Consumerism
This is the first of four papers dealing with issues that we all face in modern society even if we are not aware of it. You may not immediately recognize the terms I am using, but I imagine that most of my readers will be familiar with them but may not wish to give a […]
Editorial on Evangelism
Local Church Evangelism In our recent YPS editorials I have been focusing on evangelism. As local assemblies we need to constantly refocus on this key issue. In this edition we are going to think about how a local church could get the message of the gospel out and about. In addition to this, Jeremy Singer […]
The Value of
Introduction In John’s Gospel, we read four short phrases which begin with the words ‘it was’. In themselves, they seem to be just simple statements of fact, which appear to add nothing of consequence to the narrative. But since we believe that there are no wasted words in the Bible and that the Holy Spirit […]
European Evangelism – God Sends Reinforcements
After the debacle in Antioch, Acts 15. 39, the trio from Paul’s first missionary journey has disbanded. However, God forms a new team to accompany Paul on his next journey. Silas is Paul’s new preaching companion. Silas is an encourager, like Barnabas, 4. 36. Silas encourages individuals, for instance when he and Paul strike up […]
An Exciting and Extensive
The words of Mark chapter 16 verse 15, ‘Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel’, are clear and well known to most of our readers. Despite being familiar words, they bring a great challenge. Are we utilizing every opportunity that is available to us to spread the greatest yet simplest message in […]
Editorial on Evangelism
In the previous two issues of YPS we have focused on the core motivation for evangelism. In this editorial I want to look at the core message of evangelism and to focus on those who communicate the message. We also have an interesting account from Tim Coltman of Burton–on-Trent of how the Lord has provided […]
Thoughts About Thinking – Q&A Introduction
Question The mind of a believer is obviously an important part of the spiritual battle going on in the world – what thoughts do you have on the danger of being conformed to this world? Answer I believe it’s a matter of relationship – Jesus said, if you love me, keep my commandments and James […]
Difficulties and Disagreements
There are two problems in this chapter: the first is doctrinal and the second is personal. The first issue is resolved in a spiritual way; the second causes a division between friends. The key point in this section is that God has a purpose in our problems. In this case, it is that His power, […]
Crucified with Christ
‘I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me’, Gal. 2.20 NASB Paul’s letter to the Galatian churches tells us […]
Editorial on Evangelism
In the last couple of issues of YPS we have been looking at the personal motivators behind evangelism. In this article, I would like to look at some of the other reasons for reaching out with the gospel, including why such urgency is required, what the core message is, and who the main communicators of […]
Maybe You are in a Cult
The above suggestion was made to a young person who was talking to some friends about the assembly and its activities. What is surprising is that those friends were not unbelievers but other Christians, so why would they consider an assembly to be a cult? As I was not present at the time of the […]
A Plea to a Rising Generation
What an exciting time of life! Learning to drive, Having ever-increasing independence, Going out with friends, Meeting new people. Perhaps you are going to university or starting work! There are new freedoms, more money, maybe a student loan, or your first salary – the opportunities seem endless! We have a tendency as young people to […]
Evangelistic Exploits
Introduction Paul’s first missionary journey was a large circuit, covering over one thousand miles. The evangelical explorers traversed the island of Cyprus and visited major cities in the Roman province of Galatia (modern-day central Turkey). Let’s consider this mission and see how we can draw principles for evangelism today. Henry Martyn, an 18th century English […]
Editorial on Evangelism
Last month I started to focus the editorial article on the subject of evangelism. As many of you know, it’s a subject that is close to my heart. I’ll be developing this in the next few issues. This quarter I’ll be brief, as we are finishing the ‘Studying and Preaching with a Tablet’ series with […]
Preaching with a Tablet
And He said to them, ‘Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature’, Mark 16. 15. We have reached the final article in our Tablet preaching series. I hope you have enjoyed reading this series as much as I have enjoyed writing it. More importantly, my prayer is that the […]
Psalm 139. 19-24
The testimony of God concerning David was, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will’, Acts 13. 22. What a testimony from God! The Lord knew David’s innermost thoughts and motives. He had examined him and found one who had a desire […]
Self-Denial
Despite the undeniably strong emphasis in the Bible upon the blessings of salvation, the gospel is essentially a call to self-denial rather than self-fulfillment. ‘Lord, high and holy, meek and lowly, let me learn by paradox that the way down is the way up, that to be low is to be high, that the broken […]
Pivot Point
We have reached the pivotal section in Luke’s account of the early Church. The Gentiles are included at last; the gospel is going global. The cues for this narrative transition are clear, in terms of changing emphasis on both character and location. Until this point Peter has been the most prominent person. However, now Paul […]
Editorial on Evangelism
How many people do you know who have been saved in the last year? Having said that, thousands are being saved across the world! Maybe you have had the privilege of leading someone to Christ! If that is the case, that is wonderful; praise the Lord! Being a Christian is brilliant, but not always easy, […]
Ego
‘But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy’, 2 Tim. 3. 1, 2 NKJV. It is a dangerous time to be a Christian in many parts of the world today. A knock at the door […]
Preaching with a Tablet
‘Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh’, Eccles. 12. 12b ESV. Preaching requires a significant amount of time dedicated to preparation, and much of that time is spent reading. This is yet another area where a tablet computer can play a significant role as an […]
What does the Lord want me to do?
