“Preach the gospel” it has been said, “And if necessary, use words.”  Such a statement initially seems commendable.  The idea behind such a thought is that our lives are to be lived out in such a way that people see Christ in everything we do.  It is true; the believer should live with spiritual and moral integrity.  He should exhibit the qualities of Christ in every venue of life.  From the lanes on the interstate to the lanes in the grocery store, the true convert should exude a biblical witness.

But does such a witness really appropriate the Great Commission …

I have never met a genuinely-regenerated, authentically born-again believer who desires for others to go to hell.  I believe God places in our spiritual DNA an aspiration to see others saved, and to tell them about Christ.  We want to do it, we have been commanded to do, we may even have a desire to do it…but let’s be honest, most of us don’t do it, at least the way we should.

For some reason, we would rather hang out with Jesus at the well and discuss the theological issues of our day instead of running back to Samaria with …

1 TIMOTHY 1:18-20

Introduction:

Timothy was not only in a spiritual war, he was also in a severe tumultuous storm.  He watched those around him fall victim and prey to the wiles of Satan.  Paul warned Timothy of the catastrophe and challenged him to be ready for a fight.

I. The Challenge to a Soldier (v18)

A. The Necessary Reminder- “This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went   before on thee,”

B. The Needed Resolve- “that thou by them mightest war      a good warfare;”

II. The Catastrophe of a Shipwreck (v19)

A. …

We are blessed to have gracious and godly neighbors who live next door to us.  Recently, they went out of the country for a ten-day trip to Ireland.  Before their departure, they asked if we would watch their home.  We oftentimes do this with one another when traveling.  We check one another’s mail, water one another’s flowers, and care for one another’s pets.  Because this was an extended trip, they gave us the keys to their home in case of any emergency.

We placed their keys in visible sight to remind us daily that we were responsible to care for …

“All of life is moral,” says Albert Mohler, “there is no dimension of life that does not involve moral principles and moral consequences.”  It is true: we are moral beings that live by moral codes, and suffer from moral repercussions.  Even the immoral and the amoral live under the weighty system of morality.  There is no escaping it.  Those who refuse to acknowledge ethical, biblical, and moral principles are subject to natural law regardless of their acceptance of it. Someone’s denial of gravity is made possible by the very gravity they deny.  In short, morality is imbedded in a person’s …