The first century world was an amazing mixture of so many manifestations of sin. It is ironic that many pagan rituals incorporated fleshly actions as a means of worshiping pagan gods. Who has not heard of the thousand priestesses in Corinth who thought it was a great honor to participate in sexual activities in worshiping the gods? It was not just in…

In the second chapter of Paul’s first letter to Thessalonica, there is a startling contrast between two kinds of preachers. There are those whose motives, methods and message bring havoc to the church. Then there are those who bring joy to heaven as lives are changed by the proclamation of the story of the cross. Because preaching plays such a vital role…

The apostle Paul says more about preaching than the rest of the Bible combined. When he wrote his first letter to the church at Thessalonica he described two kinds of preachers. A close study of them in the second chapter of this book provides a vivid contrast between them. Most of us have seen both kinds, and as we read this passage,…

The practice in the Lord’s church of withdrawing fellowship has not actually been practiced all that widely in the brotherhood, and for sure the practice has varied even within the congregations that do.  When members of the church, who have never experienced this church disciplinary action, relocate to a congregation that practices it, they may suspiciously view the exercise as heartless and…

The phrase “are of God” occurs only five times in the Bible, and four of the five times it is found in the book of First John.  The phrase “not of God” is found only four times in the Bible, and three of the four times it is found in the book of First John.   In fact, of the combined seven times…

Last Sunday was a day which many at Palm Beach Lakes will never forget. It will not be because of the sermons, but because of the visible manifestation of the power of the word of God to transform lives. It was an emotional day with tears of joy because we were reminded again that the word of God is living, active and…

“As was His custom,” early in His ministry, Jesus went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day” and sat down.  Then, He “stood up to read” (Luke 4:16).  He read from “the book of the prophet Isaiah” (4:17), “then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down” (4:20).  Why did Jesus stand up? Upon their return…

I thought that today I would let you look over my shoulder in a letter I wrote to a young Christian lady. Her identity is not important, but the thoughts in this letter need to be considered by everyone. “Dear ________, “I am so thankful for the fact that you are my sister and my friend. It is because of this mutual…