Often in Scripture we find the call to abound or excel in Christian character to accomplish the biblical goal of spiritual growth and maturity. Pursuing excellence is not a quest for human superiority. The Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines “excellence” as “the quality of being excellent,” to be “very good of its kind; eminently good.” So the meaning of the word “excel” indicates the concept of going beyond a limit or standard. To excel is to be preeminent or to be at a level higher than that of others. Excellence is not obtained by the mere ambition to be superior or greater than other people, but is the result of the challenge to going beyond our own limits, improving who we are. Excellence is not determined by comparing our score or performance to someone else’s. The pursuit of excellence comes from doing our best with what we have to bring glory to God and with the focus of growing and improving. Spiritual maturity is the result of the quest for godly character in man and cannot be obtained without the pursuit of excellence. “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going” (Ecclesiastes 9:10; cf. Philippians 1:9-11; 1 Thessalonians 3:12; 4:1, 10; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Matthew 23:37-38). God wants His people to abound or excel in both what they are (inward character) and in what they do (behavior or good deeds). Most people …

Quality Bible classes are not accidental. They are the product of good efforts by both teachers and students. Each teacher and every student has the opportunity to either contribute toward or detract from quality Bible classes that enhance the learning process and motivate students to be participants therein. I encourage fellow teachers to ponder the spiritual needs of the student body most likely to be before them and to select studies that will address those needs in a profitable manner. I encourage teachers to spend adequate time in study so that one can lead a quality and in-depth study. Such a study will be logically arranged and will be amply supported by biblical references that are directly related to the study. If the teacher is offering an opinion or does not know something, such should be freely acknowledged, giving the student body an opportunity to appropriately weigh the commentary being given. The conduct of the teacher in class may be very important. I encourage teachers to present material logically and clearly as well as to demonstrate that open discussion, rather than argument, is not only acceptable but is valued and encouraged. Teachers should not underestimate the lack of knowledge associated with the student body before them. Therefore, care should be taken to maintain logical arrangement and to support affirmations with related biblical passages. In addressing the class, one should remember to serve the needs of the entire class rather than only a portion thereof. The methodology and mannerisms should induce …

In James 2:26 we read, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” The body cannot be alive without the spirit. God created Adam’s body, but Adam was not alive until God gave him the breath of life. When the body dies, the spirit does not remain in the body. James says that faith is like the body. Faith requires works. Without works, faith is dead. Works of righteousness are what give life to faith. A person needs both faith and works to be a proper Christian. This is shown in Colossians 1:9-10. “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding“ (v. 9). This verse shows us faith. Faith is based on a full knowledge of God’s desire for us. We are to get spiritual wisdom and understanding. Faith is based on the facts given to us in the Bible. Knowledge, wisdom and understanding are based on facts. Our faith (belief and trust) is grounded in the faith (system of rules, commandments, statutes) given by God. “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God” (v. 10). In this verse we have the works. We must be fruitful. Spiritual fruit is produced from and in good works. Further, a result of …

The word “omniscience” is from the Latin, meaning “all-knowledge.” God is omniscient – having infinite knowledge, knowing all things. “Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite” (Psalm 147:5). The psalmist expressed God’s limitless understanding. “He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name” (Psalm 147:4). The prophet wrote, “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable” (Isaiah 40:28). God possesses perfect knowledge of man. God knows you, understands your thoughts, comprehends your future and is acquainted with all of your ways and words. David wrote, “O LORD, You know it altogether” (Psalm 139:1-4). God’s thoughts of goodness are “more than can be numbered” (Psalm 40:5). God wants to forgive you! Forsake wickedness, return to Him, and He will pardon you. People find it hard to forgive, and even harder to forgive again, especially if the offense is particularly great in their minds. Forgiveness, in general, becomes more difficult when the number of offenders increases. This may be true for you, but it is not the case with God. “So are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:7-9). God wants mercy for all. His wisdom and knowledge is far deeper than that of man (Romans 11:33). Do we live fully aware of God’s omniscience? “For the ways of man are before the eyes …

