For the Gospel’s Sake

The highest service of man on earth is sharing the gospel. The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Rev. Joseph Samuel Exell (1849-1909) says, "The services of men on earth embrace a large variety. There is the service of the agriculturalist, the mechanic, the mariner, the merchant, the scientist, the legislator, the kingMen esteem these services as differing widely in respectability and honor; but the service referred to in the text stands infinitely above all."

Illustration: Power, God’s Provision

Richard Fairchild tells this story of Leslie Weatherhead, a well-known preacher of a previous generation: "Once, when he was a high school student, he had a very difficult examination, but he had discovered that verse, 'And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do...'

Why Churches Decline

Tony Morgan-author, church strategist, and pastor of ministries at West Ridge Church in Atlanta-recently remembered a conversation he had with a denominational leader about the attributes of a declining church.

Fourth Sunday of Advent (A): A Sign from God

Christians have laid claim to this passage as one of the many Old Testament passages-along with Isaiah 9:6-7; Micah 5:2 and others-that seemed to point hundreds of years beyond the time they actually were written to foreshadow the appearance of Jesus Christ. In this instance, the idea that a "virgin will conceive and bear a child" as recorded in Isaiah 7:14 is seen as being fulfilled with the birth of Jesus as described in Matthew 1:18-23.

Third Sunday of Advent (A): Are You the One?

Jesus and John the Baptist are two men who are linked together in all four of the gospel narratives. In Luke, they are linked together from before their birth. John was the miracle child born of Zechariah and Elizabeth when she was well past the age of giving birth. Jesus was the miracle child born of Mary and of the Holy Spirit while she was still a virgin; fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14 where a virgin (almah) would bear a son (Luke 1:26-38).