Church Blog (Page 49)
No man ever spoke like this!#7. “Render unto Caesar…” (Mt.22:21).
If anything should remind the Christian that he is an alien in a foreign kingdom, it is taxes. Though governments extract revenue from Christians and non-Christians alike, believers are aware that they are paying money that will be spent in ungodly ways. This has caused some Christians to avoid the payment of taxes on grounds of conscience. They make strong arguments condemning governments for their lack of humanity and low morals—all usually true. However, despite the heart-breaking societal degradation, it…
No man ever spoke like this!#6. “Everyone on the side of truth listens to me” (Jn.18:37).
This amazingly honest announcement was made by The Atheists in Kenya society in May 2021: “This evening, regretfully, our Secretary Mr. Seth Mahiga made the decision to resign from his position as Secretary of our society. Seth’s reason for resigning is that he has found Jesus Christ and is no longer interested in promoting atheism in Kenya. We wish Seth all the best in his newfound relationship with Jesus Christ. We thank him for having served the society with dedication…
No man ever spoke like this!#5. “Your sins are forgiven” (Mark 2:5).
You know that you are on the road to fame when people come miles out of their way to hear you speak. Jesus was preaching in Capernaum to a full house, and amongst the crowd were some of his enemies who had travelled from near and far to hear him. They were not fans. They must have been pleased when their mission to condemn was quickly realised. It came when Jesus said to a paralytic, “Your sins are forgiven” (Mk.2:5).…
No man ever spoke like this!#4. “Civil wars don’t end well.”
I have attended Christian funerals where, in the honest sadness (it hurts to miss someone), there was not a hint of despair. Mourners, believers and non-believers alike, unanimously accepted that the deceased believed that he had reached his goal and all was well. Conversely, I have attended funerals where there were both honest sadness, and bitter revenge. Mourners, believers and non-believers alike, fighting over the legacy of the deceased—with no regard for the goal of his faith. But it doesn’t…
No man ever spoke like this!#3. “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).
Today is Christmas. The days of early-rising little kids, gleefully desperate to get into their piles of children’s gifts, are long gone in our home. Now adults assemble at a sensible hour to share thoughtful gifts. But let that not suggest any lack of gleeful desperation on the part of any assembled—we love Christmas more than ever. Who doesn’t? The tremendous joy in receiving is to be cherished, and added to it is the honour bestowed upon the givers. “Christmas…
No man ever spoke like this!#2. “A teacher sent from God.”
Leaders can give other leaders bad names. So ungodly has been the behaviour of some that many a population has considered their leaders unredeemable. Of course, it is not fair to condemn every last person – even if the rest might reflect the stereotype. Of the 70 or so men that made up the Jewish Ruling Council (The Sanhedrin), there were at least two godly men that we know about. One was Nicodemus, and the other was Joseph of Arimathea.…
No man ever spoke like this!#1. “Wonderful words of life…”
I met a man who especially enjoyed TV shows about the lifestyles of the rich and famous. He was a godly soul, and I believe that even if he had riches, he would more likely have given them all to the poor than live the high life himself. What struck me most about him was his lack of judgement upon these often wasteful and dishonest people. But he maintained that every person has their own set of struggles, and theirs…
Passion cannot be hidden!#6. “Traditions—we must be together!”
There was a cartoon of a professor playing golf while his students were listening to his lecture from a cassette player on his desk. He was so pleased with himself that he decided to pre-record a week’s classes in advance so he could play more golf. The final frame showed the professor’s cassette lecture being played to a room full of…other cassette recorders. I continue to remind my children that they are blessed beyond measure to have a sweet mother…
Passion cannot be hidden!#5. “After you have done everything – Stand!”
If I could wish a much-needed gift upon my brethren, it would be that of resilience. Though life’s misfortunes and setbacks afflict all humans, they take on new levels of intensity for the believer. Christians find themselves ever caught in a dilemma. Though godly wisdom teaches them to avoid many of the pitfalls of an ungodly lifestyle, it also teaches them that their new godly ways can get them into trouble. A man who used to use bad language, got…
Passion cannot be hidden!#4. “The Gifted.”
Like the rain that falls on the just and the unjust, God has showered gifts upon the righteous and the unrighteous alike. Amazingly, God allows his myriad of gifts—talents, abilities, resources, and opportunities—to be used or abused according to the will of the recipient. But the Christian always seeks to utilise the gifts of his generous God as tools for fellowship with God and man alike. Jesus did not leave us without example and instruction. Jesus gifted the apostles with…