November 5, 2025
If our focus is primarily on what (telling people about Jesus) or how (training and tactics), the work of evangelism can feel forced and uncomfortable. But once the why sinks in, everything changes.
September 30, 2024
In the physical world blood does not wash garments clean; it stains. But in the spiritual world blood washes lives as white as snow. The real war heroes in the Book of Revelation made their robes white in the blood of the Lamb.
September 30, 2024
These Discovery Questions are for use with this week’s Lookout Bible Lesson, “War Heroes” (Revelation 6:1-12; 7:9-17), by Mark Scott.
October 24, 2022
(We first ran this Communion meditation in January 2014.) By Ronald G. Davis “What to wear? What to wear?” Millions of Americans echo that question, as seasons change, as holidays and holy days loom. “Should it be the floral print?” “Perhaps little Susie would look good in pink?” “Is it a white shirt and tie day or maybe just a striped henley?” Whatever the answer, for many that is a significant issue. Christians need not ask the question. We have other, more significant truth to ponder and celebrate. Long ago, God answered the question through the pen of Isaiah. Isaiah
February 1, 2021
I have been in many conversations about race recently. I’m truly pleased we are having those conversations. For some, it has not been a regular topic of concern and discussion. In the context of those conversations, I’m writing to address a well-intended comment I have heard for several years. Some have said a version of, “I don’t see color; I just see people.” Others have said something like, “I just treat everyone equally because we are all the same.” It’s possible I’ve made similar statements upon occasion. I think I understand the motivation behind those statements, and I affirm the
January 3, 2019
“Jesus treated everyone as important, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, or class. Are we not to do the same?” By Matthew McBirth As I see it, the relationship between two Jewish characters and their families in Chaim Potok’s novel The Chosen illustrates one of the primary causes of racial conflict in our communities. The plot (in short): Reuven and Danny grow up in different sects and communities, and Reuven strongly objects to how Danny’s father raises his son in virtual silence to prepare him to be his community’s next leader. When Danny and his father do speak, it’s
February 11, 2016
By Doug Lucas I might have tried to become a doctor. That”s what my mother wanted. Honestly, my dad didn”t care, just so long as I landed a “secure job.” Perhaps I would have done something with music. Everyone told me I had a gift for playing piano. My high school guidance counselor said my academic test scores were high enough that I could take my pick of universities across the land. And somehow, I managed to finish high school as valedictorian and president of the student body. He argued that I had a good chance at a full-time scholarship
March 17, 2014
This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ______ By Sam E. Stone Revelation was written by the apostle John. While he was in exile on the isle of Patmos around AD 95, God gave John a wonderful vision. It was designed to help the first-century believers as they faced increasing opposition and hostility. An angel came to him with a scroll, but no one could open it. John began to weep because of this. The Lamb Appears Revelation 5:5-7 Around God”s throne were a group of elders (4:9,
December 7, 2013
By James Riley Estep Jr. The imagery of shepherding is, without question, Scripture”s dominant metaphor for leadership formation. The patriarchs, Moses, David, and Amos the prophet had experience as shepherds, and that experience prepared them, in part, to assume their places as leaders of God”s people. The Old Testament and New Testament both use the shepherd metaphor frequently, yet few people today are familiar with the profession. In Ezekiel 34 and elsewhere, the qualities of bad shepherds vs. good shepherds are described. The shepherd image is so pronounced in the ancient world that the rulers and kings of Israel were
November 30, 2013
By Ben Cachiaras Before the George Zimmerman trial verdict was announced, we all knew that regardless of the outcome, many people would be upset, angry, and hurt. When a Florida jury found Zimmerman not guilty of second-degree murder and manslaughter in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin in July, both sides considered it a travesty””either because the system let a presumed guilty man go free, or because a presumed innocent man had to suffer such degradation. The fallout has been significant, the reaction ranging from violent to despairing. The death of a 17-year-old African-American boy in a hoodie with a
December 5, 2011
This treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for December 11) is written by Sam E. Stone, former editor of CHRISTIAN STANDARD. ________ The Lord Gives His Promise (Genesis 15) By Sam E. Stone Last week we learned how God called Abram to leave his homeland and journey to a new country God would give him. The initial call from God came while he was still in Mesopotamia (Genesis 12:1-3; see Acts 7:2). Scripture next describes his sojourn in Egypt and his experiences with Lot. In chapter 15 we find Abram approaching the Lord with something that was troubling him.
May 9, 2011
This week”s treatment of the International Sunday School Lesson (for May 15) is written by Phil Roberts who serves with Hill-N-Dale Christian Church in Lexington, Kentucky. ____________ Thankful Worship (Revelation 7:9-17) By Phil Roberts Consider these two questions: 1. What is the richest worship you”ve ever experienced? Maybe it still brings tears to your eyes””that worship service where it seemed praise just flowed from you, where you experienced the majesty of God the Father. 2. What is the most difficult time of trial through which the Lord has brought you? Maybe it still brings tears to your eyes””that time it
September 30, 2010
By Darrel Rowland We don”t all agree that God wants his churches to be multiculturally diverse, even in communities where such a goal can be achieved. “I think the issue of racial reconciliation is borderline irrelevant,” said Brian Jones, founding pastor of Christ”s Church of the Valley in suburban Philadelphia. “Forcing this issue, trying to create forced “˜reconciliation gatherings,” is just a waste of time and 99 times out of 100 stems from white guilt.” Fernando Soto, Hispanic minister with First Christian Church in Anaheim, said the vision of whites, blacks, Hispanics, Asians, and others coming together for church services
December 23, 2007
By Robert Lowery What in the world does Charles Dickens, the 19th-century British author, have to do with the first-century prophet John? I made a connection just the other night after reading Dickens”s short story, A Christmas Carol. The rereading of this classic work intersected with a paper I had graded earlier that evening written by a student in my class on Revelation. The theology of John and Dickens merged late that evening. Most of us are familiar with the characters in the story published in 1843″” Ebenezer Scrooge, Jacob Marley, and Bob Cratchit and his family, notably Tiny Tim””if
July 31, 2005
A Toronto-area church plant shares practical lessons for becoming intentionally multicultural—moving from accommodation to celebration and reaching the nations locally. Includes a sidebar story of Mustafa and Sheela’s journey to Christ at CMCC.
Sponsored
Sponsored
Sponsored
April 28, 2026
Rick Cherok
April 28, 2026
David Faust
April 28, 2026
Rick Cherok