During the apostolic era, pioneering efforts pertained to missionaries visiting regions that had never heard of Jesus Christ previously. Though believers were rigorously opposed by the devil, many souls were saved and new local churches sprang up throughout the Roman Empire. Those responding to the gospel were to be discipled and cared for in local […]
Much of Scripture is narrative, that is, the stories or accounts of events. The challenge for the preacher is to make the story relevant for today. There is a need to develop a lesson or lessons from the account with meaning(s) and application(s) for today. Much of Scripture is narrative, that is, the stories or accounts […]
Despite a new wave of contemporary church buzzwords like relational, relevant, and intentional, people who show up on Sundays are looking for the same thing, which has long anchored most services: Bible-based in-depth preaching. According to Gallup researcher Lydia Saad, who conducted her poll in 2017, the number one reason Americans go to church today is “Sermons that […]
It is the business of servants of Christ to proclaim the Word of truth to a lost world. But the mere statement of gospel truth, apart from the power of the Holy Spirit, is not likely to bring many results. It is true that God in His sovereignty may use His Word, no matter who […]
This is the order of Scripture: The Word of God is proclaimed, heard or read; the Spirit of God convicts the sinner, bringing him to the place where he desires to be saved, and is ready to receive Christ. Believing the gospel, he is justified by faith. Let me give a word to those who […]
The year of 1871 was a critical one for D. L. Moody. He had been greatly used of God, but felt that something was lacking. He realized more and more how little he was fitted with personal talents for his work and how much he needed the Holy Spirit’s power. He continued to hunger for […]
Some people like knives; others like guns; others like bows and arrows. I have a favorite weapon that is extremely effective at close and long range, day or night, in all weather. It can get through any metal detector or x-ray machine. I know! I have taken it with me on all kinds of public […]
We read in Ephesians 5:18, “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit.” What does it mean to be filled with the Spirit? It means to be controlled by the Spirit of God. God wants us to enjoy our relationship with Him. When the Lord Jesus […]
There are certain questions which are foundational to Christian doctrine and practice. For example, “Where do we find authoritative revelation from God?” If the answer is “the Bible plus subsequent books,” we shall arrive at Mormonism or Islam. If the answer is “the Bible plus the teachings of the Church,” we will become Roman Catholics. […]
The Bible is God’s life-transforming message for the church; therefore, we are exhorted to declare “the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27). We read early in the book of Acts that the believers, “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42). Paul counsels Timothy, “Preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine” (2 Tim. 4:2). The Word of God taught in the power of the Holy Spirit is an indispensable discipline for the local church.
Each year on March 14, a number of scientists celebrate Pi Day. Pi (π), the mathematical constant describing the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter, is commonly rounded to 3.14, though its random digits seemingly go on without end. Using dedicated computers, mathematicians have lately extended Pi’s known digits to 13.3 trillion decimal […]
We have all experienced remembrance meetings that we felt were very inspiring and uplifting and surely brought pleasure to the Lord. At the same time, we have all likely sat through worship meetings that seemed to us dull and lacking in joy, enthusiasm, and even spontaneity. Can our Lord’s Supper services be improved? Certainly! Anything […]
You might expect that when the New Testament quotes from the Old, it would always quote it in the same context and with the same meaning. That is far from true. The fact is that when the Holy Spirit quotes Old Testament passages, He is a law unto Himself. He refuses to be boxed in […]