In the temptation in the wilderness, Jesus faced a pile of rocks and a grudgeful adversary. Satan snarled, “If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread” (Matthew 4:3, KJV, Tyndale, 1987). Jesus had spent forty days praying in isolation and fasting. This miracle would have satisfied the growling of…
Read moreMatters of the Mind pt. 2
Ministry is work, but by denying self-interests, we ensure that God alone is glorified. Paul was converted in a knocked-to-the-ground meeting with Jesus. He continued to walk in submission as God methodically adjusted his orders. Peter learned that Satan “desired to have him, that he may sift him as wheat.” At…
Read moreThe Life of Joseph
The life of Joseph is marred with deceit, tragedy, and, finally, victory. The dreamer enslaved, turned prisoner, turned ruler has one of the most dynamic stories in the Bible. Additionally, the writer of the Handbook on the Pentateuch presented Joseph through his interesting style and years of research. I want to visit a few points to highlight…
Read moreTimeless Evangelism
The types and methods of evangelism used by the 1st-century church and the church of today are still very similar. Certain freedoms and technological advancements have changed how we approach ministry, but the overall mission and mindset are the same. People have also developed a dependency on conveniences, which must be accounted for when…
Read moreThe Remnant Book
The Remnant: Restoring the Call to Personal Integrity by Larry Stockstill is an incredible book that is filled with valuable insights and time-tested strategies for maximizing individual potential and that of the local assembly. While reading this book, I felt as though I was turning the pages of two separate and distinct manuals. It is fitting…
Read moreThe Importance of Outreach
Outreach is the mission and identity of the Church. Jesus came “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10, KJV, Tyndale 1987). Likewise, as Followers of Christ, we have been given the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18). This is the ministry of restoration to favor. Through Jesus’ sacrifice, the penalty of…
Read morePreserving the Apostolic Message
The Apostolic message has not only been preserved over the years, but it has thrived in the last 2,000 years. Councils could not rewrite our doctrine, as much as they would have liked to and succeeded in starting new sects. State religion could not mandate away Biblical truths, even though they burned heresies at the…
Read moreHoliness Development pt. 2
Sanctification is defined as the action of making or declaring something holy and the process of being freed from sin or purified. In our daily journey of self-denial, seeking God’s perfect will, and giving up good to receive better, we move in the direction of Jesus. The most basic interpretation of being a Christian is…
Read moreHoliness Development pt. 1
The moment you begin to discuss holiness, those within earshot drift into a sadistic world where rules and oppression reign, life has had every bit of fun drained from its veins, and totalitarians come rummaging through your home to find evidence of rebellion and shame. Standards are not necessarily holiness, though…
Read moreThe Cross
For over two thousand years, we have looked toward the cross as a symbol of sacrifice and devotion. We have crosses hanging on our walls, around our necks, and on our keychains. Have we used this symbol so frequently in our daily lives that we forget its significance? How can we keep the method of…
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