A City on a Hill (Part One) 
Summary: Three hundred and eighty-nine years ago, John Winthrop sold his properties and joined with other pilgrims leaving England in search of religious freedom. ... 

A City on a Hill (Part Two) 
Summary: In Part One, we considered the examples of two men, Dirk Willems and Desmond Doss, both of whom lived out in public what they believed, the first showing love toward an enemy and the second selflessly caring ... 

A Moment of Your Time? 
Summary: Today's world seems to demand that we focus on ourselves at the expense of others. God's way contradicts this modern mantra, encouraging us to sacrifice for others and be cheerful givers. We often think of giving money to those who are needy, but perhaps the best thing we can do is to spend time with them. Jarod Ritenbaugh writes that simple giving like this is a sacrifice we can all make. 

A Peaceful Spirit 
Summary: We live in a world that is constantly changing. One day things are chaotic, and the next, things seem peaceful. Sometimes people are cordial and pleasant, but before you know it, they are angry and hostile. Such animosity ... 

A Truth About Revelation 2 and 3 
Summary: The church of God has long taught that the letters to the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3 refer to seven church eras from the apostles' day to Christ's return. While such an interpretation may be possible, the Bible itself does not indicate anything of the sort. John Ritenbaugh provides evidence from Revelation that the primary interpretation concerns all the churches extant during the end time. 

Altruism 
Summary: Last month, a town hall meeting was held at my place of employment, and a minister opened the meeting with a story, which went something like this: A long time ago, a king traveling through his kingdom ... 

An Illuminating Prophecy 
Summary: Many people miss a vital prophecy embedded in Genesis 1:1-3: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters...." 

Are We Laodiceans? 
Summary: Most would agree that we live in the fullness of the Laodicean attitude of God’s church, and because we are alive now, it is safe to assume that we all have strong Laodicean proclivities. ... 

Are You Living the Abundant Life? 
Summary: Non-Christians tend to see Christianity as an utterly boring, rigid way of life. However, Jesus Christ Himself says He came to give His disciples abundant life (John 10:10). Richard Ritenbaugh reveals the big 'secret' in living the abundant life. 

Ask God for the Little Things 
Summary: In a conversation with a friend sometime back, we could not help but notice the difference in people in both the world and church over the last forty or fifty years. ... 

Avoiding Prayer? Consider Carefully 
Summary: The alarm sounds, jolting the sleeper from deep slumber. He lifts his head and peers through slitted eyelids at the bedside clock. Five-thirty am. Hitting the snooze button, he sighs .... 

Be a Good Neighbor 
Summary: My wife and I have a friend whose life has been hit with a series of crises. Through no apparent fault of her own, trials on multiple fronts have confronted her. Our friend’s predicament has moved ... 

Belief and the Firstfruits (Part Two) 
Summary: In John 6:26-29, Jesus upbraids the 5,000 people who had followed Him because they had sought Him out for the wrong reason. Instead of desiring the truth He taught them, ... 

Born Again or Begotten? (Part One) 
Summary: Throughout its recent history, the "born again" or "begotten again" doctrine has time and again been a point of controversy in the church of God. Clearly an important principle, it is the subject of Jesus' first discourse in the book of John, a gospel made up of our Savior's expansions on vital, spiritual subjects. John Ritenbaugh explains that "born again" is entirely a spiritual matter, a fact that Nicodemus misunderstood and one that continues to elude many even today. 

Born Again or Begotten? (Part Three) 
Summary: The images that Jesus used to explain the spiritual birth of a Christian have confused many down through the centuries. John Ritenbaugh explains His use of "wind" and "Spirit," as well as the concepts of "Jerusalem above" and "firstborn" in relation to the born-again doctrine. The Bible consistently compares Christians to already-born and maturing children or adults.  

Born Again or Begotten? (Part Two) 
Summary: Jesus' born-again teaching has been prone to misunderstanding since Nicodemus first heard it from Christ's own lips almost two thousand years ago. John Ritenbaugh shows that we must understand His instruction entirely from a spiritual perspective. Interpreting Jesus' symbols physically obscures necessary truths about how God sees His children and how we see ourselves. 

Breakfast by the Sea (Part One) 
Summary: An incident in John 21 contains a powerful lesson that must be kept in mind when considering our part of our Father's business. The first half of John 21 contains a significant miracle, the eighth and last of the Messianic signs found in the book of John. The miracle--a great catch of fish--is a strong echo of the time when Jesus called these fishermen three and a half years before. ... 

Bridle the Tongue 
Summary: How often have we said to ourselves, “I wish I hadn’t said that”? Human beings always have a hard time controlling what they say whether when conversing with others, when we become angry, or ... 

Called to Follow 
Summary: If there is one great principle of Christian living, it is walking in Christ's footsteps. Sounds easy, but putting it into practice is one of the most difficult tasks of a Christian's life. ... 

Christian Obedience 
Summary: It is commonly thought—if not commonly taught—that obedience plays little part in New Testament Christianity. People are urged, “Believe in Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.” ... 

