1st Century Christianity in the 21st Century.

In Matthew 9:10-13, Jesus called a tax collector to become one of His disciples. The Pharisees objected, and Jesus’ response is truly instructive: “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.’” The complainers would have agreed that “publicans and sinners” were “sick” with sin, but they…

There may have been more foolish speculation about the second coming of Jesus and the judgement day than on any other topic in the Bible. Some examples; “judgement day” occurs immediately at death; there will be a “rapture/secret rapture” and X years of “tribulation,” followed by an earthly reign by Jesus; “well, we can’t know anything for certain;” and there are many other “views” as well. There is a lot confusion and disagreement in the religious world about both the…

Unity among those who seek to serve and please God is a laudable goal! “Unity” and “union” are not interchangeable, however; they are NOT the same thing, and they do NOT produce the same results! Long ago, David proclaimed, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1). The fellowship we enjoy as God’s children is a precious blessing, and this is true whether we are gathered for worship, or simply for…

Twenty-first century society seems to thrive on worry; the environment, terrorism, environmental pollution, deforestation, vaccinations, “good” vs. “bad” parenting (be a PARENT, not an enabler!); the list of things about which we “should” worry seemingly has no end. Some people even worry about not having enough to worry about! Do you suppose the apostle Paul ever worried? In 2 Corinthians 2:13, he was “unable to relax” – worried – because he didn’t find Titus when he arrived in Troas. Christians…