In the southeastern part of the US, where we live, there are many churches. It seems there are churches on every corner. Many of those churches are made up of people who seem to be perfectly satisfied to go week after week with empty pews, instead of being filled with people. Many churches go an entire year without baptizing a single convert. That raises the question: what is wrong, and what are we doing here? Continue reading
I recently heard a preacher preach a sermon which he entitled, “Why Churches Don’t Grow.” The main point of his sermon was that some churches don’t grow because they are preaching the true word of God, and people don’t want to hear that. I think he was wrong.
While preaching is the central activity within a healthy church, there are a number of other factors that enter into the equation of why churches do, or do not, grow. Continue reading
Sometimes we refer to the church with which we are affiliated as, “my church.” That’s okay as long as we understand that it really doesn’t belong to us, but is ours only in the sense that we identify with it.
If it’s not mine, whose is it? Does it belong to the total membership? Legally, I suppose an argument could be made that the property belongs to the membership, but most people, especially in Baptist circles, would agree that the whole thing belongs to the Lord.
The people who make up the membership of a local church may have paid the money so that the property could be obtained and buildings could be built, but most would agree that it was “given” to the Lord, and not a personal or corporate investment. That being true, when the time comes to renovate, sell, or build, the membership of a local church do well to pray for God’s guidance, then think from a completely different perspective than they would think if it were their own personal property. Proper perspective is to think against the backdrop of asking, “What is going to best accomplish our ministry purpose?” Continue reading
It is called a little member with great potential. It is said that if it can be controlled, the entire body is controlled.
It is so important that we are told that if we confess with our mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in our heart that God has raised Him from the dead, we will be saved, because with the heart man believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth (the tongue) he confesses unto salvation.
It is so unruly that the Bible says no man can tame it; however, God can tame it, and God will tame it. The believer is indwelt by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, therefore, there is no reason that his tongue should not be in control at all times. Continue reading
You can’t avoid it. Some people are just difficult. We all know down in our soul that we need to try and be redemptiive.
There are two biblical principles of which we need to be reminded: Pray for difficult people. Jesus said, “Pray for those who persecute you.” Application can be made to people of any level of difficulty. Secondly, overcome evil with good. Be kind to the person who is not kind to you.
Sometimes, you may need to confront a difficult person. Continue reading