When people no longer want to hear the truth, there is hopelessness. This is true because only the truth can “set us free” (Jn. 8:32), and when we close our eyes to the truth, we are rejecting the only hope that we have. This is why it is so desperately […]
Everything we have we owe to the grace of God. Our physical lives, our material possessions, our spiritual lives, and our salvation from sin are all undeserved gifts from God. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights,” (Jas. 1:17). We […]
We note in Gal. 5:22 the absence of an “s” after “fruit.” Paul did not say, “the fruits of the Spirit are…” but, “the fruit of the Spirit is…” The use of the singular rather than the plural suggests an aggregate or total package. It’s like a recipe where all […]
There is an interesting detail included by the inspired historian, while describing a part of Paul’s Second Missionary Journey in Acts 16:11. Luke records that after setting sail from Troas, “we made a straight course to Samothrace.” Making a straight course in those days meant they took advantage of favorable winds—the sailing […]
I think probably Christmas and New Year’s are the most anticipated of all the holidays. Not that the others are unimportant, but these provide special opportunities for family time, warm memories, and especially good cheer. Please allow me to offer a few suggestions about making the very most of your […]
Generally speaking, there are two broad types of funerals which I preach: those where I am confident the person was saved, and those where I am not. There are many subtypes within each of these two categories, but let me take a few moments to discuss these principles in a […]
The Bible doctrine of fellowship is a fascinating study. Starting with a definition of the word itself, we can understand it by seeing how it is used in God’s word. From the Greek word koinonea, the word “fellowship” literally means joint participation. Let’s fill in that definition by seeing how […]
It really hit home when I was recently reading an article by David R. Shannon, President of Freed-Hardeman University, entitled, “It Was the Best of Times, It Was the Worst of Times.” Using the famous quotation from Charles Dickens from his historical novel, A Tale of Two Cities, Shannon was describing […]
In criminal cases, government attorneys are often required to provide to the opposing side a list of witnesses whom they intend to call to testify at trial. As a district attorney, I would often use these witness lists in preparation for jury trials, and would usually outline what I expected […]
Christians are people of decency, people of order. We do not enjoy turmoil, or when the lives of people around us are filled with strife and disorder. Christians are people of peace. It is a “peace which passeth all understanding” and is given specially by Jesus Christ, (Phil. 4:7). We […]
They Don’t Want to Hear It