Mike's Message

Mike Rogers' Messages

(click on the month to view the messages for that month)

  • July 27, 2025

    The Door and Good Shepherd


    In the first six verses of John 10, Jesus uses the sheep and the sheepfold to illustrate His protection and care for His disciples. A sheepfold was an enclosure with one opening. To make His point about His own role, Jesus says that a shepherd does not have to sneak into the fold, but he comes in through the door. The sheep are not afraid of the shepherd because they know his voice, and he calls them by name. Yet, the sheep are afraid of a stranger and will not follow him because they do not know his voice.


    The disciples understood that many flocks of sheep would converge on a town in the evening and gather at a central location. One man would be hired to watch those flocks through the night. This man would station himself by the door to protect the sheep. The next morning, the shepherds would arrive and the hired keeper (porter) would open the door for the various shepherds. A shepherd would then call his sheep with a special sound that only his sheep would recognize. From among those flocks, one by one the shepherd’s own sheep would walk through the door and gather round him. This happened again and again as each shepherd came and called for his sheep. Even though the events discussed in this illustration were common knowledge, the disciples did not understand the relevancy for what Jesus was teaching. So, Jesus explained it to them in verses seven through fifteen.


    Verses 7-10 show that Jesus is the only legitimate way into the sheepfold. He declares, “I am the door” (vv. 7, 9). As the door, Jesus is explaining that He is the only way to protection, provisions, and abundant life (vv. 9-10). Anyone else who tried to come in was a thief and a robber and the sheep did not hear them (v. 8). The thieves are not concerned with protecting or providing for the sheep. They did not want to make life better for the sheep. They only wanted to “steal and kill and destroy.” In verses 11-15 Jesus explains that He is “the good Shepherd.” The good Shepherd is distinguished from the hired hand because He cares for His sheep. No matter what dangers may befall, He will protect His sheep. He is so intent on protection that He will lay down His life for His sheep (vv. 11, 15).


    This world is full of thieves and robbers and wolves wanting to snatch the sheep from the Shepherd’s care. But if we will realize no one is more concerned for our well-being than Jesus, no one else protects and provides like Jesus, and if we will realize Jesus is the only way to the abundant life (cf. John 14:6), we will hear His voice and follow Him.

    —Mike Rogers


    July 20, 2025

    A Common Love


    The Theme for the Covington church of Christ for 2025 is A Common Love. This theme was developed by the leadership (elders and deacons) in a meeting near the end of 2024. In the English language there is only one word for love. I am told that the ancient Hebrew language also had only one word for love. Just like in English, all different expressions of love had to be captured in that single term. The Greek language, however, is much more expressive with eight words that express different kinds and measures of love. We will show three of these words as they appear in the New Testament.


    Storge was probably used more often to express love in ancient Greek literature. It was frequently used to refer to the love between a mother and a child. This word is not used in the Bible in its original form but the compound, astorgos is used in Romans 1:31 and translates “unloving” (NASB). The compound philostorgos is also used in Romans 12:10 and translates “brotherly love” (NASB).


    Another word was philia. This word commonly expressed the strong confidence, acceptance and consideration friends have for one another. It usually expresses friendship or fondness. This word is used in James 4:4 referring to “friendship with the world.” This word appears a number of times in compound form such as Revelation 3:7 referring to the church at Philadelphia as the “open door” church. Peter uses the verb form in response to Jesus’ question, “Do you love me” (John 21:16-17)? Philia, in the verb form, is used twice to refer to God’s love. First in John 5:20 referring to God’s love for Jesus; and second, in John 16:27 when Jesus says to the disciples, “the Father loves you.”


    The fourth word is agape. Interestingly, this word is especially infrequent in ancient Greek literature. However, this is the word most often used in the New Testament. It is the word commonly used to refer to God’s love. It is sacrificial. It is always thinking of others before yourself (see Phil. 2:1-4). Most Greek scholars do not make a significant distinction between agape and philia. Both suggest sacrifice. Therefore, we will not force a distinction. Both words are used in the love that God calls us to have for Him and for one another.


    Further, the word “common” is from a Greek word that means shared: “they had all things in common” (Acts 2:44; 4:32). While this same word may not be used in connection with love, the idea is motivated by a similar and prevailing attitude of love for one another. So, when we are called to a common love, we are called to have a prevailing selfless and sacrificial love for one another. How is your love?

    —Mike Rogers


    July 13, 2025

    When Saying I'm Sorry Really Matters

    Text: Psalm 51


    The superscription presents this Psalm as written after David’s sin with Bathsheba (2 Sam. 11-12): One evening, King David got out of bed and walked to the roof. Gazing out over the city, he saw a beautiful woman bathing. He inquired about her and learned that she was Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite; and that he was away at war. David sent for her to come to his bedroom. He later learned she was going to have his baby. In an attempt to cover his sin, David had Uriah brought in from the battlefield to report on the war. After the conversation, David suggested that Uriah go home and spend the night with his wife. Uriah did not but rather slept on the King’s porch because going home to his wife during a time of war would have been an act of disloyalty to his fellow soldiers. Since Uriah couldn’t be persuaded to compromise, David sent him back to battle with a letter to deliver to the commanding officer. Uriah didn’t know it, but he was delivering his own death warrant. The letter instructed to put Uriah on the front lines and withdraw the other troops so Uriah would be sure to die. Uriah was killed and David married Bathsheba.


    No one in Israel knew the story behind the story, but the Bible says, “The thing David had done was evil in the sight of the Lord” (2 Samuel 11:27). The Lord sent a prophet named Nathan to confront David with his sin. He told of two men one was rich and the other poor. The rich man had guests, and he took the poor man’s lamb to feed his guests. David was outraged and declared that the man who did this thing should die. Nathan responded, David “you are the man” (2 Sam 12:7). David cried to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord” (2 Sam. 12:13a). Because of this sin David was punished by God. The ultimate punishment would be that the child born to David and Bathsheba would become sick and die. It is likely that it is during this time of the child’s sickness and David’s remorse that he prayed what he later wrote and is recorded as the 51st Psalm.


    David presents three things necessary to be truly sorry when we sin. First, one must admit his sin (vv. 1-3). Second, one must admit he has hurt God with his sin (v. 4). Third, we must know who to turn to when we sin (vv. 6-17).


    Considering David and these three points, saying “I’m sorry” only matters when we admit our sin, when we accept that God is hurt more than anyone by our sin, and when we turn to God for forgiveness. Words are worthless without a “broken and contrite heart” (cf. Ps. 51:17; 1 John 3:18

    —Mike Rogers


    July 6, 2025

    Free from Law

    Romans 7:1-6


    Paul writes in Romans 7:1-6 regarding the Christian’s freedom from law. Paul is specifically referring to the Mosaic Law, and his analogy of marriage is not to show a death of law, but the death of one bound to law. The emphasis of Paul’s marriage analogy is that “death puts an end to obligations to the Law of Moses.” This analogy joins chapter 6 and man’s death to sin, with man’s death to law (7:4-6).“Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, that you might be joined to another, to him who was raised from the dead, that we might bear fruit for God” (v. 4, emphasis added). One can notice that Paul’s vocabulary carries on the idea of the marriage analogy. “Be joined” (NASB), “belong” (ESV), be married” (KJV) refers to “the saints as wedded to Christ as their husband” (Epistles, 367). “Might bear fruit” suggests that just as one expects a marriage to bear children, one expects the union with Christ to produce righteousness. In 6:22, the fruit of the new union in Christ is righteousness. The old life in sin produced things for which one is “ashamed” (6:21), and fruits which lead to death (7:5). Verses 4-6 puts Paul’s argument, which he began to delineate in 6:1, into a present perspective. He concludes in verse 6 saying, “But now we have been released from the law having died to that in which we were held, so that we are to serve in newness of spirit and not oldness of letter” (7:6, emphasis added). The “we” refers to the same audience that is introduced in 5:1. It is those who have been “justified by faith,” Christians. “Now,” after being justified by faith (5:1), dying to sin (6:7), and dying to law (7:4), they were released from the flesh and the law (7:5), and can now serve God without anxiety or fear. They no longer serve out of obligation, but from an earnest desire to be right with God. So why do we serve God? Not because the law is our master and we have to, but because Christ is our husband and we want to. We are in submission to Him. Not because our obedience produces faith, but because our faith produces obedience. Therefore, in Chapter 7:1-6 Paul, with an analogy from marriage shows that one must “die to the Law through the body of Christ” (7:4b) in order to accept the grace of God and assume the title of slave of righteousness (6:15-18). Paul uses the familiar law concerning marriage to illustrate the point he made in chapter 6—when one dies to sin, he is free from sin. He is no longer a slave to sin but a slave to righteousness. He is no longer under the law that revealed sin, but he is under grace that brings justification (7:1-6).


