abril 411

8/10/2019 Abril 411

1/8

April 2011 Seek The Old Paths 25

Vol. 22, No. 4 April 2011

THECHURCHISNOTA BUSINESSRusty Stark

Congregations of the Lordschurch must conduct business.They have bills to pay and items

to purchase. They have overhead andsalaries and insurances to consider.Leaders often meet for businessmeetings. But the Lords church is notprimarily a business. If we forget thisfact we are in danger of departurefrom the Lords pattern.

DENOMINATIONAL DEPARTURES

Many in the denominational world

have long since gone the way of profes-sional business: As Adam McClaneputs it:

Churches hire HR professionals... Churches acquire other churches. Churches hire MBAs to be Execu-

tive Pastors. Churches hire CPAs to run their

finance departments. Churches hire advertising execu-

tives to run their marketingdepartments. Churches havedepartments!

Churches have board rooms, saferooms, and even war rooms.1

There are many, even in thedenominational world, who see theerror of this:

The Church has been using busi-ness models for a long time. It hasbeen quite fashionable for churchleaders to borrow jargon, organiza-tional structures, mission and

vision foci, and leadership stylesfrom the business world in recent

memory. In this paradigm, makingdisciples of Jesus Christ is equat-ed with selling a product or serv-ice.2

Maybe the problem was when wethought that it would be a goodidea for the church to follow busi-ness models in the first place.Maybe what we should do is stoptrying to be like the businessworld and start trying to be thechurch. Maybe God has a bettermodel for the church than a mar-ket-driven consultation firm.3

When our leaders think in busi-ness terms, we ought not be sur-prised when they act like corpo-rate executives and our parish-ioners act like consumers. We arenot peddlers for God. Neither areparishioners people who ought tobe shopping for the next best expe-rience.4

GOOD STEWARDSHIP

This article is not against wisestewardship. As individuals, we must

begood stewards of the manifold graceof God (1 Peter 4:10). If we should bethus in our households, regarding ourown private affairs, how much moreimportant is it that we exercise stew-ardship over the Lords money andbusiness?

We must acknowledge at the out-set that many principles from the busi-ness world come under the heading ofgood stewardship. Keeping overheadlow, avoiding wasteful practices, mak-ing necessary purchases in a wise way all of these are things we must be

concerned about. In addition, manyprinciples of salesmanship are alsonatural and scriptural elements in thespreading of the Gospel.

But still, we must insist that theLords church is not a business. 1) It isnot to be MARKETED as the businessworld markets itself. 2) It is not basedon a BUSINESS MODEL. And 3)DECISIONS for the body must not bebased primarily on business princi-ples. These three points will provide uswith an outline.

MARKETING

Marketing is not the same as sell-ing or salesmanship. There are 4 Ps tomarketing: Product, Place, Price, andPromotion. Marketing is the process ofadjusting these 4 things to reach thegreatest number of consumers.5 Thetrouble with bringing this over into thechurch is that we do not have Godsauthority to adjust these things.1. With the goal of attracting people

to the church, some have tried tomake adjustments to the Prod-

uct. This has resulted in efforts tomake the Gospel less offensive andmore appealing and to leave outhard doctrines regarding hell andsin and guilt. Gods word has beenforever settled in heaven (Psalm119:89). We have no right to addto, take away from, or adjust it inany way. It is the word of God (2Tim. 3:16-17).

2. Some have tried to adjust the

(Continued on page 28)

Not A Business

8/10/2019 Abril 411

2/8

You cant meet someone on thestreet, enter into a conver-staion of the Bible and that

person become a Christian rightthere on the spot. The man-made sys-tem of denominationalism says a per-son can. It says an individual cansimply ask Jesus to come into theirheart to be their savior and thats allthere is to it salvation is the result.But, such is far from the truth. Salva-tion does not come by mans ways andthinking, it comes from God (cf. Isa.55:8-9). What does the Bible say?

One thing common to allmankind is sin. As it is written, Thereis none righteous, no, not one:...For allhave sinned, and come short of theglory of God(Rom. 3:10,23). Becauseof their sin, there are a number ofthings people must learn, under-stand, believe and do in order to havetheir sins forgiven and become a child

of God a Christian.Jesus said, No man can come tome, except the Father which hath sentme draw him: and I will raise him upat the last day. It is written in theprophets, And they shall be alltaught of God. Every man thereforethat hath heard, and hath learnedof the Father, cometh unto me (John6:44-45). The Lord plainly said peoplemust be taught. This is done byhearingthe word of God and learn-ing what Gods will is (cf. Rom.10:17). The end result therefore is to

obey what has been learned.There are certain essentialthings that one must know, under-stand, believe and obey in order to besaved.

