Most believers in the Lord have sung or have heard the song “Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so…” However, the expression ‘Jesus (God) knows me’ is equally as scriptural, and we all should love this great truth and the One who knows us. In 2 Timothy 2:19 we read, “Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: ‘The Lord knows those who are His,’ and, ‘Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.’” The church of our Lord has a sure foundation, and the gates of hades cannot successfully prevail against it (Matthew 16:16-18; 1 Corinthians 3:11). In the New Jerusalem, the wall “had twelve foundations, and on these were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb” (Revelation 21:14). The house of God (the church) has this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His…” In Nahum 1:7 the prophet wrote these comforting words, “The Lord is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him.” God is all knowing. The Psalmist declared this in Psalm 139:1-6, “O Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether. You have hedged me behind and before, …

Often times an autopsy is performed when someone dies to determine the cause of death. What would an autopsy reveal about a Christian? A Christian has observant eyes, rather than having “eyes full of adultery” (2 Peter 2:14). The Christian is to focus his attention on the harvest of lost souls around him (John 4:35). By looking for ways to serve the Lord, the Christian will find open doors of opportunity (1 Corinthians 16:9). A Christian has helping hands. Christians need to be seen as a caring community of believers. In the first century, Christians were quick to respond to the needs of their brethren (Acts 11:17-30). Today, we need to “do good” to those in or out of the church (Galatians 6:10). A Christian has a tender heart. Christians need to have compassionate hearts that motivate them to respond to the needs of their brethren (Acts 11:17-30). When we are tenderhearted, we are able to be kind and giving to one another (Ephesians 4:32). Christians are concerned spirits. Sin should stir the spirits of Christians (Acts 17:16). We cannot afford to ignore or minimize the effects of sin in a person’s life. We have a responsibility as “watchmen” to warn the erring (Ezekiel 3:17). Would an autopsy of your life show these qualities? Your life can be a good influence if you have these qualities.

The Cosmological Argument is the argument based upon the idea that every effect has an adequate cause. The existence of the world cannot be denied. Scientists have concluded that the material of which the earth and planets are made is not eternal. Therefore, it had to have a beginning. This argument is closely akin to the Teleological Argument. Simply, “Teleological” means purpose, design and adaption in the universe. These studies deal primarily with our solar system, particularly the earth. Evidence is abundant that the wonders we behold could not have come by chance or accident, but as purposed and planned by a designer. Mentality and intelligence are not composed of matter, and could not possibly have merely evolved. All of nature indicates intelligence; intelligence connotes personality, and personality indicates God. The following thoughts are adapted and paraphrased from the book Man Does Not Stand Alone by A. Cressy Morrison (Fleming H. Revel Co., 1954). That the universe was brought about by Divine Intelligence can be proved by mathematical law. Suppose one puts ten coins into a container, having numbered each coin from one to ten. Shake them up thoroughly, and then try to take them out in sequence, one to ten, that is, remove coin number one, then put it back into the container, then remove coin number two. Place it back in the can and so on until all have been removed in order. Mathematically the chances of drawing number one is one to ten. The possibility of removing numbers one and two in …

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). In order to be made free by truth, there are five fundamentals of that truth that must be adapted to our lives. We have to know it. Not only are we commanded to know the Word of God, but there is a crying need for us to know it. It is necessary if we are to lead others. It is necessary if we are to properly be guided ourselves. Knowledge of God’s Word comforts us. Knowledge is equipment. It is the only offensive equipment we have, but we cannot use it to fight Satan if we haven’t taken possession of it. Some people confuse zeal with knowledge, but zeal without knowledge is dangerous (Romans 10:1-2). It is like a loaded gun in the hands of a fool. Such can do more harm in a short time than can be repaired in years. A zealous person without knowledge is somewhat like an automobile in the hands of a beginner. There is a great possibility of an accident. Knowledge will eliminate most problems in the church, but knowledge without zeal is also dangerous (2 Peter 2:20-22), but having knowledge and not living in accordance with that knowledge can cost the loss of souls (James 4:17). Another fundamental is to grow. Knowledge and zeal must be combined for spiritual growth. What about a child that does not grow past the baby stage? Some do not grow spiritually because they fail to …