The Bible is fully inspired of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Galatians 1:11-12; etc.), but what was the method of inspiration? More specifically, were only thoughts and ideas inspired or were the very words? David said, “The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me, And His word was on my tongue” (2 Samuel 23:2). The Book of Jeremiah tells us, “Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me: ‘Behold, I have put My words in your mouth’” (Jeremiah 1:9). The very words of the Bible have meaning. Paul made an argument based upon the plural form of a word. Notice what he wrote: “Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, ‘And to seeds,’ as of many, but as of one, ‘And to your Seed,’ who is Christ” (Galatians 3:16). Paul’s argument depends upon the “s” on the end of the word “seed.” Curtis Cates wrote, “The plural would not have communicated his argument” (67). Does it matter whether or not Paul used the plural form of the word? Absolutely! Plural and singular forms of words matter; they communicate specific concepts. You can add or take away a word, or add or take away an “s” and completely change the meaning. Words mean something. Think about pronouns. Do they have meaning? As recorded in John 14-16, Jesus used distinct pronouns to refer to the Father, to Himself and to the Holy Spirit, showing that there are distinct …

or the past 60 years, we have read an occasional reference to the so-called scandal connected with the birth of Christ. An article, “Christmas at Matthew’s House,” has more speculation and erroneous implications than any I remember reading from any source. I have seen several critical reviews of the article, but I do not remember any of them pointing out one simple fact that would make all such speculative writing vain, even if it were not false or blasphemous. When Mary was known to be with child by the Holy Spirit, and Joseph was minded to put her away, it is often assumed, without any biblical reason, that the whole community knew she was with child, though unmarried, and therefore assumed that she was immoral. There is nothing in the record or secular history of which I am aware that suggests that anyone except Joseph and Mary knew that she was with child when they married. How long she had been in that condition is not stated, but one may look in vain for any of the friends or enemies of Jesus in that day bringing such charges against either Mary or Jesus. In fact, in Luke 3:23, it specifically says that it was supposed that he was the son of Joseph, but it does not suggest that anyone supposed that he was an illegitimate son. All of the scandalous insinuations and blasphemous remarks were never made in any historical record in or out of the Bible, as far as I can …

Many of us who are familiar with the tactics of modernists know that they frequently use what may be termed “weasel words.” These are words that may have double meanings, sometimes special private meanings defined by the person using the word. This practice is reprehensible in ordinary communications. It may have a place in humorous repartee where a pun or double entendre is used in the awareness that the audience realizes what is being done. It has no place in serious writing, especially of a religious nature. As an example of these weasel words, in a graduate course in Homiletics I heard a denominational divinity student make a speech about the resurrection of Christ. When he was almost through, he revealed that he did not believe in an empty tomb. He was not talking about the bodily resurrection, but what he called a spiritual resurrection. He failed to define that phrase. It apparently was something that happened to the spirit of the apostles, rather than to the body of Christ. Another preacher strongly affirmed that he believed in the inspiration of the Bible. I assumed that he meant what I did until he revealed that he believed that Shakespeare and Milton were also inspired. Another preacher, who claimed to be a preacher of the Gospel, said, “I am not too concerned about the virgin birth of Christ; I am concerned with His virgin life.” That may have been his effort to express an interesting point in a unique way, but …

Have you thought about the current religious and social scene in America, especially during this time of year – Christmas? Religion has once again been forced to the forefront of the news with groups fighting over whether to have a “Nativity Scene” in the public square. Others are debating about using the word “Christmas” in their sales ads, and then, we hear schools are not going on “Christmas break” but instead on “Winter Break.” In our changing society, I wonder if anyone of us has stopped to ask what did God intend by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to this earth? What does God think about current Christmas traditions here in America? Would Joseph and Mary have put a “Nativity Scene” in their yard? Would the apostle Paul have worn a “Keep Christ in Christmas” pin while on his missionary journeys? Would Peter go to court if his children came home from school and told him they were not going to have “Christmas Break” but “Winter Break”? Did God intend people to celebrate His Son’s birth with “Merry Christmas” and “Nativity Scenes”? There is another dilemma, however, in the debate over having a “Nativity Scene” and whether or not to use the word “Christmas.” These are symptoms of a greater problem. We live in a society that is pushing for the removal of Christ from the public eye; it is just not about Christmas, but it is also about the Christian faith as a whole. Realize that often one cannot …