One must believe and under-stand that God exists. Know ye thatthe LORD he is God: it is he that hathmade us, and not we ourselves; we arehis people, and the sheep of his pas-ture (Psalm 100:3). There is OneGod and Father of all, who is aboveall, and through all, and in you all(Eph. 4:6). Thine, O LORD, is the

greatness, and the power, and theglory, and the victory, and themajesty: for all that is in the heavenand in the earth is thine; thine is thekingdom, O LORD, and thou artexalted as head above all(1 Chron.29:11). O the depth of the riches bothof the wisdom and knowledge of God!how unsearchable are his judgments,and his ways past finding out! ... Forof him, and through him, and to him,are all things: to whom be glory forever(Rom. 11:33,36). For the LORDis a great God(Psalm 95:3).

One must believe and under-stand that sin is a violation ofGods Will. Whosoever committethsin transgresseth also the law: for sinis the transgression of the law (1John 3:4). ...For where no law is,there is no transgression(Rom. 4:15;cf. 5:13). All unrighteousness is sin...(1 John 5:17).

One must believe and under-stand that sin separates us fromGod. No one is exempt from sin.There is none righteous, no, not one.... For all have sinned and come shortof the glory of God (Rom. 3:23,10).The LORDS hand is not shortened,that it cannot save; neither his earheavy, that it cannot hear: But youriniquities have separated between youand your God, and your sins have hidhis face from you, that he will nothear(Isa. 59:1-2). Before becoming achild of God, one is ...dead in tres-

passes and sin(Eph. 2:1). Sin defilesa person (Mark 7:20-23). When oneturns from what is right and commitsthat which is wrong (sin), he will payfor his evil, if not in this life, in thejudgment to come (Ezek. 18:26-30).

God desires that all men every-where turn from their evil so theywill not have to suffer for it....Repent, and turn yourselves fromall your transgressions; so iniquityshall not be your ruin. Cast awayfrom you all your transgressions,whereby ye have transgressed; and

make you a new heart and a new spir-it: for why will ye die? ...For I have nopleasure in the death of him thatdieth, ...wherefore turn yourselves,and live ye(Ezek. 18:30-32).

One must believe and under-stand that if he dies separatedfrom God (because of his sins) helooses his soul for eternity inhell. For the wages of sin is death(Rom. 6:23). The death spoken of hereis spiritual death eternal separa-tion from God. To be separated fromGod means separation from every-thing that is good, true and holy....God is light, and in him is no dark-ness at all(1 John 1:5). Heaven is apure place where only righteousnessdwells. Blessed are they that do hiscommandments, that they may haveright to the tree of life, and may enterin through the gates into the city. Forwithout are dogs, and sorcerers, andwhoremongers, and murderers, andidolaters, and whosoever loveth andmaketh a lie(Rev. 22:14-15).

Eternal separation from Godoccurs when one dies and leaves lifeon this earth. No provision has beenmade by God to be saved from sinsafter we die. Woe unto the wicked! itshall be ill with him: for the reward ofhis hands shall be given him (Isa.3:11). The soul that sinneth, it shalldie. ...The wickedness of the wicked

shall be upon him(Ezek. 18:20).Those who sin and die withoutforgiveness will perish in utterdestruction (Luke 13:3,5). ...He thatbelieveth not the Son shall not seelife; but the wrath of God abidethon him(John 3:36,18). Sinners shallnot inherit the kingdom of heaven (1Cor. 6:9-11). The unforgiven ...shallhave their part in the lake whichburneth with fire and brim-stone...(Rev. 21:8).

Though sinners will perish, thereis continual consciousness of suffer-

ing, pain and agony. Jesus talkedabout those who ...go into hell, intothe fire that never shall bequenched: Where their worm diethnot, and the fire is not quenched(Mark 9:43-44). Hell is an everlastingplace of torment. Jesus said, ...departfrom me, ye cursed, into everlastingfire, prepared for the devil and hisangels: ...these shall go away intoeverlasting punishment: but therighteous into life eternal (Matt25:41,46; Luke 16:23).

Few are those who see the danger

26 Seek The Old Paths April 2011

WHATMUSTONEUNDERSTANDINORDER

TOBECOMEA CHILDOFGOD? #1Garland M. Robinson

8/10/2019 Abril 411

3/8

and approaching destruction. Manylaugh and scorn. Dont be among thatnumber. Jesus died and shed hisblood for you (Matt. 26:28). Withoutyour obedience, you will perish in adevils hell.

One must believe and under-stand that only in Jesus Christcan one have forgiveness (salva-tion) from sins and peace withGod. The religions of the world thinkthere are many saviors. But salvationis found in only one Jesus theChrist, the only begotten Son of God(John 3:16). Jesus plainly said, Iamthe way, the truth, and the life: and noman cometh unto the Father, but byme(John 14:6).

When Peter and John were beingexamined for healing the lame manat the gate of the temple, they said,Be it known unto you all...that by thename of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,whom ye crucified, whom God raisedfrom the dead... This is the stone

which was set at nought of youbuilders, which is become the head ofthe corner. Neither is there salva-tion in any other: for there is noneother name under heaven givenamong men, whereby we must besaved(Acts 4:10-12).

