Articles Available on This Site
Articles Available on This Site
Teaching is a vital role of the church and a vital part of the pastor's job. Ephesiasn 4:11-13 gives clear guidelines and directions for this ministry. We should seek to have teaching in the church that equips the saints for works of service and builds up the body of Christ.
This is more of an online booklet than an article. It addresses the need for all Christians to become disciples of Jesus Christ. It especially spells out the responsibility of pastors and other church leaders to disciple Christians to be "apprentices of Christ." Some suggestions for discipleship programs in the local church are provided. Since this is a lengthy page, bookmarks are provided so that you may read it in more than one sitting.
The love of God is not a sentimental feeling that is best suited for weak persons. Biblical love demands action and is often difficult. This article challenges us to love others, regardless of whether we find them easy to love. Christian love must be sacrificial.
When Jesus said that faith like a mustard seed could move mountains, He was not telling us to be satisfied with meager faith. He was showing that a little faith can grow into something great. The Bible shows us what tools God uses to build our faith.
This article looks at one of the most divisive issues in America today. We particularly examine the Bible's teaching about homosexuality and address how Christians should respond in relation to this issue.
This article is related to Homosexuality: A Biblical Perspective. Christians are frequently tempted to remain silent on moral issues, because we are reminded how Jesus said, "Judge not lest ye be judged." This article looks at that statement in context and examines the lines between judging others and taking a stand on principle.
Romans 12:1-2 urges us to present our entire beings to God as a living sacrifice. We are called to surrender our bodies, souls, and spirits to Him. The Holy Spirit lives within believers, and we should allow Him to live through us as well.
We face many obstacles when we seek to follow the Lord. The story of the healing of the paralytic (Mark 2) shows us how we receive unimaginable blessings when we press through those obstacles.
This article is based on a sermon that was preached on February 19, 2006, at both Island Park United Methodist Church (Island Park, NY) and Nassau International Assembly (Lynbrook, NY).
This article was written for publication in the America First Leader. It addresses the hypocrisy that both major poltical parties exhibit when addressing issues important to "values voters."
Christians have no need to live in fear of spiritual defeat. We have all that we need to overcome temptation. The fact that Jesus Christ triumphed over temptation should encourage us to follow his example.
This article is based on a sermon that I preached on September 10, 1995, at Point Lookout Community Church, Point Lookout, NY.
The root of bitterness, mentioned in Hebrews 12, is more than just unforgiveness. It is a sin of willful rebellion against God. We each need to examine ourselves and make certain we have not allowed this spirit to take root in our lives.
In the wake of the recent Iraq Study Group Report, I point out how the the war is not in our nation's best interests and is inconsistent with Christian values. This article was written for The America First Leader and therefore relies more on political arguments than biblical citations.
This message is based on Jesus' parable about the Pearl of Great Price, found in Matthew 13. We can examine our spiritual condition by asking what the Kingdom of God means to us. Do we just want a small portion of what God has to offer, or are we eager to surrender all for the Kingdom, expecting greater treasures than we are aware of?
Some people do not know how they should serve God. Unfortunately, many others choose not to serve Him with theit talents. This article looks at the "Parable of the Talents" (Matt. 25:14–30), particularly the third servant who hid the talent he was entrusted with.
God's covenant with Abraham had boundaries. the Lord promised to bless Abraham and his family in a particular region. However, Lot stepped out of that region. We face consequences whenever we step outside the spiritual and moral boundaries God has established for us.
In Matt. 27:46, Jesus cried out to His Father, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" This is not merely a cry of despair. It is, in a sense, the greatest glimpse we find of God's love in all of Scripture. This article is based on a sermon I delivered at Island Park United Methodist Church (Island Park, NY) as part of a Good Friday service ("The Seven Sayings of Jesus on the Cross") on April 6, 2007.
Previously Posted Articles
The following articles were previously posted on this website but, due to page limitations, have been removed. PDF versions are available upon request via email to mlynchonli@verizon.net.
Most of us cannot imagine going 12 hours without eating. However, many people go entire weeks without ingesting the spiritual Bread of Life. Jesus comes to transform our lives daily, but we must allow him into us, much as we ingest bread.
- Cattle on a Thousand Hills: Giving to and Receiving from God
Let us serve God with thankful hearts, rejoicing in what He has done for us. We cannot selfishly manipulate God to meet our desires, but we can trust Him because He is able to meet our every need.
- Dressed for Success: Traveling Light and Living Victoriously
Why are so many Christians living in defeat? Because we hold onto things that weigh us down spiritually. This article reflects on some spiritual lessons from the world of sports.
This article examines the vital elements of fellowship within the local church. Christians are called to devote themselves to the apostle's teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread, and to prayer.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd of our souls. This article contrasts Him with the false shepherds many people follow and the spiritual wolves who seek to destroy us. It also shows how Christian leaders should also be good shepherds.
- Recognizing the Antichrist
This article studies several New Testament passages about the antichrist and challenges many of the assumptions Christians make about this entity. We must use discernment and observe the signs of the times. Christians cannot afford to be deceived at this time in history. We must recognize how the spirit of antichrist is at work in the world and the Church.