A stranger entered the church in the middle of the sermon and seated himself in the back pew. After a while he began to fidget. Leaning over to an older white-haired man at his side, evidently an older member of the congregation, the visitor whispered, “How long has he been preaching?” The old man answered, “Thirty or forty years I think.” The stranger decided, “I’ll stay then. He must be nearly done.” As of this past July 2024, I have been preaching 50 years. If my math and memory are correct, I have written / taught / preached somewhere around 9,000 articles / classes and sermons in worship services and other means and places. When will I be “done”? If the Lord wills, I’ll be slowing the pace soon, but I hope and pray to not be done sharing God’s love and “preaching Christ crucified” publicly and privately until God is done with me and my life here is over. Like Jeremiah, I still feel a fire in my bones (Jeremiah 20:9). Preaching Christ’s gospel has been the greatest challenge, joy and privilege of my life. A special word of thanks to the elders and members, past and present, of the Smithville (Tennessee) church of Christ for allowing me the privilege of being their pulpit minister these past 29 years! Following is but a few of the things I have learned in 50 years of preaching:

* I have learned there is a God, and that no preacher, no not one and starting with me, is Him!

* I have learned preachers plant and water, but it is God who must give the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6).

* The preacher’s life is a life of tears (Acts 20:19) — at times tears of triumph and joy and others tears of tests and trials.

* The preacher’s wife is his most important asset except for the Lord!  Donna is my greatest friend, fan, critic and helper.

* There are a few “expert” armchair quarterbacks in the pews who should do the preaching since (they think) they know more about preaching and how it ought to be done than the man in the pulpit, though they never preached a single sermon.

* The best people on earth are in the church of our Lord, but the best people in the church are sinners in need of God’s grace

* Just about any problem (in individual lives or the congregation) can be “fixed” if we all have the mind of Christ.

* Not even slight problems (in individual lives or the congregation) can be “fixed” if we don’t submit to Jesus and His word.

* The great majority of people who come to church are there to worship God, but not everybody.

* Preaching has power to change people’s lives when people allow it to.

* Preaching is powerless to change anybody’s life until they allow it to.

* I am one of the best preachers some people have ever heard … and one of if not the worst preacher others ever heard!

* I have learned I can please God but not all people, but it’s okay — Jesus Himself didn’t please everybody (John 15:25).

* People can take “hard preaching” if it comes from God’s Word through a preacher with a “soft” heart.

* Preachers, elders and members sometimes fail, but God never does.

* I have learned that the church (the old ship of Zion) sometimes springs a leak and lets in some of the world’s water!

* I have learned that the devil and all the demons in hell and on earth cannot sink the old ship of Zion!

* Problems and offenses and “hatchets” between some members of Christ’s church won’t be buried until those members are.

* Some people in the church seem unwilling to tolerate any kind of sin.

* Some people in the church seen willing to tolerate any kind of sin.

* I have learned that nothing is too hard for God (Genesis 18:14 <> Jeremiah 32:17).

* I have learned that God works through His people to do great things (Ephesians 3:20-21 <> Acts 14:27).

* I have learned that God is good all the time . . . all the time God is good!

* I have learned in fifty years of preaching that while times and things and people change, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

I have been and continue to be blessed to be a preacher — by God and by His people!  To God be all the thanks and glory.

“And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel …” — Romans 15:20

by: Dan Gulley, Smithville, TN

Many Christians struggle with the concept of divine providence. We understand that the period of miracles served a specific purpose which has now passed. Through His Word, God continues to testify and confirm His historic saving acts.

While God no longer utilizes supernatural acts performed by human hands, we believe He still works in our world. Verses like Gen. 50:20 and Rom. 8:28 plainly teach us to expect God’s providential care.

As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people. (BSB)

And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. (BSB)

When my grandmother was a child (she was the third of eleven surviving children), her family did not own an automobile. With no other means of transportation, my great-grandmother Marie rode a horse to worship services. Since she couldn’t haul them, she left the children, including my grandmother, with my great-grandfather Ricey, who refused to attend.

In early 1942, the family went West because Great-Grandma Marie had tuberculosis. They initially settled in Garden City, Kansas, where Ricey worked the wheat harvest. Afterward, they went to Colorado to work the peach harvest. Finally, they migrated to Wyoming. Ricey couldn’t find suitable work in Wyoming. Marie’s lungs had cleared, so they returned to Kentucky around the first of October.

The travels west meant the family now had a truck. When they returned to Kentucky, Ricey drove them all to worship. While Marie and the children went inside, Ricey visited with other husbands under the trees. In hindsight, one of the reasons my grandmother was able to attend church as a child was that her mother suffered from tuberculosis. Behind a frowning providence, He hides a smiling face, indeed!

Clay Leonard

Now for the rest of the story. Several weeks ago as a Bible study on covenants drew to a close, someone asked about the thief on the cross. This was followed up with a question about Cornelius. Having apparently received acceptable answers, a final objection was raised. “But what about John 3:16? It only mentions believing.”

The class was encouraged to wholeheartedly endorse and agree 100% with John 3:16. I too agree 100% with John 3:16.

After a brief pause, they were presented with a challenge. Had they considered how we use the word “believe” today?

Take for example a small boy who climbs up and gets stuck in a tree. He calls out for his dad to rescue him. Upon arriving at the tree, the dad lifts his arms up toward his son saying, “Believe in me.” We all understand what the Father is asking of his son.

“Believe in me” is the father’s call for his son to trust in him by dropping down into his arms. Believe summarizes the faith response of believing some truths (dad can catch me, I will be OK if I let go) and acting upon that conviction (dropping from the branch).

In this scenario we know that if the boy were to just sit on that branch filled with confidence that his dad could catch him, this would not constitute believing in his dad. In this context to believe in dad required relying upon him by letting go of the branch.  We understand this. This is how we use language today.

