April 2020 – GROW magazine

07 Apr

God’s Mercy To The Unrighteous : “Therefore, repent and live”

EXPOSITORY ARTICLE | Sean Cavender | Bald Knob, Arkansas

Introduction
The prophecies of Ezekiel are some of the most fascinating in the Old Testament. He wrote during the exile of Judah to Babylon. He was a contemporary of Daniel, yet Ezekiel’s primary message was to Judah themselves, explaining why God was punishing them.

One of the most discouraging, yet vivid scenes, in the book of Ezekiel, is found in chapter 10. Ezekiel describes God’s glory as leaving the temple. The temple had served as a sign to Israel that God was with them. The temple was where sacrifices were made, and the ceremonies of the Day of Atonement were held. The Most Holy Place was in the midst of the temple. God could not literally be held within the temple, He was far too great to be confined to one location like that, but the temple was a symbol of God’s care, grace, and covenant with Israel. Read More →

07 Apr

Effective Bible Classes: The Student’s Responsibilities

CHURCH ARTICLE | Jacob Hudgins | Little Rock, Arkansas

via Aaron Burden | Unsplash.com

Bible classes are a great environment for Christian growth. Yet we often struggle to get meaning and benefit from classes. We blame teachers (or workbooks or fellow-students) for the disconnect and rarely consider ourselves.

As a student, what can I do to make Bible classes great? Read More →

07 Apr

Preparing For Worship

WORSHIP/DEVOTIONAL ARTICLE | Tim McPherson | Bountiful, Utah

via ulrichw | Pixabay.com

Exodus 16:5: “And it shall be on the sixth day that they shall prepare what they bring in, and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily.”

Introduction:
To sustain a practical life, we prepare. Can you imagine the chaos without preparation? Think about your morning routine. What if you did not set your alarm clock, wash your clothes, or did not brush your teeth? What if you did not bathe/shower? What if you hadn’t gone to the grocery store for days? Think of the problems you would have in your morning routine if you had not prepared. You would wake up late, have dirty and wrinkled clothes, foul breath, dirty teeth, body odor, bed-tossed hair, and have no breakfast. Yes, living without chaos involves planning, arranging, and designing every day. We think beforehand and purpose for what is ahead of us. Read More →

07 Apr

All In His Name

APPLICATION ARTICLE | Jason Lankford | Conway, Arkansas

via Gerd Altmann | Pixabay.com

“And whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:17)

One of the most commonly quoted verses I have heard in my life is Colossians 3:17. And for a good reason, considering these words have such great implications in our lives as Christians. How so? Let’s unpack the main aspects of this passage and shed light on the manner of life Paul is calling us to have in Christ Jesus. Read More →

07 Apr

Do The Work Of An Evangelist

EVANGELISM ARTICLE | Mike Stephens | Wellandport, Ontario

via Joel Muniz | Unsplash.com

“I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” (2 Timothy 4:1-2, NKJV)

What would we say when either by divine revelation or just being aware of circumstances, we knew our time on earth was soon over? That was the perspective of the Apostle Paul as he wrote 2 Timothy. Can we hear the passion when Paul said, “I CHARGE YOU…” that commands Timothy to pay attention to his words? Read More →

07 Apr

The Scripture Cannot Be Broken

BEYOND THE BASICS | William Stewart | Odessa, Ontario

Jesus entered the temple during Hanukkah (John 10:22) and was accosted by the Jewish leaders about whether He was the Christ or not. They demanded, “If you are the Christ, tell us plainly” (John 10:24). He had not been ambiguous about His identity. There were two problems at play here. First, the religious leaders did not believe (John 10:25-26). Second, since they had failed to seize Him and put Him to death on previous occasions (John 5:17-18; 8:58-59), they sought another opportunity against Him.

After a short discourse in which He contrasted the unbelief of the Jewish rulers with the faith of His disciples, He affirmed, “I and My Father are one” (John 10:30). This phrase sent them into a frenzy. They took up stones, ready to put Jesus to death (John 10:31). What was the charge? They explained, “…for blasphemy, and because you, being a Man, make Yourself God” (John 10:33).

Jesus appealed to the Scriptures to defend His claim as the Son of God. His response relied upon the inerrancy of the Scriptures. Read More →