Conditions of Discipleship (Part One) 
Summary: When Jesus Christ gathered His core disciples as He began His ministry, He knew who and what kind of men they were. He needed principled and devout worshippers of God to teach and prepare for the ... 

Conditions of Discipleship (Part Two) 
Summary: In Part One, we saw that Jesus did not just pick anyone off the street as a disciple. Instead, He looked for people who would fulfill certain conditions that He placed on true discipleship. ... 

Consider Before You Speak 
Summary: In Hebrews 6:1, the author tells us to put the discussion of basic Christian tenets behind us and move forward to perfection. As he had just written in Hebrews 5:14, ... 

Dealing With Change (Part One) 
Summary: When we were baptized and gave our lives by covenant to God, we committed ourselves to a lifetime of change. This change would be partly internal ... 

Dealing With Change (Part Two) 
Summary: In Luke 6:46-49, Jesus begins a passage, asking, “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” He finishes His thought with the metaphor of a man building a house ... 

Do Not Be Afraid! 
Summary: Jesus is well-known for bringing significant spiritual principles out of common human experiences in nature. Nothing is as common as the lowly sparrow, a tiny bird that seems to have little or no value. Ted Bowling describes how our Savior utilizes this forgettable bird to teach about God's watchfulness and care over His "little flock" and each of His chosen people in it. 

Do We Know God? 
Summary: Jesus tells us in John 17:3 that eternal life is to know God and Jesus Christ. “Know” in this verse does not suggest mere intellectual knowledge but goes far beyond it—to having a close, intimate relationship ... 

Dominion and Glory and a Kingdom 
Summary: After the Jewish leadership tried to indict Jesus with false testimony, the high priest asks Him directly, 'I adjure You by the living God that You tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God.' Christ's affirmative answer raises more questions than it answers. David Grabbe uses the Old Testament sources of Jesus' answer to explain just what He conveyed to the chief priests, elders, and council members. 

First Love (Part One) 
Summary: In His letter to the Ephesians, Jesus Christ scolds the church for having lost their "first love" (Revelation 2:4), despite their tireless zeal in defending the gospel from false apostles. What, exactly, did they lose? Martin Collins answers from Scripture: A Christian's foremost responsibility is to love God wholeheartedly. Even so, a spiritual decline similar to the Ephesians' loss of their first love broadly affected the first-century church. 

Friends of the Friendless (Part One) 
Summary: Recently, an old I Love Lucy show came to mind. After a bit of research, I found that the episode I had recalled was titled, “Lucy’s Last Birthday.” Thinking that everyone has forgotten ... 

God Has Not Called the Atheist 
Summary: Atheism is alive and well in post-Christian society. Much of nominal Christianity believes it is their sacred duty to convince atheists to drop their unbelief and commit themselves to Christ. But is it? Scripture says otherwise. Richard Ritenbaugh, mulling a recent encounter with some atheists, asserts that no amount of persuasion will change an atheist's mind unless God Himself enables him to believe. 

God's Kingdom in the Parables (Part Four): The Pearl, the Dragnet, and the Householder 
Summary: The eight parables of Matthew 13 form a structure called a chiasm, in which the individual parables form pairs (first and eighth, second and seventh, etc.) that correspond to and resolve each other. Utilizing the prevailing theme of God's Kingdom, David Grabbe shows how Jesus' parables of the Pearl of Great Price, the Dragnet, and the Householder resolve the problems raised in their corresponding earlier parables. 

God's Kingdom in the Parables (Part One): Sower and Seed 
Summary: Many Bible teachers have their perspectives on Jesus' parables, but they are too often more flights of spiritual fancy than Bible-based interpretations. David Grabbe focuses on both the context of the parables of Matthew 13 and the fact that they are "kingdom parables," identifying their perhaps unexpected subject. 

God's Kingdom in the Parables (Part Three): Hidden Treasure 
Summary: The two middle parables of Matthew 13 speak of hidden things: hidden leaven and hidden treasure. Generally, in these parables, the second of each chiastic pair resolves the first. David Grabbe explains how the hidden treasure the man finds provides the spiritual solution to the leaven - corruption - the woman hides in the three measures of meal. 

God's Kingdom in the Parables (Part Two): Tares, Mustard Seed, and Leaven 
Summary: Jesus' parables in Matthew 13 center on a repeated phrase, "The kingdom of heaven is like . . .," and thus they are often called His "Kingdom Parables." David Grabbe expounds on the Parables of the Wheat and the Tares, the Mustard Seed, and the Leaven, keeping this theme at the forefront and showing that Jesus' original audience could easily understand that He spoke directly to them. 

Heirs of the Kingdom 
Summary: In my studies, I happened across Matthew 8:5-13, the story of Jesus’ conversation with a centurion whose servant had become paralyzed and was in great pain: "Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, ... " 

How Does Christ Fulfill the Law? 
Summary: Matthew 5:17 poses a major headache for Bible translators who believe that Christ's sinless life and sacrificial death did away with the law, so Christians do not need to keep it. Jesus, however, consistently teaches that God's law is still in force. By defining a few critical Greek words, Charles Whitaker explains that our Savior meant exactly what He said: He came to fulfill the law, not destroy it. 

