Theology &amp; Bible

Proclaiming the Lord”s Death

By C. Robert Wetzel “We believe that Jesus died and rose again” (1 Thessalonians 4:14). In a very real sense, participating in the Lord”s Supper is preaching. Preaching is proclamation. The apostle Paul tells us, “For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord”s death until he comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26). And thus we are proclaiming to the world what we first confessed when we came to Christ, “I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.” There are at least three ways the Lord”s Supper may be proclamation. It may

February 26, 2015

Creation Theology & Bible

Paradise Lost, Maybe

By Jay Engelbrecht Is there a link between the way we care for the earth and our closeness to the creator? Put another way, can we serve Christ and sully his creation? The link between mankind”s spiritual health and the vitality of the earth courses through Scripture. John Milton, though blind, saw the connection. In his classic Paradise Lost, Eve, seduced by the idea of becoming a god, disobeys her creator, and nature “gave signs of woe.” A short time later, Adam opts to defy his creator and follow Eve. The rebel couple “fancy that they feel Divinity within them

February 23, 2015

Lesson for March 1, 2015: The Lamb of God (John 1:29-34)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the February 22Â issue ofÂ The LookoutÂ magazine, and is also available online atÂ www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. StoneÂ This month”s lessons highlight “The Pledge of God”s Presence,” as seen in the Gospels of John and Mark. The quarter”s overall theme is, “The Spirit Comes.” The preparatory ministry of John the Baptist is recounted early in John”s Gospel. It had been almost 400 years since the last Old Testament prophet appeared on the stage of Scripture. Malachi concluded his message

February 20, 2015

The Cup of Blessing

By C. Robert Wetzel “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ?” (1 Corinthians 10:16, King James Version). There are so many rich meanings and experiences in the Lord”s Supper! When the apostle Paul spoke of the “cup of blessing” he used a term that had a special meaning for those who understood Jewish dinner tradition. At the end of a Jewish meal the most honored guest at the table took the cup, lifted it up, and said the benediction. Today when we talk of the benediction we probably think of

February 16, 2015

Lesson for February 22, 2015: Clothed and Ready (Ephesians 6:10-20)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the February 15Â issue ofÂ The LookoutÂ magazine, and is also available online atÂ www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. StoneÂ Today we complete this quarter”s survey of practical help for Christian living. Having considered such themes as worship, prayer, and stewardship, we now focus on the reality of the believer”s battle with the devil. William Hendriksen pointed out Paul”s emphasis on the source of power for believers: “Apart from Christ, Christians can accomplish nothing at all (John 15:1-5). They are like

February 13, 2015

The Lamb of God

By C. Robert Wetzel “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” (Revelation 5:12). How strange it must have seemed to pagans when Christians described Jesus as the Lamb of God! This would be especially true when they heard Jesus described as the Word who was with God and who was God and who became flesh in Jesus Christ. God, a lamb? If the pagan were to use an animal metaphor to describe God, he would certainly choose some powerful animal whose image would strike terror

February 9, 2015

Lesson for February 15, 2015: Serving the Least (Matthew 25)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the February 8 issue ofÂ The LookoutÂ magazine, and is also available online atÂ www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. StoneÂ The four lessons this month show the importance of a believer”s stewardship of life. How we live demonstrates the reality of our faith. Love for others is essential for all who follow Jesus (1 John 3:16-18). No one can go to Heaven simply by meeting human needs, of course. Salvation comes only by the mercy and grace of God. But

February 2, 2015

Lesson for February 8, 2015: Serving Neighbors, Serving God (Luke 10:25-37)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the February 1Â issue ofÂ The LookoutÂ magazine, and is also available online atÂ www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. StoneÂ After Jesus concluded his Galilean ministry, he began to make his way to Jerusalem. En route he told one of his best-known and most widely loved parables””the parable of the Good Samaritan. It is recorded only by Luke. The man who initiated the discussion is called an expert in the law. Some translations call him a “scribe” or “lawyer.” H. Lynn

January 30, 2015

When We Partake

By H. Lynn Gardner Partaking of the Lord”s Supper is not a meaningless routine ritual. We must partake thoughtfully, and with our minds engaged. Communion should be one of the richest and most meaningful experiences of our week. 1. We remember Christ”s sacrifice on our behalf. “Do this in remembrance of me” (1 Corinthians 11:24*). Lest we think we deserve God”s favor, lest we forget what Christ did for us, we are regularly reminded of the price paid for our salvation. The cross of Christ is not an insignificant fact from the storeroom of history. We are remembering and savoring

