Theology &amp; Bible

Lesson for September 21, 2014: Anticipation of a New Future (Jeremiah 32)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the September 14 issue ofÂ The LookoutÂ magazine, and is also available online atÂ www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. StoneÂ Despite all that was going on around them, the people of Israel still had reason for hope. This month”s studies in the book of Jeremiah explain why they could have such confidence that much better days were ahead. Many years before this time, God had given the land of Canaan””the promised land””to his people. The Law of Moses contained specific

September 9, 2014

Mark A. Taylor

Our Focus: on the Cross?

By Mark A. Taylor “I don”t get to a Christian church very often. I don”t get to take Communion every Sunday. And when I do, I want to hear a word about the cross.” I still remember that comment spoken to me years ago by a graduate of Cincinnati Bible Seminary (now Cincinnati Christian University) who had long before quit attending a Christian church/church of Christ. Evidently, because he now belonged to a congregation that does not observe the Lord”s Supper every week, he missed it. And obviously, from years-ago training and decades of experience, he knew what was supposed

September 8, 2014

Lesson for September 14, 2014: Hope for the Future (Jeremiah 31)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the September 7Â issue ofÂ The LookoutÂ magazine, and is also available online atÂ www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. StoneÂ Jeremiah is often called “the weeping prophet” because of the sad news he had to bring to his people. But he also held out hope for them. Following 70 years in Babylonian captivity, a remnant would return to the promised land (Jeremiah 23:3). They would rebuild Jerusalem and be the source of great rejoicing (31:7-14). His message encouraged the captives to

September 1, 2014

Lesson for September 7, 2014: A Vision of the Future (Jeremiah 30)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the August 31 issue ofÂ The LookoutÂ magazine, and is also available online atÂ www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. StoneÂ Even while the people of Israel were living as exiles in Babylon, they still received encouragement and hope from the Lord. In this month”s study we focus on the messages God sent through the prophet Jeremiah. James E. Smith pointed out that the material in chapters 30-33 was not part of a public discourse (see Jeremiah 30:2). “In written form

August 25, 2014

Lesson for August 31, 2014: Generosity in the Midst of Poverty (2 Corinthians 8, 9)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the August 24Â issue ofÂ The LookoutÂ magazine, and is also available online atÂ www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. StoneÂ Despite the problems noted in 1 Corinthians (such as division, pride, and immorality), the church had many good qualities. Generous giving, however, was an area in which they needed to improve. In today”s text Paul used various appeals to encourage them to grow in generosity. An Example 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 Paul introduced a new subject in this letter by saying,

August 22, 2014

Revealed in the Breaking of the Bread

By Mark S. Krause In the old Errol Flynn movie The Adventures of Robin Hood, there is a remarkable scene of revelation. Robin Hood has been fighting the injustice of evil Prince John, who was ruling England in the absence of his brother, King Richard the Lionheart. King Richard had gone to the Holy Land for a Crusade, and his whereabouts are uncertain. Some believe him dead. However, Richard returns to England with a few men, incognito, in the dress of monks. Richard realizes his danger and decides to seek out Robin Hood in Sherwood Forest. Still clad in monk”s

August 18, 2014

Lesson for August 24, 2014: An Appeal for Reconciliation (2 Corinthians 6:1″“7:4)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the August 17 issue ofÂ The LookoutÂ magazine, and is also available online atÂ www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. StoneÂ In the section of 2 Corinthians just before today”s printed text, the apostle Paul discussed why Christians must resolve differences (5:11-21). Compelled by Christ”s love, we are to practice “the ministry of reconciliation” (v. 18). Paul reminded the church that God”s forgiveness of us is a model of how we should forgive others (compare Matthew 6:12). Corinthians” Need 2

August 11, 2014

Lesson for August 17, 2014: Treasure in Clay Jars (2 Corinthians 4:1-15)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in theÂ The LookoutÂ magazine, and is also available online atÂ www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. StoneÂ Paul”s suffering is mentioned throughout this second letter to the Corinthians, especially in chapters 4, 6, and 11. When the Lord called him into his service, he revealed his plan to use Paul as a “chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles.” He added, “I will show him how much he must suffer for my name” (Acts 9:15, 16). The apostle”s

August 8, 2014

Why Celebrate Every Week?

