Sermons and Biblical Studies

by Mike Ford (1955-2021) Forerunner, "Ready Answer," August 2003 “And these sign will follow those who believe . . . In My name . . . they will take up serpents . . .” —Mark 16:17-18 Of the gospel writers, Mark is the only one to record the following account: Afterward [after Christ's resurrection] He … Continue reading “Should Christians Handle Snakes?”

by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021) Forerunner, "Prophecy Watch," August 6, 2003 “God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie.” —II Thessalonians 2:11 Last month we looked at a phenomenon called Southern Christianity, a native version of Christian groups in South America, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. During the last century, particularly the last … Continue reading “Today’s Christianity (Part Two): Southern Christianity Moves North”

by John W. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, "Personal," July 2003 This series on the offerings has attempted to emphasize that Jesus Christ is the object of the sacrificial laws—He is the One described in them. He is the ideal of the whole burnt offering, the meal offering, and the peace offering, as well as the sin and … Continue reading “The Offerings of Leviticus (Part Five): The Peace Offering, Sacrifice, and Love”

by Staff Forerunner, July 2003 Most of us who have been in God's church for any length of time have heard the oft-repeated question, “Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?” expounded on before, perhaps several times. However, have we ever examined it from the perspective of the Christian who has bad things happen … Continue reading “Why Do Bad Things Happen to Christians?”

by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021) Forerunner, "Prophecy Watch," July 4, 2003 Christianity is derelict, a deserted, rat-infested hulk moored in some stagnant, putrid back-waters of modernity, a spectacle of ghastly decay. In time, it will become more scorned for its incapacity to improve the human condition than esteemed for the promise it offers. Incompatible with Western … Continue reading “Today’s Christianity (Part One): Christianity Goes Global”

by David F. Maas Forerunner, "Ready Answer," July 2003 “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.” — John 4:34 One Sabbath morning, several years ago, I awoke to some strange noises downstairs in the kitchen. Upon investigating the disturbance, I discovered that my son, Eric, … Continue reading “Developing a Mature Spiritual Appetite”

by David C. Grabbe Forerunner, "WorldWatch," July 2003 While news of the SARS virus has been a regular feature of the mainstream media, a number of statistics have been overlooked, casting this “epidemic” in a new light and suggesting it is merely a reclassification of the flu and/or pneumonia. » In Hong Kong, the “normal” … Continue reading “SARS: Peril or Panic?”

by John W. Ritenbaugh Forerunner, "Personal," June 2003 Of all the offerings, the sin and trespass offerings are the best known and understood because of their clear association with Christ's crucifixion for the sins of the world. At the other end of the spectrum, the peace offering is the least understood because its symbolism, while … Continue reading “The Offerings of Leviticus (Part Four): The Peace Offering”

by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021) Forerunner, "Prophecy Watch," June 1, 2003 Joel begins his second chapter by speaking of the Day of the Lord, and he ends it by speaking of the Millennium. God's people look forward to both occasions through the Day of Trumpets and the Feast of Tabernacles, respectively. Blow the trumpet in Zion, … Continue reading “Peter’s Trumpets Message—on Pentecost”

by Pat Higgins Forerunner, "Ready Answer," June 2003 Does it seem as if life is becoming just one trial after another? For those who believe that the time is short, this should come as no surprise—it is final-exam time. For those who do not believe time is short, then our personal time is short. None … Continue reading “Faith to Face Our Trials”