Simply Gospel

May my steps be worship. May my thoughts be praise.

  • The Results of Worry

    “And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit unto the measure of his life?” (Matthew 6:27). It starts early, and it never has to stop. Getting accepted at school. Making the grade in class. Getting picked at kickball. Surviving middle school. Being liked by at least someone of the opposite gender. Making the sports team. Making it to college. Finding a spouse. Having children. Everything your children go through and will go through. And that just starts the process. Then there is terrorism. Economic uncertainty. Left-wingers. Right-wingers. Healthcare. Unemployment. Natural disasters. Artificial disasters. The ups and downs… Continue reading

  • Our Common Suffering

    Whom withstand steadfast in your faith, knowing that the same sufferings are accomplished in your brethren who are in the world (1 Peter 5:9). During times of great difficulty– be it physical, emotional, and/or spiritual– it is easy for believers to get the impression that they are alone in what they are experiencing. They may feel that they are alone because it seems that no one else is suffering quite like they are. Others may feel that they are the only ones left who truly stand for God’s purposes and that everyone else has stumbled. These feelings of isolation are… Continue reading

  • The Bible’s Emphasis on Baptism

    Often, as we extend an invitation at the conclusion of a lesson, we always includes encouragement to come forward and be baptized. Do we, however, understand the significance of that invitation? We know the New Testament has much to say about baptism, but why does He require the ceremony of baptism when He knows our hearts? The Significance of Baptism in the New Testament We place an emphasis on baptism because it is commanded by God. In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus commands the apostles to baptize those who would be His followers, and Mark 16:15-16 records Jesus calling baptism an essential… Continue reading

  • Walking Worthily of Our Calling

    Salvation has location. Ephesians 1 emphasizes what we find in Christ. Terms like In Him, in the Lord Christ, in Jesus are repeated throughout the chapter, and this concept bleeds over into chapter 2. Paul explains that being in Christ constitutes a new life, emerging from the death of sin into the spiritual resurrection in Jesus. We are made alive through Him. Paul concludes chapter 2 with reconciliation to God, emphasizing the elimination of racial and carnal divisions through the cross of Christ. This leads into chapter 3, discussing this as God’s eternal purpose. Christ’s role, our reconciliation, our spiritual… Continue reading

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  • Jesus Wept

    John 11:35 is famous for being the shortest verse in the Bible, and yet its message is profound in its depth. Jesus’ weeping demonstrates His emotion and relationship with humans. The issue of God and “impassibility” has been one of the matters of dispute in theology for generations. Does God have emotions, and is He swayed by them? Many throughout time have argued that God is beyond emotion and is not emotionally impacted by other agents or causes in an attempt to raise God above the emotional fray. Yet we humans are created in the image of God, and we… Continue reading

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  • Feet Bearing Good News

    Behold, upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! Keep thy feasts, O Judah, perform thy vows; for the wicked one shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off (Nahum 1:15). The Assyrian menace had haunted Israel for almost two hundred years. The Assyrians were notorious fighters, renowned for their cruelty. In 732, most of the northern Kingdom of Israel succumbed to their strength. In 722, Samaria was destroyed, and the rest of the northern Kingdom of Israel was ended (cf. 2 Kings 17). By 701, the Assyrians had turned against… Continue reading

  • Servants in the House of the Lord

    Servitude is a theme replete throughout scripture. In Matthew 20:20, when a mother asks that her sons sit on His right and left sides, the apostles grow contentious over their rank in the kingdom. Jesus, however, says they should not seek to be masters but servants, for it shall be the servants that will be honored in His kingdom. Jesus’ mission is one of service, and our mission should be likewise focused. Also, Romans 12:7 and I Peter 4:9-10 encourage us to devote ourselves to our lives of service, and II Corinthians 11:8 records Paul his acceptance of donations from… Continue reading

  • Soils

    “Hear then ye the parable of the sower. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the evil one, and snatcheth away that which hath been sown in his heart. This is he that was sown by the way side. And he that was sown upon the rocky places, this is he that heareth the word, and straightway with joy receiveth it; yet hath he not root in himself, but endureth for a while; and when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, straightway he stumbleth. And he that was sown among… Continue reading

  • Receiving Good & Evil

    Then said his wife unto him, “Dost thou still hold fast thine integrity? Renounce God, and die.” But he said unto her, “Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this did not Job sin with his lips (Job 2:9-10). No one enjoys pain, difficulties, and suffering. We all would much rather enjoy the good life, pleasures, and success. We often believe that we deserve to obtain the good things, and we do not deserve the bad things. When pain, difficulties,… Continue reading

  • Pride & Discouragement

    This lesson is about two problems we often face as individuals and as a congregation – discouragement and pride. Being proud and discouragement may seem opposites, but they are often connected with each other, and we have to be open to God’s word if we are to solve these issues. I Thessalonians 5:14 encourages to be patient and encouraging with one another. How can we learn to put others before ourselves? How can we learn to dwell on the positive rather than the negative? We have to replace discouragement with encouragement; pride with humility. Filled with Discouragement We are less… Continue reading