Monthly Archives: April 2015

April 30, 2015 · 8:15 am

Why Paul Circumcised Timothy?

Paul TimothyThis seems like an unusual topic for a post on ThePreachersWord, doesn’t it?

The reason for addressing it stems from an argument made by one of our readers, Stephen, regarding a post last week. It was based on Paul’s rhetorical question in Galatians 4:16, “Am I Your Enemy, because I tell  you the truth?”

I asked 11 different questions regarding matters of Truth. Two of the questions spoke to the sin of homosexuality.

When I support marriage as being only between one man and one woman, (Matt 19:4-6) am I the enemy of lesbians?

When I affirm that same-sex relations is a sin, (1 Cor. 6:9-11) am I an enemy of homosexuals?

In part, here is Stephen’s response. Continue reading →

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April 29, 2015 · 7:44 am

GREAT VERSES OF THE BIBLE: Proverbs 14:12

Bible.Proverbs 

Yesterday our post, “Cherry Picking” The Scripture, was in response to a question asked by Stephen, one of our regular readers. Today we continue answering more of his questisons.

Stephen asks, “In trying to understand God’s Will on so many social (not so much individual responsibility) issues, how do you know who’s right and who’s wrong?”

Our questioner further opines, “If we go into a more liberal Church (such as a Methodist), what is taught, practiced, and what people believe is much different than more conservative Churches (such as Southern Baptist or Church of Christ).”

“Differences in opinion have always existed in the Church — isn’t a key question how not to make these differences so divisive as to split Christians apart?” Continue reading →

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April 28, 2015 · 8:51 am

“Cherry-Picking” The Scripture

Cherry Picking

 

I have a regular reader, Stephen, who often comments on our posts. Not always, but many of his comments and disagreements address my stance on same-sex marriage.

I’m not singling out Stephen. His responses are publicly posted on this site. He has been kind, considerate, and often complimentary. For the benefit of all readers, I want to answer some of his questions.

“Could you talk about “cherry picking” Scripture?” Stephen asked. Continue reading →

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April 27, 2015 · 8:02 am

WORD OF THE WEEK

Bible.Open

There’s a missing word among many, if not most Christians.

Most preachers rarely, if ever, use the word

It’s found 53 times in the Bible.

It’s a word used by Jesus. John. Luke. Paul. Peter. And James.

We claim to believe it. Obey it. And teach it.

Ironically, we substitute another word in its place that is not found in the Bible!

Can you guess what the word is? Continue reading →

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April 24, 2015 · 6:56 am

IT’S FRIDAY. BUT SUNDAY’S COMING! Jesus Is The Christ

Jesus.Names.2

Jonathan Ortberg’s book, “Who is this Man?” provides a powerful testimony regarding the impact of Jesus’ life. He says, “Jesus is mysterious not just because of what we don’t know about him, but because of what we do know about him.”

We know he was a compelling figure. He Spoke with authority. As A.T. Wright put it “(Jesus) is so unlike what we know about anybody else that we are forced to ask, as people evidently did at the time, who, then is this?”

That is what the high priest wanted to know when he asked, “Are You the Christ?” Continue reading →

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April 23, 2015 · 7:47 am

Am I Your Enemy?

Killing Jews

“Killing Jews is Worship that Draws us Close to Allah.”

These signs were ruled legal and free speech” by U.S. District Judge John Koeltl on Tuesday and will continue to be posted on NYC subways and buses. They have already been appearing on mini buses in San Francisco for quite a while.

While the substance of these signs may sound extreme and hateful, the motive behind the message is not what it first appears. Continue reading →

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April 22, 2015 · 6:25 am

GREAT VERSES OF THE BIBLE: Galatians 2:20

Crucified with Christ

On January 30, 1973, Patrice Tamao of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, allowed himself to be nailed to a cross “as a sacrifice for world peace and understanding among men.”

As thousands watched on television, six-inch stainless steel nails were driven through his hands and feet. Tamao had planned to remain on the cross for 48 hours, but after only 20 hours he had to cut short his voluntary crucifixion because of an infection in his right foot.

The next day a newspaper headlined the event: “Crucifixion-for-peace falls short.” Continue reading →

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April 21, 2015 · 6:37 am

5 Principles To Remember on Earth Day

Earth Day 2015

Tomorrow, April 22nd, is Earth Day. From the first “earth day” celebration in 1970 environmental concerns have gained national attention and the movement has gained momentum. More and more companies are environmentally conscious. The “Go Green” slogan is familiar to us.

Why should I care about environmental issues? Soil conservation? Pollution? Recycling? Or the current concerns over “global warming”? Continue reading →

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April 20, 2015 · 6:02 am

In Memory of My Cousin Wimpy

 WimpyHer name was Mary Catherine Threlkel. She was my cousin. But we all knew her by “Wimpy,” the nickname given in infancy by her father because she was a fussy baby!

She died on April 8, 2015, at age 70. Last Saturday, I joined family, friends and fellow Christians in Shepherdsville, Kentucky, to honor Wimpy’‘s memory, mourn her passing, but to celebrate her life.

For over 40 years I have participated in speaking at funeral services for people of all ages and who were taken from this life in many different ways. Natural causes. Accidents. Disease. And tragic events. To stand in the specter of death is always a solemn experience. But when it’s a loved one, death suddenly becomes more personal. Painful. And thought-provoking. Continue reading →

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April 17, 2015 · 9:34 am

IT’S FRIDAY. BUT SUNDAY’S COMING! Two Robbers And A Redeemer

Three Crosses

The cross is the most recognizable symbol of Christianity. It tells the story of Jesus in one simple, easy to understand picture. The cross represents God’s love, mercy and grace. It reminds us of Jesus’ vicarious sacrifice. And it prompts us to remember our personal need for salvation.

We celebrate the cross. We glamorize it. We even romanticize it. We all know what it means. Yet the cross was used by the Romans as a cruel means of capital punishment. It was a shameful death. A humiliating death. A painful death.

It is also good to remember that on the Friday Jesus was crucified to become our Redeemer there were two other crosses occupied by robbers. Continue reading →

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