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Send Those Grudges Away
by L. A Stauffer via Biblical Insights, Vol. 15 No. 1, January 2015 One of the New Testament words for “forgiveness” (aphiemi) literally means “to send away” and means to “dismiss” or “leave behind.” It is used in its literal sense by Jesus when he “sent the multitude away” (NKJV) after a long day of…
Read MoreBalaam’s Talking Donkey
by Michael Ray Baggett Have you ever watched the movie Francis the Talking Mule? Have you ever watched the old TV classic Mr. Ed about a talking horse? These were entertaining shows, even though they were unrealistic. But hold on! The Bible tells us about a prophet whose donkey really did talk to him. Do…
Read MorePharisaism in the Way
by Frank Jamerson (Lecture: Florida College 1990 Lectureship; reprinted with the permission of the author) via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 18 No. 1, September 30, 1992 The practice of “bashing” Pharisees has become a fad. If you dislike how someone teaches, call him a Pharisee. If you do not like his doctrine, call it Pharisaism. The sad…
Read MoreThe Test of Love
by Terry Wane Benton The Lord allows the false teachers to test your heart. Have you ever thought about it that way? Maybe you are supposed to love the Lord your God enough to check behind every teacher and preacher to see if they are telling the truth, and your job is to have enough…
Read MoreWhat Our Church Assemblies Are Designed to Do
by David Gibson When we gather on the Lord’s Day or other occasions, our assemblies have vertical and horizontal dimensions. Vertically, we raise prayers and songs of praise to God. Horizontally, we teach and encourage one another. Let’s focus on the latter. Edifying/Encouraging/Exhorting/Teaching “Let all things be done for building up” (I Corinthians 14:26), which…
Read MoreTo Applaud or Not to Applaud in Worship
by Dick Blackford To “profane” something is to take what is holy and treat it as common. This is the reason I don’t applaud in worship unto God. Worship to the Almighty, Eternal, Sovereign God is unique, in a class by itself. Only in the Lord’s Supper do we eat a meal not designed to…
Read MoreCan We Understand the Bible Alike?
by Terry Wane Benton If we think about it, anytime we understand something, we understand it alike. We can misunderstand things differently, but when we truly understand something, we understand it alike—2 plus 2 equals 4. If we understand that math problem, we will understand it alike. Anyone who comes up with a different answer…
Read MoreThe Ingredients
by Terry Wane Benton The discussion of faith versus works could end if each side took the time to define the proper ingredients of saving faith. Let me illustrate. A Muslim has faith, even in Jesus as a prophet of God. Is he saved? No! He does not have the proper ingredients of faith. He…
Read MoreDo You Feel Invisible?
by Zeke Flores Sometimes, we feel invisible. We feel no one notices us, especially when we’re struggling with distress that makes us want to curl up and cry. Sometimes, we might want to scream, “Hey! I’m here! Can’t you see me? Don’t you care?” In Luke 13, there was a woman that probably everyone noticed,…
Read MoreSongs of the Saints: Robert Skene
by Wayne S. Walker Unlike Barton W. Stone and Alexander Campbell, Robert Skene is probably not a readily recognized individual to many people. However, his name has been preserved in history as the composer of the tune for a song that has been quite popular among churches of Christ. Very little information is available about…
Read MoreReconciled
by Doy Moyer When we are outside of Christ, we can be described in various ways, like sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 9:36), lost (Luke 19:10), or without God (Ephesians 2:13). Descriptors like these help us see our condition apart from Jesus. Understanding where we are without Him is vital to seeing why Jesus came…
Read MoreMyself
In a consignment shop, I saw a painting of a young woman sitting cross-legged in a typical yoga pose. Transposed over the picture were these words: I am myself. I know myself. I am a voice for myself. I love myself. I trust myself. I am free with and around myself. I am grounded within…
Read MoreBe Ready
by Zeke Flores In Luke 12, Jesus stresses to His disciples their need for readiness in three parables. In the first, He tells of servants who await their master’s return from a wedding feast. The Lord says, “Be like them” (Luke 12:36). In the second, He tells of a homeowner who is watchful for thieves…
Read MoreThere Are Bees in that Book
by Terry Wane Benton First Peter is a wonderful, inspired book with about 10-11 “be” admonitions buzzing around throughout it. Be sober (I Peter 1:13; 5:8) calls upon us to be clearheaded and unimpeded in our focus on our spiritual and eternal mission. Needless to say, people choose to impair clear thinking with alcohol, drugs,…
Read MoreThe Catholic Church of Christ?
