internet porn addiction

The Killer

Jeffrey Dahmer drugged and killed 17 men and boys. Before his imprisonment, he came to a point where he was murdering once a week. Driven by a desire to control individuals for his own gratification, Dahmer committed horrifying crimes.  I won’t relate their details, as Paul’s words may well apply: “For it is shameful even to speak of…

tom dennis tribute

Memories of Tom

EDITOR’S NOTE: Brother Tom Dennis was an evangelist among the churches of Christ for many decades. In addition to his many good works, Tom served as the editor and publisher of The Gospel Message for a few years. Paul said of his fellow worker Epaphroditus, “Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and…

end times hope

The Eternal Optimist

When Jesus was in Jerusalem with his disciples just a few days before he was betrayed and condemned to death, he had a conversation with them about the troubling times that lay ahead. He warned of unrest among the Jews that would lead to the catastrophic destruction of the temple in Jerusalem along with much…

Avoid worldly entanglements

Entangled in the World

No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a solder (2 Timothy 2:4). The world wants your attention. There are an endless number of causes that try to get our attention: political issues, social issues, environmental issues. Much of the news…

sin no more

“Go and Sin No More”

Thus, Jesus spoke to a woman caught in the act of adultery. Her accusers wanted to corner Jesus with this woman who had been so accused. This is recorded in John 8:1-11.  Through His ministry, Jesus put the leadership of Israel on notice concerning the righteous mercy of God and their own unrighteousness. Consider these…

bible study benefits

The Perfection of Ketchup

Malcolm Gladwell wrote in an article entitled “The Ketchup Conundrum,” “What was true about a yellow condiment that went on hot dogs was not true about a tomato condiment that went on hamburgers…I guess ketchup is ketchup” (What the Dog Saw, p. 50). The article details why ketchup lacks several varieties like mustard. Instead, one…

how will Christians respond

How Will We Respond?

Here in the 21st century, at least in our society, God’s word is being challenged on many levels. Included in these levels are challenges to the Lord’s many divine truths. These truths are not simply refused; many are actively seeking their destruction. The Lord’s people live by these truths regularly, for they give us stable,…

is saving society a Christian issue

Saving Society

If you like to worry, the world offers a buffet of things to worry about. Healthcare availability and affordability, racism and social justice, college affordability and student debt, voting rights and election integrity, climate change and green energy, gun violence and gun control, poverty and homelessness, sexual abuse and human trafficking, and many, many more….

transformation

They Had Been with Jesus

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus (Acts 4:13). When we look at the Apostles, they had not been to the rabbinic schools. They were fisherman. However, it was not their ignorance; it was…