September 1, 2008

The Divinely Given Role of Civil Government

Capitol Building

With this being a Presidential election year, there is much debate in this country about what the government ought to do. Discussions about what the next President should do regarding education, energy, the economy, and other issues are common. Christians in this country have some voice in selecting the leaders of this nation. Since we have the opportunity to participate in the process of electing leaders, our first step in making a decision must be to look to the Bible to see what role God has given civil government.
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September 1, 2008

To the Law and to the Testimony!

Holding Out the Bible

When one scans the religious landscape, particularly the segment of religious people who claim to be Christians, it does not take long to see a broad range of doctrines, beliefs, and practices. How is it that people that claim to follow Christ can believe and teach things that are not only different from each other, but completely contradictory to one another? The answer lies in how we use God’s divine standard.

The standard that God has given us is His word. It contains the truth (Psalm 119:160; John 17:17). His word is the standard that will judge us in the last day (John 12:48). Therefore, if we want to please the Lord, we must follow His word (John 14:15; Psalm 119:11).

“To the law and to the testimony!” (Isaiah 8:20). These words must be our attitude. Do the things we believe, teach, and practice harmonize with the word of God? When a question arises, our first response must be to consult God’s word.
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August 26, 2008

Killing the Unborn

Ultrasound

The book of Amos primarily contains prophecies and judgments pertaining to Israel. But the book begins by listing various sins of the surrounding cities and nations, finally ending with Israel.

The words condemning each place begin with this phrase: “For three transgressions…and for four I will not revoke its punishment” (Amos 1:3, 6, 9, 11, 13; 2:1, 4, 6). Most of the time, this phrase was followed by just one sin. The phrase is a figure of speech which meant that the sin that is mentioned, after everything else they had done, is what caused the Lord’s patience to end and His wrath to begin. Each city or nation reached this point in different ways.

Notice in particular the words regarding Ammon:
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August 14, 2008

“Hail, Rabbi!”

Judas is one of the most infamous characters in the Bible. Most people with at least a limited knowledge of the Bible know Judas as the one who betrayed Jesus.

How could Judas betray Jesus? After all, Judas was one of the twelve disciples. He had been with Jesus throughout His public ministry. Why would he betray Him?

We may have a clue given in the account of the betrayal about one of the reasons Judas could have betrayed Jesus. Notice Matthew’s account:
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August 5, 2008

Fearing the Party of the Circumcision

Paul told the Galatians about the occasion when he had to confront his fellow apostle Peter about his sin (Galatians 2:11-14). This public rebuke occurred in Antioch. Paul explained why Peter “stood condemned” (Galatians 2:11).

“For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision” (Galatians 2:12).

Paul went on to explain that the rest of the Jews, even Barnabas, followed him in his hypocrisy (Galatians 2:13). He then condemned Peter for not being “straightforward about the truth of the gospel” (Galatians 2:14).
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August 1, 2008

No One Is Good Except God Alone

Jesus and the Rich Young Ruler

Luke recorded the occasion when a rich young ruler came to Jesus with a question: “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 18:18).

When we talk about this passage, we often begin with Jesus instructing this man to keep the commandments contained in the Law of Moses (Luke 18:20). The man responded that he had done this from his youth (Luke 18:21). So Jesus told him what else he needed to do to inherit eternal life: “Sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor…and come, follow Me” (Luke 18:22). This man was unwilling to do this and departed (Luke 18:23).
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August 1, 2008

The Greater Need

[This article was written by Robert A. Sochor.]

Often in sermons or classes or just in conversations between God’s people the topic of leadership in the church going into the future is discussed. Generally, leadership in such discussions refers to elders, deacons, evangelists, and teachers. Certainly there is a great need for faithful leaders in the church, and these works are noble goals to prepare oneself for. But I also believe there is an even greater need in the church than good leaders; and that is the need for good followers. Being a good follower is so important that good leaders will fail if there are not good followers. Allow me to explain. There are several scriptures that show the need for and define what good followers are.

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