Author Archives: Tom Wacaster

by Tom Wacaster The chance of an asteroid or comet of any significant size hitting the earth in a single year is something like 1 in 300,000. Of course there are some astronomers who speak of a massive asteroid now … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster Near the close of His earthly ministry our Lord made one final journey to Galilee. His first stop on that tour was in Nazareth, the city where He grew up. Matthew’s record of this visit to Nazareth … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster The essence of the first chapter of Philippians is captured in the words of 1:21: “For me to live is Christ; and to die is gain.” Take a survey with the following lead in statement: “For me … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster My first local work was in a small country town in south central Oklahoma. Being new to the state, and the city, I found myself frequently asking, “How do I get to so-and-so’s place?” One of the … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster Sociologists are telling us that an alarming number of people are growing weary with the traditional concept of family, marriage, and the home. Commitment and acceptance of responsibility have almost become taboo when it comes to taking … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster An increasing number of diluted and self-proclaimed philosophers have bought into the lie that modern man has finally reached the point where he no longer needs religion. Man is the sum and substance of all there is, … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster I have, on occasions, been accused of being the “most organized preacher in the brotherhood.” I’m not so sure I deserve such a distinguished designation, and try as hard as I might, there are times when I … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster The book of Philemon takes up less than one full page in my Bible. Though small, it tells in a remarkable way the story of how Christ comes into the lives of men and women and, acting … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster The closing lines to Frank Sinatra’s hit record, “My Way,” sum up not only the essence of the song, but perhaps the life of the man himself: For what is a man, what has he got? If … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster It is quite interesting to listen to the feeble attempts of men to justify those things for which they have no authority. After more than 45 years of preaching I have learned that once a person has … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster “Tradition! Without our traditions, our lives would be as shaky as…as a fiddler on the roof!” Tradition, simply defined, is the passing down or the handing down of a teaching from someone else.” Tradition can be good … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster On April 30th, 2013, the first Dutch King in more than 123 years was inaugurated with great pomp and ceremony. It would appear that no expense was spared. Pictures portray an event fitting for, well, fitting for … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster If the Sermon on the Mount were all that Matthew recorded, that small piece of inspiration would declare the very majesty of the One Who spoke those words. The very first words we encounter as we enter … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster Someone once noted, “Many people look forward to the New Year for a new start on old habits.” I don’t know who wrote those pithy words, but he must have been some blood kin to Solomon. The … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster Our study of this wonderful epistle to the Philippians has provided a glimpse into the optimistic outlook of the apostle Paul. I have often pointed out that Paul was the eternal optimist, looking at the opportunities rather … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster It has been said that behind every cloud is a silver lining. A little clip on Fox News website noted that with the onslaught of the coronavirus has come a dramatic cut back in the number of … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster To many a man, death is the final farewell, the ultimate defeat at the end of life’s long journey toward the unknown. With each tick of the clock we draw ever closer to death and eternity. Herbert … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster I have started in earnest my next volume of New Testament commentaries. This one is going to be a study of the Gospel of Luke. Having titled my two-volume work on Matthew, “The Majesty of Jesus,” and … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster Have you ever noticed how many times the word “must” is used in reference to some felt necessity on the part of our Lord? Here is a small sampling: “But he said unto them, I must preach … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster “And he came preaching the baptism of repentance” (Luke 3:3) I am sure that all of us have, at one time or another, had someone jokingly say, “You can’t get there from here.” Uncertain as to the … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster Over a span of almost 50 years of preaching, I have frequently been asked, “How can I be sure that I am saved?” I have no doubt that those asking the question were sincere, and in many … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster Studying the parable of the lost coin provides rich spiritual treasures. It is informative, for it tells us of the joy in heaven over one lost soul. It is instructive, for it teaches us the value of … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster Luke uses only four words to describe the extent to which wicked men will go when once they have developed a hatred for the God Who loves them. Arrested and quickly rushed through a mock trial in … Continue reading →

“And the grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus” (1 Tim. 1:14). Not only does the grace of God abound, it abounds exceedingly. Two English words translate one Greek word (‘huperpleonazo’) which … Continue reading →

Each one of us has the responsibility of rendering worship to God. No one can offer homage to God for another, nor can the congregation as a “group” fulfill the obligation of the individual. An important truth regarding worship was … Continue reading →

One of the qualifications of the deacon is that he not be “given to much wine” (1 Tim):8). Because of the wording of the text in the American Standard Version and the King James Version, it is often argued that … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster by Tom Wacaster For many years the Bible has been the bestselling book, not only in America, but in every country where God’s word is allowed to have free run. Non-profit organizations such as the American Bible … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster Some of the most profound statements were made by John in the first few verses of his account of the life of Christ. First, there is an affirmation of the eternality of the Word. With words that … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster The angel said of John the Baptist, “For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord” (Luke 1:15a). Throughout the centuries figures in history have been given the title of “Great.” Greece had Alexander the … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster Roy “Wrong Way” Riegels played center on the 1928 University of California football team, The Golden Bears, which had 6-1-2 record at the close of the 1928 regular season. On January 1, 1929, the Golden Bears faced … Continue reading →

By Tom Wacaster “Duplicity” is defined by Mirriam-Webster as “the belying of one’s true intentions by deceptive words or action” (Online, www.mirriam-webster.com). One can easily see the idea of doubleness at the root of this word duplicity. Our English word … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster Occasionally I stop at the local Good Will to drop something off and while there I take a few minutes to peruse the books they have on display. Most of what lines the shelves of the “book … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster I have been taking some courses at Amridge University, and one of my courses for the summer was The Life and Ministry of Christ. In these classes we are expected to engage in discussions on some per-determined … Continue reading →

by Tom Wacaster Since the deaths of Osama Bin Laden and Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, former heads of terrorist operations in Iraq and elsewhere, there have continued to be suicide bombings around the world. At this writing they do not seem … Continue reading →