The Truth in Print Vol. 21 Issue 4, May 2015
A Publication of the Valley church of Christ,
2375 W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364 (928-782-5058)
Website
Address ~ http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com
“Thank you for the strong
words.”
Some
“visitors” complain about hearing the truth concerning something they refuse to
accept, although it is God’s word. For an example see last month’s article,
“You mentioned “going to Hell,” with accent.” You may read this article at http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com/articles/hell.htm
. It presents a prevalent example of one who has his “own” concept of God (“my
god”) that allows him to deny basic New Testament teaching; such get their
feathers ruffled when they hear what they don’t like nor want from God’s Word.
It doesn’t just happen with Hell as depicted there, but with many other topics
that are important to understanding God’s eternal plan to save us in Christ.
The above title is also a quotation from a
visitor, but of a much different nature than this just mentioned. This sister
said, “I want you to know it is good to hear strong words used. Back home we
don’t get that.” The thing that bothers too many brethren today, and it sadly
lacking because of that, is proper application to the brotherhood, the local
church, other local churches, and individual lives. She made some good
“application” herself – a wonderfully strong statement concerning a member who
isn’t coming. In no way did she indicate that it was otherwise and that she
just could not attend at all. She said they had a member who says she’s sick,
but sets at home and watches that “dribble” from the fake T.V. evangelists on
healing, and then when we admonish her we’re not loving enough and too hard.”
Sound familiar?
The Need
2Ti 4:1
I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall
judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2Ti 4:2
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke,
exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
2Ti 4:3
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but
after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching
ears;
2Ti 4:4
And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned
unto fables.
2Ti 4:5
But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an
evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
It is this simple. If your local church
lacks strong preaching then blame yourself! Paul put blame on those who setting
and listening who cannot endure sound doctrine, and because of that hire and
cater to worthless teachers and preachers who allow their lusts — the members
themselves covet money, popularity with man not God, pleasures and carnal lusts
— and the permissive teaching and preaching tickles their ears!
The General Condition
Her statement reminded me of
the condition among the seven churches of Asia Minor (Rev. 2-4). There was no
regional or district headquarters for churches of Christ had no such thing!
Each church was responsible for its own work. But the Lord emphasized that
close attention must be paid to what He said about the condition in each of
these as a lesson for all. And what do we find? We find five of the seven with
errors that must be corrected. In some of these five we find a “repetition” of
idolatry and sexual immoralities. One has a reputation they have built that
says they are “alive”, but the Lord said “but you are dead.” That kind of
reputation is built upon lies and depends upon sympathetic men pleasers “outside”
the membership who help them promote it. Then there’s the church that was rich
materially — they’d worked hard and over the years had become wealthy — being
blind spiritually and full every kind of immorality they did not know they were
wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked!
So brethren, “Everybody’s doing it!” didn’t
fly with the Lord in these churches. And what is the “general” condition of the
churches in the region you live in? Where you come from?
Fearful of strong words
I’ve been preaching for a long time now. I
look at myself and those I knew who began preaching about the same time I did
—- Lord willing we’ll have more years but it’s been a while. I know some are
hated for preaching the Word as it ought to be. You’d have to fit into the
rebuke that Paul gave in 2 Tim. 4:3-4 to be so stupid that you’d think that it
wasn’t “a time” for members, teachers,
preachers, deacons and elders to “man up” (cf. I Cor. 16:13).
Has your church placed being patient to the
point of being negligent in church discipline above the Lord’s disciplinary
commands as is so common among our churches? There are both “collective” and
“individual” responsibilities presented in these verses: Matt. 18:15-17; I Cor.
5: 1-2, 9-13, 6:9-10; I Thes. 5:14; 2 Thes. 3:6, 14. Does this saying fit? “At what point does the
church stop being too patient and stop neglecting church discipline?”
Men of the church letting sisters down
I shared this sister’s comment with the
church; told them exactly what she said. I was proud to tell them and they were
proud to hear it. It didn’t bother them in the least. We’ve had visitors from
time to time, who obviously had not the faintest idea what the church Christ
built is about though some claimed membership — and they showed it by their
statements and conduct — thus this was a worthwhile statement to be shared and
enjoyed by all.
We’ve seen it all “visitor wise.” Probably
because our newspaper articles bring the curious who never go beyond just being
curious — thus not seeking a local church of Christ where “sound doctrine”
belongs being taught and practiced (cf. Phil. 1:27; Jude 3). Those who love
darkness hate the Light of Christ’s word, and do not come to the light lest
their deeds should be reproved, Jesus said (Jo. 3:19-21).
We’ve seen the wealthy in Christ’s church
who felt like a $1 token contribution was serving the Lord. We’ve observed
visitors fly out of here with the rebuke the Word of God gave them stamped on
their faces. At times they can’t even make it through Bible class “worship”.
That’s right Bible class is the worship of God!
Are
men in the church where you worship letting sisters in Christ down? Just
because sisters in Christ cannot abandon the role God gave them and start
teaching over men, and usurping the authority of men (cf. I Tim. 2:11-12; I
Cor. 14:34) — that doesn’t mean that they can’t know when doctrinal matters are
being intentionally overlooked, and church discipline is not being applied as
it should be to all.
Their knowledge and willingness to uphold
sound doctrine is a great sustaining factor in the success of every sound
church (cf. Rom. 16:1-2; Phil. 1:27). They have their part as members in
fulfilling the commands in I Thes. 5:14, as well as in withdrawing
“collectively” and not associating with “individually.” And some of them take
their work seriously. God bless them!
By Bob Lovelace
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