Article
A Father’s Gift
by Jefferson David Tant Fathers are often clueless about gift-giving for their children. That’s Mom’s job. But when we think of gifts, we usually think of material gifts—toys for toddlers, clothes, games, and sports equipment for teens. Or maybe the ultimate gift for a teen—a car! Many who are reading these words are prosperous by…
Read MoreWeak in Faith vs. Weak in the Faith
by Fanning Yeater Tant Gospel Guardian, 24 September 1970 To be weak in faith is not the same as to be weak in the faith. There are two kinds of “weakness” involved, and they are to receive different treatment from those who are stable in Christ. The first kind of weakness is that which afflicted…
Read MoreGod Is NOT the Author of Confusion
by Jefferson David Tant To authenticate the title, consider its source. Paul wrote in I Corinthians 14:33: “for God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.” There are two significant points made. God is not the author of the confusion in the churches claiming to…
Read MoreDo You Remember?
by Floyd Chappelear Sentry Magazine, December 2002 Here is a quiz for you: Name the five wealthiest people in the world. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners. Name the last five winners of the Miss America contest. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer prize. Name the last half dozen Academy…
Read MoreThe Ultimate Goal of the Christian
by Mark M. Chatfield Sentry Magazine, December 2002 One of the many things that sets Christianity apart from other ways of life is the spiritual nature of its reward. I’m talking about the eternal life in heaven that is promised to those who follow Jesus Christ. It seems to me that there is much confusion…
Read MoreIdentifying a New Testament Church
by Steve Dewhirst Sentry Magazine, December 2002 Traditionally, we gospel preachers have spoken of “identifying the New Testament church” in an effort to distinguish it from the sects roundabout. But in so doing, we have sometimes obscured the true nature of the body of Christ. We begin to preach about the church Jesus said He…
Read MoreBut if not …
by Jefferson David Tant In late May of 1940, during World War II, the German army had overrun the tiny European nation of Belgium. As Hitler’s tanks and troops marched across Belgium, they pushed the defenders–British, French, and Belgian troops–toward the sea. Finally, the Allied forces of Great Britain, France, and Belgium were cornered at…
Read MoreWhen the Fullness of Time Had Come
by Wayne Chamberlain Sentry Magazine, December 2002 Throughout history, God has used natural events, nations, cultures, individuals, and even beasts to facilitate and accomplish the fulfillment of His will. Evidence is strongly indicative that God used some of these same components in preparation for the corning Messiah and the carrying of His message into all…
Read MoreLessons from Children
by Jefferson David Tant In reading through the Bible, it is worth noting that we find no rebukes, criticisms, or condemnations of children. On the contrary, children are presented to us as models for us to imitate and follow. Consider some words Christ and Peter said concerning children. “At that time the disciples came to…
Read MoreCoffee Bean Religion
by Jefferson David Tant My grandfather, J. D. Tant, liked strong coffee. In his time (1861-1941), many ground their own beans. One day while eating with a family, he asked the housewife “Sister, do you have any coffee beans?” “Why, yes brother Tant.” “Well,” he replied, “If you’ll bring me a coffee bean, I’ll lay…
Read More“Wine” Has Not Always Implied Alcohol
by Jeff Belknap “Wine Defined,” Sentry Magazine, December 2002 “whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise” (Proverbs 20:1). Today we have a serious problem in our society with drinking alcoholic beverages. Unfortunately, it even seems to be a perplexing issue in the body of Christ. There is a great deal of ignorance (lack of knowledge) concerning…
Read MoreChristians Regardless
by Doy Moyer Christians ought to see themselves as living out the story of Jesus. Since He suffered, we should be willing to suffer. As He gave Himself for others, we ought to be willing to give ourselves for others. As He submitted, so ought we to submit. As He loved, so should we love.…