Has anyone ever pulled an April Fool’s joke on you? Most of us have fallen victim to some practical joke at some time in our lives. They can be funny, or in bad taste, but they are commonly done. The sad fact is, however, that we don’t have to wait until April 1st to have a “fool’s day” occur in our life. Obviously, it a “fool’s day” when anyone declares his/her disbelief in God. The Scriptures say, “the fool has said in his heart there is no God.” For many, every day is a day dedicated to the foolishness that we humans are alone, the ultimate of all existence and that there is no God. However, one who believes in God is still going to have fool’s days in life: When we forget how much God has blessed us and decide to complain. The Israelites were a murmuring people in the wilderness, despite having seen the great power of God. Their foolishness brought on the wrath of God, and caused them to wander for 40 years. When we allow Satan to win even the small battles in our lives. We are fools when we rationalize and convince ourselves that it is really not that bad to do what we know is not right in the sight of God. We can be like the little boy who winds up with his tongue stuck to a metal flag pole on an icy, cold day; he let his friends talk him into it, and he was a …

The Book of 1 John was written for several purposes (1:4; 2:1; 5:13a; 5:13b), and in order for John to accomplish these purposes, it was important for him to dismantle a prevailing false doctrine of the time. There were those, often referred to as Gnostics, who insisted that the spirit is good, but the body and all other matter is evil. Like all false doctrines, their acceptance perverts the mind and the consequences are always harmful. In the case of Gnostics, their beliefs led them to a terrible conclusion, namely, the Divine could have no association with “sinful matter,” therefore Deity could not have presented Himself in the flesh. Obviously, the denial of the “man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5) would destroy their fellowship (“joint participation, a sharing with”) with God and, by default, their fellowship with one another (1 John 1:5-2:14). John, in order to prevent such devastation from taking place, provided evidence for the historical Jesus with whom he had a special bond as the “beloved” apostle. John began by declaring the “Word of life,” who he knew personally, “was from the beginning” (1a). In this statement, John affirmed the eternality of the One “whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ” (John 1:1; Matthew 1:16). This is consistent with John’s proclamation in John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Yet it would not be sufficient for John to establish the eternality of the “Word of …

The frustrating thing is that everyone understands what authority is. We do not go behind doors that say “Authorized Personnel Only” if we know we are not authorized to do so. If our doctor prescribes us medicine, we expect the pharmacy to fill that prescription and do nothing else, except perhaps make sure that it will not cause any problems with any other medicine we take. The simple fact is that authority is a very simple concept to understand. What makes this all frustrating is that it is easy to understand, and we all follow it (for the most part) – except when it comes to matters of religion. When it comes to matters of the Bible, we no longer need a “Thus says the Lord.” It has come to the point, even within the Lord’s church, that we are guided more by what we think, feel and want than what God has spoken. Brethren, God is a Spirit, and those who worship Him must do so in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). This means that there is a right way to do things and a wrong way to do things. There is only one way to know what that truth is, and it is His Word (John 17:17). The Bible, and the Bible alone, is our guide, and let anyone be cursed who teaches anything other than what has been written (Galatians 1:8-9; Revelation 22:18-19).

“Will a man rob God?” These words were asked by Malachi to the people of Israel (3:8). Malachi charged Israel with the sin of robbing God. I am sure the Israelites did not think they were actually robbing God. In fact, the very idea of robbing God would have undoubtedly been appalling for Israel. After all, one of the Ten Commandments was “You shall not steal” (Exodus 20:15). Yet, that is exactly what Malachi said they had done. How had they robbed God? Malachi answered they had robbed God in tithes and offerings (3:8-9). They had not brought the tithes that God had commanded. Even while giving offerings to God, Israel had robbed God by offering the lame and sick (1:8). He charged them with offering God things that they would not offer a secular ruler (1:8). When they refused to offer what rightfully belonged to God, they were robbing God. Malachi further reminded them of God’s promise to bless them materially if they would only first give to God (3:10-12). We need to consider this same question. Will a man rob God? It is common to hear Christians justify their lack of generosity to God by saying that Jesus or the apostles never commanded us to tithe. That is true, but that does not mean that we are not commanded to give. “On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when …