Today, we intuitively realize that each context determines what is required in order for us to believe in someone. It might require dropping the family’s car keys into our teenager’s hands. To believe in someone might only require believing someone’s promise. Or it might demand showing up at a restaurant at a set time. This is how we use language every day and we understand this.

The class then heard a suggestion. Scripture also uses believe in this same way.

For example for Abram to have faith in God when God had made him a promise only required believing the promise (Genesis 15:5-6). However, for Abram to possess faith in God when God commanded him to go to a place God would show him demanded obedience (Hebrews 11:8).

In other words, to believe in God summarizes whatever particular faith response might be required in a specific situation. From building an ark to crossing the Red Sea, Hebrews 11 as well as all of scripture is chock full of such examples. Thus to grasp how scripture is calling for us to trust in Jesus, we must listen to the gospel story.

What we discover is that to “believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved” along with its parallels summarizes conversion by emphasizing the necessity of trusting in Christ (Acts 16:30-31; 4:4; Romans 1:16). Yet, when those same authors provide more details about relying upon Christ crucified they always include baptism (Acts 16:32-34; Romans 6:3-6; 6:17-18).

Scripture presents one harmonious message regarding salvation. Sometimes it summarizes our need to rely upon Jesus with statements like “believe” or “became obedient to the faith” (Acts 6:7). At other times it offers more detail. And when it does, baptism is always mentioned (Acts 8:12; 8:35-39).

A week after our study, one participant remarked, “I’m still chewing on these things.” We would all do well to chew carefully and test our assumptions against scripture.

Writing perhaps in the A.D. 90’s for a church in which the gospel had been transforming lives for decades, the aged John penned his account of the gospel. He emphasized the need for people to believe in Jesus. We need Jesus! After repeating Jesus’ teachings about being born from above of water and spirit, John wrote:

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

by Barry Newton

Google Maps has a project, called Street View, through which they intend to photograph routes throughout the world for diving. This street view came in handy when the Italian police were looking for an Italian mobster.

    Gioacchino Gammino had escaped from an Italian prison a decade ago. But in December of last year, some was looking at Street View of a street in Galapagar, Spain when the person thought they recognized Gammino. Police were alerted and Gammino was correctly identified and re-incarcerated.

    God knew what was happening in the Garden of Eden. God knew what was happening at the Tower of Babel. God knew what was happening in Sodom and Gomorrah. God knew what was happening in Egypt and God cared.

    God knew what was happening during the life of Gideon. God knew what was happening in the life of Saul. God knew what was happening in the life of David. God knew what was happening in the life of Solomon. God knew what was happening in the life of Jeremiah.

    “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. If I take up the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will take hold of me. If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, And the light around me will be night,” Even darkness is not dark to You, and the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You” (Psalm 139:7-12).

    David wrote these words as words of hope and assurance, confidence, and trust. God is a better guide than Google Maps. Since He knows all and sees all, He always knows how to get us from where we are to where we need to be. Wherever you are, right now, the Bible has a message for you to get you where He wants you to be. The last statement in Psalm 139 reads: “lead me in the everlasting way.”

Paul Holland

How can we know that we truly are disciples of Christ? In the Gospel according to John, Jesus gives three simple tests so that we can know for certain that we are disciples.

The first test is given in John 8:31-32 where Jesus said, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” The test is – are we continuing or abiding in the Word of God? This is a test to prove to ourselves that we are disciples. One does not know he or she is a disciple by the way one feels, nor because someone declares one a disciple. One only knows that he or she is a disciple by being obedient to the word. Jesus also adds that if one continues or abides in Christ’s word, one will be made free. If we are made free, then the logical conclusion is that we had been slaves of something before that time, sin in particular. But abiding in the word can also set us free from several other forms of slavery.

The second test is given in John 13:34-35 where Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” This test proves to all who are around us, that we are a disciple of Christ. The world is watching and if they see us loving each other and caring for each other they know we truly belong to Jesus as one of His disciples. Acts 2:47 records that those first disciples found “favor with all the people” (Acts 2:47). Just prior to that statement Luke recorded “and all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need” (Acts 2:44-45). No doubt, the world was watching those early disciples. Therefore, Luke was able to write, “And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47). When those who are not disciples of Christ see the love Christians have for one another, they desire to become a disciple. Sometimes we don’t think that the world even notices us, but they do. Does the way we treat our brethren convey the kind of love that Jesus had and has for us? If not, then we fail the test and are not truly a disciple of Christ.

The third test is given in John 15:8 where Jesus said, “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.” This is a test to prove to God, the Father that we are disciples. God knows everything, but He wants us to prove to Him that we truly are one of His disciples. Notice that the text said we must bear “much fruit.” Are we just barely bearing fruit or are we truly bearing much fruit? In the context of 15:1-11, Jesus does not tell us what kind of fruit we are to bear, but He does tell us how to bear fruit. The New Testament speaks of different kinds of fruit a disciple ought to bear. Here are a few of them: (1) Fruit of righteousness (Philippians 1:11), (2) Fruit of every good work and knowledge (Colossians 1:10), (3) Fruit of soul winning (Romans 1:13), and (4) Fruit of giving (Romans 15:28). The question is are we bearing much fruit to prove to God that we truly are one of His disciples?

(The idea of these three tests comes from William Barclay’s commentary on John) 

Wayne Burger

There’s the story told of an elderly lady that was amazed at how nice the young man next door was. Everyday he would help her gather things from her car or help her in her yard. One day the old lady finally asked the young man, “Son, how did you become such a fine person?” The young man replied, “Well, when I was a boy, I had a drug problem.” The old lady was shocked and said, “I can’t believe that.” The young man replied, “It’s true, my parents drug me to church on Sunday morning, drug me to church on Sunday night, and drug me to church on Wednesday night.”
Have you ever paused and thought about why you go to church? What reason causes you to bring your kids to worship? What’s the point? Contained in the pages of God’s Word we can find at least three reasons why we go to church.

