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William Boekestein

Raising Christ-Like Children

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  • William Boekestein

This article discusses a helpful way in which parents and the broader body of Christ can bring up children to bear the image of Christ.

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Why You Should Think About Death

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  • William Boekestein

Are you prepared to die? Many people are not prepared to die, nor prepared to even think about the prospect of death because of a fear of death. This article explains why it is valuable for you to think about death.

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Help! I'm a Spiritual Fake

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  • William Boekestein

This article discusses from 1 John four fruits of confession of your sins.

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Three Traits of a Biblical Leader

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  • William Boekestein

What does a biblical leader look like? This article discusses three important qualities that a loving leader needs to have.

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How to Share God's Love through Hospitality

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  • William Boekestein

This article provides ways in which you can share the love of God through hospitality, whether at home or at church.

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How to Be Free in Christ

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  • William Boekestein

Christians have been set free from the bondage of sin through faith in Christ. However, our Christian freedom does have restraints. This article show that the Bible teaches a wise and proper way of enjoying our Christian liberty. 1 Corinthians 6:12 and 1 Corinthians 10:23-24 are brought into the discussion for consideration.

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Five Actions of Faithful Evangelists

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  • William Boekestein

Are you concerned about the salvation of souls but are not sure how to evangelize? This article provides five things a faithful evangelist should do.  

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How to Not Have Sex Before Marriage

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  • William Boekestein

The Bible teaches that sexual immorality is sin and that none should engage in sex before marriage. This article discusses a way that the unmarried in the church can exercise self control over their desires, so that they may maintain their purity for the glory of God.

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Helps for Doubting Christians

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  • William Boekestein

This article provides clear biblical encouragement and advice to believers who struggle with doubt.

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Three Ways to Face the Flaws in Your Reformation Heroes

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  • William Boekestein

The heroes of the Reformation were not perfect. How should we respond to the sins of the reformers? Here are three ways that you can face their flaws.

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I Don't Love to Pray, but I Want To

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  • William Boekestein

Prayer is not always easy. How can we overcome this struggle? This article considers what a well-known catechism teaches about prayer, in order to help breathe life into our prayer habits.

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Can I Be Thankful for Church?

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  • William Boekestein

What are the things you are thankful for in your church? From Philippians 1:3-8 this article explains three things you can be thankful for.

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Ten Benefits of Church Small Groups

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  • William Boekestein

Small groups play a role in the life of some churches. Here are ten benefits of such groups.

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Three Things Baptism Teaches Us about the Christian Life

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  • William Boekestein

This article explains how baptism illustrates our guilt, God's grace, and gratitude.

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The Place of the Church among the Poor

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  • William Boekestein

Does the church have an obligation toward the poor? To answer this question one must define what poverty is, which is this article's starting point. It explains that poverty is about both the poor and the rich. It then highlights three things the church cannot ignore in relation to poverty.

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Six Things to Remember for a Successful Marriage

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  • William Boekestein

What makes marriage a success? Here are six things you should not forget if you desire a successful marriage.

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How to Be Thankful for Your Messed-Up Church

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  • William Boekestein

Is thanksgiving for your church part of your prayer? Philippians 1:3-4 gives three things you can be thankful to God for your church, even when it is in a mess.

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Six Realities to Reinvigorate Your Prayer Life

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  • William Boekestein

How can you reinvigorate your prayer life? Here are six realities you need to embrace to regain the joy of prayer.

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The Path to Ecumenicity

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  • William Boekestein

The catholicity and unity of the church calls for ecumenicity. This article shows how the church can pursue local ecumenism through evaluation, being exemplary, and being practical.

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The Atonement and Jehovah’s Witnesses

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  • William Boekestein

The one great thing that the Jehovah’s Witnesses miss is the atonement of Christ. This article argues that they miss this because they miss the character of our sins and the eternal character of the satisfaction of the death of Christ.

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Bernard of Clairvaux “O Sacred Head”

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  • William Boekestein

This article gives a biography of Bernard of Clairvaux and the history behind the writing of his song "O Sacred Head." It discuss the need for such a message for the church today.

