November 10, 2025
Through the Open Door
This is the sixth in a series of weekly articles based on Christ’s letters to the seven churches in the book of Revelation. This week’s church is Philadelphia.
Articles for tag: Acts 12
One That Finds Unity Irresistible …
The most compelling principle of the Restoration Movement has always been our commitment to live in the tension between truth and unity.
September 11, 2023
September 17 | Discovery
These Discovery Questions are for use with this week’s Lookout Bible Lesson, “The Friends Speak” (Song of Songs 1:4b-8; 3:1-11), by Mark Scott.
October 31, 2022
November 6 | A Heart That Seeks God
The theme of seeking God unites sections of Psalms 63 and 105. In strong parallelism and with beautiful pictures, the psalmists told us where God could be found and what that would mean for the whole world.
The Most Important Thing
By Chris Philbeck My wife and I recently attended a pastors and wives retreat just outside of Phoenix. It was a great experience for both of us. While we’ve been married for almost 40 years, it’s always good to get away from the busyness of life to reconnect. The retreat also included some times when the pastors and wives split to focus on separate topics. One session for the pastors began with the question: What do you think is the most important thing in good preaching? Hearing the various answers—such as connection, engagement, relevance, vulnerability, etc.—was interesting. At one point
May 24, 2021
May 30 | Application
God is omnipresent and inescapable. The trouble is, we can be oblivious and distractable. The problem isn’t God’s availability, but our awareness.
March 1, 2021
Truth + Love: The Balancing Act
My wife, Beth, and I had just met a young couple as we were leaving church. After visiting with these strangers for a few minutes, we invited them to go eat lunch with our family. We found ourselves laughing and devouring sandwiches and getting to know them. And that’s when it got awkward. After asking Matt what part of town he lived in, I innocently proceeded to ask the same question of Stacie. In between bites, in matter-of-fact fashion, she replied that they lived together. Two voices in my subconscious immediately began whispering to me. One unwavering, firm voice said,
June 20, 2017
Irresistible Unity: Restoring Unity to the Restoration Movement
By Tyler McKenzie I love the principles of the Restoration Movement. I was raised in one of our churches, educated at one of our schools, and lead one of our churches. I know all the one-liners: “¢ Where the Bible speaks, we speak. Where the Bible is silent, we are silent. “¢ We have no creed but Christ, no book but the Bible, no name but Christian. “¢ We”re Christians only, but not the only Christians. “¢ In essentials, unity; in opinions, liberty; in all things, love. But the most compelling principle to me has always been our commitment to
January 6, 2017
John at the Cross
By Ron Davis As Jesus died, John stood at the cross. The apostle describes the scene in his Gospel, John 19:25, 26. He is the one who called himself “the disciple whom he loved.” He fully sensed and experienced Jesus” love. Jesus did love John. He saw in John a young man capable of a lifetime commitment. And that was realized. John”s love for Jesus is likewise obvious. He saw in Jesus the One long promised, the One who would save. He saw the Word incarnate. That is why he stood at the cross. Heartbroken. He was losing his good
August 15, 2016
Lesson for August 21, 2016: Grafted In (Romans 11:11-24)
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in the August 14 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott Dad used to say, “The greatest word in John 3:16 is “˜whosoever,” because that one word gets us into the kingdom of God.” Paul would likely agree. Paul was a Jew, and due to that heritage had ready access to salvation. But Paul was also the apostle to the Gentiles, and due to that calling wanted
October 26, 2015
Lesson for November 1, 2015: God Rescues Peter (Acts 12:1-24)
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri, and has held preaching ministries in Missouri, Illinois, and Colorado. This lesson treatment is published in the October 25 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott Rescue is at the heart of the gospel. Germane to the meaning of the word salvation is deliverance or rescue. The Bible often uses salvation in its most spiritual sense””redemption, forgiveness, and the promise of eternal life (Colossians 1:13). But since salvation also includes the healing
April 28, 2014
Does Worship Belong in Small Groups?
By Michael C. Mack QUESTION: Should we worship in our small group? ANSWER: Does a heart belong in the human body? Does an operating system belong on a computer? Does peanut butter go well with jelly? Does chocolate belong in a chocolate chip cookie? Worship makes a small group run. It”s what holds it together. It”s what makes a sweet aroma, pleasing to God. The question about whether worship belongs in a small group usually comes from Christians who believe for some reason, and with no biblical support, that worship should be reserved for a certain place (the church building)
March 5, 2011
How the Bible Guided Me at a Crossroads
By Jeffrey A. Metzger It created an unexpected, but unforgettable, moment in my life. My administrative assistant walked in and handed me a letter. I don”t know how she got her information but she said to me, “Jeff, I want you to know this church in Florida is looking for a pastor. But you”d never want to move to Florida. They have giant cockroaches down there.” We laughed because I had no intention of moving anywhere. The ministry I was serving was thriving, and I wasn”t seeking to relocate. But that pesky church in Florida wouldn”t take no for an
May 30, 2010
From the Campus to the World
By Greg Swinney Short-term mission trips are part of the meat and potatoes of campus ministry. In the past 20 years these trips have grown by leaps and bounds to become massive global efforts. During summer months, winter break, and spring break, university students travel the planet to offer all they have for the glory of the Lord. They work in orphanages, inner-city churches, medical clinics, children”s homes, and in countless Third World regions. Hundreds will go this year. Thousands of dollars will be spent. And lives will be transformed for eternity. This article intersperses how campus ministries make short-term
The Fasting Track: Sixteen Great Reasons to Fast
By Victor M. Parachin In 1756, a frightened and somber king of England called for a day of solemn prayer and fasting. Behind his call was the immediate threat of an invasion by the French. On February 6, 1756, John Wesley recorded in his journal the positive effect a day of fasting and prayer had upon the nation: “The fast day was a glorious day, such asLondon has scarce seen. . . . Every church in the city was more than full, and a solemn seriousness sat on every face. Surely God heareth prayer, and there will yet be a lengthening of
September 11, 2005
Re-Respect Your Elders
Volunteer elders often face misunderstanding and criticism. Eddie Lowen urges churches to reject disrespect, uphold biblical qualifications, and use thoughtful selection practices so elders can lead with integrity and joy.
