Paul, in 2 Corinthians 13:5, exhorts fellow believers to continually examine themselves whether they are “in the faith.” He clarifies his intent – unless we’re reprobate, Jesus is in us. So we must examine ourselves daily to make sure we are in the faith. In other words, just because Jesus dwells in a person doesn’t…
Author: Benjamin Winslett
Pastor of Flint River Primitive Baptist Church in Huntsville, AL.
Setting in Order Things Wanting
After the terribly disappointing national events of late last week, my reading this week has been in what are known as the “Pastoral Epistles,” Paul’s writings to two other ministers, Timotheus and Titus. I was reminded this morning while reading through Titus of something I’ve intended to write about for the past month or so,…
Who is the Man of Sin?
The Apostle Paul, in 2 Thessalonians 2 mentions a mystery figure whose appearance is one of the signs to be given prior to Christ’s second coming, the Man of Sin. Prior to discussing a few possibilities as to his identity, let’s first consider what scripture says about him from 2 Thessalonians 2. Christ’s second coming…
Let Your Communication Be Yea And… “Neigh”?
Everyone has a hobby horse. I have a hobby horse. You have a hobby horse. We’ve all got one. What is a hobby horse, you might ask? Wikipedia explains: From the term “hobby horse” came the expression “to ride one’s hobby-horse”, meaning “to follow a favorite pastime”, and in turn, the modern sense of the…
Resurrection Week Meditations
In the sense of a traditional “blog” entry, allow me to share my personal meditations and study from the past week. If you caught the entry from last Sunday, you know I had an interaction with a couple of Jehovah’s Witnesses on my front lawn in which I basically “preached” them to the curb and…
Put Away Clamour
“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” – Ephesians 4:31-32 In my studies this morning, the word “clamour” stood out above the other…
Where There Is No Vision, The People Perish
Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. Proverbs 29:18 This verse is often quoted to show the importance of long term goals in the church, particularly in the mind of the pastor. A person would define “vision” as the goals or ambitions of the pastor….
Should Pastors Preach on Politics?
The following are some thoughts that came to mind after seeing a Politico article on political endorsements coming from the pulpit. (Read the article here) While we have a charge to preach Biblical morality on some issues that have waxed political (abortion, marriage, sexual morality, etc.), we have no authority to waste time preaching politics….
An Interesting Observation
What do you think most Christians really crave to hear preached? Practical insight? Something motivational? Were people polled, I imagine many would answer accordingly. However, a recent server log gave me reason to pause and reflect on something I have believed for years. People, especially people who are outsiders to the message of grace, need to…