A Past Example

God is a God of remembrance. He would repeatedly instruct, comfort, and encourage the Israelites by reminding them of things He had done in the past. He used reminders of past instances to help motivate His people. God’s Word continues to do that for us today. It is filled with past examples to help remind us why we come together each week. We go to church because of a past example (Acts 2:41-47; Acts 20:7).

A Present Encouragement 

1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” Hebrews 3:13 says, “But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today,’ that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”
Each week in the world we may feel outnumbered trying to live a godly life. When we come together we’re reminded that we aren’t the only ones that are trying to be like Christ. William Ward once said, “Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will not forget you.” Our present encouragement comes from unity and the sharing we all have with each other. We’re encouraged through fellowship, but also praise. Worship is a time to reflect on God and what He has done for us. We focus on His nature and His love and we praise Him because we are blessed beyond belief. Our present encouragement comes from our time spent praising God our Father. We come to worship to receive our present encouragement.

A Future Event

On February 3, 2018, Robert Meilhammer, 51, of Crapo, Maryland, was struck in the head by a dead Canada goose. The bird that hit him was 14 pounds and had a nearly 6 foot wingspan. It plunged from the sky after a fellow waterfowl hunter fired a blind shot on a flock overhead. The goose fell about 90 feet, knocking the hunter out instantly and causing head and facial injuries. If you could see what was coming you would prepare. If Robert Meilhammer would’ve known about the goose coming he could’ve taken a step forward to keep from getting knocked out. If we knew what was coming, we would prepare. God in his love and grace has revealed what is coming and what needs to be done in order to prepare. We come together to remind each other of the day that is coming in the future. We come together to encourage our church family to fight the good fight, keep the faith, and to stay the course. Mark 16:16 says, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” The judgement day is coming and God is clear on what we should be doing. Get prepared and stay prepared by going to church.
We assemble as a family on the first day of the week because of a past example, a present encouragement, and a future event.

Carl Pollard

John Castillo Kennedy writes a riveting account of the fire that swept through San Francisco in the wake of the catastrophic earthquake that struck on April 18, 1906. The earthquake and resulting fires, which killed 3000 people, destroyed 80% of the city. Among the dead was the city fire chief. Firefighters, unaccustomed to using dynamite to create firebreaks, caused several of the fires.

At one point early in the fires, according to Castillo, the spread of the flames surprised people living along Pine, Bush, and Sutter Streets, forcing them to flee immediately. They had been confident that the flames would not reach them there. The author says,

“Quickly filled trunks grated up the hills. Wagons, mostly pulled by men, rattled over the rough cobblestones. Baby carriages and toy express wagons rolled along packed full with the ‘things’ people had snatched up in the flight. Pianos were bumped along the sidewalks–some went to pieces in the process. Sewing machines slipped along on their rollers with stacks of bedding and the like lashed to them. Women had their valuables on their person, or carried trinkets Gypsywise in handkerchiefs. Men wore columns of hats five-high. Some carried only a book. Parrots jabbered and scolded from many cages. Some people had blankets. Girls usually had bandboxes. Boys stretched poles between them and carried, suspended there, bundles of clothing and provisions. Once it was only a ham” (83).

These panic-stricken people, with no time to prepare, reached for the thing that had the most practical or sentimental value to them. Something made people faced with total loss and threat of life to lug heavy items or pets or food. Many of the choices seem irrational. Perhaps they were in shock or acting in impulse. In essays and contests asking people what they would grab if their house was on fire and they could only grab one thing, they have cited passports, wills, legal documents, insurance policies, personal papers, portable hard drives, phones, etc.

I’m trying to put myself in their shoes. If I was in one of the many neighborhoods forced to flee my home with no time to spare, what would I have been sure to grab? How long would it take my mind to settle on sentimental family items like old photos, my wedding video, or the boys’ baby books? Would I be relieved if I could make it out with my Bible, though I saved nothing else?

I do not judge those folks with their bizarre, split-second decisions. For some reason, it just made me do some introspection. What does my priority list look like? What do I value most in my life and in my home? What would I try to be sure to preserve?

Perhaps the answers to those questions is best provided by my choices in ordinary, every-day actions. I want my wife, children, fellow-Christians, and, most of all, my God to see from my life that they come before the things of this world. The things will all ultimately burn (2 Pet. 3:10). It is the relationships that will outlast the final, global conflagration. I pray that my influence and example will save them from the fire (Jude 23).

Reference: Kennedy, John Castillo. The Great Earthquake And Fire: San Francisco, 1906 (New York: William Morrow and Co., 1963).

Neal Pollard

“During a BRUTAL study at Harvard in the 1950s, Dr. Curt Richter placed rats in a pool of water to test how long they could tread water. On average they’d give up and sink after 15 minutes. But right before they gave up due to exhaustion, the researchers would pluck them out, dry them off, let them rest for a few minutes – and put them back in for a second round.

In this second try – how long do you think they lasted? Remember – they had just swam until failure only a few short minutes ago…How long do you think? Another 15 minutes? 10 minutes? 5 minutes? 60 hours! These rats swam for another 60 hours before they gave up. The conclusion drawn was that since the rats BELIEVED that they would eventually be rescued, they could push their bodies way past what they previously thought impossible.

If hope can cause exhausted rats to swim for that long, what could a belief in yourself and your abilities, do for you?”

While this illustration was made to show the value of believing in yourself, as Christians it’s more than just a belief in yourself!  How much more could we endure if we hoped in the Almighty God?

As a Christian, remember what you’re capable of. Remember why you’re here. Remember the hope that is placed within us. Never give up. When you face ridicule for the godly choices you make, don’t give up. When you start to lose zeal and the fire begins to die. Don’t let it go out.

When life seems overwhelming and you’re drowning in stress, don’t quit. When health issues plague your body, don’t give up. Never give out, never give in, and NEVER give up. Remember the cross, remember the hope, remember the eternal home that will soon replace this temporary dwelling.

As a wise fish once said in a cartoon movie, “just keep swimming.” And we are given a beautiful reason why. In Philippians 3, Paul gives every Christian our motivation. Our reason why we should never give up. We stay motivated by pressing on (14).