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Christ Our High P-R-I-E-S-T Remembering Christ’s Work on the Cross

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  • William Boekestein

Christians should never give in to unbelief and doubt. By looking at the meaning of the priesthood of Christ, this article gives six pointers to embracing the truth that Christ is our High Priest and that what he did should shape our life.

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Christianity Is a Religion (Thank God!)

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  • William Boekestein

Is Christianity a religion or a relationship? This article looks at the use of the word "religion" and argues that Christianity should be seen both as a religion and relationship.

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Election, an Incentive to Missions

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  • William Boekestein

If the church has reasons to engage in mission work and evangelism, it is in the doctrine of election that these reasons will be found. This article gives four reasons why this must be case.

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The First Thanksgiving: A Historical Introduction

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  • William Boekestein

This article gives a historical overview of the Christians who fled persecution in England to settle in America. It narrates the reasons for their first celebration of their thanksgiving and draws lessons from these pilgrims for the church today.

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Five Things Teens Want Their Parents to Know...But May Not Be Telling Them

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  • William Boekestein

This article give five things teenagers would like their parents to know, things that may be crucial for parents to know for parenting teens.

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From the Grave to the Sky Gaining Godly Fear for Faithful Living

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  • William Boekestein

From Mark 16 this article shows how the resurrection of Christ and his ascension should lead to godly fear as a remedy to the lethargy facing the church today.

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Helps for Doubting Believers

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  • William Boekestein

Mark 9 records three forms of unbelief. This article shows how these three accounts can help Christians deal with their doubts, as the author points to five remedies to doubting.

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How to Not Leave the Church

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  • William Boekestein

What is a way to help prevent people from leaving the church? This article considers what it means to have and promote healthy church membership. Church members should pursue certain traits for the strengthening of church life.

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Jesus’ Thirst and Our Spiritual Rehydration

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  • William Boekestein

This article explains the rich meaning behind Jesus' cry in John 19:28, "I thirst."

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Introduction to Puritanism Colossians 3:1-3

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  • William Boekestein

Who were the Puritans? This article shows that Puritanism stood for a holistic reformation by being scriptural, God-centered, and godly in their life.

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Loving the Incarnation John 1:1-5, 14-18; 1 John 1:1-4

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  • William Boekestein

To understand the incarnation, one must understand the place of Christ within the Trinity. Then it becomes clear that Christ was fully God and man. This article considers both the reality and relevance of the incarnation.

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Resisting Traditionalism

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  • William Boekestein

From Mark 7:1-23 this article shows how traditionalism can be a hindrance to fellowship with God, leading to hypocrisy.

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The Benefits of Catechetical Preaching

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  • William Boekestein

This article explains that catechism preaching kindles in our hearts the love for God. It enriches believers’ knowledge of Scripture, doctrinal knowledge, and experience of the Christian life.

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Scoping Out Apollos Nine Marks of a Healthy Christian

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  • William Boekestein

Looking at the example of Apollos, this article gives nine marks that characterizes a healthy Christian.

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The Duty of Discipleship Edifying the church inter-generationally

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  • William Boekestein

This article shows how to do discipleship through modelling, teaching, and training. Disciple-making is a call for every generation to pass the faith to the coming generation.

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Sexual Integrity: Honoring God inside and outside of Marriage

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  • William Boekestein

This article shows from the seventh commandment and the whole of Scripture how God encourages healthy sexual expressions in marriage. It also shows that God detests sexual immorality, and discusses ways of fighting sexual temptations.

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A Well-Ordered Church - The Church's Relation to Christ

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  • William Boekestein, Daniel R. Hyde

This book discusses the identity, authority, mission and ecumenicity of the church. This chapter focuses on the identity of the church. The author maintains that one cannot think about the church without thinking about Christ, and one cannot confess faith in Christ without being a member of the church.

