Ephesians 4:11 – Gifts NOT Offices

Ephesians 4:11 – Gifts NOT Offices

The interpretation of Ephesians 4:11 as gifts rather than offices is a valid one, and that the roles mentioned in the passage should be understood as gifts that are given to individuals for the benefit of the Body of Christ.
Christian Perspective on Music in the Church

Christian Perspective on Music in the Church

The goal of Christian worship should be to deepen our relationship with God and to express our faith in a way that is meaningful and authentic. By refocusing on this goal, we can overcome the ills of modern worship and create a more spiritually fulfilling experience for all believers.
Christian Children Losing their Faith

Christian Children Losing their Faith

Losing faith is a common experience among Christian children as they grow older. The reasons behind this loss of faith are complex and multifaceted. Parents can take proactive steps to help prevent their children from losing their faith by encouraging a personal relationship with God, teaching critical thinking skills, leading by example, fostering meaningful relationships within the church, and teaching a theology of suffering.
Do you know of Constantine’s mother Helena?

Do you know of Constantine’s mother Helena?

The church is not trapped by the physical buildings that Helena started, but rather has continued to develop and adapt to new cultural and historical contexts. While these physical structures remain important symbols of the faith and an important part of Christian history and tradition, they are just one aspect of a vibrant and dynamic faith community that continues to grow and change over time.
Jesus Found in Hindu Scriptures

Jesus Found in Hindu Scriptures

The Hindu portrayal of Jesus Christ can serve as a powerful defense for Christianity, highlighting the universal need and relevance of Jesus' teachings and the transformative power of his sacrifice on the cross to bring life to those dead to God.
Church has become a Building

Church has become a Building

Institutionalism is the process by which religious organisations become more focused on their own survival and maintenance rather than on the spiritual needs of their members.
From I Do to I Don’t in Troubled Marriages

From I Do to I Don’t in Troubled Marriages

Marriage is a sacred union between two imperfect individuals, and it is no surprise that troubled marriages are becoming increasingly common in today's society. However, as Christians, we have access to the guidance of God's word and the work of the Holy Spirit to help us navigate these challenges.
Silent Struggles: Helping Pastors Overcome Hidden Sins

Silent Struggles: Helping Pastors Overcome Hidden Sins

Pastors are not immune to temptation, and many may find themselves struggling with secret sins that they are too ashamed or afraid to bring to light. These silent struggles can be debilitating and isolating, leading to feelings of guilt, shame, and self-doubt. As pastors, they may feel that they are not living up to the expectations of their congregation, their families, or even God. But the truth is that pastors are human, and they are not meant to carry the weight of their struggles alone. It is essential to seek help, support, and guidance from trusted individuals who can provide a safe and non-judgmental space for them to share their burdens. In this guide, we will explore the various types of secret sins that pastors may be struggling with, and provide practical advice and strategies for overcoming them. We will also discuss the importance of accountability and how to find trusted individuals who can serve as accountability partners. Remember, overcoming secret sins is a journey, and it requires courage, humility, and a willingness to seek help. With the right mindset and support, pastors can break free from their silent struggles and find freedom, joy, and renewed strength in their ministry.
The Church and Past Mistakes: Overcoming Judgment

The Church and Past Mistakes: Overcoming Judgment

One of the most critical teachings of Christianity is forgiveness and redemption. It is through these teachings that individuals are encouraged to seek a new path and make amends for their past actions. However, despite these teachings, some churches still judge individuals based on their past behaviour, particularly those who have had a troubled past. Such attitudes can have a profound impact on the spiritual growth and well-being of those individuals, as well as the church community as a whole. To overcome these issues, churches must embrace forgiveness and redemption fully and create an environment that is welcoming to all, regardless of their past behaviour.
Beyond Appearances: Prioritising Talent and Ability over Skin Colour in Church Settings

Beyond Appearances: Prioritising Talent and Ability over Skin Colour in Church Settings