What lies ahead? The goal, the prize, the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

We press on by holding fast (16). Once you’ve got it, don’t let go. Look to those who have set the example (17).

Imitate the mindset of Paul and ignoring the enemies of the Cross. Paul pleads to them with tears (18).

Don’t get distracted and don’t follow the wrong example. Finally we never give up by letting go (20).

Let go of this world and what ties you to it. Our true home is in heaven. We can find motivation and comfort in recognizing what we can accomplish and endure through Christ.

Carl Pollard

Many years ago, I was commissioned a US Army lieutenant and trained as an infantry soldier. It was not easy; the training was tough and deliberately so. The intent was to instill confidence that we could overcome and win no matter how hard the task or difficult the conditions. I learned to enjoy strenuous training and realized it was preparing me for my upcoming role as a platoon leader. Although I did not particularly enjoy being cold, wet, and hungry for days, it wasn’t just meaningless hardship I was being subjected to. It made me a better officer and soldier.

Living as Christians in this world is remarkably similar. Our lives, while full and rewarding, also have periods of unpleasant and trying times that we must face. As James 1: 2-4 explains, these episodes are part of our Christian development: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

We become stronger and more resilient Christians because of the adversity we overcome. Even failing something gives an opportunity to get back up and try again. These are tough times that we are living through, and we certainly aren’t enjoying all of our experiences. However, by keeping our faith in Christ and focusing on His ability to help us work through our challenges we will one day look back with thankful hearts knowing that our faith endured. Looking forward, we can be confident about facing the next challenge.

Bill Rose

Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).

Off the coast of Greece, since the days of Plato, free divers have been plunging to depths of 50-100 meters with no breathing apparatus at all to harvest sea sponges. Others do this kind of diving for sport.

But it is extremely dangerous.

In 2013, Nicholas Mevoli died after performing a dive. He resurfaced, signaled “OK,” then lost consciousness, and died. In 2015, Russian free-diver, Natalia Molchanova, who held 41 world records and earned 23 gold medals, plunged into the Mediterranean darkness off the coast of Spain for a recreational dive, and failed to resurface. After a few days, rescue efforts ceased.

Free-divers must learn not only the physical techniques of free-diving, but also how to switch off their primal instincts. They do this through rigorous physical and mental training. They learn to silence their primal responses when breathing slows and oxygen levels decrease.  However, this switch off, while necessary for the task, can also be the reason for failure. Learning to ignore one’s fears can and does result in serious injury, or even fatality.

This is true of our spiritual selves. We are spiritual beings. Some overcome spiritual fear by ignoring or denying that they are spiritual beings at all. Though it be ignored, the soul of man is quite real (see: 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 4:12; James 2:26).

The spiritual self can, like the diver’s primal instinct, be switched off through sheer will power. The conscience can become numb (1 Timothy 4:2).

When Jesus said, “Fear not,” he meant for us to find peace and hope for our soul through obeying his gospel (Romans 1:16). He did not intend for us to switch off our soul in hopes that it would go away.

Unfortunately, many are free-diving, having shut off the spiritual intuition with which they were endowed by their Creator. They are sinking. The longer they stay submerged, the less likely it is they will resurface.

Rick Kelley

    We often ask ourselves these types of questions:

    Wouldn’t I like to be in relationship with someone else? 

    Don’t I deserve a person who loves me? 

    Aren’t I worth much more pay? 

    Don’t I deserve a salary much more rewarding?

    During the temptations, Satan wanted to find where Jesus may be dissatisfied because that would signal where He was most vulnerable. Dissatisfaction in all three of the temptations, the overarching theme was to locate where Jesus may be discontent, and that would determine the archenemy’s starting point. 

    In 1965, a hit song came out by the Rolling Stones, that’s still played on classic radio stations today: “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction.” It became one of the top hits of all time. It’s almost prophetic. 

    The devil’s bottom line to tempt you and me is to get us to feel dissatisfied with who we are and what we have. 

    Disappointed with our marriage. 

    Discontented with our salary. 

    Bored with our church. 

    Dissatisfied with our car. 

    Displeased with our house. 

    Dissatisfied with our faith. 

    It’s time to get back to Jesus! 

Jesus models contentment for us: 

    When Jesus was sleeping in the boat, during the storm, it was because He was content in the protection of His Father. The disciples panicked and awakened Him from sleep with the words, “Don’t you care that we are perishing!?” Jesus rebuked the winds and the sea became calm. He turned to His disciples and said, “Why are you afraid? How is it that you have no faith?” (Mark 4:40). Notice the words “No faith.” 

    Dissatisfaction reflects disappointment in God; He’s not treating us right.

THE SOLUTION TO DISSATISFACTION:

    What’s the solution? How can we combat dissatisfaction?

    Look for the good in every situation and be thankful for the blessings God has given. We do not need a drawer full of bling or a bank account of millions in order to be content. “If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content” (1 Timothy 6:8). 

    Practice looking for Jesus. If you look for what’s bad in your spouse, you’ll find that you married a bad spouse! If you look for what is bad in your life, you’ll see that you’re in a mess. If you look for what’s out of date in your car, you’ll be dissatisfied with it. If you compare your smartphone, monthly payment plan, interest rate, with someone else’s, you’ll want something better. Bad news is everywhere.

    Practice looking at Jesus (Heb. 12:2). You’ll see Him everywhere. Look for what’s good and you’ll find that the way God is treating you is better than you deserve!

Paul Holland

Some of Jesus’ statements are quite attractive: statements like, “God so loved the world…” and “Judge not…” are generally beloved by most people.

His actions draw crowds still today. He called out hypocrites and spent time with outcasts. He upheld the little guy and pulled down the crooked establishment.

But this is where the admiration should end. So Jesus defied some conventions and said some pretty things, does that make him special?

Hitler is attributed with the saying, “Anyone can deal with victory. Only the mighty can bear defeat.” That sounds like something to put on a motivational poster with a sun setting behind a snow-capped mountain overlooking a lake of glass.

