August 12, 2001 Volume 2 Number 32
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Departing From God 2 Last week we considered the fact that we can depart from God. In Isa 59:2 we find these words, “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.” It is sin that separates us from God, and if we allow sin to take seed in our hearts, we will perish. God wants people who are dedicated and devoted to him, not to this world. We briefly looked at some of the reasons people depart from God. Some of these reasons are the influence of false religious leaders, an overabundance of self-confidence, and a love for the world. Let’s consider some others. First of all, persecution can be a great power. This is the lesson of the “stony ground hearer.” In Matt 13:20-21 we read, “But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.” The power of this force foretold by Christ. In a discussion of latter times he says in Matt 24:12-13, “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” Sometimes it is our best relationships in this world that are part of the problem. There can be a fear of displeasing loved ones, friends, employers, etc., which may lead to our apostasy. Pleasing man and serving Christ is incompatible. In Gal 1:10, “For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.” We must be careful not to fall into this trap. This was Saul’s downfall. He sinned because he “feared the people” (1 Sam 15:24). We also must not fall into the trap of seeking good through evil. Some think the end justifies the means. Rom 3:7-8, “For if the truth of God has increased through my lie to His glory, why am I also still judged as a sinner? And why not say, "Let us do evil that good may come"?--as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just.” Are we going to sin, simply because the result of our action is to glorify God? People might not ask the question in that fashion, but that is the result. When people engage in activities not authorized by God's word, even though the purpose is to glorify God, they are in sin and are condemned. The use of instruments in the worship is designed to glorify God by those who use them. The Bible condemns such (Eph 5:19; Col 3:16). If people change this or that doctrine because they want to---the end will be glory for the person, not God. Many think because the Bible was written a long time ago that it is inadequate today, you see we have problems today that those people didn't have, as a result, we will create new commands that will deal with the problems of today. So people try to help God out of some difficulties. Solomon wrote in Eccl 1:10, “’Is there anything of which it may be said, ‘See, this is new’? It has already been in ancient times before us.” Nothing is new under the sun. And finally on our list, there is the deceitfulness of sin. People often commit sin, thinking it is not sin. We can become hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. In Heb 3:13 the writer says, “but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” That sin is very deceptive is well known to everyone who has examined carefully the workings and operations of his own heart. It has by the fall of man been implanted as a principle in human nature. Paul writes, “that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts” (Eph 4:22). Also consider Rom 7:11, “For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me.” Paul continues in verses 18-24, “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” Results of Departing: Historically, it kept Israel out of Canaan (Heb 3:10-11) and it will keep us out of heaven. It is easy to drift away from God. It usually starts out very gradually but soon you have severed yourself completely from God. We need to adhere to God's word in order to be saved and enter into eternal rest.
by Roger Campbell What member of the body of Christ has not heard or made the above statement? I personally am grateful to the Lord for allowing me and my family to be acquainted with so many great gospel preachers. It has truly been a wonderful lessing and great encouragement to us. When people make the comment, "He's a good preacher," what do they usually have in mind? Good looking? A good speaker? Good with kids? Good at not stepping on anybody's toes? Let's consider some criteria that people sometimes have in mind when they refer to a person as "a good preacher." To many, a man is a good preacher if he is a Powerful/Dynamic Speaker. In their mind, if a man is a good speaker, then he is "a good preacher." Tertullus, who before Felix "led the charge" against Paul in accusing him of wrongdoing, was an "orator" (Acts 24:1). Granted, he was not a preacher, but regardless of who he was, his being a wonderful speaker did not change his false statements into the truth (Acts 24:5,6). The sad reality is the religious world is full of folks who are extremely talented public speakers that deceive the hearts of the simple "by good and fair speeches" (Romans 16:18). Many congregations of God's people have been led down the wrong path by hiring a preacher who impressively delivered two sermons on tryout Sunday." Some have found out too late that the impressive speaker whom they hired is not prepared or willing to preach the truth of Jesus Christ. Some of the change agents in the church are outstanding speakers, but what value is that when they preach a perverted message? (Galatians 1:6-8). May God help us to see that being an effective communicator in the pulpit ("a good speaker") does not automatically make one "a good preacher" in God's sight. Yet others seem to think that every Persuasive Preacher is a good one. It is true that God's preachers must be able to reprove, rebuke, and exhort (2 Timothy 4:2). However, being a persuasive speaker does not make one "a good preacher" in the eyes of Jehovah. Some of the denominational preachers on TV can really turn on the crocodile tears and get folks worked up, arousing multitudes of gullible listeners to send in the big bucks to support their "ministry." Are they persuasive? You bet they are. Why? Be cause Satan is a pro at getting people to accept perverted messages that are preached by persuasive speakers (Galatians 3:1; 5:7). Of some the Holy Spirit said, "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light" (2 Corinthians 11:13,14). While preachers ought to do their best to sharpen their skills at public speaking, it is a fact that not all persuasive preachers are good ones before God. More than a few consider the mark of a good preacher