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Evil Surmising Mike Johnson I Timothy 6:4 speaks of the sin of “evil surmising.” The passage says, (KJV) “He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings.” What is evil surmising? We need to know what it is to see if we are guilty […]
THE PURPOSE OF BAPTISM & ACTS 9:17 Mike Johnson If baptism is for the remission of sins, why did Ananias call Saul “brother” previous to his baptism? This objection is sometimes raised regarding Saul’s conversion. Acts 22:16 does point out that Saul was baptized to wash away his sins. However, the response of the objector […]
The IMPORTANCE OF TRUTH Mike Johnson What is truth? This is a very good question. Pilate asked it in John 18:38. He may, however, have asked the question with scorn rather than with a thirst for knowledge. Nevertheless, it is still a significant question. Jesus said in John 17:17 in his prayer to God, “ […]
TRUTH IS NARROW Mike Johnson Truth is narrow. This concept is easy to see, and most people understand it. Consider an illustration from science. We know under ordinary conditions, water freezes at 32 degrees at sea level. Suppose a scientist says, “I am very broad in my scientific beliefs. I am not one of you […]
The Book of John Mike Johnson The book of John adds much to our understanding of the mission and life of Christ. There is much evidence, both internal and external, to show that John was the author of the fourth Gospel. John was an apostle and was a son of Zebedee, and James, another of […]
Jonah & the Great Fish Mike Johnson Most are familiar with the story of Jonah, which is in the book of the Bible called Jonah. Jonah was fleeing from God in a ship and was eventually cast into a stormy sea. There he was swallowed by a great fish, and he lived in the belly […]
LESSONS FROM NAAMAN Mike Johnson 2 Kings 5:1-14 tells us about one of the more well-known cases of healing in the Old Testament. This story tells of Naaman, who was healed of leprosy by God. In this article, we will discuss the story of Naaman and then draw some valuable lessons. The Story Naaman was […]
BUY THE TRUTH & SELL IT NOT Mike Johnson Proverbs 23:23 says, “Buy the truth, and sell it not . . .” This passage shows the extreme value of truth. We are to spare no pains or costs to obtain it; once we have it, we are to keep it safe. We should not be reasoned […]
AN IMPORTANT CHOICE Mike Johnson Life is full of choices, and we must make decisions every day. Some decisions we must make are not as important as others are. However, the most important choice we face is in the spiritual realm. Jesus spoke of options that every person faces in Matthew 7:13, 14. Here he said, […]
CAN WE UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE ALIKE? Mike Johnson If we can understand the Bible at all, we can understand the Bible alike. The Bible is truth, and truth does not contradict itself. If two people disagree on a Bible passage, both cannot be correct, as the Bible does not teach two different and conflicting concepts. We may misunderstand the […]
Two Mandatory Appointments Mike Johnson There are very few things in life that we absolutely must do. A person does not even absolutely have to eat. A person, of course, must eat if he wants to live, but he can stop eating and die if he wanted to. However, we cannot avoid two future […]
WARN THE UNRULY Mike Johnson In I Thessalonians 5:14, Paul gave some critical teaching for all Christians. He stated that Christians are to “be patient toward all men,” they are to “uphold the weak,” and they are to “comfort the fainthearted.” However, the first responsibility he urges is to “warn those who are unruly.” This responsibility, in addition […]
Wise Men & Fruit Mike Johnson Here are two questions I would like for you to answer. 1. How many wise men came to visit Jesus when he was born in Bethlehem? 2. What kind of fruit did Adam and Eve eat when they sinned in the garden? Most would probably say three wise men […]
GOOD FROM BAD (Philippians 1:12-14) Mike Johnson Paul wrote the book of Philippians while in prison. His trial had probably already taken place, and he seemed to be waiting for the verdict. It appears he expected to be released but was uncertain about it. Paul, no doubt, did not enjoy being imprisoned. Nevertheless, it is […]
A FAITHFUL MAN WHO FEARED GOD ABOVE MANY Mike Johnson The book of Nehemiah tells about the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. This work was done by the Jews who returned from the Babylonian captivity. After completing the walls, Nehemiah appointed Hanani, his brother, and Hananiah as rulers of Jerusalem. It is interesting to note the […]
How Do We Acquire Faith? Mike Johnson There are many views concerning how people acquire faith. Some people say the alien sinner is to pray for faith. Others may say that God miraculously strikes a person with faith, and they may cite how they received “theirs” one day in a cornfield. We need to consider what the Bible has to say […]
