The Sound Word

Matthew 7:5     "Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. "  As we look at this verse, we always seem to look at it as one man looking at another man, And why not, it is the proper context of course. Jesus at this moment speaking to the masses, and talking about improper judging of another. So let's address the judging issue first, as we all know this is going to come up in conversation. The word used here In the verses prior), most properly translated "do not judge" is a word that means not to judge right from wrong. In the application of today's post-modern view of mankind, this is most important. Jesus is saying fairly clearly that there is no such thing as 'situational ethics', where something is right (or wrong) for you, but not for me or someone else. He is saying that there is one right, and one right only. This is upheld all throughout scripture i...

In a recent discussion with some other pastors, I was forwarded the following link: New Bethel Church: Open Carry Celebration. When this link was shared with several pastors, this was one response: I'm sure [I'm] one of many who doesn't get the point...or at least doesn't see its importance in having such a thing take even a moment of time away from teaching the Word. My response was as follows: Did you all read the article? VERY well written and said. If you notice the date it is a Saturday and is not even be a regular time of worship. The church announcment states: This event is not taking place on the Lord’s Day. This is not a Church worship service, where the focus is on Jesus and our responsibility to Him. Rather, this is merely a Church hosted event, similar to any other event that any other Church may do to celebrate their heritage. It would be our hope to see this event become a nationally celebrated, annual occurrence on the last weekend of June. They [the chur...

You know the old saying, "you can pick your friends, but you can't pick your relatives". Well to some degree, this is true, but in some ways it is not. As an example, I picked my wife, and I made a good choice. Sonja and I are in our 17th year of marriage, and while, like any marriage we had a few rough times early on as we learned more about marriage and then grew in the Lord together, she has become my best friend, and I'd have it no other way. I was not a Christian growing up. If you would have asked me I would have said I was, but not only was I not, I had no idea what it meant to be one. Christianity was a culture to me, not a relationship as I now understand it and live it. Having a partner to grow in this understanding with is indispensible, having the right one is irreplaceable. Not only does she support and encourage me, she reminds me, gently, of times when my will finds my flesh instead of my Father’s desires for my life. She offers loving advice and counse...