Christ died on a cross and shedhis precious blood in order to obtainthe forgiveness of sins for all human-ity (Matt. 26:28). For when we wereyet without strength, in due timeChrist died for the ungodly. ... ButGod commendeth his love toward us,in that, while we were yet sinners,Christ died for us.Much more then,being nowjustified by his blood, weshall be saved from wrath throughhim. For if, when we were enemies, wewere reconciled to God by thedeath of his Son, much more, beingreconciled, we shall be saved by hislife (Rom. 5:6-10,1-2). Forasmuchas ye know that ye were not redeemedwith corruptible things, as silver and

gold, from your vain conversationreceived by tradition from yourfathers; But with the precious bloodof Christ, as of a lamb without blem-ish and without spot (1 Peter 1:18-19).

Only Jesus has the words of eter-nal life (John 6:68). Jesus said, ...if yebelieve not that I am he, ye shall die inyour sins (John 8:24). God madeJesus, Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36)and appointed Him judge of the livingand dead (Acts 10:42; John 5:22)There is no other foundation (1 Cor3:11). For there is one God, and onemediator between God and men, theman Christ Jesus; Who gave himself aransom for all...(1 Tim. 2:5-6).

Do you believe? Dont let life slipby without obeying the Savior, Jesusthe Christ. Theres no salvation with-out it (Matt. 7:21-23). Jesus will onlysave those who obey him (Heb. 5:8-9)

Part 1 of 3


ISGODSWORDTOONARROW?Earl B. Claud

J

esus said, Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, andbroad is the way, that leadeth to destruction and many there bewhich go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the

way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it (Matt.7:13,14). The way to heaven is not a super highway with no hills. The wayto heaven is NOT the easy way. But some say it is just too hard. Is Godsway too hard?

The most difficult part of following God is to first give ourselves intohis control. Jesus said, If any man will come after me, let him deny him-self, and take up his cross, and follow me(Matt. 16:24). Again Jesus said,But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all thesethings shall be added unto you(Matt. 6:33).

It is not difficult to learn what God wants us to do to please him. Itis difficult to get people to obey it. Jesus said, He that believeth and isbaptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned(Matt.16:16). Is this to narrow? Peter preached by inspiration, Repent, and bebaptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of

sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit(Acts 2:38). We arealso told to confess Christ before men (Matt. 10:32,33; Rom. 10:9,10). Arethese too difficult and hard to do? When one is baptized into Christ, hebecomes a new babe in Christ (Rom. 6:3,4; Gal. 3:27; 2 Cor. 5:17; 1 Peter2:2). As a Christian, we are told how to live (Col. 3:1,2; Gal. 5:22,23; 1Peter 2:1,2; 2 Peter 1:5-10; 3:18). As Christians, we are also told what toavoid (Rom. 1:21-32; 1 Cor. 6:9-11; Gal. 5:19-21; Col. 3:5-10; 2 Tim. 3:1-7).

Are these too narrow or hard to follow to receive a home in heaven? WithGods help we can overcome the world and live with God forever (Phil.4:13; 1 John 2:14; 5:4).

106 Bradley Hill Dr.Dover, TN 37058

CONTRIBUTIONS

Rita Anglin....................................$10Chuck & Nancy Verkist...............$25Harold V. Hopkins......................$100King Ryder C/C,

Winthrop, AR .........................$50Floyd & Maxine Meeks................$20

Midland C/C, Midland, MI ........$200Baker C/C, Baker, FL...................$25Anonymous...................................$50Anonymous...................................$50Anonymous...................................$50Anonymous.................................$100Ruby York ...................................$190

Anonymous...................................$25Anonymous...................................$50Faye Wallace (in memory of

Dathine Bellah) .....................$25Clear Creek C/C, Corinth, MS ....$50Westside C/C, Idabel, OK ............$25Bobby & Mary Lawrence...........$100

Saks C/C, Anniston, AL ...............$50Robert M. Price...........................$200Robert M. Price...........................$225Everett & Sheila Spencer..........$100

Arlington C/C,McMinnville, TN....................$50

Beginning Balance.............$9,298.53Contributions...............$1,770.00

DebitsPaper ............................$1,875.00Postage .........................$2,022.61Supplies...........................$451.00

Ending Balance..................$6,719.92

8/10/2019 Abril 411

4/8


Place to something more accept-able to the masses. People whodont like to go to church mayaccept house churches, cottage

groups, gymnasium or theater-likeatmospheres, so long as they dontfeel like they are going to church.There is nothing wrong in meetingin any of these places. The churchis not the building, it is the peopleof God (1 Peter 2:5). But if thechurch is not the building, why putso much emphasis on a differenttype of building to meet in? Tomeet in a gymnasium or a theaterin an effort to substitute thesolemn, holy atmosphere of wor-ship with a casual, sensational,show-time, entertainment atmos-phere is wrong.

