April 18, 2022
The Fruit of Hope
If God can raise his unjustly crucified Son from the dead in an unredeemed world, what else can he do?
Articles for tag: Gospel
Last Day to Register for ICOM March Events (Plus News Briefs)
Today is the deadline to register for ICOM March gatherings at churches in and around Ohio. These get-togethers are designed to generate interest and awareness for the big conference set for Nov. 3-5 in Columbus, Ohio.
January 1, 2022
‘Lead Like You Are the Colorado River’
If not for the obstacles standing in the way of the Colorado River, there would be no Grand Canyon. Without these natural barriers, the river would not have created dramatic ravines, horseshoe bends, and whitewater rapids. Instead of a Grand Canyon, we would have a “Grand Trench.” How awe-inspiring would that be? Not very. If I could give any counsel to Christians and ministry leaders in today’s world, it would be this: Lead like you are the Colorado River. Anticipate impediments to your progress. Don’t expect the way to be free and clear of obstacles. No matter what the barrier,
December 27, 2021
Jan. 2 | Discovery
Recognizing that God’s love prompted him to send Jesus to the world to save us from our sins, how does God’s love and mercy work alongside his justice and wrath?
December 27, 2021
Our Hope
al, but they did not. However, it wasn’t just the days of Christ’s ministry for which they longed. Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses saw a better day in the distance when God’s rule will be restored. Their hope has now become our hope.
December 23, 2021
This Wasn’t in the Script
"It’s the late 1990s, and I’m sitting in the audience of the annual Christmas production at my suburban megachurch when something happens that’s obviously not in the script (or the Scriptures, for that matter)," writes Austin Gohn, lead pastor with Bellevue Christian Church in Pittsburgh.
December 13, 2021
Dec. 19 | Unexpected Response
While they were keeping watch over their flocks at night, an angel of the Lord appeared to them . . .
November 1, 2021
Holidays and the Broken Promise Effect: What Every Leader Should Know
By Wes Beavis A time-zone change hijacked our Thanksgiving last year. My wife and I needed a getaway, and when we stumbled across an extraordinary holiday package, we decided to go for it. We flew east across the country enticed by thoughts of long days relaxing in the sunshine. After a few days, however, we noticed the days going by quicker than anticipated. We finally figured out why. Our holiday destination was three hours ahead of our body clocks. We were waking up at about 10 a.m. and the sun was setting at 5 p.m. Our jet lag made the
November 1, 2021
Restoring the Power of Pentecost
By Michael C. Mack Every day you and I face many challenges, and biggest of them all may be how we choose to perceive them. As the apostle Paul put it, we can fix our eyes on what is seen or what is unseen, on what is temporary or what is eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18). Our perspective makes an incalculable difference in our lives and, by extension, the lives of those around us. How you view the articles in this issue will make a difference, too. A main theme for this issue is missions. One article describes how COVID-19 is
September 1, 2021
5 Ministry Lessons (to Save You from Heartache)
All Christians are called to ministry, and the place of that ministry is not always behind a pulpit. For example, my sister’s ministry is to serve new brides by helping them pick their wedding dress. This might seem like a silly thing to call a ministry, but it involves much more than a dress. When she works with a bride, she listens to their desires and makes them feel comfortable. More than that—my sister is helping the brides feel beautiful in their own skin. She tells them of their worth because they are created in the image of God. This
Heaven’s Dinner Table
Jesus commanded us to share Communion, and to think back to his sacrifice for us, as often as we gather. But he also said this meal should prompt us to look forward with eagerness.
August 9, 2021
Aug. 15 | Application
In this week's Application headlined "Choosing Your Ancestors," David Faust writes: "From Adam and Eve till today, sin has tainted humanity and tilted us toward disaster. . . . Thankfully, though, we can choose the spiritual family we call our own."
August 2, 2021
Aug. 8 | Discovery
What does it look like in the average day of a Christ follower for Christ to live in them?
July 26, 2021
Aug. 1 | Discovery
How would you describe Paul’s passion for defending the gospel message?
CICM Responds to Unprecedented Surge of COVID-19 in India
People are flocking to Central India Christian Mission’s new hospital in the city of Damoh for treatment of COVID-19. CICM founding director Ajai Lall described the challenges CICM is facing as well as some tangible ways people might help.
March 29, 2021
Apr 4 | Discovery
As you go into the world this week, how will you carry out your purpose in making disciples?
March 22, 2021
Mar 28 | Discovery
How would you use these passages to convince someone to live God’s way rather than living their own way or the world’s way?
February 10, 2021
NewThing Planted Nearly 1,000 New Churches in 2020
By Chris Moon Even in a pandemic, the work of church planting continues. Chicago-based church-planting organization NewThing reports it planted 982 churches in 2020, an increase from 855 in 2019. Most of those church plants occurred outside the United States—many of them in Africa and Asia. “COVID hasn’t slowed it down,” said Patrick O’Connell, global director for NewThing. NewThing is the church-planting mission of Community Christian Church in Naperville, Ill., which was founded by Dave Ferguson and Jon Ferguson. The organization has been around for about 15 years and has planted a total of 6,373 churches in 26 countries so
December 14, 2020
Week 4: The Angels
By Stuart Powell Note: This is the final installment of a four-week series of Communion meditations in which we consider essential features to the story of the birth of God’s Son. This week we focus on the angels. Angels appeared six separate times in the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ birth and early childhood (Matthew 1:20-21; 2:13, 19-20; Luke 1:11-20, 26-38; 2:9-15). Luke tells us the angel Gabriel spoke to Zechariah and Mary. No names were mentioned in the other four visits. Most times a single angel appeared, which is how the encounter with the shepherds began. Yet after the message
November 16, 2020
Discovery Questions for November 22, 2020
COMPANION RESOURCES Lesson for Nov. 22, 2020: Be Devoted to Doing Good (Titus 3:1-11) “Good for You” by David Faust (Lesson Application) ________ Study Questions for Groups By Michael C. Mack 1. What struggle or trial did you face over the past week? 2. As you interacted with people in your spheres of influence last week, how did you make the gospel “attractive”? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the readers to read Titus 3:1-11 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Ask the third person to summarize the passage as if sharing the teaching
