Herald & Banner Press, Author at HERALD AND BANNER PRESS

What's so wrong with being a "menspleaser"?

In "Word Focus" Glenn McClure writes:

Although one should serve to bring honor to God, there are many who are only rendering eye-service. This word “denotes service performed only under the master's eye . . . diligently performed when he is looking, but neglected in his absence” (W. E. Vine). Service that is rendered only when the master's eye is fixed on the worker stands as a reproach before fellow-workers, especially if that one is a Christian. This problem has always existed, especially if the service is of an involuntary nature. Faithfulness to perform only when under observation is a disgrace. One should be bound to perform his work with such faithfulness, not only because he is being watched by man, but because he is always being watched by God. Also, many perform so as to be menpleasers. This Greek word signifies a striving to please men. It designates “not simply one who is pleasing to men . . . but one who endeavors to please men and not God” (H. Cremer, Biblico-Theological Lexicon of N.T. Greek). The object of the Christian worker is not to please men but to please and honor God. If service is rendered with this attitude, the service itself will stand as a testimony to the worker's religion.

Source: Building Christian Relationships: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 22.

Herald & Banner Press2017-03-23T09:00:00+00:00March 23rd, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Hypocrisy|0 Comments

When Wealth Destroys
When Wealth Destroys

When Wealth Destroys

Read Luke 18:18-30

“Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me” (v. 22).

Money, money, money; what a blessing you can be and yet what a curse you often become instead! In 1997, a man won the Texas Lottery Lotto jackpot of $31 million. He quit his job and spent money. In just twenty months he was broke, put a shotgun to his chest, and pulled the trigger. Most of us won't ever have this much money, but what we do have can be just as big a curse. The rich ruler forfeited the privilege to walk with Jesus for mere earthly riches. How foolish! There is nothing wrong with being a good business person and making a lot of money. God's kingdom needs a lot more financing than it has. But if riches become our idol, it would be better to sell all we have and give the proceeds away so that we could follow the Master with all of our hearts. (LWG)

I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold;

I'd rather be His than have riches untold;

I'd rather have Jesus than houses or lands;

I'd rather be led by His nail-pierced hand. — Oscar C. A. Bernadotte

No money or other earthly possessions are worth anything in comparison to Jesus!

This devotional is the Tuesday, March 21, 2017 entry of Opening the Word.

Herald & Banner Press2017-03-22T09:00:00+00:00March 22nd, 2017|Categories: Opening the Word|Tags: Money|0 Comments

Interview

Interviews are used extensively in our society, from the company looking to hire a new employee, to the talk show host looking to educate his audience on a specific topic, to the comedian on the late show seeking to draw an audience with a big-name personality and laughs.

With some advance planning, an interview as part of your lesson could add a unique dynamic. In fact, you might be able to find suitable candidates within your congregation. Or, you could use this as an opportunity for outreach. For example, you could interview a Christian financial counselor when teaching a lesson on money (Lesson 5). You could ask the neighborhood watch captain to speak to your class about how the church can be a positive influence in its community (Lesson 12). Or, consider inviting your mayor, a councilman, or state representative for lessons on Christians and the government (Lesson 13).

Herald & Banner Press2017-03-21T09:00:00+00:00March 21st, 2017|Categories: Teacher Helps|Tags: Interview|0 Comments

Christians and Their Employment

Lesson 4 - March 26, 2017
focus text: Ephesians 6:5-9; 1 Peter 2:18-25
Central Truth: We should work in our jobs as though Christ were our boss.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to identify at least one new way they can be a better employee or worker.
Lesson Outline:

A Diligent Devotion (Ephesians 6:5-9)
A Proper Service (1 Peter 2:18-20)
A Perfect Example (1 Peter 2:21-25)

Herald & Banner Press2017-03-20T09:00:00+00:00March 20th, 2017|Categories: Weekly Lesson Summaries|Tags: Employment, Work|0 Comments

Beautiful Video on Stewardship
Beautiful Video on Stewardship

Beautiful Video on Stewardship

Herald & Banner Press2017-03-19T09:00:43+00:00March 19th, 2017|Categories: Teacher Helps|Tags: Stewardship|0 Comments

What does it mean to be a "good" servant?

In "Word Focus" Glenn McClure writes:

The first word Jesus used was good. There are two words in the Greek that can be translated “good” — kalos and agathos. The word used here is agathos, and Jesus' use of it is very significant. In secular Greek agathos means serviceable and good — the good which evokes a state of well-being, whether intellectual, material, religious, or moral. Kalos embraces all these meanings as well as adding the idea of beauty, of loveliness, of graciousness, of winsomeness — that which appeals also to the eye. But why did Jesus use agathos instead of kalos in this parable? Because the result of its activity is essential, that good which is by its very root and character of a moral nature was used as a quality that is the foundation for righteousness. It is that good which preserves and supports, that which does more than justice demands (it is sometimes translated “generous”). It is that good which characterizes one who can be entrusted with a responsibility that will be executed to please his master. Agathos was used because the root or character of the person will be judged.