The Belgian priest known as “Father Damien” defied conventional medicine and wisdom. He moved to an isolated leper (Hansen’s Disease) colony in Kalaupapa, Molokai, and served there for 16 years. He did what no one else would do: he lived in their environment, advocated for them, taught them, gave them fellowship and sacrificial love. He eventually contracted the disease and died at the age of 49.

Many people have defied conventions and said inspiring things.

What makes Jesus so different? Moreover, what makes him any better?

Jesus did not just do unconventional things and say inspiring things, he said downright crazy things.

Like, “I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

Um, excuse me?

Or, “Not everyone that says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven” (Mt. 7:21).

I’m sorry, what?

How does Jesus get a pass here? Why do people follow him? Because Jesus said and did inspiring things, should we just overlook all the crazy things?

Imagine if I began this article this way:

“Just a reminder to all my readers that I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. Thank you.”

You’d have me sedated, picked up in a wagon, and probably admitted to an institution.

And this isn’t the only statement like this that Jesus makes. Not by far. Repeatedly throughout the gospels Jesus states explicitly or implies that he is God. In the flesh. That he was alive before Abraham was born (John 8:58). That he came from heaven (John 3:13; 4:10). That he is – basically – God’s favorite person ever. That he is going back to heaven and that no one can come with him unless they bow down and worship him.

What??

In the gospel of John alone, there are hundreds of such references. In fact, the gospel seems to have been written just to highlight these kinds of statements (John 20:30-31).

Some years ago this author studied the first 17 chapters of John specifically for this purpose: to determine just how often the deity of Jesus was spoken of specifically or implied, by him, by a friend, or a by an enemy. Of all the verses – over 700 of them – nearly 3 out of every 4 verses was a statement about him being God.

You’d have to be blind not to see it.

It’s crazy talk.

C.S. Lewis came to this same realization when he said that Jesus did not leave us the option that he was just some great moral teacher. Not at all. He claims to be so much more than that. Over and over and over he claims to be something else, something more. And that makes the gospels about as crazy as anything you have ever read or will ever read.

It also makes the gospels easy to dismiss. There are those who believe the gospels were written by amateurs well after the life of the man purported to be Jesus, and then it was elaborated on and edited in the ensuing centuries.

But I must say, what a terrible job they all did. They have succeeding in giving humanity the most ridiculous character in all of literary history.

Jesus is worse than the deities of the pantheon – much worse. From Rome to Greece and back through history to Mesopotamia, to African and South American legends, to Aboriginal legends. These gods made no pretense of perfection. They are just grandiose expressions of humanity, at best, full of vice and caprice and inconsistency. They were all just placeholders for our lack of understanding about the natural world.

Jesus is surely far worse than Mohammed. Mohammed made no claim to be God, he just claimed to receive a vision or visions from an angel. Delusional? Deceptive? Likely. But at least he didn’t claim to be Allah.

Jesus is worse than all the mystic religious leaders, none of whom claimed to be the one true God of the universe. They have merely suggested that following the path they have followed will bring an ultimate state of mind.

Perhaps I should revise my opinion of the gospel writers then: what an amazing job they did. They have succeeded in giving humanity the most ridiculous character in all of literary history.

But why? Why would they do this? What motivation would they have to take a person, who may or may not have lived, and preserve some scant few of his words and then add hundreds – thousands of others, the combination of which would make him out to be the most ridiculously self-aggrandizing, condescending, arrogant person who ever lived?

Oh, and while we’re at it: how did they convince the world that he was meek and gentle and loving and just and kind and good? How did they inspire people – literally hundreds if not thousands of years after the fact – to write beautiful songs like “Jesus Loves Me,” compose unparalleled symphonies, like Handel’s “Messiah,” and craft some of the world’s most breathtaking art, like Pieta?

Why are we giving this obviously crazy person – or the crazy people who concocted him – any attention AT ALL?

And why would the authors – the original propagators of the nonsense – all die for it?

And why, why would the subsequent followers of that phony nonsense go to their graves, brutally, as martyrs, and consistently for over 250 years with that name – the name of this crazy, deranged, whatever he was, charlatan? literary invention? – on their tongues?

Unless, in fact, he was telling the truth.

Do you have a better explanation?

Rick Kelley

1. Worrying will lead you away from the Word of God (Luke 8:14) — One of the greatest antidotes to rid worry and anxiety in this life is to close the world and open the Word. It is in this passage of scripture that Jesus teaches the lesson of the various soils. In His effort to warn His disciples, He explains there are three things that can ultimately steal God’s message from your heart; worrying being one of them. The polarity of worrying is growing your relationship with God.

2. Worrying will distract you from Jesus’ presence (Luke 10:41) — Martha and Mary were both thrilled at the presence of the Lord. However, while Mary sat at His feet, Martha was concerned with her preparations and service. The Messiah responded, “you are anxious and troubled about many things.” Sometimes the best service we can give to our Savior is attention to His presence. There are few places that are greater to be than the feet of Jesus.

3. Worrying will rob your confidence in God (Luke 12:11) — While we live in different times than the First Century and how the Holy Spirit engages our speech, we are witnesses of the divinely-inspired scriptures. Jesus encouraged His disciples to not “worry” about what they would say in the midst of a synagogue. Contextually He is speaking of their confession and acknowledging Him as Lord. When we worry about how others will receive us, we lose our grip on the confidence that God gave us.

4. Worrying will redirect your focus (Luke 12:22) — Jesus preached God’s providence often. God has provided for His people for the length of history and He won’t stop now. Yet even with the acknowledgment of that we need the sobering reminder, “do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on.” Rather our focus should be on our communication to God in His will to “provide our daily bread” (11:3).

5. Worrying will provide a futile effort to extend life (Luke 12:25) — Sometimes we forget that this life is not a means of survival. It ought to be a means of a spiritual revival. When we are spiritually awakened we recognize that the greatest treasure of all is our communion and reunion with our God. It is when we lose our life in Christ that we find life (9:24).

