Category Archives: Truth

Escuela Bíblica

Chiste: Una maestra de Escuela Bíblica le preguntó a los niños antes de despedirlos para la Iglesia: “¿Y porqué es necesario estar callados en la iglesia?” Anita contestó, “Porque las personas están durmiendo”.

Texto: Hebreos 10:23-25; 2 Timoteo 3:16-17

Para mostrar: Un libro de Escuela Bíblica o un afiche de una iglesia.

Resumen: Es importante asistir a la iglesia regularmente y estudiar la Biblia.

Hoy es el comienzo de otro año de Escuela Bíblica de nuestra iglesia. Eso indica que podremos tener nuevas maestras y salones. Esto quiere decir que estás creciendo. Mientras creces en edad, Dios desea que crezcas en tu conocimiento de él.

¿Sabes que Dios desea que asistas regularmente a la iglesia y que aprendas más acerca de él a través de la Biblia? Eso es así. Déjenme compartir con ustedes dos lecturas Bíblicas.

” Mantengámos firme la esperanza que profesamos, porque fiel es el que hizo la promesa. Preocupémonos los unos por los otros, a fin de estimularnos al amor y a las buenas obras. No dejemos de congregarnos, como acostumbran hacerlo algunos, sino animémonos unos a otros, y con mayor razón ahora que vemos que aquel día se acerca” (Hebreos 10:23-25 – NVI).

Este pasaje nos dice que siempre debemos de tener deseos de hablarle a otros de Jesús. Dice que debemos amarnos unos a los otros y ayudarnos al hacer cosas buenas y agradables a Dios. Una de las maneras de hacer esto es venir regularmente a la Iglesia a a los Escuela Bíblica. Si no venimos a la iglesia, podemos perder la oportunidad de ayudar a otros a ser mejores personas y mejores cristianos. Si no participamos de la Escuela Bíblica no aprenderemos tanto como debemos acerca de Dios.

Esta es el segundo pasaje: “Toda la Escritura es inspirada por Dios y útil para enseñar, para reprender, para corregir y para instruir en la justicia, a fin de que el siervo de Dios esté enteramente capacitado para toda buena obra” (2 timoteo 3:16-17).

La Biblia nos dice que la Palabra de Dios es verdadera desde el principio hasta el fin. También nos dice que si estudiamos la Biblia, aprenderemos cómo vivir en la forma en que Dios desea que vivamos. La Biblia nos da todo aquello que necesitamos para ser como Dios desea que seamos.

Así que comencemos este nuevo año de Escuela Bíblica bien. Planifiquemos al asistir a la Iglesia y a la Escuela Bíblica en forma regular y ser parte de la Familia de Dios.

©1998 por Jim Kerlin. Todos los derechos reservados. Las traducciones en español por Zulma M. Corchado de Gavaldá.

Escritura tomada de la Biblia de Estudio NUEVA VERSION INTERNACIONAL®. El derecho de autor© 1973, 1978, 1984 Sociedad Bíblica Internacional. Todos los derechos reservados mundialmente. Utilizado con el permiso de la Sociedad Bíblica Internacional.

Truth of God’s Word

… it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. – Jude 3

The Bible is True
The Bible has come under sharper attack in the past 150 years than any other time in history. The thrust of the criticism is leveled against the accuracy of the record in light of modern conflicting theories of our origins. The attack is taking place in the universities, the seminaries, and the media. Our hope of salvation and all we believe in as Christians depends on the truthfulness of the Scriptures. I believe it is time to stand up for the inspiration and authority of God’s Word.

The crucial questions we must ask ourselves are: Can we trust the Bible? Is it true? Does science provide supporting evidence of the claims made in Bible? To all of these questions, the answer is a resounding “Yes!” Most intelligent and educated persons don’t realize how much scientific support we have for our beliefs. Albert Einstein, the author of the theory of relativity, said “Science without religion is lame; religion without science is blind.” For many their faith is not dependent on science, nor does it have to be. For the unbelieving, however, whom we hope to reach for Christ, the rational mind looks deeper for proof, for something to lay their trust in outside the realm of blind faith.

Evolution versus Creationism
As we begin to build for the future, I believe an important aspect of our teaching must address the relevancy and accuracy of God’s Word. We must tackle the tough issues that confront us. Specifically, we must address the claims of evolution versus creationism. We should not neglect education in purely spiritual areas, far from it. A deeper understanding of the scientific principles which support our faith will, in fact, strengthen our spiritual insight into the marvels of our Creator.