Read MoreNegotiable Morals
by Terry Wane Benton Do we, mere humans, get to negotiate with each other what morals, standards of right and wrong, should be? Can we negotiate changes over time? If so, the people of Sodom and Gomorrah were treated wrong. They negotiated their standard and their negotiations brought them to the conclusion that their sexual…
Read MoreThe Church’s Purpose
by Bill Hall What is the purpose of the Lord’s church? Is it to eradicate poverty, disease, social injustice, illiteracy from among men? Is it to bring about a cessation of war and conflict? Is it to campaign for a temptation-free society for Christians to live in? If the church had as one of its…
Read MoreThe Gift of the Holy Spirit (Bassford)
by Matthew W. Bassford If there is any verse in the Bible that is of particular significance to brethren, it is Acts 2:38. It says in so many words that the purpose of baptism is for the forgiveness of sins, a truth clearly taught in Scripture but rejected by much of the wider religious world.…
Read MoreWounded at the Theatre
by John Chrysostom (AD 349-407) If you see a shameless woman in the theater, who treads the stage with uncovered head and bold attitudes dressed in garments adorned with gold, flaunting her soft sensuality, singing immoral songs, throwing her limbs about in the dance, and making shameless speeches … do you still dare to say…
Read MoreJesus and Prayer
by Jeff Wolverton Sentry Magazine, December 2002 Jesus as Our Intercessor The intercession of the Holy Spirit does not set aside the intercession of Jesus Christ. “And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us…
Read MoreNegativism
by Floyd Chappelear Sentry Magazine, December 2002 I have always sought to write so as to be understood. My friend James Needham, however, frequently published his stated desire to write so clearly that one cannot be misunderstood. I didn’t always appreciate the wisdom of the advice but did admire its clarity. James may well have had…
Read MoreUnderstanding Your Purpose
by Doy Moyer “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps” (I Peter 2:21). We have been called to a purpose, but unless we understand Christ’s purpose, we will not understand our purpose. When Jesus asked the disciples…
Read MoreControversy
by Morris Norman Sentry Magazine, March 2003 I have changed my thinking on the matter of controversy. There was a time when I had a dislike for all kinds of controversy. There are still some kinds that I do not like, but there are kinds that can be profitable for all concerned. Controversy is “a…
Read MoreDenominationalizing the Work of the Lord
by Jerry F. Bassett Sentry Magazine, March 2003 To denominate is “to give a name to: designate,” according to Miriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary. This same source defines a religious denomination as “a religious organization uniting local congregations in a single legal and administrative body — denominational” being the adjectival form of this term. A local…
Read MoreGod Couldn’t Forgive My Sins
by Jefferson David Tant Some whose lives have been so sinful and far removed from God think they are so bad that God could not forgive them. But the Bible says otherwise. Whether one is a member of the “Hell’s Angels” gang or was a member of Adolph Hitler’s or Joseph Stalin’s or Muhammad’s armies…
Read MoreWhen the Number Is Few
by Terry Wane Benton We often show a lack of faith when we compare a small church to a large church. Some want to hide in a large crowd and they fail to grow spiritually. Jonathan had the right quality of faith. Jonathan and his armorbearer attack the Philistines I Samuel 14:12-14″Then Jonathan said to…
Read MoreThe Home Place
by Jefferson David Tant The scene comes clearly to my mind’s eye even now. After crossing the mighty Mississippi at Vicksburg, we knew there were only 150 miles to the little town of Haynesville, Louisiana, and “the old home place.” “Home” is one of the sweet and dear words from the heart. This home was…
Read MoreWhat Is This World Coming To?