by Perry Hall I was asked this question: “Why is Catholicism wrong?” Here is my short reply: “One reason is it equates church tradition and inspiration. They are not equal in authority.” In theory, most of us in “churches of Christ” would agree – in theory. In practice, are we unofficially guilty? When someone objects,…
Read MoreDestroying God’s Temple
by Chadwick Brewer “If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple” (I Corinthians 3:17). The church (the people, not the building) is holy. It is a place designed by God to be a dwelling fit for Him. This is something we should understand and…
Read MoreThe Wrath of God (Benton)
by Terry Wane Benton God showed His wrath (Romans 1:18) against sin and unrighteousness by destroying the earth with a flood (Genesis 6-9). The markings of that flood are still around to remind us of the wrath of God. Sodom and Gomorrah were burned up with fire and brimstone to remind us of the wrath…
Read MoreFollowing the Shepherd
by Zeke Flores Shepherding has changed little over the centuries. While more modern methods are used in the work—even trained dogs are used to direct and round up the sheep—it’s still pretty much a lonely life: just the sheep and their shepherd. In Jesus’ time, the shepherds kept their sheep safe for the night in…
Read MoreQuiet and Dignified
by Chadwick Brewer “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (I Timothy 2:1-2). Today’s popular culture encourages us to do anything…
Read MoreBy Their Fruits You Shall Know Them
by Floyd Chapellear via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 16 No. 1, March 31, 1990 There are two major views of life—the view of the believer and the view of the infidel. The believer’s position is simple: God created man in his own image (Genesis 1:27). Man is the offspring of God and is to conduct himself…
Read MoreA High, Wide Change
by David Gibson Lloyd Deal told our congregation about a song he heard Kenyan Christians sing: There’s been a high, wide change since I’ve been born again [repeated three times]. Some places I used to go I don’t go there anymore. Some things I used to say I don’t say them anymore. Some things I…
Read MoreGod Doesn’t Hear the Prayers of Sinners
by Zeke Flores We don’t know much about what the newly-seeing man in John 9 believed about many things, but he was right about this: God doesn’t hear the prayers of sinners (John 9:31). Both Old and New Covenants abound with the idea that God refuses the prayer of those who obstinately sin (see Isaiah…
Read MoreThe Scriptures Are for Correction
by Terry Wane Benton A few years ago, a gospel preacher said the Bible was not written to correct denominationalism. He thought he had some big point he was making. I pointed out that the Bible was not written to correct Muslims or Mormons in any direct way either, but indirectly, it was written to…
Read MoreThe New Idol?
by David Gibson A cartoon depicts people bowing to a golden calf. The calf is labeled SCIENCE. Do you find that amusing, offensive, or right on target? The word “science” simply means knowledge. One of the definitions of science is “systematic knowledge of the physical or material world gained through observation and experimentation [dictionary.com]. Good…
Read MoreMinds “Stayed”
by Terry Wane Benton We want the peace of God, but the promise is for him “whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts You” (Isaiah 26:3). When peace is missing, we have to check two things: Is your mind “stayed” on God? and Are you trusting God? When the storms rage around us,…
Read MoreWas Joseph Smith, Jr., a Prophet of God?