How Jesus Reacts to Sin 
Summary: The episode in John 8 of the women caught in adultery offers a stark contrast between the scribes and Pharisees and Jesus Christ in terms of their reactions to sin. 

Implications of the Gospel of the Kingdom 
Summary: Discussions about the gospel Jesus preached can quickly turn into debates over what that gospel is about, despite Mark 1:14 and other scriptures calling it "the gospel of the kingdom of God." Understanding this distinction produces far-reaching implications for what we believe and how we conduct ourselves. David Grabbe focuses on a Christian's relationship to the nation of his birth and its politics and leaders. 

Is God a False Minister? 
Summary: John Ritenbaugh exposes the deplorable contradictions in the arguments of those who advocate doctrinal change. By their reasoning, they portray God as a confused and false minister who lacks the power to instruct his chosen leaders to "get it right." But that is not the way the Bible portrays Him! 

Is It Salvational? (Part Three) 
Summary: The “Is it salvational?” approach can be dangerous in two ways. The first is the obvious risk of misjudging a matter, declaring something to be minor that God considers to be major. ... 

Is It Salvational? (Part Two) 
Summary: As we saw in Part One, Adam and Eve fell for Satan’s temptation by weighing only the penalties and the benefits of the fruit that appeared so pleasant to their eyes. They overlooked what their choice would do ... 

Is the Kingdom of God Within You? 
Summary: Luke 17:21 has tripped up Protestants for centuries. Using the context and the meaning of the Greek, Richard Ritenbaugh explains that this verse's meaning is very plain! 

Jesus and 'the Spirits in Prison' 
Summary: Peter's statement that Jesus 'preached to the spirits in prison' (I Peter 3:19) has for years baffled many a Bible student. Richard Ritenbaugh examines this verse in context, showing that the traditional interpretation is woefully off-base to the point of suggesting a totally unbiblical conclusion. 

Jesus, Nathanael, and Jacob's Ladder 
Summary: When they first met, Jesus was astounded by Nathanael's quick belief in His divinity and sovereignty, telling him he would see even greater things as His disciple. As an example of one of those more significant experiences, He reaches back to the beginning of Jacob's conversion and his dream of the ladder or stairway ascending to heaven. Richard Ritenbaugh considers the deep meaning of this often neglected type fulfilled in Jesus Christ. 

Keeping Godly Traditions (Part One) 
Summary: As the play Fiddler on the Roof opens, the audience sees a solitary figure, barely visible in the shadows of dawn, sitting and playing his violin on a steep roof overlooking a pre-1917 Russian village. ... 

Lessons From Roots (Part Three) 
Summary: In Part Two, we began to consider the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree: "He also spoke this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none...." 

Lessons From Roots (Part Two) 
Summary: In Part One, we began to dig into the biblical metaphor of producing fruit and the importance of the root to that process. ... 

Making the Cut (Part Five) 
Summary: In the previous essay, we covered Psalm 15:3, “He who does not backbite with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor, nor does he take up a reproach against his friend.” We found that these three prohibitions reflect ... 

Making the Cut (Part Three) 
Summary: Last time, we explored Psalm 15:1, which is comprised of the two questions King David asks to open the psalm: “LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill?” Though ... 

Mercy: The Better Option 
Summary: In our interactions with others, it is easy to fall into the traps of judgmentalism, gossip, and unforgiveness. John Reid explores a better, more Christian option: mercy. It is time for us to overcome our natural, carnal reactions and implement patience and forbearance in our relationships. 

Missing the Mark (Part One) 
Summary: Way back in the third century, a Jewish rabbi named Simlai mentioned in a sermon that the commandments (mitzvot, “commands,” “orders,” “precepts”) found in the Old Testament number 613. ... 

Our Way Forward 
Summary: As God’s instruction manual for His people, the Bible contains the answers and guidance Christians need in times of trouble. Scripture reflects His mind more than any other resource on earth ... 

Overcoming Troubled Hearts (Part One) 
Summary: Without question, we live in a strife-ridden world, one torn by wars, by famine, by disease and sickness, by destructive natural disasters, by injustices and corrupt governments run by self-seeking politicians ... 

Overcoming Troubled Hearts (Part Two) 
Summary: In Part One, we considered how fear, when combined with unbelief, can turn us aside from following our Savior Jesus Christ and endanger our chance to be included among God's firstfruits. ... 

Parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man (Part One) 
Summary: The Parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man illustrates the resurrections from the dead and the Second Death. Martin Collins explains how knowing the time element hidden within the parable opens up the meaning of Christ's teaching. 

Parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man (Part Two) 
Summary: Jesus' well-known parable preaches the gospel of the Kingdom of God by revealing salvation, the resurrection to eternal life, and inheritance of His Kingdom on the earth. Martin Collins explains how. 

Parable of the Barren Fig Tree 
Summary: In His discussion of the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree, Jesus does not attribute tragedy or accident directly to any person's sins as the Jews did—instead, He affirms the sinfulness of everyone. The more important factor is will we repent to avoid spiritual death? 