There is no doubt that we are here on this earth to work. Even before the fall, man was given useful things to do, Gen. 2. 15. A consequence of Adam’s sin was the introduction of hard work in order to earn a living, Gen. 3. 19. So, daily toil is basic to a fallen […]
The Gospel Spreads
Acts chapters 8 to 10 describe a period of church growth geographically, numerically, and, more importantly, spiritually. In this article, we will see the underlying reason for the dispersion of the new believers: human hatred, and hostility is overruled by God’s sovereignty, resulting in the progress of the gospel message. We will focus on three […]
Editor’s Introduction
You have just started to read another excellent issue of YPS. This comment is not a reflection of the fact that I am the editor, but serves to highlight the excellent articles that you are about to read. My intro is extra short to give space for the articles. Rather than tell you what’s coming […]
Fact or Fairytale?
You are in the centre of your nearest city, helping with some gospel literature distribution. A man in his early twenties approaches and asks, ‘How do you know God is real?’, or at lunchtime in school your friend asks, ‘Why do you believe in Jesus?’ What would you say? First Peter chapter 3 verse 15 […]
Image Conscious Christians
If it matters to you what brand your phone is, or what label is on the bottom of your shoes, keep reading because you have all the signs of being an ‘image conscious Christian!’ We are ALL victims – influenced by a constant stream of promotions and advertisements that tell us ‘you can’t do without it today’, yet knowing that […]
Preaching with a Tablet
‘Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth’, 2 Tim. 2. 15 ESV. This is the third article in a series about using a tablet to study, and to preach. In this article we will explore some […]
Psalm 139. 13-18
In this Psalm, David asks two rhetorical questions, ‘Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?’, v. 7. The answer, of course, was nowhere. Thoughts about God’s comprehensive knowledge and presence had captivated David’s mind. His reflections upon God were acts of worship. The pattern set by David […]
What Happens When We Witness?
Our study in Acts is picking up speed – from now on we will highlight only key themes from each section. In chapters 3 to 7 the focus is on Jerusalem. This is the city where ‘our Lord was crucified’, Rev. 11. 8. Now Jerusalem also becomes the place where the Lord’s ambassadors are rejected. […]
Editor’s Introduction
Welcome to another issue of YPS. I have enjoyed reading the articles that we have in this issue. I hope that you find them as interesting as I did. In fact, I find all the topics that we are dealing with really relevant to my understanding of God and to my day-to-day experience as a […]
Personal Prayer – Part 2
The Lord Jesus taught his followers to pray, Matt. 6. 9. He said that prayer, combined with carefully watching our behaviour, is the recipe for Christians avoiding falling into temptation, Matt. 26. 41. Obeying the commands of the Lord Jesus brings glory to God and this should be a Christian’s desire. Failing to pray is […]
Psalm 139. 7-12
In the last issue of YPS (Feb. 2014), we commenced a study of Psalm 139, and discovered something about the character of God. In the second section, vv. 7-12, David considers God’s presence. He understands that God is in all places at all times. The word used to describe God being everywhere is ‘omnipresence’. The […]
Preaching with a Tablet
‘“When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments’, 2 Tim. 4. 13 ESV. ‘The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of God will stand forever’, Isa. 40. 8 ESV. This is the second article in a series about using a […]
Science, Code breakers, and Creation
Science has always fascinated me. I remember, many times during my childhood, dissecting plants and bugs, and rushing to peer down at them under my wobbly microscope, which my parents bought for me one Christmas. Ever since primary school, I wanted to study medicine; which I did from 2006 to 2011. Since then, I have […]
What happened at Pentecost?
Events that took place on the day of Pentecost in Acts chapter 2 are unique and unrepeatable. In this article, we explore how Pentecost is: (1) a fulfilment; (2) a birthday; and (3) an empowering. Today, we must be aware of the significance of Pentecost and realize these blessings for ourselves. Pentecost is a Fulfilment […]
Editor’s Introduction
Welcome to the first issue of YPS for 2014 and a belated Happy New Year to all of our readers. While I do not sign up to the concept of making New Year resolutions (as we rarely keep them for more than a day or two), I do think that it is good, from time […]
