Church Blog (Page 5)
Standard Bearer #3. “Red Flags” (Part 2).
The perception that unsophisticated ne’er-do-wells are responsible for the church drifting off into apostasy can hardly be supported by history. Though such men do exist, they are more likely to use long-established teachings to cement their positions, rather than invite discussion that might change the leadership landscape; the churches they lead are more apt to die before they get around to changing their doctrines. The Red Flags that signal apostacy are more likely to appear in churches that have long…
Standard Bearer #2. “Red Flags” (Part 1).
I once visited a church building in a faraway land that had flags flanking the pulpit. I recognised one as being that country’s national flag, but the other I did not recognise. Given that churches of Christ usually do not have religious icons in their places of worship, I was surprised to see secular insignia on bold display. The brother who was showing me the facilities looked as if someone had called him away from his favourite TV show, so…
Standard Bearer #1. “In the Thick of the Battle.”
There is an old preacher’s story that tells of a brave flag bearer who continued to march into the thick of the battle. The timid captain, having allowed his troops to move away from where they should have been, cried out, “Bring the Standard bearer to the troops!” At which point the standard bearer cried back, “No, bring the troops to the standard bearer!” Jude, in the third verse of his book, informs us that he planned to write “about…
Nothing New under the Sun #12. “Fairness.”
The largest group of “Arbiters of Truth” on earth are our mothers. If they had a dollar for every time they were accused of being “unfair” by their feuding children, they would probably want for nothing. But despite the tendency of one child to want more than his siblings on any given day, everyone has to agree that the average child does have a good grasp on what is fair. Of course, problems multiply when actual favouritism pervades the home,…
Nothing New under the Sun #11. “Watch your step!”
It may, or may not, surprise you that I do not believe that a person should attend the assembly of the saints if their heart’s not in it. Now, I can hear some say, “John, what if while they are there, they hear something that they need to hear?” And I concede that that is a good point. But remember, our times of worship are designed to be full of things we all “need to hear.” Those who don’t want…
Nothing New under the Sun #10. “Fear God and keep His commandments.”
If you are looking for a great gift containing a great Biblical message, then find something with these wise words from King Solomon: “The conclusion, when everything has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). This thirteenth verse of the last chapter of the Book of Ecclesiastes makes for a good sermon and an even better Scripture Verse Wall Plaque. But when isolated from the context of Solomon’s treatise on…
Nothing New under the Sun #9. “Work.”
I have known men who never had serious problems with employment and income. I have always wondered if they had any idea of how many men envied their circumstances. The days of having the same job from the day you leave school to the day you retire are long gone. For many there are seasons where jobs are hard to find; settling for less is the order of the day. That a man must work by the sweat of his…
Nothing New under the Sun #8. “Passion.”
A life devoid of passion is misery! Praise God that life usually starts with wide-eyed enthusiasm. Churches filled with the sounds of children must rejoice in their blessed state. For it is in children that we see the spirit that must characterise the citizens of the Kingdom. Thus, we are never to lose that delight of being around each other; enjoying the gift of God’s presence in His people. The Holy Spirit set the world alight on the Day of…
Nothing New under the Sun #7. “Crooked made straight.”
Each new generation seeks to fix the inadequacies of the past. Admittedly, in material terms advances have been made for many. But in moral terms the same old problems persist. Such is the hopeless state of “life under the sun” that Scripture insists that the eyes of man are like the abode of the dead—never satisfied! (Proverbs 27:20). It is sad to think that millions lie in their beds every night wondering if there is hope for this world. Sadder…
Nothing New under the Sun #6. “Something to never forget.”
A contractor once told me that he had been hired to dig a trench through a long-forgotten cemetery. I will spare you the graphic details, but suffice it to say that nothing was considered sacred. I had already read articles about such graveyards, so I was unsurprised. The articles spoke of town councils that had made comprehensive searches for anyone who might claim a connection to old graves in their towns, but found no one. Solomon reminds us that remembrance…