Parking Lot Sermons 
When I resided in Clarksburg West Virginia, I frequently passed a church building that invariably impressed me. I'm not referring to the physical structure, although it was attractive. What struck me was the PARKING LOT; specifically, the NUMBER OF CARS typically parked there.
 
Although the lot was generally full during their Sunday morning worship, what impressed me was the fact that it was 80% full at 9:10 AM on Sundays – 20 minutes prior to Sunday school. That's not all. Whenever I passed the building at 5:40 on Sunday evenings (20 minutes prior to their evening service), the lot was often 75% full. It was no different prior to their midweek service.
 
There's more. On many weekdays and Saturdays, I routinely observed between 25 and 30 cars in their lot. Apparently, this is a church that believes that a church building should be utilized for more than a handful of hours weekly.
 
Why do I bring this up? Although I never attended a service in that building, I was constantly tempted to do so. Why? Because their parking lot "perpetually preached" that this particular church is passionate about worship, Bible study, serving and growing.
 
In fact, every church parking lot "preaches” on Sundays, Wednesdays, and other days. But what message does it convey to the community? “Once-a-week attendance is acceptable here.” Or, “Bible class is not a priority here.” Or, “This facility is unused 95% of the time.”
 
What is the parking lot of the Milan church of Christ preaching to our community? May God help us to improve these "sermons" for His glory and the salvation of souls.
 
“I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go into the house of the LORD" (Psa. 122:1).
 
Jesus, always Jesus!
 
Dennis

​OBITUARY FOR JESUS CHRIST
(Revised, author unknown)

 
Jesus of Nazareth, age 33, believed by some to be the Son of God, died Friday on Mount Calvary, also called Golgotha. Following an informal trial by Jewish leaders, He was presented to Governor Pilate for official pronouncement of guilt and sentencing. Following lengthy deliberation in front of a largely hostile crowd, Pilate grudgingly bound Jesus over for execution by means of crucifixion.

 
Prior to reaching Golgotha Jesus was subjected to verbal and physical abuse, yet never resisted or threatened His tormentors. Nor did he protest while being horrifically nailed to the cross. Despite intense agony, this unique Individual even asked God to forgive His mean spirited accusers and persecutors. 

 
He lasted six hours, remarkable considering His depleted physical condition. He eventually succumbed to heart failure, induced by severe physical trauma, loss of blood, asphyxiation and shock. 

 
Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea. He was the alleged* son of Joseph - a carpenter from Nazareth - and Mary. (*He claimed that God was actually His Father.) His mother, several brothers and sisters, and a small band of disciples survive him.

 
During the last 3 years of his life, Jesus was an itinerant preacher, passionately promoting His Kingdom and salvation for its citizens. It is reported that He healed thousands of people. Some even allege that He calmed storms, walked on water and raised numerous people from the dead.

 
Following His death, Jesus was buried in a grave donated by Joseph of Arimathea. Due to earlier claims that He would rise from His grave, Jewish leaders took great pains to  make His grave secure. A huge stone with a Roman seal blocked the entrance, and soldiers guarded the area. 

 
UPDATE - The third day following Jesus’ death, His tomb was found EMPTY. Although specious rumors abound, no reasonable explanation has been established, except for Jesus' claim that He would rise from the grave. His disciples adamantly insist that they have seen Him alive, and that He will return to take His followers to heaven. The evidence is sufficiently compelling that millions of people sincerely believe that Jesus STILL LIVES.

 
“This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner..."  (Acts 1:11)  
   
Jesus, Always Jesus!  
   
Dennis

​Salvation God’s Way—Can a Christian Still be Lost?
   
As we conclude this series on the subject of salvation, let’s turn our attention to a belief that is espoused by millions worldwide – “Once saved, always saved!” It is obvious as to why it is popular - it is immensely comforting. After all, if it is impossible for a Christian to be lost, then there is practically nothing else to worry about. As a friend of mine use to say, “We’d have it made in the shade."  
   
Popularity notwithstanding, what does the Bible say?  
   