by Tommy Thornhill Photo by Anne Nygård on Unsplash We are now in the year 2021 and many are fearful of what the future holds for us. We wonder, ”What is this world coming to?” To us older Christians it is certainly disturbing to see the present “status quo” (the mess our nation is in).…
Read MoreJamaica Patois Wisdom
by Jefferson David Tant The Jamaican Patois dialect is colorful, unique, and humorous. It is my desire to share some of the philosophy shown in this mix of colorful phrases that are witty as well as thought-provoking. I hope the readers both profit and enjoy. In my quarter-century plus of teaching there, I have come…
Read MoreWhen Ahab Humbled Himself
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton It might seem odd, but I love it when a student in a Bible class asks a deep question — you know, a question that shows the student was thinking far beyond the immediate lesson. This morning, a student was working on a lesson about greed and he planned to use…
Read MoreModesty
by Randi Roberts Sentry Magazine, September 2003 “Do not let your adornment be merely outward-arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel — rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God” (I…
Read MoreA Question of Withdrawal
by Morris Norman Sentry Magazine, September 2003 Who is to decide when a person is to be withdrawn from? There can be no doubt that the Bible teaches that certain ones are to be. “Mark them that cause division, and occasion of stumbling … turn away from” (Romans 16:17). “Have no company with … no,…
Read MoreSolving Church Problems
by Bobby L. Graham Sentry Magazine, September 2003 Jerusalem: A Church with Problems While it is true that Corinth is probably the church that most often comes to mind in connection with problems, it is also correct that Jerusalem was the first church with problems. The chief difference is that Corinth was a “problem church,”…
Read MoreIt’s Only Friday, Sunday Is Coming
by Floyd Chappelear Sentry Magazine, December 31, 2003 Searching the scriptures can be exceedingly profitable. It can also be an exercise in futility. The Jews searched them seeking eternal life (at least this seemed to be their expectation when the Lord told them to examine the sacred text), but they were apt to miss the…
Read MoreWe Met at the Bus Station
by Jefferson David Tant Former bus station in Anniston, AL When I first saw her, she was standing with her sister and brother-in-law, bidding farewell after a visit. After they left, we discovered the bus would be delayed perhaps two hours in the small town of Anniston, AL. I was traveling by bus from Birmingham…
Read MoreThough Poor, They Are Rich
by Jefferson David Tant “South of the Border” is a delightful song that I remember from my boyhood, telling us of our neighbors “down Mexico way.” The tune came to mind as I was reading the reports of brethren Robert Turner and V. N. Collins in Plain Talk some time ago. They told of a trip…
Read MoreFire in My Bones
by Jefferson David Tant The prophet Jeremiah faced many difficulties in his life. God assigned him to speak to the nation and warn them of things to come, and implore them to repent and serve God, but Jeremiah was persecuted and vilified. This prompted him to just shut up and not bother to speak anymore.…
Read MoreOne Great Birth, Two Great Names
by Doy Moyer We are at that time of year when the birth of Jesus Christ is on the minds of many. That much is a good thing. There are many misconceptions about His birth, but doors may be opened to talk about it and we need to be willing to do that. We do…
Read MoreWhat Is a Sacrifice?
by Jefferson David Tant Have you ever given serious thought to what it means to sacrifice something? We are familiar with the Old Testament ritual of the animal sacrifices that were required. OK, so a sheep or a cow was sacrificed. But have you read the accounts of the multiple sacrifices that were offered on…
Read MoreBible Trivia (People)
To which tribe of Israel did Paul belong? What does Jesus’ name “Immanuel” mean? Abraham and his descendants the Israelites are descendants of which of Noah’s sons? Who watched from a distance what would happen to the baby Moses hidden in the bulrushes? What is Malchus known for? Who first saw Jesus after his resurrection? Which preacher saw…
Read MoreCoasting Along
by Jefferson David Tant Recently, someone asked me “What is your biggest concern for the next generation as it relates to the kingdom?” That’s a good question, as each generation has its own challenges, some of which are the same in every generation, for our world is challenged daily by Satan. Yet there are new…
Read MoreWhat Is It?
Flavil L. Colley Firm Foundation, January 20, 1948, p. 3 “Now, a denomination— what is it? I think the following will prove true: A denomination is a religious organization larger than any local church on earth and yet smaller than all the Christian people on earth. Think of the statement thus made. What is a…
Read MoreIs the Christian Obligated to Forgive the Sinner Who Will Not Repent?
by Curtis A. Cates The above question has often been asked of this scribe. Every accountable being at times sins against others; some sin publicly, even against the church. Clearly, those who repent and ask for forgiveness are to be fully forgiven. But, not everyone repents and asks for forgiveness. Does God require us to…
Read More