Category: Zeal

AOTS Number 11

A poem praising the virtues of past days where the Bible and God were respected, and there was less evil in the world.

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AOTS Number 7

Some have been asking why our podcast is titled, “Anchors of the Soul.” They are devotional, Bible based studies to encourage Christians in their hope.

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AOTS Number 6

The bevahior of some Christians sure seems strange, as they profess to be disciples of Christ, and yet their priorities lie elsewhere!

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A tent was the common dwelling for the nomadic people of the Bible, both Old and New Testaments. Psalm 118:15 speaks of the “tents of the righteous”, and establishes a picture that is very instructive to the child of God.

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Cecil May is the President of Faulkner University, and holds meetings in institutional (liberal) churches throughout the nation. He has some conservative inclinations, and from time to time in his bulletin, Preacher Talk, complains about the direction that institutional churches are heading in attitudes and worship. The following recently came from his pen.

“‘Behold, the days are coming,’ declares the Lord God, ‘when I will send a famine on the land — not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord’” (Amos 8:11). While Amos was not talking about us or today, his words fit.

Many changes taking place today indicate a decline in appreciation for preaching.

Contemporary services typically focus on “praise and worship” and down-play preaching. Instead of two sermons on Sundays, Sunday night preaching is replaced by small group meetings. (These are not wrong in themselves and are often beneficial, but they do replace preaching.)

In the preaching that remains, popular demands are requiring shorter and shorter sermons. Film clips from television programs or movies replace significant parts of the sermons. Drama is deemed more effective than preaching. Preaching designed to make us feel good replaces preaching to convict and call to repentance.

The Bible still says, “How shall they hear without someone preaching” (Romans 10:14) and “It pleased God by the folly of what we preach to save those who believe” (1 Corinthians 1:21).

Cecil May, Jr.
Preacher Talk, Vol. 23, No. 1, pg. 2

Analysis:

When the movie The Passion of the Christ came out I wrote an article for the River Oaks News mentioning the furor surrounding the movie. (You may remember that certain representatives of the Jewish community took exception to the movie’s premise that the Jews were responsible for the death of Christ. I guess they would not appreciate Peter’s statement, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” Acts 2:36).

Regardless, in the article I mentioned that I had no desire to go see the movie. I had the New Testament itself, and felt no need to see the dramatization of the words I had read. The editor of the paper and others in the office had watched the movie, were very moved by it, and were convinced that it would bring some to Christ. So, she feared some would be offended by my words, and declined to run the article.

The attitude is typical. But, the idea that we need to spice up and dramatize the words of God (if you carefully think about it) is rather insulting to the Spirit of grace. While emotion certainly has its place in the lives of Christians, it should be noted that the types of emotional responses which lead to true zeal, ardor and love come as a result of edification. And edification is the byproduct of preaching and teaching.

Churches that are interested in truly lighting a fire under members would do well to remember that a movie, play or skit may cause someone to walk out the door sad, happy, or angry (depending upon the purpose of the dramatics); but the preaching of the gospel of our Lord (if heeded) will lead to lifetime commitments and zeal. “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2). As always, God’s way is the best way!

Matthew 15:1-14 contains an exchange between the Pharisees and Jesus that led our Lord to categorize them as “Blind leaders of the blind.” There is danger in being led by those who themselves are blind to truth. Our personal responsibility is to study and equip ourselves to avoid such danger.

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In his epistle to the Philippians, the apostle Paul expressed his attitude toward his service to Christ. Simply put, he wasn’t about to “count his chickens before they hatched.” In his own words, “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14).

The reason for this single-minded approach in his service to the Lord is stated in the preceding verses, “that I may gain Christ, and be found in him” (vs. 8b-9a). Further, he longed for the result of such a fellowship with his Lord, “if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection of the dead” (vs. 11).

Continue reading ““I Press Toward the Goal”” →

An individual’s attitude has a direct bearing on his words and actions. In this lesson, three negative and three positive attitudes are examined that impact our lives.

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Matthew 16:24 is a record of Jesus’ invitation to His disciples to take up their cross and follow Him. It contains the essence of discipleship and should be carefully studied by all Christians.

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The Christian life is a life of dedication, and fealty to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. One who is a child of God must live a life of godliness, sobriety and righteousness in order to gain eternity.

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Whether it be the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, the imperfect knowledge of Christ exhibited by Saul, The Eunuch and Cornelius prior to their exposure to the gospel of Christ, or the Lukewarmness of the Laodiceans, just being “religious” does not guarantee salvation.

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Each of us are personally accountable for our actions before God. We must be diligent to “keep ourself”. This necessitates purity in heart, tongue and action.

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Podcast Number # 13

The Bible reveals the true purpose of living life. This is no secret, though many in the world do not understand that the reason for living is to, “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all.”

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Podcast Number #9

Whether it is observing the Letter of the law (cf. Hebrews 10:24-25) or observing the Spirit of the law (cf. Matthew 10:37,39) it is obvious that God expects for us to be regular and diligent in our attendance to worship services and classes in the local church. We should not be seeking to do the “minimum”, rather we should be diligent to do all we can for the Lord.

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Sometimes Christians need to contemplate some basic truths about the Christian faith, hope, love, peace and joy, which will allow us to rejuvinate our Christian walk. We need to get back to the basics.

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