kgnprchr@gmail.com – Page 4

01 Jan

The Hall of Faith: Moses’ Parents

EXPOSITORY ARTICLE | Tyler Sams | San Antonio, Texas

“By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command.” (Hebrews 11:23).

The first people in Hebrews 11 to be described as having faith, yet left as nameless in the text, are the parents of Moses: Amram (father) and Jochebed (mother). Like many others later in chapter 11, they are praised for their faith, yet their names do not appear in the text. Their names are not omitted because their actions were unimportant or inconsequential — their story is recorded for the overwhelming role that faith played in their lives! Let’s do justice to this godly father and mother and explore the faith they exhibited which is held up as an example for us. Read More →

01 Jan

How Christ Relates to the Church : The Chief Shepherd

CHURCH ARTICLE | Don McClain | Bryant, Arkansas

“And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will recdeive the crown of glory that does not fade away.” (1 Peter 5:4, NKJV)

There are a variety of metaphorical expressions used in the New Testament to describe Jesus. Each one gives us a unique perspective of His various positions, roles, and relationships. Each one provides us with greater insight and thus a deeper understanding of our Lord.

One of the most familiar and relatable trades in Palestine during Bible times was that of a shepherd. Literal shepherds and their flocks are referenced often in scripture, but the concept is also used many times metaphorically to illustrate the relationship between… Read More →

01 Jan

Instrumental Music in the Book of Revelation

WORSHIP ARTICLE | William Stewart | Kingston, Ontario

In the religious world, there is a basic cognizance of the need to conduct ourselves within the confines of God’s authority. The apostle Paul, when writing to the brethren at Colosse implored, “…whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of hte Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:17). Such demands that we search the Scriptures to know what is and what is not acceptable to the Lord so far as religious practice and doctrine.

When we come to the subject of proper worship in song, just as with any other topic, we must seek to know what pleases the Lord. A practice or teaching may delight us, but we are not the object nor the designer of worship. How does God instruct us to worship in song? Are we to use mechanical instruments, are we to use our voices, or a combination of the two? Read More →

01 Jan

Becoming Like Jesus: Prayer in the Life of Jesus

APPLICATION ARTICLE | Bruce Reeves | Conway, Arkansas

Jesus was not only the Master Teacher; He was also the Master of prayer. He prayed so frequently and faithfully that Luke records that after He finished praying in a certain place one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray…” (Luke 11:1). There are times when we should turn to God in prayer, but don’t. Thus, it is very helpful to consider the moments when Jesus turned to His Father in prayer. While prayer was a constant spiritual discipline in Christ’s life, there were pivotal moments when prayer was a significant source of power for Him. By considering Jesus’s example we can follow our Savior more fervently and deeply in our prayer life. Read More →

01 Jan

The Furtherance of the Gospel

EVANGELISM ARTICLE | Jim Mickells | Lewisburg, Tennessee

When Paul wrote his second epistle to Timothy, he told this young evangelist to commit what he had heard from this great apostle to faithful men who would be able to teach others (2 Timothy 2:2). All who are faithful to the Lord should be concerned with fulfilling the great commission, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). In the next verse of the commission, the ones who had made disciples were told “teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20). What had Jesus just told the eleven disciples (Matthew 28:16) which those who were converted were to imitate? Go make disciples. Each member of the body of Christ should be busy trying to teach the gospel of Christ to the lost, which when obeyed will save their souls by the grace of God (Romans 1:16). Read More →

01 Jan

Of Kisses and Betrayals and Swords and Ears

via Jeff Jacobs | Pixabay.com

BEYOND THE BASICS | Scott Long | Marietta, Pennsylvania

As Jesus neared the end of his earthly life, He looked forward to celebrating the last Passover meal with His apostles.

“When the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him. Then He said to them, ‘With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.'” (Luke 22:14-15)

During that short time in the upper room, Jesus taught His disciples, prayed for them, washed their feet, and instituted the Lord’s supper, among other acts. Read More →

10 Oct

The Hall of Faith: Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Jesus, and Us

EXPOSITORY ARTICLE | Shane Carrington | Sulphur Springs, Texas

Introduction

The story of Israel is the story of Jesus. God’s plan for bringing Christ to the world was earnestly set in motion from the time God promised Abraham that his descendants would become a great nation. God told him,

“Go forth from your country, and from your relatives and from your father’s house, to the land which I will show you; and I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great; and so you shall be a blessing; and I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed” (Genesis 12:1-3).

How Christ Relates to the Church: Bridegroom

CHURCH ARTICLE | Shawn Chancellor | Amarillo, Texas

The Book of Revelation is filled with awesome images of suffering, judgment, and triumph. These images, in turn, frighten and inspire as we read of fierce beasts that seek to destroy the faithful and various depictions of Jesus, always victorious and always with the faithful. One such view of Jesus is in Revelation 19, tucked between the judgment of the Great Harlot who had become “drunk with the blood of the saints” (Revelation 17:6; 18:1-24), and His victory over the armies of the beast (Revelation 19:11-19). In Revelation 19:7, the voice of a great multitude (Revelation 19:6) cries out, “Let us rejoice and be glad and give glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready.” If this image were not so jarring in its context, it would be easy to overlook because of the enormity of the scenes surrounding it. A wedding announcement just before the most critical battle in the entire book? Yes, and this simple statement may help us to understand the point of the whole book. Read More →

10 Oct

Instrumental Music in the New Testament

WORSHIP ARTICLE | William Stewart | Kingston, Ontario

In a previous article, we looked at Instrumental Music in the Old Testament (click here). We noted several instances of instrumental music used in worship as well as direct commands for such. Now, we want to focus on the New Testament. Do we see examples of worship with instruments? Are there any commands to play instruments in worship? What was the manner of music used by the early church as directed by the Spirit-inspired apostles? Read More →

10 Oct

Becoming Like Jesus: How to Handle Conflicts and Disagreements

APPLICATION ARTICLE | Lee Edgar Elkins | Jacksonville, Arkansas

How often have we mishandled a conflict or disagreement with someone? As currently practiced by our Western culture, anytime there is a conflict or disagreement, it is safe to say that an argument is likely to follow if it has not already taken place. Over the years, I started to see that I did not always have to attend every argument I was invited to. Another thing I began to realize in my life is that not every disagreement has to turn into an argument. Unfortunately, this is typically what takes place in our society. Read More →