There is something much worse than being a super-spreader of a virus: being a super-spreader of sin. One spreads sin by committing sin and teaching others to do so (Deuteronomy 20:18). Others see the sin and want to commit sin too (Galatians 5:9).
In Psalm 11:3, David reiterates a question his advisers were asking him, “If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do?” This psalm was written prior to Absalom’s rebellion while he was building power. David’s advisors were worried that Absalom was eroding David’s popularity and support among the people. They were right! David’s responded in Psalm 11:4-5, “The Lord is in His holy temple, The Lord’s throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men. The Lord tests the righteous, But the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates.”
Like the coffee bean, we may need to crack and be boiled a few times before we are ready to serve. Abraham, Jacob, Moses, and David all cracked, but God used their cracks to brew up some amazing service. For the Christian, God will send trials his way too. When we undergo these tests, our hard heartedness is cracked and broken so that God may live deeper in our lives. Christians are boiled through fiery trials that test our faith (1 Peter 4:12).
The Gospel is simple. God gave his word in an easy-to-understand way so that everyone could do it. Paul wrote, “How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)” (Ephesians 3:3,4). If we read what Paul wrote, we can understand what he understood. Why do not more people understand and obey the gospel if it is so simple? Pride blinds them against the simple truth! God made it simple “That no flesh should glory in his presence” (1 Corinthians 1:29).
God has always demanded holiness of those who would approach Him. The reason is clear--He is holy. Thus, those who would come into His presence and have fellowship with Him must be holy (Heb. 12:14; Rev. 21:27; 1 John 1:6-10). The apostle Peter penned these words: “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1 Pet. 1:15-16).
Baptism is a biblical subject, but one about which many have questions. As with most biblical subjects, there are those whose beliefs argue against the beliefs of others, and there are those who, honestly, have real concerns, and serious questions. Let us see if we can find the answers from the Word of God.
The walking dead are all around us, living in darkness, seeking after fleshly things. Mindlessly, they wander, stumbling and groping, lost, and headed to hell. Before being quickened (made alive; Eph. 2:1), we were all among the dead who walked according to the world (Eph. 2:2-7).
Evangelism is important because all need to hear the GOOD NEWS: "Jesus loves ME!" This IS good news! That is what evangelism is, "bringing good news," and that is what Christians do. We seek to tell people about Jesus, who can bring them from the despair of being downtrodden to the delight of being lifted up, from the depths of darkness to lovely light, and from death in sin to life in the Savior. By evangelism, we can help the lost to escape the shackles of doubt, fear, uncertainty, and crippling discouragement.
Peter knew that the gospel stayed the same, but people change. This is why he wrote to remind them even though they knew it and were established in it. Life has a way of pulling us in many different directions. As we live, we experience joys, heartaches, pleasures, and pains. The powerful emotions that well up within us because of these things change our behavior and our thinking. God wanted us to have something solid to hold onto for all time. That is why He gave us the Bible.
Jesus died so that we may live for Him (1 Thessalonians 5:10)! He wants us to have lives of peace, love, grace, and joy. That was His original intention from the outset.
The church is not a pack of useless playing cards packed away with other memorabilia never to see the light of day again. God did not buy us for that reason. He bought us so that we could be used for His glory and be zealous for good works. Let’s not be useless souvenirs, but useful citizens in God’s kingdom.
Our discontents originate from self’s desires relative to decisions that we choose. We do not want to live with the consequences of our choices!
There are several illustrations given within the New Testament that exemplify the limited authority of the Old Testament. Let’s look at a few of those illustrations.
There are several illustrations given within the New Testament that exemplify the limited authority of the Old Testament. Let’s look at a few of those illustrations.
With all of these wonderful things to think about and work on throughout the year, 2022 will be filled with greatness! Let’s resolve to be a faithful child of God this new year!
Having more money in the bank, or a greater education, or being better looking, or possessing a superlative of any quantitative measure, does not improve one’s moral status. One may have all these and still be a horrible person! On the other hand, one may be poor, ugly, and uneducated yet be a very good person. Pragmatism does not make one morally superior! Only God does that through His Son, Jesus Christ (Romans 7:24-25).
If we do not love the truth, God will let us wander off into darkness. He will not force us to do something against our own will. However, there will be consequences for all eternity. Second Thessalonians 2:11-12 says, Oh how important it is to pursue, believe, and love the truth! May God help each one of us to make our best effort to do so.
The basic truth of the matter is this. We either believe that people need to respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ or we do not. If we do not, then there is no use in giving an invitation. If we do, then we must make every effort with all of our heart, soul, and mind, to appeal to that person who needs to repent. We are finite humans who are limited in knowledge. We just do not know if there is someone listening who needs to respond to the gospel of Jesus. Do you want to gamble with someone’s soul by not offering them the opportunity to respond to the invitation? I sure don’t.
The invitation is that final five or ten minutes of a sermon in which the preacher invites anyone who needs to come forward to confess fault, or to become a Christian to do just that. But it is not upon the authority of the preacher—it is upon the authority of the word of God that the invitation is offered.
The Holy Spirit said, “in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18), and “giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20). Christians should always be thankful for everything!