    —Mike Rogers


  • June 29, 2025

    Forgiven

    Matthew 18:21-35; Luke 23:34


    A study on forgiveness can be very confusing, and a discussion on the topic is often controversial. The reason for the controversy is that so many people have different opinions on the answer to the question, “Do I have to forgive someone who has not asked for it?” or, “Why do I have to forgive someone who refuses to admit they have wronged me?” In order to answer these questions correctly, we must understand that the Bible discusses forgiveness from two perspectives: man forgiving man, and God forgiving man. What does Jesus say about forgiving those who sin against us (Matt.18:21-35)? This text is not about a sin against God (see v. 21). This text is not about financial debt. This text is about comparing man’s insurmountable sin against God to the small way one may sin against his fellow man. Jesus uses financial debt because this is one infraction against man that does not have to be against God. Most of us can probably relate to this. Someone may owe us money and cannot pay because they fell on hard times. They come to us and beg for patience. This is not a sin against God, but only against us, because they cannot meet their obligation to us. Jesus’ point is that we should show the same mercy to one who begs us for patience as God shows us. If God has forgiven us, we must be willing to forgive those who sin against us. If we do not, God will not forgive us (v. 35; Matt. 6:14-15).


    Jesus also addresses the question about forgiving those who sin against God (Luke 23:34). Jesus understood that ultimately only God can forgive sins against Him (see James 4:12). Jesus had a true desire for all to be forgiven. If we are going to be like Christ, we must have the same desire that all be forgiven, even if they have not asked for it.


    How one can know he is forgiven by God? Once you believe that Jesus is the Son of God (John 8:24), you must “Be obedient from the heart to that form of teaching” (Rom. 6:17). You must die to sin, sincerely repenting and making the decision to change your life (Rom. 6:2). You must then bury the old sinner (Rom. 6:3-4), and be raised up a new creation imitating Jesus (Rom. 6:4; 2 Cor. 5:17). However, God knows we are not perfect and that we will sin (Rom. 3:23). So, because He has a heart to forgive, He made the provision that if we continue to confess sins, He will continue to forgive. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).


    Are you forgiven? 

    —Mike Rogers


    June 22, 2025

    Why the Bible was Written?


    God created man, and gave him specific instructions (see Genesis 2:15-17). Even later, before anything was written, God gave Moses His Law to govern His people (Exodus 19-Deuteronomy 31). God did not want His word altered or changed so He inspired about forty different men from various backgrounds to write down all that He wanted man to remember and obey. It took about 1500 years for the Bible to be written, and there is not one unexplainable discrepancy or contradiction in the entire 66 books. God used historical events, fulfilled prophecies, poetry, and other genres that prove that this book is not fiction, but truth. The Bible claims to be truth (John 17:17); and truth matters to God (John 8:31-32). So, then, the Bible is the confirmed truth written by men whom God inspired (see 2 Peter 1:20-21). It has been preserved for all generations so mankind will know exactly what God desires. Remember, the inspired apostle Paul wrote to the young preacher Timothy saying, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). This verse provides instruction from God on how we are to use His divine word. We are to read it diligently and apply it carefully so that we can be approved by God. The point seems to be clear that God will not approve anyone who does not read and apply correctly what He has preserved.


    God has preserved His word so that EVERYTHING we “do in word or in deed” we will do by His authority (Col. 3:17). He also preserved His word so “that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:11). We cannot be saved eternally without knowing, understanding, and obeying what we read in God’s word. Romans 15:4 tells us, “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” There is no hope for mankind outside of the truth revealed in Scripture. Therefore, I ask this question, “Do you want to be saved?” I doubt there is anyone reading this article who would answer No! to this question. Yet, I wonder how many God-fearing, Bible-believing, people actually read, study, and actually try to live by the word of God! I can only imagine how encouraged God is when He looks down upon His people and sees them using the truth He has preserved so diligently. Are you using God’s word daily to please God and give you hope? Think about it!

    —Mike Rogers


    June 15, 2025

    A Better Husband and Father


    All God-fearing parents feel guilty if their children rebel against authority, or religion. Preachers and counselors often patronize parents by telling them that Proverbs 22:6 is only a general truth, or society has done this to your child. In some cases, society is to blame. And, it is true that Proverbs 22:6 is a general truth. But the truth is this verse still places the responsibility of training children on the parents. It is our responsibility to do our dead level best to overcome the influence of society. This is not easy, and in some cases it may be impossible. But parents must assume the responsibility, especially husbands and fathers.


    The husband’s and father’s role is to be the “head” of the family. One of the things God said to Eve because of her sin in the garden was “. . . your desire shall be to your husband, and he shall rule over you” (Gen. 3:16). Whatever else this phrase may mean, it surely suggests that the man would be the head of the wife. Some cultures, even those in OT times took this curse to the point that God never intended. Yet, some in modern days have tried to ignore God’s plan for family completely. Paul declares, “. . . Christ is the head of every man, and man is the head of a woman, . . .” (1 Cor. 11:3). Paul also declares, “For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church” (Eph. 5:23). Being the “head” does not mean that the husband is to be a domineering dictator. Being the head simply means that he must assume the responsibility for the family, and use caution and wisdom when disciplining his children (see Eph. 6:4; Col. 3:21).


    Finally, the husband and father is to be the Spiritual Leader of the family: “For I have chosen him, so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice . . .” (Gen. 18:19). Moses also instructs the heads of the tribes of Israel to teach their children and grandchildren to fear the Lord and keep His commandments (see Deut. 6:1-9). God places particular responsibility for the spiritual education of children upon the fathers.


    Brecheen and Faulkner cite John 13:13-17 explaining, “The leader presides at the ‘foot’ of the table, not the head” (What Every Family Needs, pg. 28). The husband and father rules with love and humility as a servant to his family. Jesus is head of everyone, yet He humbled Himself washing the disciples’ feet, even though He knew one would betray Him, one would deny Him, and the others would abandon Him.


    Father’s take responsibility for your children. It is your God-given role.


    —Mike Rogers


    June 8, 2025

    What is Your Life?

    James 4:13-17


    James is not rebuking his readers for planning to make a profit in this text. His main point is a warning not to leave God out of their plans. James emphasizes this point by reminding his readers that life “is only a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away (4:14). He then insists that “you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that’” (4:15 NKJV). James is saying that life is far too short and uncertain not to include God in all of our plans. But James intends much deeper implications than simply the brevity and uncertainty of life. He wants his readers to learn to depend upon God in everything.


    So, first, James intends for his readers to consider what life would be like without God. Without God we would not exist. James may want his readers to remember that “the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground” (Gen. 2:7). Luke confirms that without God we would not exist saying, “For in Him we live, and move, and have our being” (Acts 17:27). Furthermore, without God our lives would be empty and fruitless. Jesus declares, “A man can receive nothing except it be given him from heaven” (John 3:27). James reminds his audience, “Every good gift and every perfect gift comes down from the Father . . .” (James 1:17). Moses even confirms, “But you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who is giving you the power to make wealth, . . .” (Deut. 8:18).


    Second, James intends for his readers to consider what one’s life is worth without God. What do you think your life is worth? God thinks that your life is more valuable than His own Son (see John 3:16; Rom. 5:8). Jesus even asked, “For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his own soul? For what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Mark 8:36-37). Jesus teaches, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth . . .” (Matt. 6:19-21). James’ point is that one should never put more trust and dependence on himself, or in material things than he does God.


    A third thing James intends for his readers to consider is what would be the purpose for a life without God. God creates every person for a special purpose (see 1 Cor. 12:18). But God intends for all of us to be “holy sacrifices” to Him (Rom. 12:1 NASV). God intends for us to obey Him (Eccl. 12:13). James says that the purpose for each of us should be to submit to the Lord’s will saying, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that” (James 4:15).


    What is Your Life? Join us Sunday for more on this text.


    —Mike Rogers


    June 1, 2025

    Dying to Live


    Last Sunday we said love conquers selfishness; and selfishness is the reason for most if not all problems in families, the workplace, and society in general. I suggest that selfishness is the root cause of all sin. Selfishness is wanting what I want, when I want it, the way I want it. It is thinking of myself and having no regard for others (see Phil. 2:2-5). Jesus died to correct the problem of selfishness by showing us what it means to love.


    Have you ever heard someone say, “I would have to die to get better”? We understand this to be an exaggeration in the literal sense, but it is absolutely true in the spiritual sense. Paul expressed this idea regarding the body, “That which you sow does not come to life unless it dies” (1 Cor. 15:36). Jesus taught this principle saying, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” He follows it with the spiritual application of dying to live saying, “He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal” (John 12:24-25). Jesus does not use the word “hate” in the same way we most often think of it today. It means to love self and the things of this world less than we love Jesus.


    To die to live means that we die to sin. Paul declares that when one dies to sin, he buries the selfish person in baptism in the same way that Jesus was crucified and buried for the sins of the world (Rom. 6:3). One who dies to sin and buries the old selfish person is raised a new person “to walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4). The “old self was crucified with Christ, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin” (Rom. 6:6-7). He is a “new creature; the old things passed away; behold new things have come” (2 Cor. 5:17). Having died to sin, one lives to serve God, and looks forward to eternal life with Him (Rom. 6:8-9).


