On the border of Bethlehem, there was an area where shepherds could be found out in their fields “keeping watch over their flocks by night” (Luke 2:8). One particular night, the glory of the Lord suddenly came and shone round about them as heavenly angelic hosts came upon them with an announcement originating from the…
Author: Pangburn Pulpit
War and Trouble Will Come But the End is Not Yet
“Wars and rumors of wars” have always been. Since the time of Christ, this planet has had thirteen years of war for every year of peace. As time goes on, we’re going to hear more about “wars and rumors of wars,” but we who belong to God should not allow ourselves to be excessively distressed about such news….
The Paradox of Dying With Christ
To be crucified with Christ is more than just dying with Him. It concerns the manner in which we follow the example of His death in a spiritual way. He bore our sins in His body on the Cross, so that we would not have to die for our sins ourselves. Now Christians are able, through…
The Peace of Being Blameless
How often we want to hold God responsible for our predicaments that have actually been caused by our own sins. Yet He’s not the One Who’s to blame simply because He gave us the power of choice, and we then decided to head in a dishonorable direction. It doesn’t matter how clever a defense we…
Can Silver and Gold Satisfy the Human Heart?
Those who love having an abundance will never be satisfied by obtaining it. “He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance, with increase: this also is vanity…” (Ecclesiastes 5:10). Silver and gold can’t satisfy all the desires of our physical body. If we love silver and gold, we’ll…
Lost Sheep — Cares of a Good Shepherd
Sheep are gentle creatures, but every shepherd knows how they love to wander at any opportunity. God’s people are compared to sheep throughout His Word. God made us for Himself, intending for us to be His children. He came to gather us into His family to enfold us in His flock through His concern and…
Living the Christian Life
A Christian is “crucified” with Christ—yet by Him we’re able to live! Being crucified with Christ means more than simply dying with Him. It means that, in a spiritual way, we now imitate His death ourself. A special reference to His cross is involved here. Christ bore our sins in His body on the cross, where He destroyed…
Hope and Favor in a Lowly Position
For many in this world, their superiority and greatness is mostly based on outward appearances. The way they’re raised and educated, their physical build, and the way they conduct themselves are all judged and weighed by others around them. Multitudes around the globe are passed by as a result, due to their weak stature, poor…
Lies, Truth and Religious Deception
The principal sign that the coming of Christ is near will be religious deception by those claiming to be Christian leaders. Jesus warned that in the days right before His return, we should expect an epidemic of deception [lit. “sweet urgings”], when “…evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2…
“Arise and Go”
When we were children, how often did our parents tell us to do something, and we didn’t obey—because we didn’t consider it necessary or important? A teacher might have asked us to accomplish a particular task, but we reluctantly dragged our feet instead, and, ultimately, never completed it. Later on in our life, an employer…
The Storm Before the Calm
The setting evening sun created a soft, orange glow along the silhouette of a cloud formation on the horizon. In the far distance, stormy darkened skies began to appear in the port anchorage area of the lengthy, shallow shoreline. A well-secured fleet of weather-beaten fishing vessels rested on their mooring lines. But one anchorage spot…
Unlocking Your Glorious Future with God: From Past Burdens to Eternal Promise
Satan is a fallen angel who led a revolt to take over the throne of God long ago in eternity past. Yet Satan failed in his attempt back then, and he’ll also fail when he tries again in the future. Every one of us must decide which plan and purpose we’ll follow—Satan’s or God’s, no…
