Jesus described how long he would be in the tomb. The words and phrases He used as He did this have often troubled Bible students. Those who focus only on the words of Matthew 12:40 usually concluded that these words demand that He was crucified on Thursday and raised up on Sunday. In their understanding this is the only way Jesus could…

In the closing verses of John, Jesus foretold the nature of the death of Peter. He reminded Peter of that time when he was young and could dress himself and was free to go wherever he wanted. He then said, “But when you are old another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” The Holy Spirit then adds these…

There is an amazing truth which can so easily be overlooked. Jesus said, “For everyone to whom much is given, from Him much will be required” (Matt. 12:48) We understand the fairness and the logic behind these words but can so easily fail to see the application in our spiritual lives. In Matthew chapter eleven, we read of that time when Jesus…

Where there are no elders to provide leadership, congregations are often directed simply by having the men of the church to “oversee” the church. The problem is that in such meetings there are many men who have not reached spiritual maturity and often do not have the church foremost in their lives. As matters are discussed, these men can speak and keep…

For more than two years, congregations have had to deal with Covid and the restrictions on public gathers. It has been such a difficult time worldwide as it was increasingly difficult to maintain assembling to worship like the Lord wants. In far too many places, making decisions about how to deal with Covid created an emotional division as every member had strong…

The first psalm describes the character of those who are blessed by God. “He does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly.” The implication of these words is that if one does walk in the counsel of the ungodly, he is cursed. The psalmist has in mind walking in the counsel of ungodly men and the blessedness of those who walk…

So many individuals know the words of the prayer Jesus gave in the Sermon on the Mount. It begins by addressing God with the words, “Our Father which art in heaven. . .” and ends with “For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen” (KJV—Matt. 6:9-13). What can be so easily overlooked is the prayer of David…

As a younger preacher, I overstated truth in an attempt to get the church to be more involved in saving the lost. I would say things like, “You cannot go to heaven alone, so go teach the lost.” I am sure that I wanted Christians to evangelize the world and chose words I would not use today. Is it true that you…