In our world, modern theory says we evolved as a species from a primordial soup over the past 4.5 billion years. Our Bible says God supernaturally created earth out of nothing, and man from the dust of the ground on the order of 6,000 to 10,000 years ago. The arguments for evolution, though weakened with each scientific discovery, are still taught in the mainstream of education as if they were true. From a statistical point of view, the requirements for even the simplest form of life are so enormous, that even billions of years would not be enough time for chance mutations to bring life from inorganic matter. Evolution has never been observed, yet millions accept it in blind faith. It is a new religion: secular humanism. Many evolutionists are grasping at straws to find credence for a waning theory. The popular notion now to explain the unexplainable is that life must have migrated here from another world. I predict that evolution will fade from prominence within the next twenty years. It is on its last gasp.

ixoye "fish symbol"The evidence for fully-formed, complex life and organisms on a grand scale which appeared suddenly is overwhelming. There was no Big Bang. Instead, God spoke and commanded, “Let there be light.” The very fabric of society is a reflection of our beliefs. If we believe that we are the result of chance mutations over billions of years and have descended from apes, then we are merely animals. This thinking would say we are only animals concerned with self-preservation, or as Darwin put it, “survival of the fittest.” We should expect to see more acts of violence, more war, more abortions, more disregard for the sanctity of human life at every level in a society that holds these norms. On the other hand, if we took a closer look at the evidence and came to realize there is no support for evolution or even theistic evolution (the belief that God used evolution as the creation mechanism), then we should expect society to behave differently. A society with this understanding would honor the Common Designer and recognize we are created in His image. This society would be less violent, suffer fewer wars, and show more concern for fellowman.

Jesus Christ specifically referred ten times to the Book of Genesis. He verified the historical fact of creation, the institution of marriage, the world-wide flood and Noah’s ark, and the reality of Satan. God spoke and wrote on the tablets of the Ten Commandments “for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth.” What stronger point can be made for a literal day (twenty-four hour cycle) as the unit of time, not eons required by evolution, than God confirming it himself?

Evangelism and the Web
We live in an age of dual-income families. Though educated, many are not in a church. This presents us with a unique opportunity of evangelism. This is the time to reach our neighbors and bring them into the fellowship. While we get up and go to church on Sunday mornings, many sleep in. When they arise some leisurely surf the internet, searching for meaning in their lives. Why not reach them where they are? The teacher realizes the student doesn’t always learn at pre-determined times and intervals. The teacher looks for a teachable moment. The moment when the person is genuinely searching for the solution to a problem. The church with a welcome mat in cyberspace provides an avenue for the person who doesn’t want to answer the door when they realize it’s the church people.

A web site for a church gives the church a place to lay out the beliefs, programs, plans for growth, and introduce the staff to those too shy, lazy, or guilt-ridden to walk through the door of the church. It introduces the church in a medium they understand and with which they feel comfortable. It gets our foot in their door. I would urge you to seriously consider this avenue of evangelism. Thirty years ago, a church would not dream of not listing it’s name in the phone book. Although the internet is barely four years old, many churches have already developed a cyber connection with their community and as far as they want to have an impact through the use of the web. Placing a website to reach people is becoming as commonplace as placing your name in the phone directory. The movie “Field of Dreams” showed how a Midwestern farmer realized a dream by listening to a voice in the cornfield that said, “If you build it, they will come.” We must use this relatively new medium if we hope to attract those which use it. I don’t expect us to go on a yuppie-quest to find geeks and computer-literate technophiles. Just don’t ignore them, because they are here. With the price of personal computers becoming more affordable more and more homes will use them as much as a television.

Heeding the Warnings
Nothing has captured the American imagination more lately than the renowned Titanic. There have been more books written on three subjects than any others in history. The first is Jesus Christ, second is the American Civil War, and third is the Titanic. The Titanic exhibition is touring major cities in America to show the artifacts that have been found in the icy depths of the North Atlantic. In 1912, the R.M.S. Titanic sailed on her maiden voyage that only lasted three days and ended in tragedy: 1523 souls perished. Titanic was so well-designed it was considered unsinkable. It carried passengers from many countries, the wealthiest in society. We may draw a parallel between the Titanic and Noah’s Ark.

Noah’s ark is believed by some to be a myth. Yet, no single year in ancient history has been recorded as well as the year the eight survivors of the great flood spent upon the ark. The ark was about half the length of Titanic, and about two-thirds its width and height. It could snugly fit into a professional football stadium. Its area would hold 1.5 million cubic feet, or the equivalent of 522 railcars. The Titanic had 30,000 horsepower and cruised at 21 knots. The ark didn’t have an engine or rudder. It merely floated. God commanded Noah to build the ark to precise proportions. The ark could withstand an almost 90 degree tip and not capsize. Because of its length it tended to turn into the face of the waves.