6. Worrying will consume your thoughts (Luke 12:26) — I am frequently reminded that the best teachings of Jesus are the simplest. In the same section as chapter 12, He states, “if you are not able to do as small a thing as that (12:25), why are you anxious about the rest?” Worrying becomes a spiderweb of processes that eventually lead us to being entirely consumed.

7. Worrying will leave you abandoned in Christ’s return (Luke 21:34) — In His dialogue concerning the judgment day, Jesus mentions the individuals that will be woefully unprepared for His return. Included in that category are those who are burdened down with the worries of this life. What do any of the temporal entities matter in the grand scheme of eternity?

   Tyler King

“The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.” Mark 4:26-29

I’ve tried for several years to plant a productive garden, some years more successful than others. The best attempt was probably our last summer in Tennessee. A raised bed properly fertilized and well-watered yielded more tomatoes, cucumbers, and melons than we could eat. I built an arbor that arched about seven feet overhead and have great memories of seeing the tomato vines grow up to the pinnacle.

During that summer, I’m sure along the way I bragged to someone, “You should see the garden I’ve grown this year!” Upon reflection, that could not be further from the truth. I made nothing grow…God did.

Don’t get me wrong, I worked hard in that garden, tilling the soil, pulling weeds, irrigating, and choosing a spot where it would have sufficient sunlight. However, all this work did not force the transformation of molecules locked inside those tiny seeds. My actions did not draw water through the roots or turn sunlight into food through photosynthesis. God is the one who put all those things in motion.

Jesus’ parable above draws on this agricultural reality, but his application is that of our faith. We often speak of growing our faith in God, yet the process for doing so is much like growing a garden. None of us can actually explain how faith grows because God is the only one who can make it happen.

Our job is to create an environment conducive for the growth. Working the soil of our heart, planting the seed of the word through study, fertilizing and watering it with prayer, worship, and interaction with Christian family. We pull the weeds of bad habits and sin, while choosing to plant ourselves in circles that promote growth.

To be sure, this is hard work that must be purposefully engaged in daily. Yet it goes to show the reciprocal nature of our relationship with God. It is important to give credit where credit is due. While we devote ourselves to disciplined spiritual work, don’t take credit for the things God brought about. Without him, all the work in the world would never produce faith. We don’t grow it…God does.

Cory Waddell

1. Stick with the Word

Some saints want to show themselves to be intelligent by dabbling in the philosophies of the world, the theologies of the denominations, or the politics of the nations. But the world has more than enough of these. Our message has to distinguish itself clearly from all these. We preach an almighty God whose love encompasses all of history and who glory has revealed itself in terms we can grasp. From creation we move quickly to the Book of Life, whose final author knows us better than we know ourselves. The Bible is the best argument for God’s existence. His power lives in it and from it people can be convicted of the truth.

How do we stick with the Word?

• Read it often, memorize its pages, live its truths.
• Be taught by God’s teachers, don’t miss a single opportunity to study.
• Teach it at every opportunity to those in Christ and to those outside.

It’s the Ezra approach: “Now Ezra had dedicated himself to the study of the law of the Lord, to its observance, and to teaching its statutes and judgments in Israel” Ezra 7.10.

2. Be the people of God

The world is full of hate. The people of God show a superior path, where love reigns and where each looks to the interest of others. The doctrine of love is what the world must hear and see first. Not even denominations who profess to be the church can show love because, to exist, each one must proclaim its superiority over the other factions.

Christ’s followers must distance themselves in every way from such groups. We must do whatever necessary to avoid even looking like them. First impressions are important. People often will not give us a second chance. Our best foot forward is the acceptance in Christ of every single human being, whom God welcomes with open arms, when one shows faith and obedience. Otherwise, the walls of sin remain to block access to God. But the invitation remains open. Humility insists with gentleness urging repentance.

We are better than none, but we have an exclusive word from the only true God. We speak of him boldly.

We have no right to criticize any system of belief and to urge the reception of grace, if we do not live our faith and live in community for which we were purified from our sins, 1 Peter 1.22. That means that there is no question where we will be on the Lord’s Day. We will be at the Lord’s Table with the Lord’s People.

3. Declare yourself

The real Christian cannot hide his faith. A hidden faith dies quickly, just as a flame without air is soon snuffed out. It matters not what is going on around us, the message must be proclaimed. Every single Christian received from the Lord the task of the News. Not only can the silent saint not save others, he himself cannot be saved in his disobedience.

If we flinch before the fight, we are not worthy of the Kingdom of God. If we flee and hide in the “caves, thickets, cliffs, strongholds, and cisterns” of this world (compare 1 Samuel 13.6-7), we will have no part in the victory of the faithful.

Several of the New Testament books were written in part to embolden the saints in their task as they faced persecution.

• Jesus warned us about it not infrequently. The “confession” he declares to be so necessary is, in context, the preaching of the gospel in the public square, Matthew 10.32-33.
• Peter told the Christians to keep speaking about their faith in the midst of challenges and pressures, 1 Peter 3.15.
• The writer of Hebrews warned against giving up in the “struggle against sin” — that is, when the “opposition … by sinners” appears — the sin of abandoning the faith, Hebrews 12.3-4.

4. Focus on the One Thing

A big temptation is to get involved in social and political issues of the day. The Christian belongs to the heavenly country. He is not to be involved in the affairs of this life, 2 Timothy 2.4. We are not Democrats or Republicans. We have no party or earthly affiliation. We wear a single name: Christian. We represent one “cause,” the Kingdom of God.

If we want to save others by the blood of Jesus Christ, we must not alienate by taking sides in earthly conflicts. We have a single message, the cross of Christ. We are a single-issue people: God created man for his love and offers it in his Son. We do not concern ourselves with the nation’s Supreme Court, but with the judgment to come when all will appear before the Sovereign Judge of all mankind, Acts 24.25. If we speak of earthly things, we are not reflecting the concerns of the Holy Spirit, John 16.8-11.

