Jesus

Follow Me: Jesus’ Call To The World

by William Stewart
June 20, 2021January 26, 2026
Conversion, Gospel, Jesus

In the gospels we see Jesus inviting those who would become His apostles to “follow” Him. In John 1:40, John the Baptist pointed Andrew and another disciple to Jesus who bid them to “Come and See,” so they followed Him and stayed the entire day with Him. The next day, the Lord called Philip to “follow Me” (John 1:43), which he did, also bringing his friend Nathanael to the Lord. In Matthew 4:19, Jesus approached for fishermen (Peter, Andrew, James, and John) and called them to follow Him, that they should become fishers of men. And in Matthew 9:9, Matthew heard Jesus call out “Follow Me,” which he did, leaving his tax office behind.

To Be Sin for Us: Understanding Jesus’ Love and Sacrifice

by William Stewart
April 18, 2021February 11, 2026
Christian Living, Gospel, Jesus

“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
– – – – 2 Corinthians 5:21 – – – –

Your Life Is Hidden with Christ in God

by William Stewart
February 6, 2011March 3, 2026
Christian Living, Faith, Jesus

What a wonderful thought the apostle Paul presents. Those who are raised with Christ are said to have died, and now have a life hidden with Christ in God! In the rest of Colossians 3, the apostle goes on to tell us what that means in the life of the Christian.

Before we look at the life changes which must take place, Paul alludes to our entrance into Christ. His mention of a death and a resurrection is an allusion to the penitent believer’s baptism. Only those who have been baptized into Christ can be raised to life with Him (Romans 6:3-5). Until we are buried in the likeness of His death, we cannot be in the likeness of His resurrection.

Him We Preach, Warning And Teaching Every Man

by William Stewart
January 16, 2011March 3, 2026
Gospel, Jesus

As we read the first chapter of Paul’s letter to the church at Colosse, there are some interesting things to note about His work to preach the gospel to the lost. In looking at just a few verses from the letter, we can learn a great deal about our responsibility to share our faith with others, and of the extent to which God’s people can affect the world, if we would do as God commands.

Every Creature Under Heaven

The extent of the work of the early church as recorded in Colossians 1:23 is simply wonderful! Paul wrote:

…if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister. (Colossians 1:23)

Guilty Of The Blood Of Jesus

by William Stewart
December 26, 2010March 2, 2026
Jesus, Salvation

With an angry mob of Jews intent on seeing Jesus’ dead, Pilate succumbed to the will of the people and ordered His crucifixion. But before he did so, he washed his hands with water, declaring to the crowd, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person.”

That suited the people just fine. They retorted,

His blood be on us and on our children.(Matthew 27:25)

The Truth About Christmas and What Jesus Really Wants

by William Stewart
December 19, 2010March 2, 2026
Holidays, Jesus

There is less than a week remaining to Christmas day. Over the next several days, many will be rushing to the stores for some last minute shopping. Perhaps it will be for stocking stuffers, maybe a special gift for that special somebody.

Mall Santas have heard gift requests from hundreds of children – gaming consoles, sports equipment, DVDs, board games – the list goes on and on. Canadians spent $35 billion+ on Christmas gifts in 2005.₁ The economic difficulties of the past few years has likely lowered that figure a bit, but a look at the mall, Walmart or Toys R Us would indicate it has had a minimal effect.

Sharing Your Faith – A Personal Testimony in Jesus Christ

by William Stewart
December 5, 2010March 1, 2026
Faith, Jesus

It was a regular occurrence at the little denominational group I assembled with as a teenager for folks to get up and give their personal testimony. You’d hear a number of different things, from how the person came to faith to what God had done for them in the past week. As I recall, it was simply called “sharing time.”

Testimony is defined as:

an open acknowledgement; a public profession of religious experience. (M-W.com)

Lest We Forget Those Who Have Made Sacrifice

by William Stewart
November 14, 2010February 21, 2026
Faith, Jesus, Memorial

After officiating the funeral of friend and fellow soldier, Lt. Alexis Helmer, Lt. Col. John McCrae wrote “In Flanders Fields.” This past week, this poem was read at memorial services across the country, as folks paused from the hustle and bustle of life to remember those who have given their lives in battle. We should not take for granted freedoms we enjoy, nor forget those who made such a huge sacrifice, even their own lives to preserve such freedoms.

A lot of attention is given to fallen heroes on November 11, Remembrance Day. But should we not be mindful of those who served our nation throughout the year? The benefits we have from their sacrifice are not exclusive to November 11. We’re a free nation – a freedom that cost some their lives.

It is a sad fact that many are prone to forgetfulness. As Moses gave the law of God to the generation that would take possession of the promised land, he was concerned they’d forget all that God did for them. he warned them:

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Even Among The Rulers – Jewish Leaders Who Believed

by William Stewart
October 17, 2010February 17, 2026
Conversion, Faith, Jesus

The apostle John, recording a discourse of Jesus before the people of Judea stated:

…even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue… (John 12:42)

The religious leaders of the Jews are often portrayed as a crowd of unbelievers, and rightly so, for that was the manner of most. And yet, John speaks of some who did believe in Jesus. As we look in the gospel accounts, we will see occasional references to these rulers who believed, most of whom did not openly display their faith in the Lord.