PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH

The scriptures say: "Thou therefore which teachestanother, teachest thou not thyself? Thou that preachesta man should not steal, dost thou steal? Thou thatsayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thoucommit adultery? Thou that abhorrest idols, dost thoucommit sacrilege?" (Romans 2:21, 22), The lesson inthese verses is to practice what you preach.

"Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses'seat: all therefore whatsoever they bid you observe,that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: forthey say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens andgrievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one oftheir fingers" (Matthew 23:1-4).

The above passages from the word of God point outthat we must practice what we teach and refuse to dowhat we teach is forbidden by God.

Doctrine is absolutely worthless if not practiced.What one has learned, however good and true it may be,does not benefit him at all unless applied. The scribesand Pharisees were condemned by the Lord for sayingand not doing. In the New Testament we have the right book, or we have no guide at all in spiritual things. Theapostle Paul makes it plain that no other doctrine can bepreached. "But though we, or an angel from heaven,preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any othergospel unto you than that ye have received, let him beaccursed" (Galatians 1:8, 9).

We must practice what we learn from the gospel if weare to be blessed by God. "But be ye doers of the word,and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For ifany be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is likeunto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: for hebeholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueththerein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of thework, this man shall be blessed in his deed" (James 1:22

Jesus said, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord,

Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he

that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven"

(Matthew 7:21).

We preach that one must know the will of God to be saved. While we preach this, many members of the church make only a token effort to learn what the Bibleteaches. We insist that the following passage is to beobeyed. "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readinessof mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whetherthose things were so" (Acts 17:11). But many avoid theopportunities to learn in Bible classes and in studyingfor themselves what the truth really is on a given subject. Unless we begin to practice what we teach in thismatter, we will never be able to teach others the truth.We will never know it ourselves.

We preach that the gospel is the power of God to save.We cite Romans 1:16: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." "Seeing ye have purified your soulsin obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with apure heart fervently: being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God,which liveth and abideth for ever" (1 Peter 1:22, 23).

While we preach that the gospel is the power of God to save the sinner, we do very little to preach it. Onemay be close in his association with one who has never heard the gospel of Christ, and while he preaches thetruth above, he never once tries to use this power upon his friend. I wonder if such can really be convinced thathe will be saved when he does not do the will of his Father in preaching the truth to those around him.

We preach loud and long that scriptural baptism makes one a new creature in Christ (Romans 6:3-6; 2Corinthians 5:17; Colossians 2:14; 3:1, 2). But how do most of us practice this? Many who have been baptizedinto Christ continue to live the same old sinful life that characterized them before they were obedient to thegospel. If they preach that one is a new creature, and that he ought not to continue in sin, why not practice this teaching and try to live in the "newness" of life thatwe preach? Why not seek the things above and not thethings upon earth? Why not practice the good works,"which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10)

I will assure you of this one thing: we will never makeheadway in preaching the gospel to those who are lostuntil we begin to practice what we preach. This is a major cause for the decline in congregational membership, and so few baptized now as compared to fortyyears ago. Failure to practice what one preaches doesnot apply only to preachers, elders, deacons, teachersand their families; it applies to every Christian alike. Wemust do what the doctrine says if we expect to go toheaven when we die, and if we expect others to go with us.

A CERTAIN SOUND

Luke took it in hand to write of "those things which are most surely believed among us" that his friend,Theophilus, might "know the certainty of those things,wherein thou hast been instructed" (Lk. 1:1, 4). The word "certainty" suggests the idea of security orsafety. To the Philippians Paul wrote "To write thesame things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but foryou it is safe" (Phil. 3:1). Here again the idea is securityor that which supplies a safeguard.

Paul argued that speaking in tongues was unprofitable unless what was said was interpreted. Then heillustrated the principle by saying "And even thingswithout life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give distinction in the sounds, how shall it beknown what is piped or harped? For if the trumpet givean uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to thebattle?" (1 Cor. 14.7, 8). It would be disastrous on thebattle field not to be able to distinguish between thetrumpet sounds for "charge" and "retreat."

Paul said he preached a certified gospel (Gal. 1:11). Itdid not come from men but by revelation from God. Itssound was distinct. It rang with the language of heaven and not of men. It was certified by "signs, wonders andmiracles" (Heb. 2:3-4), by eyewitness accounts (2 Pet.1:16-18), and by prophecy and fulfillment (2 Pet. 1:1921). Such a message was safe; it offered peace and security to those who accepted it. The end result of it wasspiritual health. That is the import of the word "sound."Timothy was charged to "hold fast the form of sound words" (2 Tim. 1:13). Elders were to employ "sounddoctrine" to "exhort and convict the gainsayers" (Tit.1:9). Titus was told to use "sound speech, that cannot becondemned" (Tit. 2:8). The spiritual health of the hearers was directly related to the certainty of what waspreached. There is no safeguard in the vagaries of human wisdom.

