January 2021 – GROW magazine

04 Jan

The Suffering Servant

EXPOSITORY ARTICLE | Alex Hale | Cabot, Arkansas

Isaiah 52:13-53:12 is perhaps the most well-known passage in the entire book. This prophecy serves as the fourth and final servant song within the book (cf. 42:1-9; 49:1-13; 50:4-9). Isaiah inserts references to “the servant of the LORD” throughout chapters 40-55. While it is true that this servant is called Israel (49:3), he should be viewed as distinct from the people as a whole. To put it another way, the servant Isaiah speaks about is the representative of the whole. The servant is charged with two primary tasks: to bring salvation to Israel and serve as a light to the Gentiles (49:6). In chapters 50-52, Isaiah presents this servant as the true hope of Israel. Read More →

04 Jan

What Is the Church?

CHURCH ARTICLE | Jeff Asher | Nachogdoches, Texas

via ulrichw | Pixabay.com

Church is one of several words that entered our language through the influence of the King James Bible. In his rules for the translators, King James I of England desired “the old ecclesiastical words to be kept.” Therefore, ekklesia was never actually translated but transliterated, sort of. Church comes into English from the Scottish kirke, which is derived through Germanic influences from a shortened form of the Greek kuriokon meaning “belonging to the Lord” (1 Corinthians 11:20; Revelation 1:10). Complain, as many do, about the word, it is nevertheless a scriptural designation (cf. Matthew 2:6; Romans 9:25–26; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Matthew 16:18). However, it is not a translation. Read More →

04 Jan

Preaching That Glorifies God

WORSHIP/DEVOTIONAL ARTICLE | John Hains | Smithville, Ontario

via Timothy Eberly | Unsplash.com

“…glorify God for His mercy…” (Romans 15:9)

Everything we do, whatever it is, should be done to glorify God – that must always be our purpose! Whether it is the way we live our lives, the goals we set, how we conduct ourselves with others, and especially how we conduct ourselves in God’s presence, with heart-felt worship according to His pattern. All we do MUST be to offer Him glory since we desire to bring Him joy! That includes the teaching and preaching we choose to hear, or, if teachers, the Bible lessons we present to others. Always—in all ways—all things must centre around the praise and glorification of our wonderful God! Read More →

04 Jan

How To Love My Brothers

APPLICATION ARTICLE | Jacob Hudgins | Little Rock, Arkansas

Just before dying, Jesus gives instructions to his disciples. “A new commandment I give you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35). Love for our brothers is what most closely identifies us as connected to Jesus. This is how people will know that we are his. Read More →

04 Jan

Come And See

EVANGELISM ARTICLE | Ken McDaniel | Springfield, Illinois

What is the most effective approach in evangelism today? Is it street-preaching or town square proclamations? Could it be a radio call-in program or a TV show on the local cable channel? How about a weekly newspaper article or a mass mailing campaign? What about Facebook, Meetup, or maybe YouTube? To be certain, all of these have their place and have been used successfully to develop contacts and lead people to Christ. But they are not the most effective approach in evangelism today. What works today is the same thing that has worked for generations, which is a personal invitation. Of course, a simple invite alone is not sufficient to convert someone to Christ, but for most, this is where it begins. Read More →

04 Jan

The Grief of Losing a Loved One (Part 2)

BEYOND THE BASICS | Tom Rainwater | Chittenango, New York
(Click here to go to The Grief of Losing a Loved One, Part 1)

Maintaining the proper attitude and outlook is crucial during times of grief. When my wife died, I learned I couldn’t allow a broken heart to rule over me and affect my judgment. Bible study taught me the importance of not losing perspective. In particular, I was moved by the examples of God ordering, under unusual circumstances, the suspension of grief. Read More →