The Catholic church has long argued that they are the “original” church, and such claims are surging again. But, what does the evidence indicate? If the Catholic church is the original church of the BIBLE, where is the hierarchal structure of its organization, including the Pope, found in the BIBLE (see Eph. 5:23; Acts 20:17-35; 1…
Humans are so finite that we often limit our focus to the finite. We see “this nation” in conflict with “that nation.” We think “this nation” is more powerful than “that nation.” We fear “one nation” but disparage “another nation.” Can I challenge all of us to look up? As Isaiah prophesied about mightier nations taking the nation of…
Spiritual growth is not optional for the Christian—it is commanded. Peter wrote, “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18). In fact, he goes further and urges believers to give “all diligence” to their growth (2 Pet. 1:5, 10). Growth does not happen accidentally. It requires intentional effort to become more like Christ. In…
God tells us to love Him and Jesus (Matt. 22:37; John 14:15). God tells us to love our Christian brethren (John 13:34). God tells us to love our enemies (Matt. 5:44). God tells us to love our spouses (Eph. 5:25; Tit. 2:4). Then, He doesn’t allow us or rely on us to define what that “love” looks like. Instead, He…
Have you ever heard about a preacher being worn out on a Sunday night? “Seriously?! C’mon! That’s crazy! All he does is stand up and talk! (For too long!) That’s NOT that hard! Gimme a break!” But, being a true preacher of the gospel is more than just talking. Preachers who care look out and see the non-Christian visitor and try to carry…
Sometimes people hear sermons or read articles about “doing good works” and “working out your own salvation” and “always abounding in the work of the Lord” and “doing the will of the Father in heaven,” and they are sometimes filled with doubt or grief or trepidation (or even negative emotions toward the one who focused on those portions of Scripture). And here’s…
The Israelites’ archnemesis—the Philistines—“gathered together to fight with Israel,” having troops “as the sand which is on the seashore in multitude” (1 Sam. 13:5), and the Israelite “people were distressed” (13:6). Saul “waited seven days, according to the time set by Samuel” (13:8), who was going to come and “offer burnt offerings and make sacrifices of…
The book of Leviticus is predominantly a book of laws and ordinances given to Israel at Mount Sinai, which makes the two narrative (or story) sections of the book (in chapters 8-10 and chapter 24) really stand out as unique in the setting of the whole book. One event that God chose to specifically include was…