ARE ALL GOOD, MORAL PEOPLE CHRISTIANS? Mike Johnson George is a good, moral man. He is faithful to his wife and an excellent father to his children. Geoge does not use profanity or drink alcohol. He coaches youth baseball and is a pillar in the community. George, however, is not religious; he has never even become […]
Watch Out for That Lion! Mike Johnson Proverbs 22:13 says, “The lazy man says, “There is a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets!” If a lion were outside of a person’s house, he would be wise to stay inside. However, in that it is a slothful (or lazy) man speaking, it is clear that […]
WORDS OF THE APOSTLES AND JESUS Mike Johnson Are the words of the Apostles of equal authority with the words of Jesus? Some people view the words of Jesus as being that which a person must accept while viewing the words of the Apostles, and other writers of the New Testament, as less important. Some […]
INSTABILITY Mike Johnson “O Ephraim, what shall I do to you? O Judah, what shall I do to you? For your faithfulness is like a morning cloud, And like the early dew it goes away.” (Hosea 6:4) Hosea uses two figures in this verse to describe the spiritual condition of Ephraim (Israel) and Judah. Their […]
By What Authority? Mike Johnson “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?” These two questions, asked in Matthew 21:23, were asked of Jesus by certain chief priests and elders of his day who were trying to trap him. Although their motives were not good, their questions showed they […]
Some Facts About the Judgment Mike Johnson What does the Bible teach about the Judgment Day? It is frequently mentioned in God’s Word and was often preached (Acts 24:25; 10:42). Consider some facts found in the Scriptures about the judgment, which everyone should know. It Is Certain Few things in life are absolute. The judgment, […]
“I WOULD BE WET ALL THE TIME” Mike Johnson The Bible teaches that baptism is for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38) and, thus, is essential for salvation. Sometimes people object to what this passage says about baptism by saying, “If baptism is for the remission of sins, then it would be necessary to […]
The Spirits in Prison Mike Johnson I Peter 3:18-20 is a passage, which has prompted many questions. It speaks of Jesus having gone to preach to the spirits in prison. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the […]
Respect for God’s Word Mike Johnson Revelation 22:18-19, a passage found near the end of the Bible, is a very significant passage. It says: “For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written […]
In Everything Give Thanks (I Thessalonians 5:18) Mike Johnson I Thessalonians 5:18 says, “In everything give thanks. . . .” This teaching occurs during a series of short admonitions near the end of the book of I Thessalonians. Earlier, Paul told them they needed to “rejoice always,” and they were to “pray without ceasing.” We might […]
IS IGNORANCE AN EXCUSE? Mike Johnson Some people seem to think that God will not punish those ignorant about what the Bible teaches. However, many passages teach that ignorance is not an excuse (Hos. 4:6, Rom. 10:1-2). The Bible even commands us to add “knowledge” (II Pet. 1:5), and it commands “growth” (II Pet. 3:18). […]
“I’M NOT AS BAD AS HE IS” Mike Johnson Consider a case where an officer pulls someone over for speeding. He then approaches the stopped car, and the driver responds by saying, “I know that I was going over the speed limit, but I have probably been passed by three hundred cars in just the […]
The Inspiration of the Bible Mike Johnson Many people do not believe in the inspiration of the Scriptures, and this number seems to be growing. There are even some religious people who deny “inspiration” in the sense that the Scriptures teach it. They define inspiration to mean only that the Bible bears the marks of literary […]
God’s Promises Mike Johnson Promises are prevalent in our society. Some try to keep their commitments, and others do not. The promises made by many people are often not very dependable. We see this with politicians, salespeople, employers, and in some cases, even with friends. It is also true that the passing of time makes […]
GOD IS OMNIPOTENT Mike Johnson Do you know that God is omnipotent? Well, He is, which means He has ALL POWER. Jeremiah 32:27 says, “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?” (NASB) One way we see God’s power is due to the forces of nature being […]
God and Temptation Mike Johnson A view held by some is that God tempts us to sin. Others feel that if God does not tempt us, He is at least to some degree responsible. Does God tempt people to sin? Is He responsible for our sins? A critical passage to examine is James 1:13. This passage […]
THE POSSIBILITY OF APOSTASY Mike Johnson Consider this question. Can one who has been born again, i.e., one who has entered into a proper relationship with God, conduct himself in such a way to be eternally lost? Many say a person cannot. They hold a doctrine known by such names as “Once Saved, Always Saved,” […]