is to be one that Produces Growth (More People). We all rejoice with the angels of heaven when people obey the gospel, or when erring members of the church are restored to their first love (Luke 15:7,10). But if a preacher is able to preach in such a way as to get more folks to fill the pews, does that make him a good preacher before the Lord? Not necessarily. Some who fill pulpits in churches of Christ are entertainers that are simply masquerading as evangelists. They can keep folks "cracked up" and happy with jokes and stories, and that is appealing to a lot of worldly-minded people in our society today. We thank God for scriptural baptisms and genuine restorations that cause true growth in numbers in His kingdom. But let's be careful to not give too much credit to the preacher when such growth occurs. At the same time let us be cautious in pointing an accusing finger at him if such growth is slow in coming. We all surely recognize that there are many factors involved that affect a congregation's numerical growth, or lack of such. Please take note: an increase in attendance at services does not prove that the preacher is doing a great job, nor does a decrease in attendance prove that there's something wrong with the preacher. Could it be the case that some evaluate preachers on the length of their sermons, so for them a good preacher is one that Preaches Short Sermons? Wouldn't we all like to know at what time Paul began his lesson that went until midnight and during which Eutychus went to sleep and fell from the third loft (Acts 20:7-9)?! The truth is, there is no biblical evidence for stating that the good preacher is one that keeps his lessons short. We fear that today in the church some want a preacher that is Pretty Good At Not Stepping On People's Toes. Yes, to them that is what makes a good preacher. They don't want to hear any preaching on such moral issues as drinking, dancing, and divorce, 'cause those topics and others like them might get on people's toes. Those who serve as preachers need to speak with kindness and without any desire to intentionally be offensive to their listeners. But each of us must realize that the gospel of Christ is offensive to some people. Look at the treatment the first century preachers received from those who didn't like the gospel's message (Cf. Acts 4,5,7,8,9,12,14,16,19). If the reasoning of some were true, since people got upset about the preaching done by the apostles, Stephen, and others, then those brothers would just not be good preachers! God's Book indicates otherwise. We hope that it is now obvious that before we label someone as "a good preacher," we ought to consider other matters than the ones that we noted above. We suggest that it would be in order to ask the following questions to help us determine if a man is "a good preacher." First: Does he live a godly life - does he live the truth? Preachers are charged to be a good example for others (1 Timothy 4:12), to take heed to themselves (1 Timothy 4:16), and to act as "a pattern of good works" (Titus 2:7). If a brother falls short in this area, then despite everything else that might be said in his favor, he is not "a good preacher." Second: Does he preach the truth, the whole counsel of God? God's preachers are instructed, "But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine" (Titus 2:1). "Preach the word" is the clear message to all that strive to "do the work of an evangelist" (2 Timothy 4:2,5). The apostle Paul told shepherds from Ephesus, "Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God" (Acts 0:26,27). The church needs more preachers who stick with the Bible and preach the whole counsel of God. Those who don't are not "good preachers." Third: Does he preach the truth in love? It is one thing to preach the truth. It is another matter to preach it with a sincere love for those that hear it. The compassion of the Master must be in the heart of every gospel preacher (Mark 6:34), as preaching the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) surely characterizes God's "good preacher." Fourth: Does he work diligently for the sake of the kingdom when he is not "in the pulpit?" It appears to me that for some time now in the church we have been moving toward a special class of men whom some call "pulpit ministers." The mentality of some is that all a "pulpit preacher" does (or needs to do) is get two sermons ready each week for Sunday and be prepared to teach a Bible class or two. We readily recognize the need for preachers to spend time, a great amount of time, in studying and preparing themselves to deliver public lessons. Shame on preachers who do not put forth the necessary effort to be prepared to stand before others to teach or preach Jehovah's word. We further understand the importance of public preaching "in the pulpit," as we call it. Gospel preachers are willing to preach from the pulpit of a church building, under a tree, on the street, or wherever else people will attentively listen to the saving gospel of Christ (Romans 1:15,16). Evangelists must not allow themselves to think of Sunday and the day of mid-week Bible classes as their only work days. We need preachers who are always abounding in the work of the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58), and that includes being active in the kingdom when they are not standing before an audience. Thanks be to the Father for sending to earth the model preacher of all ages, Jesus Christ. Now HE was a good preacher! From LemmonsAid The Spirit Expressly Says
... 2 Timothy 3:16,17 The apostle Paul wrote: "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching. for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work" (2 Tim. 3:16,17). The Bible is our authority for Worship, Salvation and how we are to live as Christians. The Bible is the place where answers can be found in our struggles on this earth. The Bible has weathered many battles and yet, it still endures. Food For Thought Quite often when a man thinks his mind is getting broader, it's only his conscience stretching. "Unto the pure all things are pure; but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.” Titus 1:15 It is better to look ahead and prepare than to look back and regret. "And he will go on before the lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of righteousness - to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." Luke 1:17 We
hope you find this bulletin useful in your Bible study. 2
Sam 22:31
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