    Life begins when we die to self, because we come to understand that there is nothing good that comes from living for self (cf. Rom. 7:18). But, one who lives with “his mind set on spiritual things” is promised “life and peace” (Rom. 8:6). Jesus promised to give us an abundant life (John 10:10). This abundant life is not only eternal life, but also a joy-filled life while here on earth because of the hope that we have to live with Him eternally. Luke records David saying, “my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. For you will not abandon me to Hades” (Acts 2:26-27a). May we all think seriously about dying to live.


    —Mike Rogers

  • May 25, 2025

    Love Conquers Selfishness


    "If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matt. 16:24-25). People are not born selfish. We are born dependent. Yet, children quickly learn to manipulate this dependence to get what they want. They learn that crying, screaming, or other tantrums produces desired results. A primary responsibility for parents is to train and control the dependence so their children behave with certain basic principles. One of those principles is the habit of sharing and of considering others more than themselves (Phil. 2:2-5). If parents fail at this, the children are much more likely to grow up into self-pleasing, self-serving, manipulative adults. When this happens, we are on a fast track to a destructive society. While serving self may appear to have many benefits, it actually impedes everything essential for developing relationships. It is a major cause of marital anger, permissive parenting, addictive behaviors, infidelity, separation and divorce. Selfishness impedes effective communication, and destroys conviction and commitment within a family. Consequently, rather than having any benefits, selfishness creates significant pain and suffering in the family. Unless we realize the destructiveness of our own selfishness, it will lead husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, siblings, and friends to treat one another as objects and not as God’s gift. Make no mistake selfishness destroys friends, and families not just marriages. The opposite of selfishness is love. One who is selfish does not love himself or anyone else. He can’t, because love and selfishness are mutually exclusive. Jesus taught that love lies at the heart of lasting relationships. He instructed His apostles who were focused on self, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35). He also said, “Love your enemies and pray for them that persecute you” (Matt. 5:44). God gave His own Son to die a cruel death because He loved us (see John 3:16). His example was not selfishness but love. Jesus died for those who rejected Him, abandoned Him, denied Him, betrayed Him, and murdered Him all because of His great love. Jesus loved His Father enough to give up His own will (cf. Jn. 14:31; Matt. 26:39).


    May we all strive to replace selfishness with self-sacrificing love.


    —Mike Rogers


    May 18, 2025

    Mary, The Mother of Jesus

    Luke 1:26-55

    This article is a reprint from March.


    We first read of the mother of Jesus by name in Matthew 1:16: “And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ.” We have heard Mary alluded to in sermons on the birth of Jesus, or when He was twelve years old in the temple, or at His crucifixion, but a sermon just on Mary is rare. It is possible we have avoided preaching and teaching on Mary for fear of worshiping her. However, I suggest she should be taught asking this question: “Why did Mary find favor with God?” (See Luke 1:30). I want to suggest five reasons Mary found favor with God that every woman should imitate.


    First, she was humble. She was likely no more than 15 years old, but she had already learned humility beyond her years (see Luke 1:48, 52). Humility is exalted in scripture as a requirement for salvation (see Luke 18:14).


    Second, she was pure. Isaiah 7:14 prophecies that Immanuel would be born of a virgin. Mary’s virginity is mentioned 2 times in Luke 1:27 and once in verse 34. Virginity is exalted throughout scripture. A priest could only marry a virgin (Lev. 21:13-14). Paul declares it is good never to marry (1 Cor. 7:7). Paul in no way prohibits marriage, but he does exalt celibacy.


    Third, she was submissive to God (Luke 1:34-38). She questioned if it was possible for her to be with child since she was a virgin (Luke 1:34), but she never doubted the words of the angel (see Luke 1:36-38). Mary understood if God could cause a woman who was barren and past the age of bearing children to become pregnant and bear a child, He could cause her, a virgin, to bear a child.


    Fourth, she was a servant (Luke 1:39-45). In spite of her being told she was going to be the mother of the Son of God she went to help her relative in her old age (1:39). Ladies, if you were told you were going to give birth to the Messiah, would you pack up and walk 80 to 100 miles to help another. All women (and men for that matter) must serve others (cf. Gal. 5:13)


    Finally, she had a strong faith. She exalted God (Luke 1:46-47). She trusted God (Luke 1:49-55) as holy (sacred) (1:49-50), as powerful (1:51), as her protector (1:52), and her provider (1:53-54).


    While it is true we will never need a woman to bear another Savior of the world. We do need more women that are humble not arrogant, submissive not pompous, servants not lords. We need more women that remain pure before marriage, and faithful to God above everything.


    —Mike Rogers


    May 11, 2025

    Honor to Mother


    Sunday is Mother’s Day. Mother’s Day was established on May 9, 1914 by an act of Congress when President Woodrow Wilson declared the second Sunday in May, “Mother's Day.” A similar idea was first started in 1870, after the American Civil War. Julia Ward Howe called for an assembly of women to honor those who had died in battle and to promote peace in the families on both sides. It was called “Mother’s Peace Day.” After a few years, Anna Reeves Jarvis organized “Mother’s Day Work Clubs” in West Virginia to educate women on child care and promote unity. She also involved herself with the peace movement and appealed for a day of prayer for mothers and their children, as well as peaceful solutions. In 1907 Anna Jarvis, daughter of Anna Reeves Jarvis continued the campaign that eventually led directly to President's Woodrow Wilson's declaration of Mother's Day and started the tradition of carnations to honor all mothers—white for those mothers who had deceased, and red for those still living.


    Only a woman can be a mother. Although motherhood is not perceived as exciting and glamorous by most people, it is the most honorable position a woman can hold because it is a role God gave exclusively to women. No matter how many 2AM feedings a man responds to or how many diapers he changes, he will never be a mom. No matter how bad he desires to be a woman or how many surgeries he undergoes he will never bring a living being into this world (Gen 3:16, 20; John 16:20; Psalm 139:13-14).


    Motherhood is a natural role for a woman. A woman with no children of her own seems to gravitate toward children. My aunt never married, but she taught fourth grade for many years, and taught 3 to 5-year-olds in a bible class until she was 93 years old (52 years). She supported children’s homes, and even took three children into her home as their foster mom.


    In our nation’s capital stands a 12-foot statue of Abraham Lincoln carved out of a single block of white marble. One writer observed that as one looks into the face of that statue, he can see the compassionate heart of the great emancipator. The sculptor captured Lincoln’s very soul. People come from all over the world to gaze upon this intriguing masterpiece. But who is the greatest hero, the one who carved the statue, or the one who made the man? Abraham Lincoln himself said, “All that I am or hope to be I owe to my angel mother.”


    Thank God for mothers. He designed them, created them, and employed them. May we honor our mothers forever (cf. Prov. 23:22).


    —Mike Rogers


    May 4, 2025


    On Saturday May 3 and Sunday May 4, Neil Richey will be at the Covington church of Christ to offer professional help for everyone suffering from anxiety or depression. Neil is a licensed professional counselor with several years of experience dealing with mental health issues. I hope everyone will be present to hear the help Neil has to offer and then apply it to their own situation. Neil’s presentation will not be lecture, but interactive.


    Although I am not qualified to deal with depression and anxiety, I was asked to present a sermon on depression. A few weeks ago, I presented that sermon. This article is part of that sermon.


    Elijah suffered from depression when he learned that Jezebel intended on killing him and he ran. After a day’s journey into the wilderness, he sat down under the shade of a juniper tree and begged to die. But the angel of the Lord appeared to him with bread and water saying “Arise, eat.” Later, in the cave at Horeb, Elijah felt alone, but God showed up with a calm still voice assuring him he was not alone. The point is that God is never far from us.


    From Psalm 88, we learn four things that can help us when we are suffering from depression. One, never stop believing that God will deliver you (Psalm 88:1-2).


    Two, tell God your trouble (vv. 3-9). He knows everything we are going through, but He wants us to talk to Him.


    Three, acknowledge that God is merciful, powerful, faithful, and righteous (88:10-12). In these verses the psalmist is saying, “God, I know You can deliver me from my suffering. Please do it before the suffering kills me.” Even when he feels like God is not listening and it is almost too late, the psalmist persists in believing that God can deliver him.


    Four, tell God how you feel (vv. 13-18). The psalmist accuses God of not answering his prayers (vv. 13-14); and assumes his suffering is a result of God’s anger (vv. 15-16). He argues that his suffering never ceases (v. 17), and he feels completely alone (v. 18).


    We often think of God as a distant power to call on only when we need something. But God is a friend and loving Father who wants us to talk to Him and tell Him how we really feel. You may argue, God knows how I feel! This is true, but He wants us to tell Him for our benefit. This can be part of the healing process. God wants us to open our hearts to Him. He knows what we are thinking, but talk to God like you would a counselor. Open up and be completely honest. It is okay to even blame God as long as you believe He will heal you. There is comfort and strength in prayer (1 Peter 5:6-7).


    —Mike Rogers

  • April 27, 2025

    Grace By Faith

    Earned salvation is the essence of every religion on earth except Christianity. All other religions strive to earn God's favor and to achieve moral perfection. This was true in the Jewish ceremonial law of the Old Testament; and it is true with Buddhism, the Hindu doctrine of karma, and the Sharia law of Islam. But the essence of Christianity is not an attempt to earn God’s favor with works. We know that we can never be everything God desires us to be. God also understands this. He made us free moral agents to make our own choices. He never wanted puppets on strings attached to His own hands. So, because of His great love, He provides His own grace.


