[Biblemat] B> Gospel Observer 4/15/07
tedwards at onemain.com
tedwards at onemain.com
Tue Apr 17 11:06:49 CDT 2007
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THE GOSPEL OBSERVER
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"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching
them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you
always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20).
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April 15, 2007
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Contents:
1) The Way It Was -- 1865 -- The Way It Is -- 1989
(Barney Keith)
2) He Left Nothing Undone (Al Sandlin)
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-1-
The Way It Was -- 1865 -- The Way It Is -- 1989
by Barney Keith
History has a way of repeating itself, doesn't it? In April
1865 Moses E. Lard, one of the "Pioneer" preachers, was disturbed
as he saw various things happening among churches of Christ.
Writing in Lard's Quarterly (Vol. II, p. 257) he referred to
certain developments as "ill-omened symptoms in our ranks." Among
other things he cited weak and effeminate preaching, the "pastor
system" in many congregations, instrumental music, and other
unauthorized practices as he deplored the changes that were coming
over the brethren in many places. On page 262 Lard remarked: "He is
a poor observer of men and things who does not see growing up among
us a class of men no longer satisfied with the ancient gospel and
the ancient order of things. These men must have changes; and
silently they are preparing the minds of the brotherhood to receive
changes. Be not deceived, brethren, the Devil is not sleeping. If
you refuse to see the danger till ruin is upon you, then it will be
too late."
Lard was absolutely correct in his appraisal of his times. A
new generation of seminary-trained, liberal-minded, young preachers
had come along. Dissatisfaction with the ancient gospel became more
evident and digression spread rapidly as innovations were
introduced into one congregation after another. The result was
inevitable -- the liberals continued their march and the Christian
Church and Disciples of Christ denominations emerged. The brethren
who were insistent upon following the Bible pattern opposed the
innovations and strove for the purity of the church of the Lord.
The majority of the brethren embraced the digressive move toward
change as only a very small minority stood firm for the old paths.
Those stalwart brethren of more than a hundred years ago were
called various names as they took their stand -- such as "anti's."
That struggling minority, however, grew faster than any would have
dared think. Simple churches of Christ began to appear across the
country and, with the passing years, the digressives lost more and
more of their identity. Today they acknowledge their denominational
status proudly.
Sadly, that is exactly what has been happening all over again.
Since World War II especially there has been growing up among us a
class of men who are no longer satisfied with the ancient gospel.
Many of the present day preachers have been trained in schools
where outright modernism is found. Those who have been anxious to
put the church "on the march," or to create a "a better image" for
the church of Christ, or to involve the churches in all sorts of
projects are no part of the New Testament pattern -- these men have
slowly had their effect on the people of God. Human wisdom and
modernistic theology are always inimical to faith in the New
Testament as an all-sufficient pattern. Too many people in too many
churches of Christ are being taught by too many men who do not
respect the authority of the Scriptures. It is no surprise that we
have "liberal" churches.
There are many indications of "change" in the churches of the
Lord, such as "sponsoring elderships" or "sponsoring churches" to
coordinate the work of two or more churches; building and
maintaining other institutions to do the work of the church; church
support of recreational camps; church parties, dinners, showers,
etc. (in the church's "fellowship hall" or "Family Life Center," of
course); "youth ministers" to handle all activities of the young
people; other "ministers" galore; church choruses; church
involvement in social welfare projects; facilities for the counsel
and care of unwed mothers; the operation of day-care centers,
kindergartens, secular education schools; all sorts of gimmicks to
attract kids to the "bus ministry" fad; etc. Brethren, there is no
end in sight. What happened in the late 1800s has happened in the
mid and late 1900s. Wearing the designation "Church of Christ" by
no means is proof that a congregation is respecting the authority
of Christ.
There are still many, many congregations which have not
followed the digressive pattern of the day. There are many faithful
disciples who still believe that we must "speak as the oracles of
God" (1 Pet. 4:11) and that we dare not "go beyond the doctrine of
Christ" (2 John 9). A firm, Bible-based conviction is the only
thing that will preserve a congregation from apostasy. It is faith
in "what is written" that causes a church of Christ to avoid the
many innovations. It will never be out of place for Christians to
ask for Bible authority for the things churches may begin to
undertake. And it will always be right to resist and oppose any
changes which involve a surrender of the all-sufficiency of Divine
revelation, God's word.
What Moses Lard saw in 1865 is likely to be seen in any age.
Let us take ample warning from the lessons of history. A Christian
ought to have no fellowship with a congregation that digresses from
the Bible pattern in organization, worship or work. Let none of us
be deterred from standing firmly for the truth by the ridicule,
sarcasm, name-calling, etc. from our brethren who are bent on
following the course of liberalism. Fellowship with God is far more
important than fellowship with men.
