Sermons and Biblical Studies

by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021) Forerunner, "Prophecy Watch," August 8, 2006 “Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves.” Psalm 100:3 Embryonic stem-cell research is both scientifically feasible and morally permissible—at least according to the majority of the electorate in the State of California. In the … Continue reading “Embryonic Stem-Cell Research: The Promise and the Reality (Part One)”

by Bill Cherry Forerunner, "Ready Answer," August 8, 2006 “Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy . . .” —I Corinthians 14:39 The ability to prophesy is a precious gift from God. Contrary to popular belief, the apostle Paul admonishes us all—not just the ministry—to develop the ability to prophesy. Notice these verses in I Corinthians … Continue reading “Desire Earnestly to Prophesy”

by David C. Grabbe Forerunner, "WorldWatch," August 8, 2006 While observing the Middle East's perpetual, destructive turbulence, a Westerner easily and thus usually adopts an essentially bi-polar lens—allowing himself only two boxes into which all peoples, beliefs, movements, and events must be stuffed. Sometimes that bi-polar lens consists of Israel vs. everyone else. At other … Continue reading “The Fractured Middle East”

by John W. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, "Personal," June 30, 2006 Previously, we saw that sin is an overwhelming reality throughout the entire world. Regardless of location, race, ethnicity, or gender, nobody escapes committing sin because all are encumbered with a nature at war with God and thus not subject to His law (Romans 8:7). In fact, … Continue reading “Is the Christian Required To Do Works? (Part Three)”

by Mike Ford (1955-2021) Forerunner, June 30, 2006 Some years ago, country singer Mary Chapin Carpenter had a hit song, called “I Feel Lucky.” It is about a woman who wakes up one morning, reads her horoscope, calls in “sick” to work, buys a lottery ticket, and wins 11 million dollars. It has a catchy … Continue reading “Do You Feel Lucky?”

by David C. Grabbe Forerunner, "WorldWatch," June 30, 2006 Forecasting the financial future is not unlike predicting the weather on any given day. While meteorologists are notorious for inaccurately predicting both sun and rain, some weather trends and generalities are still pretty safe bets. Likewise, while markets continue to vacillate, it is still possible to … Continue reading “Global Financial Instability”

by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021) Forerunner, "Prophecy Watch," June 30, 2006 “Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears.” — I Samuel 3:9 Last month, we looked at the curse of broken homes. We noted the magnitude of problems fractured families spawn, as well as the vast emotional and economic costs they entail. To break up a marriage … Continue reading “The Cold Culture of Silence (Part Two)”

by Richard T. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, "Ready Answer," June 30, 2006 “. . . He went and preached to the spirits in prison . . .”—I Peter 3:19 According to Scripture, human history covers a period of about six thousand years. The first epoch of mankind lasted less than two thousand years, punctuated at its end … Continue reading “Jesus and ‘the Spirits in Prison’”

by John W. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, "Personal," May 26, 2006 Part One addressed the issue of Christian works from a general perspective, showing that it is completely illogical to conclude, as some do, that no works are required for one to enter God's Kingdom. The New Testament contains a multitude of commands for the converted person … Continue reading “Is the Christian Required To Do Works? (Part Two)”

by Staff Forerunner, May 26, 2006 Most of us have favorite memories of events and people that have left a lasting impression in our minds. One individual from my family's past was a man named Mr. Finnegan. I had not thought about him for years, but he came to mind a few years back when … Continue reading “Precious Human Treasures”