November 2002 New Horizons

Give Thanks to the Lord, for He Is Good!

by Douglas B. Clawson

TV specials, magazine articles, and memorial services recently reminded us of the tragic events of "9/11" that robbed thousands of people of their lives and robbed thousands of families of loved ones. We were reminded that the tragedy was a shared one—not just because we watched it and read about it and prayed for those who suffered on account of it, but because of its effects on many of us. Thousands of people who had never worried about travel lost their sense of safety. Thousands of otherwise friendly people became suspicious of foreign-looking neighbors. Thousands of military personnel left for duty abroad. Thousands of workers lost their jobs in a weakened economy. Thank the Lord Yet in the midst of this tragedy—and others like it—there is much for which to be thankful. "Thankful?" you ask. Yes, thankful—not thankful for the tragedy itself, but thankful to the God who saves, preserves, and redeems his people. I am not suggesting that God has not saved, preserved, and redeemed ... Read more

The Commission of the Church

by Brian T. Wingard

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." —Matthew 28:16-20 ESV These words from the gospel of Matthew are so familiar that we know them by a title, "The Great Commission." It is said that familiarity breeds contempt. I would not suggest that Orthodox Presbyterians have contempt for this familiar portion of God's Word, but in our case perhaps familiarity breeds neglect . In considering a familiar passage of Scripture, we sometimes believe that we know it so well that there is nothing more that we can learn from it. We may allow our familiarity with it to let us ... Read more