Posts from June 2022

It is easy to imagine that many believed that Jesus’ ministry was as good as over on that day in Capernaum (John 6). The previous day he had miraculously fed five thousand, and within twenty-four hours “many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore” (John 6:66). The crowd had wanted a new Moses who offered daily bread and deliverance from Rome, not someone inviting them to “Eat my flesh and drink my blood” (John 6:53). From…

Of all the many churches I have visited, within the first few minutes, it has always been obvious which ones were doing well. You can’t hide contentment. It is the first thing that you will see in the eyes of the brethren that you meet as you enter a church building. For them, church assembly is a good place to be, because everything is theirs to enjoy. Enter the Bible class of a good church and you will feel that…

The miserable song-leader is the last true barometer of a dying church. Asking him to lead a joyful celebratory song is probably like asking an undertaker to smile at a funeral. You would probably have to go back a good number of years to remember someone saying, “We must make sure that everything in our worship is done decently and in order.” I was always puzzled as to why the brothers said it. I know that they were quoting 1…

Every time the church speaks truth two realities collide. Firstly, God moves to uphold those who speak it, and secondly, Satan moves to attack them. The devil cannot destroy truth, but he will fight to destroy your faith in it. For the last 6000 years, he has successfully tempted billions to deny, abandon, or oppose the truth before their eyes. The Christian soldier keeps Satan at bay by resisting him (James 4:7), or, when need be, fleeing from his assaults…

There is an old Preacher Joke about an elderly church lady who went into a bank to make a withdrawal. The teller asked, “What denominations would you like?” With disgust, she said, “I can’t believe it, religious division has even made it into our banks!” How many thousands of different churches are out there, I do not know? But what I do know is that Jesus died for but ONE! Scripture tells us “There is one body” (Ephesians 4:4), and…

In years past it was not uncommon for some people to say, “The church of Christ believes that they are the only ones going to heaven.” Some of those saying this would have come by it honestly because that is exactly what was communicated to them by a member of the churches of Christ. However, others were simply misunderstanding (or misrepresenting) the speaker’s definition of “Church of Christ.” From the Bible’s standpoint, the church of Christ is made up of…

Critics come in many forms. But what they all seem to have in common is an ability to get inside your head. In fact, they can be the consummate squatters of the mind: They move in and take over, and the only way you will get rid of them is to evict them. But this is easier said than done. Humans are social creatures who rely on the cooperation of others. We need feedback, both positive and negative, to help…

One of the criticisms levelled at Global Warming advocates is that their actions do not always match their Doomsday predictions. They are accused of preaching imminent global destruction but living as though there is plenty of time. Spiritually speaking a similar criticism can be levelled at most Christians. We too can be accused of preaching imminent global destruction—at the return of Christ—but living as though there is plenty of time. Nowhere is this more evident than in our personal relationships.…

Forty-five years ago, the hymn, “What will you do with Jesus?” was among the Top 20 invitation songs in our congregation. The lyrics echo Pilate’s question to the crowd after they had chosen that Barabbas be released instead of Jesus. “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” Pilate asked. They all said, “Crucify Him!” (Matthew 27:22). The hymn remains a powerful and personal challenge to the sinner to consider his status before God; “neutral you cannot…

Those who know you best are the first to notice when you are especially happy. You become energised and begin to smile, sing, and retell those tales of victory; it’s a good day for everyone. The normal day can be one of struggles. Its not that you are unhappy, its that stubborn problems tend to be hard to smile at. We are ever reminded of how Adam consigned us to thorns, thistles and bread eaten by the sweat of our…