Christ’s Church & His Sacrifice

Every believer should be a faithful and active member of a local church. Over the past two articles, I have tried to support this truth. I have attempted to establish it with two initial points: (1) every believer should be part of a local body of believers, and (2) becoming a formal, recognized member of

Is Church Membership Biblical?

Last week we considered the idea of the Church and the reasons why every believer should join with a local church. I do not know if the reasons given were compelling or not. Either way, I want to press the issue a little further. Not only is it a necessary expression of our faith to

Why Join A Local Church?

(adapted from Nine Marks of a Healthy Church by Mark Dever) Perhaps you have met someone, or you’re related to someone, or maybe, you ARE someone who doesn’t believe in “organized religion.” You might prefer to keep your faith a private matter between you and God – after all, the experiences you’ve had in church

Passing On the Faith

I enjoy track and field. It’s one of my favorite things to watch when the Olympics roll around every four years. (Sidenote: I really missed the Olympics last year.) Of course, in the world of track and field, the fan-favorite races are the sprints, especially the relays. I have never been much of a sprinter,

Gospel Reinforcement

…they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. Acts 14:21-22 (ESV) Oops. He did it again. Paul is back at it. After being threatened, beaten, stoned, and

Good Deeds & Gospel Integrity

 “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. In past generations he allowed

What Does It Mean to “Be the Church”?

“You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.” Many talk about the church. It seems everyone has an opinion, even if that opinion is: it’s not worth having an opinion. But through all the talk and opinion and emotion and preference, all too often, “church” does not

“A Gospel for All People”

And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region. Acts 13:48-49 (ESV) People are hungry for the gospel. Paul and his companions show up teaching the

Love Is Learned

Love. Our culture talks a lot about it, especially this time of year. Yet even with all the talk, ideas, theories, and experience, our world is largely clueless on the topic. Even what we get right is often misapplied and misunderstood. As Christians, those who serve and worship the author of love who, himself, is