Read 1 Peter 2:4-10 … In the book These Things are Written by speaker, instructor, and writer Jack Lewis – received as a gift from a good friend – there was this statement about the role of the Priest as the “man who represents the people to God. He is a cult official who serves … Continue reading The Christian Priest
Bulletin Thoughts
The Suffering Church
Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 … Why is it that the Church is the first to suffer? The first place we tend to think of the suffering of the Church is from the outside, which is attested to from biblical and secular history, and can even be seen in our own day and time. But it … Continue reading The Suffering Church
Gnats. Camels.
Read Matthew 23:23-24 … The question recently arose among a group of friends regarding Matthew 23:24, “You blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!” What might be a modern-day example of this saying? Going back to the scriptures where this verse is in its context, we find Jesus speaking to the scribes … Continue reading Gnats. Camels.
Tribulation
Read John 15:1-8 … Is there any simpler fact than difficult times are not fun? From the beginning of the world, it has been a truth that when people suffer, when life becomes difficult, joy and happiness seem to be leached out of life. Often people tend to think in terms of what has touched … Continue reading Tribulation
God’s Chosen People
Read Romans 2:28-29 … Has it come up in conversation yet? Someone asking about Israel and their “chosen” status? It’s certainly not uncommon, especially in light of recent events and the teaching of premillennial dispensationalism. One does not have to look very far in the Scriptures to find passages that speak to the “chosen” status … Continue reading God’s Chosen People
A Watershed Moment
2 Corinthians 3:1-11 … The arrival at Mt. Sinai by the children of Israel has been seen by some as a watershed moment in the lives of those in the Exodus, and beyond. Of course, arguably the most significant event at Mt. Sinai was the giving of the Law – that body of Instruction that … Continue reading A Watershed Moment
A Shallow Hermeneutic
Read Jeramiah 17:5-13 … When one investigates the Scriptures there should be a desire to find THE TRUTH. Isn’t that God’s purpose throughout all of salvation history? To present THE TRUTH in such a way that one can understand, and not just understand but also to apply. Recently while listening to a sermon a gentleman … Continue reading A Shallow Hermeneutic
Harm My Peace
Read Romans 14:14-23 … It is always interesting to have religious conversations with people – one never knows where they will go or what will be said. Case in point, a conversation regarding something on the news sparked a chat about various beliefs concerned with the end times. Not too outrageous, but after a short … Continue reading Harm My Peace
Go and Tell Him
Read Matthew 18:15-17 … Perhaps one of the most difficult things to do is confront a brother or sister that has done something that causes problems for either another individual or the Church as a group. It’s not easy because confrontation is not really built into the Christian mindset. Our mindset is to love our … Continue reading Go and Tell Him
Anticipatory Joy
Read 2 Corinthians 5:1-8 … Anticipatory grief is real and has effects upon a person. According to Lynne Eldridge, MD, writing for Very Well Health, anticipatory grief “is a state of deep, painful sorrow that occurs before an impending loss.”[i] As the article progresses, Dr. Eldridge notes that anticipatory grief “is often regarded as a … Continue reading Anticipatory Joy