Growth

If I were the devil teaching the church how to grow, I would try to convince them that an increase in numbers is the true gauge of spiritual growth and that large numbers indicate approval from God.  But Jesus said this:  “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the … [Read more…]

When You Depart

When you depart this earthly life, will it matter, concerning your eternal destiny, whether… …your mother or father were righteous or wicked?  No.  Your eternal destiny will depend upon the deeds you’ve done in your body.  “The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father … [Read more…]

The Gospel & Controversy

What might one preach if he were asked to preach something non-controversial? Perhaps he could preach a sermon about the one true God “who made the world and everything in it,” (Acts 17:24).  But that would be controversial to the idolater, just as with some in Athens who mocked when Paul preached that truth. For … [Read more…]

The Right Measuring Stick

In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul warns them of men who claim to be apostles but are “false apostles, deceitful workers” (2 Corinthians 11:13).  By contrast, Paul had demonstrated the authentic signs of apostleship among them (12:12).  Paul was not like those who claimed to be apostles but were not, and he points … [Read more…]

Easter?

“But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage?  You observe days and months and seasons and years.  I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you … [Read more…]

Hearing Ears

After Jesus had spoken the parable of the sower, he said “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” (Matthew 13:9)  Barring something like a birth defect or accident, all men have ears.  But all do not have ears to hear.  Jesus tells us the problem is not in one’s physical ear but in … [Read more…]

I Thought

“Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead?  Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth” (Acts 26:8-9).  Paul had imprisoned and beat Christians.  He had punished them often and far and wide, compelling them to blaspheme.  Why?  Because “I myself … [Read more…]

Simplicity in Christ

“But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.  For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel … [Read more…]