3. Similarly, some try to modify thePrice, i.e the demands the Gospelmakes. The Gospel demands self-sacrifice (Luke 14:25-33). TheGospel demands that adulterousrelationships, drunkenness, danc-ing, gambling and all other sins beleft behind (Matt. 19:9; 1 Cor. 6:9-11). We can preach a Gospel thatdoes not demand such a highprice, but it is not the Gospel ofChrist; and, it will not save menssouls (Rom. 1:16; Gal. 1:6-9).

4. There are also those who want tochange biblical soul-winning toworldly, wild, all-out, no-holds-barred Promotion.The concept ofworldly promotion has resulted inbribery to get visitors to attend,smoke machines and zoo animalsin the worship, and a host ofunscriptural ministries that wecan advertise to bring people in. Inan effort to compete with worldlyadvertisers, church groups have

chosen professional singersinstead of congregational singing(Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16) and profes-sional entertainers instead ofGospel preachers (2 Tim. 4:2). Godnever authorized these approach-es to market the Gospel (Col.3:17). The more we try to competewith the world, the more worldlywe become. Do we really want amembership that comes because ofthe attended nursery, the freedonuts, and the great jokes andstories the preacher tells?

BUSINESS MODEL

Actually, there are various busi-ness models, but there is only one pat-tern for the Lords church. The Hebrewwriter makes this point with extremeclarity and a very pointed warning.First, he points to the admonition fromthe physical mountain (Mt. Sinai) thatMoses was to see that the tabernaclewas made after a certain pattern (Heb.8:5). Then he contrasts that physicalmountain and that physical tabernaclewith a spiritual mountain and thespiritual kingdom, the church. Hiswarning? If they had to be careful tofollow the pattern given them from Mt.Sinai, how much more careful shouldwe be to see that ye refuse not him thatspeaketh...from heaven(Heb. 12:25).

There are those who try to makefun of the pattern concept, but thosewho do so will not escape punishment.This is the precise point the writer ofHebrews is making follow the pat-tern, or else.

We are on this earth to serve Godacceptably with reverence and godly

fear (Heb. 12:28). The church is atheocracy: It is not run by a board. It does not answer to its share-

holders. Its mission statement is not self-

defined; it is defined by God. Its vision must be the vision ofGod, grasped by faith.

Its articles of incorporation are notsubject to debate.We cannot accept any changes to

the structure of the church as laiddown in the New Testament. Each congregation is autonomous.

Our only head is Christ (Eph.5:23).

Our only headquarters is in heav-en where our head is (Col. 3:1).

All Authority in the church is vest-

ed in Christ (Matt. 28:18), and isexercised only through the Scrip-tures or through the scripturaldelegation of authority to elders(Heb. 13:7,17; Acts 20:28; et al).

Elders are authorized to overseeonly the flock which is amongthem (of which they are members)(1 Peter 5:2).

Qualified deacons are appointedas special servants for special jobs(1 Tim. 3:8-13).

The concept of pillar churches orone congregation meeting in two

or more locations is contrary to theBible pattern.

DECISION MAKING

Sometimes members think theircontribution entitles them to decisionmaking authority. In the Lordschurch, such authority rests withthose men who have been scripturallyqualified and appointed as elders (1Peter 5:2; Heb. 13:17). Control of thechurch cannot be bought by large con-tributions or sold to the highestdonors.

Since the Lords church is a theoc-racy, decisions must be made accordingto Gods will. Many times this will bein harmony with good business sense.However, there are times when doingthe right thing, i.e. following Godswill, will run counter to and even fly inthe face of good business practices.

1. Decisions about discipline Church discipline is not an optionalmatter. The commands of God areplain. We are to withdraw ourselvesfrom every brother or sister who refus-es to live according to New Testamentteaching and those who teach falsedoctrine (Matt. 18:15-17; 1 Cor. 5, esp

verse 11; 2 Thess. 3:6,14-15; Rom16:17-18; Titus 3:10; 2 John 9-11).

Too often elders think they havethe right to decide whether or not to

practice these commands. They do nothave this authority.Too often elders make such deci-

sions on the basis of what they think isgood for business. They dont want tocause strife, they might lose too manymembers, outsiders might react nega-tively, the contribution might go down,etc. One elder told me, If we practicechurch discipline, well be the laugh-ingstock of this whole area.

It might be good business to beconcerned about such things, but thechurch is not a business. Shepherds

must be more concerned about soulsfor whom they must give account (Heb13:17) and the answer they must giveto the Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:1-4),than they are about what others maythink.

2. Decisions about Doctrine Doctrine has been determined by GodThere are no decisions to be made inthis area. In watching over the flock,elders are to feed the flock and to pro-tect it from false teachers (Acts 20:28-31). They do not have the right toaccept false doctrine from their pulpits

Not A Business(Continued from page 25)

8/10/2019 Abril 411

5/8


or to endorse and support false teach-ers with their money or with a plat-form on which to teach (2 John 9-11).

