January 31, 2022
Feb. 6 | Justified by Grace
As the Justifier, how can God stay true to his character and punish sin (that is, how can he be “just”), and at the same time release the offender (i.e., the sinner) from punishment? Grace is the answer.
Articles for tag: Apostle Paul
January 11, 2022
In Farewell Sermon at Plainfield, Steve White Shares ‘Why I Love the Church’
Steve White preached his farewell sermon Sunday after serving with Plainfield (Ind.) Christian Church for 34 years. In that sermon, he shared the reasons he loves the church, and specifically, why he loves Plainfield Christian.
January 10, 2022
Jan. 16 | Righteous Abraham
Be careful of idolizing Bible characters. They all have feet of clay, and they can marginalize God as the real hero of the biblical narratives. That being said, Abraham is an imitable model of righteousness. . . .
December 27, 2021
Jan. 2 | Discovery
Recognizing that God’s love prompted him to send Jesus to the world to save us from our sins, how does God’s love and mercy work alongside his justice and wrath?
November 8, 2021
Understanding God’s Grace
This table focuses on Jesus Christ, who took upon himself the penalty for my sins—and for yours—so that we are transformed by God’s grace and truly understand it.
October 25, 2021
Everyday Halloween
For kids, Halloween comes once a year. But if you think about it, adults put on disguises much more frequently . . .
August 16, 2021
Chosen
At least once this past week you almost certainly felt overwhelmed or inadequate. But knowing Christ and how much he values us should lift us up as nothing else can.
August 9, 2021
Aug. 15 | Discovery
What kinds of things tend to spiritually enslave people?
August 2, 2021
Aug. 8 | Application
A biblical text normally has a single meaning, but it can have many applications. Consider Galatians 2:20 . . .
June 14, 2021
Our Greatest Need
Mankind needed a mediator, a rescuer, to act as a go-between from God to people. We needed someone who understood the needs on both sides of the divide . . .
SPOTLIGHT: New Life Christian Church (Chantilly, Virginia)
Bold People Exercising Bold Faith At a church as large and well-established as New Life Christian in Chantilly, Virginia, it might be tempting to get complacent. Prior to the arrival of coronavirus early in 2020, New Life helped create the Exponential Network, planted more than 300 churches, and regularly attracted thousands of people to worship services every Sunday. Still, senior pastor Brett Andrews was convinced the church needed something else: boldness. Andrews and the leaders at New Life wanted to get better at reproducing disciples, not just reproducing churches. For the last three years, the church has striven to increase
Seeds to Be Planted
We don’t have to fear death any more than a seed needs to fear being planted.
March 22, 2021
Mar 28 | Application
Christians can keep our feet on the ground while our eyes are on Heaven. We can be realistic without being cynical, and we can hold onto our ideals without being wild-eyed dreamers. We can live in the “now” while we anticipate the “not yet.”
March 1, 2021
‘Truth Is Something to Be Done’
Truth is personal to me. In my mid-twenties, I went on a journey seeking answers to the paramount questions, “What is truth and where can I find it?” My search took me on a logic-based study of various religions, spiritual beliefs, and systems of thought . . . and eventually led me to Jesus. In him I found the answers that nothing else in the world could provide. “What is truth?” is the foundational question for Christian faith, apologetics, and preaching. It’s especially important in today’s cultural climate in which the question has morphed to “Is there really any such
February 1, 2021
What’s Wrong with Our Movement? Why Can’t We Unify? Why Can’t We Reconcile?
(Read “When Brothers Dwell in Unity,” a companion article by Fate Hagood’s brother, Rudy Hagood.) Our movement, like many other movements, has been fractured, fragmented, and frustrated. I grew up in the Church of Christ vein of the Restoration Movement during a time when our purpose and passion were crystal clear. We saw the Bible speaking of one church. That one church could be discovered through a simple reading of Scripture and a commonsense understanding of what Scripture teaches. The idea of restoration is about going back to the primitive church of the first century and attempting to be that
October 26, 2020
Lesson for Nov. 1, 2020: God Is Faithful (2 Timothy 2:11-13; 4:6-8, 16-18)
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 November 2020 issue of Christian Standard + The Lookout. (Subscribe to our print edition.) ________ Lesson Aim: Give thanks that God faithfully helps you to serve Christ. ________ COMPANION RESOURCES “Trimming Around the Edges” by David Faust (Lesson Application) Discovery Questions for Nov. 1, 2020 ________ By Mark Scott The United States Marine Corps was formed before the Declaration of Independence. Their origin goes back to November 10, 1775.
October 19, 2020
From Whom You Learned It (Oct. 25 Lesson Application)
This “Application” column goes with the Bible Lesson for Oct. 25, 2020: You’re Next (2 Timothy 1:13-14; 2:1-2; 3:10-17) ________ By David Faust Someone said that a diploma doesn’t prove you got an education; it means you had the opportunity to get an education. It’s good to go to high school or college, but it’s better to actually learn something along the way. I have diplomas on my office wall, but my ordination certificate hangs above the diplomas, because ministry means more to me than academic achievements. The witnesses who signed my ordination certificate stir fond memories. Their signatures are
October 5, 2020
Discovery Questions for October 11, 2020
COMPANION RESOURCES Lesson for Oct. 11, 2020: The Cost (2 Timothy 1:8-12; 2:3-10; 4:14-15) “We’re All in Hospice” by David Faust (Lesson Application) ________ Study Questions for Groups By Michael C. Mack 1. What new challenge did you face last week? 2. In what way did you serve others this past week that utilized a spiritual gift from God? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the readers to read 2 Timothy 1:8-12 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Repeat the process for 2 Timothy 2:3-10 and then for 2 Timothy 4:14-15. Ask the third
September 7, 2020
Expensive Messages
By Jon Wren Would you like to receive a birthday message from legendary quarterback Brett Favre? It’ll cost you $400. Want to send your spouse an anniversary message from country music superstar Granger Smith? That’ll cost you $74. Or, since it’s Grandparent’s Day, perhaps you’d like to send your grandparent or a grandchild an encouraging video from Oscar-winning actor Richard Dreyfuss. It’ll cost you $999. All of these celebrities and more can record and deliver a custom video message for you through a platform called Cameo. Cameo contracts with various singers, actors, athletes, and other famous people to provide, for
August 15, 2020
10 Foundation Stones of the Church—No. 5: Fellowship
By Jerry Harris Change is an essential part of life, but human beings seem to have a built-in resistance to it. I don’t think that’s all bad, as change for change’s sake may not produce the best results. However, oftentimes change is critical or even welcomed, especially in the midst of crisis. One of the hotly debated issues in the church world over the last few years has been whether or not online church is a legitimate form of church. On this discussion topic, the COVID-19 crisis forced an almost instantaneous pivot in the American church world. Virtually every church