    The doctrine of grace teaches that it is impossible for man to earn his way into eternal life with God. The easiest way to explain grace is, that God sent His Son to take my place in the death I deserved (Rom. 6:23) and give me His place in the righteousness I could never obtain on my own (see 2 Cor. 5:21).


    Faith is not simply a cognitive recognition and confession about Jesus. It is the motivating factor for everything one who desires to please God does. In Hebrews 11 the writer exemplifies each character saying, “By faith” he did what he did. The writer also says, “Without faith it is impossible to please” God (11:6). James confirms the motivating factor of faith saying, “Show me your faith apart from your works, and I’ll show you my faith by my works” (2:18).


    Therefore, grace is what God does for man; and faith is what man does for God. The apostle Paul put it this way: “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph. 2:8-9a). Grace is not the gift from God in this verse. Salvation is the gift (cf. Rom. 6:23). Also, Paul states, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God” (Rom. 5:1-2). Grace gives us the opportunity to be saved, but it is our own faith that saves us. Therefore, it is obvious that grace is God’s part in my salvation, but faith is my part. Our faith moves us into God’s grace by our own obedience (see Rom. 6:1-4, 15-18). We must continue living by faith in order to remain under His grace. Then, when our life on earth is over, we can face judgment with confident assurance that we have an eternal home of peace and rest, because we accepted His grace by our own faith.

    —Mike Rogers


    April 20, 2025

    A Growing Church

    Text: Acts 2:37-47


    It is an exciting and encouraging thing for a Christian to be a part of a growing church. Not simply a church that is increasing numbers, although that is exciting and encouraging; but seeing people changing their lives to follow Jesus and taking on new roles is most exciting.


    Acts 2:37-47 reflects a growing church. Many people that heard the gospel preached that day “were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Men and brethren, what shall we do’” (Acts 2:37)? Peter responded, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them” (2:41).


    In this text we see hearts changed by the preaching about Jesus (2:14-36). We see belief in Jesus, repentance, obedience, and we see Spirit guided lives. Verse 42 reflects the growth of those who allow the Spirit to take control. They were “continually devoting themselves” to four vital factors. The words “continually devoting” reveals the idea of true commitment to a life led by the Spirit. Paul explains this further in his letter to the Romans saying that the Roman Christians had “obeyed from the heart . . . the teaching to which they were committed” (Rom. 6:17). Paul also refers to the Spirit led life in Romans 8:5-9 reminding his readers that being led by the Spirit brings “life and peace.” Since the heart is the place where true commitment originates, being led by the Spirit produces commitment to the word of God, “continually devoting themselves to the apostles teaching”; to one another (vv.42, 44-46); to remembering the Lord’s death, burial, and resurrection by devoting themselves to the breaking of bread; and to prayer. Devout prayer reflects one’s complete trust and confidence in God.


    Further, “everyone kept feeling a sense of awe” (v. 43). This reflects the idea of a feeling deep inside oneself. One might even understand it as the spirit of an individual. The word “awe” may reflect the guidance of the Holy Spirit as He directed their new relationship with the Christ. Finally, we see the result of the commitment in verse 47, they had “favor with all the people.”


    Churches grow when Christians are committed to the word of God, to one another, to remembering the Lord’s death, and to prayer. When all of these are present people notice; and real church growth is possible.


    —Mike Rogers


    April 13, 2025

    God’s Promises


    [I changed my sermon for last Sunday because of the amount of rain that had fallen in four days. This article reflects that sermon. You can read last week’s bulletin article to prepare for the sermon on Sunday April 13]. Tipton county experienced more flooding in four days than I have ever seen. I was told someone measured 22 inches of water in their rain gage. This was devastating and almost shut down the entire midsouth. This flooding was made worse by the number of tornadoes that touched down and the destruction and loss of property and lives they caused. As bad as this was, it was nothing compared to what Noah and his family experienced (Genesis 7:4-12). The “fountains of the great deep burst open, and the floodgates from the sky were opened. The rain fell upon the earth for forty days and forty nights” (Gen. 7:11-12). It rained on us for four days, and that not continually, and it has pretty much shut down everything. In this lesson I want to review three promises God has made. I do not mean to minimize the devastation and hurt that came from the tornadoes and flooding, but the first promise I want to notice is the promise God gave Noah and his sons. He promised that the earth will never again be destroyed by water (Gen. 9:8-17). God made this promise to Noah and every living creature. He even extended this promise to the earth (Gen. 9:11-13). God even put a rainbow in the clouds as a sign of remembrance of this covenant (9:12-17). But why did God flood the world? It was because “the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and every intent and the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Gen. 6:5-7). How does the world compare today? Are we as wicked as those people were? God was sorry that He had made man and vowed to destroy all He had created, “but Noah found favor in the eyes of God” (Gen. 6:8) because he was “a righteous man, blameless in his time; Noah walked with God” (Gen. 6:9). Noah made the earth worth saving. We are like Noah. Jesus said to His disciples, “You are the salt of the earth” (Matt. 6:13). Salt was used for flavoring, salaries, and preservatives. Comparing His disciples to salt, Jesus was saying, you make the earth worth saving. But God made another promise. He promised to destroy the earth with fire because of the wickedness of man (2 Peter 3:10-12). God is patient with this promise because of the righteousness of a few. But, make no mistake, He will keep His promise (2 Peter 3:3-9). The third promise is that God will create a new heavens and earth for all who remain righteous (2 Peter 3:13-18). Will you live, or be destroyed?

    —Mike Rogers


    April 6, 2025

    The Parable of The Dragnet

    Matthew 13:47-50


    Jesus continues His teaching about the kingdom of heaven saying it is like a dragnet. The “kingdom of Heaven” is used in three different ways in scripture, but all are based on one who allows God to rule his life. This chapter is filled with parables about the “kingdom of heaven.” The first one, the parable of the soils, does not mention the “kingdom of heaven” per se. It does mention the “word of the kingdom” in the explanation (13:18-23). This parable reflects on the hearts upon which the “word of the kingdom” is sown. The roadside is the one who hears but does not understand and accept the word. The rocky soil is the one who hears but does not get nourishment because there is no real commitment. The thorny soil is the one who allows the troubles, cares, and concerns of the world to choke out the commitment to the word of the kingdom. The fourth soil is the good heart who understands the value of the word of the kingdom and maintains a commitment to it.


    The parable of the dragnet (13:47-50) reflects a large net, with weights on the bottom and floats on the top. As it was thrown into the water the weights would cause the bottom of the net to sink, while the floats would keep the top on the surface. As the net was drawn in fish of all kinds were caught in the net. The net was then drawn to land and the good fish were separated from the bad. The good fish, the ones worth eating, were put in baskets and taken to the market. But the bad fish, the ones that could not be sold, were thrown away. Jesus uses this parable to show that not everyone who accepts the word of the kingdom is approved by God. Just like the rocky soil that received the word, but did not nurture it with study, worship, prayer, fellowship and application; or the thorny soil that received the word but allowed the cares of the world to choke out commitment. Jesus declares, “Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven (will be approved by God) but he that does the will of My Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 7:21 parenthesis mine). Then, at judgment, they are surprised when the Lord rejects them (see Matt. 7:22-23).


    Those who actually understand the word of the kingdom and commit to it, will allow God to rule their lives and will be saved. Those who may think they are in the church, but do not commit to it and allow God to rule their lives will be cast “into the furnace of fire” (13:50).


    So, the real question is not are you in the kingdom, but is God ruling your life—what you think, what you listen to, what you look at, where you go, and what you do?

    —Mike Rogers


  • March 30, 2025

    Mary, The Mother of Jesus

    Luke 1:26-55


    We first read of the mother of Jesus by name in Matthew 1:16: “And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ.” We have heard Mary alluded to in sermons on the birth of Jesus, or when He was twelve years old in the temple, or at His crucifixion, but a sermon just on Mary is rare. It is possible we have avoided preaching and teaching on Mary for fear of worshiping her. However, I suggest she should be taught asking this question: “Why did Mary find favor with God?” (See Luke 1:30). I want to suggest five reasons Mary found favor with God that every woman should imitate.


    First, she was humble. She was likely no more than 15 years old, but she had already learned humility beyond her years (see Luke 1:48, 52). Humility is exalted in scripture as a requirement for salvation (see Luke 18:14).


    Second, she was pure. Isaiah 7:14 prophecies that Immanuel would be born of a virgin. Mary’s virginity is mentioned 2 times in Luke 1:27 and once in verse 34. Virginity is exalted throughout scripture. A priest could only marry a virgin (Lev. 21:13-14). Paul declares it is good never to marry (1 Cor. 7:7). Paul in no way prohibits marriage, but he does exalt celibacy.


    Third, she was submissive to God (Luke 1:34-38). She questioned if it was possible for her to be with child since she was a virgin (Luke 1:34), but she never doubted the words of the angel (see Luke 1:36-38). Mary understood if God could cause a woman who was barren and past the age of bearing children to become pregnant and bear a child, He could cause her, a virgin, to bear a child.


