Posts by Burleson Church of Christ (Page 18)

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.…

Have you ever wondered about the origin of New Year’s resolutions? The folks at the History Channel denote the Babylonians, nearly 4000 years ago, as the founders. It was part of a 12-day religious festival known as Akitu. Later the Romans, as a nod to their god Janus (the two-faced god who looked backward and forward), observed the advent of a new year with the intent of improving areas of their lives in need of such. Author Sarah Pruitt claims…

“It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:30). Here Paul quotes Jesus, when exhorting the elders of the church in Ephesus to remember we “must support the weak.” We do well to bring these words to mind in this season of giving and getting, especially in the midst of a generation that is more accustomed to the latter than the former. Most children today think of Christmas as a time to receive, as we lavish loads of…

On the opposite side of the equation, there is the matter of degrees of punishment. If anything, the Bible is even more decisive on this issue. Jesus informed the citizens of certain communities in Galilee that in the day of judgment, it would be “more tolerable” for certain people of the ancient world (e.g., Tyre, Sidon, and Sodom) than for them (Mt. 11:20-24; cf. 10:15). The word “tolerable” means “bearable, endurable.” In the Greek Testament the word represents a comparative…

The Scriptures, in many places, seem to imply varying levels of reward for the redeemed. Everyone in heaven will be supremely happy, but the capacity of some would appear to be greater – by virtue of their sacrifices and spiritual development. Let us first consider a few passages with respect to Degrees of Reward… In speaking of the heavenly order of things, Daniel wrote that those who “are wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and those who turn…

“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” ~ Paul, the Apostle: I Thessalonians 5:16–18 “I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” ~ G.K. Chesterton “When we were children we were grateful to those who filled our stockings at Christmas time. Why are we not grateful to God for filling our stockings with legs?” ~ G.K.…