Posts by Midtown Church of Christ (Page 6)

Jesus promised to build His church (Matthew 16:18). It began on Pentecost after His resurrection in the city of Jerusalem (Acts 2). When the gospel of Christ was preached the people asked, “What shall we do?” (v. 37). The apostle Peter told them to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins (v. 38). “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them… And the Lord added to…

We all offend one another. We should not want to and should try not to, but sometimes we do; sometimes without even realizing it. When we see that we have offended someone it should make us feel very bad. We should apologize and ask their forgiveness. We should try and make it right. We should try and be careful not to make the same mistake again, yet sometimes we do. We should be forgiving towards one another, though some will…

When the Lord said, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life” (Prov. 4:23), He obviously is not talking about that large muscle in our chests. The Bible uses the word “heart” over 800 times and almost always, if not actually always, refers to that inner part of our being. When the Lord discussed the greatest commandment, He spoke of loving God will all our heart, soul, and mind. That inner part of…

I am not sure the reason, but it seems that most of us remember the last words spoken to us by those who are deceased. Those words sometimes reflect the last thoughts of those who are dying and the final message they give to us. Consider these last words of the saints of God. The last words of Jacob were, “Bury me with my fathers in the cave…which Abraham bought” (Gen. 49:29, 30). Joseph’s final words? “God will surely visit…

Hear Romans 10:17— So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. John 6:45— It is written in the prophets, ‘AND THEY SHALL ALL BE TAUGHT OF GOD.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me. Believe Hebrews 11:6— But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. Repent…

The beatitudes are what introduce the Sermon on the Mount. They serve as a framework or a starting place for the hearers of the message. They also serve as a reminder of the basic characteristics of a follower of God. They teach us so much about faith. They teach us how faith begins poor in spirit, with mourning and meekness. They teach us how faith grows, hungers and thirsts after righteousness. They teach us how faith matures merciful, pure in…

The writer of Hebrews could so easily see the dangers faced by those Jewish Christians. The nation that killed God’s Son turned its wrath on the church almost from the day it began. Jesus had warned them about the trials that were coming. Obviously, they persecuted those Gentiles who had become followers of Jesus, but their persecution was even more fierce on the Christians addressed in this epistle. They had begun their walk with Jesus and faced many trials which…

Is it important to remember life-changing or defining moments? Of course, it is. Keeping such things in our memories allows the substantial impact to remain with us. They keep us focused on what is important and snap us back to reality when we begin to lose our way. One of our more common methods of remembrance is to establish memorials. Memorials tend to be erected to commemorate events and interactions that left lasting impacts on those who raise them. These…

The story is told of a Christian high school senior who was honored as one of the best and brightest in his community because he provided a forceful demonstration of integrity. When his school team was given the word “auditorium” in a regional spelling bee, he glanced down to ponder his response and noticed that the word was printed on the microphone stand. He called this to the attention of the judges who responded with a more difficult word. The…

Righteous living has always been a cornerstone of godly living. Ever since the Creation, God has had the expectation of man and woman that he and she both live according to His command. However, both man and woman failed – as every man and woman have since. So, when Jesus declares, “For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Mat. 5:20), what is He…

“and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. 25 Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. 26Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,” – Ephesians 4:24-26 Paul is encouraging the church to grow in Christian maturity and grace. One sign of that new…

Among the people of the earth, the Israelites had a special relationship with God. Even among those in the tribe of Levi had a special service which drew them into a closer relationship with God than their brothers. The descendants of Aaron were to be the priests and the rest of the tribe were to serve and participate in taking care of the tabernacle (Num. 18:1-2). God provided for them since they were exclusively working in His service. Chapter eighteen…