So many people this time of year stop to reflect on the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Although the Birth of Christ is recorded in Matthew 1-2 and Luke 2, there is neither biblical nor historical evidence that the first Christians celebrated Christ’s birth as a church festival or holiday. In fact, it was not until A.D. 1038 that the Catholic Church celebrated the mass of Christ, and in 1131, it was call the Christ Mass, which became known as Christmas (https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03724b.htm). As the Catholic Church developed its Christ Mass, which to this point in history was only a special mass to celebrate the birth of Christ, it was not until 1223 that the first “Nativity Scene” appeared. The Nativity Scene was created by the Catholic priest Francis of Assisi in 1223 to teach that Jesus was born into a poor family. Francis of Assisi was known for ministering to the poor, and he used the birth of Christ to show how Jesus could relate to the poor’s plight (https://www.whychristmas.com/customs/nativity.shtml). The Bible neither tells us the date of the birth of Christ nor that we should celebrate His birth. Many people through the ages have tried to highlight this very important event in history, many times taking away or adding to the biblical text, which only distorts the truth. However, Christians must seek the truth and understand how God intended to save the human race through Jesus Christ. The only biblical accounts of Christ’s birth are found …

“And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” (Revelation 19:16). Over and over again, Scripture asserts the sovereignty of God, that is, God is the ruler of all nations, of all peoples. If God is sovereign, how is He Sovereign? If He is the King of our lives and we refuse to listen to Him, are we not dethroning God? If we insist that the message preached from the pulpit be pleasing to us rather than pleasing to Him, are we not on the throne instead of God? The apostle Paul spoke of a future time in the church at Ephesus. “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, having itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables” (2 Timothy 4:3-4). We would never openly dethrone God and reject His Word, but we might end up doing the same if we fail to discern “ear tickler” preachers and “itching ear” messages. In the name of church growth (and who does not want to grow?) messages that entertain are supposed to draw the crowds. This type of preacher might even quote Paul: “I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some” (1 Corinthians 9:22). Yet, “…being ‘all things to all people’ can be a prelude …

It is easy to let the urgent push out the important. Stephen R. Covey suggested that each ought to envision his funeral. Imagine there will be one speaker from family, one from friends, one from work and one from church. Try to “hear” what each speaker would say about you if your funeral was today (The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. New York: Simon and Shuster, 1997). Honestly ask how you could live so as to eliminate those things you would not like to hear and add those you would like to hear. Covey also suggested the most effective people begin with the end in mind. Paul expressed that very idea in Philippians 3:13-14. He focused on a single goal, heaven (1:21-24). Such living allowed him to face death with confidence (2 Timothy 4:6-8). Looking ahead to the end enabled great men and women of faith to live as wanderers in tents rather than to reside in more permanent structures. Their longed-for homeland was not on earth, but in heaven (Hebrews 11:13-16). Joseph was able to turn aside the advances of Mrs. Potiphar and not seek vengeance on his brothers (Genesis 39:9; 50:20). Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego trusted God to deliver them. Daniel centered his attention on pleasing God and prayed in violation of the new law (Daniel 3:16-18; 6:10, 20-22). Many other examples of faithful service could be cited (Hebrews 11). These serve to show us the power of looking at one’s own funeral before deciding what course …

Why do we wait until the last minute to do our Christmas shopping? This is one of the great mysteries of life. We know that Christmas is always December 25th, and we also know that the longer we wait the more we will pay in shipping costs (which are high enough already). So, next year why don’t we go ahead and get our shopping done early, and save ourselves some money and headaches? The greatest mystery of life, however, is why do we wait so long to obey the Gospel? We know that a day is coming when we will stand before God in Judgment (2 Corinthians 5:10). We know that heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people, and we know that hell is a prepared place for an unprepared people (Matthew 25:36, 41). The only thing we don’t know, then, is when our time will be over, and our chances to prepare ourselves will be up (James 4:14). If we wait too long to obey the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, it will cost us so much more than a headache and extra money. It will cause us eternal heartache. Don’t wait (Acts 22:16)!

The title for this article comes from the Christmas carol, “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.” The song warns little boys and girls to be good because, “he sees you when you’re sleeping, he knows when you’re awake; he knows if you’ve been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake!” According to Christmas tradition, good boys and girls get toys and presents while bad boys and girls get lumps of coal. Since Santa always sees and knows, you had better be good! Many Christians forget that this applies to God, since He is the one that truly sees you at all times and knows all about us, even the number of the hairs on our heads (Luke 12:7). Too many seem to think that we can live our lives by our own terms, and we can still be acceptable to God, so long as we remember to act good at the right times. Take, for instance, the example of Hophni and Phinehas. These two boys were sons of Eli, who was a judge in Israel, and they were priests. These boys were lousy, despicable men (1 Samuel 2:12-17). When Israel was defeated by the Philistines, they brought the ark from Shiloh into the camp, and Hophni and Phinehas came with it. Israel was excited about the ark coming, and it scared the Philistines, but Israel was defeated, the ark captured and Hophni and Phinehas were killed (1 Samuel 4). The Israelite camp was fooled by the priests carrying …

