| JOHN WADDEY, EDITOR
Published by the Church of Christ, 12213 West Bell Road, Surprise, AZ 85374 Volume 1, Number 6
February 1, 2002 |
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Table of Contents: 1. THE CORROSIVE EFFECTS OF RELIGIOUS LIBERALISM
During the last century, most of the major Protestant denominations of America fell under the influence of liberalism. Briefly stated, the liberal approach to Christianity denies the miracles of the Bible. It denies the inspiration and infallibility of the Bible and hence its authority in determining religious questions. In their thinking human philosophy trumps the Bible. They question (some deny) the deity of Christ, his virgin birth, his resurrection and ascension. They deny the reality of a future punishment in hell for the wicked. They mold and shape the churches they control to fit the latest trends in secular society; hence feminism, abortion rights, homosexual rights rank high on their agenda. They have a low view of free enterprise, American patriotism and national loyalty. Thus they found it very difficult to oppose the evils of Communism. They cannot believe that God would insist that all people be exclusively followers of His Son, Jesus. Hence they question the church's obligation to send missionaries to convert those of other religions, such as Hindus, Buddhists, etc.
Some liberals are, for all practical purposes, skeptics because they deny that the Christian concept of God is valid. You may wonder why, if they deny all the basic fundamentals of Christianity do they continue to serve as ministers and leaders of their denominations? The answer is simple, The pay is good, the work is easy and the power and prestige are fulfilling. In their positions they can further their liberal faith and bring about major changes among large numbers of people.
A recent news article highlights the corrosive influence of liberalism. A majority of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) voted against a resolution that stated "that Jesus is the lone vehicle of salvation." As one commissioner put it, "I don't have the right to say that other people can't find God in other ways." Presbyterians have a rich and illustrious history. They trace their roots to the courageous reformer John
Knox of Scotland and beyond him to John Calvin, the great theologian of Geneva, Switzerland. For four hundred years preachers of their church stood in the forefront of the efforts to exalt and defend Christ, the Bible and Christianity.
Today a majority of liberal leaders aren't convinced that salvation is only found in Christ. Jesus said, "No one cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6). But liberals don't think the Bible is trustworthy. Peter and John affirmed that "in none other (than Jesus) is there salvation" (Acts 4:12).
But liberals subscribe to the philosophy of pluralism that argues that all religions are of equal value and that it is wrong to argue that one exclusively right or is better than another.
Liberalism is Satan's tool to weaken and destroy churches. May we always be loyal to the Lord Jesus who died for us and rules as head of all things to the church (Eph. 1:22). Let us honor and respect the Scripture. May we never give a liberal teacher access to our pulpit or classroom. JHW "A liberal preacher is a shrewd unbeliever on the church's payroll."
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2. OUT WHERE THE SINNERS ARE
A few years ago A brother wrote a book entitled, Out Where The Sinners Are. His thesis was that the typical American congregation expends almost all of its evangelistic energy on the Christians who are sitting in its pews on Sunday. The lost souls that desperately need to hear the saving gospel are outside of our assemblies. Therefore it behooves us to discover and use means to get the good news to those on the outside.
Radio is still a great medium for reaching the lost. Few folks are willing to sit down and listen to a 30 minute broadcast. Sunday is considered graveyard time by the broadcast industry. Better will be a five minute daily program. Try to purchase time when folks are going to or from work so they will hear you on their car radios.
Newspapers are a wonderful way to reach the masses. Purchase space for a short Bible lesson. Ten column inches will suffice. Remember you are preaching to the lost, not to fellow Christians. This is not the place to fight internal battles. Have an eye-catching title. Use a picture of the local preacher. End with brief information about the church and a phone number so you may be contacted. For samples of newspaper sermons, write us.
Letters to the editor are a wonderful way to express our Christian point of view on contemporary events. This medium is free of charge. Letters should be brief, usually 200 words or less. They should be well written and carefully proofread. Don't try to preach a sermon in your letters. If you do it will likely not be published. Use a brief scripture or pertinent quote.
Sign it without mention of your role as a minister. Send different letters to different papers. Editors want original and exclusive material. The author writes 5-7 letters per week and averages having two printed each week.
So can you. Before long everyone in the community will know who you are and what you stand for. That will cause some sinners to come to you for spiritual information and guidance.
Use the postal service to mail a letter of greeting and a brochure about the church to all who have recently moved to your community. A move to a new community is a pivotal point in people's lives. Having broken old ties, including church ties, they are more willing to consider a message that is new to them. Write for a sample brochure.
If the church we love is to survive and prosper in this new century we who are its members must dedicate ourselves to propagating the Savior's message to as many souls as we possibly can. JHW
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3. HOW OFTEN DO WE COMMUNE?
When Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper he said, "this do, as often as ye drink it, in remembrance of me" (I Cor. 11:25). The early Christians assembled on "the first day of the week" for the purpose of communing (Acts 20:7). "It is well-known that the primitive Christians administered the Eucharist every Lord's Day" (Philip Doddridge). For hundreds of years after its beginning, saints communed each week on the first day or Sunday. During the Protestant Reformation, some felt that frequent communion would lead worshipers to treat it as commonplace so the practice of monthly, quarterly or even yearly communion arose.
With a thousand demands made on our time and interest, it is easy for Christians to loose their bearings and forget what their Lord has done for them. Hence he gave us a simple memorial feast, to be observed weekly, to refocus our minds and remind us of our debt to him who died for us.
