Andy

The book of Hebrews stands out among the numerous epistles of the New Testament for several reasons. First, the epistle is anonymous. All of the other epistles clearly are claimed by the writer, but Hebrews is not. This has caused a great deal of confusion among many for a long time; however, its unity with … Read more…

They occur constantly. Sometimes practically everyday. Trials and temptations bring sorrow, pain, anger, sadness, envy, and hurt, emotions that have the ability, and far too often are successful in discouraging and disparaging the child of God. And if it were not bad enough that they hinder New Testament Christianity, they many times destroy an individual’s … Read more…

In any athletic climate, there is the general fact that even if a team is fortunate and talented enough to make it to that sport’s championship game or series, still they are one victory away from glory. Runners-up are rarely recalled and many view second place as the “first loser.” There is, then, great pressure … Read more…

Paul’s epistle to Philemon is one of the shortest books in the Bible, and thus one of the most neglected books in the Bible. But though short in length its subject is one of the greatest known to man—the transforming power of the gospel. Philemon, from what can be gathered, was possibly a convert of … Read more…

The epistle to Titus concludes a section of the New Testament, and specifically of Paul’s writings, that is commonly called the “pastoral epistles,” but could more accurately be called the “evangelistic epistles.” Like Timothy, Titus was a gifted young preacher of the gospel who both appreciated Paul and was appreciated by Paul. Also, like Timothy, … Read more…

One of the great joys I have in my work as a preacher is the opportunity to interact with the young children all around us. When I look at them now as they sing, pray, or even as some get behind the pulpit and “play preacher,” there is a joy in knowing that, while now … Read more…

It was three years later (A.D. 67), and Paul was sitting in a cold, damp dungeon, lonely and awaiting the surety of death. Just three years before he had experienced the joy of release and the pleasure of serving the Lord once again, but now he experienced the sorrow of imprisonment and a coming execution. … Read more…

After residing in Rome for a period of two years (Acts 28:30), Paul was released from his Roman house arrest and set about to return to his evangelistic efforts on behalf of the church. Shortly thereafter he likely journeyed to Ephesus and sent Timothy to Philippi as he had promised (Philippians 2:19-23) in order to … Read more…

“Glory” is one of those words that most people have a sense of what it means, but if asked would be hard pressed to give a verbal definition. Webster’s dictionary applies to this word the idea of “great honor or fame…adoration, great splendor, prosperity…heavenly bliss.” As the words of Ezekiel the prophet then are examined, … Read more…

The second epistle to the Thessalonian church was written just a matter of months following the first. It, unlike II Corinthians, apparently was not a rebuttal letter in order to address changes in the church since the first, but rather as a continuance of those principles he sought to establish in the first. The Thessalonians … Read more…