    Fourth, she was a servant (Luke 1:39-45). In spite of her being told she was going to be the mother of the Son of God she went to help her relative in her old age (1:39). Ladies, if you were told you were going to give birth to the Messiah, would you pack up and walk 80 to 100 miles to help another. All women (and men for that matter) must serve others (cf. Gal. 5:13)


    Finally, she had a strong faith. She exalted God (Luke 1:46-47). She trusted God (Luke 1:49-55) as holy (sacred) (1:49-50), as powerful (1:51), as her protector (1:52), and her provider (1:53-54).


    While it is true we will never need a woman to bear another Savior of the world. We do need more women that are humble not arrogant, submissive not pompous, servants not lords. We need more women that remain pure before marriage, and faithful to God above everything.


    —Mike Rogers


    March 23, 2025

    Do You Understand?
    Matthew 13:51-52


    There is a remarkable difference between hearing and understanding. Jesus asked His disciples if they understood the meaning of the parables (Matt. 13:51) revealing truths about “the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 13:11). When His disciples answered they had understood all those things, Jesus tells this parable that does not describe the kingdom of heaven itself, but those “scribes” who have become disciples of the kingdom of heaven.


    A scribe was one well trained in interpreting the law (cf. Ezra 7:6, 10). The scribe Jesus refers to is one who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven. He would be one who, not only knew the Law of Moses, but also knew about the kingdom of heaven. If Jesus’ disciples truly understood the parables, they were as a scribe who knew both the old law and the new law. A scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of a household. A head of a household is responsible for the “treasure” (the things in the storehouse). This treasure is of great value. The “new” treasure would be understanding the value of the kingdom of heaven. The “old” treasure would be understanding the value of the Law of Moses.


    Every disciple should be like a scribe. Understanding God's word should be a fundamental aspect of being a disciple of the kingdom of heaven. The very word “disciple” means a “learner” or “follower,” which implies one understands and obeys the teachings of God. In the Great Commission, Jesus told His apostles to “make disciples of all nations . . .,” “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:19-20). Every disciple is like a head of a household. We are responsible for the preservation and stewardship of the word of God, both old and new covenants. The psalmist wrote that the precepts of the Lord are “more to be desired than gold, yes, than much fine gold” (Ps. 19:10). Solomon declares “How blessed is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gains understanding. For her profit is better than the profit of silver and her gain better than fine gold. She is more precious than jewels; and nothing you desire compares with her” (Prov. 3:13-15).


    The Old Testament “was written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Rom. 15:4). The value of that treasure is enhanced with the full and final revelation of God's Will through His Son Jesus Christ (cf. Col. 2:2-3). We must not disregard old law, just because we have been blessed to receive the new? The old covenant helps us appreciate the value of the new covenant!

    —Mike Rogers


    March 16, 2025

    Are You Listening?

    Matt. 7:21-29; Luke 6:46-49


    Both texts are about who will have eternal life. In Matthew’s account Jesus uses three sets of contrasts to demonstrate the necessity of strict obedience to God in order to have eternal life. The first contrast is between the wide way that is easy but ends in death, and the narrow way that is hard but leads to life (Luke does not mention this one). The second is between two trees. One is bad and cannot produce good fruit, the other is good and cannot produce corrupt fruit. Jesus closes this sermon with the third contrast which is between two builders. One works hard and builds on a solid foundation. The other takes the easy way and builds on sand. What is interesting is that both Matthew and Luke concentrate on listening to the words of Jesus: “Everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them. . .” (Matt. 7:24). “Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them . . .” (Luke 6:46).


    I approach this lesson with the presupposition that to listen is to hear and obey. Jesus feels that it is necessary to present these parables because His audience was not listening to Him. Just a few verses before this in Matthew’s account, Jesus says, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he that does the will of My Father who is in heaven” (7:21). Luke records Jesus saying, “Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say” (Luke 6:46)? We can understand that Jesus is declaring that everyone has to do more than hear what Jesus teaches, we have to do it. Are you listening?


    This parable shows two builders: one wise and one foolish, two houses built on two different kinds of foundations. The wise builder “dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock” (Luke 6:48b). The foolish builder “built upon the ground without any foundation (Luke 6:49b), or “built his house on the sand” (Matt. 7:26). Both houses face storms. The storms destroy the house with no solid foundation, but the house on the solid foundation stood.


    The houses represent everyone’s life. The rock represents the teachings of Jesus. The sand represents anything but the teachings of Christ. It might be the cares and concerns of the world. It might be tradition. It might be material things. It could even be our jobs or families. The storms represent the trials, difficulties, and temptations of life. The builders represent “everyone” who calls on the Lord.


    Wise people will dig deep in study for the perfect will of God (cf. 2 Tim. 2:15), and build their lives on what they hear. Are you Listening?


    —Mike Rogers


    March 09, 2025

    Dealing with Depression

    Psalm 88


    Depression is a real and debilitating disease. It is a suffocating and evil prison that prevents people from having the joy God intends us to have. Many different things can trigger depression. It may be sickness. It may be stress. It may be a mixed-up chemical composition in the brain. It may be genetics. It may be a life tragedy. Even gloomy days can trigger depression. Depression can be long-term, or temporary. Depression is common. Almost everyone has suffered some type of depression. Depression may be treated with medication, counseling, diet, exercise, and sometimes just a friend who cares.


    Job suffered from depression brought on by unexplained pain and suffering. But Job never stopped believing and talking to God. Some of the Psalmists suffered with great depression. Most Psalms of Lament reflect an illness and spiritual anguish. One commonality in the Psalms of lament is the blame game. Some of the Psalms blame God for their state. Some blame others for their anguish. Some blame themselves for their condition. Some show all of the above. But blame cannot successfully treat depression. We cannot go through all 65 Psalms of Lament, but I want to look at the one that reflects, what I think is the deepest depression of all the Psalms of lament, Psalm 88. In Psalm 88 there is nothing but anguish and pain, and it ends abruptly with no answer. Yet, from this lament we can learn much about dealing with depression.


    The obvious lesson is that the psalmist was persistent in prayer (Psalm 88:1-9). Persistent pleading with the God of salvation (deliverance) to answer his prayer (vv. 1-2). He is full of troubles and near death (vv. 3-4a). He is a man without strength (v. 4b). He feels forsaken and forgotten by God cut off from His care (vv. 5-6). God’s wrath has been laid heavy on him so that he is overwhelmed with suffering (v. 7). He feels that even his friends have abandoned him (v. 8). He does nothing but cry and beg God for help (v. 9). Three lessons are learned from these first 9 verses: One, even in all his suffering, and even in blaming God for his suffering, he never denies the existence of God. Two, he never questions God’s ability to deliver him. Three, he is consistent and persistent in his prayer to God. So, if you are suffering from depression, do not give up on God. Pray persistently and consistently to God for deliverance. Never doubt that God hears you and has the ability to deliver you.


    More from this Psalm on Sunday.

    —Mike Rogers


    March 02, 2025

    A Common Love


    The Theme for the Covington church of Christ in 2025 is A Common Love. In English there is only one word for love. The Hebrew language also had only one word for love. Just like in English, all different expressions of love had to be captured in that single term.


    The Greek language however, is much more expressive with about seven different words that translate “love.” We will consider four. The Greek word storge was probably used most frequent in ancient Greek literature. It was most often used to refer to the love between a parent and a child, especially between a mother and a child. This word does not occur in the Greek New Testament in its original form but the compound, astorgos is used in Romans 1:31 and 2 Timothy 3:3 and translates “unloving” (NASB). The compound philostorgos is used in Romans 12:10 and translates “brotherly affection” (ESV), or “be devoted” (NASB). Both of these terms carry the idea of familial love.


    The second Greek word that translates love is eros. Although the Greeks may have originally used this word to refer to other things, sexual attractions became the primary meaning of the word. This word does not appear in the Bible. The English word “erotic” captures the meaning although “erotic” does not appear in any reliable translation. Another word was philia. This word commonly expressed the love best of friends would have for one another. It is used in James 4:4 to refer to “friendship with the world.” The root of this word is commonly seen in a compound form to refer to different kinds of love. For example, Philadelphia which translates “brotherly love” (see Rom. 12:10; Rev. 3:7; et al.).


    The fourth word is agape. Interestingly, this word is especially infrequent in ancient Greek literature. However, this is the word used most frequently in the New Testament. It is the word most often used to refer to God’s love. Phileo (verb form of philia) is only used twice to refer to God’s love. First in John 5:20 referring to God’s love for Jesus; and second, in John 16:27 when Jesus says to the disciples, “the Father loves you.” Most Greek scholars do not make a distinction between agape and philia. Depending on context both words most often suggest sacrifice.


    Therefore, A Common Love indicates our willingness to make sacrifices for God and one another (cf. Phil. 2:3-7). Have you thought about how you can go out of your way to show love to a brother or sister? We have many who are going through difficulties, some you may not even know about. Get to know your brothers and sisters, and love them! Show A Common Love!