Source: Building Christian Relationships: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 16.

Herald & Banner Press2017-03-17T09:00:00+00:00March 17th, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Good|0 Comments

Is God fair in condemning people who've never heard the Gospel to Hell?
Is God fair in condemning people who've never heard the Gospel to Hell?

Is God fair in condemning people who've never heard the Gospel to Hell?

In "Doctrinal Discussion" Jason Lindahl writes:

Since the Bible says that we are judged based on the light we have, are the heathen better off being left alone so that they have an excuse for not living righteously? After all, they can't be held responsible for light they don't have, right?
There are at least three biblical reasons why this line of reasoning is faulty. First, Romans 1:19, 20 says, “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them" … These verses teach us there is at least enough biblical evidence in the physical universe to reveal the existence of an all-powerful Creator that is greater than any idol someone could construct…
Second, Romans 2 says that every person has a God-given conscience which leads him instinctively to view certain behaviors as wrong and others as right…
Third, Jesus told us in John 16:8 that the Holy Spirit is active in this world, and that part of His job is to convict every individual in it of sin, righteousness, and judgment …

See your Adult Insights for the full discussion of this thorny question!
Source: Building Christian Relationships: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 20.

Herald & Banner Press2017-03-16T09:00:00+00:00March 16th, 2017|Categories: Lesson Highlights|Tags: Hell|0 Comments

Giving Account to God

Read Luke 12:42-48
“But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whom-soever much is given, of him shall be much required; and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more” (v. 48).
Thinking about stewardship, as we have this week, requires thinking about accountability, where today's scripture rivets our attention. God yokes together privilege and responsibility, so one does not increase without a parallel increase in the other. Privileges of spiritual knowledge, grace, even material blessings inextricably connect with the responsibility to live and love knowledgeably, to grow in grace, to use resources for God's kingdom. And our Master will require an accounting — an explanation, a balancing of the books — for our responsibilities. Giving an account is the steward's duty. The context of Luke 12 includes more than accountability alone, though. Here Jesus emphasizes two truths. First, His return will be sudden, unexpected, and we are called to ready watchfulness (vs. 35-40). Second, His return will bring accountability for what He has given us to do (v. 43). Taken together, Christ paints a dramatic scene: the unfaithful steward has either passively failed to carry out orders or actively abused other slaves, when with the sudden disorientation of a midnight doorbell the Master returns and calls that steward to account. The picture is startling with even a human master, but everything is “exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” (Aaron Profit)

Help me to watch and pray,
And still on Thee rely;
O let me not my trust betray,
But press to realms on high.
— Charles Wesley

The only safe course for the wise steward: steady, constant fidelity to the Master!

This devotional is the Saturday, March 18, 2017 entry of Opening the Word.

Herald & Banner Press2017-03-15T09:00:00+00:00March 15th, 2017|Categories: Opening the Word|Tags: Accountability|0 Comments

The Inductive Presentation

Inductive presentations could be understood as deductive presentations turned upside down. Instead of stating propositional truth at the beginning, inductive reasoning begins with questions. As the progression of thought continues, various tentative or partial truths may be stated. Or the in-progress conclusions could be false, demonstrating a necessity to keep digging. At the climax of presentation, the key truth is finally stated, after which application is made.
In our lessons, the “God’s Word for Today” may be used for such a presentation, leading the class in a series of questions and truth statements, at the conclusion of which could be stated the “Central Truth.” (Please note that the writer’s presentation style for this section may NOT be inductive. Deductive reasoning may include questions. But the various questions in this section may help you to teach the lesson inductively.)
Inductive reasoning seems to have special appeal to men who often are used to tinkering with cars or computers, trying out various hypotheses until finally arriving at the solution.

Herald & Banner Press2017-03-14T09:00:00+00:00March 14th, 2017|Categories: Teacher Helps|Tags: Teaching|0 Comments

Being Good Stewards

Lesson 3 - March 19, 2017
Focus Text: Matthew 25:14-29
Central Truth: God holds us accountable for all He gives us.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list things of which they can be a better steward.
Lesson Outline:

Personal Accountability (Matthew 25:14-19)
Faithfulness Commended (Matthew 25:20-23)
Slothfulness Condemned (Matthew 25:24-30)

Herald & Banner Press2017-03-13T09:00:00+00:00March 13th, 2017|Categories: Weekly Lesson Summaries|Tags: Stewardship|0 Comments

About Herald & Banner Press