Parable of the Cloth and Wineskins 
Summary: It is common sense not to put new wine in old wineskins or a new cloth patch on an old shirt. However, most people miss the point Jesus is making: His new way of life is incompatible with our old habits and beliefs! 

Parable of the Faithful and Evil Servants 
Summary: Jesus teaches His disciples to be ready at all times for His return. We show how well prepared we are by the quality of our service to the brethren. 

Parable of the Good Samaritan 
Summary: Most people understand the basic point of this well-known parable. The whole story describes working compassion as contrasted to selfishness. It also clarifies just who is our neighbor. 

Parable of the Good Shepherd (Part One) 
Summary: The Parable of the Good Shepherd is one of only a few parables in the gospel of John. Martin Collins explains that the apostle John emphasizes the sovereignty of Christ: He is the great and benevolent Ruler and Owner of His sheep. 

Parable of the Good Shepherd (Part Two) 
Summary: In John 10, Jesus characterizes Himself as a "Good Shepherd" who loves and cares for His sheep. Martin Collins looks deeper into the personal relationship that exists between the Shepherd and His flock, which is shown in His kind and providential leadership of His church. 

Parable of the Great Supper 
Summary: The Parable of the Great Supper is Jesus' response to a fellow dinner guest exclaiming, "Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God!" In the parable, Jesus exposes and corrects the ignorance of those who, in their pride, misjudge their true moral condition. 

Parable of the Light 
Summary: One of Jesus' most remembered sayings concerns the Parable of the Light. The Bible Study explains how we can let our light shine both in the world and at home. 

Parable of the Marriage Feast 
Summary: Jesus exposes the Jews' rejection of the gospel using the illustration of a king sending invitations to a wedding celebration. Though God is shown to be merciful and just, the invitees' character is revealed to be wanting. 

Parable of the Minas 
Summary: Jesus gives the Parable of the Minas in reaction to the people thinking He would set up His Kingdom immediately—an event that still has not occurred. Martin Collins shows that the parable demonstrates what Jesus expects of and how He deals with His servants in the meantime. 

Parable of the Persistent Friend 
Summary: In this parable, Jesus illustrates persistence and perseverance in prayer. Unlike the sleeping friend, God is not reluctant to answer our prayers, but He does want us to be diligent and patient in our requests. 

Parable of the Persistent Widow 
Summary: Though the widow speaks only five words in this parable, she provides Christians in these last days with an example of persistence in prayer. Martin Collins delves into the context and meaning of this helpful and encouraging parable. 

Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector 
Summary: The two men who go to the Temple to pray contrast in character, belief, and self-examination. Martin Collins shows that, although this parable involves prayer, it is not as much about how to pray as it is about how to be justified before God. 

Parable of the Rich Fool 
Summary: Jesus teaches in this parable that we need to guard against every kind of covetousness. Even if we have everything we could ever want or need, when we die, our goods will do nothing for us. It is the height of folly to believe that one has no need of God. 

Parable of the Sower 
Summary: God spreads His Word liberally among the world's people. Besides God's direct involvement in converting people, the difference between one growing in it and another "dying on the vine" is the soil in which the Word is planted, explained in Jesus' Parable of the Sower. 

Parable of the Talents (Part One) 
Summary: The Parable of the Talents continues Jesus' thought from the Parable of the Ten Virgins. While the first parable highlights preparation and watching for Christ's return, the second portrays Christians engaged in profitable activity in the meantime. 

Parable of the Talents (Part Two) 
Summary: The Parable of the Talents is often confused with the Parable of the Pounds. Martin Collins brings out their differences, showing that these parables illustrate Christian responsibilities from different angles. 

Parable of the Ten Virgins (Part One) 
Summary: Jesus gave the Parable of the Ten Virgins to encourage His disciples to be watchful and to make preparations for His return. In Part One, Martin Collins compares the two groups of virgins, applying the lessons to our situation at the end of the age. 

Parable of the Ten Virgins (Part Two) 
Summary: The Parable of the Ten Virgins is without doubt prophetic concerning the attitude of Christians at the end time. Martin Collins discusses the differences between the wise and foolish virgins, drawing out principles we can apply to our Christian walk. 

Parable of the Treasure 
Summary: Jesus' Parable of the Treasure in Matthew 6:19-21 is designed to get us to evaluate the relative values of material wealth and "treasures in heaven." Martin Collins expands on the metaphors of moths, rust, and thieves. 

Parable of the Two Builders 
Summary: What have we founded our lives upon? Jesus asks this question in a parable in His Sermon on the Mount. Having a strong, sturdy foundation will allow us to weather the storms of life and prevail. 

Parable of the Two Debtors 
Summary: Within this parable Christ shows the principle of reciprocity. Just as we have been forgiven a huge, unpayable debt, so must we extend forgiveness to those who owe us, showing that we appreciate what has been done for us. 

Parable of the Two Sons 
Summary: Because of their different attitudes, people react to God's calling differently. The Parable of the Two Sons explains that one's ultimate obedience to God is the one that really matters! 

Parable of the Unjust Steward 
Summary: The Parable of the Unjust Steward has bothered Bible students for many years. Is Christ saying that Christians are foolish? Are we to make friends with greedy people? Are we doomed to fail? This Bible Study answers these frequent questions. 

