March 31, 2025
Easter and Christmas are the two most recognized Christian holidays. Consider the different outcomes of Christmas and Easter by reflecting on how Jesus “came out” of, first, the womb of Mary at his birth; and second, the tomb at his resurrection.
March 2, 2025
Because of the resurrection, the dark clouds of every sinner’s guilt, shame, and regret part making way for the bright rays of reconciliation, renewal, and restoration to burst through.
December 16, 2024
The Communion table may be considered a “peace table,” for by these symbols of the bread and the juice we remember what the Prince of Peace accomplished, “making peace through his blood, shed on the cross” (Colossians 1:20).
December 4, 2023
The biblical record of Jesus’ birth calls our attention to two kings. . . .
July 10, 2023
Jeremiah 31 is clearly one of the high-water marks of the Old Testament. The new covenant is announced toward the end of the chapter; its text is quoted at length in Hebrews 8:7-13. But a bit earlier in the chapter is a messianic verse . . .
April 3, 2023
"All four Gospels mention there were doubters after Jesus rose from the dead," David Faust writes. "Still today, when we gather on Easter to celebrate the resurrection, doubters mingle with the worshipers. . . ."
March 13, 2023
Mother Teresa and Jesus both lived lives that lent authority to their messages.
February 27, 2023
Unlike TV's typically tragic "breaking news," the church's breaking news is still “good news that will cause great joy” (Luke 2:10).
July 11, 2022
The Lord’s Supper was instituted in a time of darkness. And, so, when we are going through dark times of our own, we can partake of Communion and remember Jesus, and what his sacrifice means for us.
April 11, 2022
“Holy Week,” as it is called, is a demonstration of perfect love. Even while enduring the cross, sustaining the solemnity of the tomb and experiencing the victory of the resurrection, Jesus continued to love and serve others.
April 11, 2022
Jesus committed himself into God’s hands (Luke 23:46). How can you follow the example of Christ in your commitment to him?
March 7, 2022
By Stuart Powell There is nothing strange about a herd of cattle in the farmland of Indiana. However, one herd contained a single member who stood out among the many. Amid the collection of four-legged bovine grazed a two-legged, feathered, web-footed, white goose. Nothing could hide the differences between the bird and the other grazing animals. Christians are called to be like that goose in the world. Just as a goose doesn’t belong in a herd of cattle, followers of Jesus don’t fit in with the ideas and priorities of worldly people. God expects us to intermingle with the rest
May 4, 2020
By Stuart Powell Many Galilean women followed Jesus during his ministry. We don’t know all they did. Some likely helped with cooking. We know others provided financial assistance for Jesus and his disciples. But one woman served Jesus more than any other: his mother, Mary. She swaddled him, nursed him, carried him, sung to him, laughed with him, and loved him throughout his life. From the day of his birth, Mary of Nazareth stayed near her oldest son. She surely stayed within earshot as he slept in the feed trough. She carried him to the temple on the day of
December 3, 2018
Dr. Mark Scott wrote this treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson. Scott teaches preaching and New Testament at Ozark Christian College, Joplin, Missouri. This lesson treatment is published in issue no. 13 (weeks 49–53; December 9–30, 2018) of The Lookout magazine, and is also available online at www.lookoutmag.com. Image: This painting, Der Gang nach Emmaus (1837), by Austrian painter Joseph von Fuhrich, Is a depiction of Cleopas and another disciple encountering Jesus on the Road to Emmaus. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. ______ Lesson Aim: Look in the whole of Scripture for what God reveals about Jesus.. ______ By Mark Scott The basis for discerning the
March 6, 2018
By Dick Wamsley Is it possible to become so accustomed to the wonder of God’s creation that you lose a sense of awe when you see a majestic mountain, hear a rustling brook, gaze into the heavens at night, or smell the aroma of spring flowers? If so, then is it also possible to lose your sense of wonder at the cross of Christ? As a young man, Isaac Watts must have suspected it was possible. When he considered the wonder of the cross, he wrote these words: When I survey the wondrous cross On which the Prince of Glory
November 13, 2015
By Victor Knowles Bread has been called “the staff of life.” I loved bread as a young boy. Some of the brands of bread I remember my mother buying were Sunbeam, Butternut, Roman Meal, and Wonder. I still love bread. Bread makes the world a better place. The first mention of bread in the Bible is in Genesis 3:19, “In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread” (New King James Version). The Romans perfected the art of making bread. The process of making bread begins by crushing grains of wheat. Jesus said, “I am the bread of
October 16, 2015
By Greg Swinney We can”t drive very far before seeing a road sign giving us a warning or directions. Yield, One Way, and Stop Ahead signs are all intended to help us arrive at our destination safely. Although four-way Stop signs are designed to direct traffic and help us avoid collisions, they may also offer a spiritual picture as we gather to share in the Lord”s Supper. Four-way Stop signs direct us to look in all directions at an intersection, and the Bible offers similar instructions at the table. We are directed to look inward: “Everyone ought to examine themselves
April 14, 2014
This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Hosea prophesied during the eighth century BC, speaking to the people in the Northern Kingdom””Israel. In today”s text he calls them again to repentance, including words that remind us of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. The passage from Luke provides many details about the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, showing the events alluded to in Hosea”s message. Revived on the Third Day Hosea 6:1-3 Hosea compared the sinful disobedience of Israel to
January 7, 2012
By Victor Knowles Today is New Year”s Day, the first day of the year and the first Sunday of the year. What a good way to start the New Year! “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Communion is a weekly reminder that in Christ we are a new creation. The old is gone. I remember singing a chorus in youth camp many years ago. “Gone, gone, gone, gone, yes my sins are gone!” The crimson cup reminds us that the old has gone. Jesus
December 23, 2011
By Tony Wood Many traditions have been lost these days, but the timeless story of the nativity is still treasured by many of us. It offers a complex mixture of humility and hope, robes and ridicule, mangers and majesty. And in this story, one theme seems to bind all its characters together””from a recently engaged servant girl to royals traveling from Persia. That theme is surprise to surrender. Young Mary sat at home, excited at the prospect of marriage, and then fell back in instant shock as an angel exploded through the door of her kitchen. The pots clattered to
March 27, 2026
Rick Cherok
March 27, 2026
David Empson
March 27, 2026
David Faust