A querist asks, “In Revelation 2:6,15, we read about the “deeds” and the “doctrine” of the Nicolaitans. Just who were the Nicolaitans, what were their deeds, and what was their doctrine?” The word, “Nicolaitans” means “destruction of people.” They were a sect or party of evil influence in early Christianity, especially in the seven churches […]
According to a February 26, 2003 Harris Poll, 31 percent of people do not believe in Hell (see tables). Many folks (even those who consider themselves religious) seldom consider what it will be like to be lost in Hell. Hell is a subject that the devil would like for us to forget about, but Jesus […]
In the great parable of the compassionate Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37), we see illustrated three basic rules of human conduct. The first two of these rules are based on “selfish” attitudes toward our fellow man. The remaining rule is based on a “selfless” attitude toward our fellow man. Let us illustrate the three rules:
The above article title was also the headline of an article from an online newspaper I recently read. A church in Houston is opening a full-service McDonald’s restaurant inside the building complete with a drive-through window. It’s expected to open in July along with the church’s NBA regulation-size basketball court, a volleyball court, full locker […]
In today’s fast-paced society, a lack of sleep is a major issue for many people. A lack of sleep upsets the body’s biological rhythms, causing mood disorders and depression. However, like every other problem we face in life, God’s word provides a solution for folks who can’t sleep.
An American tourist in Paris, who purchased an inexpensive amber necklace in a trinket shop, was shocked when he had to pay quite a high duty on it to clear customs in New York. This aroused his curiosity, so he had it appraised. After looking at the object under a powerful magnifying glass, the jeweler […]
The story is told of an out-of-towner who drove his car into a ditch in a desolated area. Fortunately, a local farmer came to help with his strong horse named Buddy. He hitched Buddy up to the car and yelled, “Pull, Nellie, pull!” Buddy didn’t respond. Once more the farmer hollered, “Pull Buster, pull!” Buddy […]
In 1 Corinthians 9:27, the inspired apostle Paul wrote, “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” The Holy Spirit’s teaching of “self-control” in the life of the apostle Paul can be further illustrated in […]
The following well-written article was written by Brother Arnold Kelley, preacher for the Laurel congregation in Laurel, Mississippi. You can find his article in the April-June edition of “The Magnolia Messenger” on page 9. In his article, Brother Kelley emphasizes our need to think about the fact that every day we live, might be our […]
In the context of Matthew 6:19-21, our Lord is emphasizing that we place what we value in heavenly things, rather than in earthly things (cf. Colossians 3:1-4). He then states this unchanging truth:
If you were to go up to someone on the street and ask them what one needs to do to be saved, they would probably respond, “I believe…” You could probably ask that same question to someone in the Lord’s church and receive the same kind of answer, “I believe…” You might be wondering what […]
The story is told of an elderly woman in her 90’s who one day decided to tell her life story to her preacher who wanted to know about the difficulties she had experienced during her long lifespan. She told him of the many trials and tribulations she had faced — the loss of her spouse […]
History is replete with documented evidence of wicked rulers whose design was to rule and manipulate the masses. Through historical documents, we can clearly see the horrible progression of events that led to genocide, persecution, and virtual slavery.
Today, sending children away to college is as frightful for parents, as it is wondering “how” they will pay for their college education. In today’s world of evolutionary thought and the various “isms” being proclaimed, parents are also concerned about “what” their children will learn at these so-called institutions of “higher“ learning.
In Matthew 18:1-6, Jesus gives some very important qualifications for those who would enter the kingdom of heaven. Among those qualifications are the following: “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little […]
Country music has always been one of my favorite genres of music, simply because its lyrics usually express some kind of moral truth. The following such lyrics are those expressed in Josh Turner’s “Long Black Train.” Closely observe the words:
In Acts 5:1-4, we read the following narrative: “But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why […]
The story is told of a woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. As she was getting her things “in order” (cf. 2 Kings 20:1), she contacted her preacher and asked him if he would come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her […]
Why have we made the effort to assemble with the saints on the Lord’s Day? Why have we chosen to spend these moments in this way, instead of in a hundred other things we could have elected to do? It’s a question well worth asking. It’s one that I try to remember to ask myself […]
Our Lord’s spiritual body (kingdom) is the church (Matthew 16:18-19; Colossians 1:18,24). “And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all” (Ephesians 1:22-23).