It seems at first a little odd that the writer of Hebrews tells his readers to "stir one another to love and good deeds." All of chapter 10 prior to that is spent talking about sprinkled blood and clean consciences. It speaks of the confidence we can have in Christ our high priest to represent... Continue Reading →
Simple Morning Prayer
I just thought I would share with you the prayer which came into my heart to pray this morning; you may benefit from praying it as well. O, Father, I thank you for the life you are giving me and the work you are doing in our church. I pray this day that you will... Continue Reading →
Culture Shift
I just got a copy of Dr. Mohler's first book. He has written in other books and edited books, but this is his first published work. The way I understand it, the book is a plea for Christians to engage the culture. Dr. Mohler argues for Christians to engage the culture instead of (1) retreating... Continue Reading →
Falling Away
How do we explain the church roll phenomenon in America, where there are usually twice as many members as there are attendees at services week after week? The writer of Hebrews explains it quite simply: Many will fail to press on in the faith. Chapter 6 of Hebrews starts by imploring the Christians to press... Continue Reading →
Beset with Weakness
In chapter 5 of Hebrews we learn that the high priests serving in the temple are just like we are; they are beset with weakness, ignorant, and misguided. You might ask, then, how can such a person help us reach up to God. The answer is given that this person can help only if (a)... Continue Reading →
Hearing Comes by Faith
We know Paul says in Romans 10 that faith comes by hearing, specifically by hearing the gospel preached. The writer of Hebrews makes a related point by inverting this truth: Hearing comes by faith. In Chapter 3 of Hebrews, the writer says that there was a generation of our forefathers in the Old Testament who... Continue Reading →
Encouragement
Hebrews 3:13 says we must encourage one another day after day after day. The reason we encourage is to prevent hardness of heart. The deceitfulness of sin works like concrete; it won't get hard as long as it is being stirred, but when it sits still it hardens fast. The remedy is for each one... Continue Reading →
Have You Seen This?
What level will the murderous Islamic cowards of al Quada stoop in their lust for killing? According to this article, they have begun strapping bombs to mentally handicapped young women and detonating the bombs with a remote control device! Do we honestly understand the blood lust of these killers? We cannot say things like, "the... Continue Reading →
All Things Subjected
The writer of Hebrews is a radical to modern ears. He seems to think that every power on earth is subjected to the authority of Jesus Christ. He is quite clear on this point: He left nothing that is not subject to him. There is no evil and no good which are not equally subjected... Continue Reading →
Do You Want to Please God
Christians understand the hope of hearing, "Well done, my good and faithful servant. Come, enter into the joy of the kingdom." Christians want to please the Lord, and the writer of Hebrews tells us exactly how that is done. It is done ultimately through the blood of Christ, through his work as the great high... Continue Reading →
Christians Offended
I don't know about you, but I get a little bothered when Christians protest because they are offended by something someone said or did. This story gives the account of an ESPN dinner where one of the speakers got up and shouted profanities against Notre Dame, Touchdown Jesus, and Jesus Himself. As I have said before,... Continue Reading →
Better and Abiding
Notice the text says that our possession is a better and abiding possession. It does not say that the possession we have in Christ is better because it is abiding, although this would make great sense. A possession that lasts is much better than one which can be lost, stolen, or destroyed (assuming, of course,... Continue Reading →
Please Pray for Us
Vickie and I just learned that our one month old niece, Ava, died in her sleep of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (they believe). We would appreciate your prayers for us, but especially for the family and for Vickie's brother, whose child she was. Christ, the great redeemer, is the only one able to bring good... Continue Reading →
An American Marriage Problem
We are locked in a real battle over the definition of marriage. Mitt Romney's Massachusetts put this battle into sharp focus when it established gay marriage in that state. Now, World Net Daily is reporting that John McCain also has a soft spot for gay marriage. According to this article at World Net Daily, John McCain said... Continue Reading →
Our Baptist Brother
I have linked an article here which tells the story of a Baptist pastor in Azerbaijan. The pastor is suffering and is in poor health. He needs our prayers. Please understand that in other countries there is no freedom such as exists in the U.S. One must get permission from the government to do something as... Continue Reading →
Gregory C. Cochran 