In 2 B.C., Augustus celebrated his 25th year as Emperor. Rome was celebrating its 750th year of existence. Festivities were held in Rome, its provinces and client kingdoms. There were magnificent displays and carnivals throughout the Empire. A new forum was dedicated bearing Augustus’ name. Augustus was seen as a type of “Prince of Peace.” He was given the title “Pater Patriae” (Father of the Country) on February 5, 2 B.C. This was the traditional day that honored peace and reconciliation among all classes of people in the Roman Empire. Throughout this year he was recognized as the one who brought peace and tranquility to the world. He was titled the guardian and keeper of the Empire. The Roman poet Virgil forecast that a child destined to bring in a Golden Age of peace and prosperity would be born at this time. Seutonius, in the 2nd century, stated that Romans at this time had long believed that it was destined for the empire of the world to be given to someone coming from Judea. Tacitus records that the majority of Jewish people believed that at this time the east would renew its strength and from Judea a ruler would come. (Interestingly, later around A.D. 60, Nero was advised by some of his court astrologers that it was prudent for him to move his seat of the empire to Jerusalem because that city was destined to become the capital of the world.) Active war had nearly ceased, and large numbers of …

This time of year, we hear so much being said about resolutions. Almost everyone makes some sort of New Year’s resolution and probably almost all of those are broken shortly thereafter! We forget about what we resolved to do, and we’re tempted to do things that are contrary to our determination to do something in particular. Alice and I made a New Year’s resolution to not let a day go by that we don’t take time to pray and read the Bible together. Of course, we pray together every day anyway, and more often than not, we study the Bible together. So our resolve was not something totally different from our previous way of life, but now, we want to make sure that, no matter what, we share a time of study, discussion and prayer together. The definition of “resolution” in the context we are using is “to resolve” or “to determine.” In teaching the Corinthian brethren, Paul said, “The foolishness of God is wiser than men and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1 Corinthians 1:25). Whatever the world has to offer can’t be compared to the wisdom and strength that faithful Christians can find in the Lord. Paul went on to say, “I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2). Paul recognized that His strength came from God, and he resolved that, no matter what, he would continue to teach and preach Jesus Christ. Was Paul’s …

When we receive a gift, we decide what to do with it. It may be a special gift that you want to show off so you place it in a prominent place where it can be seen. It may be a very practical gift and not so pretty, but you know exactly what you will be using it for and can’t wait to use it! It may be a token of a special relationship, and you vow to renew that relationship that you’ve let flounder. There are other types of gifts that we receive and things we can do with those gifts. Yet, the beginning of a new year is a true gift from God, and we each decide what we will do with it! It’s my hope that each one of you will have a renewed sense of dedication to and love for God in the New Year. My hope is that you’ll not allow anything to come between you and Him – not only in this year but in all your years to come if you are granted more years. After all, He is the single most important Being in your life! We read of different kinds of years in the Bible. Jacob spoke to Pharaoh of his years when he said, “Few and evil have the days of the years of my life been” (Genesis 47:9). That is a sad commentary on a life. He was not a happy person. There’s a cure for that! Jacob had …

It’s that time of year. Folks everywhere have been enjoying the holidays – maybe too much. That extra slice of pie, just one more piece of fudge or that extra serving of potatoes and gravy – all seem to stay with us in a way we wish they would not. Others, in spite of the colder weather, can be found huddled just outside the front or back doors, taking their nicotine break. Many had such a surge of holiday zeal that they got everyone a special gift, and now their credit card carries a small mountain of debt. Many habitually throw their money away on the lottery or some other form of gambling. As thoughts turn to ringing in the New Year, some realities cross our mind. We realize the need to “turn over a new leaf.” The extra pounds we now carry deserve to be burned. The tobacco habit being funded needs to be kicked for the health of our bodies and our wallets. The second-hand destruction to children also needs to stop. While we gripe that the government spends more than it takes in, our personal habit has been the same. What resolutions will we make, and how long will they last? Why is it that some folks seem to have strong determination while others never seem to stick with anything? You probably know someone who quit the fumigation habit “cold turkey” while others have “quit” dozens of times. Many speak of their need to shed some pounds but never …

