“I Hate GES”
I recently received a four-page handwritten letter from a friend and GES partner. After greeting me, he wrote, “I hate GES.” I thought, “What does he mean? Have I offended him? Did I do something wrong?” He explained that his grandson had said that to him. He was shocked since he loves GES, and his […]
The Dora Lake Story
I spoke at a church pastored by Dan Adams in Dora Lake, MN, about twenty years ago. In 2012, I received a book from Ralph “Yankee” Arnold entitled The Dora Lake Story. In that book, he talks about how many people in that small town came to faith in Christ when he was preaching there […]
Working Out at the Gym
I’ve visited a lot of gyms in my life, in both the military and the civilian world. Even though I’m not one of them, I’m sure that you, like me, have seen muscle-bound men and women who frequent such establishments. We’re also aware that many other people use these gyms who, as a result of […]
Heed the Call
In 1988, a man by the name of Nicholas Winton walked into a BBC studio in Britain and took a seat in the audience. The unassuming stockbroker, wearing coke-bottle glasses and a simple suit, had no idea that the upcoming program segment on the talk show That’s Life was dedicated to him. For decades, Winton […]
Portland, Oregon, Regional Conference
GES conducted a regional conference April 5-7, at the First Baptist Church of Portland, OR. The theme was “Christ, the Righteous Rewarder.” As the title indicates, we discussed what the NT has to say about rewards for the faithful believer. There were three speakers at the conference: Dave Janssen, Kathryn Wright, and me (Ken Yates). […]
Why Did Paul Compare the Christian Life to a Fight?
Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air (1 Cor 9:26, emphasis added). Fight the good fight of faith… (1 Tim 6:12, emphasis added). I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for […]
Why I Don’t Drink
When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and […]
Different Voices in the Crowd
When someone in the NT speaks to a crowd, who do you think is in that crowd? For example, when Paul, in the Book of Acts, speaks in a synagogue over a period of weeks, do some of the people come to faith over time, or do they all remain unbelievers and eventually run him […]
If Church History Is Contrary to Focused Free Grace, Then Why Believe It?
There is no question. Church history does not agree with Focused Free Grace (FFG). The Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches reject FFG. It may be true that, at least for a time, both Luther and Calvin held to FFG. However, Calvinism and Lutheranism quickly diverged from the early views of the Reformers. Neither Calvinism […]
A Perversion of Grace (Ephesians 2:8-9)
One of the greatest NT passages about grace is Eph 2:8-9. In these verses, Paul says that we have been saved by grace. It is all through faith–a person’s believing in Jesus Christ for eternal life. It was a gift of God. Paul specifically says that works played no part whatsoever in it. As a […]