First, the Bible repeatedly states that a Christian can “fall.” Paul warned Christians about a “falling away” (2 Thess. 2:3), and the Hebrews writer, referring to some that were previously saved, “then have fallen away” (Heb. 6:6). Speaking to overconfident Christians, Paul warned, "Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” (1 Cor. 10:12). The writer of Hebrews added, “be diligent…lest anyone fall” (Heb. 4:11) and “looking carefully lest anyone fall” (Heb. 12:15). Peter followed up with, “beware lest you also fall” (2 Pet. 3:17). Paul even warned against putting “a cause to fall in our brother’s way” (Rom. 14:13), and he said that unqualified elders could “fall into the same condemnation as the devil” (1 Tim. 3:6-7). A Christian can fall.  
   
Moreover, the Bible teaches that a Christian can “stumble.” As indicated earlier, Paul warned against putting a “stumbling block” or doing anything that “makes my brother stumble” (1 Cor. 8:9, 13; cf. Rom. 14:13, 21). Peter, outlining several steps for Christian growth said, “if you do these things you will never stumble” (2 Pet. 1:5-10). A Christian can stumble.  
   
The Bible also affirms that a Christian can “turn away.” Paul warned that some Christians would “turn their ears away from the truth” (2 Tim. 4:4; cf. Heb. 12:25). He also rebuked the Galatian brethren for “turning away…from Him” (Gal. 1:6; cf. 4:9). Peter spoke of Christians who “turn from the holy commandment delivered to them,” like “a dog returns to his own vomit” (2 Pet. 2:20-22).  A Christian can turn away.  
   
In addition, the Bible affirms that a Christian can “depart,” “wander,” be “drawn away” and must “repent.”  Read 1 Tim. 4:1; Heb. 3:12; James 5:19-20; Acts 20:29-30; Heb. 10:38-39; Acts 8:22; 2 Cor. 7:9-10 and Rev. 2:5, 16; 3:3, 19. Like it or not, a Christian can lose his or her salvation.  
   
But it does not have to be that way. “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev 2:10).  
   
Jesus, always Jesus,  
   
Dennis

Salvation God’s Way—How to REMAIN Saved.
 
The greatest blessing in this life is salvation from sin by the blood of Jesus Christ. Can you imagine someone possessing the greatest treasure on earth, and then letting go? Yet some Christians let go of their salvation.
 
How can we prevent this from happening? 1 Corinthians 15:58 says, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”  Here, Paul reveals three keys to holding on to our salvation.
 
1. We must be CONSISTENT in serving the Lord. By using the word, “steadfast”, Paul stressed that Christians must consistently demonstrate Christ-like actions, words and attitudes. But if we behave differently while at work, school or with our friends than we do on Sundays around our brethren, we are not being spiritually consistent. Or if we only attend worship services when it is convenient, we are not behaving consistently before God. Or if we live in a manner that contradicts God's teachings, we are not consistent Christians. Some Christians unknowingly let go of salvation for such reasons.
 
2. To hold on to our salvation we must be COMMITTED in serving the Lord. By using the word, “immovable”, Paul stressed that Christians should be firmly committed to God, as opposed to wavering in their faith. Unfortunately, some Christians are as unpredictable as the weather. If things go well, they may be faithful, but when things “go south” they complain, “back off" and even forsake the assembly of the church. Why is it that some trees withstand hurricanes, while others are toppled by mere breezes? It is because the former are well rooted. (Col. 2:1-7 reveals the same principal for Christian commitment.)
 
3. To hold on to our salvation we must CONTINUE serving the Lord.  Paul commanded, “always abounding in the work of the Lord.”  Although there may be times in which we are not physically able to as much for God as at other times, we must avoid quitting and walking away when we feel tired or disheartened. God calls us to "keep on keeping on” in our service to Him. To do otherwise is to let go of our salvation.
 
The Bible reveals that God will help us to keep a grip on our salvation - 1 Cor. 1:8 - but He won’t do it for us. Never let go of the greatest blessing ever!
 
Jesus, always Jesus,


Dennis

Salvation God’s Way—What Must WE Do?
 
"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom 5:8). When God sent His Son to the world to die for our sins, He did everything HE COULD DO to save us from our sins.
 
But do WE have any part to play in being saved? If you ask five different people, you might hear five different answers, including the following:
“Everyone will be saved, regardless of what they do!”
“Every good person will be saved.”
“Everyone that believes in Jesus will be saved!”  
“Everyone that keeps the 10 Commandments will be saved.”
“Everyone that prays for salvation will be saved!”

Clearly, these cannot ALL be correct. So how can we know for certain what God expects us to do in order to be saved? Jesus once said,  "Sanctify (cleanse, purify) them by Your truth. Your WORD is truth” (John 17:17). To know what God expects of us, we must turn to God’s word – the Bible.