The beginning of a new year brings about change. It may not seem like it to some, but it does. In a new year, we will continue to grow older, with all the changes that can bring to our lives. In a new year, there will be new blessings to enjoy. In a new year, there will be new challenges to face. In a new year, there can be a renewal of relationships, and there can also be a cessation of relationships. Life is never static, and change is one of the key experiences we face. How do we deal with change? To be oblivious to it can court disaster. For example, changes in how one feels physically can be signs that something needs to be addressed with one’s health, and to ignore them can bring about unwanted issues with which to deal. The same can also be said spiritually. In a new year, we should be striving to grow into a deeper, a more committed and a more serving relationship with God in Christ. Do we take time to evaluate where we are spiritually, and where we want to be? Paul did. He told the Philippians, “I have not already attained, and I have not yet been made complete, but I press on, if I might lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I have not yet laid hold, but I am doing one thing: forgetting the things behind, and stretching forward to …

Webster’s Dictionary gives the following definition of Christmas: “Christ’s Mass. An annual church festival, kept on December 25 in memory of the birth of Christ, celebrated generally by special gifts, greetings, etc.” Around the world, religious people observe the “Christmas Holy Day.” Serious New Testament Christians are concerned to know if this religious observance is approved by the Bible. We look in vain in the Bible for any mention of Christmas, or any celebration of the birth of Christ by the early church. We find instead of any annual religious festival to celebrate the birth of Christ, an emphasis upon His life, His teachings and His sacrificial death. Neither the Scriptures nor the early centuries of church history indicate that the apostles celebrated Christ’s birth. There is no doubt that many of our present-day Christmas-New Year customs have little relevance to biblical Christianity. As a matter of fact, such things as the commercialism, the drunkenness, the highway deaths and the general letdown in morals that have come to be associated with the so-called “holiday season” obviously have no basis in New Testament Christianity whatsoever. December 25 was designated by the decree of Liberious, bishop of the church in Rome, in A.D. 354. The date was widely and hotly disputed by others. Days in nearly every month were set forth for the birth of Jesus Christ. Why was December 25 selected over others? “The Western Church ordered the feast to be celebrated on this day of the Mithraic rites of the birth …

It was priceless! I was in Wal-Mart last week, and I saw a little boy secretly lifting a toy over into the shopping cart as his mother was looking the other way. She turned just in time to see it fall in and said, “Derek, what are you doing? You know Christmas is almost here. We can’t buy that today.” To which he replied, “But mom, I want to get me this for Christmas.” I had to laugh and say under my breath, “At-a-boy!” Since then, I’ve thought long about that scene and decided that there are some things I want to give myself for Christmas – not physical things, but spiritual things. Consider the following. I want to give myself a greater faith in the provisions of God. God provides all of our needs (Philippians 4:19). We shouldn’t think that the Philippians were wealthy benefactors of Paul who could easily spare the money. As Paul described them in 2 Corinthians 8, it is plain that their giving was sacrificial. This promise meant something to them! The promise is to supply all your needs, but it is all your needs (not a promise to go beyond needs). In this, the promise is both broad, and yet, it is restricted. I want to give myself a greater hope in the promises of God. God is faithful and true in everything that He says and does. So, you can count on the promises of God in the Bible to be absolutely trustworthy. Christians draw great hope from the words of …

Christmas is in the unique position of being an entirely Christian holiday, yet entirely without biblical support or precedence. On the one hand, Christmas is, once again, an entirely Christian holiday, as evidenced by its very name, “CHRISTmas.” Right or wrong, like it or not, the holiday was established over a millennium ago to celebrate the birth of Jesus; there is no getting around or ignoring this. On the other hand, however, the Bible not only fails to give a command, example or implication of the New Testament church remembering and celebrating the birth of Jesus, the Bible does not even tell us on what day His birthday falls! The Bible is silent on the matter of remembering His birth (which does not save us), but it does speak concerning His death, burial and resurrection (which does save us). When we assemble together on the first day of every week (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2), we partake of a memorial feast in which we proclaim the Lord’s death (1 Corinthians 11:26). This holiday season will present us with many opportunities for teaching; let us make the most of them and spread the true good news about Jesus (Romans 5:7-10).