The Titanic was sent six warnings within 10 hours of its collision with the iceberg. The crew had plenty of time to pursue a different course. Noah spent 120 years preaching during the construction of the ark. The Titanic had 705 survivors; the ark only saved eight persons. Titanic has become a symbol of human tragedy; the ark, a symbol of hope. The lesson of Titanic is we must not become too heady with our own human engineering marvels to the point that we disregard the warnings of danger. The lesson of Noah’s ark is that God wants to save us. He wants us to heed the warning of the danger of our sin. God has provided a way of escape: His Son Jesus. His story and the story of our origins can be trusted and has been preserved in his relevant, true, and Holy Word.

(P)1998 by Jim Kerlin. You may freely use or distribute any portion of this homily.

Graphic of Truth versus Darwin courtesy of Upon This Rock Graphics.

Signs of the Times

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. – Hebrews 13:8

Text: Matthew 16:1-3

Summary: Jesus is waiting for you to trust him as your Savior. The Bible is more important than today’s newspaper.

newspaperProps: a newspaper and your Bible

This newspaper is full of current events. I can read who won the game in sports. I can read what the weather is going to be today and tomorrow. I can even read the comic strips. But this is no joke: did you know the Bible is more current and more important than today’s newspaper? Let me explain with a passage where Jesus tells us that it is important for us to realize who he is.

(Read Matthew 16:1-3.)

The Pharisees and Sadducees were teachers (of what God said in the laws given to Moses). They saw Jesus do many miracles, yet they did not believe he was sent from God. They wanted Jesus to give them a demonstration, like a magician doing a wonderful trick, to prove he was more than a great teacher. Jesus replied by pointing out that they were able to tell what the weather was going to be by looking at the sky, but they could not tell that they were living in the time when God’s only Son was among them.

The newspaper is full of stories about what happened yesterday. The Bible is full of stories about events that happened a long time ago. But it is also full of stories that show you how to live your life today. It even has stories about what will happen in the future! Jesus has never changed (see Hebrews 13:8). He is the same God that created everything, that lived among men on earth, and is sitting on his throne in heaven right now, ruling the universe! He is King of kings, and Lord of lords!

The teachers did not believe Jesus and he called them hypocrites. (A hypocrite is someone who says one thing and does another.) They were supposed to help others follow God, but they did not follow Jesus. Many people did not believe God would send a flood, but only Noah and seven other members of his family got on the ark (and the animals of course!). A lot of people missed the boat and it cost them their lives. They never had a chance to change their minds once the flood came.

The sign of our time is the cross of Christ. The news in this newspaper is not nearly as important as the good news in this Bible. It is important to accept Jesus as your Savior. What will you do with your chance to go to heaven? Jesus is the ONLY way to heaven. Jesus is waiting for you to trust him as your Savior.

©2002 by Jim Kerlin. All rights reserved.

Sunday School

Joke: A Sunday school teacher asked the children just before she dismissed them to go to church, “And why is it necessary to be quiet in church?” Annie replied, “Because people are sleeping.”

Text: Hebrews 10:23-25; 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Prop: A Sunday School lesson booklet or poster of a church

Summary: It is important to attend church regularly and study the Bible.

Today is the start of another church school year. That means we may have new teachers and classrooms. And that means you are growing up. As you grow in age, God wants you to grow in your knowledge of Him.
Did you know God wants you to attend church regularly and learn more about Him in the Bible? He does. Let me share two Scriptures with you.

(Read Hebrews 10:23-25) Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

This passage tells us we should always be willing to tell others about Jesus. It says we should love one another and help each other to do good things. One of the ways we do this is to meet regularly for church and Bible study. If we don’t come to church, we lose the chance to help each other be better persons and better Christians. If we don’t come to Sunday School, we don’t learn as much as we could about God.

Here’s another Scripture: (Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

The Bible tells us that God’s Word is true from beginning to end. It also says that if we study the Bible, we will learn how to live the way God wants us to live. It gives us what we need to be all we can be for God.

So let’s start off this church year right. Let’s plan to attend church and Sunday School regularly and be a part of God’s family.

©1998 by Jim Kerlin. All rights reserved.

Fighting Truth Decay

Church sign: Fight truth decay – – study the Bible daily. (Courtesy of Christian Humour)

Text: 2 Timothy 2:15

Props: a toothbrush and a Bible

Summary: Regular Bible study is needed to know the truth. Just as brushing your teeth fights tooth decay, studying your Bible fights truth decay.

lost toothToday I brought a toothbrush with me. Do you have a toothbrush at home? (Listen to responses.) A toothbrush helps keep your teeth clean. If you do not brush, the germs in your mouth will gradually eat a little hole in your tooth, causing a cavity. That means you must visit the dentist to fight further tooth decay. But today I want to tell you about how to fight truth decay.

