The Truth In Print, Vol. 14
Issue 1, Feb. 2008
Selected Newspaper Articles From
The Valley Church Of Christ
Dear reader the following bold headings are
selected articles that appeared in our local newspaper the Yuma Sun. The intent
of these articles is that each shows a love for and desire
to present the Truth without incorporating the emotional flavor so popular with
other religious bodies today. The first of four articles titled “I’m Mr.
Positive!” bespeaks of the empty, vain, teaching and preaching done today by
popular speakers who serve themselves and not the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom.
16:17). Consider that the last three articles aim at giving concerned people
some idea of what Jesus really did say. We encourage you to read each of
scriptures referenced to understand your own accountability (Jo. 12:48; Matt.
7:21-27).
I’m Mr. Positive!
Many are preaching in such a way that there
is no scriptural definition of who a Christian truly is. Mr. PMA (Positive Mental Attitude) can avoid
every probing question as to soundness in teaching and love for truth with,
“You’ve got to understand, I’m just being me in being totally positive in my
message.” With that pleasing tone of voice and million dollar smile he adds,
“You see this is the real me, the way God made me.” Whoever he might be he can
apply his answer to all questions that might be asked him:
1. Question: Why don’t you use scripture in your lessons, after all this
is what is required of preachers and teachers (cf. 2 Tim. 4:1-5)? A
corresponding to the above reply would go something like this: “You know that’s
not in me. I mean, I just try to be positive and talk about things people
enjoy.”
2. Questions: Why don’t you rebuke sinful conduct? You don’t teach the
necessity of repentance that must precede obedience as the apostles did, why
not? (cf. Lk. 13:3, Acts 2:37-38, Rev. 3:14-19)? A
corresponding reply would have similar meaning to: “You know I’m just me, Mr.
PMA! That’s not my ministry and there are others who do a much better job with
that kind of thing I’m sure.” What he’s sure of is that he’s not about to
preach the whole counsel of God and turn away contributors! (Read carefully I Th. 2:3-8, Acts 20:25-32). How cleaver the liars who hide
true motives concerning their love of riches, fame, and power behind “I’m Mr.
PMA!” To read an article on this sinful positive attitude philosophy go to ~
http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com/articles/pma.html .
The Majority Know “Another” Jesus
The church at Corinth gladly tolerated fools
who taught another Jesus and different gospel, Paul said (2 Cor. 11:4,
19). To give you some idea of how little
people do know about Jesus and what He really said consider the below
applications from the gospel of John:
1. John 3:18-21. This follows John 3:16 which everyone can quote. The
reason for not accepting Christ’s word is you love darkness rather than Light.
The motive for not coming is your fear that your evil deeds will be identified
for what they really are!
2. John 4:17-18. That someone who is just living with you is not your
husband and you are fornicators!
3. John 5:44. Your mutual backslappers club that loves the praise of man
more than God will never get honor from God!
4. John 8:31-32. Those who tell you that you cannot know the truth are the
liars!
5. John 6:26. You are coming for the food and your own selfish desires and
God knows it!
6. John 7:24.
When will you quit judging by appearance, emotion and worldly standards? When
you ignore God’s word, justice is never upheld, the wicked surround the
righteous and justice comes out perverted!
7. John 9:41. Quit saying that you
understand God’s word for you don’t accept it when you hear it!
8. John 14:24. Who in the world told you that the fact you don’t keep My words does not prove that you do not love Me? (cp. Jo.
14:15, I Jo. 2:3-5)
9. John 15:22. You have no pretense (excuse) for your sin because you have
heard My word!
The Majority Know “Another” Jesus #2
The church at Corinth gladly tolerated fools
who taught another Jesus and different gospel, Paul said (cf. 2 Cor. 11:4,
19). It is possible for one to read the trifling
literature of fools and possess a completely false view of Jesus. To know the
real Jesus read carefully the Gospels for yourself.
Here’s a start:
1. Luke 6:43-45. Bad conduct comes from an evil heart. Only flatterers and
those who stand to gain for themselves blame alcohol, drugs and “addictions”
for one’s bad conduct (cp. Rom. 6:16).
2. Luke 6:46-49. You hypocrite! While praising Jesus as Lord you please
yourself and do not do what He says.
3. Luke 8:4-15. You chocked His Word! His word is not in your life and you
will be lost for putting the activities of life, your riches, and the pleasures
of the world first before Him.
4. Luke 13:1-5. Quit talking
about those whom you think represent the ones going to hell. Realize that you
are going to hell if you don’t study His word, repent and obey! (cf. Mk. 16:15-16; Acts 2:37-41; I Cor.
6:8-10; 2 Th. 1:7-10)
5. LK. 11:42-44. The
human tradition you obey causes you to despise Christ’s justice, and the true
love of God that rebukes and convicts the sinner! You love the praise man gives
more than you love God (cp. Jo. 12:43; Rev. 3:19).
6. Lk. 11:45-52. You say you
are insulted. Here’s more! You have locked the door to salvation by your human
tradition. You allow others the wickedness you yourself partake of, and you
work hard to keep others from truly repenting and obeying the Gospel!
The Majority Know “Another” Jesus #3
The church at Corinth gladly tolerated fools
who taught another Jesus and different gospel, Paul said (cf. 2 Cor. 11:4,
19). It is possible for one to read the
trifling literature of fools and possess a completely false view of Jesus. Read
the Gospels for yourself. Here’s a start with applications from Matthew:
1. Matt. 15:19. Homosexuality is sin.
Jesus’ condemnation of “fornications” includes illicit sexual
intercourse such as adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, and
intercourse with animals!
2. Matt. 19:3-9. You do not
have a right before God to do as you like by divorcing your mate for just any
reason. To do so “except for fornication” and marry another is to commit
adultery, and whoever marries the one who is put away commits adultery!
3. Matt. 28:18-20. Jesus has “all” authority. “All” means “all”! Being
“multi-faith” is not a possibility with Christ! Some tolerate fools who make
statements about “inter-faith” possibilities being exciting!
4. Matt. 28:18-20. If you have not been baptized into Christ for the
remission of your sins you are not yet saved! The point at which Christians
equally share in having forgiveness of sins and blessings “in Christ” is their
obedience in baptism as a result of their own faith in His word (cf. Rom.
10:17; Gal. 3:26-27;I Cor. 12:13; Acts 2:38-42).
5. Matt. 22:21. The local church acting collectively has no business in
politics and the government has no business telling the church what to believe
and practice! The church is in the business of saving souls! (cf. 1 Tim. 3:15;
I Cor. 14:26)
Note: You may
also read the entire three “The Majority Know Another
Jesus” at ~
http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com/articles/anotherjesus.htm .