What must I do to be saved?

When the apostle Paul stood atop Mars Hill in Athens, Greece to present the truth of the One True God to pagan philosophers, he used several rhetorical methods. Acts 17 reports the content of Paul’s presentation on that occasion. Modern apologists (those who argue for God’s existence) could identify elements of the cosmological and moral arguments for the existence of God in that presentation.

Paul closed out his speech with an allusion to Jesus’ resurrection. The allusion is no accident. In fact, one could argue that all Paul had to say was leading up to his statement, “of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead” (Acts 17:31). While the Athenians had trouble accepting the resurrection, the reality of the resurrection has become one of the most cited proofs for the existence of the God of the Bible.

Apologist Josh McDowell cites numerous facts surrounding the resurrection that support its historicity. If the resurrection is true, then it verifies Jesus’ claims. If Jesus’ claims are true, then God exists. Here are just two of the facts McDowell cites:

An empty tomb. The disciples of Christ did not go off to Athens or Rome to preach that Christ was raised from the dead. Rather, they went right back to the city of Jerusalem, where, if what they were teaching was false, the falsity would be evident. The empty tomb was “too notorious to be denied.” The resurrection “could have not been maintained in Jerusalem for a single day, for a single hour, if the emptiness of the tomb had not been established as a fact for all concerned.”

The large stone moved. “On that Sunday morning the first thing that impressed the people who approached the tomb was the unusual position of the one-and-a-half to two-ton stone that had been lodged in front of the doorway. All the Gospel writers mention it. Those who observed the stone after the resurrection describe its position as having been rolled up a slope away not just from the entrance of the tomb, but from the entire massive sepulcher. It was in such a position that it looked as if it had been picked up and carried away. If the disciples had wanted to come in, tiptoe around the sleeping guards, and then roll the stone over and steal Jesus’ body, how could they have done that without the guards’ awareness?”

This is but a sampling of the proofs surrounding the resurrection. These and many more make the resurrection impossible to ignore and a great reason to believe God exists.

Clay Leonard

Seven reasons to believe God exists: He has revealed Himself in the created world (Psalm 19:1–6), He has revealed Himself in His Word (Psalm 19:7–11), He has revealed Himself in changed people (Psalm 19:12–14), and human eternal longings point to His existence (Ecclesiastes 3:11), He has revealed Himself in the incarnate Word (John 1:1–18), He has revealed Himself in the resurrection (Acts 17:31), and finally, He makes life worth living.

Psalm 34:8 says, “Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” As with a couple of the other reasons listed, this last is somewhat experiential and, therefore, anecdotal. Some have “tried” belief in God and Jesus and gone away jaded, cynical, and disillusioned. Nevertheless, if God exists and What He says is true, then authentic belief in Him will produce the best of all possible lives here on earth.

One of the most common objections to God’s existence is the so-called “Problem of Suffering.” The line of reasoning here says that If God is all-good and God is all-powerful, then suffering should not exist. This argument assumes that allowing anyone to suffer shows a deficiency in either goodness or power or both. Suffering, however, is the byproduct of sin. Sin exists in the world precisely because God is so good that He created humans with true free will.

Only belief in God gives an explanation for suffering as well as a means of channeling it for greater good in this life. Jesus’ death on the cross not only atones for human sin, it also provides a new way of looking at life and death. Suffering reveals the brokenness of this world by sin and also becomes the means by which God overcomes sin for all people who will receive His gift.

Jesus summarizes this world-upending truth in the introduction to the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5. The so-called “Beatitudes” reveal the life that God calls “blessed” or “happy.” It is a life of humility, mourning, meekness, hunger and thirst for righteousness, mercy, purity, and peacemaking. In short, it is contrary to the ways of the world. But it is this life that is truly worth living. Believe God exists; He makes life worth living.

