One of the questions lately raised about taking up a collection is whether giving is an act of worship. This question must be answered in the affirmative – without doubt and without apology. That giving is worship can be proved easily by a simple, straightforward understanding of the word “worship” and a clear explanation of the concept of giving. An Explanation of Worship Worship is paying homage or showing adoration toward deity; it is to praise and glorify. “Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name…” (Psalm 29:2) “Worship may be described as an expression of awe, devotion, and love – from man, the creature, to his Creator” (Jackson). Another important fact necessary to distinguish what is worship and what is not is this: Worship is prescribed by God, that is, He has given directions to man, showing him how to pay homage, show adoration, praise and glorify Him (John 4:24). Those actions that God has prescribed as a way of showing homage to Him are worship. An Explanation of Giving Giving as an Act of Worship As many have pointed out, worship often included the giving of gifts. Once we understand what worship is, and we understand what giving is, it seems a little silly to ask if giving is worship. A much better question might well be this: “How could giving to God, as a demonstration of our love, in the prescribed place and time (the worship assembly), for the purpose of carrying out the mission of the church, be …

We have a tract printed each month for placement on the display tree stand in the foyer at Crockett Church of Christ. They are for anyone’s use. Now, what is the benefit of a tract? There are several benefits. One, it is small in size and affords a quick reading and subsequent re-reading more readily (and more likely) than reading a full-size book on a subject. Verses are limited, and thereby, they are easily read or encourage follow up in the Bible to see the full context. Such is so helpful to discern real righteousness found in believing in Christ instead of resorting to our personal definitions of righteousness (Philippians 3:9). In this way, we can go back to the examples in the Book of Acts of the Apostles and see how they understood the message and obeyed to receive the righteousness of the Lord. Two, a tract sums up the subject. The front of a tract usually reveals the subject matter and may even imply a biblical application of the truth about the topic. Sometimes, a tract may use a chart that shows how a person about whom we read in Scripture understood and obeyed the Gospel that he was taught. Three, a person can underline points to emphasize them. Highlighters and pens work well for providing emphasis of information we don’t want someone to whom we give the tract to overlook. Marking or highlighting makes it possible to immediately revisit the major points. By encouraging a friend in study to give attention …

“I don’t find Paul’s writings very authoritative,” were the words from a coworker years ago regarding the topic of whether the Bible endorses capital punishment (as it does in Romans 13:1-6). Paul claimed his writings were from God. First Corinthians 14:37 states, “If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord.” Yet, some deny Paul’s apostolic authority wherever he wrote about things that they consider offensive, such as what he commanded about marriage (Ephesians 5:23-28; 1 Corinthians 7), women’s role in worship (1 Timothy 2:8-12; 1 Corinthians 14:34) and even about various sins (1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Romans 1:18-32). In order to be consistent, to deny that these passages are from God, one must deny the entirety of the letters in which they are contained are also from God. To deny these letters are from God is to deny all of Paul’s writings to be from God. To deny that all the apostle Paul wrote in Scripture is from God is to disregard almost half of the New Testament, since Paul authored thirteen of the twenty-seven books in the New Testament. Furthermore, to dismiss Paul leads to the dismissal of the writings of the apostle Peter, for Peter acknowledged Paul’s writings were from God (2 Peter 3:15-16). If Peter was not able to detect that Paul’s writings were not from God, how can it be said that Peter was inspired of God himself? …

Introduction: I. Moses sent the spies into Canaan (Numbers 13:18-20). II. Caleb made a fervent appeal (Numbers 13:30-33). III. A lack of faith brings destruction, whereas instead, loyalty brings reward (Numbers 14:1-10). IV. Faithful obedience to the law of right and justice brings the highest praise that can be bestowed upon a person. A. Such service always attains the richest reward for time and eternity.B. This principle of fidelity to God should govern us in the small affairs of life as well as in the larger ones.C. It is only by adhering to this principle, as well illustrated by Caleb, that true men and women are made. Conclusion:

