Category: Christian

Early Tuesday morning brother Jack Simpson passed on to his reward. Be sure to pray for Phil and Paul, and the rest of the Simpson family as they mourn Jack’s death.

Jack and his wife Vera were long time members at West Side. I’m not sure if they were original members, but if not they came on board not long after. Jack served as an elder for the congregation for a while several decades ago.

Jack was an unassuming, mild-mannered man. He and Vera were faithful in their attendance and service throughout their lives. I remember several times during men’s meetings in the 1990’s his expressed desire that all we do as a congregation be in accord with God’s authority, revealed through His word. I always appreciated his admonitions in this regard.

Jack had a hard time of it physically in the last years of his life. Those who have known him for a long time realize that he had epilepsy. That is why Vera drove the car to services and around town. Despite the malady, he never complained. After losing his beloved wife, his own health declined, and he spent the last years of his life in a nursing home. As his condition worsened, hospice was called in, but he lived much longer than his providers expected.

Jack had a strong constitution, but he is now in a better place. That frail temple that housed his soul will return to the dust from which it came, but Jack has the hope of a faithful child of God. We rejoice with him and his family in that hope. “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 4:15).

I find myself irritated from time to time by famous people who claim to be Christians, but show themselves to be fickle in their “faith” when their convictions are tested by circumstance or criticism. Two examples of this recently came to my attention.

The first was a quote from Josh Hamilton, who was the center fielder for the Texas Rangers last season. In an important game last year, late in the season, Hamilton made an egregious and costly error. When his manager asked him what happened, he responded by uttering a profanity. Now, it is obvious that Hamilton has problems. His drug abuse, tattoo covered body, and continued struggles with addiction are well documented. But, he claims to have given his heart to the Lord, and that God leads him in the decisions he makes in his life. His behavior in light of his claims give cause for the world to ridicule the very concept of Christian faith.

Continue reading “In the News: The World’s Hatred” →

Paul, in chapters 21-26 of the book of Acts, had several opportunities to defend his actions when accused of heinous crimes. It is evident that Paul was persecuted because he was a Christian.

Audio

The first time the gospel was preached, in Acts 2, the text reveals what every man must acknowledge. Jesus Christ is the Lord and Savior of mankind.

Audio

A few days ago MSNBC carried a discussion between Time Magazine’s World Editor, Bobby Ghosh and MSNBC show host Chuck Todd.

Ghosh, who was apparently being presented as some type of expert on the matter, was quoted as saying that the Koran is held by Muslims to be more sacred than Christians regard their Bible to be. Note the dialogue:

Continue reading “In the News: The Difference – Christians VS Muslims” →

Jesus told his disciples in John 5:18, 20, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you…” 20 “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.”

In the last week there were two news releases that pointed out the hatred the world has for Jesus, (and God, cf. John 15:23). This hate is seen in reaction to those who purport to be his followers. (Note: I am not saying that their claim to be Christians is legitimate, only that they are perceived to be by the world).

Continue reading “In the News: Prejudice Against Christ” →

The sermon is a simple comparison between the two faiths of Christianity and Islam. In the comparison, Islam is found greatly wanting.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

NEW YORK – Anne Rice has had a religious conversion: She’s no longer a Christian.

“In the name of Christ, I refuse to be anti-gay. I refuse to be anti-feminist. I refuse to be anti-artificial birth control,” the author wrote Wednesday on her Facebook page. “In the name of … Christ, I quit Christianity and being Christian. Amen.”

Rice, 68, is best known for “Interview With a Vampire” and other gothic novels. Raised as a Catholic, she had rejected the church early in her life but renewed her faith in recent years and in 2008 released the memoir “Called Out of Darkness: A Spiritual Confession.”

Hillel Italie
Associated Press

Continue reading “In the News: Queen of Vampires No Longer a Christian” →

The sermon examines the text of 1 John to explain the relationship the Christian sustains to error.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

It is interesting to compare the children of Israel, (God’s chosen under the Old Covenant), to God’s children under the New Covenant.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Last week, FOX news anchor Brit Hume became the center of controversy when he suggested that Tiger Woods leave his Buddhist faith, and convert to Christianity to deal with his multiple infidelities.

“I don’t think that faith offers the kind of forgiveness and redemption that is offered by the Christian faith,” Hume said. “So my message to Tiger would be, ‘Tiger, turn to the Christian faith and you can make a total recovery and be a great example to the world.’”

These statements, of course, angered Buddhists, who suggest that Hume is ignorant of the 2,500 year old Eastern religion.

Continue reading “In The News: Christianity? Or Buddhism?” →

In his first epistle, the apostle Peter describes Christians in various ways. Each description serves to establish a different aspect of the Christian’s life.

Sermon PowerPoint: Click Here .

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

The question of our title is similar to other questions that have been asked. Can a Christian be a lawyer? Or, can a Christian tend bar?

Those questions speak of the morality of the two occupations. While I believe that a Christian could certainly practice law, there are certain types of lawyers who seem, if they do their job successfully, to violate Christian morality.

However, when I ask the question, “Can a Christian be President?” I am not so concerned with the ethics of the job; rather, I am referring to the electability of a Christian. I am convinced that one who truly holds to the teachings of Jesus Christ would be considered an extremist, and would have no chance of being elected to the highest office in America.

Continue reading “In The News: Can A Christian Be President” →

The term Christian, as found in Acts 11:26, Acts 26:28 and 1 Peter 4:16 indicates a believer in Christ, who has a relationship with God, and a hope for eternity.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .

Bill Crews’ lesson establishes the responsibility of Christians to be an influence for good in the midst of an ungodly world.

Sermon Audio: Click Here .