Clay Leonard

You can watch the sermon on this theme at:

https://youtube.com/live/66GhEASKKcc?feature=share

What is your strength? We all have strengths; we surely know what those strengths are. But, if we are not careful, Satan can use those strengths and turn them into a weakness. We must submit our strengths to the teachings of the Word of God and allow Him to use our strengths for His glory, not for ours.

Now, before we get into our text, I want to draw some verses to your attention. The promise by God to David that God would bless David and his house is found in 1 Chronicles 17. God told David in that text, in verse 8, that He had cut off all the enemies of David from before him. In chapters 18-20, the writer tells us about David’s military victories. He defeated practically all Israel’s enemies: the Philistines, the Moabites, the Arameans, the Edomites, and the Ammonites. Then in these chapters, we have texts that say, “The Lord helped David wherever he went:” 18:6, 11, 13; 19:13. But it seems in our chapter, David kind of sets aside the help from the Lord and he wants to put his confidence in the flesh…

SATAN STANDS UP AGAINST ISRAEL – 1 Chronicles 21:1-4:

Here in 1 Chronicles 21, the writer blames Satan for standing up against Israel and moving David to take a census of Israel. God had already struck Israel with a famine for three years during the reign of David and it was because of a sin by King Saul that had not been resolved. So, again, God is angry with Israel. It seems to me as we study the text that the fundamental problem is that David is taking pride in the military strength of the nation of Israel.

But that pride is motivated by Satan, according to the author of 1 Chronicles. Now, we don’t know and scholars are at a loss to explain how 2 Samuel can say it was God’s anger that incited David while 1 Chronicles says it was Satan. It seems to me that the pride in David’s heart came from Satan and God was angry with David because of his pride and so David – through his pride – was incited to take a census of Israel’s military strength.

ISRAEL IS ENCOURAGED TO TRUST ITS MILITARY – 21:5-8:

Verse 7: “God was displeased with this thing.” Now, the reason why God did not destroy more people in Israel and why God did not strike David with the sword is found in verse 8: “I have sinned greatly, in that I have done this thing. But now, please take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have done very foolishly.” In 2 Samuel 24:10, the text says that David’s heart troubled him after he had numbered the people and that prompted David to confess his sin to God.

GOD’S PUNISHMENT OF ISRAEL FOR DAVID’S PRIDE – 21:9-17:

Verse 14 summarizes what God then does. He sends a pestilence and strikes down 70,000 of those military men whom David trusted. This was done by an angel whom God sent to destroy Jerusalem.

David accepts responsibility for the sin – the pronouns in this verse are emphatic.

David acknowledges that the Israelites were innocent of sin.

David asks to be punished himself, in place of his sheep, just like the later “Son of David” will be punished in place of His sheep.

GOD BLESSES DAVID DESPITE HIS SIN – 21:18-30:

God responds, in mercy, to David’s prayer by commanding David to build an altar and worship God (ver. 18). Ornan also saw the angel and so did his four sons who hid themselves out of fear. But Ornan saw King David coming to him and went out to meet him.

Beginning in chapter 22, we learn that the temple of Solomon was built on this site and in 2 Chronicles 3:1, the writer associates this site with Mount Moriah. And the only other place where “Mount Moriah” is mentioned in the Scriptures is in Genesis 22 when Abraham was commanded to offer Isaac as a burnt offering on Mount Moriah. So we have a connection between Abraham offering Isaac with the location of the temple of God built by Solomon and this location – the threshing floor of Ornan – in response to God forgiving David of his pride.

CONCLUSION:

As far as this specific theme is concerned, the writer will point out especially in 2 Chronicles (13:18; 14:11; 16:8; 20:15) that victory does not come to those who trust in the flesh. The theme culminates in King Jehoshaphat’s prayer in 20:15 and a prophet’s response from God to the king’s prayer: “Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God’s.”

We need to submit our strengths to the authority of the word of God and not put trust in our strengths. Peter reminds us that “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time” (1 Peter 5:5-6).

Don’t let pride cloud your judgment – put your trust in the unwavering word of God.