What is the One Thing of our message?

• Jesus the Just
• Jesus the Reconciler
• Jesus the Sacrifice
• Jesus the Lord and Savior (in that order)
• Jesus the Example
• Jesus the Judge
• Jesus the Revealer of the Will of God

And that’s just for starters.

5. Start where people are in order to get to salvation

What a challenge to be sensitive to where each person is in his belief system! Because we must start where people are. Today, more than ever, Christians bump up against a wide range of beliefs. Not only must we deal with people who believe in denominationalism and atheism, but rampant sexual deviation, witchcraft, anarchism, environmentalism (one of the most extreme religions out there), scientism, socialism, and selfism, to name just a few. Such a gamut of beliefs sounds a bit like the first century, doesn’t it?

It does no good to talk about the evils of denominationalism to a person involved in Wicca. The atheist isn’t interested in immersion for the remission of sins. Both subjects are important, but those can’t be our starting points with such people.

So to be a Christian in a topsy-turvy world, we must be flexible when dealing with people. We have one gospel that is able to save all people, but to get to the point of salvation, we must often start at different points, just as the proclaimers in Acts did, depending upon their audience.

Not only possible, but necessary

God made the faith for every century, with every certainty. He is able to keep us faithful and to make us capable for service and proclamation. We think our times are tough, and well may they be. But God is sovereign. He works in the hardest situations. And he uses his people in the fire of the furnace and in the den of lions to pluck from the mouths of the unbelieving a confession of his glory.

So feel the breath of the beasts and the smell of the burning and praise God that you can be a real Christian in such a world as this.

J. Randal Matheny

The Statute of Liberty was a gift from France. They planned to have it arrive in time to celebrate America’s one hundredth anniversary, but it arrived ten years late, in1886.  Its flaming torch has welcomed immigrants to our great country ever since. The famous inscription at the base of the statute was from a sonnet written by Emma Lazarus and attached to the stature in 1912.  It reads;

“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore.  Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me; I lift my lamp beside the golden door.”

The Christian’s Statute of Liberty was a gift from God and arrived on time (Ga. 4:4). It is a wooden cross standing on a rocky hillside. It has offered freedom to sinners for 2,000 years (Jn. 8:36). Our symbol of God’s grace is a crown of thorns, our “flaming torch” of freedom the saving gospel message.   The inscription which draws the huddled masses here is; “Come unto me all you who are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Mt. 11:28).

-Dennis Doughty

(note: for all my Spelling Bee winners out there, according to my Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary,  “tost” is an acceptable, albeit seldom used today,  past tense form of “tossed”.)

What do these beautiful songs have in common?

“An Empty Mansion” (1937), “Beyond the Sunset” (1936), “Heaven Holds All to Me” (1932), “Never Grow Old” (1930), “I’ll Live in Glory” (1936), “In Heaven They’re Singing” (1937), “No Tears in Heaven” (1935). “Paradise Valley” (1935), “This World Is Not My Home” (1937), “Won’t It Be Wonderful There?” (1930).

First, it is easy to see, they are songs about heaven. They express the deepest longing, anticipation, and hope of the Christian heart. Second – did you see it? – these songs were all written at about the same time period, about 1929-1939. Are you following this still?

These beautiful songs of heaven were written during the Great Depression. Have you seen those black-and-white photos of mothers wearing threadbare dresses, children in rags, hunger etched in the bones of their faces? When the nation suffered economic collapse, businesses were boarded up, millions of workers were laid off when hunger and destitution ravaged the land: In those desperate times, it seems, people turned their thoughts to the hope of heaven.

Heaven, a place of permanence, hope and plenty. Can you see them in your mind’s eye singing in simple church buildings, eyes closed, singing of their homesickness for heaven?

Interestingly, we hear far fewer songs written these days about heaven. Is it because we feel more secure economically? We have it so good in the present that we don’t long for heaven as we once did.

We should probably not put such stock in the current good economic times. Experience and Scripture tell us how faulty such a premise that is!

The greatest missionary who ever lived would say that “to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). And the writer of Revelation could exult in a place where there were no more tears, the Lord was the light, no hurtful, mean or violent person would be present, and where the sweetest people who ever lived would sing in exultation to their God (Revelation 21:1-10).

In times of distress, I suppose, it’s easier to remember that this world is distinctly not our home. It’s when times are good that it is harder to draw this distinction. And yet, beloved, our hearts should still long for heaven.

Stan Mitchell

“Where no oxen are, the manger is clean,

But much revenue comes by the strength of the ox.”

(Proverbs 14:4)

When I was in High School a friend of mine told me his summer break story.  He was a city boy through and through.  He wanted to know more about farm life.  So, he offered to spend a couple of weeks working for a farmer.  The result?  The farmer had him cleaning out the barn every day.  He said he became an expert at shoveling dung.  As you can imagine, it wasn’t exactly the great experience (and education) he had envisioned.

I suspect my friend would have considered a clean barn a good thing.  Perhaps he would have been fine if the farmer had reduced the number of animals so that the barn didn’t become so messy.

In this unique proverb, Solomon notes that the “manger is clean” because the farmer has “no oxen.”  On the surface, the clean manger might be a positive.  It might be a reflection of diligent work of the farmer.  He likes to keep things clean! Yet the truth is revealed: no animals, no mess.  When you’re trying to be productive, that is not a good thing.  The farmer would easily trade the clean manger for the “strength of the ox.”  With these animals at work, the farmer will enjoy “much revenue.”

I compare this with a clean desk.  I know, it’s a stretch, but I’m going with it anyway.  If my desk was clean it would indicate that not much work is being done.  When one sees my desk, with books, pens and paper scattered everywhere, they frequently say “Wow!  You must have a lot going on!”  Yes indeed.