What do folks today care about? We know that we all care about our families, and that’s as it should be. After all, they are the ones who come from the same blood line and were begotten with the same flesh. Biologically, the familial genes and chromosomes are the same. It’s something we don’t have a choice about, but we care anyway. Many care about the world situation and our nation in particular. Again, that’s as it should be, because our nation was paid for at a great price, and we need to guard and to protect it to maintain the freedoms that we enjoy here. Our military personnel go to great lengths to do what is necessary to protect and to preserve our free nation, and may it ever remain so! Most people care about their homes, jobs, friends, sports, clothing, good times, etc. These things, too, are all good if we don’t let them push eternal things out of our vision. Jesus addressed this very issue as we read in Luke 11:42-43, “Woe unto you, Pharisees! You tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought you to have done and not leave the other undone. Woe unto you for you love the uppermost seats in the synagogues and greetings in the markets.” Jesus condemned what the Pharisees were doing because they were leaving things undone that should have come before their tithing and because they were desiring praise …

Many people who do not study the Bible think that God is full of anger, just waiting for us to fail. They imagine that He’s up there on a cloud somewhere sharpening lightning bolts, impatiently waiting to strike us in His unmerciful wrath! Thankfully, that is not true. Yes, we have already sinned, but far from wanting to harm us, the God of the Bible wants us to find Him and receive His forgiveness and love. It is a saving kind of love and one that requires action on our part. We read in James 4:8 that we are to “draw nigh [near] to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” He is not distant and uncaring. God has already taken steps toward us. John 3:16 reads, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” This verse tells us of His unparalleled love for His creation. This passage of promise tells us that His love is a wonderful gift, a sacrificial gift (He gave his only begotten son), and it is available to “whosoever.” He has offered salvation to all of humanity. It is universal in its scope and available until the end of time. However, it is also conditional, hence the “should not.” This covenant requires us to take steps towards Him. His love is there for all, but we must act on His instructions given in Mark 16:16 and Acts …

While on a mountain and after giving the apostles the Great Commission, Jesus said, “and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen” (Matthew 28:20). Before ascending to Heaven to be with the Father, our Lord gave these men (and us) the assurance that He would be with them to the finish line (cf., Hebrews 13:5; 12:1-3). Later in the New Testament, we have another example of a great servant of God who was also concerned about believers not making it to the finish line. One of the themes of 2 Timothy is to finish the course, to stay in the race and to not shrink back in faith and give up (Hebrews 10:39). Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 4:6-8 about fighting the good fight, finishing the course and keeping the faith. Going back to 2 Timothy 2:1-8, Paul encouraged Timothy (and us) to learn obedience like a soldier, the rules of the athlete and the patience of a farmer. Remembering and believing the words of Jesus and the apostle Paul, the question is, “How do we keep from quitting and stay in the race?” Paul gave the answer in 2 Timothy 2. First, he encouraged Christians to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus (v. 1). It will be His grace that will enable us to finish the race. We cannot run this race and make it to the finish line on our own. Remember, we are not alone (Matthew …

As Christians, we have been successfully drawn unto Christ, making Christ our spiritual focal point. Those things that we emphasized in the past when we were dominated by the power of sin should no longer be the center of our interests. Accordingly, our activities throughout life should be governed by His will, accompanied by a personal dedication to come to a better knowledge of the will of the Lord. We, therefore, should develop a pattern of increasingly being dissatisfied with the wisdom of men, to which we must not turn in matters wherein the Lord has legislated. Thus, the priorities of Christ will increasingly become our personal priorities, and a new direction and set of priorities will emerge from the rubble of a prior sin-stained life. As we grow unto perfection, may we draw other men and women unto Christ, Who is now the center of our lives. Yes, the fulfillment of evangelism finds its root in a Christ-centered life. Even though none of us have lived or will live perfectly, may we better be able to forgive self as the Lord genuinely forgives us so that we may be spiritual guides to those about us.

“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6). The two desires go together. They are used here to express strong spiritual desires and needs. The original word was used in the Greek classics to express “seeking with eager desire.” On other occasions in the New Testament, it is used to express “an ardent craving, and intense yearning, a profound sense of need.” When you stop and think about it, even in everyday life, hunger and thirst are powerful impulses. If left unfulfilled, we would eventually die. We need to keep in mind that we are composite beings. That means that we are two-fold beings. We are composed of a body and a spirit (Genesis 1:26-27; James 2:26). This may be observed as well in what the Lord said in Matthew 4:4. “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Physical bread can feed the physical man, but it cannot feed the spirit of man; only the Word of God can do that. We have a soul to feed as well as a body. The man of the world has no appetite for spiritual things. We must be careful for what we hunger and thirst in the spiritual realm and in the world! The worldly man craves what is physical. He looks to the material. He seeks what is momentary, the temporary. He seeks fleshly gratification. He does not realize and …