Paul Holland

While I was not the smartest kid in my classes in junior high and high school, I generally made good grades. Mostly As with a B here and there. Being raised in a Christian home, I knew cheating was wrong and did not do it frequently, although I think I did a time or two. It was actually more tempting to let someone cheat off me. Since we moved frequently and I often started a new school in the middle of the year, I did not have friends. There were other factors that contributed to me desiring to be popular, by allowing someone to look over my shoulder. However, I also knew that was wrong and was not in the best interest of the other student. With courage, I would shift my body position so that the “cheater” could not see my paper and I would do so in a way that did not look obvious.

“‘You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another” (Lev. 19:11). “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). “Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices” (Col. 3:9).

Since God is a God of truth (Psalm 31:5; Isaiah 65:16), He cannot tolerate lies. Nor can He tolerate stealing. “You shall not steal” (Exo. 20:15). “You shall not steal” (Deut. 5:19). “He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need” (Eph, 4:28).

Cheating is both lying and stealing. Therefore it is sinful on two counts. When a student in school chooses to cheat, he or she is enabling laziness. That contributes to yet another sin. Cheating also, as it did me, makes others uncomfortable. How can you invite someone to worship or study the Bible with you if they know that you cheat? That would be hypocritical. Finally, cheating lowers the value of an education. It makes the diploma / degree valueless if someone has not earned the grades they have received.

So, listen to the words of Solomon: “Truthful lips will be established forever, But a lying tongue is only for a moment” (Prov. 12:19). And: “A righteous man hates falsehood, But a wicked man acts disgustingly and shamefully” (Prov. 13:5).

Paul Holland

There are no better events in the biblical narrative that illustrate the providence of God better than those involving Joseph and Esther. Let’s meditate on the account of Joseph. The events related to Joseph are recorded in Genesis 37-50 (minus chapter 38). While we know that the dreams given to Joseph in chapter 37, when he was 17 years old, came from God, the text does not directly attribute the dreams to God. “God” is not mentioned until 39:9.

In fact, if you read through the account, you will notice that Moses, the author of Genesis, does not attribute many actions to God at all! “God” is mentioned 38 times; “LORD” is mentioned 8 times.

What does God do with Joseph or for Joseph? He is “with” Joseph (39:2-3, 21, 23) and He caused what Joseph did to prosper (39:23). But these are broad, generic statements so that we do not know exactly what God did. What does appear to be safe to say is that God did not perform any miracles in these events in the life of Joseph (after the initial dreams in chapter 37) except interpreting the dreams. But even with the dreams, it is not Moses who tells us God is doing it; it is Joseph relating that God could interpret dreams (40:8; 41:16, 25, 28; 41:32, 39).

The Lord blessed Potiphar’s house on behalf of Joseph (39:5). In 46:2-3, God finally speaks, telling Jacob that He will be with Jacob when he goes into Egypt and He will bring him back to the Promised Land.

As we continue reading through the events, we see where the brothers believed God was doing something to them as they interact with Joseph (whom they do not yet know): 42:28. Jacob hoped that God would give his sons compassion before Pharaoh (43:14). Joseph hoped God would be gracious to Benjamin (43:29). In 44:16, the brothers believed God had “found out” the iniquity of the brothers against Joseph. So we see expressed by the patriarchs a trust in God, both His ability to punish and His ability to bless.

But as “providence” is defined as God working without miracles, then we see Him working constantly behind the scenes. This is summed up by Joseph several times: 45:5, 7-9; 50:20, with 50:20 serving as the theme of Joseph’s life and his faith. Joseph believed God had given him his sons (48:9). God had allowed Jacob to see Joseph’s sons (48:11). Jacob believed God had been his shepherd (48:15). Jacob believed God would take his family back to Canaan (see also 50:24-25). Finally, in 49:18, Jacob expects salvation to come from the Lord.

God can bless us, just as He did Joseph, without working any miracles. We do not know why bad things might happen to us – think of Joseph spending time in jail – but God can work things out for our good, to help us serve Him. We need to stay faithful and trust Him.

