Stumbling Blocks

Stumbling Blocks

Everybody likes to be encouraged. The feelings that come from being encouraged can often last a lifetime.  It is not uncommon for people who have lived a good long life to happily remember back to an encourager that they knew when they were a child.  Encouragement makes an impact.  It is also looked on very…

The Purpose of the Church

The Purpose of the Church

One of the unfortunate consequences of a splintered and divided Christendom is the general disagreement about the purpose of the church. Some want church to be a Spirit-fueled rock concert. Others want church to be a group therapy session where hurts and sorrows are shared and feelings affirmed. Still others see the church as a…

Data vs The Work of God

I recently received a call from a research group asking questions about discipleship. I suspected the underlying purpose was for the sake of marketing. I decided to participate, just to see if I could insert something edifying into the conversation. The questions were involved and thorough. The phone conversation took quite some time. One reason…

Lights in the World

The world grows darker as each day passes.  We, like the Philippian brethren of old, live in, “the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world” (2:15).  While the world sinks deeper into the dark abyss of depravity and perversity, we must uphold the light of Christ…

Worship God

Worship God

There are two words in the book of Revelation that echo a solemn warning, give forth a plaintive plea, and point humanity in the right direction. Those words are, “Worship God”—Revelation 19:10. In the second chapter of Acts, the gospel invitation was given by Peter and the other apostles, and 3,000 souls obeyed the truth. This fact…

The Purpose of This Paper

The Purpose of This Paper

Any sensible, intelligent undertaking must have a definite purpose, and in starting the publication of this paper, I will print this statement from Bro. Wm. Hensley, the author of the article on “What Must I Do To Be Saved.” “A religious journal is of little value to the many unless it clearly implies to the…