January 29, 2015

Doctrinal Issues & Debates Theology & Bible

Playing Your Cards Right

By Jeff Faull We do not always handle theological conflict fairly. Have you heard””or used””any of these arguments? Since the days of the O.J. Simpson trial, the phrase “playing the race card” has become commonplace. Accusing someone of arbitrarily “playing the race card” usually means they have bypassed the true merits of either position and trumped the validity of everything else with an accusation of racism, whether legitimate or not. To be certain, racism still exists and sometimes it”s fair to display the “race card,” but other times it is unfairly used to silence an exploration of the real issues

January 26, 2015

Lesson for February 1, 2015: Feasting and Fasting (Daniel 1; Matthew 6; 9:9-17)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the January 25Â issue ofÂ The LookoutÂ magazine, and is also available online atÂ www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. StoneÂ “The Book of Daniel has attracted more interest than any book of the Old Testament,” declared Dr. James. E. Smith. “Because he was willing at all times to stand up for what he believed, Daniel is a true hero of the Faith.” In today”s lesson the role of one”s dietary choices focuses on two perspectives””feasting and fasting. The first text describes

January 23, 2015

The Lord’s Supper in the Early Church

By H. Lynn Gardner “On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them” (Acts 20:7*). “And they devoted themselves to the apostles” teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42). Luke says the central purpose for assembling is “to break bread,” which underscores its primary importance (Acts 20:7). The church observed the Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week. Early Christian writers say this was because Jesus rose from the dead on the first day of the week. Comments from early Christian

January 19, 2015

Lesson for January 25, 2015: Powerful Prayer (James 5)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the January 18Â issue ofÂ The LookoutÂ magazine, and is also available online atÂ www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. StoneÂ This month”s theme, “Learning to Pray,” helps us consider the topic of prayer as found in the books of Luke, John, Hebrews, and James. We have already reviewed Jesus” model for prayer, his prayer for his disciples, and his intercession for us.Â The letter of James is one of the most practical books in all of Scripture. The writer emphasized not

January 16, 2015

What Does This Meal Mean?

By H. Lynn Gardner Modern Jews eat the Passover meal much the same as God instructed through Moses thousands of years ago. At one point in the ceremonial meal the youngest in the company asks, “Why is this night different from all other nights? What does this mean?” The leader responds, “We celebrate tonight because we were Pharaoh”s slaves in Egypt, and the Lord our God delivered us with a mighty hand. Had not the Holy One, blessed be he, redeemed our fathers from Egypt, we, our children, and our children”s children would have remained slaves.” Moses wrote, “And when

January 12, 2015

Doctrinal Issues & Debates Theology & Bible

A Healthy Church Is Doctrinally Strong

By Jeff Faull I know what you”re thinking: OK, here comes the obligatory “doctrine” article. I think I”ll pass””or else””I”ll hold my nose and take the medicine in one quick gulp and wash it down with something good and be done with it. Please don”t. Doctrine was never intended to be dry, rigid, sterile, lifeless rules and syllogisms, but rather, the stuff of life itself. So I”m asking you to consider healthy church doctrine from some refreshing and positive vantage points. Consider Doctrine as a Framework for Story I hear a lot of people nowadays saying Christianity is a

January 12, 2015

Lesson for January 18: Jesus” Intercession for Us (Hebrews 4:14″“5:10)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the January 11 issue ofÂ The LookoutÂ magazine, and is also available online atÂ www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. StoneÂ The writer of Hebrews reminded Jewish Christians of the new dispensation”s superiority to the old. The role of the high priest was a position familiar to all Jews. The title first occurred in Leviticus 21:10, where it was used to designate Aaron and his successors. Christians have but one who serves in this capacity””Jesus (Hebrews 2:17). He always stands ready

January 9, 2015

New Testament Theology & Bible

He Identifies with Us

By H. Lynn Gardner Jesus shared flesh and blood with us. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted (Hebrews 2:17, 18)*. Timothy Keller explains, in The Reason for God, Christianity alone among the world religions claims that God became uniquely and fully human in Jesus Christ and therefore knows firsthand despair,

January 5, 2015

Lesson for January 11: Jesus” Prayer for His Disciples (John 17:1-26)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the JanuaryÂ 4 issue ofÂ The LookoutÂ magazine, and is also available online atÂ www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. StoneÂ The night when Jesus was betrayed was filled with significance. Matthew, Mark, and Luke all reported on “The Last Supper” but included only a brief synopsis of Christ”s teaching that evening. The Gospel of John was written later, however, and includes four long chapters recounting many specific things that Jesus said that evening (John 14″“17). In today”s lesson we study what

December 29, 2014