[Deut. 30:11-20]

INTRODUCTION

A. This popular slogan used by the anti-abortion/right-to-life groups is a phrase [not coincidentally] from the Bible. Their use of this is to try to get others to make the choice for letting the innocent children live instead of being cruelly and unmercifully taken. While this is an admirable cause to try to save those who are innocent, I believe the context from which this… Continue reading

I am an occasional reader of some science-fiction/fantasy books, mainly the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan. I am currently working on his latest book [written with co-author Brandon Sanderson] and am looking forward to the final book in the very long series. I remember when I began the series and got about five books into the series [at the time, there were only eight], I began to think… Continue reading

[Exod. 32:26]

INTRODUCTION

A. Anyone who has had some dealings with farms understands what a dividing line is. We have fences that keep out some creatures and keep the rest of them in. Farmers use barbed wire to remind the ones who get too close that there is the dividing line. Some farmers use electric fences to remind their own animals that this is as far as they… Continue reading

[1st Timothy 4:12]

INTRODUCTION

A. As we continue our study of the need for Passing the Torch to the next generation, one thing we must never forget to do is to be the example for them to follow. This is not a new thing, nor is it a wrong thing to suggest. The apostle Paul wrote, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1st Cor. 11:1)… Continue reading

You probably have heard the story of Naaman (2nd Kings 5:1-19), the Syrian army commander, who was stricken with leprosy. An Israelite girl who served Naaman’s wife and who had been taken captive by the Syrians told him of a man of God in Israel who could heal him. Naaman listened to the girl’s advice and went to the king of Israel with a letter from the Syrian king that… Continue reading

[Ephesians 1:1-14]

INTRODUCTION

A. For those who know much of anything about God’s word, you know it is an absolute necessity to be in Christ if we want any hope of forgiveness of sins and eternal life in heaven. You also know that not only is it important that you be in Christ, but just as important that Christ be in you. Discipleship is a two-way street that… Continue reading

[John 12:32]

1. INTRODUCTION
   1. If you were asked what the most important reason for you being a Christian is, what would your answer be?
      1. Would it be the great singing and powerful preaching that draws you into the worship assemblies?
      2. Would it be your family who have a history of being Christians?
      3. Would it be the sense of community in being here together?
      4. Would it be because you want to have a

When Israel was slowly sliding into inevitable captivity, God sent Jeremiah to the people to warn them and appeal to them once again to return to Him. It was a fruitless effort. They did not want to return!

As sad as this story is, we can learn some important lessons from their unfaithfulness and resolve to not walk the same path they walked - a path that led them away from… Continue reading

INTRODUCTION

A. When it comes to the characteristics of God, His mercy is the one that is indisputable and it is one of the most written about. Just within the psalms we find 110 mentions of God’s mercy, and one (Psa. 136) that notes His everlasting mercy in every verse. There are probably just as many passages [if not more] that speak of His mercy without mentioning it… Continue reading

[Ecclesiastes 1:4]

INTRODUCTION

A. The use of the Olympic torch is something that was introduced in 1928 as sort of a ‘re-introduction’ of the flame during the Olympic games. In the early years of Olympic competition, a flame was continually burning during the games, and a single runner brought it to the site as a symbolic representation of stealing fire from the Greek god Prometheus. It has only… Continue reading

Whether we like to admit or not, we all are getting older and, inevitably, we will pass from this life. I know we all like to think that we are going to live “a little longer” but the truth is, we don’t know how long we have on this earth (Eccl. 9:12) and we know that our day will come. The question for us today is: What are we doing… Continue reading

[Matt. 12:34, 35]

INTRODUCTION

A. The central organ of the human body is the heart. When it quits, we quit. When we have problems with our heart, the rest of our body will suffer; when our heart is fit, we enjoy good health and good life. But in our society today, there is a great deal of information and concern about heart problems that leaves us confused sometimes… Continue reading

[John 11:39]

INTRODUCTION

A. In this particular passage of Scripture, Lazarus had become very ill and died before Jesus got to him. We know that Jesus was considered a friend of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus by the events that took place [v. 5, 34-35]. Jesus wanted to raise Lazarus to show the glory of God.

B. When Jesus got to the tomb, He commanded them to “Take away the… Continue reading

According to the calendar, we are beginning another year. It is amazing, sometimes, to stop and consider another year has passed, especially when we stop and think about all the things that have happened - and all the things we left undone - in the past year. Like it or not, the previous year is now behind us and another one is waiting, if the Lord wills. The choice we… Continue reading