October 2, 2023
October 8 | Sharing and Pretending
The church was considered by onlookers not only as a dangerous place but also a desired place. . . .
Articles for tag: Acts 4
September 7, 2015
Lesson for September 13, 2015: Sharing with Sincerity (Acts 4:34″”5:10)
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 September 6 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott In Luke”s summaries of the earliest church, we see it at its best (Acts 2:42-47; 4:32-37). The gospel was being preached, people were being saved, a congregation was being planted, Communion was being celebrated, and giving was off the charts. Who would not want to
September 6, 2015
Called to Speak
By Darrel Rowland This year”s NACC offered something from everyone, in a week filled with challenge, a few surprises, and at least one controversy. We speak . . . Both young and old . . . With voices from America to Asia . . . Through dynamic music to dramatic poetry . . . From hard-core theology to lighthearted comedy . . . Via onstage vignettes to on-screen video . . . By anointing with oil to acknowledging those who have gone to their reward . . . Every year it seems the North American Christian Convention offers something for
August 31, 2015
Lesson for September 6, 2015: Praying for Boldness (Acts 4:23-31)
This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Dr. Mark Scott, who teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. Scott has also held preaching ministries in Missouri, Illinois, and Colorado. This treatment is published in the August 30 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott Lots of things qualify as “acts” in the Book of Acts””miracles, speeches, encounters, persecutions, and even prayers. Prayer is an act. Persecution against the earliest church made prayer a red-hot act. This is the second prayer in Acts in which we are told the
April 19, 2009
Megachurches: Sustaining Ministry in a Shrinking Economy
  By Kent E. Fillinger Rising unemployment rates. Crashing stock markets. Falling consumer confidence. Decreased spending. Skyrocketing personal and national debt. Freezing credit lines. Collapsing banks and bankrupt companies. Mounting numbers of home foreclosures. A deepening recession. People fearing a depression. These are the dominant headlines of our day. What is the impact on the church? Prognosticators and pundits are attempting to predict when this economic downturn will either reach the bottom or start to turn around. Until resurgence occurs, how can churches sustain ministry in a shrinking economy?  Put the economy and giving into perspective. The recession
January 4, 2009
Servanthood Without Star Power
By Jim Herbst  May I suggest another cable channel (since we don”t have enough already)? Let”s call it The Extreme Compassion Channel; its slogan can be, “Total Compassion Reality 24/7.” The catch with all reality shows, of course, is that they have little to do with reality. Like others, I”m moved every time Ty Pennington shows a homeowner his brand new home on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Afterwards, however, I begin to wonder why my life isn”t more sensational. My life is reality, after all. And I am compassionate. But no one applauds, cries, or hugs me when I
