The New Testament presents the coming of the Lord Jesus as the hope, comfort, and encouragement of the Christian. Our hope does not rest in reforming the world, in politics, science, medical advances, technology, or education. We are waiting: “for His Son from heaven” (1 Thess 1:10). “For our conversation [citizenship] is in heaven; from […]
I turned 40 on January 19th of this year. It was a Lord’s Day morning. My thoughts were everywhere except my birthday. Actually, 40 is a lot younger than you think once you arrive there. Over breakfast I talked to my family about the glorious return of Christ. I thought that was a fitting topic […]
The October 13 issue of Forbes magazine introduces us to the four hundred richest people in America (assuming you calculate worth by “treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal” Mt. 6:19). Included was an article on “The Cost of Living Extremely Well” (assuming you define living […]
Since its inception twenty-four years ago, the Church Growth Movement has promised rapid numerical growth to American churches. Through researching the sociological, demographic, and psychological needs of people groups, an approach to numerical church growth was proposed. Full length books, hot off the press, with flashy titles such as “Your Church Can Grow” and “Church […]
Paul knew it was goodbye! He would see the Ephesian elders no more this side of heaven. So in an impassioned appeal he left for elders everywhere a trumpet call to arms. In a series of couplets, he laid out a strategy for spiritual warfare which he had proved in the trenches. 1. Two Forms […]
The ceremonials of the Jew’s religion could give no peace to Saul of Tarsus. The power politics of the Roman empire could offer no hope. The philosophies of the Greeks could present no deliverance from guilt, nor cleansing from defilement. He did not find the answer until that day when this rising star in Judaism […]
Camping made many memories for us as we raised our children. Some of those memories were around a campfire singing hymns together, visiting with new friends, oh, yes! and enjoying tasty treats. We’d wait till everybody went back to their tents and it was just our little family. Sidney would bring out the sticks he’d […]
We are not going to discuss technique or even doctrine but the inward qualities of effective gospel witnessing. Notice five of these: knowledge, earnestness, faithfulness, dignity and tenderness. These are the indispensables of true evangelism. Knowledge We remember hearing a listener say to his neighbor at an open-air meeting, “This man knows what he is […]
Dan Smith (1907-1988) lived a life remarkable for its variety. Born in England of Scottish stock, he carried the gospel to remote mountains in China, India, and Sri Lanka. He preached extensively in England, Australia, New Zealand, and North America. His acquaintances and co-workers had their own notoriety–a who’s who in the Kingdom: Gypsy Smith, […]