It may seem like good business toleave out part of the Gospel, but to doso leaves us guilty of the blood of thosewho are lost by our actions. Paul wasonly free from the blood of all menbecause he had declared all the coun-sel of God (Acts 20:25-27).

Elders do not have the right tochoose a smooth-talking false teacherbecause he pleases the members over astuttering, coarse, unpolished butfaithful Gospel preacher. Remember,false teachers use good words and fairspeeches to deceive the hearts of thesimple (Rom. 16:17-18).

3. Benevolence Benevolence isa part of the mission of the Lordschurch (James 1:27); and, we have aspecial obligation to those of thehousehold of faith (Gal. 6:10). Some-times the demands of benevolence willseem like dangerous business prac-tices.

We have a great illustration of thisin the church in Jerusalem. Thousandsof people became Christians on Pente-cost and shortly thereafter (Acts2:41,47; 5:14; 6:1,7). Because of thegreat number of converts, many ofwhom did not actually live inJerusalem, the early church had manyneeds. They responded to those needs

in a very unbusinesslike way. Acts2:44-45, And all that believed weretogether, and had all things common;

And sold their possessions and goods,and parted them to all men, as everyman had need.Acts 4:34-37, Neitherwas there any among them that lacked:

for as many as were possessors of landsor houses sold them, and brought the

prices of the things that were sold, Andlaid them down at the apostles feet:and distribution was made unto everyman according as he had need. And

Joses, who by the apostles was sur-

named Barnabas, (which is, beinginterpreted, The son of consolation,) aLevite, and of the country of Cyprus,Having land, sold it, and brought themoney, and laid it at the apostles feet.

Im afraid to think what manymodern elders would have said regard-ing the benevolent needs of theJerusalem church: We cant help allthe widows, what kind of precedentwould that set? We cant have all ourmembers selling their homes andproperty to feed all these people thisweek. What will we do next week?

It is true, the needs of theJerusalem church were unsustainableat first. Selling their personal propertyto sustain an unexpected population ofChristians in Jerusalem was not goodbusiness practice for the individualChristians involved or for the church.But God knew what was coming. Hisplan included allowing Satan to scat-ter the church through persecution(Acts 8:1). If those people had not soldtheir property, they would have had tosimply leave it all behind.

This was an unusual circum-stance, but it is probably not the onlytime that benevolence needs dontseem like good business practices. Ifwe tell a mother with small children toleave her adulterous marriage rela-tionship, are we willing to support herand her children until she can get backon her feet? When members suffergreat tragedy and financial loss fromfires or other disasters, do we haveenough faith to deplete our churchsavings in order to extend the helpthat is needed?

We must not let our idea of busi-ness stand in the way of the love weshould show to each other.

4. Expectations Christianityis a matter of hard work. There is laborto be done. Tragically, getting Chris-tians busy in the work is one of thehardest tasks we face.

Just as tragic is the tendencyamong some congregational leaders tolower the expectations for fear ofexpecting too much. Elders oftendecide against certain programsbecause they are too labor-intensive.They dont want to expect too much ofthe members time. Its hard enough toget members to attend services, muchless getting them to show up for extraworks.

In many places, the days are gonewhen members would spend hours aday for weeks at a time working on

VBS material. The generation haspassed that would show up for a build-ing project evening after evening, afterlaboring on their own jobs, to advancethe cause of Christ. Too many Chris-tians are simply too busy with theirown lives to seek the kingdom first.

If the church is a business, thenthe members are the customers andthey reign supreme. If the church is abusiness, then we must not expectthem to alter their overcrowded sched-ules or sacrifice their precious time.The business oriented leaders think,

If we expect too much, our customerscan shop elsewhere; we dont want tolose them. On the other hand, if thechurch is a family, a cause to beadvanced even at great personal cost, amonarchy ruled over by the God ofheaven, then should we not expect andinsist on sacrifice by each member?What have we lost if we lose memberswho will not be active for the cause?We have lost nothing but their souls,and their souls are already lost whilesitting in the pews.

5. Numbers There are elderswho hire and fire preachers based onthe bottom line of attendance and con-tribution. As long as attendance andcontribution are good, it does not muchmatter what the preacher says. Thismay be a good bottom line for businessbut not for the church. The church isnot a business. David got himself andall of Israel into a lot of trouble whenhe started focusing on numbersinstead of on God (2 Sam. 24).

CONCLUSION

If we approach things from a busi-ness model, things of the church mayseem quite inefficient inefficient atbringing in crowds, at keeping thosewe have, at getting the Gospel to thelost. There may indeed be things in thebusiness world that would be more

efficient. But the Bible is right, andGod knows best. As one man said,Lets embrace some holy inefficiencyand grow the Kingdom!

Here is the true bottom line forGods people: Isaiah 8:20, To the lawand to the testimony: if they speak notaccording to this word, it is becausethere is no light in them.

ENDNOTES1 Adam McLane,Business Models

in the Church, adammclane.com-/2010/10/28.

