Ezra’s Congregational Discipline Part 1: Ezra 10:1-17 Back in the mid-1980s a Church of Christ in Oklahoma was sued over the congregational discipline of a member who had an affair with the local town mayor. This had a negative ripple effect among the brethren. Many elders refused to discipline members out Read more…
How Do You React to Sin? Ezra 9:1-15 A religious scholar made a list of all the sins in the Bible. It came to be about 640 different sins. When a friend heard about this, he called all excited. He asked the scholar, “please send me the list as soon Read more…
In the News Famous and Sober Apparently, you do not have to drink to be successful or popular. An article in Women’s Health entitled “52 Celebrities Who Don’t Drink Alcohol” lists several actors and actresses, comedians, singers, models, and sports figures who do not drink. Most of them had been Read more…
Observing the Signs on the Road of Life Ever drive down the road and observe road signs which do not make much sense? Like the sign which overstates the obvious. It reads “Caution: Water on Road During Rain.” Another sign warned, “Speed Bumps Ahead” then a rectangle sign beneath read: Read more…
Wouldn’t It Be Nice… Often those with hopes and dreams of a different life and circumstances will say “wouldn’t it be nice if…” Wouldn’t it be nice, if whenever, we messed up our life, we could simply press, “Crtl, Alt, Delete” and start all over? Wouldn’t it be nice if Read more…
Woe to Jerusalem and Those Who Hide from God Isaiah 29 The previous chapter (Isaiah 28) the prophet Isaiah pronounced a woe upon the drunkards especially among the rulers of Jerusalem. Now Isaiah has a woe upon the city itself. Woe to Jerusalem Jerusalem Under Distress, 29:1-4 The next woe Read more…
Woe to the Drunkards Isaiah 28 The book of Isaiah is divided in two part: Assyrian Period and the Babylonian period. The fourth section of the first half of Isaiah covers chapters twenty-eight through thirty-five of Isaiah. It contains six woes and several promises mixed together. Remember, a woe is Read more…
A Bad Habit: Do You Have It? Have I ever told you about my good friend Russ from my childhood. Well, while I was preaching in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, Russ came by from Texas on a visit. While he was there, he would go out on the back porch Read more…
Strange Bedfellows When the Jewish leadership were out to kill Jesus they realized this could not be accomplished unless the various religious sects and political factions were united. The Pharisees joined with the Sadducees to plot against Jesus. This made for a strange alliance. At one time these Jewish sects Read more…
Is an Indefinite Marital Separation a Sin? A common solution, employed by some married couples when they are experiencing difficulties in their relationship, is to indefinitely separate from each other. Since they do not have a scriptural reason for divorce, this seems to be a legitimate option. The couple has Read more…