(To the Christian) Introduction         The countdown begins, Midnight strikes, “Auld Lang Syne” is sung, and a new year is under way. As tradition goes, people make resolutions for the coming year with the promise of changes to improve their lives. Of course, by the week’s end we’ve already reneged on those promises. So why do we make them?         Every year we make the same resolutions: I’m going on a diet, I’m going to travel more, I will be more outgoing. And yet, just a few days later, we come to the realization that we were rash in our decisions and immediately fall back into routine. The diet is ruined by that extra piece of pie, traveling is out because of a dwindling bank account, being outgoing means having to go outside where *gasp* other people are.         For those of us who are Christians, instead of making New Year’s Resolutions we should set goals for ourselves for the New Year. The Work will Continue         As the New Year Unfol

Introduction         In Isaiah 9:6-7 is one of the more profound prophecies of Jesus, “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”         At this time of year this passage is quoted in celebrating the birth of Christ; touting him primarily as the Prince of Peace and that he will bring peace as stated by the angels in Lk. 2:14, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”         How does one such as Jesus bring about world peace? Does he just show up and it happens? Or is there more to it? Please note the following: Not Peace, but a

Introduction         There are sermons that no preacher wants to preach, nor does a congregation want to hear. But those very same sermons are ones that a preacher needs to preach and a congregation needs to hear. The sentences sound exactly the same with the exception of one word. The difference of that one word changes the whole meaning of the sentence. Definitions —Random House Webster’s Dictionary Want— To feel a need for; wish or desire. Need— A requirement or an obligation.         A good example to show the difference in these two words is the subject of dessert after a meal. Most people want a piece of pie but they don’t need it. As the definitions above describe; people desire a piece of pie but it not a requirement. A basic meal is a requirement to get your daily nourishment and to keep your body going. Dessert is simply a reward for eating your meal; a way of saying, “Well done!” Samuel and the Elders         In 1 Sam. 8, the prophet Sa

Introduction         Over the last few decades the concept of “being offended” has increased exponentially. People are removing statues of military leaders of the southern states during the time of the civil war and removing all Confederate Flags as well. The reason? Since ‘The South lost’, all of these things should be removed so as not to remind us of what we went through. People are suddenly offended by these and other things because it makes them feel uneasy. What if this same idea came into the church? The Bible has to Go!         Much like the removal of those statues, should the church be rid of the bible? Maybe not the entire bible, but suppose we do away with all of the Old Testaments? After all it’s full of idolatry, harlotry, deceit, corruption, and no women in the position of leadership. Never mind the fact that Deborah was a judge (Jud. 4:4-5:31) and Esther, a Jew, became queen in Babylon (Esth. 2:16-17).         Given that all of Jesus’ disc