June 24, 2024
This Is Where It Happens
The very core of Christianity is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. . . .
Articles for tag: Forgiveness
June 10, 2024
Faultless
Pilate spoke more truth about Jesus than he knew. . . .
June 3, 2024
We Have Seen Jesus
Jesus stands with us at this table. . . .
April 22, 2024
The Gentle Servant
Isaiah uses two metaphors to illustrate the gentleness of our Lord . . .
What Is the Lord’s Supper? Exploring Unity, Renewal, and Remembrance
What actually happens when churches gather to celebrate the Lord’s Supper? Answers vary. I want to suggest that the Lord’s Supper is a weekly experience of church unity, covenant renewal, and mutual remembrance. . . .
March 18, 2024
The Good Stuff
In the moment, it was hard to see that some "good stuff" was happening . . .
February 29, 2024
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘Ask and It Shall Be Given’ (1954)
"When we pray we do not always get precisely what we ask for," Max Ward Randall wrote in 1954. "What are some of the reasons?" . . .
February 19, 2024
Feb. 25 Lesson | Seeing and Believing
People in Jesus’ day saw the miracles, heard him teach, and watched him interact with people high and low. Still, many of them refused to believe. But for the Jesus followers of John 20, seeing was believing. . . .
February 19, 2024
Feb. 25 | Discovery Questions
These Discovery Questions are for use with this week’s Lookout Bible Lesson, “Seeing and Believing” (John 20:19-31), by Mark Scott.
February 8, 2024
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘Integrity in the Pulpit’ (2005)
A 2005 reflection on “Integrity in the Pulpit” confronts sermon stealing, defines pulpit plagiarism, explores why it happens, and urges pastors to practice honesty by giving clear attribution in preaching.
January 22, 2024
Jan. 28 | Discovery Questions
These Discovery Questions are for use with this week’s Lookout Bible Lesson, “I AM the Vine” (John 15:1-20, 26-27), by Mark Scott.
December 25, 2023
And Old, New Celebration
"Let us not get tired of doing what is right . . ."
December 25, 2023
Dec. 31 Lesson | I Am the Bread of Life
Two miracles provide the background for this lesson text. Jesus multiplied five barley loaves and two fish and fed 5,000 men. Jesus then walked on the Sea of Galilee. . . .
November 1, 2023
The Advent of Jesus into a Wicked World
By Michael C. Mack Each Christmas I faithfully sing the hymn . . . though I question the historical accuracy of the words. Silent night, holy night! All is calm, all is bright. . . . As I read the biblical accounts, I imagine the atmosphere surrounding Jesus’ birth as something other than silent, calm, and bright. More like clamorous and chaotic. The streets of Bethlehem are bustling as people from across the region arrive in their ancestral hometown to register for Caesar Augustus’s census. Joseph and Mary walk wide-eyed through throngs of fellow Jews from King David’s line hectically looking
November 1, 2023
The Lies and the Truth About God’s Love
By Jerry Harris This is the time of year for thankfulness, celebration, joy, and love, but it also can be a time of loneliness and longing, discouragement and depression. We may think this is a product of our own minds and circumstances, but something more sinister is at work. In 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, Paul described a constant spiritual onslaught that is happening behind the scenes; it’s a battle for our hearts and minds that must be defended with the truth of God’s Word, especially as the enemy tries to rob us of that which God has richly provided. First Corinthians
November 1, 2023
Agape Love in the Life of an Elder
By David Roadcup Cornerstones were critical in the architecture of the ancient world. A cornerstone was traditionally the first stone laid for a structure, with all other stones set in reference to it. Thus, a cornerstone determined the position of the entire structure. Cornerstones have been around for millennia. A poorly crafted or placed cornerstone can compromise an entire structure. In the life of an elder or church leader, several critical cornerstones need to be identified, grown, and matured. Examples include these: POWERFUL AND IMPACTING LOVE Scripture uses four Greek words for love: eros (extreme self-gratification), storge (love for family), filos
November 1, 2023
‘Tis the Season for Justice
By Tyler McKenzie Did you know that in the past century at least three countries outlawed the public recitation of Mary’s Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55)? • Before the end of British rule over India, the Magnificat was prohibited from being sung in churches. • In the 1980s, the Guatemalan government banned it because they believed Mary’s words provoked revolutionary zeal. • And the military dictatorship that ruled in Argentina from 1976 to 1983 also banned the Magnificat. During that time, those in command “disappeared” 30,000 people. Mothers created signs emblazoned with the names of their abducted children and Mary’s song and took
September 25, 2023
October 1 | Birth of the Church
Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and so was the church. . . .
August 21, 2023
August 27 | Discovery
These Discovery Questions are for use with this week’s Lookout Bible Lesson, “Justified” (Zephaniah 3:9-20), by Mark Scott.
THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘The Gospel Plan of Salvation’ (1927)
In 1927, L.A. Chapman, minister in Bedford, Ohio, compiled this listing of Scripture verses that "answer the question, ‘What must I do to be saved?’ presented without note or comment.”
