The Truth In Print Vol. 18 Issue 12, Jan. 2013
A Publication of the
Valley church of Christ,
2375 W. 8th Street,
Yuma, AZ 85364 (928-782-5058)
Website Address ~ http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com
About the Label “Advertisement” Put On Our
Articles
I’m
often asked why there is the label of “advertisement” at the bottom of the
church’s articles. But before getting to that here is our brief article that
appeared in the Yuma Sun on December 31, New Years eve:
“Spiritually
Sobering Instruction for the New Year 2013
All
their love of Christ is a spiritual fake. All year long they pour forth wisdom:
“Remember, if you drink don’t drive and if you drive don’t drink.” Their true
philosophy of life is: “Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill
ourselves with strong drink; and tomorrow shall be as this day, and much more
abundant” (Isa. 56:12).
This
is what they do. They hire to themselves ministers that say, “Drink!” They
aren’t grieved over the distress of others, and while cheating the poor they
say to their peers, “Drink!”
They
love pleasure and wine that consumes their wages and say, “Drink!” They mix
drugs with their alcohol and say, “Drink!” They seek the clubs ---- they find a
prostitute and say, “Drink!” Both the adulterer and adulteress say,
“Drink!”
They
talk nonsense and drink. They see
themselves as big strong men who can drink. They perceive themselves as naughty
women who love to drink. They are in distress and bawl and cry as they drink.
They are overcome by sorrow and drink.
They get wounds needlessly by falling or fighting while they drink.
They
cause grief, intimidate, are contentious and drink. They drink all day and
being inflamed commit violent acts and drink. They commit shameful acts with
strangers and lie and cheat as they drink. They kill while being drunken and
saying, “Drink!”
Alcohol takes over and destroys both mind and body, and they drink. They justify the wicked for personal gain, condemn
the righteous, and drink. They traffic drugs and their own people -- girls,
women, boys and men and drink to the good life!”
.
It has always amused me when people in the community ask
me why our articles have the designation of “Advertisement” at the bottom when
appearing in the local newspaper. They’ll often say, “No one else’s does, why
yours?” The newspaper places that there. Recently a sales person mentioned this
to me and Wanda when we purchased merchandise. We invited her to come visit at church. She said, “Yours is the one that says
“advertisement” at the bottom.” While the designation is accurate, for our
articles tell people about the church of Christ, it is obvious that the content
is what we are seeking to get forward (Cf. 1 Tim. 3:15). There should be a
distinct difference in what a church of Christ presents to the community, and
that of the various false religions. And there is if the church is doing its
work as it should. By refusing the often sought “marketing approach” the Truth
becomes apparent. It is the Truth that is important in contrast to sin and
religious error.
We
have none of the deceitfulness of the denominational religious world that is
couched in a flavor that pleases man to offer.
I
have lived and preached in this community for many years. I have seen churches
use all the ploys to try and attract new customers. Pardon the pun, but if
people are so spiritually dull that they cannot see through these flattering
advertisements then let them be used! They love the praise of men more than
that of God (Jo. 12:43). They desire the things highly esteemed among men that
are abomination to God (Lk. 16:15).
The “Try Us And You’ll Like Us”
Pitch
Are you
the foolish person who thinks this is all about what you like? What about God,
Christ’s Word, the necessity of hearing the truth and repenting of your sins
and being faithful in obedience? But don’t the foolish just love that “YOU”
when they see it! Why I’m surprised that I haven’t seen Beer commercials used
since they’re so popular with people.
People should be implored to come to the light of God’s word, and not
come because they’ll “like” the flattery, the socials and entertainment. Such
advertisements seek to take away the “fear” of having one’s immorality exposed
and thus one being seen in the true light of the Scriptures, Jesus said:
Joh 3:19 "This is the judgment, that the
Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the
Light, for their deeds were evil.
Joh 3:20 "For everyone who does evil hates
the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be
exposed.
Joh 3:21 "But he who practices the truth
comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought
in God."
Isn’t it strange you see all of the Jo. 3:16
signs, but never these following verses on the signs at sports events, etc. It
is more than obvious that those who are constantly church shopping — always
looking for the next “biggest show” in town — really hate the light of God’s
Word while professing to love Jesus. Jesus said, “And why call
ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” (Lk.
6:46). People are undeniably being led to believe that all they need to do is
show up for a service they’re sure to like — then they can go right back to
their worldly life styles!
Church is like a club for them, but the club is like this: “How can ye
believe, which receive honour one of another, and not
honour that cometh from God only?” (Jo. 5:44).
Such can forsake assembling, show up occasion when convenient for them and
still receive praise from the members and leaders: “Oh, it is so good to see
you again.” They give them the false praise so they’ll be praised in return:
“Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for
so did their fathers to the false Prophets” (Lk.
6:26).
The
only kind of assembly of a local church that is worth a dime is the kind Paul
recommended to Corinth:
1Co 14:24 But if all
prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he
is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
1Co
14:25 And thus are the secrets of his
heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship
God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
Here
the visitor is convicted by all who give instruction in God’s word (I Cor.
14:24). In other words, based upon scriptural instruction and application by
the teachers, the person is actually told where their sins are leading them —
they receive a rebuke even though just visiting. Imagine that!
Here
the visitor is judged of all by the instruction given (I Cor. 14:24). The word
“judged” has the various definitions of 1a) to investigate, examine, enquire
into, scrutinize, sift, question (Thayer’s definitions). Concerned reader, do
you see the point clearly? The point is that YOU
are just what God’s Word is looking for! Here the secrets of the heart are made
manifest to himself (I Cor. 14:24). Those who go a lifetime playing “games” —
thinking that they have escaped the eyes of God — are greatly deceived:
Heb 4:12 For the word of
God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword,
piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and
marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Heb 4:13 Neither is there
any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked
and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
Here the visitor did not jump up and leave. He stayed for he had found the truth of God’s Word (I Cor. 14:24). When visitors are looking to please “self” rather than God then you’ll often see them get up and march out. Those who hate the Light aren’t comfortable around applicable teaching. It isn’t that the church is not friendly. It is what Jesus said about those who love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil.
By
Bob Lovelace
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To
learn more call, visit or visit our website at:
http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com