Paul Holland

This snow and the salt on the roads wrecks havoc on our cars, doesn’t it? The places over our back wheels is slowly rusting away. The next car we get, I hope, has that protection over the wheels so this doesn’t happen. Rust slowly “chips away” the paint on a car. Like sin, rust is a corrosive power. Over time, it can remove the paint from our vehicles, just like sin can remove saving faith from our lives.

The Hebrew writer is trying to encourage Christians to think seriously about Jesus and our relationship with Him and just stay faithful! Let’s feed our spirits on Hebrews 3. I do not plan to study every single verse in this letter; some chapters will be too long for us to consider. But I will look at all of chapter 3.

CONSIDER JESUS – 3:1-6:

Christ is the Apostle of our confession and the High Priest of our confession. An “apostle” is someone sent on a special mission. It is very similar to our English word “missionary.” Jesus is the “apostle” sent from heaven, from the Father, with the Father’s message.

Jesus represents the Father to us; but He is also our “high priest.” The writer of Hebrews is going to use the expression “high priest” 17 times, and ultimately his point is going to be Jesus is our High Priest. In other words, not only does Jesus represent the Father to us, but He also represents us to the Father. Jesus is the only one who stands between us and the Father.

The author of Hebrews ends this passage by reminding his audience that they must “hold fast” to their confidence and their hope in order to ultimately inherit their home in heaven. Christians must remain steadfast in their faith and persevere in the hope of Christ to enjoy the promise of the consummation of that heavenly calling.

DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEART – 3:7-11:

The psalmist is quoting from Psalm 95 and he is applying its message to Christians. “Do not harden your hearts.” That is the behavior the writer wants us to take away from this quotation because he quotes this verse again in verse 15. Do not harden your hearts. In other words, keep a humble heart and a submissive mind to the teachings of God.

Aldous Huxley, the twentieth-century English novelist and essayist said, “That men do not learn very much from the lessons of history is the most important of all the lessons that history has to teach” (Aldous Huxley, “A Case of Voluntary Ignorance,” Esquire Classic, October 1, 1956).

TAKE CARE AND ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER – 3:12-19:

Now the Hebrew writer shows that he is not talking to Lone Rangers… “Encourage one another” (ver. 13). Of course, the famous text in Hebrews 10:25 tells us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together. Why? Because there is strength in numbers. God created us to worship, yes, but He also created us to worship together.

The writer tells us that we are, effectively, our “brother’s keeper.” We need to “encourage one another.” This verb “encourage” is used 111 times in the NT! The Hebrew writer will use it four times: 3:13; 10:25; 13:19, 22. The pronoun “one another” is used 106 times in the NT. Clearly, God wants us as Christians to know one another, encourage one another, and worship with one another. Christianity is not a stay-at-home, practice on your own, religion.

On January 21, 2023, the University of Michigan relay team was competing in the Simmons-Harvey Invitation in Ann Arbor. Runner Sophie Isom fell during the first leg of the 4×400 race. After Isom got back to her feet, the other three members of her team were able to make up 30 seconds of lost time and Michigan won and beat that team down south (OSU) by 8 seconds. When we struggle to find our balance in life, we need our church family to help pick us up and carry us to victory.

Consider Jesus and do not harden your heart to His message. Take care and let’s encourage each other to stay faithful!

Paul Holland

First, the Bible: “Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith;  if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching;  or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.”

In their marriage book Magnificent Marriage, Drs. Nick Stinnett and Donnie Hilliard, with Nancy Stinnett, wrote in one chapter about “reframing.” That is, rather than focusing on a negative aspect of your spouse’s character, try to consider that same quality from a more positive perspective. To give one example, a spouse who seems “bossy” might simply be a very concerned type of individual.

