The King James Version of 1 Corinthians records 437 verses in sixteen chapters of the book. For the first fifteen chapters, Paul wrote about problems that needed remedied, questions that needed answered, and errors that needed corrected with the Truth. The tone of the book is a corrective voice tempered with a loving spirit. As Paul closed his letter, he gave five imperative instructions that would put the Corinthian brethren on a positive course of Christian service (1 Corinthians 16:13-14). Let us study these two verses and the five commands contained within. Number 1: “Watch ye.” From the Greek word behind this command, we derive our English name “Gregory,” which means “watchful.” The imperative means to watch, to be alert, to be vigilant. Physically, it means to be awake instead of asleep. Figuratively, it means to have our spiritual senses on the highest alert. We need to constantly and continually evaluate and be aware of our enemy as well as our manner of life and how it affects both our brethren and the world of observers surrounding us. Study through the first fifteen chapters and note how many times Paul asked them “know ye not” or “do you not know” as a reminder that they had let things slip that he had taught them. It is easy to become “spiritually sleepy.” Furthermore, it can lead to spiritual death. Number 2: “Stand fast.” The imperative means to stand firm, remain anchored, to be without wavering, uncertainty or doubt. “We are to stand fast in

Do you remember the first wedding you ever attended? It was probably one that your parents made you go to when you were so young you did not even understand what was really happening to the people involved. Do you remember the first time you gave serious consideration to the vows in a marriage ceremony? One of the first things that impressed me was the encouragement for the husband to cherish “manly affection” for his new bride. That phrase is a challenge to any husband through the course of the years of marriage. With the various problems facing our society, it is difficult for a husband to know how to demonstrate his “manly affection” for his wife. The text of Ephesians 5:23-31 teaches every husband about the love he should foster and maintain for his wife. Our study will center on six things every husband’s love should include in cherishing a “manly affection” for his wife. (1) Love of administration. Verse 23 teaches the husband is to be the head of the wife. He is to lead his family so that every member can reach the fullest potential. He is to oversee the education of the family members, he is to lead each member to develop his spiritual potential, he is to keep close watch on the financial situation, and he is to provide for the emotional well-being for his wife and children. He may delegate responsibilities to others, but he is always aware of what is going on and of

It was in the fall of 1991, just after a new funeral home had opened its doors outside the small town of Hundred, WV. I had the chance privilege of conducting the first service in this new funeral home for a faithful member of the congregation in Hundred. She was a widow who did not have any children. She had served the Lord faithfully all the years I had known her. It did not make any difference what needed to be done — visitation, finances, cleaning the building, meals prepared — she was always there to do her part. It is hard to lose this kind of member from a small congregation because they are so hard to replace. The year 1991 proved to be a difficult year for this congregation, for yet four more members just like her would leave this world and go into eternity. These things made her funeral sermon easier to preach than a lot of others I have done over the years. Everything had gone smoothly through the service at the funeral home and we prepared to make the journey to the graveside for the committal service of our departed sister. It has become customary for me to ride in the funeral coach to the cemetery whenever possible. And, in the event I do have to drive, as the minister, I usually lead the procession to the cemetery. However, the events of that day had pressed me for time, and, therefore, I had made arrangements

During a recent conversation with a man who had devoted his life to preaching the truth for over 50 years, we talked about growth in the congregations where we are respectively located.  I made an observation about how we had a lot of visitors coming even for Wednesday evening Bible Study.  However, they were all mothers and their children – no fathers.  He confirmed this observation in the congregation where he preaches, and then told me of another conversation he had just a few days earlier with another preacher that echoed the same reality. As I drove home that evening I recalled reading a bulletin article that referred to the religious life of children in America, and how it was the father’s example that was the key to how the children would practice their religion regardless of how strong the mother’s religious influence was in the family.  This is not written to minimize the worth of godly mothers, but it is set forth to emphasize the importance of fathers being godly also! In Luke 1:17, the angel Gabriel stood in the temple after telling Zachariah that he would have a son and said:  “And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”  Part of the mission of John, the Immerser, was “to turn the hearts of the fathers.”