Preacher's Blog

Our preacher, Mark Stinnett, publishes articles for the church bulletin each week. These articles are designed to teach, encourage and challenge the members of our congregation. His latest articles can be found below with the most recent at the beginning of the list. Mark has archived all of his articles on his personal blog 'MicroMarks' which can be accessed at: micromarks.blogspot.com.

  • No Thanks

    We love stories that revolve around someone who is underappreciated and then makes a comeback. A charming and generous but underappreciated man falls on hard times and is on the brink of suicide. Just in the nick of time his family and friends come to support him. Happy ending; all is well. An underappreciated lawman or doctor or coach or civic leader comes to a point of exhaustion, ready to give in, ready to give up. Then they dig deep within and try a little harder, just one more day. Circumstances change and they are rewarded for their inner strength and tenacity.


    Not all stories of the underappreciated turn out so well. The underappreciated butler endures the ungrateful family he serves and in retaliation carefully launches a plan to steal the family’s wealth. The underappreciated policeman or government worker devotes a lifetime of service, but in the end lashes out violently against the system that has undervalued him.


    There is within all of us a sense of justice or fairness. It comes from a belief that there should be balance in life. If a crime is committed, the criminal should be punished in a way that balances with (fits) the crime. (The Old Testament law of “an eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth” follows that kind of reasoning.)


    When a person goes to work, he ought to be paid a fair wage. When a product is sold, it ought to be for a fair price. When you do a favor for a friend, he promises, “I owe you one,” a verbal gesture for a future equitable favor.


    Of course, there are occasions in which we do not expect the favor to be returned. When a parent does something for his/her child fair payment is not expected. And yet, a parent can feel underappreciated when there is no thanks. Most of us expect appreciation, if in no other way, then by simple, heartfelt gratitude. And yet, Jesus told of a time when a person would not be shown gratitude?


    “Which of you, having a slave plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come immediately and sit down to eat’? 8 “But will he not say to him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat, and properly clothe yourself and serve me while I eat and drink; and afterward you may eat and drink’? 9 “He does not thank the slave because he did the things which were commanded, does he? 10 “So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.’ ” 

    —Luke 17:7-10


    Does this teaching seem odd to you? 

    Are you disappointed with its ending?


    The master was not expected to give thanks to the servant because the slave was there to serve the master. When the slave did as the slave was expected he was accepted because all expectations were met. Yet, the slave receive no thanks, no bonus, no reward. Still yet, there were no inequities. Neither owed the other.


    Jesus did not leave this teaching open to interpretation. He revealed the application to all who listened/read: We who are servants of Jesus ought to see ourselves as unworthy slaves. Our task is to fulfill our Master’s will. We may find satisfaction in knowing that we have done our Master’s will and received His acceptance.


    We might not know what motivated this teaching. But it is especially applicable to those who whine and complain when they don’t receive attention for the service they offer in the Lord.


    As a humble servant, give all glory to the Master.


    Mark Stinnett

    July 12, 2026

  • Casting Lots

    For many Bible readers, the Old Testament practice of ‘casting lots’ seems like the use of chance in making decisions. Bible dictionaries suggest that ’lots’ might have been sticks of various lengths, flat stones, or even some kind of ancient dice. Such descriptions resemble today’s ’drawing straws,’ ‘flipping coins’ and ‘rolling dice,’ all ways of deciding by chance. And yet...


         The lot is cast into the lap,

         But its every decision is from the Lord.

         --Proverbs 16:33


    What are we supposed to do with this proverb?


    Here are a few Bible examples of casting lots to make decisions:

    • Lots were cast to select one of two goats for sacrifice. (Leviticus 16:8)
    • Lots were cast for the land inheritance of Israel’s tribes. (Joshua 18)
    • The apostles cast lots for the man to replace Judas. (Acts 1:16-26)
    • Sailors cast lots to discover who was responsible for a storm that endangered their lives. The lot fell to Jonah. (Jonah 1)


    In the first three examples it is unclear whether God influenced the outcomes or left each outcome to chance. However, in the case of Jonah, God’s involvement is clear.


    It could be argued that when no moral issues are involved and a choice is unclear, a flip of a coin might be wiser than voting or leaving a decision to a committee or other group within a congregation.


