The man who says he is just as good as half the folks in the church seldom specifies which half. Remember that “average” is simply the best of the poorest and the poorest of the best. When you are average, you are just as near the bottom as you are the top. Beware of living…
Author: Alan Holden
Maturity
A well-adjusted person is one who can play bridge or golf as if they were games. There are no shortcuts on the way to spiritual maturity. When a man has a pet peeve, it is remarkable how often he pets it. When growth stops, decay begins. Growth is more important than status; growth is fit…
Heavenly Host | Luke 2:13-14
Introduction After the chaos of the Ides of March, when Julius Caesar was assassinated, Octavian pursued the conspirators who killed his adopted father. Afterward, he instituted the Pax Romana in 27 BC. Octavian became Caesar Augustus. The Pax Romana enforced law and order, at times harshly. This brought about the absence of opposition, but not…
Suffering | 2 Thessalonians 1
Introduction The Thessalonian Church was undergoing persecution, and some believers thought they were already in the Great Tribulation. They had received a false letter, supposedly from Paul, that taught this false doctrine. Paul sets out to correct this false teaching and explain three purposes behind their suffering. Suffering Helps Us Grow, vv. 3-5 Suffering Prepares…
Backsliding Church | Revelation 2:1-7
Introduction There are 4 main interpretations of the Lord’s message to the 7 churches. The Character of the City A. Ephesus was the Center of International Commerce through its harbor, serving as the gateway between the western world and the east. B. Ephesus was the center of Immoral Religion The Claim of the Christ–He Is…
Marriage
Why do brides buy their wedding gowns and grooms rent their wedding suits? A happy wife sometimes has the best husband but more often makes the best of the husband she has. God is the only third party in marriage that can make it work. Many women don’t care if a man has money as…
Lying
Lying: Those who cook up stories usually find themselves in hot water. A white lie soon gets tanned from exposure. Some people stretch the truth; others mutilate it. A lie is like a banana peel thrown on a sidewalk—you later slip up on it. A good memory is needed once you have lied. It isn’t…
Love
Love will endure when you keep it pure. No one knows the age of the human race, but it is surely old enough to know how to love better. Love is woman’s eternal spring and man’s eternal fall. To some people, love is only the last word in a telegram. Love is like a fabric…
1 Thessalonians 5
Key Word: Faithfulness Be Watchful, 1 Thessalonians 5 :1-11 A. Contrast of Light and Darkness B. Contrast of Knowledge and Ignorance–>Isaiah 8:20 C. Contrast of Expectancy and Surprise D. Contrast of Soberness and Drunkenness Be Respectful to Your Leaders, vv. 12-13 Be Mindful of One Another, vv. 14-15 A. The unruly—those out-of-line—must be warned. B….
Revelation 1
The Revelation of Christ As an apostle and Bishop of Asia Minor, John relates the Lord’s greeting of grace and peace, and he reviews the wonder of the Triune Godhead. The Christ John Knew, Revelation 1 :4-8 A. The Father–>”Him which is, was, and to come,” the eternal Jehovah. God is not limited by time….