By Mark S. Krause Some in the church world today ask, “Why celebrate the Lord”s Supper every week?” In the Christian churches/churches of Christ, we celebrate the Lord”s Supper each Sunday because we find that pattern reflected in the early church described in the New Testament. While it is inevitable that the church has changed over the centuries, we believe there are basic patterns worth preserving, and this is one of them. But this leads to a more basic question: “Why did the early church celebrate the Lord”s Supper every week?” The answer is very simple, but it requires a

August 4, 2014

Lesson for August 10, 2014: Forgiveness and Restoration (2 Corinthians 1:23″“2:17)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the August 3Â issue ofÂ The LookoutÂ magazine, and is also available online atÂ www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. StoneÂ Paul”s first letter to the Corinthian church contained many things that were difficult for the people to hear and to heed. One issue involved a man who had a sexual relationship with his father”s wife (1 Corinthians 5:1). The apostle directed the church to separate from him (5:2, 11-13). The purpose for this exercise of church discipline was to save the

July 28, 2014

Lesson for August 3, 2014: Comfort in Times of Trouble (2 Corinthians 1:3-11)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the July 27 issue ofÂ The LookoutÂ magazine, and is also available online atÂ www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. StoneÂ Last month”s lessons were all based on Paul”s first letter to the church in Corinth. This month we study his second letter to the Corinthians. Apparently the apostle wrote his second epistle around AD 55. Some of the false teachers in the church continued to misrepresent him, seeking to diminish his influence there. This letter responded to these attacks coming

July 21, 2014

Lesson for July 27, 2014: Seek the Good of Others (1 Corinthians 14:13-26)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the July 20 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. StoneÂ From the day that the church began in Jerusalem, God endowed certain members with miraculous gifts. These were needed in that day. When the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, they began to preach in tongues (Acts 2:6-11). These were languages that they did not know and had not studied. As

July 14, 2014

Lesson for July 20, 2014: Overcome Temptation (1 Corinthians 10:1-22)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the July 13Â issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. StoneÂ Paul guided the Corinthians to live as a community of believers. In chapter 8 he answered their questions about eating meat that had been sacrificed to an idol. In chapter 9 he responded to an inquiry about his apostleship. Paul then warned about the possibility of becoming a “castaway” (9:27, King James Version). Here in chapter 10 he

July 7, 2014

Lesson for July 13, 2014: Exercise Freedom with Caution (1 Corinthians 8, 9)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Paul”s first letter to the church in Corinth was prompted by a letter from them. They evidently asked Paul”s advice on several issues. Last week we considered one such topic, sexual laxity (chapter 6). Today”s text focuses on another question: Is it permissible for Christians to eat meat that has been sacrificed to an idol? First-century Corinth was known for its worship of pagan deities. Their worship included immorality. When a pagan offered a sacrifice in

July 1, 2014

Most Memorable

By Mark S. Krause What was your most memorable Lord”s Supper celebration? Recently I shared the table of the Lord with 800 believers at the International Church in Kathmandu, Nepal. These were mainly expatriates””Christians far from home who were hungry for the fellowship of Communion. It cheered my soul to be with believers who prized this moment so deeply. Think back. What was a memorable Lord”s Supper for you? I can recall sharing at the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem on Resurrection Sunday, with a village church in Uganda, and with a great crowd at the North American Christian Convention. What

June 30, 2014

Lesson for July 6, 2014: Glorify God with Your Body (1 Corinthians 6:12″”7:40)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone First-century Corinth was not an easy place for a Christian to live. Paul”s letters to the church there deal with a number of challenges believers had to face. In 1 Corinthians 6:1-11 he mentions lawsuits; in today”s text he turns to sexual laxity. In chapter 5 he dealt with fornication as an occasion for exercising church discipline. Some of the people were arguing, “I have the right to do anything.” Evidently they were trying to take

June 23, 2014

Lesson for June 29, 2014: Pursue Unity in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:10-17; 3:1-17)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone For the next two months we will study passages from 1 and 2 Corinthians as we learn priorities for the people of God. Paul helped found the church in Corinth. A few years later (perhaps around AD 57), he sent a letter back to the congregation. After an introduction in which he reminded them of his apostolic role, Paul offered a prayer of thanksgiving. In today”s printed text he turns to one of the primary reasons

June 16, 2014

Lesson for June 22, 2014: Hope for a New Day (Nehemiah 7:1-7; Haggai 2:20-23; Zechariah 4 )

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone This is the concluding lesson in our studies about rebuilding the temple in the post-exilic period of Old Testament history. Haggai and Zechariah were contemporaries. Together they challenged God”s people to complete the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. One final verse from Haggai begins today”s study. Zechariah was evidently a young man at this time (Zechariah 2:3, 4). This book that bears his name contains a number of important predictions of the coming Messiah (see

June 9, 2014

Lesson for June 15, 2014: Live Pure Lives (Haggai 2:10-19)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Judah had been conquered, Jerusalem burned, the temple demolished, and the people taken captive to Babylon. After 70 years of captivity there, they were allowed to return to their homeland. Under the leadership of Zerubbabel (the governor) and Joshua (the priest), work was begun to rebuild the temple. Despite a good start, nothing more was done for 15 years. With the coming of King Darius and the encouragement of Haggai and Zechariah, the work was resumed.

June 4, 2014