Church Blog (Page 8)

In 1 Corinthians 1, the apostle Paul is in the midst of condemning the pride which resulted from division that he had heard existed among the Corinthian brethren (1:10-11). It appears that this pride is connected to certain preachers of the gospel and which of them baptized them (1:12-16). In the midst of this talk about their pride, Paul says in 1:17, “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words,…

The Bible addresses many topics that are applicable to today’s society. Something that is common in every society is laziness. Therefore, in the pages of Scripture, hard work is elevated, and laziness is condemned. This is seen frequently among the Biblical Proverbs. So, we will briefly and inadequately consider where this is seen in the book of Proverbs. Take, for instance, Proverbs 13:4. Everyone wants something in life. However, not all are willing to put the effort in to attain…

There was a time when God was recognized (at least He should have been recognized) as King in ancient Israel. Israel’s form of government has been termed a theocracy.  Boice notes that, “monarchy is a form of government in which rule is in the hands of a single individual, a king. Democracy is government by the demos, or people. Theos means ‘god.’ So, a theocracy is the direct rule of a people by God as king.” Psalms 93 is the…

“Because the sentence of an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil” (Ec. 8:11). In these holy words of wisdom, Solomon deals with a problem that has plagued mankind since sin entered the world: the wickedness of their hearts (Mk. 7:21). As a result of the wickedness of men’s hearts, they set their faces to commit sin, and they do so because the sin that…

A central theme that runs through the whole book of Proverbs is capturing the elusive attribute that is wisdom. Once one is at some level thought to be wise, that wisdom will be seen in every part of their life. One of those aspects is how they use their words. Consider the words of the man who was considered to be the wisest of all men in his day, King Solomon. He says, “A talebearer reveals secrets, but he who…

Christ made a dramatic and triumphal entrance into the city of David. His entry was marked by actions and words of exaltation and adoration.  Some spread out their clothes on the street and others covered His path with leaves from trees they had cut down.  He rode on a colt and heard the voices of those who shouted “Hosanna!  Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Mark 11:10). The Pharisees insisted that Jesus rebuke His followers…

Sometimes the light shines brightest when the darkness seems overwhelming. We have evidence of this in the story of David and Bathsheba.  How many of us have read 2 Samuel 11 and have been disgusted by the darkness of David’s actions? How many of us have taken the time to see the brightness of Uriah’s example in those same events? First, Uriah showed his true character when David brought him home from war. In order to cover up his sin,…

Hugo Gernsback is known as the “father of science fiction” and an accomplished editor, author, and publisher. Grensback was also famous for his unconventional and eccentric inventions. Two of which were the “Plaslastic Expanso Bag” and the “TinCan-Can” (which I will leave you to research on your own time). And then there was the Isolator. Driven by the rise in workplace distractions in 1925, Grensback offered a solution. “Resembling a large driver’s helmet, the Isolator would block the clickity-clack of…

When God brought Israel out of Egypt and settled them in Canaan, they were there to be a light to the nations (Isa. 49:6). Once their light was too faint to be seen, He removed them from the land. He did not extinguish the light, but rather He moved it that it might be more visible. The light that should have been burning in Samaria and Jerusalem would now burn in Assyria and Babylon. The book of Daniel is a…