    King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon was eager for wisdom in making decisions. He consulted His advisors but over time realized that these wise men were either using personal wisdom, relating speculation, or applying chance in their use of astrology, charms, divination, etc. They might as well have been casting lots.


    We might be just as eager for wisdom in making decisions, but how can we be sure that God has given us His answer or influenced the outcome? How can we be sure that our eventual course is approved by God? Consider Proverbs 18:18...

    The cast lot puts an end to strife

    And decides between the mighty ones.


    In the numerous passages about casting lots, it appears that God used this as a means of taking the decision out of the hands of men. Whether He caused a certain outcome or allowed chance is not always clear. And yet, it ended strife between people and ended potential anxiety in individuals.

    In our day people often look for signs when making decisions. And yet, God does not promise angelic messages, signs in the sky or in dreams. Nor has He instructed us to cast lots. So, when making decisions, first consult God’s written wisdom, the Bible...and follow what you discover. Second, seek wise counsel from someone older and with more experience...and listen! When indecision lingers, you can be sure of two paths that are unwise:

    • Praying but doing what you secretly know you want to do. (Read Jeremiah 42 as an example.)
    • Praying for guidance and doing nothing when you can do something, and at the same time expecting the Lord to make something happen. (Remember the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30.)


    Finally, if ever a choice must be made and the options are equivalent, perhaps wisdom reaches for the ‘lots’ simply to remove human strife.


    Mark Stinnett

    July 5, 2026

  • Work Out Your Salvation??

    So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling. (Philippians 2:12)


    What was the Apostle Paul trying to communicate about salvation?

    • Was he telling Christians that everyone’s salvation is different, that each person has to figure it out on his own?
    • Was he making a point about individual responsibility?
    • What does fear and trembling have to do with salvation? Fear of what?


    Salvation: 

    Paul was writing to Christians, those who were in a state of having been saved. Sometimes we are so accustomed to the word salvation that it becomes cliché. It is easy to forget that salvation is more accurately salvation from the wrath of God because of sin.


    Work out: 

    The phrase “work out your salvation” is not about ‘figuring it out’ but working through to completion. Salvation is not like a treasure hunt in which cryptic clues are discovered and must be figured out. (That’s the Hollywood way.) Rather, God has made it clear how a person can be saved from His wrath due to sin. In addition, God has made it plain how followers of Jesus are to order their lives while living in this world. There is no mystery about God’s expectations for the saints.


    So, working out one’s salvation is not a mystery that is individualized. The phrase was meant to encourage endurance. Work it through to completion. Don’t give up part way through. Remain loyal.


    Obedience: 

    Look at the phrase, “just as you have always obeyed.” The early Christians would have understood fully what they were to obey. Paul was referring to obedience in their Christian life. They were obedient to the teachings of Jesus and His apostles. This was what they had ‘always obeyed.’ It really is that simple. That admonition carries forward to us. We are encouraged to hold fast to the things that God has revealed to us in His written word. Again, it is not a mysterious code. There may be passages that are challenging, but God’s instruction is clear and simple.


    Fear and Trembling: 

    Many believers today latch hold of a scripture they like:, such as, Call on the Lord and you’ll be saved. Or, believe in the Lord and you’ll be saved. The New Testament teaches these things but not in the absence of obedience, purity, and loyalty.


    Many wish to portray God as a tolerant friend instead of Creator. Other’s fixate on ‘Father’ forgetting that God is also our Judge and demands holiness. ‘Fear and trembling’ call us to soberness, to say the least.


    Ancient Jericho trembled when Israel approached. The Bible says that there was no spirit in them any longer. That means that trembled to the point of being virtually lifeless. They had lost all motivation to fight. They could not run or cry for help. They trembled, accepting certain defeat.


    We must have confidence in God’s word because God keeps His promises. And yet we must also possess a sense of awe and reverence toward God. We are not to be scared, but fearful. There is no personalized instruction. So, every time we open God’s word we must recognize that we are the learner, the slave, the child. We must open God’s book for understanding. We must be serious about interpreting God’s word according to what He intended, not what it means to me. And we must be careful to apply God’s word in obedient allegiance to Jesus, our King. This is not done without reverence and awe toward God, and yes, a measure of fear and trembling.



    Mark Stinnett

    June 28, 2026