The title of this article is also the title of one of my all-time favorite hymns. “Because He Lives” was written by Bill Gaither in 1971. According to Bill Gaither, the song was written after a period of time when he had had a kind of dry spell and hadn’t written any songs for a while.
In the ancient Church, Christian worship was centered on two things: the Word and the Lord’s Supper. They very simply modeled what happens on Sunday according to the pattern demonstrated in Acts 2:42, “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” (ESV) Out of this vague order of worship arose two major parts of the service: The Service of the Word and the Service of the Sacrament.
One of my favorite children authors was Dr. Seuss or Ted Geisel. When you look back at his books it is easy to see that although Dr. Seuss never thought of himself as an exemplary Christian, his storytelling did have a Christian orientation.
In recent days the Church has had its problems. According to a recent Gallup Poll, church membership in the U.S. has declined steadily over the last two decades. Since 1998 church membership has declined across denominational lines by 20%.
The Washington Times published a piece in July that says, “Just 59% of 18 to 34-year-olds in the U.S. say they believe in God, a prime factor in the decline of overall belief in God from 90% in 2001 to 74% in May of 2023.”
There is a scene in one of my all-time favorite movies, “Star Trek II, The Wrath of Khan,” where Captain Spock allows a trainee to pilot the Starship...
Psalms 46:10 - “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Still. Webster defines the word “still” as remaining in place or at rest; motionless; stationary; free from sound or noise; silent; subdued or low in sound; hushed: free from turbulence or commotion; peaceful; tranquil; calm.
Stillness does not come easy for me. Having grown up in a world where business seemed to be the sign of success, stillness was never in my dictionary. Yet it is definitely an important word in the Bible.
One of the crucial questions throughout the Gospel of Matthew is where did this guy get his authority? Who authorized this man from Nazareth, the son of a carpenter, to gather disciples, preach on mountaintops, heal the sick, and forgive sins? As the Gospel progresses, the question shifts a little to take into account the Church after the Ascension. Who received this man’s authority and who carries it out now? Two questions that require two columns.
Last time we looked at direct questions concerning Jesus’ authority. Jesus first spoke with authority (and not like the scribes) in the Sermon on the Mount. Then very deliberately, Jesus ramped up the miracles in Matthew 8-9 to show that He not only speaks but does. Later entering into Jerusalem, the chief priests questioned Jesus’ authority head on. Ultimately, no man could determine Jesus’ authority (and no one still can) without beholding the man upon the cross. In that earth-shaking moment, we see that Jesus has divine authority and uses it not for self but for the sake of the world.
Have you ever thought about what you want on your Tombstone? Now I am not talking about the old Tombstone pizza commercial that asked you what toppings you want on you pizza. What I am talking about your grave marker. If you could write what appeared on your Tombstone, what would you put on it?
Maybe you’d want your tombstone to reflect a relationship you’ve had – Loving Wife, Beloved Father, Wonderful Grandparent. Or maybe you’d like your tombstone to speak of your accomplishments – Protector of Animals, Defender of Peace, Musical Genius.
First Southern Baptist Church, Beardstown There is much talk these days of the downturn of the American Culture. It seems our culture is about as anti-religion as it can be nowadays.
Our daily purpose Pastor Catherine Burnette First Lutheran Church, Beardstown What’s your purpose in life? You get up every morning to do what? Perhaps… Login to continue reading Login…