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Hebrews 12:3-11 - Trading Temporary Pain for Eternal Gain

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  • William Boekestein

God disciplines His children for their good. His discipline works to bring us to maturity. Though at times discipline can be painful, God works through discipline to form His children to be like Christ. Hence, we must respond with trust, love and prayer to God. The author looks at Hebrews 12:3-11.

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How to Grow Spiritually: Using God's Ordinary Means of Grace

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  • William Boekestein

Means of grace are the things instituted by Christ to keep us in communion with Him. It includes prayer, preaching, and the sacraments, which are beneficial for our spiritual growth.

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The Five Points of Calvinism (6): Perseverance of the Saints

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  • William Boekestein

This article looks at perseverance of the saints. The author shows the need for such perseverance, God's provision for this perseverance, and the assurance of this perseverance.

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Endure Hardship! Calling Young (and Old) to Join Christ's Army

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  • William Boekestein

This article is a call to young people to join the army of Christ and to endure hardship. The image of a soldier is used in the Bible to described the Christian life, as we fight with Christ as our Commander.

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Growing Healthy Children: An Alternative to Provocative Parenting

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  • William Boekestein

Grounded in Colossians 3:21 and Ephesians 6:4, this article talks about how parents can avoid provoking their children by creating a healthy home atmosphere that displays God's grace. The author provides helpful guidelines for effective parenting.

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Affectionate Initiative: A Call for Loving, Leading Husbands

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  • William Boekestein

This article shows that husbands are called to love their wives. The author discusses what it means to display a loving leadership towards your wife.

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Biblical Personal Finance: Earning and Spending for God's Glory

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  • William Boekestein

How should you handle your finances? This article discusses two ways of handling your finances to God's glory: earning your money in a way that glorifies God, and spending it in a way that glorifies God.

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The Five Points of Calvinism (1): A Historical Introduction

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  • William Boekestein

This article gives a historical background to the development of the Five Points of Calvinism as they are expressed in the Canons of Dort.

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The Church's Missionary Task: Obeying God's Call to Reap in His Fields

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  • William Boekestein

Christ's words in Matthew 9:38 imply that the church should be engaged in mission work. This article looks at hindrances to mission work and how to overcome them.

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Join or Die? Addressing the Question of Church Membership

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  • William Boekestein

What is the relationship between the Christian and the church? This article shows that it is God's command to be a member of a true church. The author also discusses the responsibility that comes with church membership.

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Making a Marriage: God's Blueprint for Marital Success

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  • William Boekestein

Following the biblical pattern for marriage is the only way that your marriage will be successful. God designed marriage for companionship, and for the building of His kingdom.

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The Office of Christian Man: Applying Christ's Three-Fold Office to Men

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  • William Boekestein

Fathers and Christian men are called to be prophets, priests, and kings. This is the measure of biblical manhood.

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John 19:25-27 - Behold Your Mother! The Legacy of Jesus' Love for Moms

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  • William Boekestein

This article draws three lessons from Jesus' care for his mother in John 19:25-27.

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Christian Community: Seeking Contentment without Complacency Ephesians 2:11-22

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  • William Boekestein

How should we live together as a community of God's people? This article looks at the task of each member in church.

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Choice Words: A Matter of Life and Death

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  • William Boekestein

Words are powerful, and are able to either give life to, or kill, our relationships. Knowing what bad communication is is essential to developing good communication. Communication is bad when it is filled with resentment or gossip, or is hasty or lazy. Christian communication should be gospel communication.

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Scoping Out Apollos: Nine Marks of a Healthy Christian

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  • William Boekestein

A Christian is someone who knows Christ, is in God's plan, studies the scriptures, takes training seriously, is teachable, uses their gifts, is guided by the Spirit, and is courageous.

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The Duty of Discipleship: Edifying the Church Inter-Generationally

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  • William Boekestein

Working from Titus 2, this article shows that discipleship in the church should be done through modeling, teaching and training.

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Hebrews 12:3-11 - Thriving Under God's Discipline: Trading Temporary Pain for Eternal Gain

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  • William Boekestein

Can God's discipline make your life flourish? This article show that you can thrive under God's discipline if you know what God's discipline is, how to respond to it, and what it produces (Hebrews 12:3-11).