I am on the mailing list to receive the Salt Lake City Messenger, a magazine produced by former Mormons. An interesting part of their magazine is “Excerpts from Letters and Emails.” On page 18 of Issue 116, May 2011, the following was published: February 2011: I am LDS, just a member, not a leader, and what makes it interesting is I have had special experiences similar to those which Joseph Smith had. I have received revelation for myself, and have sure knowledge… There are many out there like me that have had similar experiences, they know also. They have been visited by the power of the Holy Ghost and instructed and have obtained knowledge first hand for themselves too. As strange as it seems, this view of “receiving revelation” is in tune with Latter Day Saints doctrine. Formal debates with Mormons are very rare. However, discussions have been conducted over the years. An interesting debate was held in Salt Lake City, August 17-21, 1942. The participants were Otis Gatewood of the church of Christ in Salt Lake, Utah and Kenneth E. Farnsworth, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, also of Salt Lake, Utah. This was an oral debate, and a book was published soon after the discussion. The book is now rare and hard to obtain. I bought my copy in October 1974. James D. Bales was the moderator for Otis Gatewood. Bales wrote a five-page review of the debate at the end of the book. Extracting from page …

Not only do American cults attempt to destroy confidence in the Bible, but they also seek to destroy confidence in Jesus Christ as to His place in the Godhead. For example, one very special translation of the Bible renders John 1:1 in these words, “In [the] beginning the Word was, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god.” While to the best of our knowledge, there is not one Bible manuscript that would permit such a translation, these words are designed to prove this cult’s view that Jesus is somehow an inferior being to God. This cult, however, is not the only one in this country to teach that Jesus is some kind of inferior being to God the Father. There is another one, larger we would suspect, that teaches Jesus was a spirit child born by procreation, the offspring of heavenly parents. In a book entitled Gospel Principles (1986 p. 9), this idea is set forth as an explanation of Psalm 2:7, in which David wrote, “I will declare the decree: The LORD has said to Me, You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.” Their teaching is that God said He had begotten Jesus, and they cannot imagine “begotten” being connected with anything other than a sex act, so heavenly parents begot a spirit child known as Jesus. When one looks at the verse and the context in which it is found, he quickly learns that the birth of a child, anywhere, is not under …

About half a century ago I preached a series of sermons on the names or titles of Christ. There are enough that I could have continued the series for more than two years, though I did not. For all younger preachers, and any that want to enrich your sermons, we urge you to consider sermon topics like that. Few of the titles yield more needed lessons than one Jesus applied to Himself in John 6 when He said, “I am the bread of life.” That could be studied in at least six different ways, but today I want to consider it in terms of His comparing Himself with the manna that they thought Moses had given their fathers. He said, “It was not Moses that gave you the bread out of heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread out of heaven” (John 6:32). First, consider the fact that it was not natural in origin, although it had many natural characteristics. It was like a coriander seed (Exodus 16:31). This is a little white aromatic seed. Though similar to the manna that came from the tamarisk bush, it was very different in many ways. The development of that one theme would produce many sermons or articles. Jesus spoke a profound truth when He said, “My Father giveth you the true bread out of heaven.” Jesus came in the likeness of sinful flesh and looked and acted like other men in many ways, but, as the officers said in John …

