Posts by Carlos Valenzuela
SOUND WORDS, FEB. 16, 2025
WHERE DO ELDERS COME FROM? The scarcity of functioning elders (bishops, pastors) in local churches has led some Christians to conclude that they are a rare breed with rare qualities. Otherwise, they reason, why would they be so difficult to come by? Contrary to this rather discouraging view, elders do not have to be imported from outer space. They are generated from ordinary human beings from “every tribe and tongue and people and nation,” and perhaps it will help identify…
SOUND WORDS, FEB. 9, 2025
DO YOU NEED TO BE ENCOURAGED OR WARNED? Next Sunday morning, which kind of sermon do you need to hear: a comforting lesson that helps you deal with discouragement or one that gets in your face and warns you to take God more seriously? Depending on your circumstances, you will probably need one more than the other, but whatever your needs are, the Scriptures have what you need. If, despite your best efforts, you’ve been struggling and doubting whether you’re…
SOUND WORDS, FEB. 2, 2025
DISCIPLINE IS ABOUT SAVING SOULS Collective discipline is so misunderstood and underutilized by Christians that it begs the question, do we really understand how discipline fits into God’s design for saving the soul? The deeper question is, do we believe and trust that God knows best? Discipline comes in many forms. It can be difficult to know exactly what to do or where to start. Fear of immediate consequences sometimes outweighs our fear of eternal consequences. In the cases where…
SOUND WORDS, JAN. 26, 2025
we’ve come a long way About two years ago the Athens News Courier contained a quarter page ad inviting all to a “Free Community Cookout.” The ad went on to say, “Join us as we say, ‘Happy Birthday America’ on Saturday, June 30th. We will begin serving hamburgers, hotdogs, chips and drinks at 6:00 pm and will serve until we run out. There will also be snow-cones, cotton candy, face painting and games. You will have the best view in town of…
SOUND WORDS, JAN. 19, 2025
YOU ARE WELCOME HERE In a world divided by prejudice over ethnicity, or income, or even the sins of our past, the message of the church is clear: you are welcome here. The invitation to come into the presence of God is open to all people, regardless of background or circumstance. However, while the church welcomes everyone, it stands firm in its stance that sin is not welcome. This article explores the balance between inclusivity and holiness, highlighting biblical teachings…
SOUND WORDS, JAN. 12, 2025
MAKE SUNDAY SPECIAL Sunday is special. It’s the day of His resurrection. It’s the day of devotion to God, a day for spiritual service and rejoicing. It’s the day God ordained for worship and service. It’s the day when we keep the memorial of Jesus’ death, the Lord’s Supper. It’s a day for singing and praying and being together. It’s a day for spiritual feasting. Sometimes I think we take the Lord’s Day for granted. We become so familiar with…
SOUND WORDS, JAN. 5, 2025
WHOLLY DEVOTED 1 Kings 8:61 NASB 61 “Let your heart therefore be wholly devoted to the LORD our God, to walk in His statutes and to keep His commandments, as at this day.” 1 Timothy 5:10 NASB 10 having a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work. The scriptures have many…
SOUND WORDS, DEC. 29, 2024
WHAT DOES GODLY WISDOM REQUIRE? Living in any given culture and time requires that we have the wisdom and will to be what we ought to be for the Lord. Serving the Lord is not just about obeying a few commandments. Rather, it is a lifelong commitment to be faithful, loyal, and true to the end (cf. Rev 2:10). Developing a heart for wisdom cannot be stressed enough (Prov 2:2), and this begins with the fear of the Lord (Prov 9:10).…