Sermons and Biblical Studies

To be articulate at certain times we are compelled to fall back upon “Oh!” or “O!”—a primitive exclamatory sound that is hardly a word at all and that scarcely admits of a definition.… In theology there is no “Oh!” and this is a significant if not ominous thing. Theology seeks to reduce what may be … Continue reading “THEOLOGY;
KNOWLEDGE OF GOD: PERSONAL, INTIMATE; PRAYER: MERE RITUAL”

It is precisely because God is, and because man is made in His image and is accountable to Him, that theology is so critically important. Christian revelation alone has the answer to life’s unanswered questions about God and human destiny. To let these authoritative answers lie neglected while we search everywhere else for answers and … Continue reading “THEOLOGY;
KNOWLEDGE OF GOD: NEGLECTED”

Lastly, because most precious of all, is the friendship and communion of Jesus. He is the friend that sticketh closer than a brother and He has assured us that He will never leave us nor forsake us. Let this knowledge keep us ever thankful. We dare not take Jesus for granted. His love alone should … Continue reading “THANKSGIVING;
JESUS CHRIST: INTIMACY WITH”

I cannot help but believe that in our generation there is a great, concealing cloud over much of the fundamental, gospel church which has practically shut off our consciousness of the smiling face of God. Textualism, a system of rigid adherence to words, has largely captured the church, with the language of the New Testament … Continue reading “TEXTUALISM;
JOY; GOD: HIS LOVE”

Then came the revolt. The human mind can endure textualism just so long before it seeks a way of escape. So, quietly and quite unaware that any revolt was taking place, the masses of Fundamentalism reacted, not from the teaching of the Bible but from the mental tyranny of the scribes. With the recklessness of … Continue reading “TEXTUALISM;
FUNDAMENTALISM; WORLDLINESS”

I will only remind you, for you surely know it well, that many people have declared the Ten Commandments no longer valid, no longer relevant in our society. I watch the papers to check on the sermon topics of my fellow ministers, and it is apparent that Christian churches are not paying attention to the … Continue reading “TEN
COMMANDMENTS; LAW”

Young people are beset by dirty talk and irreverence and every kind of temptation in their schools. I know of Christian young people who have found a way to turn those things to personal spiritual blessing. Hearing an obscenity, they have an instant reaction and a compensation within: “Oh, God, I hate that kind of … Continue reading “TEMPTATION;
SPIRITUAL VICTORY; YOUTH”

To want a thing, or feel that we want it, and then to turn from it because we see that it is contrary to the will of God is to win a great battle on a field larger than Gettysburg or Bunker Hill. To bring our desires to the cross and allow them to be … Continue reading “TEMPTATION;
SPIRITUAL VICTORY”

The bull out there in the farmyard is a domesticated animal, but once in a while he goes berserk. Unexpectedly, something will make him mad and he will explode. He will lower his head and roar and bellow. Anyone unfortunate enough to be in the field when that happens may have to climb a tree … Continue reading “TEMPER:
LOSS OF CONTROL; VIOLENCE”

We have all noticed how quick many people are to excuse themselves for some outburst by pleading that they were provoked to it. Thus their own wrongdoing is laid to others. What is overlooked in this neat trick of self-exoneration is that provocation cannot stir up what is not there. It never adds anything to … Continue reading “TEMPER:
ATTEMPTS TO EXCUSE; TEMPER: PROVOCATION”