Jesus. The Way, the Truth, and the Life.
When I make a change to truthsaves.org, I’ll categorize it here.
Here’s an overview and outline of Song of Solomon on truthsaves.org.
I’ve just posted another outline . . . finally. Sorry I’ve been avoiding the blog scene for a while. Things have been ultra busy at work, and I simply haven’t been on the computer much. But today, I made it home a bit earlier than normal, so I decided to post an outline that’s been sitting on my computer for a while. It’s an outline for the Old Testament book of Song of Solomon.
Who is God? It’s a question many have asked, and a question many have tried to answer. If you ask 100 people, you’ll get 100 different answers.
Who is God? It’s a question many have asked, and a question many have tried to answer. If you ask 100 people, you’ll get 100 different answers. The best person to tell you about God is God Himself, just like the best person to tell me about you is – you guessed it – you. Does God tell us about Himself? You bet. In His Word.
Tim paints a beautiful word picture of who God is, according to the Scriptures.
I am convinced God wants all believers to be baptized. But that does not negate the point of the article; belief in the Jesus of the Bible opens heaven’s doors for us; baptism doesn’t.
Many years ago I wrote an article about baptism.
I’ve received countless emails inquiring why I’d write such an article. Am I trying to mislead people? Am I trying to avoid being baptized myself? Am I making excuses for family members or friends who haven’t been baptized? Why write such a divisive article?
Hopefully this simple answer will suffice. Some time ago, someone tried convincing me that achieving salvation meant following strict procedures and rules. First I had to read these verses, then pray this, then do that, then this, then that, and so on. If I rejected the prescription, then I lacked genuine faith. If I didn’t accept the routine, then God didn’t accept me.
One of the steps in the recipe involved baptism by immersion. Without it, I’d never make it to heaven. The emphasis always lay in the procedures, not on the relationship.
My problem with the above is that I don’t find it in the Bible. I find strong evidence to the contrary. Jesus broke the rules. He established relationships. He baptized none. Paul baptized few. The thief on the cross went to be in Paradise with Jesus without baptism. Jesus told the rich young ruler in Luke 18 to “follow Me.” He wanted the man to forsake all and to be with Him. He told Martha in John 11 that “everyone who believes in Me will never die.” He asked her if she believed that. Do you believe it? I do. Nowhere does the Bible say, “Be baptized and you will be saved.” The closest you’ll find to that is Mark 16:16.
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (ESV)
What does this verse say? It says that anyone who does not believe will be condemned. And that’s what I affirm.
Does this mean baptism should be avoided? Not at all. Jesus began His ministry by being baptized (Matthew 3); He ended His ministry by commanding his disciples to go into all the world and baptize (Matthew 28:19). Peter tells us in Acts to be baptized. In the New Testament, when people came to a saving faith in Jesus Christ, baptism followed. This pattern should be a model for us. I’d worry if someone opposed baptism.
Please read this article knowing that I have been baptized. I am convinced God wants all believers to be baptized. But that does not negate the point of the article; belief in the Jesus of the Bible opens heaven’s doors for us; baptism doesn’t.
An outline and overview of Ecclesiastes. The book of Ecclesiastes has been the point of much controversy. I see Ecclesiastes as a book that looks at life apart from God.
OK . . . just posted the Ecclesiastes outline.
Ecclesiastes is one of those books that has been maligned to the max. But Tim does a good job of putting things into perspective.
Check out the outline of Ecclesiastes.
Should Christians meet on Saturday or Sunday? Does it matter? Should we keep the Sabbath?
Recently Tim sent me an article he wrote a few years back. He’s updated it a little, and now it’s ready for publication! The topic? The Sabbath. Do we, as Christians, need to keep it? Should we be meeting on Saturday instead of Sunday?
A collection of Easter poems reminding us of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection.
As Christians, Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection remain fixed in our minds. But as Good Friday and Easter approach, it’s good to remember the price Jesus paid for us. Mark has written some thought-provoking poems reminding us of Jesus’ sacrifice.
The Servants Way
Prelude to the Cross
A Lamb Among Wolves
Thanks you Jesus! And thank you, Mark, for the reminders.
An overview and outline of the Old Testament book of Proverbs.
I’ve just posted a new outline on truthsaves. It’s more than an outline, as most of them are (if you’ve been checking them out). It’s also a brief overview, along with a little historical information. This one covers the book of Proverbs. Don’t forget, we also have outlines of all the books of the New Testament, as well as outlines of all the books of the Old Testament up to Proverbs, as well as Daniel.
Does God seem distant? These basics of Christianity will help guide you through the difficult times.
We just posted a new article on truthsaves. I had a hard time naming it . . . but I called it, “Life is Falling Apart.” It’s the mini-story of a lady who wrote us asking for advice on how to connect with God. She has been suffering through a lot of pain. I think we all go through times in life where God seems distant. Our faith feels emotionless. How do we get through these times? Tim shares some good insights, some basics of Christianity that we (I, anyway) often forget.
An overview and outline of the Old Testament book of Psalms.
I just posted an outline (by Tim) of Psalms. It explains how the Psalms are really a set of five books.
We posted two new articles on truthsaves. One is about loving your neighbor as yourself, and the other discusses the differences between salvation and sanctification.
Tim recently answered two good questions. The first asked whether we thought the church is doing all it can to love its neighbors. And of course we’re not. We can always do more. But we, as God’s church, have fulfilled this command and continue to do so in many ways.
Read Tim’s thoughts on the subject.
The other question asked the difference between salvation and sanctification. I can’t even begin to explain it like Tim does so just check out the article for yourself.