Parable of the Unprofitable Servants 
Summary: In this Parable, Jesus emphasizes the kind of faith His disciples need to endure trials and obey His commands. Martin Collins explains that the only way for a Christian to obtain increased faith is to manifest steadfast, persevering obedience grounded in humility with the help of God's Spirit. 

Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers 
Summary: In this parable, Jesus manipulates His enemies into admitting their guilt in rejecting, persecuting, and even killing the prophets—and ultimately Himself. Martin Collins shows that Jesus uses this parable to proclaim God's plan to take His message to others, the church, who would accept it. 

Parables and a Pearl 
Summary: What is a parable? How are we to understand them? John Ritenbaugh uses the Parable of the Pearl of Great Price to explain how they apply to the church. 

Parables of Counting the Cost 
Summary: In Luke 14:25-33, two parables and an exhortation urge us to forsake all that we have as a mandatory condition to becoming Christ's disciples. One main lesson is emphasized in these scriptures: the nature and influence of true discipleship. 

Parables of Luke 15 (Part One) 
Summary: Jesus' discourse in Luke 15 is essentially one distinct parable with three illustrations. His intention is to reveal that, as the Son of Man, He came into the world to seek and save the lost. This study analyzes what is commonly known as the Parable of the Lost Sheep. 

Parables of Luke 15 (Part Three) 
Summary: Martin Collins concludes his series on the three illustrations that comprise one long parable in Luke 15. In this part, he explains what is known as the Parable of the Prodigal (or Lost) Son. 

Parables of Luke 15 (Part Two) 
Summary: In the Parable of the Lost Coin (Luke 15:8-10), concern over something lost and the joy at recovering it is the fundamental issue. Martin Collins explains that the illustration depicts God's diligence in "finding" those who are lost. 

Parables of Matthew 13 (Part One): Introduction 
Summary: Matthew 13 contains more parables than any other chapter in the Gospels. What many fail to realize is that they are related in theme and organized to teach Christians specific lessons. Martin Collins explains that they provide a prophetic summary of the development of the church. 

Parables of Matthew 13 (Part Three): The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares 
Summary: Bible students do not often consider Christ's parables to contain intrigue, but His Parable of the Wheat and the Tares has its share! Martin Collins explains this story of a sinister enemy sowing his agents among the saints. 

Parables of Matthew 13 (Part Two): The Parable of the Sower 
Summary: The first parable of Matthew 13 lays the groundwork (pun intended) for the remainder of the chapter. Martin Collins explains the various soils upon which the seed of the gospel falls, and the reasons why growth—or its lack—results. 

Parables of the Millstone and the Lost Sheep 
Summary: These two parables are linked because they are the answers to the disciples' question, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" Jesus' answer explains the value He places on those who follow Him. 

Pruning and Cleansing 
Summary: In John 15:2, Christ describes two distinct actions on the part of the Father: “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes ... 

Purifying the Heart 
Summary: To talk about adultery these days is to risk ridicule. Back in 1976, then-presidential candidate Jimmy Carter faced public scorn when - in a Playboy magazine interview no less - he agreed with Jesus ... 

Put God First 
Summary: In His letter to the church in Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22), Jesus Christ rebukes the members there for failing to put their calling in its proper place in their lives and warns them ... 

Sanctified by Truth 
Summary: In His John 17 prayer before His arrest, Jesus asked His Father to sanctify His disciples by His truth, His Word. Indeed, believing and observing the revealed truth of God not only makes the elect holy but also separates them from those of the world around them! John Reiss reviews five fundamental truths that distinguish the church of God from other religious organizations. 

Skipping Services? Consider Carefully 
Summary: After a long week of work, Fred arrives home early Friday evening and drags himself inside. He is looking forward to the Sabbath and the extended rest God allows us to enjoy on His day. ... 

Strangers to the Truth (Part One) 
Summary: The June 2017 issue of National Geographic Magazine contains a story, “Why We Lie: The Science Behind Our Deceptive Ways,” which begins like this: In the fall of 1989 Princeton University welcomed ... 

Swear Not! 
Summary: Most people do not do much oath-taking these days, except perhaps when called to serve or testify in a court of law. John Reid shows that the New Testament strictly forbids oaths of any kind, as our word should always be honest and trustworthy. 

Take My Yoke Upon You 
Summary: The Bible makes frequent use of the yoke as a symbol of work, servitude, and union, but we moderns are unfamiliar with yokes due to our non-agrarian lifestyles. Ronny Graham describes the various kinds of yokes—including human yokes—and shows how they are relevant to our Christian lives. 

Taking Care With the Tares 
Summary: Jesus' Parable of the Wheat and the Tares in Matthew 13 warns us that there will be false brethren within the church. Using the example of Christ Himself, Ted Bowling shows that the Bible also tells us how to interact with them in a godly manner. 

The Beatitudes, Part 5: Blessed Are the Merciful 
Summary: Mercy is a virtue that has gone out of vogue lately, though it is much admired. Jesus, however, places it among the most vital His followers should possess. John Ritenbaugh explains this often misunderstood beatitude. 

