On September 12, 2006, Pope Benedict XVI delivered a lecture at the University of Regensburg in Germany. His speech outraged Muslims around the world. And why? The leader of the Roman Catholic Church quoted Manuel II Palaiologos (1350-1425), a Byzantine emperor who condemned “holy war,” charging that Muhammad spread his faith at sword point. The…
Eric Welch [Eric preaches at Hamburg Pike in Jeffersonville, IN.] When Jewish families commemorated Passover, they drank four cups of wine at intervals. They began the meal with a prayer and a cup. A dish of herbs and sauce was served. The Passover story was told. Psalm 113 was sung, followed by a second cup.…
A Christian invites his neighbor to worship. With a tolerant smile the man replies, “I appreciate the invitation, but I don’t go in for organized religion. I feel closest to God when I’m walking in the woods or sitting on the riverbank.” How does such a response mesh with what the Lord himself has said…
God’s unique Son extended a tender invitation to everyone burdened by sin and sorrow: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For…
Last Sunday morning we heard the alarm, rolled out of bed, showered, dressed, and made our way to the building. At 9 AM we gathered for classes. We smiled at each other, laughed and talked together, and studied the Bible. That same day, July 17, was Gavin Long’s 29th birthday. The former Marine sergeant…
A popular misconception is that Israel’s territory continues to be “holy ground” and that Jerusalem is still “the city of God.” Many church-goers expect the entire Jewish race to come to God in faith in the “end times.” Paul does say that “all Israel will be saved” (Rom. 11:26), but he is referring to true…
Law enforcement has always been a dangerous occupation. Police officers must pursue and arrest people with passions heated by alcohol, drugs, hate, panic, and violent fury. They sacrifice their own safety to protect our community whenever lives are threatened by fire, flood, storm, or home invasion. Even people who despise the police call 911 at…
In our culture personal freedom seems to be the ultimate value. Americans are immensely proud of the liberty to speak, write, worship, travel, work, and live as they please. It is this freedom that we all celebrate on July 4. While personal liberty is a great thing, attaining absolute freedom is impossible. Any freedom we…
(Devotional message delivered on Sunday night 6/26/16) In his bestseller The Wright Brothers, David McCullough tells the story of two men from Dayton, Ohio, who changed the world. On December 8, 1903, Smithsonian director Samuel Langley made his final attempt to launch a manned flying machine. His Aerodrome plunged straight into the Potomac. Just nine…
The Lord instructed Moses to make and erect a tabernacle, a worship tent that could move with the people as they traveled in the desert. God called Bezalel, a skilled craftsman, to direct its construction. And the funding for the project was to come from voluntary donations. The people of Israel were to give what…