Andrew the apostle is an interesting fellow. His name is mentioned only 13 times in Scripture, usually with the added appendage, “Simon Peter’s brother.” Andrew played second fiddle to his more prominent and boisterous brother, but Andrew’s actions show something profound and powerful about his character. Whenever we see Andrew in action, he is always…
On October 29, 1941, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill visited Harrow School to hear the traditional songs he had sung there as a youth, as well as to speak to the students. Although he actually spoke for several minutes, the most famous line of that speech was, “Never give up. Never, never, never, never give…
God has ordained a pattern for the New Testament church in His word. Churches that seek to please Him must heed His word on every matter, from worship to organization to moral behavior. The purpose of the church is to glorify God (Eph. 3:20-21), so let us consider some habits that will help us to…
Concerning God’s word, every human being is like an empty glass or a dry sponge. God wants us to fill ourselves with His word (cf. Eze. 3:1-3) to the point where we are both overflowing and saturated with it. Saturation is where the very best preaching and teaching comes from. Jeremiah explains saturation this way: “Your word…
Belief is a funny thing: it has to be grown in individual lives. Belief can’t be given, forced, or prodded. Most people are naturally skeptical, so we usually don’t believe in a cause just because someone else does. For example, many of us sympathized this week with actor Christopher Reeve (of the “Superman” movies) on…
“Preaching” is an ugly word to many these days. We use the word to describe someone on a soapbox, someone with an agenda, or someone who tries to unkindly force others to his viewpoint. While I was on vacation and visiting at another congregation recently, my eyes were opened to the status many brethren give…
A barometer is an instrument that measures air pressure. Weather forecasters can tell a great deal about the weather by reading a barometer. In like manner, Christians can tell a lot about the health of a congregation by reading several spiritual “barometers” of congregational health. The following is a list of “unsung” barometers that indicate…
One of Jesus’ hardest and most heartbreaking sermons is found in Matthew 23. Intended to warn His disciples about the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and scribes, this plain message of rebuke surely must have made many hearers squirm in their seats – and it ought to make men today just as uncomfortable! Jesus repeatedly called…
Jesus never sat still. At the height of His popularity, when His “congregational” membership was at its peak, Jesus surprisingly moved on. “Let us go into the next towns,” He declared one day, “that I may preach there also” (Mark 1:38). Really, Christ’s sudden departure from a comfortable situation is not all that surprising when…
“So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading” (Nehemiah 8:8). The Bible exalts teachers who touch lives with God’s word. Moses was a teacher (Deut. 28-30). The prophets of old were teachers, and Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our…