Tag Archives: William Stewart

01 Jan

Living Stones & Spiritual Sacrifices

APPLICATION ARTICLE | William Stewart | Odessa, Ontario, Canada

via Jeon Sang-O | Pixabay.com

Construction analogies are common in the New Testament. From an early age, many of us sang about the wise man who built his house upon the rock and the foolish man who built his house on the sand (Matthew 7:24-27). Jesus stressed the need for us to count the cost of following Him by speaking of a man who began to build a tower but was unable to finish (Luke 14:28-30). In 1 Corinthians 3, the apostle Paul called the church “God’s building,” himself a “wise master builder” and urged us to build wisely upon the foundation of Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2 elaborates, calling it the “…foundation of the apostles and prophets…,” and uses words like “building,” “a holy temple,” and “a dwelling place of God in the Spirit” to speak of the church. These building illustrations abound. Read More →

02 Oct

The Difference Between Emotion And Emotionalism In Worship

WORSHIP ARTICLE | William J. Stewart | Odessa, Ontario

via StockSnap | Pixabay.com

The story has been told of a man who visited with a local church for their Sunday assembly. Upon hearing a powerful point from the pulpit, he hollered out, “Amen!” Everyone was quiet, somewhat taken back by his outburst. Minutes later, the preacher spoke mightily of the Lord’s victory over death, which prompted the man to give a hearty, “Praise the Lord!” Others in the crowd were visibly uncomfortable with these eruptions. After this second time, someone quietly went over to the man and whispered, “Why are you shouting out like that?” The visitor replied, “I’m praising God.” In response, he heard, “Well, we don’t do that here.” Read More →

03 Jul

Show Me Your Faith

APPLICATION ARTICLE
William Stewart | Kingston, Ontario

via congerdesign | Pixabay.com

In the latter portion of James 2, we find a great discussion of faith’s dependence upon works. The writer merges a collection of examples with his constant affirmation – faith without works is dead (James 2:17, 20, 24, 26). The destitute brother or sister who receives our well wishes and nothing more is destitute still (James 2:14-16). The demons are certain of the existence of God, but their doom is equally certain, for they do not do the works of God (James 2:19). The patriarch Abraham and Rahab the harlot were both justified before God, not merely because they believed, but because they exercised faith in God (James 2:21-23, 25). Read More →

03 Jul

In The World … Not Of The World, Part 2

BEYOND THE BASICS
William Stewart | Odessa, Ontario

via Gerd Altmann | Pixabay.com

Our previous article concluded: “To be in the world but not of the world means we abstain from the wickedness of the world, not from living in the world.” If you have not read the first article, I encourage you to read it here.

Jesus wouldn’t do that!

I’ve heard some folks justify the insistence of their will upon others on the basis that Jesus wouldn’t do this or that. Jesus wouldn’t go to a rock concert, or to a football game, or to the movies! Jesus wouldn’t celebrate Christmas, or go to a vacation resort, or read a fantasy novel. Jesus wouldn’t have a TV in His house, own an expensive car, or go to a restaurant that serves alcohol.. There is an endless list of things that Jesus wouldn’t do. I’m curious; how do these folks know what Jesus would or wouldn’t do? Read More →

03 Apr

Joining The Disciples

CHURCH ARTICLE
William Stewart | Odessa, Ontario

via Gerd Altmann | Pixabay.com

At the beginning of Acts 9, Saul of Tarsus left Jerusalem, headed for Damascus. His aim was to arrest any Christians he found there (Acts 9:1-2). On the way, he met the Lord. Having arrived in Damascus, he was taught the gospel and baptized by Ananias (Acts 9:17-18). Immediately, he began to associate and work with the Christians in Damascus (Acts 9:19-22). However, a plot against his life (Acts 9:23-25) made it necessary for Saul to leave Damascus.

He returned to Jerusalem and tried to join the disciples there (Acts 9:26). Understandably, they wanted nothing to do with him. He claimed to be a faithful Christian, but they did not believe him. Read More →

01 Jan

The Death of a Testator

EXPOSITORY ARTICLE – Hebrews 9
William Stewart | Odessa, Ontario

via Juan Pablo | Pixabay.com

The book of Hebrews is a wonderful treatise on the superiority of Christianity over Judaism. It contrasts the the two God-established religions on several different counts: covenant, mediator, priesthood, tabernacle, sacrifices, promises, hope, etc.. Consistently, the writer concludes what is available in Christ is “better” (Hebrews 1:4; 7:19, 22; 8:6; 9:23; 10:34; 11:40; 12:24).

In Hebrews 9, having spoken of the Levitical High Priest’s duty to go beyond the veil on the day of atonement with a sacrifice for himself and the people, Read More →

03 Oct

The Difference Between Service And Worship

WORSHIP ARTICLE
William J. Stewart | Kingston, Ontario

via Eli Monjaras | Unsplash.com

There is a growing movement in the religious world to broaden what is commonly identified as worship. Rather than it being limited to specific activities, many are embracing the idea that worship is a lifestyle; that every moment of our existence is to be an occasion of worship. It is certainly true that we are to always be in service to God, but service and worship are not synonymous. There is an important distinction to be made. Read More →

04 Jul

Learning Evangelism From The Master

EVANGELISM ARTICLE – John 4
William Stewart | Kingston, Ontario

www.LumoProject.com

The salvation of souls and the growth of local congregations depends upon evangelistic work. Of the masses, Paul inquires, “…how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14). Paul is not talking about some clergy class who are distinct from the average believer. Such an idea is foreign to the New Testament. The word preacher is not an ecclesiastical title, but describes an activity. The word means “to herald … proclaim, publish” (Strong’s). In Acts 8, we find persecution against the church at Jerusalem caused the saints to scatter. We’re told “…those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word” (verse 4). It’s a different Greek word (lit. good messenger), but the result is the same – telling people about Jesus Christ. If you are a child of God, then you are called to preach. Your pulpit? Day-to-day life. Read More →