THE TWENTY-FIFTH DAY OF OCTOBER IN THE YEAR OF GRACE TWO THOUSAND AND FIFTEEN. A gracEmail subscriber observes that most Christian churches he has known emphasize Jesus more than they emphasize God his Father. However, Jesus identified himself as 'the way' to the Father, making Father God the destination to which Jesus is the route. Is this a problem? * * * Throughout John's Gospel narrative, Jesus repeatedly identifies himself as the Son of God the Creator who is the faithful God of Israel and the only living God. Jesus explains that he has come to earth on a mission from the … [Read more...]
Family Notes (03/05/2015)
THE FOURTH DAY OF MARCH IN THE YEAR OF GRACE TWO THOUSAND AND FIFTEEN RADIO MINISTRY -- God willing, I will be guest on Sunday night, March 15 on a radio program broadcast from San Antonio, Texas. More details to follow. PRECIOUS TO GOD -- Psalm 116:15 says that "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints." That is surely especially true when they are martyrs dying for their faith in him, as is the case with thousands continually throughout the Middle East at the hands of the murderous self- named Islamic State. Like the martyrs in Revelation 6:9-11, these … [Read more...]
family notes (02/25/2015)
THE TWENTY-FIFTH DAY OF FEBRUARY IN THE YEAR OF GRACE TWO THOUSAND AND FIFTEEN SOLDIER ON The two words "soldier on" are a personal motto of our good brother Leroy Garrett (born 1918), and also the name of his "occasional" e-bulletin. Issue #476 went out this week; Brother Leroy intends to stop with #500 if he reaches that far. He has published a personal bulletin of teaching, encouragement, and news for 64 years under a variety of names: Bible Talk (1952-58), Restoration Review (1959-92), Last Time Around (1993-94), Once More With Love (1990-2003). and Soldier On! You … [Read more...]
family notes 02/18/2015
THE EIGHTEENTH DAY OF FEBRUARY IN THE YEAR OF GRACE TWO THOUSAND AND FIFTEEN LINK 'JOURNEY TOWARD JESUS' Shortly before our new website was "turned on," we featured a free on-line book of letters by Bruce Edwards and myself titled A Journey Toward Jesus, with a link to the still-active old website. Several gracEmail subscribers told us the link did not work and they wanted to read the book. So for the convenience of all you who enjoy gospel truth made plain in real life, you can read A Journey Toward Jesus here. IT'S FULLER IN JUNE The second Rethinking Hell conference … [Read more...]
Family Notes
THE ELEVENTH DAY OF FEBRUARY IN THE YEAR OF GRACE TWO THOUSAND AND FIFTEEN CHRIST AS SIN-OFFERING A good many years ago I discovered that I was not really preaching Christ. I was preaching only the conditions of salvation, just as though . . . the Lord’s visit to this earth [was] to set forth certain acts as conditions of justification. I was overlooking the importance of the cross upon which he bore our sins. I was not recognizing Jesus as our High Priest who offered himself for the sins of the world. I considered the cross as a means to an end, the end being the endowment of … [Read more...]
CONFESSING & BELIEVING
Romans 10:9-10 says that "if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Since we can add nothing to Jesus' saving work, a gracEmail subscriber asks whether this is a formula for gaining access to heaven. * * * This gospel promise concludes a discussion concerning the uselessness of seeking right standing with God through our own efforts rather than by trusting in what God has done for sinners in Jesus Christ. The first approach pursues God's approval (righteousness) "by works"; the second pursues it "by … [Read more...]
INVITING JESUS IN
A gracEmail subscriber asks: "I often hear ministers speak of 'inviting Jesus into your heart' in order to receive God's forgiveness and grace. Others speak of 'praying the sinner's prayer.' Still other preachers say neither expression is taught in Scripture. Will you please comment?" * * * The metaphor of asking Jesus into one's heart comes directly from Revelation 3:20, where Jesus says to the unfaithful Laodicean church: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me." Today, most … [Read more...]
FOLLOW ME (2)
There is a time to analyze, to study, to reflect. There is also a time to respond, to move, to act. Mark's Gospel is intended for the second occasion. It is 65-67 A.D. Nero is Emperor in Rome. He has just beheaded Paul and crucified Peter upside down. Now he is unleashing a wave of lethal persecution against Jesus' followers in the imperial capital. Some he ties to stakes, drenches in oil and burns as human torches. Others he dresses in animal skins and exposes to killer beasts. Others he crucifies. Jesus' followers remember the master's challenge: "If anyone wishes to come after me, let him … [Read more...]
FOLLOW ME (1)
Most likely, the earliest Gospel was written by John Mark of Jerusalem, helper to both Peter and Paul. The time was probably A.D. 65-67 and the purpose was to inspire believers in Rome against whom Emperor Nero had unleashed a wave of horrific persecution after having executed the two apostles mentioned above (see Acts 12:12; 2 Tim. 4:11; 1 Pet. 5:13). Mark's is the only canonical Gospel with a title: "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God" (Mark 1:1). Early church tradition says that Mark wrote what Peter preached. Peter himself hints at plans for something like that (2 … [Read more...]
THE JESUS AGENDA
It is Thursday night before Easter. Eight adults and teenagers from our Sunday night support group meet at the Grace Theater in Houston to see "John, His Story," by Jeannette Clift George. In this play, which has been performed Off-Broadway as well as in this A.D. Players home arena, the ensemble cast of four actors and actresses play twenty-five different characters who tell the stories of the supernatural signs reported in John's Gospel (as Jeannette describes it) "in terms of ordinary people confronting extra-ordinary miracles." It is powerful drama that elicits chill-bumps, chuckles and … [Read more...]