The Bible is God’s truth. God never lies. We can depend on what we read in God’s Word. But we have to study the Bible regularly to know what is true and how we should live. Let’s read what the Bible says to do. In 2 Timothy 2:15 it says, Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. That means you should study the Bible to get a good understanding of it. When you understand the truth, you won’t be ashamed because you will have the right answers.

Let’s take a short Bible quiz:
1. Man came to live on earth because
a. apes evolved into humans
b. aliens landed from another planet, or
c. God created man on the 6th day of creation.
Answer: c (Genesis 1:27)
2. When David fought Goliath his weapons were
a. a bow and arrow
b. the king’s sword and shield, or
c. a slingshot and five smooth stones.
Answer: c (1 Samuel 17:40)
3. Jesus died on the cross
a. because He loves you
b. to take away your sins
c. so you could have a chance to live forever, or
d. all of the above.
Answer: d (John 3:16)

How did you do on the quiz? Now you know why it is important to know the truth. When you study the Bible you not only know the facts, but also you understand that God loves you and how he wants you to live. Just as brushing your teeth fights tooth decay, studying your Bible fights truth decay.

Let’s pray. Dear Lord Jesus, help me remember to study the Bible regularly. Amen.

©2002 by Jim Kerlin. All rights reserved.

Tell the Truth

Text: Deuteronomy 18:15,18-22; John 5:39,46

open handProp: Your ten fingers.

Summary: Jesus is the Prophet spoken of by Moses. We should always tell the truth.

How many of you have learned to count to ten? [Show your hands.) Okay, tell me how many fingers I have? [Ten.) Are you sure? Let me count them for you. [Hold up left hand, start lifting fingers one at a time.) One, two, three, four, five. [Hold up right hand, continue lifting fingers one at a time, but count backwards from ten.) Ten, nine, eight, seven, six. Six plus five equals eleven (6+5=11), so I have eleven fingers! [Of course, the children will argue this point.) Alright, I am joking. I really only have ten fingers. Simply telling you I have eleven fingers does not make it true.

Today I want to talk about telling the truth. How can we tell if what we hear is the truth or not? The Bible helps us with this. A long time ago God gave Moses the ten commandments. Then one day God told Moses something else that was very important. (Read Deut. 18:15,18-22.) God told Moses he would send a very special Prophet from among the Hebrew people. A prophet is a person who speaks what God tells him to say.

Moses said that what this Prophet would say was so important that God would hold us responsible if we did not listen to what that Prophet said. Moses said that if a prophet spoke the truth, then whatever he said would happen. If a prophet did not tell the truth, then whatever he said would not happen. Merely saying it would happen would not make it true. That is how we can tell whether or not a prophet speaks truthfully.

Jesus always spoke the truth. (Read John 5:39,46.) Jesus said he was the Prophet that Moses had written about. How do we know for sure? Because everything Jesus ever said would happen has come true. Other people have claimed to be the Prophet spoken of by Moses, but what they said did not come true. Jesus said he would be killed and then rise again, and he did! So we know without a doubt he is the one spoken of by Moses. Jesus spoke what God the Father told him to say and it was always the truth. We should try to follow the example Jesus gave us and always tell the truth.

Let us pray. Dear Lord Jesus, help me to be like you and always tell the truth. Amen.

©2003 by Jim Kerlin. All rights reserved.

Happy New Year 2013

I want to wish every person who reads this a happy new year! Let 2013 be a year that you pray for peace, goodwill toward mankind and our planet. I invite you to take time out to enjoy a video (about a half hour) that explains some of the issues we face as humanity, and how we can join together to solve them. If the word “whole brain” is new to you — then do this brief exercise BEFORE you watch it to get into “whole brain posture” and experience a difference in your perception. This is called “cross crawls” and it’s simple. Stand with room to walk in place. As you walk in place, cross your right hand over the mid-point of your body (meridian) and lightly slap your left knee. Then on the next step in place do the opposite: cross your left hand over the mid-point and lightly slap your right knee. Got it? Now add one more piece. Count out 10 complete cross overs (left to right, right to left) and on the first set of 10, with chin level with the floor, nose pointing straight ahead, focus your eyes in the upper left of your vision (don’t turn your head), and then on the second set of 10 cross overs, look to the upper right of your vision (again, don’t turn your head). This simple exercise causes your left and right hemispheres of the brain to “integrate” your thoughts in a more coherent, complete state. Now here’s the link to the video and enjoy!