That which we hold out must also be lived out. But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Tim. 3:15). First Timothy is written in part so […]
Linked in life Four key passages paint for us the portrait of the church as the mystical body of Christ: Romans 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 10-12; Ephesians 1-4; and Colossians 1-3. Taken together, they present to us four great principles. Unity without unanimity The one body has many members (1 Cor. 12:12, 20, 27; Eph. 4:4; […]
One hallmark of a true servant is disdain for notoriety. According to the website www.city-data.com, the population of Needham, Alabama at the last census was 87. Southeast of Needham is Toxey (pop. 135) and a little farther south is Gilbertown (locally pronounced Gibbertown) with 167 inhabitants. The big city near Needham is Butler, 16 miles […]
Gathering for God’s glory Among the New Testament’s varied descriptions of the spiritual entity known as the church, one of the most striking is the term temple (1 Cor. 3:16-17). At first glance, it does not appear to have commonality with other shrines on planet earth; after all, it is not a physical building. Since […]
The sheep of His pasture Shortly after moving to a rural county in Georgia, I purchased seven ewes and a ram. We raised sheep for eight years and had many eventful experiences—some quite humorous and others heartbreaking. One thing in particular stands out in my mind: being called a sheep is not a complimentary term. […]
All Herod’s power was really … nothing at all Ever since Pentecost, the church has been oppressed in some place and in some measure. In fact, it is said that in the 20th century more Christians have died for their faith than in the previous 19 centuries combined. Acts 12 gives us insight into the […]
Exceeding. Abundant. Above. Betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, and wrongfully imprisoned, Joseph’s story is enough to drive one to a therapist. And his suffering was made worse by its contrast to earlier days. Once a loved and favored son from a prestigious and wealthy family, Joseph had even had dreams of a bright […]
Is belief in beneficial mutations scientific? For years, engineers who designed Mercedes-Benz cars refused to offer electric windows as an option to standard hand crank windows. In characteristic German fashion, they argued that the simple structure of the hand crank mechanism functioned perfectly for the task, had few parts, and almost never needed service. By […]
We must not only speak the truth; we must communicate it. I am not only responsible for what I say. I am also responsible—to some degree—for what people think I said. We note this in the preaching of the Lord Jesus and in the writings of Paul. They would often frame the questions they knew […]