How often does temptation cause you to hide your faith? Do you have friends or relatives who do not appreciate your beliefs? When asked about weekend plans, do you mention every detail except Sunday’s sermon? Satan uses family, friends and other relationships to tempt God’s people concerning their faith. Every time an individual succumbs to this temptation, he or she draws further from Christ. Those who hold on to the confession of faith draw closer to Him. The Old Testament gives several examples of God’s people holding on to their faith during trials. The Book of Daniel details a situation with Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego (Daniel 3). Their example demonstrates the power of confession and standing by one’s faith in God. King Nebuchadnezzar erected a giant statue of himself in Babylon. He gathered many of the government officials together. He declared that at the sound of all sorts of musical instruments the officials would bow down to worship the idol. Any individual who failed to worship the idol would be thrown into a fiery furnace. The music sounded and all of the people except Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego fell down to worship the idol. The king received news concerning their refusal to worship the image. He called them to himself. He reiterated his desire and expectation for idol worship. They withstood him and said, “If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be …

The apostle Paul asked, “O death, where is thy sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:55; Hosea 13:4). What was he saying? When the Lord comes again, notice will be given, (“the trumpet shall sound”), the dead shall be raised and the living will be changed (1 Corinthians 15:51-54). The dead in Christ shall rise first and the righteous living “shall together with them… meet the Lord in the air… “ (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17). This fleshly, mortal nature must be put off in order that we might put on incorruption and immortality for eternal life (1 Corinthians 15:53). Paul was trying to help the believer realize death no longer has a sting. Death no more has the victory. Death has no sting for the faithful believer. “Death is swallowed up in victory” (1 Corinthians 15:54). Isaiah foretold this, and the ultimate fulfillment of his prophecy will come at the end of time (Isaiah 25:8). Since Jesus was raised from the dead and we will be raised, death has been conquered (1 Corinthians 15). This victory over sin and death is through and by the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57). Sin is the “sting” of death (1 Corinthians 15:56), but sin has no power over the faithful in Christ. Being a faithful Christian takes away the sting of death. So, Paul asked, “O death, where is thy sting?” knowing that through Christ and His triumphant resurrection, death would have no sting! O death, where is your power now? Through Jesus, we can be …

When the late and beloved Marshall Keeble was 18-years-old, he worked for the Cassity Coal Company, where he operated a soap press. Years later, he laughingly related that they pressed three different bars of soap from the same stock. “We colored, shaped and perfumed it differently, but it was all from the same stock. There was Tokyo, Clarimax and Cracker Jack all made from the same stock. Some swore by one, some by another. Each had his own reason for liking his bar best“ (J.E. Choate. Roll Jordan Roll, 17). People and things have changed very little, it seems, although many years have passed. If one should make a concerted study of ideas and attitudes concerning the saving Gospel over the last few decades, it would soon become apparent that all start off with the same Gospel, in one way or another, but it doesn’t take very long for someone to change the shape, color or smell to suit one’s own personal fancy. Think of what has been done to the original idea of baptism. At first, it was thought to be Scriptural only if done for the remission of sins, in the form of an immersion. So-called infant baptism, sprinkling and pouring were thought to be anathema. What happened? Someone decided to shape it a bit differently, give it another form and make it smell more appealing to the masses, by saying that it was an outward sign of an inward grace (not in the Bible). Some contended that baptism was mandatory (as the …

“But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him” (Acts 2:24). Jesus was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by God’s power (2 Corinthians 13:4). God stunned evil. He caught it off guard. God scorned evil’s arrogance. In the midst of evil’s thickest darkness, God dispelled the darkness with the light and the power of the resurrection of Christ. This is our hope, its foundation. God is the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were (Romans 4:17). This is our hope in the midst of the darkness of the evil that seeks to destroy our faith, our hope, our love and our lives. This is our hope when in the darkness we find ourselves battling anxiety, hopelessness and despair. As we look at Jesus, we have hope. In Jesus, we see the goodness of God that surpasses all the evil in this world. In His resurrection, God’s goodness is seen in all its power. Jesus Christ was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by God’s power (2 Corinthians 13:4). As we travel through the darkness, in God, through Jesus Christ, we travel with hope. It is a living hope, sustaining us by our faith that God gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were. A living hope confident… [Editor’s Note: If it were not for hope underwritten …

“Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me” (John 17:20-21). These passages should be familiar to any strong Bible student. These words are fundamental to the blessing of unity with the Father and the Son as well as with all who believe. This prayer has some powerful thoughts for all who claim to believe. Consider three. Unity through the Apostles’ Words Jesus specifically gave the means by which believers would be unified. “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word” (John 17:20). Jesus prayed for the apostles as His own believers and then for those who would come to believe through the apostles’ words. Those words that came from the apostles which would produce unity would be and are the inspired Word of God, not their mere human points of view. This is seen in the context of these prayers in John 14:23-26, John 15:26-27 and John 16:12-13. The idea that religious people who claim to believe in Jesus can be united biblically through different faiths is denied categorically in 1 Corinthians 1:10, Ephesians 4:4-6 and 2 John 9-10. What the apostles said (1 Corinthians 2:12-13) and wrote (1 Corinthians 14:37; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter …

Many people want to know what the bare minimum is with which they can get by in their lives. Also, some Christians want to do the minimum in their spiritual lives. However, does God allow a bare minimum? Jesus said, “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30). If we really love God, we will want to do all we can. Some may ask, “How many times a week do I have to go to church?” or “How much do I have to give?” or “How much do I have to do?” This is the wrong attitude. Jesus declared, “So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do’” (Luke 17:10). If we try to get by with the bare minimum in our spiritual lives, we will most likely be horribly surprised on Judgment Day, when we hear the Lord say, “Depart from Me,” because we have not faithfully done the will of the “Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21-23). It will be too late, then. It will be final. Can we do too much for the Lord? No! We must do the most we can for the Lord. We must, “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58). Our number one …

We read in Joel 3:14, “Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision for the day of Jehovah is near in the valley of decision.” Man is a creature of choice, and throughout life, he will be faced with many decisions. Some of these, of course, will be more critical than others and will carry greater consequences. Each person must realize that he is responsible for his own life and for making his own personal decisions. This is especially true with regard to those that have a direct bearing upon his soul and where he will be in eternity when his life on earth has ended. “Then the dust [body] will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it” (Ecclesiastes 12:7 NKJV). Also read Ecclesiastes 12:13-14. Will I Make the Decisionto Serve God or Satan? As accountable beings, we have the capability of making this choice. Notice what Joshua said in Joshua 24:14-15. “Now therefore fear Jehovah, and serve him in sincerity and in truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River, and in Egypt; and serve ye Jehovah. And if it seem evil unto you to serve Jehovah, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve Jehovah.” Please notice that the decision was …

During the summer of A.D. 64, Nero was the Emperor when much of Rome burned and a bitter persecution arose against Christians. Roman historian Cornelius Tacitus described it in this manner: Accordingly, an arrest was first made of all who pleaded guilty; then, upon their information, an immense multitude was convicted, not so much of the crime of firing the city, as of hatred against mankind. Mockery of every sort was added to their deaths. Covered with the skins of beasts, they were torn by dogs and perished, or were nailed to crosses, or were doomed to the flames and burnt, to serve as a nightly illumination, when daylight had expired. Nero offered his gardens for the spectacle, and was exhibiting a show in the circus… When Peter wrote to the pilgrims of the Dispersion (1 Peter 1:1), he acknowledged their present trials but alluded to more severe treatment to come, a fiery trial that was to try them (1 Peter 4:12). Most scholars suggest that Peter’s first epistle was written before the ruthless campaign of Nero. So, Peter was preparing his readers, scattered throughout Asia Minor, for a period of bloody mistreatment likely on the scale of what occurred in Rome. In a few places in today’s world, Christians still face trials of the intensity that existed in first century Rome and Asia Minor. Yet, for most of us, the sufferings we face don’t involve blood. Nevertheless, the circumstances that trouble us are very real and often very painful. …

The Sadducees were one of the Jewish sects in the New Testament. They, along with the Pharisees, originated in the intertestamental period. They were not as large a group as the Pharisees, but they did wield a great influence upon the people. In the early history of the Pharisees and Sadducees, a great rivalry existed between them as to from which group one would claim the office of High Priest. The Sadducees won control. However, because of their opposing teachings, the rivalry did not end. The Sadducees, in spite of their relationship with the priesthood and the Temple, must be considered as extremely liberal in their teachings. They differed from the Pharisees in the things they believed and taught. Let’s notice some of these things. The Sadducees denounced the resurrection, angels and spirit. “ …Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit; but the Pharisees confess both” (Acts 23:8). “The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection…” (Matthew 22:23). There are references in the Old Testament to angels, spirit and resurrection (Genesis 16:7; Exodus 23:20; Psalm 31:5; 49:15; 104:4; Ecclesiastes 12:7). Therefore, the Sadducees did not believe what was set forth in the Old Testament. They discarded the oral traditions of the Pharisees. The Sadducees demanded that only the written Law (Pentateuch) was authoritative and they rejected oral traditions of the Pharisees. This, of course, conflicted with the teaching of the Pharisees who taught that God had given both the written and the oral …

