Robert Smelser
-
Jacob’s Struggle with an Angel
In Genesis 32:24, we have one of the more perplexing stories of the Old Testament in which Jacob wrestles with a messenger of the Lord. Jacob has been living in Haran for the last fifteen years after cheating Esau out of his birthright. He will soon encounter his brother, and he is not sure what… Continue reading
-
Congregational Maturation
No Christian is disposable or dispensable to the congregation of which he or she belongs. As we create a picture of what we want a congregation to grow into, each individual is a part of the process. There is no shortcut to maturity – as a group or as individuals – and, as the individuals… Continue reading
-
Changing Identities
I live with an autism spectrum disorder. I acknowledge this, and I refuse to be treated medically. My autism is part of who I am. It is my identity, and, if a person with an ASD is high-functioning enough to be self-sufficient and a productive member of society without medical intervention, I strongly believe it… Continue reading
-
Things I’ve Learned from Godly Women
Considering the context of this day, it is appropriate to consider the gift God has given us in the mothers He gave us. I Peter 3:6 calls Christian women daughters of Sara, and godly women, like Sara, have lessons to teach us regardless of our gender. In fact, many people can attribute their obedience to… Continue reading
-
Where No Case Exists
Recently, a small set of billboards have cropped up around the country claiming the Bible accepts homosexuality as a lifestyle. Three verses are cited – II Samuel 1:26, Acts 8:26-40, and Matthew 8:5-13. Unfortunately, none of these passages back up the claim. II Samuel 1:26: I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant… Continue reading
-
Taking Sin Seriously
In his book Studying Sin Seriously, Wendell Winkler speaks to the results of sin – its decisiveness, its deceptiveness, its disgracefulness and destructiveness. Sin is a topic we should, in fact, take seriously, and, in this lesson,w e are going to look at the basic nature of sin and what it does to us as… Continue reading
-
Building a Stronger Church
What does it take to build a strong church? We want to be members of congregations that are stable and firm, but how do we reach that point and, having reached it, maintain it? Building and Maintaining a Strong Congregation Faithful Teaching. In II Timothy 4:1-5, Paul warns Timothy to hold to the truth despite… Continue reading
-
Lessons from the Transfiguration
Mark 9:2 begins a recording of the transfiguration of Jesus before Peter, James, and John. This story is also recorded in Matthew and Luke, and most of us are pretty familiar with this event. This event teaches about Christ’s authority and glory as well as the transformation we should go through as his followers. What… Continue reading
-
Applications from Jonah
We know from II Kings 14:25 that Jonah was a prophet of God, and in the book named after him, he is called to be a foreign emissary for God’s word. His message is to go to Nineveh, center of the Assyrian Empire – a region on hostile terms with the lands of Judah and… Continue reading
-
Congregational Body Building
Ephesians 4:11 begins by talking about some gifts given to us through the types of people we are around or are influenced by – the apostles and prophets, evangelists, spiritual leaders, and teachers. Paul goes on to explain in verse 12 that these gifts are given for the “equipping of the saints,” making us ready… Continue reading
Simply Gospel 