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.
Preacher's Blog
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Who Would Hate Christianity??
Some people hate Christianity, and justifiably so. It might be violence masquerading as the Lord’s cause (i.e., the Crusades). It might be criminal activity among church leaders. It might be immoral behavior that is tolerated or ‘swept under the rug’ to keep a church scandal hidden from the public. Where high ideals and moral behavior are preached but hypocrisy is seen, it is found to be highly distasteful. For that reason, some do not hate Christianity without cause. (See last week’s article.) And yet, those displays of ungodly behavior are not real Christianity.
More confounding are those who hate Christianity when God’s people are following God’s word. Those who are saints live by the Golden Rule, live the Sermon on the Mount, strive to love God and love their neighbor. They may not lead perfect lives, but they are not hypocrites. Nor do they wear their holiness like a badge of honor. Rather, in humble sincerity, they stive to live like Christ. And yet, some people still hate Christianity and those who are Christians, and there is nothing we can do about it.
The reason is rather simple. It is rooted in the character of God and the human conscience.
We understand that fellowship with God is based on living according to the divine character of God (compassion, grace, forgiveness, faithfulness, kindness, love, justice). Anyone who goes against the character of God naturally breaks fellowship with God. Said another way, God cannot embrace anyone who is foreign to His divine character of purity, holiness, love, and justice. So, those who oppose God are rejected by God. However, it is not because God rejects them. Rather, by their values and decisions, they choose to reject God.
The sad truth is that many people do not wish to live in harmony and fellowship with God. They wish to be independent of God and live according to their own standard. They oppose the very character of God and His holiness.
However, when they oppose God’s character by sinning, they feel guilt in their conscience. That is because God placed within every human being a moral code that does not require oral or written law. Paul refers to it in Romans 1 as the ‘ordinance of God’ (v. 32). This unwritten moral standard forbids murder, disobedience to parents and immorality, among other sins. So, even those who reject God know that some things are wrong, and their conscience informs them of their guilt.
Since they do not wish to live by God’s standard, they attempt to justify their sin or rationalize it. Yet, Christianity (and Christians) are a stark reminder of God and His standard of holiness. So, they despise Christianity.
The following Scriptures inform us of our responsibility toward those haters:
If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.
--Romans 12:18
He who corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself,
And he who reproves a wicked man gets insults for himself.
Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you,
Reprove a wise man and he will love you.
--Proverbs 9:7-8
Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine,
or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
--Matthew 7:6
If you discover that a person is a scoffer, one who mocks God, mocks the teachings of Jesus, and mocks the people of God, your best response is generally silence. By engaging in debate, especially publicly (including social media), you may be the one providing them a platform for openly mocking God. The exception may be if naïve listeners would benefit from your correction.
Be wise and do not provide haters an opportunity to further mock God.
Mark Stinnett
September 20, 2026
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Do They hate Christianity without Cause?
Christians are followers of Christ, right? Jesus stood for goodness, kindness, service, forgiveness and love. Jesus promoted godliness and holiness among His followers. The life of the Christian is on a trajectory to be more like Christ each day.
Yet, for some, the mere mention of Christianity causes a strong negative reaction. Depending on the circumstances, they might offer their opinion about the evils of Christianity. Yes, it is true. Some people think that Christianity has done far more harm than good. Some people hate Christianity and despise Christians.
Why would anyone hate Christianity and what can we do about it?
Some people hate Christianity because of the evils done in the name of Christ in the past and in the present. While you and I cannot be held accountable for the Crusades, those wars were initiated and fought in the name of Christ. For many unbelievers, that intuitively goes against what they believe Christianity should be. They are correct. Jesus said that His kingdom was not of this world. On the day He was crucified He told Pilate that if His kingdom were of this world, His disciples would be fighting for Him. So, even Jesus would say that the Crusades were bad.
In our day, some professed Christians attach to Christianity their political views or their love of country. However, the teachings and values of Jesus transcend political ideologies and national boundaries. So, it is understandable when unbelievers are critical for such associations.
Some people look down on or even hate Christianity because of the internal problems witnessed within groups claiming affiliation with Christianity. They see sin tolerated, strife over petty issues, and division. The problem is not new, but it is damaging. Most of the content of the letter of 1 Corinthians focuses on division within the church in Corinth in the first century. One of the problems the Apostle Paul addressed was how the Christians were taking fellow Christians to the secular courts over their disagreements. He said it would be better to be wronged than to act in such a way. Another problem in the church in Corinth was the tolerance of a particular sin that Paul said would not even be tolerated by godless people.
We might sum up these reasons for hating Christianity under the header of hypocrisy. Even without being taught the Bible, most people have an idea of the kind of people Christians are supposed to be. So, when outsiders see the lives of Christians who are not living up to the standards of Christ, they justify their distaste for Christianity.
Undoubtedly, this kind of thing must make God very sad. After all, it has been His plan for Christians to showcase to the world the benefits of being in the family of God. So, what can we do? In the Scriptures we (Christians) are taught:
Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44)
Let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith. (Galatians 6:10)
In everything, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets. (Matthew 7:12)
Love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:39)
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor. (Romans 12:10)
Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ has forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:32)
By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. (John 13:35)
If all Christians were truly devoted to these teachings, those outside of Christ would have a very different view of Christianity. But what about you? What is your part in all this? Self-denial. Read the verses again because it is not about YOU.
Mark Stinnett
September 13, 2026
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Life in the Body
Civic organizations, political organizations, businesses, and even non-profits are careful with their employees and those who make up their organization. They desire highly qualified individuals to be a part of their organization. Unqualified individuals or those who hamper the goals or effectiveness of the organization and its mission are generally dismissed.
That is how man thinks and how man organizes. God is different.
God keeps the weak. In the body of Christ (the church), the weak members are given prominence. The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Corinth that those who “seem to be weaker are necessary.” He said that the members “without honor” were given “abundant honor.” (See 1 Corinthians 12:18-27.) So, a member of the body of Christ should never have the attitude that another member is unimportant or unnecessary.
This principle is easily illustrated with the human body. If I smack my thumb with a hammer, I don’t cut off my thumb. Instead, my other hand holds it, and my tear ducts might even activate. Other body members work harder to do the work that the injured thumb would ordinarily do. They also provide protection for the injured thumb. The same thing could be said for a weakness in the body. Where there is injury or weakness, the other members of my body respond.
The Christian widows in Jerusalem who were overlooked are an example this principle at work in the early church. When their situation was brought to light, they were given “abundant honor.” How? Others humbled themselves to provide for them and serve them. They were not forgotten or cast aside or forced out because of their needs; they were considered important. (See Acts 6.)
In God’s church the strong rally around those who are weak and those who have needs. The weak and needy are given abundant honor as they are shown that they are important. Those who are able to provide assistance give the needed support or attention. They treat those who are weak or in need as equals. In that, the weak and needy are shown abundant honor.
It is necessary for the members of Christ to respond to many kinds of needs: financial, employment, parental, assistance in and around the home, or simple conversation. Some may need spiritual help: teaching or help dealing with sin. Not everyone in the body responds to every need, but those who are healthy and strong and who have opportunity respond.
We do not cast off members of Christ’s body just because there are needs or because of weakness. We give. We console. We assist. We serve. We teach. We appeal. We rebuke. We pray. But most of all we keep. We keep those who are weak and needy because God does.
In the body of Christ, we consider others as more important than ourselves. We are the body of Christ...and we give attention to those who are weak and in need.
Mark Stinnett
September 6, 2026