YOU CAN ONLY LIVE SO LONG Mike Johnson “You can only live so long.” According to an AP article, these were the last words of a tenor as he performed at the Metropolitan Opera House during a production in New York City. The man was standing at the top of a ten-foot ladder when he […]
The Book of I Peter Mike Johnson The book of I Peter, as the title implies, was written by Peter. Peter, along with his brother Andrew, was one of the 12 apostles. Peter and Andrew were fishermen, as were James and John. Peter, James, and John seem to have made up an inner circle around […]
The Conversion of the Ethiopian Mike Johnson The conversion case of the eunuch from Ethiopia is one of the more well-known conversion cases in the Bible. We know the facts are accurate because they come from the inspired Word of God (II Timothy 3:16-17). Acts 8 records this conversion. The account takes a natural division. […]
The “Come as You Are” Method of Church Growth Mike Johnson Churches want to grow in number, but, sadly, many improper methods are used by churches today to increase their membership. One of these is the “Come as You Are” method. This method of growth is prevalent today in denominationalism. Slogans such as “God […]
SLOW PACED FAVORS Mike Johnson Proverbs 3:27-28 says, “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so. Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Go, and come back, and tomorrow I will give it,’ when you have it with you.” The verses make […]
THE “HAVE FUN” METHOD OF CHURCH GROWTH Mike Johnson Churches want to grow numerically, and there are many ways they try to accomplish this. Any method chosen must not conflict with the Scriptures. One approach, which is contrary to God’s Word, is the “Have Fun Method.” The concept of the […]
Setting Sail on the Seas of Eternity (“My Departure Is at Hand”) Mike Johnson While in a Roman prison near the end of his life, Paul wrote, “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand” (2 Tim. 4:6). The Greek word (analusis), translated as “departure,” occurs […]
CONVICTION Mike Johnson Are you a person who has strong conviction? Once you learn what the Bible teaches, are you willing to believe and practice it no matter what? In the Bible, we can read of many people who were like this. At all costs, they were determined to follow God. For example, Paul, Stephen, […]
Lessons from the Tempting of Jesus Mike Johnson There are three accounts in the Bible of the temptation of Jesus. These are in Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13, and Luke 4:1-13. Matthew and Luke give a more detailed account. The accounts tell us that Satan tempted Jesus three times after he had fasted in the wilderness for […]
The Wrath of God Mike Johnson God loves everyone! This fact should cause us to be encouraged. Many people understand that God loves them, but they have misconceptions about His love. Some say, “God is a God of love; He will not punish me for my sins.” As a result of this attitude, many continue […]
WHAT IS REPENTANCE? Mike Johnson What is Repentance?This is a crucial question. It is essential to understand the meaning of repentance because repentance is necessary for salvation. In Acts 2:38, Peter told the people they needed to repent (in addition to being baptized) for the remission of sins. Thus, repentance is undoubtedly essential. There are […]
TO LIVE IS CHRIST/TO DIE IS GAIN Mike Johnson Paul wrote the book of Philippians, as well as some other books, while in a Roman prison. He was in prison awaiting a decision about his fate. He might be released and would then be able to continue preaching. However, the decision could go against him, […]
BLAMING OTHERS FOR OUR SINS Mike Johnson It is widespread for people to blame their mistakes on others; we tend to want to shift responsibility. People also blame SIN on other people. Many did this in biblical times; regrettably, the blaming of sin on others also often takes place today. Commonly blamed for people’s sins today […]
Cheetahs and Christians Mike Johnson The fastest land animal is a large cat called a cheetah. It can run like a car driving down the interstate—almost 70 miles per hour. The cheetah is built for running. It has long legs, a strong, flexible spine that works as a spring, bending up and down, allowing it […]
The “Believe as You Please” Method Of Church Growth Mike Johnson Most congregations want to grow, but often churches today use methods to do so, which are contrary to Biblical principles. One approach is the “Believe as You Please Method.” This method of growth does not require any […]
Rejoice Always Mike Johnson I Thessalonians 5:16 says we are to “Rejoice always.” In the Greek, this passage is the shortest verse in the Bible. In contrast, the shortest verse in the English deals with the opposite emotion, which is sorrow. This verse is John 11:35, which says, “Jesus wept.” It is incredible how many times the concept […]
