Celebrating the Lord’s Supper at Home
The Lord’s Supper is a memorial of our Savior’s death by which he atoned for all our sins. Those who…
Celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ
On a Sunday morning long ago, when the disciples of Jesus first encountered their risen Lord, they “came to him,…
Celebration – a small group study
Introduction When Jesus entered the world as a human being, great celebration was taking place in heaven, as the angel…
Cell-Based Church: Community, Nurturing, Outreach
Some visionaries of church growth believe that the cell-based model of ministry is an important model of the church in…
Central and Eastern Europe, and Spain
Germany and Austria Loading player… There are about 130 members attending or affiliated with our five congregations or small groups…
Ceremonies for Pastoral Use
Below are ceremonies in Word 97 format. Right-click and chose “save link as…” You may change the font and margins…
Changed Lives
My husband and I were once privileged to share a meal with Jaime Escalante, the math teacher who inspired underachievers…
Changing Faces
Nowadays, the fountain of youth wields a scalpel, a bottle of Botox, and collagen injections. Years can be shaved off…
Choose Your Future: What Options Are There for a Small Church?
a review article Small churches have numerous options for the future — some more attractive than others, some more workable…
Choosing a Bible: A User’s Guide
Before you begin your Bible study, take some time to choose your translation. A friend from Japan was telling me…
Chosen People, Promised Land – Israel and Judah
Now we come to a section of the Bible that is primarily history. Other sections contain history mixed with laws,…
Christ Is the Answer (Hebrews 10:5-10)
The author begins verse 5 with the word “therefore,” meaning “because of what I have just said.” Here, we might…
Christ Our Atonement
The governor found himself forced to consider the death penalty for an innocent man. Powerful political forces pressured him to…
Christ the Creator and Redeemer (Colossians 1:15-28)
Christ is supreme (verses 15-23) In a poetic passage, Paul then describes how great Christ is: “The Son is the…
Christ the End of the Law (Romans 10:1-4)
In Romans 9 to 11, Paul deals with Israel’s role in God’s plan. Does the new covenant, and the salvation of…
Christ Was Raised (1 Corinthians 15:1-11)
Every spring, Easter reminds Christians that Jesus rose from the dead. His resurrection was certainly good news for him, and…
Christ’s Resurrection: Our Hope of Salvation
“If Christ has not been raised,” the apostle Paul taught, “your faith is futile; you are still in your sins”…
Christian Behavior (1 Thessalonians 4:1-12)
Paul has reminded the believers in Thessalonica of their faithfulness in midst of some trials. Now he reminds them of…
Christian Life
When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, we have begun the Christian life. Accepting Christ is only a beginning…
Christian Odyssey 2005-2014 – PDF files
2014 Winter 2014 Spring 2014 Summer 2014 2013 Spring 2013 Summer 2013 Fall 2013 2012 Feb.-March 2012 April-May 2012 June-August…
Christianity: Only for Dummies?
When Tammy is not with me, I never know who might sit next to me on an airplane. I’ve sat…
Christians and the Government (Romans 13:1-7)
In Romans 12, Paul wrote that we should be living sacrifices, transformed in our minds so that we please God…
Christians and the Law of Moses: A Study of Acts 15
Acts 15 describes the most important meeting the early church had. The future of the church was at stake—was it…
Christians Obey God
1. What did Jesus tell his disciples to preach? Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:46-47. Jesus told his disciples to preach…
Christmas Eve Sermon, 1994
Transformed by Truth, by Joseph Tkach Chapter 2 No one would deny that the gospel, the message of salvation through faith…
Christmas Light
“In him was life, and that life was the light of men” (John 1:4). Brilliant displays of light and color…
Christmas Past and Present in the Church
Have you ever wondered how Christmas came to be part of the annual Christian calendar? Here’s the fascinating story, which…
Christmas Past and Present in the Church
The Advent-Christmas season is almost upon us, that joyful time of year when we celebrate the birth of our Lord…
Chronology of the Day Christ Died
Time Event Evening Jesus washes feet and institutes the symbols of bread and wine. He foretells his betrayal. (Matthew…
Church and Ministry Articles
From Christ the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love,…
Church Buildings and Church Growth
Sometimes a congregation that has declined in numbers and morale comes to believe that their situation could be reversed if…
Church: Some Assembly Required
Just across the road from our home is a beautiful church. Many of our neighbors go there on Sunday morning…
Church: What’s on the Menu?