The evidence that the Bible is the Word of God is overwhelming. Consider: 1. Claims Inspiration – Any claim of inspiration must be tested. However, an inspired book would acknowledge its source (2 Timothy 3:16-17). 2. Unity – The Bible contains 66 separate books written in three languages by approximately 40 authors from different locations and diverse backgrounds over a period of 1,500 years, yet there are no contradictions. The theme is consistent resulting in a rich harmony lacking in literary works by mortal man. 3. Scientific Understanding – While atheists attempt to pit science against religion, true science is the Christian’s friend. The Bible demonstrates inspiration both by what it omits and by what it includes. The Bible avoids errors about astrology, false medical cures, divination, omens, the earth’s shape and position, which errors contemporary literature and culture contain. Yet, the Bible includes scientific information unknown when it was penned, such as ocean currents, logical dietary laws, the water cycle, seabed topography and quarantine. 4. Fulfilled Prophecy – The Bible contains verifiable prophecies about nations (Daniel 2:37-45) as well as 300 prophecies regarding the Messiah, including predictions about His birth, death and resurrection, which were fulfilled in the life of Jesus of Nazareth. One man could not have accidently fulfilled all these prophecies (Luke 18:31-34). 5. Historical Reliability – The Bible’s historical accuracy has been proven. In Acts, Luke mentions 32 countries, 54 cities and 9 Mediterranean islands. He also names 95 people (Metzger, Bruce. The New Testament: Its Background, Growth, Content). These citations contain …

The words of Jesus continue to resonate while bringing reassurance and joy to our hearts since they are equally true today as they were when first spoken by our gracious Lord: “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). It is so wonderful to be a Christian and joyfully experience the life, peace and freedom one can only know when he is “in Christ” and abiding in him (John 15:1-14). A Christian is one who knows the immeasurable joy felt within the heart by having the remission of his sins and the removal of his guilt. The apostle Peter answered the inquiry of some whose hearts were pricked by the Gospel message on Pentecost: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). Like the obedient believers on Pentecost and the Eunuch of Ethiopia (Acts 8:39), we rejoice and praise God because our sins are forgiven through Christ’s offering of Himself. Jesus, the Son of God, came not into this world for the purpose of condemning us (John 3:17) (which he rightfully might have done due to our unrighteousness), but rather He came to deliver and save us from our sins. According to Jesus’ teaching in John 3:18-21, you and I have the obligation of making a choice as we live in the present: to come into the light and walk therein with Jesus and consequently experience no …

Hezekiah was not compelled to show his visitors all that was in his house, but he volunteered to do so (2 Kings 20; Isaiah 39:1-8). The prophet later asked, “What have they seen in thy house?” Hezekiah was foolish to show his treasures for it later led to the Babylonians returning to take them away. Still it is a good question. What is there to be seen in our homes? If there is evil in our homes, we cannot always conceal it from our guests. If there is good, it likewise cannot be hidden. The all-seeing eye of heaven is aware of everything that happens in our homes (Hebrews 4:13). Friend, let us ask ourselves, “What have they seen in our houses?”

In the Old Testament some people chose to tithe. In Genesis 28:20-22, “Jacob made a vow, saying, ‘If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on, so that I come back to my father’s house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God. And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You’” (NKJV). In the Law, the Israelites were commanded to tithe (Numbers 18:21-32). These Scriptures prove that tithing was practiced. However, in the New Testament, Christians are not commanded to tithe. Referencing the Law, Paul wrote, “having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross” (Colossians 2:14). The apostle Paul also wrote, “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4). These passages are proof that we are no longer to tithe after the manner of the Old Testament. Instead, we are commanded, “On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come” (1 Corinthians 16:2). Also, we must do this in …

The following was printed in These Times, September, 1962. The name of the author was not given. One day the world awoke to find that the Book of books had disappeared. All traces of its influence had vanished. Much of the music of the world was silenced. The mighty oratories were no longer to be heard. The hymns expressing the hopes and fears, the longings of human hearts, had died away. Christmas and all the rejuvenating carols were gone. Many of the masterpieces were no more; others had great parts of the music missing. Libraries looked as if millions of devouring moths had descended upon the printed pages. Books of Shakespeare, Milton, Bunyan, Tennyson, Longfellow, Tolstoy, Dostoevski, and hundreds of others were wellnigh unintelligible, due to many omissions. Law books no longer made sense, for fundamental principles had been eliminated. The Magna Charta of Britain, the Constitution of the United States, the American Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and all the great statements of liberty and human rights everywhere in the world were wiped blank except for a few commonplace words now utterly lacking in significance. But the loss of the Book cut even deeper. Values became blurred; human life grew cheap. Men became tools to be used. Life grew drab and meaningless, and man had only himself to worship. Restraints fell off the human conscience, and all the brutal instincts of the animal in man were unleashed. With the Bible lost, a veritable Hades had broken loose …

