February 20, 2023
February 26 | Courage to Restore
Rebuilding walls can take people only so far. At some point a love for the Word of God must be restored for genuine revival to take place. . . .
Articles for tag: Firstfruits
November 1, 2021
COMPELLED TO CELEBRATE
Expressions of Gratitude Mattered to God and His People in the Old Testament, and They Still Matter Today
March 8, 2021
Mar 14 | The Beginning of Wisdom
Mark Scott writes: The main part of this week’s text features an alternating pattern of command (Proverbs 3:1, 3, 5-6a, et al.) and reward (3:2, 4, 6b, et al.). When God’s people begin with God’s wisdom, they can . . .
May 7, 2018
Lesson for May 13, 2018: Bringing Firstfruits (Leviticus 23:9-14, 22)
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 issue no. 4 (weeks 17–20; April 29—May 20, 2018) of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott Our laughter and our tears display our hearts, but our calendars and checkbooks display our priorities. God wanted his people to get first things first. This principle related to every category of their lives. A reoccurring phrase in the book of Leviticus is, “I am the Lord.” God’s peoples’ conduct
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
March 3, 2016
Are You a Level 5 Multiplying Church?
By Michael C. Mack A number of behaviors (and corresponding behavioral types) affect a church”s capability for multiplying. In Becoming a Level Five Multiplying Church, Exponential director Todd Wilson and Community Christian Church lead pastor Dave Ferguson define five specific levels of multiplying churches, with Level 5 being the most aggressive. “Regardless of church size, growth rate (positive or negative) or behavioral type,” the authors say, “all churches will exhibit behaviors from all five levels; however, we can begin to define a primary level and create profiles for each of the five behavioral types.” Surprisingly, most large churches are Level
February 8, 2016
Lesson for February 14, 2016: Festival of Weeks (Leviticus 23:15″“22)
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 February 7 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Mark Scott Valentine”s Day celebrates love. Wedding anniversaries celebrate commitment. Probably the most noteworthy wedding anniversary is the fiftieth. When couples achieve that, it is called a milestone. A milestone festival for Israel was the Festival of Weeks””an interesting name since it was just a one-day celebration.
April 5, 2015
How Much Do You Know About Easter?
By Victor Knowles Faith in the resurrection of Christ has been called the keystone of the arch of Christianity. How much do you know about the resurrection of Jesus? 1. Who prophesied the following in regard to the resurrection of Christ? “Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; . . . because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay.” a. Moses b. David c. Isaiah d. Daniel 2. Jesus predicted he would be raised on: a. The first day of the week
March 30, 2015
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 of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone 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,
July 24, 2011
God”s Great Story
By Ethan Magness There is a great story to be told that the world needs to hear. It is a story of rebellion and loss, chaos and destruction, punishment and fear. It is a story of rescue and restoration, order and repair, forgiveness and hope. It is a story of great redemption purchased at great cost. It is the story of great sacrifice because of a great love. This is the story of God and all people and this is the story the world needs to hear. There is a great story to be told that the church needs to