    –Mike Rogers

  • February 23, 2025


    Training Children for God

    Deuteronomy 6:1-9


    Training children for God may be the hardest thing parents will ever do. Training children for God requires parents to neglect their own desires for the good of the children. It often requires parents to go against a child’s wishes, even if it hurts them emotionally. It requires moms and dads to set spiritual goals for the children, and set boundaries to keep the children on the path toward those goals (cf. Prov. 22:6). It requires enforced rules, and undivided dedication. Deuteronomy 6:1-9 may be the best text to explain how to train children for God.


    First, training children for God begins with parents who love God (vv. 4-6). Moses writes by inspiration, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart” (vv. 5-6). To love God this way means that parents are everything God wants them to be. They are the perfect example for loving God. Parents must show that God is absolutely first in their lives (cf. Matt. 6:33). If someone asked your child, “Who are your parents?” How would your child respond? Parents cannot pretend to love God. Children see through pretending parents. If the parents say that God is the priority in their lives, but do not show it, the children receive mixed signals, and they will become what you show them every time.


    Second, training children for God means that parents must verbally teach their children to love God (v. 7). Moses instructs, “You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.” This verse demands verbal instruction. Parents should have nightly devotionals, morning prayers, and daily Bible readings with their children. Godly parents will look for every opportunity to teach and instill in their children moral and spiritual values that reflect their own love for God.


    Third, training children for God requires parents to display evidence of their love for God to everyone. Moses adds, “You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead” (v. 8). Parents must be honest in every situation, take advantage of every opportunity to worship God, and insist your children do the same. Everyone you associate with must know that God is first in your life.


    Finally, the home must be a reflection of the parents’ love for God. “You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates” (v. 9). People must see the evidence that God lives in your home.


    Train your children for God!


    —Mike Rogers



    February 16, 2025

    Love For God

    Recently I got a card from a seven-year-old boy that caused me to pause and think. The statement on the card was, “I don’t understand how to love God.” My immediate response was, “How can I explain this to a seven-year-old?” Then I realized that this may be a more common question than we might think. I began to think about what love is, how we show love, and why we love. I still wonder if I can explain this so a seven-year-old can comprehend it, but I am going to try, and in so doing, I hope this will benefit the rest of us. What is love? While psychologists are not in complete agreement on what love is, I think most of them agree that love is some type of an emotion, a feeling. It may be more complex than laughing, crying, or even outbursts of anger, but it is non-the-less an emotion we feel. We may not always be able to know why we feel it, but we know it is inside of us. There is also a social sense to love in that it is a selfless behavior. It is something you do or say to give someone else pleasure without expecting anything in return. For example, if you love your mom, you might bring her flowers you picked from the yard, or draw a picture of the two of you together. If you love your dad, you may just sit in his lap and eat popcorn, or follow him around to try and be a helper. You may even say sweet things to them. It all comes from a love you have for your parents. You may not really know why you do or say these things, but it is love. This leads to the second question, “How do we express love for God?” In some ways, we express our love for God in the same way we express our love for our parents. You may not realize it, but you bring flowers to your mom because you know it pleases her. We show love by doing what makes someone else feel good. Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15). We show our love for God by doing what pleases Him. Jesus expressed His love for His Father by doing what He wanted Him to do. He said, “so that the world may know that I love the Father, I do exactly as the Father commanded Me” (John 14:31). So, in the same way that we do what pleases mom and dad because we love them, we do what pleases God because we love Him. The last question is, “Why do we express love for God?” John writes, “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10). We express our love for God because He has expressed His love for us. It is similar to the love our parents have shown us. They feed us when we are hungry, they care for us when we are sick, they protect us from danger. All because they love us. So, we love God for the same reasons. He first loved us!

    —Mike Rogers


    February 9, 2025

    Marks of a True Friend

    “A man that has friends must himself be friendly” (Prov. 18:24a NKJV). I want us to consider these thoughts in light of our theme for 2025, “A Common Love.”


    1 Samuel 18 shows David increasing in popularity with Saul’s household and with the people of Israel. It also describes Saul’s jealousy of David’s popularity. 1 Samuel 18:1-5 focuses on the friendship between Jonathan and David. Three essential points are stated in these verses.


    First, Jonathan’s soul was “knit” with David’s. The NIV reads: “Jonathan became one in spirit with David.” Souls being knit together and being one in spirit means there is perfect unity of purpose, a unity of character, a kind of inseparable pairing where you can’t imagine the one without the other. This is the kind of relationship that everyone needs for true happiness. We all need someone who shares our vision, someone who appreciates our worth and understands our perspective. It should be our spouse. If we are not married, it should be someone that we can confide in. We are familiar with examples like the Lone Ranger and Tonto; Batman and Robin, but these have more of the hero and sidekick picture. David and Jonathan are equals more like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. If you have ever watched an episode of this show, you noticed there was not one dominant figure, they were equals. They did not always agree, but they were always together, one in spirit. By every example we have, and by everything we know, David and Jonathan were the perfect example of friends.


    Second, “Jonathan made a covenant with David.” A covenant is more binding than a contract. It is an allegiance, an oath sealed with a union of souls. This is why marriage is considered a covenant, not a contract. Marriage is not simply an agreement between two parties, but a making of “one flesh” (Gen. 2:24). “Jonathan made a covenant with David.”


    Finally, Jonathan expresses his friendship by giving David his robe and his weapons. By giving David his robe, armor, sword, bow, and belt, Jonathan was stripping himself of his allegiance to his father, and his father’s authority over the kingdom and giving it to David. As we see later, when Saul is trying to kill David, Jonathan once again shows his allegiance to David over his father (1 Sam. 20:12-17).


    We see that friendship is a voluntary allegiance, i.e., covenant that knits two hearts together in eternal devotion.


    Twice in these five verses it is said that Jonathan “loved [David] as himself” (vv. 1, 3). Love is the motivating factor of friendship (cf. Prov. 17:17). The friendship Jonathan shows for David is the Common Love we should share with one another!

    –Mike Rogers


    February 2, 2025

    Three Cs of the Marriage

    Volumes of books have been written on how to save a marriage or how to strengthen a marriage. But, at the core

    of every marriage must be God. If God is at the root of marriage couples will have these three things: Commitment,

    Communication, and Companionship.


    Most couples think that love is what will hold them together. There is even a song with the words, “Love will

    keep us together.” However, Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes, “It is not love that sustains your marriage, but marriage

    that sustains your love.” If our marriages have these three things with God at the center, your marriage will be the

    best it can be.


    The glue that holds marriages together is not love but commitment. Commitment is a permanent and continual

    allegiance to the marriage. It is both husband and wife continually doing what is best for the marriage. Selfish

    desires, from the husband or the wife, are never to be the deciding factor in any situation. Commitment in marriage

    is about relinquishing our own selfish desires in the interest of serving each other (cf. Eph. 5:22, 25). God instituted

    the marriage relationship and intended the husband and wife to have commitment to one another. In the beginning

    God said, “For this reason shall a man leave his father and mother, and be joined to his wife, and they

    shall become one flesh” (Gen. 2:24). Jesus quotes Genesis 2:24 in Matthew 19:5 and follows it with, “So they are

    no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate” (Matt. 19:6). The

    “no man” includes the couple joined together. This demands commitment. While there will be suffering in

    every marriage, ultimately it is not the amount of suffering that determines the success or failure of our marriages—

    it is the strength of our commitment. Divorce should never be an option (see Mal. 2:16).


    Last week’s “Mike’s Message” dealt with communication. You can go back and read that article on our website

    under bulletins.


    The third C in the marriage relationship is companionship  Companionship includes the physical and verbal expressions of affection. These expressions include hugs, kisses, compliments, kind words, thoughtful actions, recreation et al., which contribute to a strong and healthy relationship by fostering a sense of connection and intimacy.


    If God is first and we work on developing commitment, communication, and companionship in our marriages, we

    will be happier, our marriages will be stronger, and God will be pleased.

     --Mike Rogers


  • January 26, 2025

    Communication, The Love Food

    Some popular marriage enrichment books are developed on the basis of a storehouse of love. The idea is that love

    must be fed regularly or it will starve and die. Since love is an emotional need, we can only go a short time without

    it. If we do not feed the love for our spouse, they will likely look for the nourishment from someone else.


    The inspired apostle Paul writes, “Husbands love your wives . . .” (Eph. 5:25, 28); and he instructs “young

    women to love their husbands” (Titus 2:4). Love in marriage is commanded for the husband and wife.


    Love in marriage is a selfless offering of oneself for another (cf. 1 Cor. 13). It is the giving and receiving of self.

    Likewise, the very meaning of the word “communication” involves giving and receiving i.e., sharing. Therefore,

    by its very nature, love demands effective communication.


    Effective communication requires the husband and wife to share themselves—their thoughts, ideas, desires, and

    needs. How can one know the needs, thoughts and desires of the other without sharing? When a couple learns to

    share, their love for one another grows. Communication is the food that nourishes love in a marriage.


