In response to God’s call to bring His people out of Egyptian bondage, Moses made excuses.
In in a similar way, we as Christians have been called to bring people out of the bondage of sin through the gospel (2 Tim. 2:24-26).
But too often, we make excuses like Moses did.
In this lesson, we will examine Moses’ excuses and how we can learn from God’s word so that we will have the courage to teach the lost (Romans 15:4).
This is a lesson presented on “The Pain of Divorce on Children” by Steve Locklair on February 27, 2011.
by Marc Smith
When I was just beginning preaching, I know I benefited greatly by a number of older preachers, including my own father. Though some of these were not aware of it they served as mentors to me by their reputations and examples. One I have admired in so many ways was Robert L. McDonald, Jr. At one time he told a story that bears repeating at this time and I want to use it here as the premise for this article.
The account goes like this. During the process of preaching a gospel meeting in a certain place brother McDonald had just concluded one of his sermons, which no doubt was thorough on insisting on the adherence to Bible authority. As the listeners were filing by, an elderly… Continue reading
They do not know God and thus are easily blinded by the god of this world to the truth of His word (2 Corinthians 4:4; Luke 8:12).
Some are weak in the flesh, but even with good intentions they still give into temptation, and are dead in their sins. (Matthew 26:41; James 1:13-16; Luke 8:13)
They fear what they perceive to be a stronger enemy (Numbers 13:18; 31-33).
Some compromise under pressure because they fear persecution in standing for the truth. (Matthew 13:21; Galatians 6:12; 2:11ff)
Some worry about things they cannot control and demonstrate their lack of faith. (Matthew 6:25, 27, 30, 34; 13:22)
Others have a “thorn in the flesh” (physical malady) (2 Corinthians 12:7).
How can these become strong?
by Marc Smith
Having been assured by some of my own relatives that our family has been members of the church of Christ in Texas for 8 generations, I undertake to tell a brief history of how this came about. Many other Christians can tell similar accounts. I will attempt to rustle up some sources and will relate some history regarding this; which is almost 200 years old.
Born in New Jersey on April 17, 1776, Collin McKinney, son of the patriot Daniel McKinney who participated in the famous Boston Tea Party, was also an avid lover of freedom. He brought his family to just west of what is now Texarkana, Texas on September 15, 1824. He had left the Baptist church in 1821 and was converted to the truth… Continue reading
by Jeff Smith
© 2010, Jeff S. Smith. Click here to email the author. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The alcohol industry is a multi-billion dollar concern, flooding the television and radio airwaves with advertisements for beer, wine and hard liquor everyday, and doing so with little of the federal concerns that confront Big Tobacco.
That is true although alcohol is at least as dangerous a substance as nicotine. Second-hand smoke deaths are surely matched by those caused by impaired driving and violence. Is cirrhosis of the liver any less deadly than lung cancer? Both substances are false indicators of maturity for teenagers, who wear their use like… Continue reading
by Marc Smith
Dan Torres and I had to make this trip without our great friend and brother, Joe Price this year because of his shoulder injury several weeks ago. From the start we were determined to come and do what we had planned here but the idea of doing it without Joe and his abilities made us gulp just a bit! We know how badly he wanted to come, too. The three man model has proved to be the best for balance and provides for just enough help in case one of us gets sick which is just very possible here. So we knew coming here that there was no margin for bad luck or uneven circumstances. It seems the Lord was with us and neither of us got… Continue reading
This lesson is based on the story of the rich young ruler. After being told by Jesus to keep the commandments, he replied, “What am I still lacking?” This sermon will explain what we might lack today.
by Jeff Smith
The name of Judah is one that Christians hold in some esteem, if for no other reason than it is the tribe from which our Savior came. Sadly, though, the name of Judah is soiled in the Old Testament by idolatry and apostasy from God, so much so that only Jesus could redeem it and the rest of the world. When we go all the way back to Judah himself–the son of Israel who was the first of the clan–we might expect to find greater integrity and yet his character is marred both by the sale of Joseph into slavery and another more personally significant event. That event has to do with his sexual immorality, its attachment to the lifestyle of the world around him that he… Continue reading
Why do they call it “mad as a hornet”? If you’ve ever disturbed a hornet’s nest, you know the answer to this. Hornets will attack with a vengeance! It seems the whole nest “gets after you”!
Most of us know someone who has trouble with anger. Maybe you have (or have had) trouble controlling your anger. None of us are immune from its danger.