The Beatitudes, Part 6: The Pure in Heart 
Summary: Purity before God is far more than just being clean. John Ritenbaugh explains that to Jesus being pure in heart touches on the very holiness of God! 

The Beatitudes, Part 7: Blessed Are the Peacemakers 
Summary: This world lauds warmakers, but God says that peacemakers are blessed. John Ritenbaugh explains the beatitude in Matthew 5:9. 

The Beatitudes, Part 8: Blessed Are the Persecuted 
Summary: Persecution is not a subject we normally like to think about, but it is a fact of life for a Christian. John Ritenbaugh explains why Jesus says we are blessed if we are persecuted for righteousness' sake. 

The Beatitudes, Part Four: Hungering and Thirsting After Righteousness 
Summary: It is quite rare to see a person who truly hungers and thirsts after God's way, but this is the kind of desire God wants us to have. John Ritenbaugh explains what Jesus means in this fourth beatitude. 

The Beatitudes, Part One: The Sermon on the Mount 
Summary: The Sermon on the Mount is as vitally important to us today as it was when Christ preached it. It contains within it the very way we are to conduct our lives as God's representatives on this earth. How well are we following what Christ taught? 

The Beatitudes, Part Three: Mourning 
Summary: Blessedness and mourning seem contradictory to our way of thinking, but obviously Jesus saw spiritual benefits to sorrow. John Ritenbaugh shows why true, godly mourning gets such high marks from God. 

The Beatitudes, Part Two: Poor in Spirit 
Summary: What is it to be poor in spirit? John Ritenbaugh describes this attribute in its biblical usage. Those who are truly poor in spirit are on the road to true spiritual riches! 

The End Is Not Yet 
Summary: Every Christian longs for the return of Jesus Christ, and we search for fulfillments of the signs signaling that wonderful prophetic event. The seemingly rapid increase in natural disasters and heavenly spectacles can excite us to a fever pitch. Richard Ritenbaugh cautions that we need make sure that our understanding and interpretation of such signs align with what the Bible says about them.  

The Flood Is Upon Us! 
Summary: In His Olivet Prophecy, Jesus likens the situation during the time of the end to the days preceding Noah's Flood. Later, in Revelation 12, He reveals another flood spewed from Satan's mouth, one designed to destroy God's people just before Christ's return. John Ritenbaugh gives insight into how this end-time flood is manifesting itself and what we can do to avoid being swept up in it. 

The Forgotten Promises 
Summary: In casual conversations with brethren, fasting has occasionally come up for discussion, and it turns out that it is the rare individual who fasts regularly. Years ago, church members were encouraged ... 

The Golden Rule (Part One) 
Summary: Paul admonishes us in Ephesians 4:32 to “be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. As Christians, we have a responsibility to be kind ... 

The Golden Rule (Part Two) 
Summary: Converted members of God’s church have a blessing that absolutely no one else in the world has: Christians have a true understanding of living as God Himself lives. ... 

The Good Teacher (Part One) 
Summary: We have all heard a variation of the phrase, “If you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” This wise instruction conveys to the listener the idea that he or she could prevent an unnecessary ... 

The Good Teacher (Part Two) 
Summary: In Part One, we examined Jesus’ encounter with the rich young ruler (Matthew 19:16-22; Luke 18:18-23). Jesus immediately strikes at the heart of the young man’s spiritual problem in His reply to his question ... 

The Lack of Love in Lying 
Summary: A vein of dishonesty runs at the heart of the world’s recent troubles. We can easily spot this malignancy in modern journalism, which no longer reports news but publishes opinion pieces disguised ... 

The Light of the Body 
Summary: The eye is more sophisticated than any human device on earth. Even mankind’s most advanced technologies cannot come close to the eye’s intricate craftsmanship. For example, beyond its beauty, ... 

The Miracles of Jesus Christ: A Second Large Catch of Fish (Part One) 
Summary: Jesus Christ performed two miracles during His ministry in which His disciples pulled in large catches of fish. The second occurrence took place after Christ's resurrection and before His ascension. Martin Collins posits that a comparison of the two miracles reveals the progress of Jesus' efforts to prepare His disciples for the next steps of their journey toward sanctification. 

The Miracles of Jesus Christ: Feeding the Five Thousand (Part Two) 
Summary: The feeding of the five thousand—a miracle attested in all four gospels—tells us far more than the fact that Jesus was a marvelous miracle-worker. Martin Collins shows that it also reveals Christ's compassion on those who hunger, as well as His ability to teach vital lessons to His disciples—lessons we, too, can learn. 

The Miracles of Jesus Christ: Healing Malchus' Ear (Part Two) 
Summary: Even while in the process of being arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus showed mercy on the stricken Malchus, healing his detached ear. Martin Collins continues to explore this incident in the life of Christ, showing that He was true to His Father's will even during the most agonizing night of His life, drinking the cup He had been given. 

