Some time ago, I had lunch with a dear friend and fellow elder. We always have a great time and just as important, we always have challenging discussions about the church and faith. This friend has shaped and challenged my thinking regarding faith and the church for many years yet, this specific conversation has stuck with me more than normal. I want to share this with you and even solicit your help in fleshing this out.
How many times have we heard someone say that? How many times have you asked that question yourself? Typically, the question is the result of someone saying or advocating a position on scripture that is different than our traditional understanding. I believe this is a good question and it gets to the heart of most sermons, bible classes, and bulletin articles. Continue reading “What is he trying to accomplish?”
Anyone who has been a member of the “church of Christ” for any length of time has probably thought about this. It’s an honest and sincere question that deserves an answer. Is salvation about Jesus or is it about me? Continue reading “Is it about Jesus or me?”
Matthew 23:23–24
“23 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. 24 You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!” (ESV)
Last week, we spoke about this push within the church toward a more grace-centered faith. As I said in the articles, I have enjoyed this gentler and more compassionate aspect to the church. The church, embracing the fullness of Jesus’ heart, and loving each other has made church, worship, and my own faith much more enjoyable. I hope you have noticed this and are happy about it as well.
But today, I need to express a word of caution. Just because we have embraced a softer, gentler side of the faith. Just because we are focusing more on God’s grace and mercy doesn’t mean that we are free to stop doing the things we have been doing.
Embracing a softer, more compassionate side of the faith is great as long as we stay balanced in our theology and actions.
Last week we started this article on becoming grace centered. I believe that this is a necessary and long overdue shift within the church. A move toward a gentler and more compassionate faith seems to be more in keeping with the heart of Jesus himself. Today we will continue with the second half.
Recently, I have been reading a lot of materials about this movement within the churches of Christ toward becoming more grace centered. It is quickly becoming the most important and at the same time, the most controversial movement within the church today. Continue reading “Grace Centered”
I want to share with a problem that I have been struggling with recently. Now that I aware of it, it seems like I see it in everything. The problem I am talking about is generally called “knowledge” or if you have studied the Greek NT; it is called “gnosis.” Within the church, there is this push toward “my personal knowledge.” It’s so pervasive that it’s almost to the exclusion of everything else. Propose any problem and the answer almost always, “just read more or study more.” Are you struggling with faith? Read more! Are you struggling with depression? Read, study, and pray more! Or as one person said, “The greatest need in the church today is more knowledge.” I couldn’t disagree more! The greatest need of any generation is Jesus.
I love being a Christian and I love being a preacher of the word of God. It allows me a special and unique view of Christianity, Christians, and faith that others might not see. One of the things that often bothers me is why some think they are saved. Continue reading “Assurance of Salvation?”
During my recent surgery and recovery, I have been reminded of several lessons that are important while we strive to live the Christian life. I want to share some of these with you today.
Continue reading “Looking forward with hope and excitement.”
By Brian Mitchell
Who Needs the Church? And, Who does the Church Need? Do you need the church; does the church need you? Do the lost need the church; does the church need the lost? Does your family need the church; does the church need your family? Do children, singles, young families, older families and retirees need the church; does the church need them?
Have you ever struggled with sin in your life? If you are like the rest of us, everyone who lives and breathes, then I know you have. How many times have you struggled to stop and repent of a sin only to find yourself back there again? It can be the most heartbreaking, discouraging place you could find yourself and yet we find ourselves there more often than we would like to admit. Continue reading “Creating a Pure Heart.”
In today’s article, I want to spend some time talking about how we treat each other. I am sure you know that we are called to emulate Jesus Christ in every aspect of our life. We are called to show love, grace, and mercy to everyone, especially my brothers and sisters in Christ. How we treat each other is so important that the New Testament deals with it often.
From time to time I am asked this straight forward question, “why should I go to church?” Believe it or not, most often it’s Christians who ask this question. Typically, this question comes up because you invited someone to church. Continue reading “Why should we go to church?”
Father’s Day is here. For most dads, it is just another day in the great and rewarding journey of doing the best we can for our families. Continue reading “A special man.”
In our series of articles, we are focused on basic principles that are needed to ensure the success of fellow Christians. Hopefully, we have made it clear that we need to emphasize the basics of the Christian life so that they have a better chance at success. We have emphasized that for the new Christian a drastic change has taken place. This change is so different from the life they are accustomed to living that it takes a while to adapt to this new life. In our previous article, we talked about the race set before us and how to win the prize. Continue reading “Many begin but not many finish.”
Central Haywood Church of Christ 