The church is supposed to be a place where all believers are welcome, regardless of race, ethnicity, or social status. However, the reality is that prejudice and discrimination still exist in many churches, often leading to the unfair treatment of certain individuals or groups. In particular, the issue of prejudice treatment can arise when a person's giftings or talents are overlooked in favour of their skin colour.
Revive Your Outreach: Dynamic Evangelism Training Course

Revive Your Outreach: Dynamic Evangelism Training Course

The invitation of Jesus is a revolutionary call to fight for the heart of humanity. We are called to an unconventional war using only the weapons of faith, hope, and love. Nevertheless, this war is no less dangerous than any war ever fought. And for those of us who embrace the cause of Christ, the cost to participate in the mission of God is nothing less than everything we are and everything we have.
Origins of the Christmas Tree

Origins of the Christmas Tree

Depending on family tradition, the tree brought into the house is now festively decorated and referred to as the "jultree," "light tree," "Christmas tree," or "Christ tree." How many people are aware that this practise was long reviled by the church? Numerous sources in folk literature mention the fact that the
Christological Heresies: EUTYCHIANISM

Christological Heresies: EUTYCHIANISM

A follower of Eutyches in the belief that the divine and the human in the person of Christ so blend as to constitute but one nature so that Christ is of two natures but not in two : monophysite
Christological Heresies: NESTORIANISM

Christological Heresies: NESTORIANISM

At Council of Chalcedon in 433. The assembled bishops declared Christ was two natures in one person. "We all with one voice confess our Lord Jesus Christ one and the same Son, at once complete in manhood, truly God and truly man, consisting of a reasonable soul and body; of one substance with the Father as regards his Godhead, of one substance with us as regards his manhood, like us in all things, apart from sin..."
What did Jesus Preach?

What did Jesus Preach?

The Gospels indicate that Jesus’ full humanity as David’s heir, and full divinity as the ruler of the universe, relate closely to his role as Christ and to the “good news” or “gospel” he announced.
Why Didn’t Christ Fight Back!

Why Didn’t Christ Fight Back!

After Jesus’ Farewell Discourse and final prayer, Jesus was arrested. But even though He knew He was going to be crucified, Jesus made no effort to avoid arrest. He allowed himself to be taken, beaten, and executed.
Was Jesus a Real Person?

Was Jesus a Real Person?

We have canonical evidence. We have extra-canonical evidence. We have evidence from Josephus. We have evidence from other early Christian sources that are not in the New Testament. We have evidence from the Roman historian Tacitus. We have evidence from Suetonius, and other roman historians, so we have both biblical and extra biblical evidence that Jesus existed. In addition to that, we have epigraphic evidence; we have archeological evidence.
Is Jesus’ sonship similar to those born-again?

Is Jesus’ sonship similar to those born-again?

When Christians become disciples, become sons of God in that sense there is, of course, a kind of transformation, a kind of likeness with God that happens to us, but that of course is true with Christ in His capacity as Son in ways that go far beyond what any disciple of Christ can claim.
Divinity of the Holy Spirit

Divinity of the Holy Spirit

He gives us the strength to say “no” to sin, and so, “yes” to God — say “yes” to God — and to say “yes” to obedience. And only God can do that. The Holy Spirit is God, and he does those mighty works in our lives and in our world. He rules over every event. He saves us, literally. He brings salvation that Jesus Christ earned into our lives and makes it ours. And He continues to change us until we meet Jesus someday.
Jesus was in the form of God

Jesus was in the form of God

If Jesus is in the form of God, then He has all the essential attributes of deity, or all those characterising qualities that make God. Thereby, Jesus is in the form of God is God. Paul is merely stating that Jesus did not surrender His divine attributes but chose voluntarily not to use them or to set them aside. Hence surrendering the glory, majesty, and the prerogatives of deity, but not the deity itself.
Impossible Prophecy Fulfilled