In reading Mark 8:34, the thought occurred to me that I do not ever remember hearing a sermon that really emphasized the two points in this verse, which in order to follow Jesus, one would have to deny self and take up the cross. I have heard and preached often about the blessings one would receive, such as forgiveness of sins, eternal life, joy and peace. Yet, the absolute necessity of self-denial and cross-bearing, I do not remember hearing. I hear, “I’m O.K; You’re O.K,” “How to Enjoy Life More” or even occasionally by some “old time” preacher, “What Must I Do to Be Saved?” including faith, repentance, confession and baptism, but not much from anyone on what is involved in following Christ. It is my opinion that many us do not even realize what “self-denial” means. I think I grew up thinking it was denying self some things that I might want that were wrong to have. When I would pass the neighbor’s watermelon patch on some hot summer day and knew he did not want me to get one (which was unusual, for most neighbors were happy to have a hungry boy get one melon if he needed it), self-denial seemed to mean that I would not take what I wanted. In fact, I think I was probably preaching for several years before it really dawned on me that to deny self is not to deny self some things but to deny self himself! The middle of sIn is …

“Yoo-fay-mos” is the English phonetic spelling of the two-part Greek word, “euphemos.” The first part of the word, “eu” (yoo) means “good,” while the second part, “phemos” (fay-mos), basically means “fame” or “reputation.” The question is, “What makes ‘good fame?’” We are known by what we say and do. Our fame is whatever our widespread reputation is – for what we are known – good or bad. The Greek word “euphemos” occurs only once in Scripture. It is variously translated, “good report” (KJV, ASV, NKJV) and “commendable” (ESV). Weymouth’s New Testament has “good repute.” The Douay-Rheims Bible translates it as “good fame.” Things That Make Good Fame “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report [euphemos], if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things” (Philippians 4:8 NKJV). In this text, Paul wrote about the things that Christians ought to think. This is not simply suggested subject matter for Christian meditation, but the things that an apostle of Jesus Christ said, we must think on and do. The fame that we as Christians are to have is good fame – behavior in speech and actions that are well spoken of by others. We are to strive to have a good reputation among all men, irrespective of whether they are Christians. Notice the various things on which Paul wrote that Christians should concentrate and do: Philippians …

Jeremiah 6:16 reads, “Thus says the LORD: ‘Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls.’ But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’” It is amazing how human beings always want new and improved. That is a common mantra in advertising. Sometimes new and improved is a good thing. Look how far cell phones have come from the old bag phone, to the huge handheld ones, to the slim, basically computer ones that we have now. The sad thing is, however, that humans tend to want to look for new and improved when it comes to the Word and Will of God. Instead of seeking the old paths, they want to blaze a new path that they sometimes want to call “progressive.” Actually, most of the time these “progressive” ideas, these “re-examinations” and new thoughts about what they like to call “Church-of-Christ doctrine” are simply rehashes of old errors already taught by people through the centuries. Almost every time some brother makes a declaration of what he has “discovered,” you can go back and find where that “discovery” has been hashed and re-hashed in times gone by. They simply regurgitate the same false ideas that were already taught by false teachers way before their time. They remind me of the Gnostics of the first century in that they claim how much more knowledge they have than all the faithful Gospel preachers who preceded …

Praise Him praise HimPraise Him all peoplePraise Him in the highestHeights to which He brings you.Praise Him even in the depths of despairDepths in which He comforts youPraise Him for the joys He will grant to youPraise Him for the sorrows He guides you throughPraise Him for the beautyThe beauty of His HolinessPraise Him for the gloryThe glory of His majestyPraise Him for the powerThe power of His mighty creationPraise Him for His strengthThe strength which made us His people.Praise Him in your peace, or your anxietyPraise Him with full assurance thatHe is there and He will control all things.

Your relationship with God is exactly that — your relationship. That is, you are responsible for your own soul. This is not to say that you save yourself, but simply, the decision to be faithful to God or not is entirely yours. Where you spend eternity is going to be decided by what you choose in life. The faithfulness of your family and friends can only help you so much; it can only carry you so far. Ultimately, the faithfulness of others cannot and will not carry you all the way. The faithfulness of your Bible school teachers, youth ministers and preachers can carry you a long way and help you a great deal, but they, too, have their limits. Judas, Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11), and Demas (2 Timothy 4:10) are all New Testament examples that show just how important it is to make good choices and to keep one’s priorities straight. Being in a covenant relationship with God is a choice that we must make daily (Luke 9:23). The way of the world and the way of the cross are set before us. Choose wisely. Choose life.

