Articles for tag: Apostle Paul

Christian Living

A Glimpse of Tomorrow

By Tom Ellsworth At the time many condescendingly referred to it as “Seward”s Folly”””because U.S. Secretary of State William H. Seward brokered the deal and was its biggest promoter””but the purchase of Alaska from Russia was anything but foolish. Rich in gold, copper, and oil, its value has far exceeded the 1867 purchase price of 2 cents per acre. Part of this grand acquisition (twice the size of Texas) is a tiny island with a big story. Only 2.8 square miles in size, Little Diomede Island rises out of the water in the middle of the Bering Strait and is

June 15, 2015

Responding to Jim Putman

We asked three leaders to react to Jim Putman’s article describing his church’s decision to plant churches instead of developÂ multisites. By Brent Storms,Â president, The Orchard Group (www.orchardgroup.org) ONE OF THE BIGGEST FACTORSÂ in starting healthy churches is the quality of the lead planter. One of the characteristics of the best church planters is that they are great communicators. The only way to develop one”s communication gift is to be afforded frequent opportunities to speak and receive helpful feedback. I share Jim”s concern that the trend toward campuses that are video venues effectively reduces the opportunities younger leaders have to preach. That

May 25, 2015

New Testament Theology & Bible

Lesson for May 31, 2015: The Greatest Is Love (1 Corinthians 13)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the May 24Â issue ofÂ The LookoutÂ magazine, and is also available online atÂ www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. StoneÂ This week concludes a study of key passages in Paul”s first letter to the church in Corinth. Members of this first-century congregation had written Paul with several questions. We have considered some of their concerns in past weeks. Today”s study of 1 Corinthians 13 is best understood when we realize that it is sandwiched in with a discussion of spiritual gifts

May 4, 2015

Spiritual Gifts Theology & Bible

Lesson for May 10, 2015: Gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:1-11)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the May 3Â issue ofÂ The LookoutÂ magazine, and is also available online atÂ www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. StoneÂ The apostle Paul spent about 18 months in the prominent Greek city of Corinth during his second missionary journey. Although he faced strong opposition (Acts 18:1-11), still the church grew and prospered. Later Paul received a letter from Corinth raising several important issues. He addressed them in 1 Corinthians. His discussion of spiritual gifts extends from 12:1″“14:40. Obviously this was a

April 15, 2015

Worship Worship & Prayer

Attracted to the Mystery, Amazed by the Beauty

By Jim Tune It was just another busy lunch hour in the food court. Then a young woman with a cell phone pressed to her ear stood up and began to sing “hallelujah.” While shoppers were trying to figure out what was going on, the first singer was joined by a man who, moments earlier, had been eating his Arby”s sandwich. Then a mall custodian joined the chorus. Suddenly all 80 voices of the Chorus Niagara were performing a magnificent rendition of George Frederic Handel”s masterpiece, the “Hallelujah Chorus.” The shoppers in the food court at Seaway Mall November 13,

March 30, 2015

New Testament Theology & Bible

Lesson for April 5, 2015: Believe in the Resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-22)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the March 29 issue ofÂ The LookoutÂ magazine, and is also available online atÂ www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. StoneÂ Often 1 Corinthians 15 is described as the “resurrection chapter” of the Bible. Tom Friskney wrote, “There is no other chapter like this in the whole Bible; the hope of Christianity resides within it. . . . We may wonder why Paul has waited until now to discuss it. . . . It is not last because it is least,

March 18, 2015

Old Testament Theology & Bible

The Church”s Original Hymnbook

By Jim Tune There is an energy about the Psalms. I love the raw honesty that spills out everywhere as David and others confess their inadequacies, cry out for mercy, or plead for justice to fall viciously on their enemies. The Psalms have a voice of their own. Perhaps that is why the book of Psalms touches me in a way that some others in the Bible do not. A friend once suggested the opposite of Psalms is Romans. I get that. In that rather formal letter, Paul meticulously lays out the foundations of the faith by following a specific

