The Requirements of Our Church Covenant Concerning the Church

“We engage therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love; to strive for the advancement of this church, in knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to promote its prosperity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the [...]

The Reasoning Behind Our Covenant

“Having been led, as we believe by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, and, on profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, we do now, in the presence of God, angels, [...]

What is This?

What is a church? On the surface the answer to that question seems rather obvious, but, in the immortal words of Lee Corso, “Not so fast, my friend!” For an example, take this story from the December 1, 2004 edition of the Cincinnati Enquirer; the front page story was about two United Methodist Church buildings [...]

A Church Parable

Before we begin our study of the church covenant, we should take the time to read this church parable, and reflect on the truth that is humorously taught but often painfully experienced. Nose and Hand were sitting in the church pew talking. The morning service, led by Ear and Mouth, had just ended, and Hand [...]

A Prayer of Consummation

Everyone learns early in life that death is inevitable. It is an appointment that all will keep, but the time and the day only God knows. Are you afraid to die? Preparation is important in overcoming fear. Let’s use public speaking as an example. You may be afraid to give an oral presentation before a [...]

A Proclamation of Victory!

The fourth saying from the cross was characterized by tragedy: “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” The fifth by trauma: “I thirst.” The sixth saying, however, is one of triumph! John 19:28-30 records this victory shout from the cross. After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture [...]

A Plea for Relief

The fifth saying of Christ from His cross is the shortest and is found in the middle of John 19:28-29: “After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a sponge with vinegar, [...]

A Petition to the Father

The fourth word spoken from the cross was an anguished petition to the Father. Recorded in two places: Mark 15:33-36 and Matthew 27:45-49. Matthew says: “Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama [...]

A Provision for His Mother

The English author and lexicographer Samuel Johnson wrote: “Depend upon it, Sir, when a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully.”[1] Samuel Johnson, as quoted in Erwin Lutzer, Cries from the Cross, 71.

A Promise of Salvation

Do you believe in miracles? Yes! That statement, made by commentator Al Michaels during the closing seconds of team USA’s win against the USSR hockey team in the 1980 Winter Olympics is one of the most famous calls in the history of American sport. That win was a miracle, because, nine times out of ten [...]

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