Even though I am what some would consider a professional nomad, I realized after a recent trip overseas that I…
Circumcision – A Test Case for Evaluating Old Testament Laws
Circumcision was an essential part of religious practice for the nation of Israel. Is circumcision a required practice for Christians…
Circumcision: A New Way to Keep an Old Law
Almost all Christians agree that circumcision is an obsolete law, for the New Testament is very clear about it. But…
Clarifying Our Theological Vision
This essay by Dr. Gary Deddo (with an introduction from Dr. Joseph Tkach) clarifies key concepts of the incarnational Trinitarian theology embraced by…
Cleaning Up Katrina – After the Cameras Moved On
When Hurricane Katrina inundated New Orleans, we all watched in disbelief as a major U.S. city suffered one of the…
Closing Benediction (Hebrews 13:17-25)
The author closes this paragraph with another reference to leaders: “Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority,…
Closing Thanks (Philippians 4:10-23)
A thank-you note Paul then thanks the church for the help they sent him while he was in prison: “I…
Cocoon or Community?
Some believers struggle to belong to the church It’s hard to let down your defenses and, more or less, give…
Code of Ethics for GCI Elders
Preamble The Code of Ethics for Elders is designed to edify the body of Christ. We pray it will be…
Color Crazy
Friends, I feel compelled to alert us all to a most serious issue lurking beneath the surface of our current…
Colossians 2:14 and the "Handwriting of Requirements"
Christ “wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us…having nailed it to the cross” (Colossians 2:14, NKJ). What…
Comforted by the Word
It is amazing how often we read in the Bible this exhortation from God: “Don’t be afraid. Don’t be terrified!” It…
Comic Relief
I have been a professional comic-book illustrator for over 20 years. I started with DC comics in 1983. The work…
Coming to Know God
Christ’s gospel invites you to satisfy the restless longing all humans share. I was about 6 months old when my…
Commemorating the Crucifixion
Almost 2,000 years ago, a Jewish carpenter was condemned as a dangerous religious and political rebel. He was executed in…
Commentary on 1 & 2 Corinthians
The Wisdom of Weakness: A Study of 1 Corinthians 1 A Command Paul Did Not Obey — 1 Corinthians 9…
Commentary on 1 Thessalonians
A model for all believers: 1 Thessalonians 1 We were not a burden: 1 Thessalonians 2 Greek word: ekklesia. Paul’s…
Commentary on Colossians
The Colossian Heresy Already in the Kingdom: A Study of Colossians 1 Victory on the Cross: A Study of Colossians…
Commentary on Galatians
Paul started several churches in the province of Galatia and then moved on to other regions. Then he learned that…
Commentary on Hebrews
The Reflection of God’s Glory (Hebrews 1:1-12) Pay Attention! (Hebrews 1:13-2:4) Perfect Through Suffering (Hebrews 2:5-12) Freed From the Fear…
Commentary on Philippians
Joy, Hope and Love: Paul’s Letter from Prison Joy in Jesus Christ: A Study of Philippians 1 The Example of…
Commentary on Philippians
Joy, Hope and Love: Paul’s Letter from Prison Joy in Jesus Christ: A Study of Philippians 1 The Example of…
Commentary on Romans
In the year A.D. 57, Paul was getting ready to go to Jerusalem with an offering from the churches in Greece. Although…
Commentary on the Book of Revelation
Revelation, Apocalyptic Writing and the Old Testament Revelation: Book of Cosmic Symbols 1,900 Years of Revelation A Vision of Victory…
Commentary on the General Epistles
James 5:14 and Healing Real Wealth Lasts Forever: A Study of 1 Peter 1 Special Roles for Special People: A…
Commentary on the Pastoral Epistles: 1 & 2 Timothy, and Titus
The Law Used Properly: 1 Timothy 1:3-11 God Wants All to Be Saved: 1 Timothy 2:1-7 Paul’s Policy on Women…
Comments About "The Word of Faith" Movement
Comment: I appreciate what we have said about our need for discernment and why some people seem to be interested in…
Commissioning a Ministry Leader
The commissioning of a ministry leader should take place during the worship service in the congregation where the ministry leader…