2015 78 Summer – Grace Gospel Press

CONTEMPORARY ISSUES: THE EFFECTS OF LEGALIZING SAME-SEX MARRIAGE

By Charles Clough The author of Hebrews warns us that maturity in the faith consists of having our senses exercised to discern both good and evil (Heb. 5:14). Same-Sex Marriage (hereinafter SSM) comes as a big unopened package with the appealing labels, “Fairness” and “End of Discrimination.” Bible-believing Christians need to discern what is in it because most educators, academics, and media spokespersons are either afraid to open it up or confident in their so-called “progressivism” that they think it [...]

Darrell Patterson2019-02-10T02:43:52+00:00June 12th, 2015|

TRUTH AT A GLANCE: ONE NATION UNDER GOD

By E. J. Pace “Certainly no legislation can be supposed more wholesome and necessary in the found-ing of a free, self-governing commonwealth… than that which seeks to establish it on the basis of the idea of the family, as consisting in and springing from the union for life of one man and one woman in the holy state of matrimony; the sure foundation of all that is stable and noble in our civilization; the best guarantee of that reverent morality which is the source of [...]

Darrell Patterson2019-02-10T02:44:02+00:00June 12th, 2015|

EVANGELISM: WHAT CANCER CANNOT DO

By Deb Fetter Often we forget that our life is very fragile. After a biopsy revealed that I had cancer, I was reminded daily that life is very uncertain. As I navigated through pathology reports and treatment options, my mood fluctuated. Left to my own internal thoughts, I lost my hope, joy, peace, and at times, my trust in God. The only thing that helped me become stable was trusting in what the Bible said. Standing on the promises of [...]

Darrell Patterson2019-02-10T02:49:40+00:00June 12th, 2015|

A VOICE FROM THE PAST: GOD THE SON: HIS NAMES

By Lewis Sperry Chafer The Messianic character of Psalm 45 cannot be questioned. Its closing verse is a promise and a prophecy, “I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise thee for ever and ever.” Because of all that is disclosed in the name of the Messiah, He shall be praised in all generations. Great indeed is the sum total of all His names, His titles, and His descriptive designations. Because of [...]

Darrell Patterson2019-02-10T01:59:58+00:00June 12th, 2015|

PASTORAL: PASTORAL PROBLEMS DUE TO LIMITED ATONEMENT

by Jack Brooks Limited atonement is the Reformed-Presbyterian doctrine that Christ’s death on the cross paid the price for the sins of the elect only. The Reformed see it as a necessary logical consequence of unconditional election, substitutionary ransom, and the only safeguard against universalism. Speaking as a pastor, I see it as having harmful psychological effects on the people who hold it. This doctrine of Five-Point Calvinism presents the cross as an automatic event similar to the Roman Catholic [...]

Darrell Patterson2019-02-10T01:51:48+00:00June 12th, 2015|

COMMENTARY: DOES GOD WANT YOU TO PRODUCE FRUIT OR BEAR IT? Pt.1 (John 15:1-5)

By Dennis Rokser Does God want you to produce fruit in your Christian life or to bear the fruit He produces? You might answer this important question with your own inquisitive question, “What difference does it really make?” The answer is—EVERYTHING! It’s the difference between self-effort vs. divine power, frustration vs. faith-resting, cranking it out vs. overflowing, in regards to your Christian life and service for Jesus Christ. Listen carefully to the crucial instructions of our Lord: I am the [...]

Darrell Patterson2019-02-10T01:51:59+00:00June 12th, 2015|

GROWTH TRUTH: DESIGNER AND DESIGNED

By Miles J. Stanford Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Eph. 1:3) Since the sovereign God has every atom in the universe precisely timed and controlled for the carrying out of His perfect will, it should not be difficult for us to understand why He is so meticulous in His development of us as His instruments. “Being predesti-nated according to the purpose [...]

Darrell Patterson2019-02-10T01:59:44+00:00June 12th, 2015|

THEOLOGICAL ISSUES: WHO IS THE OVERCOMER IN REVELATION 2‒3? Pt.3

By Tom Stegall Different opinions abound today about the identity of the overcomers referred to in Revelation 2−3. Some teach that these overcomers are genuine believers, as opposed to false “Christians,” as distinguished by their victorious lifestyle of practically overcoming sin, Satan, and the world by their faithfulness and good works. If you are not a “true” Christian with such an overcoming lifestyle, then, we are told by some, you will be lost for eternity. This makes salvation ultimately depend [...]

Darrell Patterson2019-02-10T01:59:37+00:00June 12th, 2015|

COVER: PREACHING CHRIST IN A ROMANS 1 SOCIETY

By Dennis Rokser We are watching the moral decline and growing decadence of our country right before our very eyes. Yet let us keep our eyes on Jesus (Heb. 12:1-2) and not forget that we are ambassadors for Christ on foreign turf who have been entrusted by God with the ministry and message of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20). So let’s use Paul’s ministry at Corinth as an example of what we must continue to preach and emphasize in a Romans [...]

Darrell Patterson2019-02-10T01:59:50+00:00June 12th, 2015|