The church originated in the mind of the infinitely wise God. Man could not have created such an institution. Jeremiah proclaimed, “O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jeremiah 10:23). After sitting at the Lord’s feet for perhaps three a half years, His chosen apostles still did not understand the idea of the establishment of the church. In ignorance they asked, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). He answered, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:7-8). When the Holy Spirit came upon them (Acts 2:1-4), they with one accord began preaching the Gospel and baptized the multitudes, and the “Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47). The establishment of the church was not dependent upon the wisdom of men. The apostles preached only what was given to them by the Holy Spirit. The church was established on the first Pentecost after the death of Christ. Churches such as Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, etc. have much later dates of establishment. What conclusion must be reached in light of this information? These churches and …

Lot is an interesting figure in the Old Testament. Known as the nephew of the “Friend of God,” he willingly left his home in Ur and shared in the blessings of Abraham. He eventually became so wealthy that he and Abraham had to separate themselves. However, it is at this point that we see his nature was different than Abraham’s. Abraham always let the Lord choose his way. Lot, himself, chose the fertile plain and was soon drawn to the big city of Sodom. It did not take long for Lot to be drawn into the problems of big city living. He was carried away into captivity and almost lost all of his possessions and his life. Only Abraham’s heroic efforts saved him. Yet, even after this, Lot went back to the same city. As Christians, we are called to leave this world and dwell in the Lord’s kingdom, but sometimes our complacency causes us to return to the city and put our minds on the things of this world rather than having faith in God. Because of Sodom’s sin, God finally decided to destroy the city. The angels found Lot at the city gate. In contrast to the godly man of Psalm 1, Lot was walking in the counsel of Sodom, standing in their way and was now sitting in their seat. Although Lot never seems to have shared in their sins, he tolerated them, and because of this, he lacked the influence to save anyone from the city. Even his sons-in-law …

A lady was walking down the street and saw several children standing around a kitten. She asked them what they were doing. “We’re having a contest,” said one little girl. “The one who tells the biggest lie, wins the kitten. “Naughty, naughty,“ the woman replied. “When I was a little girl, I never told a lie.” The children looked at each other, huddled together, and then a boy spoke up. “Give her the cat. We can’t beat her.” When was the last time you told a lie? To whom did you lie? What did you hope to accomplish with the lie? Is lying all right as long as it is for a good reason? Does lying violate the truth and violate trust? Is lying like building on a decaying foundation? Is honesty in a friend an important characteristic? Has our country seen an alarming decline in basic honesty? Are we a nation of liars as was stated in a U.S. News article? Do we agree with an elected official who recently commented, “We all make promises with no intent to keep them. All of us will lie when we have to, or when it serves our purposes. One quality needed in public figures today is the ability to tell a lie and make it believable to his constituents.” Could one say that in today’s world being a good liar is a necessary tool for success? Is there a prevailing attitude that if you can get away with it and it helps you …

Jesus stated on many occasions that He and God were one since before the beginning of time. In Exodus 3:13, Moses asked God what to say when the children of Israel would ask what the name was of the One who sent him. In the next verse, God’s answer was, “I AM.” In John 8:58, “Jesus said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM’” (NKJV). After He stated this, the Jews attempted to stone Him. Jesus later gave a list of “I AM” statements to show that He came to bear the sins for all mankind and the only way to Heaven is through Him. In John 6:35 and 48, Jesus stated, “I am the bread of life.” In verse 51, we read that this bread gives eternal life. In John 8:12, Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.” If you follow Christ, you will be in the light. In Psalm 119:130, we find that God’s words give light. In John 10:9, Jesus said, “I am the door.” Back in verse one, we find that He is the only Door. When one is baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:27), he goes through the correct door. In John 10:14, Jesus exclaimed, “I am the good shepherd.” As a shepherd, He is responsible for the flock, and Jesus cares for and loves His flock. Our Lord loves it so much that He gave His life for the flock (John 10:15). In John 11:25, Jesus declared, “I am …

