Faith In God II
Carlos Aguilar

Last week we introduced the subject of “Faith in God.” Another area we can know if we are like those faithful men and women of the Bible is if we love God as we should. Sometimes in a discussion with someone about the scriptures they might respond by saying, “I have never heard it put that way. Those definitions are foreign to me.” They might not be use to hearing words defined in such a fashion. It is often because the language used to describe Biblical principles by some religious groups, are foreign to the things taught in Scripture.

We are living in a world where words are very loosely defined; words have multiple meaning, depending on who is saying what and when. Well, the Bible is not designed that way. When God says something he means it. He means exactly what he said. One of those words or phrases, which is often incorrectly defined or misrepresented, is love. We hear people of all walks speak of love. "I love God, He loves me."

If a man were to tell a woman that he loves her with all his heart, there are certain things she is naturally going to expect to follow. She would expect him to treat her with respect and concern. She would expect him to protect her against harm. She would expect him to remember her birthday, anniversary and other special occasions. She would expect definite things from him. If these things do not come, then the woman has to reassess his words. If he tells her he loves her, and never calls again, or does not follow through with other commitments than there will be doubts in her mind.

Jesus defines what loving God means. In Matt 22:36-40 the Bible says, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?" Jesus said to him," 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' "This is the first and great commandment. (39) "And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself. "On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” The whole law and prophets hangs on this command and the one like it. If you fulfill these two commands you would not even need the rest of the law as law, only as statements of what God desired to see.

We are to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind. How is that done? Let's look at 1Jn 5:2-3, where it is defined again. John writes, “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.”

By obeying we demonstrate to God that we are devoted to him, that we appreciate him, that we seek to please him, that we (dare I say it) love him. This is also true of our Savior Jesus Christ. Note the following verses. John 14:15-"If you love Me, keep My commandments”. John 14:21-24-"He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him." Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, "Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?" Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. "He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father's who sent Me.” John 15:9-"As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.” That is love defined by the Bible. Do you love God enough to submit fully to his word? Many people claim they love God but they walk in their own paths. In Matt 7:21-23-"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” To reject the words of the Bible will only bring condemnation because they prove a lack of love toward God.

Conclusion

We need to have faith in the promises of God and be willing to sacrifice all for him, because he sacrificed all for us. Demonstrate your faith and your love by obeying God, and he will deliver you. When individuals of the N.T. times were taught the Gospel, they demonstrated their love by obeying the glad tiding of our Lord. He instructed His disciples to make disciples of all the nations by baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. They did exactly that. Individuals were saved by a strict adherence (obedience) to God's word. And many years later the apostle Peter wrote in his first epistle. 1Pet 3:20-21. Baptism now saves us!!!! The verse says, who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. (21) There is also an antitype which now saves us-- baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ”

WHY SOME CHURCHES DO NOT HAVE ELDERS
By David J. Riggs 
(Note: I obtained some of the thoughts for the following sermon from Aude McKee).

Brother Irvin Lee once made the statement, "If a congregation had a good building paid for, and traded it for good elders, they would have made a good trade." Amen! Brethren, in many cases, do not understand the importance of having elders. In this lesson, we want to explore some reasons why churches do not have elders. Perhaps it will help us in our need here in this congregation.

Some might think, "Why have elders when we are getting along fine without them?" Churches usually do fairly well until a severe problem arises, and then the roof caves in. Without elders a church is lacking in God's sight. Titus 1:5 Every local congregation is to have elders. Acts 14:23 Elders are needed to more fully obey God. Heb 13:17; 1 Thess 5:12-13 Most members would readily follow elders if they were appointed.

Organization is important in other endeavors. For example, try running a business or factory without management. In our business meetings, it is often difficult to bring about a final decision. Having elders alleviates this problem. It is not good to have a flock without shepherds. Without elders, often the case is either all sheep or all shepherds. Sheep are prone to stray when there are no shepherds. There are many spiritual wolves in our world today. The lambs need special attention. Most members of the church don't want to be presumptuous or self-willed; thus, they won't take control. In other words, no one has given them any authority, and they will not usurp what is not theirs.

Discipline can be more fully handled. The business meeting arrangement often takes far too long in accomplishing any good. We need God-appointed "watchmen" in behalf of souls. Heb 13:17 Benevolence can be more proficiently administered. Acts 11:27-30

There are members in some congregations who are looking for perfect men. Those who look upon the qualifications as demanding perfection will never find men who are qualified. Some of the qualifications are relative. For example, he must be "Blameless." 1 Tim 3:2 This does not mean that he has never committed a sin. Peter was an elder (1 Pet 5:1); yet, look at his background. Matt 26:69-75; Gal 2:11

We are not saying that men do not need to meet the qualifications as given in 1 Tim 3 and Titus 1. We are simply saying that some congregations are hoping that someday some "perfect men" will move in with them and serve as elders. It will never happen!