“I have taken the Levites instead of all the firstborn of the children of Israel. And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and his sons from among the children of Israel, to do the work for the children of Israel in the tabernacle of meeting, and to make atonement for the children of Israel, that there be no plague among the children of Israel when the children of Israel come near the sanctuary” (Numbers 8:18-19). To consecrate or to sanctify someone is the idea of separation. That person has been set aside for a purpose. When God kept all of the firstborn of Israel from being killed by the angel that passed over during the tenth plague, He redeemed the firstborn. God told Israel, “Consecrate to Me all the firstborn, whatever opens the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and beast; it is Mine” (Exodus 12:2). God would claim every firstborn of man and beast among Israel as His personal, consecrated, set apart possession. This consecration, according to verses 11-16, was to be a continual reminder that God had delivered them from Egypt and had done so mightily. And it shall be, when the LORD brings you into the land of the Canaanites, as He swore to you and your fathers, and gives it to you, that you shall set apart to the LORD all that open the womb, that is, every firstborn that comes from an animal which you have; the males …

The tragic December 2012 incident at Sandy Hook Elementry School in Connecticut calls attention, once again, to the violent streak in our society. Statistically, it is by far the most violent industrialized country in the world. Indeed, someone has quipped that the reason football is the quintessential American sport is because it combines committee meetings with violence! If the issue of violence were simple, then the solution would be simple, but it is not. Much of it is culturally learned, some of it is a product of mental illness, and a slice of it is a lack of self-control. Its complexity, however, makes violence neither more acceptable nor less painful. Christians should be especially incensed at violence since throughout Scripture it has earned God’s disapproval and retribution. Domestic violence, Cain killing his brother, occurs early in biblical history (Genesis 4:1-16). By the time of Noah, “the earth was filled with violence,” and because of it God said, “I have determined to make an end of all flesh; for the earth is filled with violence through them” (Genesis 6:11, 13). The Lord’s soul “hates him that loves violence” (Psalm 11:5). In Proverbs, the wicked “eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence” (4:17). God was displeased with Israel’s multiple sins, among them “deeds of violence” and their haste to “shed innocent blood” (Isaiah 59:6; Jeremiah 22:3, 17). Because Jerusalem was ‘full of violence,’ God said He would bring “the worst of the nations” upon them (Ezekiel 7:23-24; 12:9). …

What should a congregation do with a sexually immoral member who refuses to repent? The church should “deliver such a one to Satan” (1 Corinthians 5:5). In other words, the local congregation must “purge out the old leaven” (1 Corinthians 5:7). To state it another way, the church must not “keep company with sexually immoral members” (1 Corinthians 5:9). Do these commands apply to publicly known sins other than sexual immorality? Here is what Paul said. “But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner — not even to eat with such a person” (1 Corinthians 5:11). What should a congregation do with those brethren who cause division with false doctrine? Paul said, “note them” and “avoid them” (Romans 16:17-18). The Book of Titus says, “reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition” (Titus 3:10). What should a congregation do with fellow Christians who are living for Satan instead of for Jesus? Paul told the church at Thessalonica to warn them (1 Thessalonians 5:14). If they refuse to repent and continue to “walk disorderly,’’ what should a church do? Read Paul’s words in 2 Thessalonians 3:6. “But we command you, brethren, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother that walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.” Later in the same …

“God is the supreme authority and all things are under His control. God is claimed to be the sovereign Lord of all by an incontestable right [as the] creator… owner and possessor of heaven and earth.” This is one concise definition of God’s sovereignty. God is infinite in His power and wisdom. He has the authority to do whatever He chooses. The sovereignty of God is one of the primary themes of the great book of Daniel in the Old Testament. This truth is found in the first five chapters of the Book of Daniel. Daniel 1:1-2 records, “And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his [Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon] hand, with some of the articles of the house of God…” Verse 9 reads, “Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs.” None of these events happened by mere chance, but it was Almighty God working in the lives and the affairs of men for a purpose. This occurs throughout the Book of Daniel. In 2:17-18, we learn that Daniel and his three Jewish friends sought God to reveal to them the disturbing dream that Nebuchadnezzar had and its interpretation. Verse 19 says, “Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. So Daniel blessed the God of heaven.” In verses 20-23, Daniel, in his praise to God, mentioned that God “changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings…” In 2:28-29, Daniel, in …

