Sermons and Biblical Studies

The Conductor Did you hear about the man who tried to run a symphony and did such a bad job they decided to electrocute him? But they couldn’t, he was such a poor conductor. The Bell, the Clapper, and the Cord: Wit and Witticism, (Baltimore: National Federation of the Blind, 1994), p. 6 Would-Be Bank … Continue reading “Failure”

Church Factions But what does he (Paul) wish them to learn? That no one be puffed up for his own teacher against another, that is, that they be not lifted up with pride on account of their teachers, and do not abuse their names for the purpose of forming parties, and rending the Church asunder. … Continue reading “Faction”

Abraham Lincoln It is said that Abraham Lincoln, when he was President of the U.S., was advised to include a certain man in his cabinet. When he refused he was asked why he would not accept him. “I don’t like his face,” the President replied. “But the poor man isn’t responsible for his face,” responded … Continue reading “Face”

Resource •      “In Search of Unity,” E. Dobson, p. 55, Fundamentalism vs. Evangelicalism

Curious Compound Adjective While pursuing a story about equivocation in high office, I was told, “He gave an if-by-whiskey speech.” My source, asked about his curious compound adjective, said he thought it was a Florida political expression possibly borrowed from a Minnesota Congressman. That triggered a call to Richard B. Stone, now a Washington banker, … Continue reading “Evade”

Morally Appropriate In another resolution, verbal boundaries were immediately drawn. “Human beings are made in the image of God and are, therefore, of inestimable worth. God has given people the highest dignity of all creation. Such human dignity prohibits euthanasia; that is, actively causing a persons death.” Moral questions are then raised about medical technologies … Continue reading “Euthanasia”

Military Honor What does the cheating scandal at the U.S. Naval Academy say about military honor? Last week, Navy investigators reported that 81 midshipmen had obtained a copy of a 1992 engineering exam before exam day and that many of them then lied during an internal investigation, some to protect classmates. Former Assistant Secretary of … Continue reading “Ethics”

A Prayer for the Future Disturb us, Lord, when we are too well pleased with ourselves, when our dreams have come true because we have dreamed too little, when we arrive safely because we have sailed too close to the shore. Disturb us, Lord, when with the abundance of things we possess, we have lost … Continue reading “Eternity”

Homosexuals Q. Will or can a practicing homosexual fulfill the promise of 1 John 5:11–12? “ God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son, He who has the Son has life.” We could ask the same question about a practicing gossip, or a slanderer, or a drunkard. In my judgment, … Continue reading “Eternal Security, cf. security”

W. B. Hinson Thinking of the fullness and duration of this wonderful life, W. B. Hinson, a great preacher of a past generation, spoke from his own experience just before he died. He said, “I remember a year ago when a doctor told me, ‘You have an illness from which you won’t recover.’ I walked … Continue reading “Eternal Life”