-- Via Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 5, p. 140, March 2, 1989
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-2-
He Left Nothing Undone
by Al Sandlin
What an epitaph! There was a man in the Bible who had this
tribute accorded him concerning the task assigned him by God. This
man is truly an example for all to follow. "As the LORD commanded
Moses his servant, so did Moses command Joshua, and so did Joshua;
he left nothing undone of all that the LORD commanded Moses"
(Joshua 11:15). Did Joshua accomplish the impossible? Certainly
not! God never asks anything of anyone they are incapable of
performing. Let's examine a little closer the charge given to
Joshua and see how he was able to achieve this stupendous feat.
Preparation. Moses had led the Hebrew captives from Egypt
through the wilderness to the edge of that promised land Canaan.
God had tapped Joshua to be his successor as leader of this band of
Israelites (Deuteronomy. 34:9). Joshua had demonstrated before God,
Moses and his fellow Hebrews that he had faith -- undying faith --
in Jehovah God. Joshua was one of two men whose assessment of the
land of Canaan was that it could be taken -- with God's help. This
was in the face of ten men who said it couldn't be done.
Deuteronomy 34:9 says Joshua was a man "full of the spirit of
wisdom." Early in his life he made a decision not to follow the
majority. He was willing to be different and stand tall as a man of
faith. Those who prepare themselves to serve the Lord God are not
the ones who have the "Let somebody else do it" disposition. They
are the ones who sing "Here Am I; Send Me" and are sincere in doing
so. Joshua was that kind of man.
Consecration. God needed a man who had prepared himself to be a
leader. God exhorted Moses to be an "encourager" to Joshua. "But
charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall
go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the
land which thou shalt see" (Deuteronomy 3:28). He took note of the
man Joshua and at the appropriate time selected him to be Moses'
successor (Numbers 27:18-23).
The first chapter of Joshua records the charge given by God to
Joshua. It would be his task to lead the children of Israel over
Jordan and to effectively possess the land of Canaan as God had
promised Abraham many years earlier. God committed Himself to be an
ever-present source of help to Joshua. "There shall not any man be
able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with
Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake
thee" (Joshua 1:5).
Dedication. It was Joshua's responsibility then to be a real
role model for that Hebrew congregation. "Be strong and of a good
courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance
the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. Only be
thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do
according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee:
turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest
prosper whithersoever thou goest" (Joshua 1:6-7). God's exhortation
to be strong and courageous was indicative of the fact that there
would be times of despair and resignation; times when quitting
would be an attractive escape; but those must be the very times
that Joshua must muster the courage to go forward in the name of
Jehovah, the Lord of hosts.
Toleration. The book of Joshua is a great source of
encouragement to any and all who claim to be a child of God. This
attribute alone is so vitally important to one who is a successful
Christian. There are times when it seems impediments to progress
pop up at every turn. God's servant, however, sees these as
stepping stones to greater heights. As Joshua led the people of God
in conquering the promised land, it was necessary on numerous
occasions for Joshua to marshal strength and courage to press on so
that his way would be prosperous and successful (Joshua 1:8).
Application. The accolade accorded Joshua which we noted in the
beginning was true because he applied the truths of God to his
assigned tasks. He believed God; he obeyed God; and he was
successful. As the days of his leadership waned, he made this
statement to the people of Israel: "Now therefore fear the LORD,
and serve him in sincerity and in truth. . ." (Joshua 24:14). Only
sincere and truthful service is pleasing to God. Joshua's success
is a testimony to that fact.
Dear reader, are you doing everything which God has commanded
you? Is there anything you are leaving undone? A day of
accountability awaits every individual. "And as it is appointed
unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27).
"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that
every one may receive the things done in his body, according to
that he hath done, whether it be good or bad" (2 Corinthians.
5:10). At that time it'll be too late to try and change things left
undone. "So then every one of us shall give account of himself to
God" (Romans 14:12).
If you are not a Christian, believe that Jesus is the Christ,
the Son of the Living God (John 8:24); repent of the life of sin
you are living in (Luke 13:3); confess that Jesus is the Christ
(Matthew 10:32); be baptized by immersion in water for the
remission of your past sins (Romans 6:3-4; Acts 8:36-38); be
faithful until death (Revelation 2:10) and heaven will be yours.
God promises that to those who obey Him (Hebrews 5:9). Don't leave
anything undone.
If you are a Christian, are you living as you ought? If not,
would you change even today? "Therefore to him that knoweth to do
good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin" (James 4:17). Hell is
prepared for those who don't do as they ought as well as those who
do as they ought not. Don't risk it!
-- Via The Trenton Bulletin, June 25, 2000
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MYRTLE STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST
1022 Myrtle Street
Denham Springs, LA 70726
(225) 664-8208
Sunday: 9:15 AM, 10:00 AM, 4:00 PM
Wednesday: 7:00 PM
evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (225) 667-4520
e-mail: tedwards at onemain.com
web site: http://home.onemain.com/~tedwards/go
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