July 2, 2025

Should Foot-Washing Be Practiced by the Church Today?

Jesus Washing Feet

“Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God, got up from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself. Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded” (John 13:3-5).

In the hours leading up to His crucifixion, Jesus gathered with His disciples. Much of the time was spent teaching to prepare them for what was to come and how they were to carry out the work He called them to do (John 13-16). However, He also did something that likely seemed surprising, given the circumstances – He washed their feet. This was an act of humility that was designed to teach them a lesson:

“So when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, ‘Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you’” (John 13:12-15).

When Jesus told them to “do as [He] did” and “wash one another’s feet,” did He mean that this was a practice to be passed on to every future generation in the church? Are we to “wash one another’s feet” today?Continue Reading

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June 18, 2025

“Jesus Wept”

Jesus Wept

The shortest verse in the English Bible contains just two words: “Jesus wept” (John 10:35). Yet there is much to be learned from this brief statement. The context describes Jesus’ response to the death of Lazarus, who was a personal friend of His. Jesus would raise Lazarus from the dead, but an emotional scene preceded this event.

“Therefore, when Mary came where Jesus was, she saw Him, and fell at His feet, saying to Him, ‘Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.’ When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled, and said, ‘Where have you laid him?’ They said to Him, ‘Lord, come and see.’ Jesus wept” (John 11:32-35).

What can we learn from this passage? Let us consider a few points.Continue Reading

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June 4, 2025

The Lost Sheep

One Sheep

The parable of the lost sheep is one of the more well-known parables of Jesus. It teaches us of God’s love for us, even when we wander away from Him. It also shows us what our attitude should be toward those who wander off and are restored. It is good to be reminded of parables like this one, and also to make the proper application. Let us consider this parable together.

“What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance” (Luke 15:4-7).

In order to understand the point of the parable, we need to recognize the circumstances in which it was given. Luke noted that “the tax collectors and the sinners were coming near [Jesus] to listen to Him” (Luke 15:1). Yet the parable was not directed at them. Instead, Jesus told it to Pharisees and scribes who “began to grumble” against Him because these individuals were coming to Him (Luke 15:2-3).

In the parable, Jesus described a man with one hundred sheep, and one of them wandered off. Rather than throwing up his hands and immediately giving up on the wayward sheep, he left to find it. Amazingly, he was successful, and when he returned with it, he rejoiced with his friends and neighbors. The sheep in the parable represent God’s people – those who already belonged in the fold, whether faithful or wayward.Continue Reading

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May 21, 2025

Searching for a Man

Breach in the Wall

When we look at the wickedness surrounding us and the problems that plague the world, we may wonder what good one person can do to fix all of it. Individually, how much do our actions impact the situation around us? From our perspective, the impact may be minimal, but God’s perspective can be much different. Consider what God told the prophet Ezekiel:

“I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one” (Ezekiel 22:30).

In the verse above, God was searching for “a man” to change His mind about destroying the people. That one man was not found, so the people were destroyed: “‘Thus I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; their way I have brought upon their heads,’ declares the Lord God” (Ezekiel 22:31).

This passage reminds us of the importance of our efforts as individuals. As we consider the lessons from this text, let us not think our efforts are in vain.Continue Reading

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May 7, 2025

How to Please God

Man reading the Bible

It is reasonable to assume that all those who believe in God, understand who He is, and recognize all that He has done for us will want to please Him in the things that they do. But how do we live in such a way as to please God?

Paul wrote to the brethren in Ephesus about “trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:10). If this is something we are “trying to learn,” then that tells us two things:

  1. It is not something we instinctively know. The prophet Jeremiah said, “I know, O Lord, that a man’s way is not in himself, nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps” (Jeremiah 10:23).
  2. God is not pleased with just anything we might do for Him. Jesus spoke of those who would claim to do many things “in [His] name” but were rejected by Him because they were practicing “lawlessness” (Matthew 7:22).

If we are going to please God, we need to learn how to please Him and be sure we are learning the proper way to do it. Since we cannot look to ourselves (or other men) to determine this, we need to look to God Himself and the word He has revealed to us. Paul wrote, “For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God” (1 Corinthians 2:11). Just as you and I do not know what the other is thinking unless we tell each other, we cannot know the mind of God unless He tells us. Thankfully, He has revealed the Scriptures to us so that we may be “equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). In other words, everything we need to know to please the Lord can be learned through a study of the Scriptures.

So what do the Scriptures teach about what we must do to please the Lord? Let us consider a few points:Continue Reading

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April 23, 2025

Thoughts on Raising Money for a Church Building

Building Construction

It seems that most churches, at least in the United States, have a building in which to meet that has been bought or built by the church. Many other churches, particularly those outside of the United States, would like to build or otherwise acquire a place to meet but lack the financial means to do so. What should be done in such cases? How might churches raise money to build or purchase a meeting place that is in harmony with Biblical principles and instructions? Let us consider a few points.*Continue Reading

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April 9, 2025

Not Forsaking the Assembly

Empty Church Pew

“And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24-25).

The passage above is often used to show the importance of assembling with the local church. It also warns of the trouble that comes when Christians fail to make the assembly a priority and, as a result, neglect it.

In this article, we will consider what this passage teaches. What does it mean to forsake the assembly? What are the dangers of choosing to miss it? And how is the assembly beneficial for us? We will use the Scriptures to answer these questions.Continue Reading

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