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

December 20, 2014

Leading Young

By Will Thomas Young ministers can overcome the challenges that have faced them since Paul wrote Timothy. I understand Timothy”s predicament. “Don”t let anyone look down on you because you are young,” the apostle Paul encouraged (1 Timothy 4:12). Timothy was a preacher and in all likelihood younger than most of the people in his church. Been there, done that. I had just turned 19 when I began serving as a minister. I had preached a fair number of sermons as a teenager in my home church and had always been a motivated student of the Bible. But suddenly, a

October 20, 2014

Church & Ministry Teaching

So You Want to Write a Book: Four Good Reasons to Self-Publish!

By Anne Milam The words self-published have carried a stigma that has long implied, “You weren”t really good enough to get an actual book company to publish you.” But I am here to debunk that myth. Self-publishing isn”t a dirty word anymore. Let me give you four good reasons to self-publish: “¢ First of all, if God has put a message in your heart to deliver, then you must share it. Plain and simple. No matter what size the audience. Let the public decide whether or not your work is worthy or valid or enjoyed. When I birthed my first

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 14, 2014

Michael C. Mack

The Apostle Paul’s Top 21 Leadership Character Traits

By Michael C. Mack Acts 20 contains 21 character traits of the apostle Paul. Look over this list, and then take time to assess yourself as a leader. Which three to five of these are you doing well? Now, identify three to five traits missing or in short supply with you. Huddle up with a few other leaders and share what you’ve discovered. Paul’s character traits: 1. Humility (v. 19). 2. Possessing a Servant’s heart (v. 19). 3. Integrity. Never hesitated to preach the Word, no matter what the consequences (v. 20). 4. Committed. Devoted to teaching God’s Word regardless

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 16, 2014

Church & Ministry Church Leadership

The Discipline to Discipline

By Jim Tune The words church discipline can conjure up vivid imagery that seemingly affirms the world”s worst perceptions of church. Nathaniel Hawthorne”s The Scarlet Letter serves up a twisted picture of the ostracizing of an adulteress by both church and community. Is this what we mean by church discipline””visions of Hester Prynne skulking around her nightmarish New England town? A solidly biblical approach to church discipline is the only way to heal fractures, restore right relationships, and ensure the health of the church. Discipline is not simply the unhappy task of ordering troublemakers out of the church. Indeed, discipline

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

May 31, 2014

Church Life

Country Clubs

By Jennifer Johnson I thought my years in California prevented me from developing geographical snobbery, that condition in which you assume your city/state/region has the corner on all things progressive and everywhere else is a barren wasteland. It”s a hobby along that coast; one California megachurch pastor actually told me Willow Creek grew to its current ginormity because “there”s nothing else to do out there. What”s in Illinois, yaks?” Yep, buddy, their church is way bigger than yours because Chicago”s boring. So I expected to like the Plains states when I first visited them years ago to lead workshops at

April 11, 2014

Communion & Lord's Supper Theology & Bible

His Story, Our Story, the Story of Christ

By Jeff Faull Imagine a child asking the apostle Paul, “Would you tell me a story?” Where would he start? He could tell about his Damascus road experience, adventures at sea, the time he was bitten by a snake, and the great basket escape. He could speak of the time Eutychus fell asleep during his sermon and fell out the window and died. Then there were the occasions he was stoned and left for dead. He could relate his vision of the third heaven. He might mention his authorship of at least a dozen books of the Bible. Paul could

February 11, 2014

Leaders Will

By Eddie Lowen I”ve come to a surprising realization about all the churches where my friends and family lead: they all are healthy. In fact, many of these churches are outright thriving! Statistically, that realityÂ is striking because research suggests the majority of churches are in decline, spiritually andÂ numerically. Yet, among my close connections, I can”t think of anyone who presides over a dyingÂ or wilting church. And I think I know at least one reason why. Because we are fallen, individually and corporately, the tendency of a church is toward decline. My friends” and family”s churches defy that propensity because,

January 11, 2014