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Teaching Our Children To Give the Best Gift of All, Tyler Young
“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…
Will There be Degrees of Reward and Punishment?: Part 3
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…
Will There be Degrees of Reward and Punishment?: Part 2
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…
Will There be Degrees of Reward and Punishment?: Part 1
Before we address the question directly, some preliminary observations would be helpful. The Bible is very clear in affirming that God is a being of absolute goodness. The Psalmist declared: “Good and upright is Jehovah?” (Psalm 25:8; cf. Psalm 100:5). Whatever God does, therefore, is good—whether or not man can understand it (Isa. 55:8-9). God is also just. Justice is one of the elements that lies at the very foundation of his sovereign rule (Psa. 89:14). The Judge of the…
Thanksgiving Thoughts
“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.…
Have You Thought Enough About Sin?
I listened to her sob over the phone, “This isn’t supposed to be happening to me—I’m a Christian wife and mother!” The very sound of her voice made my heart feel like lead. For months she had been involved in an affair with a man she had met at work. A friendly chat had evolved into dinner, then intimacy. Now her adultery had been exposed. She was pregnant with her lover’s baby and could no longer hide her burgeoning figure.…
It’s a Great Time to Be at Burleson!
The Burleson church family has been extremely blessed in the last handful of years! We have witnessed several people obeying the gospel (I’m looking at you Dennis, Samantha, Jimmy and Carolyn!), we have been blessed with the addition of several young families (the Hunts are only half young!), the birth of children (and more coming!), and grandparents diligently bringing their grandchildren. We’ve been blessed with faithful brethren placing membership, looking for a sound church wherein they can serve the Lord.…
God is Not Interested in Our Excuses
When I played freshman basketball on my high school team, Coach Wade was never interested in hearing excuses. In fact, he had a zero tolerance for the words “I can’t.” I used those words one time and paid dearly. Since then, I’ve had much the same attitude toward “I can’t.” When I was with the Seagoville congregation to speak at the Fishers of Men graduation banquet, I was also privileged to sit in on their final class session. During this…
A Mule Load of Dirt
In 2 Kings 5 is found the account of Naaman the Syrian. Most of us are familiar with the story of his leprosy and his journey to the prophet of God to be healed. We know of his initial anger and refusal t accept God’s conditions of cleansing, and how his servants pled with him to do this ‘small thing’ and “Wash, and be clean.” We know of his obedience and his desire to repay the man of God. We…
A Capella Music: Killing It or Keeping It?
THE GREATEST THREAT TO A CAPPELLA WORSHIP IS NOT INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC; IT IS LOUSY WORSHIP. Some church leaders believe they can keep a cappella alive by preaching against instrumental music semi-annually, but the most effective method is to worship the Lord with consistent, spirit-filled praise. When it comes to the perseverance of a cappella Christian hymnody, in some circles, it has become its own worst enemy. Ensuring there is “nothing wrong” with our worship will not make it worth preserving.…