A Fundamental Principle

Those noble men who sought to break with denominational error and do what they could to restore the NewTestament church, soon recognized the urgency of a pure speech. The Ashdodic language of the creeds andchurch disciplines was not suited to the preaching of thepure gospel of Christ. They knew there could be noreturn to the purity of faith and practice without speaking "as the oracles of God" (1 Pet. 4:11). "Let us speakwhere the Bible speaks and be silent where the Bible issilent" they said. It was "to the law, and to the testimony" and "line upon line and precept upon precept."The apostacy had been marked by a corruption of language. Unscriptural terms had to be invented to describe unscriptural things. God's revelation has its own vocabulary, its own distinctive speech.

Lest We Forget

This paper was born in a time when uncertain soundshad gone forth from many quarters. Error was beingpreached and practiced touching the nature, work andorganization of the church. The periodicals of the day and church bulletins in abundance reflected a changingattitude toward divine authority. Strange sounds began to be heard. For ten years, prior to the beginning ofthis paper, the battle raged and division ensued fromone part of the nation to another. This paper wasstarted to provide a medium for the men who wrote in itto plead for sanity and soundness in faith. Those whowrote columns in this paper were always associated with clarity of sound and purity of life. The sound wascertain, distinct.

We must keep it so. The name of this paper isSEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES. Our writers have placed heavy emphasis on what the Book says. The bestkind of article has always been the kind which led thereaders to search the Scriptures to know the mind of theLord. We have not worried as to whether it would be judged "positive" or "negative." We have been concerned with teaching truth. Error has been exposed because a search of the Scriptures showed no basis forwhat some have taught. Articles have appeared to encourage Christians in the varied areas of life. But always, the underlying appeal has been to what the wordof the Lord said.

Every man who writes a column in this paper hasbeen asked to give Bible proof for what he teaches, ornot teach it. In times of controversy, where obviouslypious men have honestly differed touching some pointwhich was of general interest, we have asked for fairness in treatment of one another. We have tried not to carry vitriolic exchanges nor provide space for personalaxes to be ground. We have asked writers to addresstheir material to common men, for that is what most ofus are. We have made no pretense of being a paper forthose who are spiritual egg heads. Most of our readersare not even preachers. They are simply Christians whoconfront the world every day at work or play and whostrive to serve the Lord the best they can. Some of ourreaders may feel that at times we have failed in some ofthese objectives. Maybe so. But we believe the objectives have been right and well worth accomplishing.

As time passes and older man retire from the work ofwriting, we must then look to younger hands to takehold of such work. Frankly, I am concerned about theuncertain sound coming from some of our young men (and a few of the older ones). This paper was not started to chase rabbits and indulge in theological guesswork.We are firmly persuaded that printers ink is a dangerous chemical with which to experiment. We prefer material which comes straight to the point and gives us whatthe Bible says. While it might be helpful at times toquote from a commentary, word study, or other work toamplify a point, it would help to remember what onesimple brother remarked once when he said "the Bibleshore do throw a lot of light on them commentaries."

I do not know what the future holds for me or for this paper. But I do know that I would much rather see it diein honor for giving out a certain sound, than to see itgradually become a voice of compromise and filled withunsound speech to the perverting of the hearts of thereaders. I ask every man who submits material to thispaper to mark well what I have said here. I do not wantmaterial from any man who feels uncomfortable withthis approach. That it where we have "come from" since

H. E. Phillips and James P. Miller gave this paper birth,along with the help of several other good men, and thatis where we are still "coming from" now. I ask the readers to consider whether such an approach is worthyof your support. If you do not think so, then don't subscribe. If you do think so, then stay with us and helpus get it into the hands of as many people as possible.

BACK TO THE BIBLE

Nehemiah chapter 8 presents one of the greatest spiritual revivals of all time. The people of Jerusalem livedin a spiritual vacuum. They had everything (a well-ordered, well-defined, well-governed city with newhomes and good jobs) but they had NOTHING! There was something missing and Nehemiah knew what itwas. The master bricklayer who had rebuilt the wallswas now faced with an even greater challenge — therebuilding of HUMAN HEARTS and the motivating ofpeople to turn toward God.

