Us vs Them: "Us"

We live in an ‘Us vs Them’ world. (See last week’s blog.) Those who follow Jesus have been born again. They are alive in Christ. All others remain dead in their sins. So, what does God expect of 'us' while living among 'them.'

Before His death, resurrection and ascension, Jesus prayed for believers. He described His disciples to God by saying “they are not of the world.” Then He prayed, “I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one.” (John 17:15)

Why has God left disciples of Jesus in the world?

Primarily, it is for the advancement of the kingdom of God. There are direct and indirect ways in which 'we' can each help:

Advance the kingdom: 

Paul makes it very clear that not every Christian is a missionary or evangelist or preacher or teacher. Even when people were receiving spiritual gifts of a miraculous nature, the ‘speaking’ gifts were given priority. The ‘speaking’ gifts (prophecy, speaking in tongues, interpretation, teaching) were miraculous gifts given to spread the gospel message and teach the word of God. (See Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12 & 14.) In the book of Acts the primary role of the Holy Spirit was the advancement of the kingdom of God. After all, God desires for all men to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9) So, some people are directly involved in spreading the gospel message and teaching God’s people.

Support those who do: 

Not every Christian is a preacher, teacher, missionary or evangelist. Those who do not fill those important roles can certainly support those who do. For many, support is about financial support. Indeed, those who speak God’s word full-time need financial support. And yet, participation in the advancement of the kingdom also includes prayer and personal support for those who preach and teach. When reading about the missionary journeys of Paul in the book of Acts it is clear that he depended on others for lodging, protection, moral support and sound advice. Seldom do you read about Paul being alone. In his letters he often mentioned by name many people who provided support of various kinds. Entire congregations also participated in the gospel with him as they sent gifts of support and supported him in prayer. You can support the gospel.

Explain your hope: 

God expects every Christian to be able to say something to explain their hope, that is, their expectation of eternal life. (1 Peter 3:15) You don’t have to be an apologist who has an answer for every question, from the existence of dinosaurs to the doctrine of the Trinity. You may not be able to explain why certain things are in the Bible. But you should be able to explain your conviction that your sins have been forgiven and that you will be raised from the dead when you die to live eternally with God.

Good works: 

God created us for good works. It is His expectation that every Christian engage in good works (Ephesians 2:10). Jesus said that we should let our light shine so that people see our good works and glorify God (Matthew 5:16). God knows that we may sometimes become weary of doing good. So, he provides encouragement so we will not give up. God is a kid of cheerleader for continuing in good works. It might not look like we are making a difference, but God see what is going on. (See Galatians 6:9; Hebrews 12:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:13; Revelation 2:3.)

Love one another: 

Love for our fellow saints in Christ is one of the most important attributes of a Christian. Jesus said that the world will know that we are his disciples if we love one another. (John 13:35)

Your contribution to the kingdom is important to God.


Mark Stinnett

June 7, 2026

What is a Gift?

I have a beautiful Bible sitting on a shelf in my office. It is the older King Jame Version that I seldom use. I did not need another copy. I did not want another copy. It was a gift.

It’s a larger edition KJV Bible with gold gilding, multiple ribbons and an excellent genuine leather cover (not bonded leather). It has many nice features, and it looks good, smells good, and feels good to the touch. I looked it up online and found that it is an expensive edition. It was a gift.

It was not given so that I could find it a new home. It was a gift...to me.

It was given to me by an older friend with whom I had studied the Bible. Our friendship grew out of our mutual love for the Lord. When she heard that my family and I were moving away, she wanted to give me a gift to show her love and appreciation. She gave a beautiful, expensive Bible

I do not know if buying such an expensive Bible was a burden to her. Nevertheless, because it was expensive and brand new, I knew that it meant something to her. It was a costly gift and it was intentional.

Even though I do not need that Bible and though I almost never use it, I keep it. It means something to me. It is called sentimental value. It reminds me of my friend and her sacrifice. It reminds me of our friendship.

Have you ever given a gift that was a dud? It is true that many husbands have made mistakes by choosing gifts for their wives that were practical but not sensible. (Think, vacuum cleaner.) And yet, this is not the ‘dud’ that I am thinking about. Rather, have you ever given a gift that was appropriate yet under-appreciated or even rejected? You were sure it would bring joy, but you could see the disappointment on the person’s face. Maybe there was a kind smile and a “Thank you,” but you knew it was not genuine.

