Sermons and Biblical Studies

How good it would be if we could learn that God is easy to live with. He remembers our frame and knows that we are dust. He may sometimes chasten us, it is true, but even this He does with a smile, the proud, tender smile of a Father who is bursting with pleasure over … Continue reading “DISCIPLINE:
CORRECTIVE”

It may be well to look at some of the marks of those who are not really disciples. Some of them have a pious look. In fact, on Sunday mornings, they look as pious as stuffed owls. We have some of them in our evangelical circles. People can afford to be pious at 10:45 a.m. … Continue reading “DISCIPLESHIP;
SUNDAY CHRISTIANS”

Peter was not promoting or predicting a cold and lifeless and formal spirituality in the Christian church when he advised believers to gird up the loins of their minds and be sober. He was saying to the early Christians as he hopes to say to us now: “Brethren, if ever there was an hour when … Continue reading “DISCIPLESHIP;
SPIRITUAL WARFARE”

Some riches are reserved for those who apply to serve in the legion of the expendables, who love not their lives unto the death, who volunteer to suffer for Christ’s sake and who follow up their application with lives that challenge the devil and invite the fury of hell. Such as these have said goodbye … Continue reading “DISCIPLESHIP;
SERVICE: SACRIFICIAL”

And how can we improve the church? Simply and only by improving ourselves: and there is where the difficulty lies. The church in any locality is what its individual members are, no better and no worse. We as members must begin by seeking moral amendment that will result in a positive spiritual renaissance. And that … Continue reading “DISCIPLESHIP;
REVIVAL: PERSONAL; OBEDIENCE: NEED FOR”

I am having a hard time trying to comprehend what has happened to sound Bible teaching. What has happened to preaching on Christian discipleship and on our daily deportment in the spiritual life? We are making an accommodation. We are offering a take-it-easy, Pollyanna type of approach that does not seem ever to have heard … Continue reading “DISCIPLESHIP;
PREACHING: WATERED DOWN; COMMITMENT”

Now, think with me about those who are demi-disciples—that is, part disciples, half disciples. These are men and women who bring their lives partially under the control of Christ, but they leave whole other areas outside His control. Long ago I came to the conclusion that if Jesus Christ is not controlling all of me, … Continue reading “DISCIPLESHIP;
LORDSHIP OF CHRIST”

The Lord would seem to be more concerned with where we are going rather than how fast. A steady pace in the right direction will lead to the right goal at last, but if the life is aimed at the wrong goal, speed will only take us further astray in a shorter time. Lack of … Continue reading “DIRECTION;
GOALS; CHURCH: FOCUS”

Human life has its central core where lie the things men live by. These things are constant. They change not from age to age, but are the same among all races throughout the world always. Life also has its marginal zones where lie the things that are relatively unimportant. These change from generation to generation … Continue reading “DIFFERENCES;
WARS; CHURCH: CONFLICT”

Christians now chatter learnedly about things simple believers have always taken for granted. They are on the defensive, trying to prove things that a previous generation never doubted. We have allowed unbelievers to get us in a corner and have given them the advantage by permitting them to choose the time and place of encounter. … Continue reading “DIALOGUE;
SKEPTICS; CHURCH: CURRENT CONDITION”