We come to a very interesting passage of scripture. Hidden in this passage are several spiritual nuggets that shifts our focus toward Jesus and the Gospel. Many times in our lives and in the life of the church, we lose our focus. Often, we will find ourselves concerned over petty issues and arguments that have…
Jesus’ actions when He saw what was going on in the temple is a remarkable event in history. It is recorded in all four gospels. Though, here in the Gospel of John it is placed at a different time in the chronology of the life of Christ than it is in the other three gospels.…
Do you ever feel as if you need a spiritual shot in the arm? Has your walk with God become stagnant? What about your church? Has your church lost its passion and fire? Has the ministries that were once active and vibrant become almost nonexistent? From time to time we need to hit the reset…
A study of the book of First Timothy takes us now to the final three chapters of the book. In these chapters, we find very practical encouragement and instruction concerning life in the local church. Dangers to be aware of (4:1-5). These verses describe a great apostasy that comes in the later days. We are…
Questions abound as to why churches across America are in decline. Many have suggested that the church is not relevant enough to today’s society. As a result we do see young people leaving the traditional church and flocking to the emerging church movement. We have mistakenly attributed this to things such worship styles, attire, and…
The ongoing debate in many churches is the position and function of the church deacon. We serve a God who is a God of order. This is seen in the amazing artistic and orderly design of creation to the institutions of the home, human government, and the church. Throughout the Bible we see a principle…
Across America there are pockets where the churches are a plenty and the Gospel is clearly preached and understood. However, there are also pockets where the churches are few and the people are starved for truth. Knox county Maine (where I pastor) is one of those pockets where the churches are few and the people are…
“The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but…
There are many thoughts and ideas concerning what makes a healthy church. It is important that the church seeks sustained health rather than extreme growth spurts. Let me explain. Considering numbers is important. The main reason to consider numbers is that every number represents a soul. Therefore, it is important to work to increase the…
“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy,…
Pastor Chris Noland 