Please consider some of the blessings of having elders. The congregation will be more united. A strong leadership means a united membership. The flock will be fed and the lambs nourished. Acts 20:28; 1 Pet 5:2 The followers will be more dutiful. Strong leaders provide work for all. They encourage and incite us to more fully obey God. The church more readily maintains its autonomy. Weak churches often lose their independence by relying too much on other churches. They are often pressured into following error; e.g., when a brotherhood "issue" arises. More souls will be reached. When there are leaders who build enthusiasm, more will be done. For example, some elders purposefully over estimate their budget, and then call on all the members to give to the best of their ability.

How often have we heard the statement, "It's better to have no elders at all than to have unqualified elders?" This statement is true; however, we can't let the fear of making a mistake keep us from obeying God. The dangers we face now, are the same one faced in the first century. Elders back then went astray (Acts 20:28-31); yet, in spite of the danger, churches were encouraged to appoint elders. The fact that some men might go astray, or later not be what they ought to be, should not discourage us from doing the Lord's will.

It takes a lot of maturity on the part of any congregation to faithfully compare men with the qualification as given in 1 Tim. 3 and Titus 1. We need the maturity to lay aside our own personal likes and dislikes, and objectively look at the men in view of God's given qualifications.

Furthermore, the men under consideration must be mature and humble enough to view the objections if there are any. They must do so with no ill will, and with a desire to improve their lives. I heard of one humble brother who stated that he would serve as an elder if so chosen, but if not, he would serve in any way suggested by the church.

Many sermons on the eldership are preached twenty years too late. We need much training in preparing our young men to become elders. Most of the qualifications for elders start long before the man is of proper age. Churches often have programs in training young men to preach. Along with these, more importantly, we need programs to develop our young men to become elders. Our young married women need to help their husbands develop the needed qualities. The proving ground for elders is in their own homes. 1 Tim 3:4-5 The number-one cause which disqualifies many from being elders is, "Unfaithful children."

Some are afraid of the potential criticism. Because of the criticism, sometimes wives discourage their husbands from serving as elders. Criticism is a natural consequence of public teaching. Any public teacher is under public scrutiny. There will be times when elders might make poor decisions; however, they learn by experience and are thereby able to do better in the future.

Some do not serve simply because they do not want the responsibility. It is true that serving as an elder is a fearful responsibility. There are sinners who need to be rebuked, gainsayers who must be convicted, unruly and vain talkers who must be stopped. Titus 1:9-11

However, we need men who will rise to the occasion, and do their best in serving God in this matter. Some are too busy with material things to serve. It's a fact that overseeing the flock requires lots of time and energy; however, again, someone needs to do it. We need men who will re-arrange their work schedules and serve God in this capacity.

Some will not serve simply because they are interested in their own affairs. There are men in the various churches who do a lot of fishing, hunting, and camping. Some are gone every other weekend. Some want to go to Florida during the winter months. We need men who are willing to put the Lord first. Another reason some men will not serve, and this probably accounts for more than any other, is because of a feeling of I want to ask, "What man truly feels adequate for the job?" When one considers the responsibility of watching for other's souls, and the fact that he will give account to God as to how well he does it, it is indeed a fearful thought. Nevertheless, there are fearful responsibilities laid upon all Christians. 2 Cor 5:10-11a; 1 Pet 3:15 We need men who will look to the Lord for strength, meet the challenge, and do their best in this much needed work.

No doubt, the reason some churches do not have elders is simply because they do not have men who are qualified. Nevertheless, there are other reasons some churches do not have elders. Let us encourage our men to serve if they are qualified, and let us encourage those who are not qualified to strive to become qualified. Appointing elders in a church should never be taken lightly. It is a serious matter that demands our attention and prayers. Let us all pray that God will help us in fulfilling His will by someday having an eldership. Let us also pray that the eldership will be everything God intended it to be.

The question is not whether God is able to work miracles. Certainly He is able. But the question is "Does God follow His own laws?" God is powerful enough to do whatever He wills. However, the nature of God is such, that He wills to work in an orderly way. Consider that, God is able to destroy the world with a flood, but will He? No, because He has set the rainbow in the sky as a sign of His promise that He will not. He will not break the promise that He has made

God is able to grow a watermelon out of an acorn, but will He? No, He stated from creation that a seed would bring forth after its kind. He would not break the law He made. God is able to save an impenitent liar, murderer, and thief, but will He? No, because He has established in the Scriptures the law of "repent or perish" (Luke 13:3). He will not change that which He revealed in the Scriptures

God works through His eternal purpose--Paul stated that God works "according to the counsel of His will" (Eph. 1:11). God's will and God's plan and God's laws do not contradict.

We hope you find this bulletin useful in your Bible study.

2 Sam 22:31
 As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. NKJV

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