Articles for tag: Jesus Christ

February 25, 2014

Mark A. Taylor

A Bold Statement, a Beautiful Movie

Let”s go see Son of God, the new movie about Jesus in theaters this weekend! By Mark A. Taylor  Not everyone had praise for the History Channel”s miniseries The Bible when it became a surprise hit last year. Facebook posters and tweeters complained about biblical inaccuracies, criticized the show”s choice of Bible stories, generally attempted to demonstrate that they knew more about the Bible than the show”s producers. But I liked it. Oh, I didn”t like every little thing about it. It had a little too much bombast for my taste. I wasn”t sure every portrayal matched my image of

January 4, 2014

Christian Standard

Living on Less

By E.G. “Jay” Link What does God want us to do with all he”s given us, especially when that is so much more than we need? Deciding on the answer to that question requires some changes in how we view and how we use what we have. Recently I received an e-mail with the subject line, “You can live on less when you have more to live for.” This profound and thought-provoking statement so struck me that I literally stopped my expeditious handling of all my e-mails and just pondered it. This is not a statement about an involuntary “belt-tightening”;

November 1, 2013

Christian Standard

What on Earth?

By Neal Windham Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:22-24). Even believers sometimes struggle with the fact that an instrument of execution is the dominant symbol of the Christian faith.1 So it should come as no surprise that many ancient Jews and Greeks found the cross unacceptable. Generally speaking, the religious quest is, after all, about life, not death. It is

June 7, 2013

Christian Standard

Set Free

By Tom Ellsworth The Indiana State Capitol building in Indianapolis is an impressive place to visit; its rotunda and artwork are beautiful. Among its many commemorative statues is a bust of Col. Richard Owen, commandant of Camp Morton, a facility in Indianapolis that housed Confederate prisoners during the Civil War. The bust is more than just a statuette, it is a unique memorial. Prisoner of war camps during the Civil War were horrendous places in both the North and South. Perhaps the most infamous was Camp Sumter military prison in Georgia, better known as Andersonville Prison. Nearly 13,000 Union soldiers

April 30, 2013

Christian Standard

Defining Normal

  By Mark A. Taylor It”s been two weeks since the Boston Marathon bombings, April 15. The cable news channels and major web portals continue to report on the aftermath with any shred of related content they can muster. But most of us have turned away from the horror of that day and are concentrating, instead, on the demands of this one. What other choice do we have? We must be about our jobs, our families, our churches””our kids, our spouses, our parents, our neighbors. And besides the press of our own responsibilities, there”s another factor that pushes us to

March 30, 2013

Christian Standard

The Alternative Story

By Joe Boyd I want to change the world. I”m obviously not alone. Protestors, politicians, pastors, parents, and beauty pageant contestants””we all love to talk about changing the world. Just stick a microphone in front of one of us and we”ll gladly poetically drone about change and hope and the power of possibility. Except for a few fringe extremists, everyone I know genuinely desires world peace. We want to see the hungry fed, the endangered children saved, and the abandoned elderly dignified. It isn”t too hard for us to imagine a better world without slave traders, child abusers, and hatemongers. We want

February 7, 2013

Christian Standard

Seeking God

By Mark A. Taylor Throughout the month of February, you’ll find many articles on this site around the theme of spiritual formation. And you may wonder why. Barney Wells, a professor at Lincoln Christian University, says there”s a widespread “recognition that we need to go deeper in our preaching, teaching, and community life.” Jody Owens, professor of Bible and pastoral ministries at Johnson University, adds, “All ministers are aware this is a pressing need,” but “they”re finding little time to dedicate to intentional discipleship.” Those Christian college teachers, as well as several others included in Jennifer Johnson”s report, are giving their

January 28, 2013

Christian Standard

Lesson for February 3, 2013: Focused Solely on Christ (Colossians 1)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Although the apostle Paul himself did not plant the church in Colossae, some of his associates did (Colossians 1:7). When he learned of challenges facing the congregation while imprisoned in Rome, he wrote this memorable epistle to them. His letter focuses on Jesus Christ. Apparently the Colossian church was being challenged by heretical teaching, possibly from Jewish and Gnostic sources. Paul”s strong effort to establish the church”s faith solidly on the Lord should be replicated in

December 18, 2012

Christian Standard

Merry Christmas

By Boyce Mouton Merry Christmas! This is among the most familiar phrases in the English language. It brightens the eyes of little children, brings cheer to those imprisoned on beds of suffering, and gives hope to those in dungeons of despair. In spite of political correctness, these precious words still echo throughout every city and village in America. Even those who do not read, speak, or understand the English language, can say these words with a smile and find blessed relief from the difficulties of life. Merry Christmas! These words are music to the ears of our brave men and

June 22, 2012

Christian Standard

Endless Summer

By Rick Chromey Few seasons, other than Christmas, have more songs dedicated to them than summer. The soundtrack of our youth is loaded with countless odes to those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer in the city. Even when the summertime blues proved cruel, most boys of summer still favored hot fun in the summertime. After all, who doesn”t enjoy a summer breeze to make you feel fine? Perhaps the reason summer captures our imagination and inspires our soul is we”d love for it to be, as the Beach Boys” album suggested, “endless.” Summer reminds us of childhood and a

April 14, 2012

Christian Standard

Forgiveness, Love, and Hope

By Bryce Jessup As a 20-year-old student in Bible college, I heard a sermon about the cross that I will never forget. The preacher told us the x in our English language was but a tilted t from ancient times. He went on to say that the t was one of the early symbols for the cross. His application was memorable. He said, “Isn”t it interesting that when you make a mistake with a typewriter (this was long before the computer age, but some will remember), you correct it by typing over it with a lot of x“s?” In other

April 13, 2012

Christian Standard

What”s Missing?

