Keith Sharp – GROW magazine

17 Apr

When Christ Comes Again

BEYOND THE BASICS | Keith Sharp | Mountain Home, Arkansas

Preterism
On the nights of July 20-21, 23-24, 2020, Bruce Reeves and Holger Neubauer debated the question, “Will Jesus Really Come Again?” Bruce Reeves affirmed, “The Scriptures teach that Jesus of Nazareth will come again in the future to raise both the wicked and righteous for eternal judgment.” Holger Neubauer affirmed, “The Scriptures teach that Jesus of Nazareth returned the second and final time in the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70.” Mr. Neubauer holds to a theory popularized in modern times by the late Max R. King in his book The Spirit of Prophecy. The position of King, Neubauer, and others, called “Preterism” or the A.D. 70 Theory, is that the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 is the final fulfillment of all biblical prophecy. Therefore, there will be no future, literal return of Christ or resurrection of the dead. Read More →

26 Oct

A Church That Prays Together

CHURCH ARTICLE | Keith Sharp | Mountain Home, Arkansas

“For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). The life of a Christian may be summarized in one word, “faith,” i.e., trust. The deepest expression of that dependent trust in God is prayer. The Lord once spoke a parable to teach “that men always ought to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1). Jesus spoke about a widow who persistently troubled an unjust judge until he finally granted her request. The parable emphasized the surety that a just and merciful Father will speedily hear His children. The Master concluded, “Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8). Read More →

07 Jul

Into All The World

EVANGELISM ARTICLE | Keith Sharp | Mountain Home, Arkansas

“Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:14-15).

My first overseas preaching trip was in January 1992, when Lowell Blasingame and Albert Dabbs took Tom Kinzell and me to Nigeria to spend four weeks teaching classes for preachers and preaching to Nigerian churches. It was an overwhelming experience. I struggled with seeing the poverty, filth, violence, and government repression, along with strange food and customs. I had to remind myself that I was not there to help the poor and diseased to overcome their sad plights or to press for freedom from repression and crime. As great as those needs were and are, my job was more important. My job was to help teach people made in the image of God how to go to heaven. This is the greatest need throughout the world. Read More →

02 Apr

You Are The Light Of The World

EVANGELISM ARTICLE | Keith Sharp | Mountain Home, Arkansas

The world in which we live is in the darkness of ignorance and sin (John 3:19). Our neighbors are among those benighted souls. Our obligation, both individually and congregationally, is to lead them to salvation in Christ (Matthew 28:19). A primary way we do so is by being lights in the world to show them by example the way to heaven (Matthew 5:13-16). Read More →

01 Jan

A Church Without Elders

CHURCH ARTICLE
Keith Sharp | Mountain Home, Arkansas

The Lord’s plan is for each local church to have its own elders (overseers/shepherds) to rule and to shepherd the local flock (Acts 14:23; Titus 1:5). Thus, a congregation that has men qualified to do this work but refuses to appoint them rebels against the Lord. It is just as sinful to refuse to do what the Lord requires as it is to do what He forbids (James 4:17).

But a congregation may not have a plurality of men qualified to serve as overseers. It is also wrong to select and appoint unqualified men (1 Timothy 3:2). Read More →