The Miracles of Jesus Christ: The Withering of a Fig Tree 
Summary: Some Bible students scratch their heads over the incident, recorded in Matthew and Mark, in which Jesus curses a fig tree for not having any fruit, even though it was not yet the season for figs! Martin Collins explains this difficult passage, showing that Jesus used the situation to teach His disciples a lesson on hypocrisy. 

The Model Prayer (Part Five): Your Will Be Done 
Summary: In His Model Prayer, Jesus instructs His people to pray that the Father's will be done. What is God's will? Can a human know it, understand it, and follow it? Richard Ritenbaugh explains that the prayer's third petition requests, not only that God's purpose be fulfilled, but particularly that the individual - the one praying - follow His will more fully. 

The Model Prayer (Part One): Introduction 
Summary: Most nominal Christians know what is called "the Lord's Prayer," found in Matthew 6 and Luke 11, because they recite it frequently. Jesus, however, never intended His teachings in these verses to become "vain repetitions," rote recitations that soon diminish into meaninglessness. Richard Ritenbaugh contends that Jesus gave His disciples a basic outline or model from which they could craft their own meaningful prayers to the Father. 

The Model Prayer (Part Seven): Forgive Us Our Debts 
Summary: Among the three personal requests included in Jesus Christ's Model Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13), the middle one on forgiveness is the only one our Savior comments further upon (verses 14-15). So that we do not miss the point, He plainly states that God's forgiveness of us depends on whether we forgive others. Richard Ritenbaugh explains how our loving acts of forgiveness spur reconciliation among God's people. 

The Model Prayer (Part Six): Our Daily Bread 
Summary: In Matthew 6:11, Christ's Model Prayer turns to the supplicant's physical needs by requesting, "Give us this day our daily bread." While it petitions God to supply physical food, the entreaty should not be limited to mere physical needs. Richard Ritenbaugh suggests that Jesus' words hold far deeper meanings in terms of God's complete providence for His people. 

The Model Prayer (Part Three): Hallowed Be Your Name 
Summary: The salutation of Jesus' Model Prayer expresses a desire for God's name to be hallowed. What is hallowing anyway? Why does God want us to revere His name? How do we do this? Richard Ritenbaugh explains that human beings can hallow God's name through obeying His instructions and seeking to transform into His character image. 

The Parables of Matthew 13 (Part Eight): The Parable of the Dragnet 
Summary: The penultimate parable of Matthew 13 uses the illustration with which Christ's disciples were very familiar: fishing in the Sea of Galilee. Martin Collins explains that this parable focuses on the equity of God's judgment. 

The Parables of Matthew 13 (Part Nine): The Parable of the Householder 
Summary: The last of the parables of Matthew 13, the Parable of the Householder is addressed directly to Christ's disciples, and beyond them, to God's ministers. Martin Collins reveals that Jesus wants His ministers to use their learning and experience to feed His flock a balanced spiritual diet. 

The Parables of Matthew 13 (Part Seven): The Parable of the Pearl 
Summary: Though it is hard to fathom, most commentators have incorrectly interpreted the Parable of the Pearl of Great Price. As Martin Collins explains, the parable illustrates how far Jesus Christ has gone to redeem His church. 

The Parables of Matthew 13 (Part Six): The Parable of the Hidden Treasure 
Summary: While the Parable of the Hidden Treasure is similar to the Parable of the Pearl of Great Price, their meanings are different. Martin Collins dissects the symbols to reveal the high value God places on His people. 

The Rich Young Ruler and the Needle's Eye 
Summary: In the rich young ruler, we see a very polite, respectful, and eager young man who leaves Christ and goes away sorrowful. Why? Mike Ford explores this encounter, pondering the lessons God wants us to learn from it. 

The Shepherd's Voice 
Summary: God's people are often compared to sheep. Lately, however, some have begun to question whether they need a human shepherd. How does one know whether a minister is a true shepherd of God? 

The Truth About Deception (Part One) 
Summary: As part of Jesus Christ’s prophecy regarding “the sign of [His] coming, and of the end of the age” (Matthew 24:3), He gives a prediction and a warning that requires careful consideration. ... 

The Way of Get 
Summary: It is in no way shocking to claim that people own things. It is a fact of human existence. People possess money, land, homes, businesses, vehicles, jewelry, stocks and bonds, precious metals, collectibles, ... 

This Little Light of Mine 
Summary: Many children in various churches sing a song called “This Little Light of Mine,” and those who sing it sing, “I’m going to let it shine.” Based on Matthew 5:16, it speaks about a light shining out into a dark world. ... 

Truth and God's Governance (Part One) 
Summary: George Orwell, author of 1984, once noted, “During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." While this can certainly be seen within politics ... 

Uprooting Righteousness 
Summary: The primary principle of the Parable of the Wheat and the Tares is relatively easy to see. However, an interesting bit of information appears in it that some may have overlooked. ... 

Watch What? 
Summary: As He was finishing His Olivet Prophecy, Jesus charged His disciples, "And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!" (Mark 13:37). It is an intriguing command because He does not specify in so many words what we are to watch. Pat Higgins argues that the evidence points to the fact that watching has everything to do with spiritual preparation. 