Jesus told a thief on the cross beside Him, “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise” (Luke 22:43). The apostle Paul, writing in 2 Corinthians 12:2-4, spoke of going to “paradise” and “heaven,” but being forbidden to reveal what he saw in Heaven. Jesus did not go to Heaven the day He died but to Paradise. He arose and returned to earth on the third day. After returning and being seen by several people, He ascended through the atmosphere in a cloud to the third Heaven about which Paul later penned. Daniel had foretold of this in Daniel 7:13-14. We, thus, conclude that both Jesus and Paul went to both Paradise and Heaven, and Paul, in writing to the Corinthians defending his apostleship, wrote of two different places, Paradise — the temporary place for the righteous dead — and Heaven — the final resting place for those same people after the Judgement Day. Paul, though, had to return to earth and was forbidden to describe what he had seen. A main lesson for us is that people claiming to have died, gone to the spirit world and have come back to tell us what it was like are under a delusion! Or, they lie! If the apostle Paul could not tell what he viewed and experienced, people claiming to have gone to the spirit world and returned would not be allowed to tell about it either. All righteous who die before Christ returns in the clouds will spend some …

The apostle John wrote in John 12:48, “He that rejecteth me [Christ], and receiveth not my sayings, hath one that judgeth him; the word that I spake [New Testament], the same shall judge him in the last day.” We see, then, we will be judged in the last day by the words of Christ or the New Testament. Jesus further said in John 14:6, “I [Jesus Christ] am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one cometh unto the Father, but by me.” This eliminates the teachings of men as well as the Old Testament Law. The only way to Heaven is through Jesus Christ or His way, which is stated in the New Testament. The beginning Bible student as well as the veteran should pay close attention to the Book of Acts in the New Testament, because this is the book of conversions. There are ten cases of conversions in this book, and if you want to know how to be saved, then read this book and follow the examples of these early Christians. Thereby, you will someday live with your Lord. Remember, Jesus is the only way to Heaven, and the New Testament records that way. Don’t you owe it to yourself to read about the way to eternal life?

Concern for souls, in and out of the kingdom, should never generate rudeness or ungodly attitudes or bad behavior. You can be firm without being mean; you can be sound without being caustic. Balance. This kind of balance is not an accident. It is not a decision to be a “middle-of-the-roader” or a weak, wimpy Christian. It is instead a conscious decision to be the kind of Christian that God wants us to be. Perhaps the best way to understand this concept is to examine the biblical terms “epieikes” (adj., seeming, suitable; equitable, fair, mild, gentle) and “epieikeia” (noun, mildness, gentleness, fairness). You are probably familiar with the KJV rendering in Philippians 4:5 of “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.” The term rendered “moderation’’ in this passage is “epieikes.” It is elsewhere translated as “patient” (1 Timothy 3:3 KJV) and gentle (Titus 3:2; James 3:17; 1 Peter 2:18 KJV). It also appears as “forbearance” (ASV), “forbearing” (NASB), “gentleness” (NKJV, NIV) and “reasonableness” (ESV). Its use in some contexts might cause us to think of weakness or timidity, but further study reveals something very different. In 2 Corinthians 10:1, the term refers to “the meekness of Christ as a model for Paul and the community” (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Vol 2, 599). Christ in this context “is gentle as only one who has full power can be” (Ibid.). This must characterize our own attitude and character as well: gentleness and forbearance as a …

The ideal congregation responds positively when encouraged to better learn the truths of the will of God, the body of divinely revealed knowledge that is essential for our personal salvation. Our spiritual screen must ever allow the fresh gentle breeze of God’s Word to penetrate deeply into the whole of our spiritual house. Our spiritual screen must also be strong enough to prevent pests of error from entering our personal and congregational fellowship (Ephesians 5:11). To be such a people, let us view ourselves as students truly in need of a greater measure of knowledge of the Word of God. Let us be committed to growing beyond spiritual infancy (Ephesians 4:15), accompanying such commitment with decisive action. Let us plan well and readily implement our plan as we seek success in spiritual growth. May we open our minds anew to the wonders of the Word of God. May we hunger and thirst after righteousness more so than we ever have in the past (Matthew 5:6). Growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord is worthy of our best efforts (2 Peter 3:18)!

The world in which we live has always been dark. Since the fall of humanity in Genesis 3, sin has been in the lives of people and destroying those who submit to sin rather than God. Though we may look at our current times as intensely dark and sinful, the things being done today should come as no surprise to the student of Scripture (2 Timothy 3:13). Jesus told His disciples that they were to be different. He wants us to shine our lights in this world so God our Father will receive the glory (Matthew 5:16). The idea of shining our light is normally taken to simply mean Christians should be good examples. Most certainly, Christians should be examples, but in what ways? How can we practically let those around us know that this world is not our home? I believe there are practical ways that we can let our light shine, which will catch the attention of those around us (Philippians 2:14-16). Near the end of 1 Thessalonians, Paul gave several commands that we should take to heart and adopt. When we examine 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22, I think we get a clear picture of how we can shine our light in a world that desperately needs it. Always Rejoice (1 Thessalonians 5:16) Paul told the Thessalonians to rejoice evermore (1 Thessalonians 5:16 KJV) or to rejoice always (NKJV). This does not mean that Christians never experience sadness. We do, but our overall disposition should be one of constant …