If we approach God’s word without preconceived ideas on the subject of salvation, it will be relatively easy to ascertain what He expects us to do to be saved. Moreover, our goal should be to examine EVERYTHING God says concerning man’s role in salvation. If we only focus on PART of what God says, we might end up “partially saved", which is not to be saved at all.

So, what does God require of us in order to be saved from our sins?  
We must Hear (or read) the gospel of Christ (Rom. 1:16; 10:14,
17).
We must believe that Jesus is the Son of God (John 3:16 &  
18; 8:24).
We must repent of our sinful ways (Luke 13:3 & 5; 2 Peter 3:9).
We must openly confess our faith in Jesus (Matt. 10:32; Rom.
10:9-10)
We must be baptized (Mark 16:16) for the remission of our sins
(Acts 2:38, 22:16).

These are the conditions God has set down for us to comply with in order to be saved. Who are we to question Him?

When the most important subject in Scripture is studied—salvation—let us ignore all man-made doctrines, listen to God, and obey.

Jesus, always Jesus,

Dennis

WHO can Be Saved?  
   
If you were to ask three or four random people about the subject of salvation, you might hear three or four different answers. Since salvation is the most important subject of all, this is both amazing and frightening.  
   
In regards to this vital subject, some actually teach that God never intended for some people to be saved. This doctrine, known as “limited atonement”, is associated with the teachings of John Calvin. It essentially asserts that Christ only died for the “elect of God”, not for all men. But is this what the Bible says?  
   
First, the Bible clearly states that ALL men are in need of salvation. "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” and “there is none righteous, no, not one” (Rom. 3:23, 10). That being true, would God intentionally offer salvation to a select few, while unconditionally condemning all others to hell?  
   
Second, the Bible affirms that God wants ALL men to be saved. The apostle Paul made this crystal clear in 1 Tim. 2:4, God “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth”. The apostle Peter added, “The Lord…is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9). God desires for everyone to be saved.  
   
Third, the Bible reveals that Jesus died in order that ALL men might be saved. The New Testament reveals that, “God so loved the WORLD that He gave His only begotten Son" (John 3:16). Moreover, “He died for all”(2 Cor. 5:15; 1 Tim. 2:6), that He “might taste death for everyone”(Heb. 2:9; 1 John 2:2), and “draw all peoples to” Himself (John 12:32). By Jesus “the free gift came to all men” (Rom. 5:18).. There is no doubt about it – Jesus died for everyone.  
   
Fourth, the Bible states that Jesus invites ALL men to be saved. “Come to Me, ALL you who labor and are heavy laden” (Matt. 11:28). The invitation to be saved is for “WHOEVER desires” (Rev. 22:17).  
   
As we continue to study the most important subject of all – salvation, we must ignore man-made doctrines, and rely on the Bible exclusively to determine the truth – John 17:17.  
   
Jesus, always Jesus,  
   
Dennis

Salvation God’s Way—WHO Is Lost?  
   
The Gospel of Luke uses the word “lost” more than any other book in the New Testament. In chapter 15, for example, Jesus mentions a lost sheep, a lost coin and a lost son (prodigal). And in Luke 19:10 He said, “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost”.  
   
Speaking of which, WHO IS LOST in God’s eyes?  
   
Through the centuries increasing numbers of church “authorities” adopted the position that everyone is lost from the moment of birth. According to them, we enter the world totally depraved and separated from God because we somehow inherit the sin of Adam at conception. In other words, newborn babes are morally filthy and entirely sinful in God's sight. (By the way, this erroneous doctrine gave rise to the equally flawed practice of infant baptism.)  
   
Careful and unbiased Bible study, however, proves that God does NOT consider infants as morally filthy, sinful and lost. Nor does He transfer the sins of Adam to newborn babies. Ezekiel 18:20 states, “The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father…the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.”  Moreover, Jesus told his followers, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as LITTLE CHILDREN, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this LITTLE CHILD is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 18:3-4).   
   
Some people cite Psalm 51:5 in an effort to prove that all men born of women are sinful at birth. “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.” If David literally meant that he was born a sinner, the same would apply to Jesus Christ, Who was also “born of a woman" – Gal. 4:4.  
   
