December 4, 2023
A Life Given, Not Taken
The biblical record of Jesus’ birth calls our attention to two kings. . . .
Articles for tag: Gift
November 6, 2023
More Than Meets the Eye
The ingredients of Communion convey a sacred message. . . .
November 1, 2023
Preaching with Depth
By Chris Philbeck “I’m pretty sure no one will go home and say, ‘That’s the best sermon I’ve ever heard.’” I spoke those words recently as part of my sermon introduction. Let me explain. I’m preaching chapter-by-chapter through the book of Romans in a series called, “Unashamed.” I love Romans because it gives such a thorough explanation of the gospel. Paul begins with the sinfulness of man, moves to the grace of God that makes salvation possible through faith, and then focuses on our continued pursuit of righteousness. MEAT AND POTATOES On this weekend I was preaching from Romans 6
October 25, 2023
FPM Reaches $2.5 Billion in Charitable Gift Designations (Plus News Briefs)
Financial Planning Ministry recently reached a milestone of having helped clients direct $2.5 billion to the ministries they support through estate planning. . . . Jessie Harden and Dr. Walter Zorn presented talks last week during Restoration Appreciation Week at Great Lakes Christian College. . . . And more.
October 23, 2023
October 29 | Peter Serves in Lydda and Joppa
Acts 9 highlights the two pillars of the early church, Peter and Paul. Most of the chapter tells about the conversion of Saul of Tarsus and some of his earliest ministry. The remainder of the chapter tells about the miraculous ministry of Peter. . . .
October 2, 2023
October 8 | Application (“Cut It Out and Give It Up”)
The first-century church has a lot to teach us about financial stewardship. In the book of Acts, there was a link between unity and generosity. Giving flowed naturally because the believers “were one in heart and mind” (Acts 4:32). . . .
September 4, 2023
September 10 | Application (‘Tell Her’)
If God has blessed you with a noble wife, thank him—and tell her. . . .
September 1, 2023
What Does the Bible Say About Everything?
By Chris Philbeck As I write this column, I’m in the middle of a message series called, “Truth Over Trend” (series title not original to me). The specific topics are gender identity, same-sex relationships, deconstruction of the Christian faith, and having the courage to speak up for biblical truth. You’d have to have your head buried in the sand not to realize the seriousness of these issues in our world and culture, and the impact they have on our local communities and families. Writing the first two messages on gender identity and same-sex relationships reminded me of an important truth
September 1, 2023
‘We’re Talking About (Marriage) Practice’
By Osharye Hagood Practice is a key principle to having a “winning” marriage. Back when we were learning to drive a car, or playing on a sports team, or perhaps learning to dance, we underwent the repetition of practice. This perspective has been extremely helpful for me in my marriage to Rudy. I wake up each day with the desire to have a great marriage, and I understand this can only happen over time, with practice, by the power of God. Please hear me when I say, the gift of love does not equate to a world-championship marriage. It takes practice.
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.”
July 1, 2023
No Perfect Parents . . . Just Real Ones
By Rudy Hagood We all know that parenting our kids is hard. Yet, I think we forget that when we were kids, we were just as hard on our parents! I want to speak with you parent-to-parent. Osharye and I are not perfect parents, and our kids are not perfect, and as much as it pains me to say it in print, our grandkids—even though they are perfect to us—are not perfect either. (Ouch, that last admission hurt!) So, let us find comfort in our perfect heavenly Father, who heals and covers our many imperfections! Paul wrote, “For this reason
Indiana Church Hosts Annual Weeklong Summer Camp for Foster Children
Wilkinson (Ind.) Church of Christ hosts a one-week camp for foster children each summer. The Royal Family KIDS camp exposes the kids to the story of Jesus Christ while showing the children unconditional love. . . .
May 10, 2023
‘Mom, I Love You’: How Four Little Words Transformed My Life
In Celebrate Recovery, making amends is one of the final steps. This step demands a person seek forgiveness from anyone they’ve hurt or offended, as well as grant pardon to those who’ve hurt or offended them. I still had one last person to pardon . . . and she had hurt me most. It was my own mother. But to understand the end, let’s start from the beginning. . . .
LGBTQ Group Pushes for Change at Milligan
A group is protesting Milligan University’s avowed biblical position on human sexuality by posting on a billboard near campus last month that “Trans is Holy,” “Drag is Holy,” “Queer is Holy,” and “You are Holy." . . .
Preaching the Mother’s Day Sermon with Creativity and Compassion
"Over time I have become more aware of the pain many women, and sometimes men, experience on Mother’s Day," our Preach columnist Chris Philbeck shares. "Here are some suggestions that might help us reframe Mother’s Day in a way that blesses everyone . . ."
April 24, 2023
April 30 | Application (‘Give the Lord Your MVP’)
"To sports fans, MVP means Most Valuable Player," David Faust writes. "[But] what if those letters stood for Most Valuable Possession? . . . Would you give your Most Valuable Possession to the Lord? . . ."
March 6, 2023
March 12 | Application (‘A Guide for the Journey’)
Last fall I led a group on a Holy Land tour, but I should qualify the word "led." My job was to lead devotions, encourage travelers, and provide biblical insights along the way. But our group also needed a leader who knew the customs, language, and traffic patterns of Israel and Jordan. We needed a guide! . . .
March 1, 2023
The Gift I Need the Most
By Jerry Harris It was October 21, 1999, my 40th birthday. That’s the birthday when many people start thinking they’re heading over the hill and begin contemplating their own mortality. Well, I was definitely contemplating mortality . . . just not my own. That was the day we buried my father. We headed to the same spot where we had buried my mom five years earlier. The family had picked out an oak casket for my dad, and it was heavy for the pallbearers. I was officiating and walking in front of the casket when I saw my brother buckle
March 1, 2023
Good + Grace = Great (Marriages)
By Rudy and Osharye Hagood There is something wonderful about a perfect gift. When God created vegetation, day and night, wild animals, crawling things, he declared each of those things to be “good.” Yet God outdid himself when he gave us a spouse. God even got an “amen” from Adam, who said, “Now this is bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh” (Genesis 2:23). In his own image, male and female, God created them, giving them dominion (care and management of, concern for, and rule over the earth), and God declared it “very good.” Husbands and wives are
January 16, 2023
January 22 | It Requires Prayer and Fasting
Once work on the temple altar and temple itself were completed, it was time to get the exiles’ lives in order. Ezra the great Bible teacher led the way in this through prayer and fasting.
