Theology / The Church

  • Deacons

    Matthew 25:31–46

    Jesus tells us very clearly that those who want to be great in the kingdom of God must serve others (Matt. 23:11). None of us should ever think that we are too good or hold too high of a ...Read More

  • Defining Our Relationship

    Reflect on the mysterious union of Christ and the church as illustrated by the marriage relationship.Read More

  • Discipling and Disciplining

    Do you accept discipline as well as discipling from your local church body? Ask God to make you more receptive to His discipline.Read More

  • Doctrine Divides

    Jeremiah 6:1–15

    Christians have often divided over matters not essential to Christian orthodoxy and lobbed charges of heresy at one another. Such actions have created a distaste for theology in the minds of many people, and there is now a tendency to ...Read More

  • Embracing the Penitent

    Luke 15:11–31

    Although not everyone who has been subjected to church discipline repents, there are many times when a disciplined sinner is humbled by the church’s treatment and, forsaking sin, returns to the fold. When this happens, church leaders and laypeople ...Read More

  • Emulating the Supreme Model

    Thank God for role models who have influenced your life; then thank Him for the Supreme Model who died for you.Read More

  • Enrolling Widows

    1 Timothy 5:9-10

    Matthew Henry writes, “Those who would find mercy when they are in distress must show mercy when they are in prosperity.” The widows whom the church should be most ready to support are those who in their lifetimes have been ...Read More

  • Entering into Your Priesthood

    What are you doing to help those around you who are in distress? Are you keeping yourself clean from the world’s pollution, as James admonishes?Read More

  • Epaphras and Luke

    Colossians 4:12-15

    We should never despise the work of our pastors and elders in prayer, for it is this task to which they are called (Acts 6:1–7), and it is necessary for the building up of our churches. Ordained elders ...Read More

  • Every Member Ministry

    Ephesians 4:12-13

    Do you consider yourself a minister in the church? Although you might never be ordained to a church office, your gifts are critical to the healthy functioning of Christ’s body. Determining your specific role may not be easy, but ...Read More

  • Exhorting Women Properly

    1 Timothy 5:2

    Sexual immorality is a sin that causes the church to be slandered, so men and women alike should take care never to get into a situation where the propriety of a relationship can be legitimately questioned. Let us do what ...Read More

  • Facing a Crisis of History

    What are you doing to proclaim His name to this generation? Pray about the role God would have you fill.Read More

  • Female Authority

    1 Timothy 2:11-12

    Dr. John MacArthur says, “Paul is forbidding women from filling the office and role of the pastor or teacher. He is not prohibiting them from teaching in other appropriate conditions and circumstances” (The MacArthur Bible Commentary, p. 1,783). All ...Read More

  • Finding Your Identity

    Give thanks that you are part of the body of Christ, the elect, the people of God.Read More

  • Founded on the Apostles

    Ephesians 2:18–22

    Liberals tend to elevate the words of Jesus (except for the ones about hell), over the rest of Scripture. Evangelicals may not do this knowingly, but there is still a tendency to think the words of Jesus (in red letters ...Read More