So, who is actually lost? Although the following is not an exhaustive list, it provides an idea as to those who are lost. Those who do not know God (2 Thess. 1:8-9); those who do not believe in God (Heb. 11:6); those who do not believe that Jesus is the Son of God (John 8:24); those who do not repent of their sins (Luke 13:3, 5); those who do not confess faith in Jesus (John 12:42-43); those who do not obey the gospel, including baptism (2 Cor. 4:3-4; Mark 16:16); believers who return to their worldly ways (2 Pet. 2:20-22); and believers who leave their first love or are spiritually lukewarm (Rev. 2:4, 3:14-19).   
   
When we consider the aforementioned souls, it becomes clear that the lost have reached sufficient age and maturity to make such choices for themselves. Babies and small children are incapable of doing so.  
   
As we continue to study the subject of salvation, may we determine to ignore man-made doctrines, while relying entirely on the Bible to determine the truth – John 17:17.  
   
Jesus, always Jesus,  
   
Dennis

Salvation God’s Way (Part 1)


Jesus once rebuked some of the Jewish leaders of His day as “teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Matt. 15:9). Unfortunately, this practice has not ceased. In fact, the doctrines of men create significant confusion in our current religious world. Tragically, this occurs in connection with the most critical of all subjects—salvation. Examples include: (1) identifying those who are lost, (2) designating who can be saved, (3) specifying what man must do to be saved, (4) understanding what is required to remain saved, and (5) ideas related to the possibility of falling away.


The most serious consequence of man-made doctrines is that they frequently mislead those who are sincerely seeking to be saved. Jesus referred to such things in Matt, 23:15, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.”


Every true Christian should be deeply concerned about the liberties that some preachers and teachers have taken with the most important subject in the Bible. Although some matters pertain to  “secret things” that “belong to the Lord” (Deut. 29:29a), salvation is NOT one of them (Deut. 29:29b). And while Paul wrote of some things “hard to understand” (2 Pet. 3:15-16), salvation is NOT one of them. Yet some men (and women) today pervert the subject of salvation by misapplying or misusing Scripture (2 Pet. 3:16).


The Bible says that God “desires ALL men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:4). That being true, doesn't God have the ability to reveal in plain, understandable language HOW to be saved and go to heaven? If the Almighty, All-Loving God has that ability, then we should approach His Scriptures with full expectation of finding (and sharing) His plan.


Over the next few weeks, my articles will examine fundamental matters regarding our salvation. May God help us to lay aside man-conceived doctrines, go back to the Bible, and find (and comply with) God’s clear teachings.


Jesus, always Jesus,


Dennis

WHOSE SIDE ARE WE ON?  
   
After Joshua took over the leadership of Israel and prepared to enter the promised land, he encountered a man with a drawn sword. Joshua cautiously approached him and asked, "Are you for us or for our enemies?" (Josh. 5:13). Joshua needed to determine whether the man was friend or foe. It turned out that the “man” was the Captain of the Lord's host, and was on the side of Israel.
   
Sometime later, when the Israelites gave up on Moses due to his extended stay on the mountain, they compelled Aaron to make them a golden calf to worship. Moses, descending the mountain, suddenly appeared. Initially it was not easy for him to distinguish between the people that were loyal to Jehovah and those that worshipped the idol. Thus he asked, “Who is on the Lord's side? Let him come to me" (Exo. 32:26). Moses needed to determine whom he could count on to stand up for the Lord.
   
Whose side are we on? The Lord desires for all Christians to stand unequivocally with Him. Unfortunately, some Christians have acquired some of the behavior and habits of the worldly. As a consequence, the distinction between them and the world is increasingly blurred.
   
For instance, some Christians talk like the world. They frequently take God's name in vain (“Oh my God!”); some even use profanity on occasion. And others routinely tell “white lies” – which are lies all the same. Whose side are they on?
   
Other Christians dress like the world. They frequently wear clothing that is too short, too low or too tight. It is not unusual to see some Christians attend church services wearing such attire, especially in the summer. Based on their appearance, whose side are they on?  
   
What about Christians that frequent the world's favorite haunts - casinos, bars, nightclubs, dance halls, even strip clubs? It is not hard to guess whose side these folks are on.
   
God wants His people to be decidedly different from the world. Sadly, Christians that routinely “blend in” with the world become just like the world…and essentially useless to the Lord.
   
Whose side are you and I on?  
   
Jesus, Always Jesus!  
   
Dennis