2 Andy Bryan, Church Business,www.entertherainbow.blogspot.com/2009/06/church-business.html

3 Ibid4 Steven D Bruns, The Business of

Church, www.stevedbruns.wordpress.-com/2011/02/10/the-business-of-church

5 This material on marketing isadapted from ideas from RodneyZwonitzer, Is the Church a Businesswww.mtio.com/articles

1495 E Empire Ave.Benton Harbor, MI 49022

8/10/2019 Abril 411

6/8


PLEASE THE WORLD

The church is being over-whelmed with the emphasis and con-cern with this world and is failing toset your affections on things above,not on things on the earth(Col. 3:2).While we are in the world, we are notto be of the world. Worldliness hassapped the influence and power ofthe church everywhere. We are tosave the world, not conform to theworld (Rom. 12:1-2). Love of theworld has generated a lax, worldlyminded and permissive peopletoward immorality, drinking, danc-ing, gambling, and many other world-ly excesses we see about us, andamong some so-called Christians.Pulpits have become silent as deathin condemning the sins of the worldamong the members. (It might costthe clergy-preacher his high paying

job and popularity).It is evident that many in the

church are striving for their pleasureand material gain more than the wel-

fare of their souls and the souls oftheir children. If you doubt this, justobserve closely the tremendous lossfrom the church of the young amongmembers of the church. Family afterfamily has so stressed this world thattheir children are not in the Lord.Jesus taught, Take heed, and bewareof covetousness, for mans life consis-teth not in the abundance of thethings which he possesseth (Luke12:15). Paul warned, For we broughtnothing into this world and it is cer-tain we can carry nothing out. And

having food and raiment let us betherewith content. But they that willbe rich fall into temptation and asnare, and into many foolish andhurtful lusts, which drown men indestruction and perdition. For thelove of money is the root of all evil:which while some coveted after theyhave erred from the faith and piercedthemselves through with many sor-rows(1 Tim. 6:7-10).

Worldly emphasis has helpedcreate the preacher shortage. Whilethere is seemingly no shortage of

those clamoring to get on the staffand payrolls of churches, there is ashortage of faithful men who willpreach the Gospel without fear, favor,compromise, or perversion. There arethose who readily compromise truthin order to retain their level ofincome. Covetousness affects the con-tributions and hinders the work thatcould otherwise be done. Works of theflesh (Gal. 5:19-21) still prevententrance into the kingdom of God. Weneed to ask if we are influencing theworld or is it the other way around.The willingness to discard as uselesswhatever has gone before and thecraze for the new without regard forthe true has captivated the ambi-tions of too many, and the church isreeling beneath the pounding ittakes from the worldly minded mem-bers. The reproach that is heapedagainst Christ because of the worldlylives of so-called Christians cannotbe measured for magnitude of it andthe damage it causes to His cause forwhich he died.

How people can live for the worldand claim to be of Christ is an incon-sistency that cannot be explained.

THE NEW RATHER THAN THE TRUE

Change for changes sake is thewatchword with some. While we mayimprove our methods and expedientsthat are lawfully used, some havechanged the message and mission inorder to appeal to the world, bringingpeople into fellowship without con-

verting them to the convictions they

must possess to be children of God.Many are being deceived by the liesof false teachers who say they onlywish to change in matters of opinion,but upon examination of their mes-sage, it is obvious that the messagethey preach conflicts with the doc-trine of Christ. We are naive to thinkfalse teachers are sincere. It isincreasingly evident that the lives ofmany members of the church are notlights in the world nor are they thesalt of the earth. They hide the lightof truth beneath the bushel of

hypocrisy and imitation of error. Itstill rings true, however, that we arenot to love the world (1 John 2:15-17),and when we are friends with thesinful things of the world, we are nolonger friends of God, but His ene-mies (James 4:4; cf. John 15:14).

LIBERALISM AND MODERNISM

Doctrinally, the church is besetwith modernism and liberalism. Thisreally has no relationship with beingmodern or generous. Modernism is asystem of thought that denies theBible is the Word of God, denies themiraculous, denies even the exis-tence of God, including the Deity ofChrist and the evidences of it. Mod-ernism contends the first elevenchapters of Genesis are myths andonly figurative language. Liberalismembraces the doctrines that havedivided and torn the church apartthrough the years, as men imitatethe substitute churches of denomina-tionalism, adopt doctrines of men,

slander faithful brethren to gaintheir own fame and fortune, and gen-erally disrupt the brotherhood inorder to create a do-your-own-thingapproach to religion. Forsaking theneed for authority for what is saidand done, they go their own way,ridicule the old paths, and heapunto themselves teachers of error.Many churches, once faithful, aresubmerged in liberalism.