When it comes to our children, the same thing can be true. In fact, our children might have a good quality that, if abused or pushed to an extreme, turns into a bad quality. If a child has some strong analytical skills, he or she might also be overly critical. If a child is extremely self-confident, he or she might become prideful. If a child seems to do well and is efficient, he or she might become inflexible about the way other people want to do things.

It is a good thing to acknowledge a child for their strengths. The more specific we can be in our praise, the more productive our praise will be. We should also help them see that their strength can be turned into a weakness, making life difficult for people around them, if they allow their strength to become too stiff or inflexible.

God has given each of us grace to exercise the gifts He has given to us. As parents, we have the opportunity to help our children see those gifts and use them for His honor.

Paul Holland

“Then Moses said, ‘I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn.’” – Exodus 3:3

Curiosity is a gift from God. It drives us to explore, seek, and grow. Moses’ encounter with the burning bush reveals the power of holy curiosity—the kind that draws us closer to God. Had he ignored the sight, he might have missed his calling. But he turned aside, and history changed.

Moses saw a bush ablaze yet unconsumed. Instead of walking past, he turned aside. God often places signs of His presence, but we must seek Him. How often do we miss divine moments due to distraction or doubt?

As Moses turned, God called: “Moses, Moses!”. Had Moses ignored the sight, would he have heard God? Revelation follows curiosity. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find.”

Curiosity fuels faith. It leads us to ask, Who is God? What is my purpose? Seekers of truth will find it, while the indifferent miss out.

The barriers to holy curiosity include complacency, where we assume we know enough; fear, which keeps us from seeking deeper truths; distraction, as the busyness of life diverts our focus; and doubt, causing us to hesitate and question whether God is truly speaking.

God told Moses, “Take your sandals off… for the place where you stand is holy”. Sandals symbolize what separates us from divine encounters—pride, sin, distractions. True curiosity requires humility. What must we remove to stand closer to God?

Moses asked for God’s name, and He replied, “I AM WHO I AM.”  God’s name reveals His eternal nature. Some questions will remain mysteries, but faith trusts that I AM is present and sufficient. Without curiosity, there is no growth. How many divine invitations have we ignored?

God is still calling. He still places signs before us. Are we paying attention?        Robert Kargbo

Interestingly I began writing this article March 25, 2025, and when I checked my sermon files I discovered that March 25, 2016 when I spoke on the European Ghanian Lectureship in Amsterdam, Netherlands my assigned topic was “Social Media and Christian Values.”

At that time an eMarketer report stated, “Worldwide Social Network Users: Nearly one in four people in 2012 used social media. In 2013 that number rose from 1.47 billion in 2012 to 1.73 billion, an 18% increase. By 2017, the global social network audience will total 2.55 billion.”

The report today says, “Social media has a massive global reach, with over 5 billion users, representing 63.8% of the world’s population, and people spend an average of 2 hours and 19 minutes daily on these platforms.” I doubt that there is anyone reading this article today who does not use social media. 

Good and Bad 

It is not hard to think of ways “Social Media” can be used for good. Families can stay in touch with one another even when separated by hundreds or thousands of miles. Think of the missionaries who went out in the 1800s or even the early 1900s, it took months to get a letter to its destination. Today, families of missionaries can stay in touch with their families and supporters with the help of “Social Media.”

Better than just staying in touch with family, the gospel can now be preached to million or even billions in a matter of seconds. I believe that if the great evangelist Paul were alive today, he would use “Social Media” to spread the gospel around the world. We should also! Anyone who knows me knows that I am not a “tech” person, but I believe it ought to be used, especially by those who know how to use it most effectively.

First, we must make sure that what we write or say is actually what the Bible teaches because if it is wrong, we influence millions! When we post something wrong or with a wrong “tone” it can stay in circulation forever. There is no way for humans to measure the damage that is done. We sometimes think because we cannot see each other that we can use language that we would not use in person and/or say things in a cutting way that we would not do if we were in the presence of that person.