    The idea of “two becoming one flesh” (Gen. 2:24b) also involves communication. Sharing the purpose for our

    lives is essential in “becoming one flesh.” Solomon and his bride were not reluctant to share their feelings for one

    another, and their love flourished (see Song o f Solomon). Effective communication requires the desire for understanding.

    James writes, “But let everyone be quick tohear, slow to speak and slow to anger” (James 1:19). True

    understanding involves empathy—seeing it from your mate’s perspective. Understanding one another is more

    about listening than talking. Solomon asserts, “He who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to

    him” (Prov. 18:13). For love to grow, we must learn to listen and understand.


    I am convinced that all failed marriages lose the love because of a failure to communicate effectively. Studies

    have shown that couples who communicate effectively stay “in love.” Therefore, communication is vital to building

    and sustaining love in a marriage.


    How are you doing in your marriage? Has the love grown cold? Try sharing your thoughts and feelings. Try listening

    with a strong desire to understand. You might be surprised at how your love for one another grows.

    –Mike Rogers


    January 19, 2025

    Foundations for the Home
    Several years ago, I started writing a book entitled, “Foundations for the Home.” Over the years, I have gotten
    sidetracked from this project, but it has always been on my computer and in the back of my mind. I pray God
    will give me time to finish it, but even if He doesn’t, I grow in my love for God and His design for marriage, and
    my wife every time I think about God’s plan for the home. In this lesson, I want to discuss the introduction of this
    project, and why I began to write the book in the first place. Nearly 1000 years before Jesus was born, David
    asked this question: “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do” (Ps. 11:3)? David’s question
    is raised because the wicked were attacking the righteous people and reshaping the foundation God intends for society.
    While David does not specifically mention the home, destruction of a society begins in the home. We
    live in a time when the foundations of our society are crumbling beneath us. There are terrorist attacks on our
    nation, gang violence, children killing other children in our schools, suicide, increasingly high divorce rate, cohabitation
    as an accepted living arrangement, homosexuality as an accepted alternative lifestyle, gender confusion,
    murder disguised as abortion, drug and alcohol abuse, child abuse and spouse abuse, pornography, and
    the rising popularity of gambling. These are all evidence of the deterioration of a moral society; and statistics reveal
    that many young people become involved with gangs, drugs, and gambling because of the lack of adult
    supervision in the home. The divided family is one of the leading causes for depression and suicide among America’s
    youth. Combine the above facts with the statistics that the divorce rate is about 50% of all marriages (US
    has third most divorces in the world), and the fact that on average children from broken homes do not do as well
    academically or socially; and the direction of our country is obvious. We are a nation that is becoming more violent,
    having more addictions, more depression, and more unnecessary deaths. We are a nation that is becoming less
    educated, more insecure, with poorer social skills.
    In 1974 Batsell Barrett Baxter wrote, “America needs more than slight surface repair.” He insists, “We need to
    rebuild the entire foundation our families are built upon” (America, It’s Not Too Late p.7). If this was true in 1974,
    how much truer is it today! Since the foundations of our world are crumbling beneath us, what can the righteous
    do? David’s answer: the righteous must keep on being righteous (vv. 4-7). Join us Sunday for more on this study!
    --Mike Rogers

    January 12, 2025

    Joy in Suffering

    Phil. 2:1-8

    Paul’s primary point in his letter to the Philippians is to encourage his readers to endure suffering and conflict

    with joy. Paul’s sufferings had taught him to face life with joy because of his relationship with Jesus (4:11-13), and

    the church in Philippi (1:3-4; 4:15). Beginning in chapter two of his letter to the Philippians, Paul teaches how to

    do endure our own suffering with joy. In verse one he emphasizes that we draw strength from our relationship with

    Christ (2:1). He says, “If there is any encouragement in Christ.” This seems like a presupposition to me. Just as

    the Philippians and Paul share in the sufferings, they share the strength to overcome them because of their relationship with Jesus. Next, he says, “If any consolation (i.e., incentive, encouragement, or comfort) of love” (parenthesis mine). Again, the idea is gaining strength to endure sufferings with joy through the love that Jesus has

    shown us. Paul adds, “If any fellowship of the Spirit.” Fellowship carries the idea of sharing, so, all who share a

    genuine relationship with Jesus, have that same relationship with the Spirit. Therefore, we gain strength from the

    Spirit to maintain joy in our sufferings. Finally, “If any affection and compassion.” Paul felt the affection of

    Christ (1:8), which gave him joy and strength to overcome his suffering. He is confident that his readers can

    gain strength if they will focus on the affection and compassion that Christ has shown them. In verse 2 Paul encourages us to draw strength from our relationship with one another saying, “Make my joy complete” i.e., fill me

    up with joy by “being of the same mind” i.e., thinking the same way. Have no divisions (1 Cor. 1:10). “Make my

    joy complete” by “maintaining the same love.” Love one another the way that Jesus loves. “Make my joy complete”

    by being “united in Spirit.” Paul explains what he means saying, “intent on one purpose.” It would fill Paul

    up with joy to see the church in Philippi completely focused on putting others before themselves, loving one another

    the way Jesus loves them, and having the same aim in life. In verses 3-8, Paul explains how to accomplish all

    this. First, he emphasizes to practice humility—do not think more about yourself than you do others (2:3-4). Second,

    he says to follow the example of Jesus in attitude (v. 5), in self-sacrifice (vv. 6-7a), in service (v. 7), and in

    obedience (v. 8). Paul closes his encouragement, “. . . I rejoice and share my joy with you all. You too, I urge you,

    rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me” (Phil. 2:17-18).

     --Mike Rogers


    January 5, 2025

    "Success in 2025"

    21% of people surveyed said saving money was their top priority for 2025. James 4:13-15 presents a perfect pattern

    for success, not only in business, but also in life. A few weeks ago, we talked about a vision for the church and

    seeing ourselves in that vision. Vision as well as success includes a dream, goals, and a plan for action. This text

    presents three things necessary for success. Success begins with a SMART goal. A SMART goal is Specific,

    Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time bound. The goal James presents in this verse is to “make a profit.”


    Our goal for 2025 may be the same as many people, to save money. To be successful in this we must first, build

    a specific budget, that is relevant to our situation. This is the only way to determine how much money we can save;

    and the only way to measure our success.


    Second is a plan of action. James refers to making a profit by “engaging in business.” (NASB). Your financial strategy

    for saving may be to cut back on spending. There are many ways to save money, but we have to stick to it to

    achieve it. Part of that plan is when to start. James says, “today or tomorrow.” The sooner we start the quicker we

    succeed. Another part of the plan is to decide the best location to reach the goal. In this case James says, “go to

    such and such a city.” We must decide where we want to put our savings so that it works best for us. Also, one must

    set a time limit to reach the goal. The time set for the goal in this verse is to “spend a year there.” The reason for our

    goal will likely determine the time limit, but it is probably best to break our saving down to a certain amount from

    each pay period.


    Yet one other thing is essential for guaranteed success: One must include God. James emphasizes this point in

    verses 14-15, “whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is only a vapor

    that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live

    and do this or that’” (NKJV). The point is, tomorrow may never come. Tomorrow may bring sickness, or some crisis

    that will negatively affect the plans and the goal. The main point of this text is that true success can only be

    achieved when God is included in the plans. Consider the failure of the people in building the Tower of Babel (Gen.

    11:1-6); and Jesus’ message about the rich farmer (Luke 12:13-21). To be certain, life is far too short and uncertain

    not to include God in all of our plans. Therefore, whatever your goals “Commit your works to the LORD and your

    plans will be established” (Prov. 16:3).

    --Mike Rogers

  • December 29, 2024

    "The Church and the kingdom"

    Two weeks ago, on Sunday night, we learned that the kingdom of heaven is the same as the kingdom of God. In

    this lesson we will compare this Kingdom to the church. First, the terms church and kingdom of God/heaven are

    often used interchangeably. Matthew 16:18-19 – Jesus declares. “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon

    this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom

    of heaven; . . .." Church is the same as kingdom.


    Second, neither the kingdom nor the church is a physical place. Jesus made it plain that the kingdom was not a physical place in His response to Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm” (John 18:36). Neither is the church a physical place. On that first Pentecost following the resurrection of Jesus all those who repented of their sins and were baptized to have their sins forgiven, were added together to form the church (Acts 2:38-41, 47; 5:11). They were not added to a place. In writing to churches, Paul is writing to people (1 Cor. 1:2; Gal. 1:2-3; 1 Thes. 1:1-2; et al.). The church is not a physical place.


    Third, the church and the kingdom began to function among men at the same time. Before the first Pentecost following the resurrection of Jesus the Bible refers to the kingdom and the church in the future tense, “I will build My church”; “I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 16:18-19). After this Pentecost (Acts 2), the Bible refers to the church is past tense, “Great fear came over the whole church” (Acts 5:11). The kingdom is also in past tense, “. . . transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son” (Col. 1:13). There can be no doubt that the Kingdom consists of the same people as the Church does. Both are a community of saved souls, whose bodies have been washed with pure water (Heb.10:19-22). Both are a community of souls in whose hearts God rules, and Jesus is our Lord (Acts 2:36).