This attitude toward Scripturehas seeped into the church throughbrotherhood papers, books, Bible

departments of schools, modernspeech so-called versions of the Bible,and the scholars who haveabsorbed the modernistic teachingthey studied while gaining their reli-gious titles and degrees at the semi-naries operated by modernists anddenominationalists. It has gainedfavor through big-name brethrenwho have had influence, but whohave digressed from the truth. Foryears on end these people have beenpolluting the minds of generationafter generation until the church is

PROBLEMSFACING THECHURCH#2James W. Boyd

8/10/2019 Abril 411

7/8


staggering from the blows of digres-sion and apostasy. The climate thatonly the intellectuals have anyright to say or know anything, thatothers need to keep quiet, has capti-

vated the thinking of too many. Asin the day of Paul, those who professthemselves wise are fools becausethey have turned their heads fromBiblical teaching and adopted theways propagated by men in contrastto truth (1 Cor. 1:17-29).

LETHARGY/APATHY/PEACE

AT ANY PRICE

Atop all this is the pathetic andtragic lethargy and indifference thatholds control of the minds of mem-bers and their leaders alongside thedisposition to go along to get along.This is not a problem with all, nor isthis something brand new amongbrethren. Revelation 3:16 and thelukewarm church in Laodicea blazedthe trail for this kind of religious stu-por. So many manifest a who caresattitude. So many are unwilling totake a stand. So many are unwillingto work and bear their part of theload.

You may see a lot of activity hereand there, but often it is activity thatis not the Fathers business, but justbusy-ness. You hear a lot about love,

love, love, but it is not the love ofwhich one reads in Scripture, but apermissiveness and tolerance of sin,an acceptance of false doctrines anddoctors, a pseudo-love that appeals toemotions but fails to manifest itselfin genuine deeds that seek theothers highest good as God definesthe good. Some who cry for love areamong the most vicious people onearth. They have no love for the truthnor those who stand for it and defendit. Their love is for their own bellies,their own way, and whatever means

that gains for them their goals andambitions.This lethargic indifference is

seen in letting the other fellow do hiswork and mine too. It is seen in beingagainst everything and for nothing.It is evident with the lessening inter-est in evangelism. Many churchesare merely house keeping for theLord and not even doing a credible

job at that. It is seen in the decline ofaccepting personal responsibility, theunwillingness to cooperate and work.Interest is centered on self and what

one wants, what makes one feel good,rather than what is the revealed willof God. There is compromise of truth,and dialogue with those in apostasyunder the guise of seeking unity.They seek not unity, but fellowship inspite of division, and in spite of Godsprohibition of it. They preach we areto have unity in diversity whichmeans to agree to disagree, and thatdoctrinal differences make no differ-ence.

The church is now plagued withthe development of the staff andclergy of congregations, the soul-win-ning experts without each Christianmaking his or her effort to even befaithful, let alone be soul winners. Itis seen in the attitude that nothingapplies to me, but everybody elseought and will do what is necessary.This is a strength-sapping and ener-gy-draining disposition against the

welfare of the church.Nonetheless, all is not evil, and

the Lord has promised to be with us.With these and other problems, likethe lack of discipline, weak leader-ship, failure of training, absenteeismthe Lords people face hard times. Itis up to the faithful to try to prevent,face, solve, overcome, and endure theproblems in the church withoutdeveloping hatred and bitternesstoward those in error, for that woulddestroy us. Problems mean that wemust be sure and more determined tokeep step with the Master.

We work for a remnant to keepthe flame of truth burning brightlyafter our term of service ends inphysical death. May God help us tobe faithful to Him.

2720 S Chancery StMcMinnville, TN 37110

use his name in flippant,frivolous and profane fash-ion. ... One is profane whouses sacred things in anirreverent and blasphemousmanner. The word vain, inthe third commandment ofthe decalogue, is translatedfrom a word which means ina light, flippant, and con-temptuous fashion. (Ques-tions and Answers,pp.180,181)

Several years ago I noticed anannouncement in the bulletin of awell known conservative congrega-tion about JCs Kids. Upon readingthis I sent the preacher of that con-gregation the quote from brother

Woods. A few days later he called andassured me they were not trying tobe disrespectful or use the name ofJesus Christ in an irreverent andblasphemous manner.

My friends, to reduce the name ofJesus Christ to JC is to trivializethe name that is above every name!When the angel explained to Josephthat Mary was with child of the HolyGhost (Matt. 1:78-20), he then said,And she shall bring forth a son, andthou shalt call his name JESUS: forhe shall save his people from their

sins(Matt. 1:21). When the Ethiopi-an eunuch made the good confessionhe said I believe that Jesus Christ isthe Son of God(Acts 8:37). Pray tellme the difference in reducing thename of Jesus Christ to JC andasking someone if they believe thatJC is the son of God?

Of the Christ, Paul wrote:Wherefore God also hath highly

exalted him, and given him a namewhich is above every name: That atthe name of Jesus Christ every kneeshould bow, of things in heaven, andthings in earth, and things under the

earth. And that every tongue shouldconfess that Jesus Christ is Lord, tothe glory of God the Father (Phil2:9-11). Furthermore, James wrote,Do not they blaspheme that worthyname by which ye are called(James2:7)? I submit to you that to reducethat worthy name to such trivial-

ization as JC is to blaspheme thatworthy name! My friends, I assureyou, this is not a trivial matter!

