Shadyside Church of Christ

God and His people have always had enemies.  In the days of Jeremiah, many nations threatened Judah.  God, however, told His people to look at the gods behind these nations.  Statues made of wood, decorated with gold was all they were.  They were like "a scarecrow in a cucumber patch" unable to walk or talk.  "Do not fear them."  Today, Christians have enemies lurking in every...

When you buy a plane ticket to Paris, you expect the aircraft to take you to Paris.  The same logic holds true for our spiritual journey in life.  The way you choose to travel has only one destination.  Jesus says there are only two ways to travel in life and thus there are only two destinations.  Do you know what they are?  Do you know which one you are traveling on?

When Jesus was about to leave His disciples, He told them to love one another as He had loved them.  He said that by this kind of love all men would know they were His disciples.  But what does that kind of love look like?  Surely, it's more than just some kind of warm feeling because Jesus said that "all men" would be able to see this love in action and recognize that they were Jes...

In order to carry the gospel into the whole world and overcome evil's resistance to it, Jesus knew what the apostles would need.  First of all, they needed reassurances that He really was the Christ, the Son of God and that they would have divine help in their task.  Also, they needed to know how to bring a lost person into a saved condition, fully functioning in the kingdom of God.  And Jesu...

Every Christian has someone in their family or in their circle of friends whom they want to see obey the gospel and receive salvation.  They may have "tried everything," but the response has been minimal if anything at all.  We must all remember that the power to save and change hearts rests with God Himself and the gospel of Christ Jesus and not with us.  God works in us, through us and...

There are numerous "firsts" in the book of Genesis, from the creation of all things to the beginning of the Hebrew people.  The account of Cain's killing of his brother Abel yields several such firsts.  Usually it is pointed out that this was the first murder (which is true), but there are two much more important other firsts in this story.  The foundation for these two is laid here...

 In Israel and Judah's day, some neighboring nations sacrificed their children to their gods.  Despite God's commands and warnings, Israel and Judah were influenced by these surrounding nations and ended up doing the same thing.  Through the recent actions of numerous elected officials in the United States today, it's become apparent that people are now willing to sacrifice children...

 Israel served God in a tabernacle in the wilderness, and later Solomon built a temple modeled after it. In the tabernacle were various furnishings: an incense altar, lampstand, table with showbread. Also the ark of the covenant was in the Holy of Holies. Outside was the altar for sacrifices. The priests ministered there daily. Paul asserts that the church is "the temple of the living God&quo...

 Paul affirms in Romans (chapter 3) that God is God of Gentiles also. Why does he need to do this? Did God abandon the Gentiles when He called Abram and promised to make a great nation out of him? Were the nations considered second-rate people because God chose to bring the Messiah into the world through Israel? In the New Testament, we see that the Jews had rules which restricted interaction with...

Usually when we study about love, it's about the self-sacrificing Greek "agape."  But the Song of Solomon tells of a romantic love which has also been given to mankind.  It is depicted as being exclusive, gracious and "as strong as death."  Together with the covenant love of marriage these two form an indestructible bond of devotion, joy and mutual benefit between husband...

 At times, we can get to thinking that life is all about being serious. In fact, the Bible instructs us to approach life soberly and with wisdom. But the Scriptures also teach us that God is big on pleasure! He Himself takes pleasure in His people and has built pleasure and opportunities for happiness into His creation. Leviathan was made to "frolic" in the sea. The bride and groom find...

 Jesus is called the "last Adam" by Paul. What exactly does he mean by that? There are marvelous comparisons between Christ Jesus, the "last Adam," and the first Adam who was created by God. God even provided "brides" for both Adams, and the comparison between them is also quite striking. The first Adam and his bride were a foreshadowing of the last Adam and His bride...

 Bullies try to shame people by making fun of something about them.  The world tries to shame Christians these days about their faith.  People who believe in God, who believe in the truthfulness of the Bible, who believe in creation, who believe that Jesus is God in the flesh, who believe in a coming judgment day, etc. are derided and looked down upon by the world.  Jesus challenges His followers...

When Jesus came to their house, Martha was very busy with being a good hostess and taking care of her guests, while Mary was busy sitting at Jesus' feet and listening to His word.  Both are righteous and godly pursuits, but under the circumstances one lady chose well and one poorly.  What can we learn from this situation?

At our recent holiday gatherings, most of us probably noticed a place that was empty or a face that was missing.  It was a reminder of the brevity of life.  And if this life is all there is, then truly we should just indulge our passions and die.  But God has something better for us - much better.  He offers us a new life, another life, a glorious life.  It's called eternal life.  Life after...

Immanuel means "God with us."  Why did God have to become a human being?  Well, both Jews (who had the Law) and Gentiles (who did not) had sinned and thus were guilty before God.  Sin brings death so this situation left the entire human race in a hopeless mess.  But God's plan for mankind's salvation (which was His eternal purpose and plan from the very beginning) was for Him i...

With God, anything is possible is a theme repeated in scripture.  But sometimes we begin to think that God cannot forgive my sin, my terrible sins, my repeated sins, my selfish sins.  And sometimes we who have loved ones who need to obey the gospel or return to their first love begin to think that will never happen.  We must jettison such wicked thinking and be assured that Christ's blood can...

We all experience losses and struggles of all kinds.  And we all have questions about why God did not answer our prayers to avoid those losses and alleviate our heartaches.  But we must remember that our lives fit into a greater narrative which is being worked out upon the earth and that God is the author and director of it.  The account of Jesus' raising Lazarus from the dead in John 11 give...

Many of us wonder about our purpose in life, our calling.  What does God want me to be knowing the skills, abilities and resources which He has given me?  Certainly one should carefully consider such things.  But know this that no matter how we put food on the table there is no greater calling than to be a Christian and serve with the Lord Jesus in His fight against all that's evil!  There is...

 Scripture plainly declares there are none righteous before God.  Bible history even shows great men of faith - Abraham, Moses, David - to have great weaknesses and having committed grave sins.  We dare not begin to think we are righteous in ourselves, but must confess our sins and sinfulness and our need for Someone else's righteousness.  Nothing will drive people away from a church faster t...

John the Baptist administered "a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins."  Multitudes responded to his message and came and were baptized in the Jordan River confessing their sins.  But why is Jesus baptized by John?  In fact, He rather insisted upon it.  Jesus has no sins and therefore none to confess nor anything of which to repent!  So, what is happening here?  Hmmm?

 We have "friends" all over social media, but are they true friends?  If we were down and out, would they come and help us?  If our car broke down, would they give us rides?  If we were deathly ill, would they visit and help care for us?  The Bible says a great deal about friendship which it affirms is based upon love.  David & Jonathan's friendship is an example of true friends...

When creating marriage, God said that the two shall become one flesh. Both husband and wife have responsibilities which reflect those of Christ (husband) toward the church, and the church (wife) toward Christ. The model is perfect, but the two people coming together in the same space at the same time are both sinners and have many differences. This situation creates one of the greatest tests for t...

When Levi gave his reception for Jesus after accepting His call, his house was packed with every sort of person from tax collectors and known sinners to scribes. Jesus defended Levi's guest list by saying that it was the sick who needed made well. It was sinners who needed healed. Repentance was needed for the healing, but everyone was welcome, no matter who they were or what might have been...

This question has been debated for years and is still debated today.  One's answer to this question will even affect how a person interprets some of scripture.  Paul in his writings gives us insight as to how to answer this question, but we must go back to God's dealings with Abraham to get a good foundation for our understanding.  By the way, what is your answer to this question at the...