Category: East Main Bulletin Articles

Articles I write for the weekly bulletin of the East Main Church of Christ, the congregation where I preach.

Obadiah: Edom’s Lack of Understanding

Edom would “have no understanding” of what was happening to them (7b).  They would likely be at a loss as to what to do next when they saw that their supposed allies were turning against them.  Their ruler’s trusted advisors and those who would be highly ranked in their military would have no idea how to find a way forward to any outcome except slaughterous defeat, all as Obadiah foretold (8-9).  Even more so, Edom likely would not realize that their demise ultimately was because of the power and will of Almighty God.… Read More Obadiah: Edom’s Lack of Understanding

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Obadiah: Introductory Thoughts

Obadiah means “servant of the Lord” (Brown-Driver-Briggs Lexicon) or “worshiper of the Lord” (Gesenius’ Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon).  There are about 13 people in the Bible with this name, and it is impossible to state with certainty which of them, if any, is the Obadiah of the Old Testament book bearing his name.  Nothing is known about the author of Obadiah save that he was a prophet of God and that he prophesied about the nation of Edom.… Read More Obadiah: Introductory Thoughts

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Hebrews: The God of Peace

God is certainly “the God of peace” (cf. Romans 15:33). One of the blessings of being a Christian is the privilege of taking everything to God in prayer and receiving “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:6-7). This peace comes because Christians have been reconciled to God through the death of Jesus (Romans 5:10). Praise the Spirit of God who “brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus” (cf. Romans 1:4)! Jesus is indeed the Christian’s “great shepherd” (cf. John 10:11; 1 Peter 5:4). It is through his blood, “the blood of the eternal covenant” of the New Testament, that salvation is offered to all (cf. Matthew 26:28; Titus 2:11-12). Anyone can receive that salvation when they believe in Christ, repent of their sins, and are baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of their sins (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:36-39; 22:16; Galatians 3:26-27). That is how one becomes a Christian.… Read More Hebrews: The God of Peace

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Hebrews: Jesus Christ Never Changes

Consider everything in this life which changes and the uncertainty and stress those changes bring. Families change. Governments change. Jobs change. The economy changes. Our health and the health of those whom we love changes. Sometimes even Christians change and lose their love for God (cf. Revelation 2:4-5). Yet Jesus the Christ – the Anointed of God, the Messiah, our Savior, Lord and King – never changes. That’s basically the theme of the whole book of Hebrews.… Read More Hebrews: Jesus Christ Never Changes

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