You may be familiar with the story in which the title for today’s article was spoken, and probably just as familiar with its popular usage today. In the Bible story, Cain had killed his brother Abel and God said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” (Gen. 4:9). Cain’s reply was this familiar statement and question: “I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?” (v. 10). If the Continue reading

[John 9]

INTRODUCTION

A.  The apostle Paul wrote to those in Philippi that they were partakers of grace with him “both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel” (Phlp. 1:7), and would write again that he had been “appointed for the defense of the gospel” (v. 16). As an apostle, it was his particular responsibility to not just live the gospel message, but also to Continue reading

[2nd Tim. 3:16, 17   2nd Pet. 1:20, 21]

INTRODUCTION

A.  As we consider the basics of our faith this year, we should also be considering some of the most basic questions about what it is we believe, and what it is that we believe includes the Bible itself. Our first study looked at the evidence of God’s existence, so it would be logical to now look at that which claims Continue reading

If I may speak to those who have already obeyed the gospel for a minute, I would like to ask a question: Why do you study your Bible, and for what purpose do you come to Bible class? I ask these questions because I often hear comments made in the Bible classes that have nothing to do with “me” or “us” or “we” but a lot about “they” and Continue reading

INTRODUCTION

A.  The people of God have always enjoyed the blessings of knowing their God was always with them in their faithfulness. The Israelites left Egypt by the hand of God, passed through the Red Sea, safely travelled through 40 years in the wilderness, and entered into the land of Canaan and drove out the inhabitants - all by the power of God. They enjoyed prosperity when Continue reading

Have you ever wondered why Jesus said “He who has ears to hear, let him hear” (cf. Matt. 11:15)? I remember more than once, as a youngster, thinking, ‘Well, for what else would I use my ears?’ It seems like a given that our ears are made for hearing [or listening], but one cannot necessarily assume that they are being used for such. Anyone who has teenage children Continue reading

INTRODUCTION
Is the church similar to a country club?
At a country club, no one cares how often you show up as long as the money shows up.
At a country club, they are more likely to gossip about you than truly get to know you (sorry for the generalization).
At a country club, they stay out of your business, not wanting to get involved in your problems.
At a country club… Continue reading

[1st Thess. 4:1, 9-10 ]

INTRODUCTION

A.  The challenge we have as Christians is not to save our souls - to have our sins washed away - that is the easy part: Christ did that for us. The hard part is to live in such a way as to keep that soul in Christ. We must live so as to constantly grow in order to be able… Continue reading

[Acts 14:15-17   Rom. 1:18-20]

INTRODUCTION

A.  One of the most fundamental questions that could ever be asked of someone who seeks the truth would be this question. Most of us start, though, with ‘How can we know which religion is right?’ Before we can even get there, though, we should be able to answer whether or not we should be following any religion because if God does NOT Continue reading

When Job had suffered some great losses due to the devil’s personal attack on him, we are told “when Job’s three friends heard of all this evil that had come upon him, they came each from his own place, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They made an appointment together to come to show him sympathy and comfort him” (Job 2:11). [Some friends!] We later Continue reading