Paul’s first epistle to Timothy is a a masterpiece of inspired counsel for the busy young bishop and pastor in metropolitan Ephesus. By nature somewhat reticent and faced with overwhelming problems, Timothy needed encouragement and advice. The veteran missionary does not hesitate to give both, even to insisting, “Give heed to reading, …” (I Tim. 4:13b). […]
One day Benjamin Harrison, then president of the United States, was engaged in earnest conversation with Philadelphia’s merchant prince, John Wanamaker. Said the former, “I have received many honors which I held dear and to which I tried to be true. But none of these do I esteem higher than my calling as ruling elder […]
Today the feeling is widespread that the Christian Reformed Church is passing through a period of spiritual declension. Although the churches are still crowded with worshipers who give liberally, we are facing an attitude of smugness on the part of many who think that we have “arrived.” They are willing to expand the practical programs of […]
“‘Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!’ declares the LORD…‘I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing….’” (Jeremiah 23:1–4) “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.” (John 10:14) “Keep watch over […]
Whoever Dies With The Most Toys Wins (bumper sticker, c. 1993) “A Man’s Life Does Not Consist in the Abundance of His Possessions” (Jesus Christ, Lie. 12:15) Last month I began to analyze the Wolf’s Teeth which elders face as they care for the sheep of the Good Shepherd. From Acts 20 we have heard again and […]
“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil—who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.” (Isaiah 5:20) “…God…gave them over to a depraved mind...they are senseless,faithless, heartless, ruthless. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not […]
First, just a word to remind you where we are in this series, where the crazy title of this article came from and why you should bother to read it at all. Some months ago, the elders and deacons of the church I serve in Dallas spent a couple of days in study and prayer. […]
At the end of February, 1993, I boarded a Boeing 747 in Chicago, bound for Frankfort, Germany, Budapest, Hungary and finally Beius, a small city in Western Romania. I was rather enthused, never having been to Europe before. I was also a bit hesitant, having little idea what the next 15 days would bring. […]
Over the years of my ministry, I have prayerfully tried to be a teacher. In previous congregations, I was grateful to have been able to teach most, if not all, the catechism classes for the students who spanned the range from Grade 3 through Grade 12. I was grateful for the opportunity to establish good and […]
The Belgic Confession, one of the creeds of the church of which I am a pastor, says that you can identify a true church (a Biblical church as opposed to one contrary to God’s Word and God’s purpose) by looking for certain evidences, certain qualifying marks. All of them boil down of course, to the […]