commandments Are A Big Deal
As a student of the Bible, I have found it is better for me to study the word of God within a narrative framework. In my twenties, I was very serious about learning the truth of Scripture and would study constantly. Over time, I found it difficult to remember all the “proof texts” I felt… Read More »
Am I A Christian?
Is it possible there are multitudes of people living in this country who think they are Christians when, in reality, they are not? This is a frightening and serious question. It would take an overwhelming amount of delusion and false information for something like that to happen. But it certainly does. First we have to… Read More »
Chapters And Verses Are Unscriptural
We are nine months into the year of our Lord 2024. How many of us started the year with a plan and a commitment to read the Bible through in a year? How is that going? I would gladly confess at this point that I have not succeeded either. But after several attempts at it… Read More »
Thougts On A Sermon From A Parable
“What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.”-Luke 13:18-19 I have a collection of… Read More »
Knowledge, Faith, and Love
Increasing in knowledge is not increasing in faith. I ran across this phrase (at least something similar) on social media this week. It is kinda true and sorta false all at the same time! But we should not miss the point. People can align too easily at the poles instead of the equator. At one… Read More »
Three-Eye John
Written language can be difficult to understand. Take a look at the title of this article. I would imagine a few of you know exactly what those words mean. If not, forgive me if I leave you in suspense for a bit. Have you ever stumbled upon someone with a different interpretation of a Bible… Read More »
The Importance Of A Word (Part II)
Last week we introduced you to the idea of “textual criticism.” The phrase refers to the scientific reconstruction of works of literature primarily from the ancient world. None of the original writings of Homer, Tacitus, or Plato exist. In fact, the earliest, known copy of Plato’s Dialogues is 1,200-years removed from time of its writing. … Read More »
The Importance Of A Word (Part I)
On December 7th, 1941, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. The event inspired President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to call it, “a date which will live in infamy!” What if he had chosen, “badness,” “perpetuity,” or simply “history.” His speech would not be regarded as one of the most important presidential addresses ever given. The phrase elicits… Read More »