by Dudley Ross Spears via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 16 No. 1, March 31, 1990 Joseph Smith Jr. was an amazing American who claimed to be a true prophet of God. Millions of people worldwide believed his claim, which resulted in one of the largest religious bodies in existence. Everyone should believe everything he said if…
Read MoreHiring a Preacher
by Floyd Chapellear via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 16 No. 1, March 31, 1990 When the Lord sent the seventy, He provided for their financial care. Those who were taught the word were to provide for the needs of those who did the teaching. Similarly, the Lord showed that there should be a “communication” (koinoneo -…
Read MoreA Woman as Bishop
by Vance Trefethen via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 16 No. 1, March 31, 1990 The recent elevation of Barbara Harris to the position of bishop in the Episcopal church stirred up a great deal of controversy within that denominational body and called the attention of the world at large to the role of women in the…
Read More“Eis Pantas” Redux
by Cloyce Sutton II via Biblical Insights, Vol. 15 No. 1, January 2015 For over half a century, brothers and sisters in Christ have disagreed on the extent of local church benevolence. May a local church financially assist unbelievers? Or to put it differently, must a local church restrict its benevolence to Christians? I am convinced…
Read MoreWhat Does Preaching Accomplish?
by Bob Waldron The Old Testament prophet was the preacher of his day. He was inspired, but other than that, he served in the same role as preachers must serve today. There were all kinds: blunt Amos, noble Isaiah, austere Elijah. The various prophets also served different purposes. Some of them made virtually no converts…
Read MoreYou Can Only Live So Long
by Mike Johnson “You can only live so long.” According to an AP article, these were the last words of a tenor as he performed at the Metropolitan Opera House during a production in New York City. The man was standing at the top of a ten-foot ladder when he suffered a heart attack. He…
Read MoreEvil Continually (Genesis 6)
by Chuck Richardson via Biblical Insights, Vol. 15 No. 1, January 2015 Genesis chapter 6 opens with the revelation that man was desperately evil, and God responded with a complete destruction of all living persons and things, save Noah and his household. The reason: Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord (Genesis 6:8). Shall…
Read MoreWhat Is Truth?
by David A. Cox via Biblical Insights, Vol 15. No. 1, January 2015 Pilate asked the question in the trial of Jesus, “What is truth?” (John 18:38), which has been asked many times. Many believe that truth is relative. Relative truth means that each individual determines the truth and what they believe the truth to…
Read MoreInnovations
by Moses E. Lard via Lard’s Quarterly, April 1865 The spirit of innovation is a peculiar spirit. While coming in, it is the meekest and gentlest of spirits; only it is marvelously firm and persistent. But when going out, no term but fiendish will describe it. It comes in humming the sweetest notes of Zion;…
Read MoreThe Mormon View on Polygamy
by Dudley Ross Spears via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 15, No. 2, June 30, 1989 The word polygamy and the thought of religious orders summons up the name “Mormon.” The Mormons are one of the few religions professing some relation to Jesus Christ that have openly sanctioned and sometimes required polygamy. Their founder, Joseph Smith, Jr.,…
Read MoreWhat Is Repentance? (Trefethen)
by Vance E. Trefethen via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 15, No. 2, June 30, 1989 Most people who have studied the Bible, even a little, know that repentance is an important part of God’s plan for the redemption of the souls of men. Jesus and the apostles connected it with baptism and forgiveness of sins (Luke…
Read MoreHomosexuality (Frazier)
by Ken Frazier via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 15, No. 2, June 30, 1989 Homosexuality and the Church of England The general Senate of the Church of England, trying to satisfy both conservative and liberal wings, has decided that homosexual acts are not outright sin, but “fall short” of Christian ideals of marriage. The Lesbian and…
Read MoreHow Will It End?
by Terry Wane Benton How well was the input and output? What you take into the heart and what comes out of the heart in kindness, care, and good deeds will be the most important factor in how your life ends. So, rather than worrying about the manner of dying (will it be cancer, heart…
Read MoreFrom Now on Sin No More
by Zeke Flores There she sat, crumpled on the ground and completely humiliated. She was plainly guilty of her adultery, but her only defender turned the legal quibble into a moral quandary. Who had the right to judge her? No one, it seems. One by one, they dropped their stones and shuffled away. Jesus chose…
Read MoreGrieving God
by David Gibson How must God feel when He freely offers His great salvation, purchased at such dreadful cost, but the vast majority are not interested, too busy doing their own thing to care? A Recurring Theme “I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your…
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