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This week we’re talking about church buildings. In the previous episode, we discussed the disappearance of kitchens from church buildings. But what about the building itself? What should a church building look like? What may it be used for? And how do we raise money to pay for it? We’re going to talk about all of this today.Continue Reading
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This week we’re talking about the decline of kitchens in church buildings across the country. This used to be a controversial topic among brethren in previous generations, but now it seems that it is becoming less common in the current generation. I saw an article this week that discussed the reasons for this, which were very interesting. I thought it would be good for us to consider some points in our episode today.Continue Reading
Many people talk about our purpose as Christians in terms that seem to have reduced it to things that pertain to this world – loving others, being a good neighbor, being part of a close-knit community of Christians, and so on. All those are good and important, but is that all there is to being a Christian?
If the Lord’s purpose for us is that we would essentially be part of one big social club that makes a positive impact on those around us, we might ask the question: Why did Jesus have to die on the cross?
After all, even atheists and religious people who do not believe in Christ (Muslims, Hindus, Jews, etc.) can form close relationships with others and help the people around them. Yet none of them acknowledge the Lordship of Christ, and they believe the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth was nothing more than a historical fact (if that).
If we reduce Christianity to being nothing more than eating together, helping one another, and showing concern for those around us, how are we different from atheists and unbelievers who simply try to get along with others and help those in need?Continue Reading
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This week we’re talking about what people look for in a new church (and the answer may surprise you). Obviously, we are not to compromise the truth or leave the pattern found in the New Testament in order to attract more people. But it is helpful to understand where others may be coming from if we want to help them know how to faithfully serve the Lord.Continue Reading
Each person has a different background, upbringing, life experience, education, and so on. Therefore, we approach things with a unique perspective. Because of this, people can look at one event, fact, or piece of information and react very differently. A simple example of this is in the realm of sports. A fan of one team can watch a game with a fan of the opposing team, and though there is just one outcome (one team wins the game), one fan will celebrate while the other is disappointed.
Following the Babylonian captivity, God’s people assembled in Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. When the foundation of the temple was completed, two contradictory reactions were made to it.
“Now when the builders had laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests stood in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, to praise the Lord according to the directions of King David of Israel. They sang, praising and giving thanks to the Lord, saying, ‘For He is good, for His lovingkindness is upon Israel forever.’ And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the Lord because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. Yet many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers’ households, the old men who had seen the first temple, wept with a loud voice when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, while many shouted aloud for joy, so that the people could not distinguish the sound of the shout of joy from the sound of the weeping of the people, for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the sound was heard far away” (Ezra 3:10-13).
This is an example of people viewing an event from different perspectives and reacting accordingly. Those who had never seen the first temple shouted for joy. Those who had seen the first temple and knew from personal experience the difference between the two wept.
This was not a matter of right and wrong. The people who rejoiced were not wrong to do so, nor was it wrong for the ones who wept to react the way they did. Yet the need at that moment was to build the new temple. Their different perspectives were understandable and were even fine to have as long as they did not hinder them from doing the work the Lord wanted them to do.Continue Reading
The New Testament repeatedly emphasizes the togetherness of brethren in the early church. The fellowship that they shared was based upon their common faith – “those who had believed were together” (Acts 2:44). When John wrote his first epistle, he explained that “our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ,” and that they could “have fellowship with [each other]” through the proclamation of the gospel (1 John 1:3). As we have fellowship with God, we are naturally to have fellowship with the people of God.
Shortly after the church was established on the day of Pentecost, Luke recorded that those first Christians were not just meeting together but were also eating together.
“Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved” (Acts 2:46-47).
Many churches – even among churches of Christ – host what are sometimes called “fellowship meals.” These meals are hosted by a congregation and conducted as part of the church’s work. In fact, when many people hear the word fellowship, they automatically think of food. But is a church-sponsored meal what we read about in the passage above? If not, is a local church at least authorized to facilitate its members “taking their meals together” as part of its work? There are a few points I want us to consider.Continue Reading
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This week we’re talking about a woman who is a “pastor” of a church, and is charging women up to $17,000 a year to be part of her “inner circle” of friends. As you can imagine, there have been some strong reactions to this. I thought it would be good for us to consider some points about this.Continue Reading
What does “propitiation” mean? How is “justification” connected to salvation? What does “sanctification” look like in our day-to-day lives? The Bible uses some powerful words to describe God’s plan to save mankind. However, these words are not always easy to understand, especially when they are not part of our everyday vocabulary. This book explores key Bible terms that unlock the message of the gospel.
Big Words in the Bible examines five important words – Propitiation, Reconciliation, Sanctification, Justification, and Resurrection – using plain language to see how the Scriptures describe these concepts and how the apostle Paul employs them in his letter to the Romans. This book also contains an appendix with eleven additional articles to explore these topics further.
Whether you are new to the Bible and want to grow in your understanding or want a simple way to explain these core gospel doctrines to others, this book will be helpful. With a focus on the Scriptures, Big Words in the Bible helps break down these fundamental topics to shed light on the life-changing message of the gospel and the salvation found in it.
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