September 25, 2023
Drinking Our Cup
Jesus was treated as he did not deserve so we could be treated as we do not deserve. . . .
September 25, 2023
Jesus was treated as he did not deserve so we could be treated as we do not deserve. . . .
August 14, 2023
The world is on a collision course with the God of justice. If God did not punish sin, he would be untrue to his word and his nature (Romans 3:26). . . .
March 20, 2023
What if the Lord himself doesn’t like our worship services and would rather not attend? Through the prophet Amos, God left no doubt how he felt about the Israelites’ gatherings. . . .
February 28, 2022
By Stuart Powell God created humanity as male and female. He took care of their need for relationships by teaching them how to love him and each other. When they sinned and learned of their nakedness, God covered their shame, as explained in the Tree of Life Version: “Adonai Elohim made Adam and his wife tunics of skin and He clothed them” (Genesis 3:21). This is the first record of God clothing humanity. Initially, Adam and Eve knew nothing of evil, shame, or clothing. When they disobeyed, the fruit opened their eyes to evil, and evil exposed their shame. God
March 20, 2017
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 March 19, 2017, issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott God”s love is perfect, great, and matchless (the subjects of the former three lessons). But because humans are involved, God”s love must also be restorative. David Brymer sings a worship song entitled “Restoration.” The people during the time of the prophet Joel would have liked that song. Regardless of when the book is dated, the
June 6, 2016
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 June 5 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott “Turn out the lights” or “00:00″ or “Pay day some day” are all ways of expressing the inevitable, “Time is up.” Last week”s lesson from Zephaniah predicted the day of the Lord. This week”s lesson is focused on that day actually coming. God had an
May 30, 2016
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 May 29 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott The Bible is full of contrasts related to God”s people. There was the line of Seth and the way of Cain; the sons of God and the daughters of men; the seed of promise (Isaac) and the house of Ishmael; the kingdom of God and
June 8, 2015
This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the June 7 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone The exact length of Amos”s ministry is not specified in Scripture. Most Bible scholars agree that it was probably for a short time. Some guess only a half hour, while others think only a few months! James E. Smith suggested, “More likely his ministry extended for a few years. The years 754-752 BC for his mission to north Israel would
May 20, 2013
By Sam E. Stone When doubters and cynics ridicule the church today, it is nothing new. That was happening a few years after the church began. As the apostle Peter neared the end of his life, even then he addressed the criticisms being leveled against Christians. Scoffers” Perspective 2 Peter 3:3, 4 It is important to remember that the last days started a long time ago. On the Day of Pentecost after Christ”s resurrection, Peter applied the last days prophecy of Joel 2:28-32 to that very moment (Acts 2:17; see also Hebrews 1:2; Jude 18). The scoffers Peter describes may
April 22, 2013
By Sam E. Stone Paul wrote his first letter to the church in Thessalonica to encourage the new converts and give additional teaching. Last week”s lesson from that letter focused on the certainty of the Lord”s return and the need to be ready for it at all times. A short time later””perhaps six months or so””he wrote them again. In this second letter he corrects their misunderstanding about the return of Jesus (2 Thessalonians 2:1-12) and offers additional encouragement and guidance. Unshaken Believers 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4 People in the church at Thessalonica were upset. Paul urged them not to