Recently, a preacher met a brother in Christ who was an American League umpire who had retired several years ago from a 20+-year career. When asked how he became an umpire, he briefly recounted his story. He loved baseball and grew up playing the game through college. However, he was not good enough to make it to the major leagues, so he figured being an umpire was the next best thing. He graduated umpire school fourth in his class of over a hundred students. He was picked up by Major League Baseball and sent to the minor leagues to see how he would do. He said that ultimately being called up by the American League as a career umpire was because, “I followed instructions and knew who was the boss!” What a basic, common sense concept, but, unfortunately, one that is unknown among too many people today! People today would be much more successful in their secular professions if they would just follow instructions (instead of thinking they know it all) and recognize who is over them (instead of being too arrogant to submit to someone else). Spiritually, the umpire’s call is the only way to be successful! Know Who Is the Boss Although the word “boss” may be colloquial, perhaps even having some negative connotations to some, there is at least a sense of the word that is applicable to Jesus as the Sovereign Lord. The word translated “Lord” (kurios) can refer to the divine “Lord” (in most of …

“The words of wise men are like goads, and masters of these collections are like well-driven nails; they are given by one Shepherd” (Ecclesiastes 12:11). Even though my grandfather was a master carpenter, I was not blessed with his construction abilities. My thumb can attest to the accuracy of my hammer strikes. Trying to nail drywall to the stud can be quite the adventure. I suspect that most who have tried to nail something to a wall have had the frustrating experience of having the nail miss the stud. Whatever is being attached simply will not stay. Solomon expressed the desire of every preacher. He wanted his words to “stick.” He worked hard and pondered how things could be said that would have the desired effect. His “nails” were “given by one Shepherd.” That is, God gives them. So, God gives spiritual carpenters the nails, and it is their job to make sure they nail them in the right spot. There are several significant lessons that we can learn from this. First, we’re not using just any “nail.” The words we speak are not ours (or shouldn’t be) but are the words of God. Paul wasn’t ashamed of the Gospel because it is “the power of God for salvation” (Romans 1:16). People don’t need to be given our “nails” — our thoughts, beliefs and opinions. They need to be given the Word that can save their souls (James 1:21). Second, we have to know where the studs are. Preachers need …

Doors in the Word of God can be hopeful or hopeless. Unfortunately, man sometimes closes a door against the Lord. How often do we limit God by refusing to let Him in? The rich young ruler turned away from the Lord rather than sell his possessions and give the money to the poor (Matthew 19:22). The people of Jerusalem would not get close to the very Lord who came to deliver them words of truth (Matthew 23:37). The church in Laodicea heard the Lord say, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20). It is sad to think an assembly of Christians would not let the Lord inside. Our loving Father has promised to give His children protection. The story of Noah includes, “So those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him; and the Lord shut him in” (Genesis 7:16). Behind that door, Noah, his family and the animals he had taken in remained safe, while all other flesh died. The devil correctly charged God with putting a protective barrier around Job (Job 1:10). Even in times of temptation, He will provide a way of escape (2 Thessalonians 3:3; 2 Peter 2:9; 1 Corinthians 10:13). Paul understood it is within the power of the Sovereign of the universe to give His people a door to tell the good …

There are all sorts of ways to think about the Bible. It is its own library, containing 66 books which offers us God’s wisdom regarding life and eternity. It’s like a large mansion, with each room having different items in it, but considered together, one can get a clear picture of the One Who built it and gave it the order it possesses. It has been considered being like a quilt, each piece its own unique design and offering its own perspective but providing a rich tapestry when all the pieces are joined together. Another analogy of Scripture is it being like a jigsaw puzzle. Most pieces cannot be identified alone, apart from the other pieces they join. When they are all put together, you have a clear picture of what it’s all about. Viewed as separate pieces, without any connection, it can be hard to see the whole picture. Taking verses and passages of the Bible out of context, viewing them in isolation from the whole, one can draw wrong conclusions and misinterpret what God communicates to us through His Word. By patient study, putting it all together, we not only understand what each section of Scripture says, but we have a better understanding of what God’s overall plan is for all of humanity, as well as how that fits into our lives individually. Like a jigsaw puzzle, some people begin a study of Scripture, only to just connect a few pieces here and there. They don’t stay with …