Redemption is a beautiful blessing from God. Peter summarized, “Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18-19). This particular word translated “redeemed” (from lutroomai) refers to being set free from bondage by some sort of payment – ransomed. This Greek verb is found in only two other places (Luke 24:21; Titus 2:14). Peter revealed three important realities about our redemption in these verses. First, Peter revealed from what we were redeemed – “aimless conduct.” This term, also translated “vain conversation” (KJV), “vain manner of life” (ASV) and “futile way of life” (NAS), can refer to any life lived apart from God, but it is especially suggestive of the life of idolatry, which is often connected with futility (cf. 1 Kings 17:15; 1 Corinthians 8:4; Jeremiah 2:5, 8; Acts 14:15; Ephesians 4:17). This God-opposed way of life was “received by tradition from your fathers,” which means it was according to their family’s tradition. When people choose family first over God’s will, the result is inevitable: souls are lost, enslaved to sin and stand in need of redemption. Second, Peter revealed by what we were not redeemed – “corruptible things.” The word “corruptible [perishable, ESV]” means subject to decay, perishable or mortal. It is from the same word used earlier, when Peter declared his readers’ faith was “much more precious than …

Four things must be present to have a nation, according to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary. Not surprisingly, the church has each of those four parts, too. A nation is a community of people. The church is the community of the saved (Acts 2:47). Luke describes them as being of “one heart and one soul.” They were concerned about the needs of every member, and those disciples readily sold their possessions and gave the money to the apostles, expecting any in need to receive care (Acts 4:32, 34-35). God’s kingdom, the church, is also composed of one or more nationalities. Jesus spoke of other sheep who were “not of this fold” (i.e., Israel) (John 10:16). Paul carried the Gospel to all sorts of people and nationalities (Romans 1:14-16). In Christ, all those are melded into one body (Galatians 3:27-28). Christ’s kingdom possesses a more or less defined territory. Jesus said, “Nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21). Jesus told the disciples that He and His Father would make their home with anyone who loved Him and kept His Word (John 4:23). Jesus’ letter to the church at Laodicea included a description of Him standing at the door of their hearts, desiring to come in and dine (Revelation 3:20). Webster said a nation has a government. The “saints and faithful brethren in Christ” who lived in Colosse were told, “And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, …

While some of you may remember the heading of this article as a movie released in 1984 (Has it really been that long?), I am using it to refer to something else: retirement. I have tried to research it, but I have been unable to locate much information about retirement. Oh, not from folks who are retired, who describe what it’s like being retired. I mean I have found little about the origin of retirement. I have a feeling, at least in our modern era, it’s integrally connected with the Social Security Act of 1935. This Act provided what was then called Old-Age benefits (for retirement), in addition to other benefits, for most in American society. Biblically, retirement is mentioned of those Levites who had reached a certain age and were to cease serving in the Tabernacle (Tent of Meeting). Of course, this didn’t mean they could quit serving God altogether. “The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those who are planted in the house of the Lord Shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing” (Psalm 92:12-14 NKJV). This passage speaks of the life of the righteous. The Levites who no longer served in the tabernacle were to serve God while they had the ability to do so. This thought is confirmed to us as Christians in the New Testament as Heaven described as a rest …

Have you ever gone into a room searching for something, but when you got there, you forgot for what you were searching? I suppose we all have done that. Often, forgetfulness occurs more frequently as a person ages. In fact, some deal with severe memory loss in their sunset years. While some forgetfulness is inevitable, sometimes amid life’s daily challenges, I forget some things that I really need to remember! Firstly, sometimes I forget my perspective. One thing I have really learned, especially during the last year, is how quickly a correct perspective can become obscured. Occasionally, I find myself getting twisted and tangled with the problems of the world, so much so, that I forget what my perspective should be. By perspective, I simply mean my outlook, my focus – what is truly important. No matter what the world around me is doing or becoming, I must not forget, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). My outlook, no matter what my surroundings are, is to be focused on God and His glory. When I allow the world and all of its problems to become my perspective, I can never ‘let the peace of God rule in my heart’ (Colossians 3:15). I can never be at peace with those around me (Romans 12:18), and I can certainly never rejoice as I need to (Philippians 4:4) as long as my perspective is wrested away from a focus on God. Our …