By Ron Downs Something seems to be missing in many churches today when it comes to the issue of salvation. There is strong emphasis on believing in Jesus. There also seem to be strong emphases on confessing Jesus and baptism. But it seems there is little or almost no emphasis on repentance. Repentance has been dropped from the church”s vocabulary. John the Baptist came preaching repentance. Jesus preached repentance. Both John and Jesus made repentance the heart of their message. The message on Pentecost was not to accept Jesus and be baptized, nor was it to ask Jesus into your

February 27, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for March 4, 2012: Wisdom”s Origin (Proverbs 8)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone After today we will be studying the Gospel of John each week during this quarter. There Jesus is presented as the one who holds the answer to all of life”s questions. Today”s text from Proverbs provides the backdrop for our future study. In the book of Proverbs, Solomon describes wisdom as if it were a person. In this poetic way he explains both its characteristics and source. Using personal terms he sets forth the characteristics of

February 13, 2012

Christian Standard

Lesson for Feb. 19, 2012: Inheriting Abraham”s Promise (Galatians 3:15″“5:1)

This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Paul wrote his letter to the Galatians to correct false teaching that had influenced the church. Some insisted that Christians must observe everything in the Old Testament law. This month”s lessons refute this idea. No one can be justified by observing the law (Galatians 2:16). The law had an important purpose, however, although the law itself was not to be permanent. Even when God gave the Old Testament law to Israel, it is clear that it

November 12, 2011

Christian Standard

In Awe of Jesus

By Joseph C. Grana II I always had trouble relating to Jesus. I believed he was the Christ, the son of the living God. I believed in his virgin conception, sinless life, miracles, and his bodily resurrection. I loved him, worshipped him, and served him. I just could not relate to him. As God, he always had a leg up on me. I could not be like him. I could not live up to his standards. I could not be perfect. I worshipped him because he was the Christ. I could not relate to him because he was the Christ.

October 25, 2011

Christian Standard

You Must Read This . . . A Priceless Discovery

By Mark Atteberry Moments with the Savior: A Devotional Life of Christ By Ken Gire Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1998  Every summer my wife and I attend the International Christian Retail Show. We love it because we get to rub shoulders with many of our favorite authors and because we never come home with fewer than 60 or 70 brand-new, just-released books. It”s like Christmas in July. But it isn”t quite as great as it might sound. It always turns out that at least half the books we ship home aren”t worth the paper they”re printed on. For some, the problem

August 27, 2011

Christian Standard

Let All of Us Examine Ourselves

By David L. Eubanks The major focus of Communion is the Lord Jesus Christ. When he inaugurated it, he said, “Do this in remembrance of me.” The Lord”s Supper is not primarily about us but about him, what he did for us, and the life he gives us when we feed on him. At the same time, there is a definite element of introspection that goes with this feast. That was true of the meal at which Jesus instituted it. When Jesus told his apostles that one of them would betray him, they immediately began to ask, “Surely you don”t

July 24, 2011

Christian Standard

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

July 11, 2011

Christian Standard

Lesson for July 17, 2011: Use God”s Strength (Judges 3:15-25, 29, 30)

Bible background. Pronunciation guide. Real-life commentary. Discussion questions. Find it all in Standard Lesson Commentary. ____________ This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for July 17) is written by James Hansee, senior associate minister with Whitewater Crossing Christian Church in Cleves, Ohio. ____________ Use God’s Strength (Judges 3:15-25, 29, 30) By James Hansee Where the world sees disability, God sees potential. Where the world sees disadvantage or defect, God sees opportunity. When people rely on God”s strength, even their weaknesses or perceived shortcomings can be powerful tools in his hands to accomplish his plans. Such is the case

April 25, 2011

Christian Standard

Lesson for May 1, 2011: Be Like Jesus (Philippians 2:1-11)

This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for May 1) is written by Lise Caldwell, a freelance writer living in Indianapolis, Indiana. ____________ Be Like Jesus (Philippians 2:1-11) By Lise Caldwell To paraphrase A Christmas Carol, I am a famously competitive person: to begin with. This must be distinctly understood, or nothing wonderful can come of the story I am going to relate. My husband loves to tell the tale of the time I mercilessly defeated a 12-year-old girl in a game of Scene It at Walt Disney World in order to win Electronic-Banking Monopoly, a game he

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