Thinking About the Hereafter Mike Johnson A man once asked, “Do you ever think about the hereafter?” He thought for a few seconds and said, “I go into a room to get something, but once I get there, I can’t remember what I went to get. So I think, ‘What am I here after?’” The […]
A USELESS RELIGION Mike Johnson James 1:26 says, “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.” Do you know that our religion can become vain? First, Jesus pointed out that our worship is futile if we teach the doctrine and […]
STRIKE THE TENT Mike Johnson The last words said by people before they die occur under a variety of circumstances. Sometimes people speak their last words without realizing that death is near. For example, a person’s final utterances may be a comment about what a beautiful day it is. Sometimes a person’s last words may […]
The Brevity of Life Mike Johnson The Bible uses many different terms to express the brevity of life. It describes life as a wind, a cloud, grass, a flower, and also as a vapor. (Job 7:6-10, 14:1-2; James 4:14; I Pet. 1:24). The Christian and the alien sinner constantly need to have the concept of […]
CONCERN FOR OTHERS Philippians 2:4 Mike Johnson An often overlooked yet significant passage, Philippians 2:4, says, “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” The NASB says, “your own personal interests.” This concept is contrary to the popular notion espoused by humanists and others […]
Are All Believers Christians? Mike Johnson What is necessary for people to be acceptable in the eyes of God? Many feel that to obtain salvation, all that is needed is the belief that Christ is the son of God. Does the Bible teach this? John 12:42-43 speaks of unsaved believers. It says, “Nevertheless even among […]
Swift to Hear, Slow to Speak, Slow to Wrath Mike Johnson In James 1:19, James addresses his “beloved brethren” and gives a vital warning. The verse says, “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.“ Contextually, this appeal seems to refer mainly to our disposition […]
The Purpose of Baptism Mike Johnson Baptism has been a controversial subject in the religious world and also a neglected subject by many preachers and teachers. Baptism is not at all an obscure subject as the word “baptism,” or some form of it, occurs more than one hundred times in the New Testament. This subject […]
HE THAT IS BAPTIZED NOT? Mike Johnson Mark 16:16 says, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved…” This verse plainly shows the purpose of “belief” and “baptism.” However, some point out that since the last part of verse 16 says, “…but he who does not believe will be condemned,” and does not say, […]
BAPTISM AND THE CONVERSION OF SAUL Mike Johnson In Acts 9, we read of the conversion of Saul. Here we learn that Saul was on his way to Damascus to persecute Christians when the Lord appeared to him. At this point, he realized that Christ was God’s son (v. 6). Christ then told Saul to go […]
BELIEF AND BAPTISM Mike Johnson Mark 16:16 says, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Jesus spoke these words just prior to his ascension. Here, salvation is promised but it is conditional. Actually, there are two conditions stated as being necessary for salvation. They are […]
The Silent Killer Mike Johnson Doctors sometimes refer to high blood pressure as “the silent killer” because people often do not know they have it until the damage happens. This article is not about our physical health but rather about another silent killer condemned in the Scriptures, “bitterness.” Like high blood pressure, it often goes […]
GOD’S INSPIRED MESSAGE Mike Johnson In I Thessalonians 2:13, Paul wrote, “For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively […]
Carried by Angels Mike Johnson An interesting line occurs near the end of Hamlet, as Shakespeare has Horatio saying these words as Hamlet dies: “…Good night, sweet prince, / And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!” (5.2.361-2). Shakespeare’s idea of angels being near when an individual dies does not conflict with what we […]
Bad Language Mike Johnson Once a farmer drove his team of mules into town. He was very late in returning, so his wife asked him what had taken so long. The farmer replied, “Well, on the way back, I had to pick up the preacher, and from then on, these mules didn’t understand one word […]
Bad Company Mike Johnson There is a story about two parrots who lived near each other. One often sang hymns while the other was addicted to swearing. The owner of the latter obtained permission for it to associate with the former in the hope that its bad habit would be corrected. Instead, the opposite happened […]
USE OF THE BIBLE Mike Johnson People use the Bible in many different ways. Sadly, some only use the Bible to record marriages, births, deaths, etc. Some people use it to swear on, sometimes calling for an entire stack. Others use it as an ornament for a living room table, thinking others will be impressed. […]