Posts from 2018
The Two Witnesses to Your Salvation: by Dan Jenkins
The apostle Paul made an astounding affirmation when he said, “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God” (Rom. 8:16). How can I know that I am saved? How can I have confidence that I am pleasing to God? Paul’s words said it all—the Holy Spirit bears witness with my spirit. There is a Biblical concept that should be remembered in all matters, but especially in this one about my salvation. There must…
The Effects of Sin
“Sin will take you further than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.” This adage is true wherever and in whomever sin may found, be it an individual, a family, a nation, or the church. In considering sin’s effect on the individual, family, and nation, I can think of no better example than that of the life of David. The best known of David’s downfalls begins…
Would you crucify Him again?
Hebrews 6:4-6 is a very interesting (and disturbing) text, speaking of those who have exercised the miraculous spiritual gifts, yet still fall away from the Lord. The Hebrews writer says it is impossible “to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame” (v 6 NKJV). The thought of causing Jesus to be crucified again ought to cause one to shudder. I was thinking of this idea…
Remembering the Lord’s Death Every Week
During this time of the year (Easter and the other “holy days” leading up to it), there are many religious rites, rituals, and ceremonies that take place to commemorate our Lord’s death for the sins of mankind. Many have already celebrated “Lent,” “Palm Sunday,” “Ash Wednesday,” and “Good Friday.” Many will have special “sunrise services” today. All of these celebrations are done according to the traditions of men and not according to the commandment of God (Mt 15:7-9). A lot…
The Bible, the Christian, and Illegal Immigrants
Illegal immigration in America is perhaps the greatest hot-button topic of the present day. The subject dominates the television news channels and editorial pages. People from different cultural and religious backgrounds all have strong opinions on the matter. Very few (I only know a handful) have a shrug of the shoulders or “live and let live” attitude about it. Perhaps the greatest problem is the lack of meaningful dialogue in the present discussion. Many of us would like to have…
How Did God Harden Pharaoh’s Heart?
Concerning free will, one of the more perplexing texts is the account of Pharaoh in Exodus. Ten times in this account we find some statement that God hardened Pharaoh’s heart (cf 4:21, 7:3, 14:4). However, there are also ten instances where the text says that Pharaoh hardened his own heart (cf 8:15, 32, 9:34-35). Calvinists have attempted in vain to reconcile the statements to their own disgrace and the derision by skeptics. Others struggle with the apparent discrepancy in free…
Where Do Our Souls Go at Death?
Any venture into or examination of the unknown generates a great deal of interest. During my fifteen years as Respondent for the Question and Answers page for House to House Heart to Heart and seven as host of a live Bible Questions and Answers television show, no subject has incited greater interest and response than our title question. While it is nigh unto impossible to address every single issue or passage, I think there is a clear case to be…
Baptism in the New Testament
In his classic sermon, “There’s Water in the Plan,” iconic gospel preacher Marshall Keeble used to say, “There’s so much in the Bible about baptism that I can wring water out of it.” That great brother certainly had a way with words, but I want us to consider the veracity and validity of his statement. As one reads through the New Testament, he ought to note the consistency with which the text speaks of baptism and more notably baptism’s relationship…
What is a budget?
A budget is a GOAL. It sets forth a program of work for the church and informs the local body of all the works of the congregation and the great task of laboring for the Lord. A budget is a PLAN. It is a blueprint to reveal to the congregation exactly what the church is doing and reveals the balance or lack thereof in the direction of the local body. A budget is a MAP. If provides direction for the…
When My Children are Unfaithful
Nothing troubles a Christian parent more than having an adult child who is not faithful to the Lord. This is especially true for preachers, who have a tendency to perfectionism or at least the appearance of such because of their role as the face of the local church. I cannot tell you how many preachers I have known or heard of through the years who have grieved privately and publicly over a lack of faithfulness on the part of their children.…
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