Waxing Cold 
Summary: We live in a time of turmoil when, as Jesus predicted, "nation will rise against nation." Perhaps we even become angry at seeing so much injustice and lawlessness ruin our society. As Christ's return nears, one thing we must not do is allow our love to grow cold. John Reiss provides strategies to maintain and even grow in love toward God and fellow man while the world descends into chaos.  

What Does It Mean to Take Up the Cross? 
Summary: Beyond the fact that our Savior Jesus Christ was crucified on a cross of some sort, He used its imagery to instruct His followers: He bids us take up our cross and follow Him. David Grabbe analyzes what Jesus' command would have meant to those who heard Him, showing that our Savior is asking us to follow His example of sacrifice in our own Christian lives. 

What Is Repentance? (Part One) 
Summary: The gospel accounts show that God gave John the Baptist the responsibility to “prepare the way of the LORD, make His paths straight” (Matthew 3:3; Mark 1:3; Luke 3:4). When he preached the good news of God’s Kingdom ... 

What Is the Passover Anyway? 
Summary: To someone not familiar with the Bible's instructions regarding the keeping of Passover, this festival can seem strange and confusing. This article explains the basic points of the Passover, showing from Scripture what God commands and why. 

What Is Your Talent? 
Summary: Matthew 25:14-30 relates the Parable of the Talents. What are talents? Usually, we think about this word in terms of skills, abilities, or aptitudes. ... 

What Makes a True Disciple? (Part One) 
Summary: Among the world’s more than seven billion people are upwards of two billion who identify themselves as Christians. Self-identification is fine for what it is worth, but we know that professed Christians ... 

What, Me Worry? 
Summary: It is not uncommon to worry about one's financial situation. It has never been easy for most people to make ends meet, causing anxiety. Yet, in His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus Christ commands us not to worry about our lives, food, drink, or clothing. Considering what life was like in His day, Mike Ford explains, Jesus' simple solution to this common problem will work for Christians just as well now as then. 

Where Is My Rolls Royce? (Part One) 
Summary: Many of the evangelists on television are of the 'name it and claim it' variety, preaching what is called the 'Prosperity Gospel'. The following verses are among their favorites: ... 

Why 153 Fish? (Part Three) 
Summary: The eighth sign of Christ’s Messiahship in John’s gospel contains the curious feature of 153 fish, which Jesus miraculously provided. As a symbol, fish typically represent people, such as when Jesus initially ... 

Why 153 Fish? (Part Two) 
Summary: As Part One detailed, the apostle John structured his gospel around eight signs that reveal Jesus Christ as the Messiah. He arranged these signs so that the first sign corresponds to the eighth, the second ... 

Why Do We Observe Unleavened Bread? (Part Three) 
Summary: The spiritual strength required to overcome is a result of eating the Bread of Life continually, and that Bread is available only to those whom He has delivered from spiritual Egypt. But to approach overcoming without that is to imply that we can overcome on our own—thus that we have no need of a Savior after our forgiveness. ... 

Why Do We Observe Unleavened Bread? (Part Two) 
Summary: Exodus 12:19-20 gives a third, vital aspect of this Feast: We must eat nothing leavened nor have leavening in our houses. ... 

Will Christ Find Faith? 
Summary: It is easy to look around this world and become discouraged by how far from God so many people seem to be. Even chuch members can appear to be distracted by this world. To counter this pessimistic view, John Reid explains the Parable of the Persistent Widow, at the end of which Jesus asks, "When the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" The answer is more positive than one may think! 

Winners Never Quit 
Summary: In my high school yearbook, quotes were placed under the pictures of each senior. I do not remember the quote that was under my name, but I do remember one of them. It was ... 

Without Me, You Can Do Nothing (Part One) 
Summary: The New Testament in Modern English, commonly known as the “Phillips Translation,” contains a salient rendering of John 15:1-8: "I am the real vine, my Father is the vine-dresser. ... 

Without Me, You Can Do Nothing (Part Two) 
Summary: John 15:4-5 in the Phillips translation gives us a great deal to consider: “You can produce nothing unless you go on growing in me. ... 

Would Jesus Christ Vote? (Part One) 
Summary: America's presidential primary season has brought voting in political elections to the fore once again. Because it is not directly mentioned in Scripture, people often ask if voting is biblically condoned. Martin Collins, beginning a short series of Bible Studies, re-asks the question in its most basic form for a true Christian: Would Jesus Vote? 

Would Jesus Christ Vote? (Part Two) 
Summary: When Jesus walked the earth during His ministry, He delivered a message of the coming Kingdom of God with Him as its King. However, as Martin Collins explains, Jesus never inserted Himself into the political process, but instead, He taught His disciples to come out of this world's way of life. 

You Shall Love Your Neighbor (Part Three) 
Summary: Both God the Father and Jesus Christ have modeled how we are to love one another. After giving the pattern in the life of Jesus shown in the Gospels, we are instructed "to walk just as He walked. . . . He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him." ... 

You Shall Love Your Neighbor (Part Two) 
Summary: A well-known principle of Bible study is that repetition is among the best forms of emphasis. If God states something once, it is important, and if twice, ... 




 
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