Who Is Jesus?

J. Oliver Jones Then Moses said to God, “Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is His name?’ what shall I say to them?” And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I [...]

When Was Jesus Born

By Jim Jones  Most serious Bible students understand that Jesus was not born on December 25th.  In fact it was not until the mid fifth century that the Church Fathers officially proclaimed December 25thas the day of Jesus birth. The early Christian church did not celebrate the birth of Jesus, but rather his death and [...]

What Is Important To God?

By J Oliver Jones I have been thinking a lot lately about all the varied things that we as believers consider to be important - in other words the things that unite us, the things that separate us, the things we believe must be done, the things we only do if we want to, and [...]

What Are We Waiting For?

By J. Oliver Jones  While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. Matthew 25:5  This verse is taken from the parable of the five wise and five foolish virgins who await the coming of the bridegroom. The parable speaks of the necessity of being prepared, for we do not know when He will come. [...]

Tithes, Gifts, and Offerings

By J. Oliver Jones  The purpose of this article is to examine the Biblical principles of giving as it is related to the three areas of tithes, gifts (alms), and offerings.  We will discover how these are different, how they are to be understood under the different dispensations of Law and Grace, and how we [...]

The Road Less Traveled

By J. Oliver Jones  (From the Summer 2012 Illuminator)             There is a poem by Robert Frost that you probably read as a student titled, The Road Not Taken. It describes a person coming to a fork in the road and stopping to contemplate which way to go. Now, I have never been one who [...]

The Good Gift

J. Oliver Jones Matthew 7:7-11 (NKJV) 7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or what man is there among [...]

The Big Picture

J. Oliver Jones SMC Director of Christian Education              Most people seem to miss the “Big Picture.” Why do I say that? Because they live their lives in disregard, or even contempt, toward God and His plan for mankind. God is cursed, Jesus is mocked, and hell is ignored. Then there are some who seem [...]