We live in a world where it is an unforgivable sin is to be intolerant of others. What is often shocking is that those same people who are quick to point out that someone is being “intolerant” are themselves incredibly intolerant of others. They seem to be tolerant of almost anything except Christian values or someone who disagrees with them. As soon as someone disagrees with their opinions or says they are a Christian they’re instantly labeled as intolerant, bigoted, racist, or legalistic.
Continue reading “Are you intolerant?“How many times have you heard that sentiment? I have often tried to follow those wise words but often I have caught myself saying those dreaded words. It never fails that eventually I will carelessly say it and it never fails, I almost immediately regret it. I have often wondered why we use such ideas and why we inevitably regret doing so. Perhaps, it has something to do with the fact that “never” carries such huge implications.
Continue reading ““Never Say Never!”“I read a story about a young girl who loved playing skeet-ball at the local arcade. The story talks about how the little girl loved the arcade and an exciting trip to the arcade. Once they arrived, the little girl asked her dad for some money. Not having anything smaller, dad hands her a twenty-dollar bill with instructions to get change in the amount of two fives and a ten. It wasn’t long before dad went searching for her, and as you can imagine, found her playing the skeet-ball game and having the time of her life.
Continue reading “Keeping it clear“In Matthew 12:1-8, we have an interesting story of Jesus and his disciples walking through grain fields. As they walked through the field, the disciples were hungry and began to pick some grain to eat. Continue reading “I Desire Mercy and Not Sacrifice.”
Today, I want to talk to you about interference. Does Christianity interfere with your life? Does it get in the way and keep you from doing certain things you would like to do? Is faith something that gets in your way, prevents you from making that decision of commitment? Continue reading “Interferences and being Christian.”
First, I want to say that I appreciate the effort by the church to provide a meal for the family of Robert Davis. With just a little notice, several came together and hosted a family who was mourning the loss of a loved one. Continue reading “Doing good to all men (Galatians 6:10).”
We live in a society that basically believes, “It’s all about me.” Almost every message that advertisers use promotes “me.” Check them out and see if I’m right. Pamper yourself. Please yourself. Protect yourself.
The name “Amos” literally means “burden bearer” and it speaks to how he felt about his message and its content. Continue reading “Amos and genuine religion.”
Last week we spoke about the book of Joshua. A wonderfully encouraging book filled with stories of victory and courage. There are times when we can relate to Joshua but often we find ourselves more closely connected with the book of Judges. Judges tells us the story of life. A life filled with ups and downs, victories and defeats. An honest and humbling picture of life as we know it.
Continue reading “Judges: a book about the ups and downs of life.”
Hopefully, each book we have covered so far has given us special insights into our God and his desire to draw us near to himself. Deuteronomy is no different. It recounts the history of the nation, its highs, and lows, to a new generation of Israelites who were not there to witness the miracles of God.
The book of Leviticus is a book seldom finished. Many start the book with the intentions of finishing it but after enduring rule, after rule, they give up and move on. The result is that many of us never really appreciate the beauty of the book nor understand the big picture lessons.
Today we are going to begin something new with our bulletin articles. We are going to begin a series of articles that starts in Genesis and runs through Revelation. The goal will not be detailed exegetical work but general introductions to each book. Today we will start at the beginning, the book of Genesis. Continue reading “The Book of Beginnings: Genesis”
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.
God is “the fount of every blessing.” He is the center and source of every good thing (James 1:17). He gives good things to those that ask him (Matt. 7:21). He gives perfect peace to those who fix their minds upon him (Isa. 26:3). He saves to the uttermost those who obey him (Rom. 8:38). We owe everything we possess to our God; every good thing to him. He is the maker of our bodies and the giver of our spirits; and in him “we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28).
God is to be infinitely trusted, not by the presumptuous and self-righteous, but by the humble and obedient. There are at least four reasons why you cannot go wrong by trusting God.
The first reason is because God is infinitely good. He made the world, the universe, and everything in it (Gen. 1:31). The only thing wrong in God’s creation was choice. By choice man brought in Sin and Satan. All of God’s works are perfect; done in goodness; everything evil in this world is due to our sins and the author of sin, Satan. God is good even when he chastens his children, and punishes the sinner.
The second reason why God is to be trusted to the utmost is because of his infinite power. God is infinitely able to bless and keep those who put their trust in him. He can do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we can ask or think. In Eph. 3:20-21 it says, “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (ESV)
The third reason for trusting in God is based on his love. He is love. In 1 John 4:8 it says, “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love” (ESV). God is infinitely willing to save and to bless those who come to him in Jesus. He is not willing that any should perish, that that all should be saved (2 Peter 3:9).
The fourth reason for implicit trust in God is the fact that he is faithful. Our heavenly father is not forgetful about his promises. God, our creator, never forgets or betrays us. He is utterly and absolutely trustworthy. In 2 Peter 3:9 he says, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (ESV) This truth is evident in all that he has done for us. His faithfulness is manifest in both his mercy and his wrath. Even the unbreakable laws of nature are evidence of God’s faithfulness. His laws are dependable.
In view of these things, Solomon was right and wise in his summation that states, “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” (Eccl. 12:13, ESV).
Let me spell the word m-o-t-h-e-r, with a message to complement.
M is for Mature. Do you remember when mom always seemed to have the right answer, and when she gave the answer, it was with the right spirit and attitude (I remember that). Continue reading “Happy Mother’s Day”
Central Haywood Church of Christ 