November 6, 2025
Proclamation and Persuasion: The Invitation
When the gospel is proclaimed, and the Holy Spirit brings conviction, and people are challenged to respond, they respond.
Articles for tag: John 3:1
Are You Passionate About Your Vision?
Still healthy, somewhat effective, and obedient to a fault, many churches have lost the passionate vision they once had. Vision has been replaced by tradition, and passion by obedient maintenance.
December 4, 2023
Dec. 10 | Discovery Questions
These Discovery Questions are for use with this week’s Lookout Bible Lesson, “Eternal Life” (John 3:1-21), by Mark Scott.
November 27, 2023
Dec. 3 | Discovery Questions
These Discovery Questions are for use with this week’s Lookout Bible Lesson, “Witness to the Light” (John 1:6-8, 19-34), by Mark Scott.
May 22, 2023
May 28 | Waiting
People adopt a posture of solitude while waiting, which is not only a good spiritual discipline, but also a great help in waiting. To sit alone in silence can be very redemptive. . . .
December 12, 2022
December 18 | Application (Caring for ‘the Least of These’)
In Matthew 25, Jesus compares himself to a shepherd separating the sheep from the goats. This Scripture passage teaches important truths about the Lord, and it has practical implications for us.
June 20, 2022
June 26 | Application
The universe is headed toward a climactic end—the consummation of the ages orchestrated by the Lord himself. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. We live in the middle—believing what God has done in the past, trusting him in the present, and looking toward the future with hope. . . .
May 2, 2022
Near the Cross
By Victor Knowles “Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother . . .” (John 19:25). Today is Mother’s Day. It is also the Lord’s Day. In this verse are three images: the cross, Jesus, and the mother of Jesus. Mary is positioned where we should be—“near the cross.” The Lord’s Supper does something both wonderful and horrible for us. It brings us “near the cross.” The Lord’s table becomes Mount Calvary. The bread and cup become the beams of the cross. There is wonder and horror at the cross. The wonder comes from the wonder of God’s love for
Wayne Smith’s NACC Message to Preachers (Part 2)
Here is the conclusion of Wayne Smith’s keynote sermon “Preach the Word” from the 1977 North American Christian Convention. Smith helped start Southland Christian Church in Lexington, Kentucky, in 1956 and served as her senior minister until 1995. He died in 2016. Many still list Smith as their all-time favorite preacher. Click here to read the first part of Smith’s sermon, which focuses on “The Summons—Preach.” _ _ _ Preach the Word (Part 2) The President’s message at the 1977 NACC—based on 2 Timothy 4:1-8 By Wayne B. SmithMarch 10, 1985; p. 4 THE SUBJECT—CHRISTChrist said, “And I, if I
March 15, 2020
Hope in the Dark
By Jerry Harris Were you scared of the dark when you were a kid? There are two reasons we naturally fear darkness: Darkness makes us see things that aren’t really there. Darkness keeps us from seeing things that actually are there. I remember seeing scary shadows in my room at night when I was little. I needed to have a night-light on or leave my bedroom door slightly open. But the closet—that needed to be closed. I feared the darkness of the closet . . . and the darkness under the bed. I remember imagining things were coming to life
October 14, 2016
5 Culture Wars Jesus Wouldn”t Fight
By Danielle Hance The Bible says our battle is not against flesh and blood but against the spiritual strongholds of evil (Ephesians 6:12). However, more and more, it seems like Christians are known for their attacks on those who don”t follow a “Christian” lifestyle. As Christians, we should definitely be in the world and not of it, but that does not give us the right to tell anyone what to do, since we are all sinners in need of God”s forgiveness. Considering that God himself, who has every right to judge, did not send Jesus to condemn the world but
August 31, 2015
Back to the Present
By Eddie Lowen Over the last couple of years, I”ve heard several of my pastor heroes reveal what they would do differently (and the same) if they could start over in church leadership. Those talks have been rich with wisdom. Since I emulated them in multiple ways, I listened closely each time, wondering if they would express regret over something I mimicked. I carry notes from their leadership talks on my phone, an indication of the regard I have for the wisdom of these men. I reread and meditate on them. It seems wise to give weight to the reflections
April 6, 2015
Lesson for April 12, 2015: Love One Another (1 John 3:11-24)
This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. It is published in the April 5 issue of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. ______ By Sam E. Stone Love is the hallmark of God”s community. It is also the theme of the apostle John”s epistles. The first-century believers to whom John wrote received tremendous encouragement as well as great challenge from his inspired words. Love as Action | 1 John 3:11-18 In the verses just before our printed text, John affirmed the greatness of the Father”s love for his children:
January 16, 2014
Consumer Christianity: Idol for Destruction
By J.K. Jones It is a plague that seeks to devour our churches, a spiritual disease as old as Adam and Eve. It is a sickness of the soul. It is a sleight of hand, a slick replacement of God with something that resembles him but is not him. Consumerism of the Christian kind is a making of God into our own likeness, wanting him on our own terms. At its most crass level, clearly evident in the North American Christian landscape, consumer Christianity is taking and never giving in return. It is a worldview, a way of living out
August 6, 2012
Lesson for August 12, 2012: God Promised a Righteous Lord (Isaiah 9:1-7)
Isaiah’s prophecy points from darkness and oppression to the promised Messiah, whose coming brings light, deliverance, justice, and peace under the eternal reign of the Prince of Peace.
December 1, 2011
Sowing the Seed
Bob Russell reflects on childhood Scripture memorization, his call to ministry, and a lifetime of witnessing the remarkable power of God’s Word through expository preaching.
August 11, 2011
Get Ready for the Adventure!
Standard Publishing introduces Adventures on Promise Island, its 2012 Vacation Bible School theme, with five Bible lessons centered on God's promises and flexible resources designed for children's ministry.
December 27, 2010
Lesson for Jan. 2, 2011: God Is Our Redeemer (Isaiah 44:21-28)
Byron Davis reflects on Isaiah 44 and the truth of redemption, reminding readers that God remembers his people, washes them clean, and frees them from condemnation in Christ.
August 27, 2006
Is Hell Your Final Destination?
Dave Stone makes a biblical case that Hell is a literal reality, marked by intense and eternal suffering, and urges readers to respond to Christ’s saving grace with a personal choice for eternity.
