2016 81 Spring – Grace Gospel Press

CONTEMPORARY ISSUES: DREAMS, OUT OF BODY EXPERIENCES, AND VISIONS OF HEAVEN: WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

By James L. Lowther Many Christians read and enjoy popular accounts about people who claim that they have been in heaven and have come back to report on it or that they have died and hovered over their own bodies before being brought back to life. Does the Bible have anything to say about these phenomena or the many accounts of visions and dreams about spiritual matters? This is a timely topic since there are many who take these accounts [...]

Darrell Patterson2019-02-10T02:40:06+00:00April 7th, 2016|

A DAY AT THE FAIR: SPIRITUAL DYSLEXIA

By Eric Johnson I left my chair to journey down the long hallway of the commercial building, observing the descriptive signs, numerous crafted items, and saying “hello” to the few vendors that reach out to make quick eye contact. Every year the same twenty vendors set up their small 10-foot display and we begin our 4 days together at the county fair. As hundreds of people pass by each year, it is amazing how quickly a friendly relationship can start [...]

Darrell Patterson2019-02-10T02:40:38+00:00April 7th, 2016|

TRUTH AT A GLANCE: THE ONLY BRIDGE THAT SPANS THE CHASM

By E. J. Pace In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. - Ephesians 1:7 - Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” - John 14:6 -

Darrell Patterson2019-02-10T02:40:44+00:00April 7th, 2016|

A VOICE FROM THE PAST: LAW AND GRACE—A BIBLE CONTRAST

By Merrill F. Unger In the study of the Holy Scriptures, as indeed in any other study, it is of paramount importance “to distinguish carefully between things that differ.” Unless this is done, untold darkness and confusion will result, where otherwise there would be perfect light and clarity. And untold darkness and confusion have arisen over the subjects of law and grace, because God has set forth these two principles in obvious and striking contrast, and men have attempted to [...]

Darrell Patterson2019-02-10T02:40:52+00:00April 7th, 2016|

THEOLOGICAL ISSUES: SHOULD CHRISTIANS FEAR OUTER DARKNESS? (Chapter 2)

By Dennis Rokser The main question this book1 seeks to ask and answer may be summarized below: Should unfaithful Christians (not unbelievers) fear punitive damages (not just a lack of reward) at the future Judgment Seat of Christ (when Jesus Christ comes back and the believer’s post-justification life is examined), that include being cast into outer darkness (whether actual or figurative) and experiencing wailing and gnashing of teeth (resulting from deep regret or remorse)? Like you would expect, there are several [...]

Darrell Patterson2019-02-10T02:42:42+00:00April 7th, 2016|

PRINCIPLES FROM A PASSAGE: THE REALITY AND REWARDS OF TRIALS (1 Peter 1:3-7)

1. Trials happen to BELIEVERS. (1:3-6a) 2. Trials need not hinder a believer's REJOICING in the Lord when viewed in light of their blessings in Christ. (1:6a) 3. Trials are TEMPORARY. (1:6b) 4. Trials are NECESSARY and INEVITABLE. (1:6c) 5. Trials create great STRESS in your life. (1:6d) 6. Trials are of many VARIETIES. (1:6e) 7. Trials are designed to REFINE YOUR FAITH. (1:7a) 8. Trials, when responded to correctly, will result in PRAISE and HONOR and GLORY at the [...]

Darrell Patterson2019-02-10T02:41:00+00:00April 7th, 2016|

The Importance and Value of Expository Preaching

By Dennis Rokser I am devoted to the expository preaching of the Word of God. It is what I primarily do as a pastor-teacher, feeding the flock of God entrusted to my care the Word of God by the grace of God. There are times when I teach expositorily through various passages of the Bible in a topical series like I am presently doing on Wednesday nights titled, THE ESSENTIALS OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE (www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=14151215281). But my preference is to [...]

Darrell Patterson2019-02-10T02:41:05+00:00April 7th, 2016|

BIBLE QUESTIONS ANSWERED: WHAT DOES “BORN OF WATER AND THE SPIRIT” MEAN IN JOHN 3:5?

By Tom Stegall What did Jesus mean in John 3:5 when He said to Nicodemus, “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God”? The meaning of the phrase “born of water and the Spirit” has been debated throughout church history, resulting in four main interpretations. The first of these views is doctrinally false and contradicts the rest of Scripture. The other three views are all doctrinally acceptable, but the last view best [...]

Darrell Patterson2019-02-10T02:41:10+00:00April 7th, 2016|

PROPHECY: LOOKING FOR HIS APPEARING

By J.F. Strombeck Thus far the discussion of the teaching by grace has been concerned with the present;1 with denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, and living soberly, righteously and godly in the present world. Grace also teaches to look to the future—to look for “that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” The emphasis here is not so much on His coming as on the fact that the believer should be looking [...]

Darrell Patterson2019-02-10T02:41:17+00:00April 7th, 2016|

Commentary: THE CRUCIAL IMPORTANCE OF IDENTIFICATION TRUTHS FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND A WORTHY WALK, Pt. 2 (Ephesians 4:17-24)

By Dennis Rokser In my last article, I devoted the majority of my time to providing an adequate understanding of the context and flow of the book of Ephesians, along with several critical observations regarding the importance of identification truth for spiritual growth and a worthy walk in the life of the believer. All of that set the stage so that we might now be able to examine more closely a golden nugget found in Ephesians 4:17-24. Verses 17-32 can [...]

Darrell Patterson2019-02-10T02:41:25+00:00April 7th, 2016|