The Truth In Print Vol
14 Issue 4, May 2008
A Publication of the Valley church of Christ
2375 W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364 (928-782-5058)
Let Us Get You A New Kind Of Preacher!
By Bob W. Lovelace
Some Works Continue Under The
Best Of Circumstances
Some
works continue under the best of circumstances when the unfaithful who have
lost their love for the truth and those who uphold it leave. Consider what John
said, “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of
us, they would no doubt have continued with
us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all
of us” (I John 2:19).
And
what did they lose? They lost those who loved the world and things of the world
(cf. I John 2:15). They lost “brethren” who will hate a Christian like the
world does (cf. I John 2:13, 15). These are in fact, and proven by their
conduct to be, children of the Devil (cf. I John 3:4, 8, 10). They lost
those who would not listen to the truth, who spoke as the world speaks, and
whom the world is more than willing to listen to! They were liars who no longer
could speak the truth (cf. I John 4:5-6).
When
they left the bitter envying, strife, boasting against the truth, lying against
the truth and all the confusion that came from the earthly, sensual, devilish
wisdom they possessed left with them! (cf. James 3:14-16).
Now
that they’ve left the teachers and preacher(s) can continue with appropriate
instruction, warning and application that keeps the
church from being lost to the current and latest apostasies. And should there
be a carnal “mouth” (male or female) that pops up then it can be shut
immediately as it should be, and silenced either as to its public or private
attestations! (cf. Titus 1:10-16). Brethren how many churches have a sister’s
“mouth” at the front door after services, as she leaves, spewing strife that
needs to be shut? If your church does then by all means men shut it! Or, make
that between class and worship services in the back talking loudly so others
can pick up on her discontent. Shut this and all others’ “mouths” that are
workings of Satan from children of the Devil bent on destroying the church, as
God ordained it, and making a place among apostates in the brotherhood by
kicking out faithful elders, teachers and preachers! (cf. 3 John 9). These
accuse the faithful unjustly with wicked words, spread strife with their mouth,
and set an example of evil for others to imitate (cf. 3 John 10-11). Are you
getting this? They have a goal, an objective, and will sacrifice the truth and
brethren to achieve it!
Note
this: these do not “just” present a personality difference or conflict! If you
are sick of hearing that cover up it is for good reason. Wake up! Such are full
of the works of the flesh and will not inherit the kingdom!
They
are identified by the following:
Galatians 5:19-21 (KJV)
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these;
Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath,
strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before,
as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things
shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
They belong with this category of
Christians:
James 3:14-16 (KJV)
14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory
not, and lie not against the truth.
15 This wisdom descendeth not from above,
but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion
and every evil work.
They
are looking forward to and working towards division in order that they might
have
their own way and that
with the kind of preach
ing that lacks
application and pleases the un-
godly (cf. 2 Tim. 4:1-5).
They
will get what they want any way that they can, and the longer you postpone
dealing with them scripturally the closer they get to their unscriptural goal
or goals (cf. Rev. 2:20). Hear this! Older members must not turn to sentimentalism
“in our day” — things must be met head on with the Word (cf. I John 2:14; Heb.
13:7; Ps. 92:14-15). Those like Diotrephes, as well
as Mrs. Diotrophes (the she “elders” who manipulate
men who are weak in the Word but strong in carnality) can be powerful enough to
discard what the Apostles wrote (cf. 3 John 9), change the decision making
process of the local church and direct it right into endorsing apostasy (cf. 3
John 10). These are often prey for big institutional
men who flatter to promote their human organizations and those who support
them.
Some Works Start Under The Best Of Circumstances
Listen! If you stay with the truth and have to leave with others who are
faithful you are winners. Our lives, teaching and preaching are to be about the
truth of the Word and living and upholding it (cf. 2 Tim. 3:16-17; I John
2:3-6). You will always have integrity with God when you stay with the truth of
His Word (cf. 3 John 12). The goal is eternal life (cf. I Jo. 2:25). John
introduced his first epistle, I John, with the necessary requirement of walking
in the light of God’s Word (cf. I John 1:5-10). He was no brotherhood
politician for he spoke of Liars who do not walk in the light. These were not a
figment of his imagination. And we are not here to please men just to be
pleasing men! You can name false
brethren, organizations, and doctrines! The faithful don’t always get the
building, land, etc., in spite of their pleas.
Some Churches Continue
Under The Worst Of Circumstances
Hear Paul, “For there must be also heresies
among you, that they which are approved may be made
manifest among you.” (cf. 1 Corinthians 11:19).
While those who are approved (acceptable, tried and approved before
God) are made manifest consider that those not approved are also seen for what
they truly are!
Years ago older preachers freely talked about such children of the Devil
who would come in and present themselves as members of a local church, and then
by the carnal works of the evil one divide the church. Often they would claim
the property, treasury and building and win it! There were always bigger
churches somewhere who would aid and abet the pattern,
providing teachers and preachers of course for that is how the apostasy is able
to continue. Satan has his factory of apostate preachers and teachers! The old
Devil will always be more than willing to say to a church, “Let us get you a
new kind of preacher!” And you know what? That’s what those churches got and
that’s what some churches in our brotherhood are getting today!
There
is nothing more carnal and full of the works of the flesh that I can think of
at this age in my life than brethren who work to stop applicable preaching and
teaching, and who stop at nothing to get the new kind of preacher!
Brethren
beware! It is quite possible that you know of such things happening among us.
Old warnings need to be issued today for apostasy has a repeated pattern
throughout the ages of the church.