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Group Bible Study: Are We Wasting Our Time?

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  • William Boekestein

This article share some guidelines for effective group Bible study; namely: keep the Bible first, use the creeds, plan, prepare, take notes, work as a group, and apply the word. Page 8.

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Honor Your Mother: Live Long and Prosper

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  • William Boekestein

This article looks at the fifth commandment, showing what it means to honour your mother. Looking at Deuteronomy 5:16, the author discusses the meaning, basis, and expression of honour.

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1 Corinthians 15 - A Resurrection Overview: The Crux of Christian Hope

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  • William Boekestein

Will the dead truly be resurrected? From 1 Corinthians 15, this article shows the certainty of the resurrection and its result.

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Romans 5:1-5 - The Fruit of Justification: Victorious Living in the Light of God’s Smile

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  • William Boekestein

Does your life show the fruit of justification? This article shows from Romans 5:1-5 that justification results in peace with God, access to God, a sense of God's glory, a proper perspective on pain, and a heart filled with God's love.

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Christian Freedom Liberation from Legalism and Laziness

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  • William Boekestein

This article shows that Christian liberty (Christian freedom) is grounded in knowing that believers are freed from the law, they are freed to obey the law, and they are freed from the opinions of man.

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"Piety within Proper Bounds": John Calvin on Christian Worship

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  • William Boekestein

What should the worship service be like? This article looks at John Calvin's principles on worship, which state that worship must be God-focused, biblically based, and spiritually simple.

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Luke 23:32-43 - Three Speeches From Three Crosses

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  • William Boekestein

This article on Luke 23:32-43 looks at the three speeches given by the two criminals and Jesus.

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Godly Hospitality

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  • William Boekestein

This article gives an overview of hospitality in the Old and New Testament.

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Election: Friend or Foe to Evangelism?

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  • William Boekestein

This article looks at the relationship between election and evangelism. The author concludes that election is a huge encouragement for mission work.

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Effective Group Bible Study

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  • William Boekestein

What are the components of an effective group Bible study? This article names a few.

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A Model Sermon

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  • William Boekestein

What is good preaching? Looking at Acts 2:14-39, this article shows how Peter's sermon can be used as a model for preaching.

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Avoiding Chronological Snobbery

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  • William Boekestein

Church history should be part of the devotional life of a Christian. Through church history we see the sovereignty of God, learn to talk about the biblical teaching, recognize heresies, remain rooted, understand church practices, and live courageously for Christ.

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Piety With Proper Bounds: John Calvin on Christian Worship

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  • William Boekestein

This article gives John Calvin's principles on worship and singing.

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Profiting from Preaching: Learning to Truly Hear God

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  • William Boekestein

How can we best profit from the preaching of the word? This article discusses preparing for the preaching, listening to and receiving the preaching, and applying the preaching to our lives.

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Mark 1:1-13 - Preparation for Ministry

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  • William Boekestein

This is a Bible study on Mark 1:1-13.

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The Fruit of Justification: Victorious Living in the Light of God's Smile

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  • William Boekestein

What is justification exactly? This article discusses the fruits of being justified.

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John 19:26-27 - Behold Your Mother! The Legacy of Jesus' Love for Mom

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  • William Boekestein

This article on John 19:26-27 is about Jesus' love for His mother Mary, and His care for her even whilst He hung on the cross. The author draws lessons from this passage for the church today.

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Living in Communion with the Saints: What Must I Do?

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  • William Boekestein

This article focuses on the practical side of working on unity. The author discusses the importance of humility and self-control in promoting unity.

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Christian Unity: An Encouraging Example

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  • William Boekestein

This article looks at the characteristics and the consequences of church unity based on Acts 2:42-47.

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There is a difference between fearing God, and being afraid of God; the Godly fear God as a child does his father, the wicked are afraid of God as the prisoner is of a judge. Thomas Watson
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