Dr. Barnhouse & the Bible

Romans 12:12, 14

Scripture is filled with wonderful truths and promises from God that we embrace and cherish. But there is one we tend to overlook that may not seem to be wonderful to us. The Bible plainly states that all of us who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. The Christian walk is often a difficult and confusing pilgrimage through a lost and fallen world and we will face adversity along the way. Ho...

Romans 12:12

The English writer, William Hazlett, wrote, "Hope is the best possession; none are completely wretched but those who are without hope." As we look across our world today, we can see overwhelming despair, hopelessness, and misery in the lives of those who do not know Jesus Christ. But God has reconciled us to Himself through the death and resurrection of His Son and given us the priceless possession of confident, certai...

Romans 12:11

If you are meddling in someone else's affairs, they might tell you to mind your own business. But sadly, Christians often pay far too much time and attention to our own business rather than our Father's business. Once, when Jesus was a boy, Joseph and Mary searched for Him throughout Jerusalem for three days. When they fianlly found Him in the Temple discussing the things of God with religious teachers, He said, "Did y...

Romans 12:10

Believers often sing this well known hymn, "Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love; the fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above." Indeed, the fellowship that exists between true believers must reflect the love and communion that exists between God the Father and the Son, Jesus Christ. Dr. Barnhouse asks the question, "Does genuine love for your brothers and sisters in Christ flow from your h...

Romans 12:9

In football, an elusive running back can make the other team's defense look foolish as he constantly slips from their grasp. The defense must pursue the runner, lay a hold of him, and tenaciously hold fast until they tackle him. In the Christian life, genuine goodness can be very elusive and difficult to maintain. We must learn to continually reject sin and evil and cling tenaciously to what is good in order to grow in ...

Romans 12:9

The Bible declares that God is love and stresses the preeminance of love in the Christian life. Love is a fruit of the Holy Spirit and an indispensible virtue in the life of every believer. But do you realize that hatred is just as much an attribute of God and just as much a Christian virtue as love is. God's perfect character demands a holy hatred of every manifestation of sin and evil. And if we are to reflect the cha...

Romans 12:9

If a man receives a new set of woodworking tools as a gift, but does not know how to use them properly he will make lopsided birdhouses and other poorly constructed projects. But an expert carpenter will know how to use his new tools to make many beautiful and useful items. God has given every believer at least one spiritual gift. But merely knowing what your gifts are and exercising them is not enough. We must always r...

Romans 12:8

Some congregations that might be more charasmatic might look down upon other churches and denominations for what they perceive as a lack of interest in spiritual gifts. They may not realize that a church is faithfully exercising its spiritual gifts through acts of mercy and compassion, and wise and effective management and administration of its affairs. Mercy, compassion, and church administration are not often mentoned...

Romans 12:8

What do you think of when someone mentions spiritual gifts? Many Christians immediately think of extraordinary phenomena such as speaking in tongues, healings, and miricles. Spiritual gifts include generous, joyful giving as well as the ability to speak the right words in the right situations. Exhortation and generous giving are often overlooked in the discussion of spiritual gifts. but they play a vital role in the bui...

Romans 12:6-8

Alexander the Great was so named because of his extraordinary military and political leadership as he conquered and domiated much of the known world. Even today we tend to associate greatness with power, wealth, influence, and worldly success. But Jesus points us to a much different path to greatness in the spiritual life and in church leadership. Effective church leaders must lay aside personal ambition, self-serving...

Romans 12:6-8

Members of a football team have different responsibilities according to the positions they play. The quarterback calls plays, passes the ball, and hands it off as the offensive line blocks the defenders. The tailback runs the ball whie the recievers run patterns and catch passes. Likewise, Dr. Barnhouse explains, the members of Christ's church have different roles and spiritual responsibilities which must be fulfilled...

Romans 12:6

Children love to wake up on Christmas morning to see a diverse assortment of gifts under the tree ready to open and enjoy. It has pleased our heavenly Father to give us, His children, a diversity of spiritual gifts in order to build up and strengthen the body of Christ. What are these spiritual gifts and how can we learn to identify and exercise them for our mutual benefit and edification? Dr. Barnhouse explores this on...

Romans 12:4-5

Your stomach cannot pump blood throughout your body if your heart stops working. And if your eyes go blind, you cannot see with your toes. You cannot function properly unless every part of your body fulfills its unique and essential purpose. Believers are members of the Body of Christ and when we exercise our particular spiritual gifts, serve one another, and work together with unity of purpose, the church can functio...

Romans 12:5

Believers often gather and sing the hymn, "They will know we are Christians by our love". But sadly, Christians are sometimes known for our fighting, quarreling and bitterness. Disunity and division in the church severely damages our witness for Jesus Christ before a watching world. How can we advance the Kingdom of God through authentic Christian love and fellowship in the gospel? Dr. Barnhouse explains on Dr. Barnhous...

Romans 12:5

Imagine a new believer looking for a church in the yellow pages. He will see names like Presbyterian, Baptist, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Pentecostal, Lutheran, Episcopal, and perhaps a few others. He might wonder which is the right church? Much confusion has arisen because people fail to distinguish between the organized, institutional churches and the Church founded by the Lord Jesus Christ, made up of His genuine fol...

Romans 12:4

When you mention the word "church," many people think of a building with a cross and a steeple. Others might think of a particular denomination or religious organization. But the church is a building not made of bricks and cement, but of living stones. It is not an organization but an organism; a spiritual body comprised of born again believers around the world. Dr. Barnhouse asks the probing question, "Are you a genuin...

Romans 12:3

The Bible says that a man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart. Jesus told of a Pharisee who appeared righteous and godly, yet was filled with pride and self righteousness. But God had mercy on a tax collector whose heart was humbled, broken and contrite over his many sins. Dr. Barnhouse teaches that the path of humility and reverence before God is the path of rich blessing, and spiritual growth o...

Romans 12:2

When a nation loses a war, their defeat is shown by their surrender to the enemy forces and submission to their terms. But in the spiritual realm, surrender and submission is the path to victory. God offers peace with Himself to rebelious sinners through the death of His Son and we can experience spiritual triumph when we trust in Jesus Christ and yield to HIs lordship. Dr. Barnhouse shares this good news on Dr. Barnhou...

Romans 12:2

Every baby wants his own way and cries when he does not get it. We are all bom with a nature that wants to be gratified and we continue following our selfish desires into adulthood. But when the Lord brings us to salvation, He begins a lifelong process of growing us toward spiritual maturity. How does God transform rebellious sinners into His obedient children who live in yielded submission to Jesus Christ? Find out on ...