    Additionally, the kingdom and the church are used in the eternal sense. Daniel declares that the kingdom that

    would be established in the days of the Roman kings “will never be destroyed” (Dan. 2:44). Paul declares the church

    is the “heavenly kingdom” (2 Tim. 4:18). Peter confirms it is an “eternal kingdom” (2 Peter 1:10-11).


    The “Kingdom of Heaven” and the “Kingdom of God” and “the church” are the same thing. They all refer to the rule or reign of God in the hearts of mankind.

    --Mike Rogers



    December 22, 2024

    "The Real Reason for the Birth of Jesus"

    People who have studied the biblical account of the birth of Jesus understand that it is almost impossible that Jesus was born on December 25. Yet, more people attend church services at this time of year than any other time except for Easter. Any preacher that really wants to make a difference will take advantage of every opportunity to

    preach lessons that connect with his audience. Therefore, this lesson is about the real reason for the birth of Jesus.


    The Birth of Jesus is never celebrated in Scripture. Some argue that the gifts brought by the wise men is an example

    of celebrating His birth. But two points suggest this is not the case. First, the wise men did not come at the birth of

    Jesus. To prove this, we read that Jesus was born in a stable (Luke 2:7); the wise men came to “the house” where

    Jesus was (Matt. 2:11). Furthermore, the wise men came nearly two years after Jesus’ birth. Secondly, the gifts the

    wise men brought were not gifts for a baby—they were gifts for a king (see Matt. 2:11). These men were not celebrating the birth of Jesus—they were celebrating His authority as “King of the Jews” (Matt. 2:2). It was shepherds

    that came at the birth of Jesus and visited Him in the manger (Luke 2:16). The angel that appeared to the shepherds

    said, “Do not be afraid; for behold I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today, in

    the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11). They went immediately,

    not simply to see the baby, they went to see the child that was prophesied to be born of a virgin (Isa.7:14), “the Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” He would “save His people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21).


    When we preach the birth of Jesus, we are not emphasizing the actual birth as much as why He was born. Jesus

    was born to fulfil prophecy (Isa. 7:14; Isa. 53; et. al.). Jesus was born to be a King of an everlasting kingdom

    (Dan. 2:44; John 18:36). Jesus was born to save the world from sin (Matt. 1:21). Jesus was born to suffer just like

    we do (Heb. 4:15). Jesus was born to show us how to be pleasing to God (John 14:31; John 13:15; 1 Peter 2:21).

    Jesus was born to be the perfect sacrifice for the sins of man, because without the shedding of blood there is no

    forgiveness (Heb. 9:22; 10:10-12). In short, Jesus was born to be the Savior, Lord, and King of our lives. He was

    not born for His own glory, but for ours.


    May we celebrate Jesus for the right reasons, honoring His life and death through our own submission to Him as our Savior, Lord and King. May we celebrate Jesus every day!

    --Mike Rogers



    December 15, 2024

    "Reigniting Our Vision"

    In 2006 the church in Covington developed a vision to be realized by 2020. It was referred to as our 2020 Vision. That vision has been realized, at least the vast majority has been. It is time to kindle another vision for the future of the Covington church.


    A vision is the ability to see beyond the present. One with a vision believes in the future, and that vision motivates him to action. Some people fail to see past the present because they do not believe in the future. Some people get knocked down so often that they tend to believe that the way it is now is as good as it can be. Still others fail to see past the present because they are afraid of what the vision will demand. Furthermore, some people just do not want to be involved. Fear, unconcern, or complacency often keeps people from seeing past the present. So, they never move into action.


    A vision begins with a dream. A dream is an idea that is farseeing. It may even seem unrealistic. Then comes a goal. The goal is that same dream that has been thought through and made realistic. Following the set goal, is a plan of action. A plan is an itemized drawing or detailed outline of how one expects to accomplish his dream and goal. The vision is seeing the reality of the dream and the goal accomplished before putting the plan of action into place.


    There are challenges in any vision. First, for a church to reach the goal every member must share the same vision. This is only possible when every member puts complete trust in God. In reading James 4:13-15 we learn that we must focus on God’s will to be successful in anything. If any member refuses to see beyond the present – doubting the possibility of accomplishing the vision – he/she may be placing unfair limitations on God. Jesus said, “. . . with God all things are possible” (Matt. 19:26). Someone once said that having a spiritual vision is more than looking on the bright side. It is looking on God’s side. Once we learn to trust God, we will not hesitate to believe in our vision for the future.


    In addition to trusting in God, we must depend upon one another. No one can do everything alone. We need one another working together, sharing the same dream, goal, and working the same plan. Proverbs 27:17 reminds us that “Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” Trusting God and each other is the key to accomplishing any vision.


    It has been a long time since we talked very much about the future of the church in Covington. We have had many challenges, but still fulfilled our vision of 2006. It is now time to develop a new vision, dream a new dream, with new goals, and a new plan of action. With God’s blessing and your help, we can do anything.

    —Mike Rogers


    December 8, 2024

    When is Truth True?

    When Pontius Pilate interrogated Jesus before His crucifixion, Jesus proclaimed that “Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice” (John 18:37). To which Pilate responded, “What is truth?” This exchange raises the question “What does it mean for a statement to be true?” This has been a subject of much debate in postmodern and new age circles where truth is no longer relevant. They have even redefined truth to fit their desires or cultural acceptance. Their claim is that truth is relative; and if culture accepts something it becomes truth even if it was previously regarded as wrong or unlawful.


    The nature of truth held by the vast majority of philosophers and theologians throughout history, at least until recent years, holds that any statement is true if and only if it corresponds with factual reality. This commonsensical view presupposes a basic law of logic which stipulates that any unambiguous, declarative statement must be either true or false. It cannot be neither true nor false; nor can it be both true and false. When Jesus says, “Your word is truth” (John 17:17), the statement is is either true or it is false. The validity of this statement is not determined by time, place, or who said it. If it was true when Jesus said it in the upper room in Jerusalem, it was true when John wrote it some 50 to 60 years later, and it is true when we read it today. This is because truth is based on the quality of a statement, not a matter of majority vote or cultural acceptance. One may not like truth, it may not be conducive to culture, but that does not change the factual reality. Imagine the chaos that would arise if truth were determined by what someone desires to be true, or what a culture determines to be true. Anything can become true; no one would be wrong about anything if he wanted it to be true. Furthermore, truth is still truth even if one doesn’t understand it or believe it. For example, the statement, “The world is round”! was true even when the majority of people believed the world to be flat. Therefore, it is obvious that truth is not determined by what someone believes. Truth is subject to various kinds of verification and falsification (see 1 John 4:1). A statement can be proven false if it can be shown to disagree with objective reality.


    This is the argument Peter used to prove that Jesus was the promised Messiah in Acts 2 when he mentions that Jesus’ tomb is empty to show that He had been raised from the dead. Paul used the same objective reality to prove a resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15 when he said that Jesus was seen by over 500 hundred brethren. So, when is truth true? Truth is always truth.

    —Mike Rogers


    December 1, 2024

    When Good is Not Enough

    Luke 18:9-14

    This parable begins, “Two men went up into the temple to pray.” These men were very different, and their prayers were very different.


    The Pharisee arrived at the hour of prayer. He entered the court and drew near to the altar of burnt offering with arrogant pride. He stood alone and erect; maybe he looked around and saw other people praying and especially noticed the tax collector entering the temple. Standing tall and proud, he looked up to the heavens and prayed: “God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector” (Luke 18:12a). He even began informing God of how righteous and worthy he was: “I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get” (Luke 18:12b). Jesus said the Pharisee was praying “to himself.” This could mean he was praying silently, but this would be uncharacteristic of Pharisees; and especially of this context. Even though his prayer was directed to God, “to himself” probably means he was praying so others would hear and admire him. The phrase “and was praying” may suggest that he kept on praying because Pharisees liked to offer long prayers (see Luke 20:47). The Pharisee’s prayer was judgmental and self-righteous (Luke 18:9b). He did not acknowledge his own short comings and ask for forgiveness. He did not ask God to be merciful to sinners.


    In stark contrast, the tax collector entered the temple and found an isolated spot, bowed his head in humility, beat upon his breast in sorrow and prayed: “God, be merciful to me, the sinner!” (Luke 18:14). Unlike the Pharisee, the tax collector listed no virtues; but freely confessed his sinfulness without making excuses. The article preceding the word “sinner” may indicate he was upholding himself as the epitome of sinners (cf. 1 Tim. 1:15).


    The Pharisee was a sinner that needed forgiveness, but he refused to acknowledge it. His prayer went unheard; and he would be astounded when at last he stood before his judge and heard that he was unjustified because, “for everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled” (18:14a). The tax collector, on the other hand, acknowledged he was a sinner, and repented. Thus, he went away justified because Jesus says, “he who humbles himself shall be exalted” (Luke 18:14).


    The Pharisee may have been a “good Jew,” but he lacked humility. The tax collector was a sinner who repented and asked for forgiveness in complete humility. Obedience requires more than doing the right thing. It also requires doing the right thing with humility.

    —Mike Rogers