Posts by Jim Elliff (Page 12)

Posts by Jim Elliff (Page 12)

When Pastors Aren’t Able to Pastor

The church is medium-sized in attendance, yet, on paper the membership roll is even larger. Its solo pastor is a frustrated man. There are some good days, and certainly some fine people who encourage him, but he’s frustrated because the job God called him to do just cannot be done. He has many people to tend to, numbers of which are missing, and even those who are present are more than any average man could possibly care for—that is, really care for. So,…

Children Obey Your Parents? But How?

If you are a child, read this to your parents so that you can train them well. If you are an adult, then you may wish to read this together with your child. First of all, kids, it is YOUR parents you are to obey. It is up to your parents to tell you which other adults are to be obeyed. Probably they will want you to obey teachers, policemen, some church leaders, babysitters they chose, and your grandparents. If you…

To A Living Hope!

Here’s an audio teaching on persecution of believers that Jim Elliff has been sharing recently out of Peter’s manual on suffering for Christ, 1 Peter 1:3-9.  Click here to listen when Jim taught this at Antioch Bible Church in Johannesburg, South Africa. 

When Ball Becomes Baal

It’s rare to see kids playing sports in the neighborhood anymore. We’re now organized and “professionalized”—including uniforms, state-of-the-art facilities, endless trips to the field, competitive coaches, equally competitive parents, and the after-season tournaments designed to give parents “bleacher bottom.” In addition, you’ve got to pay to play—and when you’ve paid that much, you’ll be sure to play. It is also fun, and it can be instructive. I love to watch my kids play sports. In fact, they need to play—some.…

Returning To Your First Love

But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.” Revelation‬ ‭2:4-5‬ ‭ESV‬‬ Are you and those who are with you dangerously close to experiencing this judgment? Is the Light of God’s presence dim, almost imperceptible? Do you have form without power…

Will My Child Be Saved?

We are all concerned for our children and grandchildren. This message at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary chapel in 2019 may help. https://www.mbts.edu/2019/03/chapel-with-rev-jim-eliff

A Fine Window

A window serves us various ways, but this is its most important work. Let’s learn from that.

William Cowper’s Mother

William Cowper (pronounced as Cooper) was born in 1731. He was a close friend of John Newton (Amazing Grace), and lived next door. Cowper was considered by many to be the greatest literary figure in England during in his lifetime. Like Newton, he was a poet (God Moves in a Mysterious Way; There is a Fountain Filled with Blood). William lost his mother at six years of age. After her death it appears that he did not live at home…

Shadows of Hell: A Letter From Jim

Dear CCW family, Here is something I wrote many years ago that seems even more poignant today. Please take it to heart: Shadows of Hell: Fear and Emptiness Before Death This poignant note came to a faithful friend of mine who is suffering from life-threatening cancer. It concerns a woman in the nursing home who has been a “good church-goer only.” The note reads: It is sad beyond words to watch mom’s health failing and see her fear and anxiety…

Her Unchanging Place

This poem coveys many memories of our mother and the home she loved outside of Warren, Arkansas. It was written originally for my siblings — Sandy Smith, Tom Elliff and Bill Elliff. She loved that home and either lived there or returned there all her life. We cherished that home as well. Close to the end of her life, while suffering with Alzheimer’s, we took her back. Her sister was there and was able to care for her for a…

Outlines on The PRESERVATION and PERSEVERANCE of the Saints

Quote from John Bunyan: “To be saved is to be preserved in the faith to the end. ‘He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.’ (Mt. 24:13) Not that perseverance is an accident in Christianity, or a thing performed by human industry; they that are saved ‘are kept by the power of God, through faith unto salvation.’ (1 Pet. 1: 3-6) But perseverance is absolutely necessary to the complete saving of the soul….He that goeth to…

The Abiding Life is the True Christian Life

The abiding life is the true Christian life. Jesus said, “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch, and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” (John 15:6) John 15 gives us the pattern for spiritual growth and effectiveness as believers. In the passage, we are called branches, Christ is the vine, and the Father is the vinedresser. What are the characteristics of authentic branches?…

Leaders, Did God Call You to Provide a Haven for Those Who Pretend to Follow Christ?

Leader, God did not call you to provide a haven for those who pretend to follow Christ. You don’t do that? Please think more carefully. If you have members on the rolls of your church who show by their behavior that they don’t love Christ, the family of God, and God’s word enough to even attend, you are surely complicit in making them feel comfortable and approved in their supposed status. For many of our churches only 35-40 percent of…

The Unrepenting Repenter

The believer in Christ is a lifelong repenter.  He begins with repentance and continues in repentance. (Rom. 8:12-13) David sinned giant sins but fell without a stone at the mere finger of the prophet because he was a repenter at heart (2 Sam. 12:7-13). Peter denied Christ three times but suffered three times the remorse until he repented with bitter tears (Mt. 26:75). Every Christian is called a repenter, but he must be a repenting repenter. The Bible assumes the…