Let’s shift to yet another aspect of gift-giving. Have you ever rejected a gift. Perhaps, you received and accepted the gift, but you later ‘regifted’ it or simply set it aside...rejected. And, unlike my lovely Bible, the gift you received did not hold sentimental value. After all, you had made a list of potential gift ideas, but the gift-giver went ‘off script.’ You felt that the giver had not really listened. You felt disappointment, no joy.

Let’s pause here and agree that gift giving can be complicated. Even so, think about the way you give and how gifts have been presented to you. Think about the joys and the disappointments. Would you agree that, in general, the greater the sacrifice, the more meaningful the gift?

Now, think about God.

God is the giver of all good things. Everyone accepts the gifts God has given through creation, such as, sunshine, rain, natural resources, crops, etc.

The most precious and expensive gift that God gave was His Son Jesus. It was a gift of life for the purpose of fellowship with man. Many want this gift, but few embrace it because it is a gift that has conditions. To embrace God’s gift of life a person must no longer embrace the life this world offers. Only a few are willing to die to this world in order to embrace life eternal.

We, in return, give to God. But what can we possibly give? He’s made it easy by telling us what He expects and accepts. We offer to God: genuine thanks, a broken and contrite spirit (humility), faithfulness, obedience, worship. Even our service to others is regarded as a gift to God: justice, mercy, kindness, physical/financial assistance, even a cup of cold water.

This week, think about your giving, but do so in light of God’s gifts to you.


Mark Stinnett

August 31, 2025

Applying Grace

How do you figure out how much to give to the Lord?

Perhaps a different question first, “What does it mean to give to the Lord?” (If the only thing that comes to your mind is the Sunday collection, you may need to rethink your giving.)

The Good Samaritan gave up his time, his energy, his money, and probably some supplies he had on hand. I think we would all agree that the Good Samaritan was using gifts (blessings) from God which he then offered to assist the injured man. In other words, he applied God’s grace that had been shown to him.

Someone might think, "The Good Samaritan is a great example, but it was a parable. What about a real-life example?"

King David wanted to build a permanent dwelling for God that would replace the portable tabernacle. The prophet Nathan assured David that he could do so, but God stopped Nathan and said that David’s son Solomon would be the temple-builder instead of David.

Was David disappointed? No, he was not. King David desired to build a temple for God, but God gave an astounding promise to David:

The Lord also declares to you that the Lord will make a house for you. 

—2 Samuel 7:11

God was not referring to a physical dwelling. He was using the word house figuratively for the descendants of David who would reign over Judah. God spoke of David’s son, Solomon:

He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. (v. 13)

David was ecstatic. In fact, shortly after that, David applied that gracious promise. David saw the grace of God presented to him, and he wanted to extend grace to someone in a similar way. It was as if he wanted to have the same experience of joyful giving as God. David said,

Is there not yet anyone of the house of Saul to whom I may show the kindness of God? (9:3)

David’s servants found Mephibosheth, the crippled son of his best friend, Jonathan. Mephibosheth was brought to Jerusalem, given the inheritance of King Saul, and given a place at the king’s dinner table as if he was the king’s son.

Did you see the intention of David’s heart? He wanted to “show the kindness of God.” He had received the promises of God, that is God’s kindness, God’s grace. Then, in his heart, he wanted to extend the same grace to someone.

The grace given David was a promise, but one that he would never see fulfilled. Yet, by faith, he accepted the promise as having been fulfilled already, because God keeps His promises.

Are you able to make the same kind of connection between the grace of God and material gifts? Consider Paul’s rhetorical question:

For if we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? 

—1 Corinthians 9:11

Applied, we, like David, can extend the grace (kindness) of God through our physical gifts. It may be a gift in the Sunday collection, an act of benevolence involving time, effort and/or money, or a gift to a missionary. It is a gift that you give because of the tremendous grace that you have received from God. Are you applying the grace you have so bountifully received?

Take time to read Ephesians 2:1-10. Look for God’s grace, and how you can apply it today.


Mark Stinnett

December 12, 2021