In God’s kingdom we have work to do.  When we’re busy with the Father’s business (cf. Luke 2:49) there are certain things that will take second place.  If a church has lots of people, things are going to get dirty and broken.  So, would it be better to not have the people so the building stays clean? Of course not! We are called to be diligent students of God’s word (2 Timothy 2:15).  Serious Bible study involves your Bible, maybe even several translations, pen and paper, perhaps some language tools.  There goes your clean desk!

Here is the point, and it is a lesson about priorities.  What is most important to us?  When we are “seeking first the kingdom,” (Matthew 6:33) other, less important things will slip down our priority scale.  It is a trade-off, but it’s worth it.

Denny Petrillo

The first and last times a word is mentioned in the Bible may not be doctrinally significant, but I find them fascinating nevertheless. Indulge my fascination for a moment.

In Revelation 19.13 appears a description of Jesus with the word “blood” — our theme for this month. It is the last occurrence of the word in the Bible.

We usually associate blood with our cleansing from sin, and rightly so. John takes a different tack here.

He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.

In this segment of Revelation Jesus is the victorious Rider on the white horse, leading heaven’s armies, also seated on similar steeds. An angel has just told John not to worship him, being a fellow servant. Now charges into the scene one who is worthy to be worshiped.

He is worthy because he is clothed in a blood-soaked robe. Is John thinking here of Joseph, whose robe was dipped in animal blood by his brothers and shown to their father, the great Lie to justify their familial betrayal? Because of this, Joseph went on to fulfill the promise of Abraham, to a degree, by saving the world of that time, at the moment, as God lead him and exalted him to a position of power. Joseph never again wore that robe, but Jesus does, for the blood is the sign and means of victory. His robe proclaims the great Truth, which he came to testify to, that man needs forgiveness, that Jesus’ death provides reconciliation, and that his resurrection is the great victory over evil.

In this segment, the Rider aggregates to himself all sorts of powerful names: Faithful and True; The Word of God; King of kings and Lord of lords. These besides “a name written that no one knows but himself” v. 12. In the Old Testament, God was proclaimed as being the one true God, but no one name appeared to be able to contain or express him, so many are given to him. Is this what’s happening here with the Rider clothed in a robe dipped in blood?

With the mention of the robe comes the name: The Word of God. Possibly, the two are joined, because the Word reveals, creates, judges, and cleanses. John loves Jesus as the Word, because as a word expresses a thought, so Jesus is intimately involved with, and in communion with, the Father, as he expresses the divine thought or plan (see Isaiah 55).

Were the issues involved in the Catholic-Protestant fight about the priority of the church or the Bible not so critical, it would be comical. Christ is the Word is the body is the church is the victory. It all starts with the Rider clothed in a robe dipped in blood. Or, we might say, it all ends with him.

Note that the Rider was the victim of violence. He himself spoke not a word, raised not his hand against anyone, in fact, he healed a man’s ear loped off by Peter’s sword. During his earthly work, he healed the sick, restored the possessed to sanity, raised people from the dead, fed the hungry, stilled the tempests and quieted fears, and taught the truth to a society steeped in religious tradition and hypocrisy. And when it came time to die, he did — nothing. Ah, but mere hours before he did the greatest thing of all; he delivered himself up to the will of God.

By such a decision to allow himself to be stripped naked and hung on a cross, he also allowed himself to be clothed in a robe dipped in blood, which brought forgiveness and victory to all those who believe and are faithful to him.

And shortly he will wield the rod of iron and strike down the enemies of God who seek to throw down the Kingdom. “He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty” v. 15. This is not violence, but divine justice. Already, the Rider is moving. Already, his forces are gathering. Already, the Word is speaking, and the lake of fire that burns with sulfur has been prepared.

This is the last time the word “blood” appears in Scripture. It is when the Word of God has the last word. It is victorious blood, seated on a white horse, riding to put down all resistance.

This one, and not the gods of society, is the one who is worthy, worthy, worthy, of worship.

J. Randal Matheny

*While searching through my library, I came across some documents that I was given when my grandpa passed away a few years ago. It was a small collection of his sermons and bulletin articles. I found them to be of excellent quality and even greater value. I doubt he expected his writings to be on the World Wide Web as he wrote with a typewriter in years past, but here we are! Finding these writings is simply another example of how our spirits continue to live beyond the timeline of our earthly bodies.

The apostle Paul was fond of using vivid picture analogies to illustrate the Christian life. Several times he used the picture of a soldier, a farm, and an athlete to represent the Christian. Two examples of this may be found in 1 Cor. 9:7; 24-27 and in II Tim. 2:3-6.

In our world of continuous war we know about soldiers: we understand battles, sacrifice, agony, defeat, and victory. In our sports oriented society we know about athletes: we understand training, dedication, competition, losing, and winning. In our agricultural pursuits we know about the farmer: we understand tilling, weeding, irrigation, crop failures, and bumper crops.

We get excited about war, sports, and bumper crops. We can put ourselves into these efforts with sweat, toil, and tears. In the same way, as Christians, we catch the spirit of joy and excitement – the intensity of our spiritual battle – realizing we are in God’s army, on God’s team, and plowing on God’s farm. He is God: big, powerful, glorious, unconquerable! The whole world is His! We live and walk in his army, His team, His vineyard! “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it” (Ps. 24:1,2; 1 Cor. 10:26; Ps. 50:10-12).

In Psalm 50:14-15 God says (paraphrased) what I want from you is:

(1)   Your true thankfulness

(2)   Your promises to me fulfilled

(3)   Your trust in me; acknowledgment of your dependence on me. Then I will deliver and rescue you and you can honor and glorify me!

It’s wonderful to be a spectator in the great drama of human events – watching the course of history unfold just as God wills it. But more than spectators, praise God, we are privileged to participate in the action as God’s soldiers, athletes, and farmers. We submit to the toil, the training, and the discipline so that we might attain the victory – our heavenly goal! After the effort of our Christian lives we will know the joy of heaven’s victory – and the greater the struggle the greater the joy!

~ Yours for eternity,

Leland King