I remember seeing a poll that said 92% of Americans believe in God, 85% in heaven and 71% in the devil. It also said most Americans think religion plays too small a role in people’s lives today (69%), with only 15% saying it plays too large a role and 7% saying “about right.” The poll also said 37% attend church, synagogue or other places of worship at least once a week, 13% almost every week, 12% about once a month and 19% seldom attending. Just 3% said they only attend on holidays, and 15% responded they never attend. Of course, the issue seems to be, if so many people in our nation are so religiously minded, why do we see all the problems that beset us? Why is divorce so rampant among us? Why is abortion still accepted as a form of birth control? Why are immorality and homosexuality still portrayed as favorable lifestyles in the print media and television? If these numbers are anywhere near accurate, how do we account for the rampant problem with sin we still face? I believe there are probably numerous factors we could mention, but consider these two. First, while this poll reveals there is still a lot of God talk going on around us, there are other belief systems that are accepted equally as well. For example, 34% of Americans also believe in ghosts, 29% accept the validity of astrology and 25% view reincarnation as real. Ours is a pluralistic society, and the …

Ephesians 2:8 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith.” Paul declared that the Ephesians had been saved by grace through faith. By learning what the Ephesians did to be saved by grace through faith, we too can be saved by grace through faith. Consider the following. The Ephesians Heard the Word of Truth: “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth”(Ephesians 1:13). Faith comes by hearing the Word of God, according to Romans 10:17. We must take heed what we hear (Mark4:24), how we hear (Luke 8:18) and whom we hear (Matthew 17:5). We must be “swift to hear” the Word of Truth (James 1:19). The Ephesians Believed What They Heard: “In whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise” (Ephesians1:13). Faith is composed of belief and trust. There is belief in the facts of the Bible; Christianity is a factual religion (“unless you believe that I am He”). There is also the act of giving oneself over to those facts—trust (“whosoever believes in Him”). Thus, we believe that Jesus is, and we believe in Him. The Ephesians Repented: “Testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks repentance toward God”(Acts 20:21). The Ephesians demonstrated their repentance by burning their magic books (Acts 19:19). The books were valued at fifty thousand pieces of silver, the value of which today has been estimated at anywhere between $1 million and $5 million. Furthermore, Paul told those in Titus’ area that “denying ungodliness and worldly lusts” was …

A healing, a sermon, a trial and a proclamation herald an eternal call for more boldness in preaching the Gospel. Not long after the establishment of the church, the apostles Peter and John approached the Temple at an hour of prayer. There, they met a beggar. He had been lame all his life of over forty years (Acts 3:1-2; 4:22). The public knew the man (3:10) and gathered in amazement at his “walking, leaping, and praising God” (3:8). (Note: The miracle was instantaneous, complete, and public. Oh, how modern, falsely called miracles differ! They take days and weeks in hospitals, are incomplete or faked [“He took one step!”], and/or are privately claimed.) This public, undeniable (cf. 4:14) miracle served the purpose of miracles in calling attention to the word of God (Hebrews 2:1-4; Mark 16:20). Gathering in Solomon’s Porch of the Temple Complex, the people heard a straightforward sermon from Peter (3:12-26). In the message, Peter outlined the Jewish people’s own prophets’ predictions of the Christ (3:22-26), and set forth some rather accusatory language: “But you denied the Holy One and the Just …and killed the Prince of Life…” (3:14-15). This preaching led to retaliation, not from the common people, but from the religious leaders, who were “disturbed” that Jesus was still being preached (4:1-2). Peter and John were arrested (4:3) and tried the next day (4:5-12). In the trial, Peter’s force did not shrink. He proclaimed to the rebellious council that the “good deed” done to the “helpless man” …