The early church communed and gave their gifts to God on the first day of the week (I Cor. 16:1-2). It is interesting that churches that observe infrequent communion insist on weekly contributions. Are salaries and building payments more important than remembering Christ's death?
Like those early disciples, Churches of Christ assemble around the Lord's Table each Sunday to partake of the bread and fruit of the vine, remembering and proclaiming Jesus' death till he comes again (I Cor. 11:26). JHW |
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4. THE DAY YOU WERE BAPTIZED
An old hymn tells us to Count Your Many Blessings and see what God has done. Have you ever considered the many wonderful blessings that became yours the day you express your faith in Christ by being baptized according to his command - Your sins were washed away (Acts 22:16).
- You were given a fresh start in life, a clean sheet, by the Judge of mankind (II Cor.5:17).
- God's Holy Spirit was given to you to guide, comfort and strengthen you as you live the rest of your life for the Lord (Acts 2:38; Eph. 3:16).
- God will added you to his church (Acts 2:47; I Cor. 12:13)
- You became a disciple of Christ, and took the name "Christian" upon you (Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 11:26).
- You became a member of the family of God which is composed of all the followers of Jesus around the world (Gal. 3:26-27).
- To you was given the wonderful promise of eternal life with God in heaven (John 14:1-3).
If you have never yet claimed all of these precious promises for yourself, Christians would honored to assist you in so doing. To retain and enjoy these marvelous gifts, remember that Christ expects you to be faithful unto death (Revelation 2:10). Don't postpone your obedience to Christ and never let anyone or anything discourage you or turn you away from the commitment you make to Christ. JHW |
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5. JESUS IS LORD AND MASTER
In his record of Jesus' life, the Apostle John demonstrates that Jesus is Master of all that is. He does this by seven examples from Christ's ministry.
At a wedding in Cana of Galilee Jesus turned water into wine (John 2:1-11).
The guests pronounced the wine Jesus made "the best." Jesus was master of quality.
At Jerusalem Jesus healed a sick man at the pool of Bethesda (5:1-15). The fellow had been sick 38 years. To doctors his case was hopeless, but not to Jesus. He was master of time.
Jesus healed the son of a nobleman of Capernaum. He did this while at Cana, some 20 miles away (4:46-52). Space and distance were overcome by Jesus.
Once Jesus fed 5,000 people with a boy's lunch; five pieces of bread and two small fish (6:1-14). After all had eaten their fill, there were twelve baskets of leftovers. Jesus was master of quantity. A mere man cannot do such a thing.
The disciples witnessed Jesus walking on the water of the Sea of Galilee (6:16-19). He was master over the laws of nature.
A man blind from birth was healed by Jesus (9:1-34). He explained that no one was to blame for the man's plight, it was just a misfortune of life. Christ overcame misfortune by restoring his sight.
Lazarus had been dead four days, and unembalmed, was decaying. At Jesus' spoken word Lazarus instantly revived and walked out of the tomb (11:1-44). Christ was clearly master over death.
He who is master of quality and quantity, time and space, laws of nature and misfortunes of life and even death, is master of all. Should he not be the master of your life? JHW
(The author is indebted to Merrill Tenney for the idea of this lesson). |
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6. WHY DON'T YOU GO BY THE OLD TESTAMENT?
"Does the Church of Christ believe the Old Testament?" "Of course we do." We accept and believe every word of both the Old and New Covenants as God's inspired Word. We study the Old Testament and bring lessons from its pages.
However the following points must be understood. As founder and head of the church (Matt. 16:18), Christ now has all authority (Matt. 28:18). His will is expressed in the New Testament. His word will judge us in the last day (John 12:48). When we wish to know about salvation, the church, worship and Christian living, we do not look to the Old Testament, rather we look to the covenant of Christ. The Old Testament is our source of spiritual history.
From it we learn about the history of creation, the origin of sin, sacrifice and worship. It reveals the history of the Jewish nation and throws much light on the message of the New Testament.. It is filled with rich illustrations of how God deals with humanity and lessons of inspirational value (Rom. 15:4). However, it is not the standard of our faith and practice. JHW |
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7. ADVANTAGES OF HAVING ELDERS
A congregation without elders can do anything one with elders can do. It is just more time consuming and sometimes more difficult. With elders in place, decisions can be made and actions taken in a matter of a few moments whereas without them, it is necessary to consult with a number of people before anything can be done. With elders, mature and godly Christian men manage the daily affairs of the church on behalf of the members (Acts 20:28).
They are chosen because the members have confidence in their honesty and integrity and are comfortable with their leadership.
As shepherds of the flock, elders make every decision in light of God's will and what is best for the spiritual life of the church. They have knowledge of the problems and needs of each member and are committed to lead in a way that will be a blessing to all. They watch for our souls (Heb. 13:17).
Elders know the financial ability of the congregation. They understand what can or cannot be afforded by the church. Elders are leaders, men with vision and foresight. They know what God expects of their flock and are committed to leading the congregation in the fulfillment of its responsibility to Christ.
Virtually every congregation begins its life without elders, then when mature leaders emerged, the members ask them to serve as their overseers (Acts 14:23). May God bless every congregation of his people with competent, spiritual men to serve as elders of his flock. JHW |
"Atheism is a disease of the soul, before it comes an error of the understanding"
(Plato). "Atheism is rather in the life than in the heart of man"
(Bacon). "An atheist is a disbeliever who prefers to raise his children in a Christian community"
(P. Tuseth). |