Impossible Prophecy Fulfilled

So when the apostle Matthew mentions a prophecy in Matthew 1:21-23, he is quoting from the prophet Isaiah written in 700BC (before Christ incarnate). Is that not mind blowing? The prophecy states in Isaiah 7:14, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
Spiritual Comfort in Earthly Troubles

Spiritual Comfort in Earthly Troubles

It is impossible to conceive a Saviour more suited to the wants of man’s heart than our Lord Jesus Christ—suited not only by His power, but by His sympathy—suited not only by His divinity, but by His humanity.
The faith of a thief

The faith of a thief

The disciples had seen mighty signs and miracles. They had seen the dead raised with
a word—and lepers healed with a touch —the blind receiving sight—the dumb made to speak—the lame made to walk. They had seen thousands fed with a few loaves and fishes. They had seen their Master walking on the water as on dry land.
Lazy Clergymen

Lazy Clergymen

How many clergymen work hard in their profession for a few years, and then become lazy and indolent from the love of this present world?
A New Creation

A New Creation

Are my affections dead toward the world and alive toward God? What engages my mind in seasons of recreation? Can I truthfully say, “How sweet are Thy words unto my taste! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth” (Psalm 119:103). Is communion with God my highest joy? Is the glory of God dearer to me than all the world contains?
The New Man Created for Good Works

The New Man Created for Good Works

The drive of man to establish himself by his own efforts, even when these efforts are religious in character, belongs to the sphere of the old man. Yet there is a place for good works.
God’s Presence is Dreadful

God’s Presence is Dreadful

The presence of God is a dreadful and a fearful thing; yes, his most gracious and merciful appearances; how much more then when he shows himself to us as one that dislikes our ways, as one that is offended with us for our sins?
Human Inability to come to God

Human Inability to come to God

In matters pertaining to his salvation, the unregenerate man is not at liberty to choose between good and evil, but only to choose between greater and lesser evil, which is not properly free will. The fact that fallen man still has ability to do certain acts morally good in themselves does not prove that he can do acts meriting salvation, for his motives may be wholly wrong.
Are you Dead or Alive?

Are you Dead or Alive?

We are dead! Dead is a strong word, but it is not my own coining and invention. I did not choose it. The Holy Spirit told Paul to write it down about the Ephesians: “You hath he quickened who were dead” (Eph 2:1).
Is natural man totally depraved by nature?

Is natural man totally depraved by nature?

It is our deep conviction that the vital question most requiring to be raised today is this: Is man a totally and thoroughly depraved creature by nature? Does he enter the world completely ruined and helpless, spiritually blind and dead in trespasses and sins?
Crossing over to Heaven

Crossing over to Heaven

So, I saw that when they awoke, they addressed themselves to go up to the city. But, as I said, the reflection of the sun upon the city—for “the city was pure gold” (Rev 21:18)—was so extremely glorious that they could not, as yet, with open face behold it but through an instrument made for that purpose (2Co 3:18). So, I saw that as they went on, there met them two men in raiment that shone like gold, and their faces shone as the light.
A New Heaven and A New Earth

A New Heaven and A New Earth

Reader, I want you to go to heaven after this life is over. I want heaven to be very full, and I want you to be one of its inhabitants.—J. C. Ryle
What do Christians know about Heaven?

What do Christians know about Heaven?

To the worldly and careless they may seem nothing at all. To all who feel in themselves the working of the Spirit of God, they are full of unspeakable comfort. If we hope to be in heaven, it is pleasant to know what heaven is like.
The night is far spent. The time is short. Do not lose your soul.

The night is far spent. The time is short. Do not lose your soul.

You cannot save that soul of yours…remember that! You cannot make your own peace with God. You cannot wipe away a single sin. You cannot blot out one of the black records that stand in the book of God against you. You cannot change your own heart. But there is one thing you can do: you can lose your own soul.