Our way of thinking is not God’s way (Isa 55:8-9). We must not assume a thing is of “little importance” to God just because we think it does not matter. Even Jesus did not do or say anything without the Father first giving Him authority (Jn 8:28). How much more cautious must we be when
Jesus said, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all manner of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven” (Mt 5:11-12). It is expected when any man faithfully preaches the true gospel of Christ, that he will encounter cruel, hateful
When the church began, it was as Jesus designed it: “I will build my church” (Mt 16:18). It came into existence on the first Day of Pentecost after His death, burial and resurrection from the dead (Acts 2). For the first time, obedient souls were “added to the church” (Acts 2:41,47). Only one church was
When the gospel was preached in the first century, local assemblies of Christians sprang up. They were known as local churches or congregations in the various towns and cities. For example, there were seven congregations, one in each of the seven cities of Asia (Rev 2 and 3). The Lord added the saved to the
Christ gave His disciples duties of both evangelism and benevolence. The first priority was given by Jesus in His last words on earth: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mk 16:15). The book of Acts records how the disciples went everywhere preaching the gospel. It was a priority then,
God’s preacher is gentle, while seeking to correct sin in the lives before him (2 Cor 4:7). His heart’s desire is that all would be saved. Much preaching today is not gospel preaching. Gospel Preaching is far more than speaking eloquently on morals, enthralling an audience with oratorical power and humor in clergy garments or
There is no question more important than this. To answer, you must have a true Bible definition of what a Christian is, and how to become one. The apostle Paul wanted everyone to become Christians. One man said to him, “Almost you persuade me to become a Christian” (Acts 26:28). Answers: “I don’t know if
Through the centuries the Lord’s church has been ripped and torn by enemies of the truth … and it is a shameful fact that many of God’s people stand on the sidelines, refusing to stand up in defense of what they know is right. It is not that they agree with the false teachers, but
He was true and faithful, God-fearing, always helping the poor. Listen to God speaking to satan: “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil.” (Job 1:8) Suffering that befell Job would cause many of us to
The church Jesus built is most unusual. In fact, when compared to most modern churches it is hardly recognizable. 1. Christ’s church has no earthly headquarters. Jesus is “head over all things to his church” (Eph 1:22). Heaven is headquarters, not Rome, Salt Lake City, Kansas City, Springfield, etc. The church in each location is