Remember, how one views God,Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit andGods Word, determines how he lives!

O magnify the Lord with me,and let us exalt his name together. ...God is greatly to be feared in theassembly of the saints, and to be hadin reverence of all them that areabout him(Psalm 34:3; 89:7).

PO Box 975Rowlett, TX 75089

Holy and Reverend(Continued from page 32)

8/10/2019 Abril 411

8/8


G

od has made known His existence through Hisinspired Word. The first verse in the Bible clearly

states: In the beginning God... (Gen. 1:1). Thissame verse also informs man that God created the heav-en and the earth. Concerning Gods creation, thePsalmist wrote: The heavens declare the glory of God;and the firmament showeth his handiwork (Psa. 19:1).While observing nature one may conclude there is a High-er Being, but he cannot know anything about God and Hiswill unless he studies the inspired word of God (2 Tim.3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3-4). When one turns from Gods word inpursuit of how the universe and man came into being, hewill find himself on the road of fools (Psalm 14:1). Paulwrote of those who traveled this identical road and its con-sequences in Romans 1:20-32.

The first two chapters of Genesis enlightens man not

only of God and how all things came into being, includingman (Gen. 1:26-27; 2:19-22), they also let us know how sinentered the world (Gen. 2:17,3) and the implementation ofGods plan to redeem man (Gen. 3:15).

A truly humbling experience is to study the attributesof God, some of which are:

God is Omniscient A being of infinite knowledge,that is, he knoweth all things. O the depth of the riches ofthe wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable arehis judgments, and his ways past finding out (Rom.11:33).

God is Omnipotent Unlimited in power or authori-ty. In the beginning God created the heaven and theearth. And the earth was without form, and void; and

darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit ofGod moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, letthere be light: there was light (Gen. 1:1-3).

God is Omnipresent Present in all places at thesame time. Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not aGod afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places that Ishall not see him? saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven andearth? Saith the Lord (Jer. 23:23-24)?

God isInfinitely Just Justice and judgment are thehabitations of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go beforethy face (Psalm 89:14).

God is Infinite in Holiness And one cried untoanother, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: thewhole earth is full of his glory (Isa. 6:3).

God isEternal Before the mountains were broughtforth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world,even from everlasting to everlasting thou art God (Psalm90:2).

As one reads and meditates upon the marvelousattributes of God, he cannot help being overwhelmed, andlike David stand in Awe of God (Psalm 33:8)!

One of the great blessings of being a child of God isthat of prayer (1 John 5:14-15). With great confidence wecan (Heb. 4:16) approach the throne of grace, not in anarrogant, but humble manner (1 Peter 5:7-8). A practice,no doubt, that many have adopted from the denomina-tional world is that of approaching God as though He werea man. Hosea 11:9 states an unchangeable truth, ...for I

am God, and not man.... His nature, like that of Christ,is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb. 13:8).Man is flesh and blood whereas God is spirit (John 4:24).Our Lord instructed the disciples regarding the mannerin which they were to approach the Almighty, Our Fatherwhich art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name (Matt. 6:9).

The use of Gods Holy and revered name is never to betaken in vain! It is a common practice among many,including some brethren to throw out the expression Oh,my....Whether intended or not, this is taking Gods namein vain! Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy Godin vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that takethhis name in vain(Exod. 20:7). Again we read, ...neithershalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the Lord(Lev. 19:12). In commenting on this, brother Guy Woodswrote:

Jehovah has ever regarded, with the greatestdispleasure, any disposition on the part of man to

Seek The Old Paths (0 *,+')5 -!)("(,+ ,% '$ East EndChurch of Christ +# (0 +#$/ '$ ,$/0(&' ,% (0 $)#$/0. I (0 *()$#FREE -,+ /$$0. I0 -/(*/5 -/-,0$ +# &,) (+ -!)("(,+ "+!$ %,+# (+ J#$ 3; II T(*,'5 4:2; T(0 1:13; T(0 2:1; II P$$/ 1:12.A)) *() /$"$($# *5 !$ -!)(0'$# +)$00 ,'$/(0$ +,$#. A/(")$0/$ )0, $)",*$#.

E#(1,/: Garland M. Robinson

http://www.seektheoldpaths.orgEASTEND

CHURCH

OFCHRIST

102EDISON

ST.

MCMINNVILLE,TN

37110-2216

N+-P/%(O/&.

U.S.P&$

P

A

ID

P$/*(N.349

M"M(++())$,TN

RETURN

SERVICE

REQUEST

ED

HOLYANDREVERENDISHISNAME PSALM 111:9Ivie Powell

(Continued on page 31)

Holy and Reverend

abril 411

Documents