Shadyside Church of Christ

People become Christians for many different reasons, some of which are rather poor. Perhaps this is why the witness of so many Christians is also rather poor. If some one asks us why we are Christians, what do we say? How do we answer?

"Works" has been debated for a long time in Christian circles. Do they have anything to do with salvation at all? What are these good works, anyway? The Bible does not supply a listing. What is their purpose, and what should be the Christian's attitude toward them? Are they to be a prime focus or are they sort of optional, like when you have the time? Lots of questions! Let's l...

The history in the Old Testament is filled with bad news. Adam and Eve sinned and were removed from the Garden. Man's wickedness was so great that God told Noah to build an ark. Despite being called as God's people and having a covenant relationship, Israel continued to go astray and ended up on the other side of captivity with a beggarly-looking temple and 400 years of silence out of Go...

Some of us don't like change at all. Others are ready to change at the drop of a hat! Sometimes God tells us to stay the course, but at other times He says we need to change, even that we must change. But change can be very difficult. What are the obstacles which we must remove in order to bring about effective change in the Christian walk? What is the prime key which sparks good and effectiv...

Glory is a word whose meaning derives from the idea of "weighty importance." Things which have glory have some kind of great importance. Moses asked God to show him His glory. God did in fact do that for Moses on Mt. Sinai, but it may surprise you what God thundered about Himself as He passed by Moses in His glory. Hint: It wasn't about all of His power nor His infinite knowledge.

As the original Creator and Builder, God has called His people throughout the years also to be builders. Noah, of course, built the ark. Moses, the tabernacle. Solomon, the temple. Others built as well. Jesus began building His church on the day of Pentecost and continues to this day. Each one of us are called to build: our lives, our families and our congregations. Are we seeing the need? Heeding...

We all need good role models for life, even those of us who have been around for a while. One couple who is mentioned in just a few places in the New Testament are marvelous examples for Christians today. The resilience, hard work and devotion of Aquila and Priscilla shine through in a handful of verses, and we wonder why more wasn't written of them. But we can learn a lot from what we can se...

Many Christians these days worry about whether they are saved and have eternal life. Some even say you can never know about that for sure. One of the reasons John wrote his first letter was to tell his readers that they can know they have eternal life! Amazing. John includes all we need to know in order to know if we have this life promised by God. But it requires an honest evaluation of one'...

Another reason John wrote his first letter was to warn the church of the deceivers, the false prophets, who were in the world. The concept of what is truth and reality as opposed to what is falsehood and fantasy is at the core of the battle between good and evil. The devil is the master of lies and delusions who began to ply his trade in the Garden. John warns of the deceivers who are spreading th...

John wrote his first letter for four reasons. The second reason was that his readers would not sin. With his having asserted that forgiveness in Christ was freely available to them, this might seem a bit strange, but John lays out his case for not sinning. Sin puts a person in the devil's camp and works against the purposes of Christ. Sin harms our brothers and sisters when we fail to attend...

In his first letter, John noted three reasons why he had written "these things." In our day, we could say John "tweeted out!" One reason he wrote was to stir up joy in his Christian readers who were facing all sorts of adversity. He gave them at least five reasons why they should have this deep joy and blessedness which can only come from God. Christians today also need to know...

Whether we realize it or not, we are all in a pitched battle against evil - even God. But God knows how to win, and He has shown His people what is needed to win this fight against evil. In comparing King David and Christ Jesus, we can see the same elements which were present with each of them as they fought against their enemies. These same things are available to us in our fight today.

Many prayers go unanswered. Many of your prayers are still unanswered. Why is that? What makes for effective prayer? Is there a formula for prayer which moves God to answer? Do we need to do something out of the ordinary (like fasting) to get God's attention? The prophet Elijah provides a good example for us about what makes for effective prayer. There's nothing strange about it, but it...

God's generosity toward man prompted by His love has always been incredible. From life itself to such things as family, beauty in creation, variety of foods, friendship, etc., God has truly blessed mankind. But Paul writes of unfathomable riches which are found in heavenly places. Do we see the richness of salvation, forgiveness of sins, the gift of the Holy Spirit, being adopted as God'...

The Bible has much to say about the use of wealth and the dangers of trusting in it. Money and the ability to make money are gifts from God, and we are to use our money for good and not just to lavish on ourselves. It is easy to begin to trust in money since it has so much "power" to get things. But the word of God also speaks of "true riches." What might these be, and how do I...

The apostle Paul was very mindful of his past sins, wrote of them openly and considered himself the foremost of sinners. But he didn't dwell on those sins because he also remembered His Savior Jesus who showed him grace and mercy, and even gave him a special work to do in the kingdom. Christians need to remember their sins so as not to grow self-righteous and to be reminded of the great Savio...

The Holy Spirit teaches us that those who become Jesus' disciples are to be conformed to His image. This brings some questions to mind. What exactly does that mean? How would a person know if they were becoming like Jesus? If we look at what Jesus was doing while on the earth, we can get a good idea of what the image looks like. When we have compassion for those in need and have concern for t...

God has provided food for humanity from the beginning. It was fruit and vegetables until after the great flood when meat was added to man's diet. Food played a major role in Israel's beginning and in its religious life. Jesus' ministry often focused around food. His parable about the great dinner in the kingdom of heaven should give us all "food" for thought. What He promi...

The more things change, the more they remain the same. We've all heard this, but it's also quite true. Of course, God doesn't change nor His gospel. But despite what some people like to think, we humans are still the same as in years gone by. We have the same fears, doubts, sorrows; joys, pleasures and satisfactions. Sure, they might come in a different package today, but the mind a...

The world these days is troublesome and filled with trouble. From international tensions, to domestic problems, to personal difficulties - there is much to be anxious about. And people seek all sorts of ways to find peace: thru drugs, meditation techniques and various forms of escapism. Jesus promised peace to His followers but not in a way in which the world seeks peace. What is Jesus' way t...

To a great extent, Jesus' life was laid out for Him as He was bound to fulfill the prophecies which were written about Him. He was destined to receive glory, but the road which led to His glory wound through three places - Gethsemane, Gabbatha and Golgotha. At each of these stops on the road, Jesus was tested as He came closer and closer to the glory which awaited Him.

What's in a name? A great deal! Names evoke images and feelings because they bring to mind past experience. When someone mentions our favorite restaurant or beverage, certain thoughts, images, smells, tastes come to mind. In the Bible, we are taught that many things must be done "in the name of Jesus." This is because He has been given all authority, and using His name invokes that...

Sometimes we wonder (It's only human to do so) whether our sweat, sacrifice and tears for the way of Christ will be worth it. The Holy Spirit throughout scripture repeatedly gives the people of God assurance that the blessings of life eternal will far out weigh any troubles in this life. In Revelation 21:7 we find a three-fold promise made to the people of God who overcome the rigors of an ev...

Jesus taught two ways of life and only two - one leading to destruction and one leading to life. The way to destruction is a broad way with a wide gate for entry, and many travel on it. The way to life is a narrow, difficult way with a narrow gate for entry, and few people find it. Jesus' words imply that the broad road always leads to destruction - that it cannot lead to life. So what is thi...

Christians hear a lot of sermons about putting on the whole armor of God, but not so many about how to actually fight the devil. James talks about resisting the devil, but how do we do that? Every time we choose good over evil, right over wrong, to help and not to turn away - we punch the devil in the face and stick a knife in his belly. Words of encouragement, prayer, sharing the gospel and acts...