Second, with “Social Media” one has time to think of the best way to say something before he or she speaks whether orally or in written form. Unfortunately, it appears that many people do not think before they write or speak. We ought never to compromise the truth, but at the same time, we need to try to say it in the best possible way. Luke said this about Paul and his traveling companions. “In Iconium they entered the synagogue of the Jews together, and spoke in such a manner that a large number of people believed, both of Jews and of Greeks” (Acts 14:1).

Christian Ethics and Social Networking 

There are many biblical passages and principles that should guide us as we communicate through “Social Media” but I have selected two from which we can learn some principles to guide us.

The first has been called “The Personal Worker’s Prayer.” “Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak. Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as thought seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person” (Colossians 4:2-6). Notice these points that can make us better communicators on “Social Media.”

First, pray for an open door (v. 3). Not everyone with whom we communicate is receptive to the gospel message. Look for those who appear to be willing to listen. Maybe we can see it in something they have said or maybe the way they have said it. Second, pray that what we say is clear – easily understood. Third, make sure that our conduct manifest wisdom (v. 5). This may involve the language we use and even “the tone” in which we say it. It may be in written form, but it often carries “a tone.” The “outsiders” are those who are not Christians. Fourth, make the most of our opportunity. We may be able to only plant a seed of the truth. They may not be ready for too much information at this time. Fifth, make sure that our speech is season with grace as seasoned with salt (v. 6) – “Salt” doesn’t mean that our language ought to be “salty” as some use that term. “Salt” adds flavor to our food.  Our works can make our message favorable. Sixth, pray that we may know how to respond to each person. Different people react differently to different approaches. We need to pray that we know how to approach that particular person.

The second passage is Ephesians 5:15, 25-32. Because it is a lengthy passage, I’m not going to quote it, but simply list some points that should guide us as we communicate. First, we must speak the truth in love (v. 15, 25). Second, we may be angry with what we receive through “Social Media” but we must not respond in like-manner. Let’s control our anger (v. 26). When we respond angrily, we give the devil a great opportunity to do damage. Third, do not let any unwholesome words come from our mouths, but rather may our words edify. Make sure that our words give grace to those who hear (v. 29). Fourth, make sure that we do not display any bitterness, wrath, clamor, or slander in our communication. The final message is, “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other just as God in Christ also has forgiven you” (v.32).

Conclusion

“Social Media” is a great tool for many good reasons, but like any tool it can be used for evil rather than good. Let’s not let that happen through our use of this God-given tool. Let’s determine to use it for God’s glory and ask God’s blessing on our use of it. “Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world. Holding forth the word of life” (Philippians 2:14-16).

Wayne Burger

This idiom suggests that you are caught between two predicaments, neither of which is a pleasant choice. Sometimes we find ourselves caught in the middle – caught between the church and what we know our Savior teaches and the world which compels us to side with it. Very few people find joy in being the “odd-ball.” We do all we can to “fit in.” That mentality is not just true of children or teenagers; it is also true of adults.

We want to be respected by the world. We want to be accepted by the world. We want to be loved by the world. The “world” might be our family; it might be our neighbors; it might be our co-workers. We do not feel comfortable, in fact we feel quite uncomfortable, if we find ourselves on the unpopular side from our “world.”

We feel secure in our world. Except when we don’t. The teachings of Jesus are oftentimes unpopular, even the command to be humble, in a world that promotes self-promotion. And Christians are weird for that reason. They live differently. In the old KJV, Christians are “peculiar” (Titus 2:14).

If we live a popular life with the world, we might find ourselves at odds with our Christian family. If we live a life that draws us closer to the church, it can make us unpopular with the “world.” So Christians find themselves caught between a rock and a hard place.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:14-16, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

What Jesus calls us to do, then, is to parlay our “popularity” with the world into showing them the beauty of Him and His teachings. If we are well-received by the world in which we live, then we have a graceful and God-given opportunity to share the teachings of Christ with those around us.

The church should really be our “home base,” since this is the group of people who share our faith. But we use that vantage point to draw our world to Christ.

Paul Holland