(Editor's Note: This is the seventh in a series of articles by Dr. Theodore Kalivoda on the shortcomings of Bible characters. The article is written for exclusive use on the Grace Community Chapel website.)
I deviate from major characters to discuss Demas, a minor New Testament character. Mentioned in only three verses –Colossians.4:14, Philemon 24, and 2 Tim.4:10, his story holds an important lesson for us. It is the latter reference in which he stands out: "Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me," Continue reading…
By Sam McDonald
A very important teaching of Scripture is that there is only one God. Following are ten verses which speak of that truth:
Deuteronomy 4:35
"You were shown these things so that you might know that the LORD is God; besides Him there is no other."
Deuteronomy 6:4
"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one." Continue reading…
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Let's be completely honest with ourselves. Our lives move way too fast. We are over-scheduled, over-worked, over-committed, and over-stimulated. We have become dependent on coffee, Mountain Dew, and Red Bull to keep us going. Yet sadly, we seem to find enough time for everything but God. Sure, we go to church on Sundays and youth group on Tuesday nights, and we may even spend 10 or 15 minutes reading our Bibles a couple of days per week, but are we really spending quality time with God? Continue reading…
What is faith? What does it mean to be a person of faith? Can God use me? After all I'm just an ordinary person, living an ordinary life. To find out more listen to the audio below and follow along in the outline as assoc. Paster Warman provides insight to these questions.
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New Testament Characters
(Editor's Note: This is the sixth in a series of articles by Dr. Theodore Kalivoda on the shortcomings of Bible characters. The article is written for exclusive use on the Grace Community Chapel website.)
It's a new ball game as we look at characters in the NT. That's because these people had a different type of communication with God compared to that of OT saints. The latter received oral messages direct from God, a powerful incentive to follow His instructions. Christians, on the other hand, have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit – a part of the triune God — to serve as counselor (John 14:16). Yet like OT saints, first century Christians failed their Lord at times. Through their blunders we will learn valuable lessons. Continue reading…
By: John Krug
There's a story about a poor mariner who was stranded on a uninhabited island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Many years later a rescue ship landed at the island and the man was of course overjoyed to see them. They noticed that he had built three substantial huts and they asked if there were other people on the island. He said "no" and was then asked the reason for the huts. He said the first was his place of residence. The second was his need for a place of worship that he called a church to remind him of home. They then quizzed him concerning the need for the third hut? He replied: "that was where I used to go to church". When thinking about the idea of "church" many thoughts might come to mind. Continue reading…
Life isn't fair is it? Why should good people have to endure such hardships in life? Is life supposed to be easy and fair just because we are Christians? Listen to the audio and follow along in the outline as Pastor Hileman helps us to understand what the Bible has to say about life being fair.
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By: John Krug
There's a story about an evangelist who was fervently preaching to the congregation that people are to be ready for the return of Christ for His Church. During the sermon the preacher exhorted those in the audience to stand if they were ready to go to be with the Lord. All stood except one reluctant man on the front row. The preacher then directed the remainder of his gospel message to this person. At the end of the sermon the evangelist again exhorted that those who were ready to go to be with the Lord should stand. The fellow in the front still remained fixed to the pew. After the service the evangelist immediately confronted this individual and asked: "Don't you want to go to heaven someday?" To which the man replied: "Sure!" The evangelist then followed with: "Are you ready to go?" The man replied in the affirmative. With some disgust the preacher then followed: "Well then why didn't you stand when I asked?" The man then retorted: "I thought you were getting a load ready to go right now." Continue reading…
What are the challenges of being a missionary in Japan? How do Japanese Christians differ from American Christians? Listen to the audio below as Jon Junker, missionary in Japan, tells us about his ministry and the Japanese people.
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(Editor's Note: This is the fifth in a series of articles by Dr. Theodore Kalivoda on the shortcomings of Bible characters. The article is written for exclusive use on the Grace Community Chapel website.)
Propelled from shepherd boy to King of Israel, David oriented his life around walking in God's ways . . . until he caught a glimpse of Bathsheba. He then succumbed to sexual impulses by committing adultery with her and murdering her husband on top of it. Continue reading…
Matthew 8:5-13
When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. "Lord," he said, "my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering." Jesus said to him, "I will go and heal him." The centurion replied, "Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. Continue reading…
(Editor's Note: This is the fourth in a series of articles by Dr. Theodore Kalivoda on shortcomings of Bible characters. The article is written for exclusive use on the Grace Community Chapel website.)
Job underwent horrible suffering, an experience he endured with only occasional wavering. We sympathize with him because of the anguish he had to undergo. Continue reading…
What is God's role in our lives? Who do you think is in control? Is God in control of some things or all things? Pastor Dair helps us to understand God's sovereignty and how we should respond.
Follow along in the outline and listen to the audio below.
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(Editor's Note: This is the third in the series of articles by Dr. Theodore Kalivoda on the shortcomings of Bible characters. The article is written for exclusive use on the Grace Community Chapel website.)
Moses had a spectacular encounter with God — hearing God speak through a burning bush. That message directed him to go to Egypt to lead the Israelites out of captivity (Ex. 3:10). One would think that with such divine communication Moses would have responded without wavering. Continue reading…