"Let's Go Back To The Bible!"

Read Nehemiah 8:1-5 (Go ahead and grab your Bible and look at it). The people gathered at the Water Gateas Ezra the priest-scribe led the way with the readingand exhortation from the Scriptures. The people stoodand listened attentively for hours — this was no thirtyminute air-conditioned sermon on padded pews — thiswas genuine appreciation for the divine communique ofGod!

And what was it that qualified Ezra to lead the people? It was the man's unyielding desire to teach totaltruth. Ezra 7:10 states:

For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of

the Lord, and to practice it, and to teach His

statutes and ordinances. ..

Ezra "set his heart to study the law of the Lord." Without Bible knowledge it matters not how well a man maymaster the art of communication or how profound hispowers of verbal persuasion or how eloquent his oratorymay be, for WITHOUT BIBLE KNOWLEDGE HEWILL FAIL as a teacher because he has nothing substantial to teach.

And our preaching and teaching must be substantial i.e., it must be filled with substance. There are too manypublic proclaimers who haven't learned that the firstsecret to igniting the fire of spiritual revival is to make acommitment to BIBLE study (2 Tim. 2:15). Too much ofour preaching/teaching is nothing more than dusted off,warmed over, run through the same old rehash of leftovers time after time after time. That's not to say thatthe subject matter discussed is of little importance — itis no doubt of major importance and that is exactly whythe teacher in the four and five year old class who hastaught the lesson on "The Falling Walls of Jericho"twenty-seven times before, or the preacher who gives the oft delivered sermon on "The Pattern For True Worship In The New Testament Church " — both have got togive some time, attention and study and then teach itlike he/she have never taught it before! In my limitedopinion that is the key to successful preaching andteaching.

My wife is a great cook (she'll love me for sayingthat!) and being from southern California her specialtyis Mexican food. Now every now and then we have someof her left overs and a few days later she may servethose enchiladas again (and believe me, I'm not complaining!). Do you know what she DOESN'T do? Shedoesn't take the dish straight out of the refrigerator andplace it cold and lifeless on my plate. No, she addsflavoring. She seasons it. She warms it. She stirs it.Then, and only then, does she serve it piping hot andjust as delicious as the very first time.

Brethren, we must preach the same old Bible themesthat gospel preachers have dealt with for years. Wemust preach on Baptism.. We must preach on Grace... We must point out Denominational Error. . . We havegot to remind the next generation that there are realIssues That Divide Churches of Christ. . . We face the God-directed duty to WARN against Sin and we mustpoint out the dangers of Immorality and the despicability of Hell... — we must do all of that (and more!) butevery time we deal with basic Bible themes and doctrines no matter how many times we have preached itbefore — we cannot afford to just take it out of the'fridge and throw it cold on the plate! We must studyand re-study, read and re-read and then preach it with alittle flavor, fervor and fire like we did the first time.

What I am saying is that spiritual revival must beginwith an enthusiastic appeal to Scripture. Look at theapostles who set the pace for the early church and lit a fire in the lives of men and women that could not be quenched. How did they do it? THEY BURNED THEWORD OF GOD INTO THE HEARTS OF PEOPLE! They didn't preach politics or social issues, nor did theyconduct seminars on physical education, personal finances or good nutrition. They preached the GOSPEL.They stuck with SCRIPTURE. They went BACK TOTHE BIBLE! — and so must we.

An Emotional Explosion

"And all the people answered, 'A-men, A-men!' whilelifting up their hands' then they bowed low and worshiped the Lord. . ." (8:6). In verse 9 they wept aloud.And why? THEY KNEW THEY WERE GUILTY!They knew they had not lived up to the standard ofScripture. Ezra's sermon hit home — and hard. This was no fire-side chat, no intellectual "chalk-talk" — thiswas persuasive preaching (2 Cor. 5:11). The people werepricked to the heart. They were moved. It was an emotional day.

I hear a lot about positive preaching versus negativepreaching as if "positiveness" and "negativeness" are always antithetical entities. Do you know that some ofthe best positive preaching I have ever heard was negative? (It's sort of like my folks who lived by the rule ofchild-raising that saw many times the positive effects of negative discipline — ouch!)

Now I consider myself a pretty positive guy. And Ienjoy reading after fellows like Chuck Swindol, JamesDobson, Arthur Gordon, Josh McDowell and the like. Ienjoy reading success stories and hearing about peoplewho could when they were told they couldn't. I like motivational books and tapes because they make mefeel good about myself and, truthfully, I've found a lot of good preaching points and applicable illustrationsfrom their works. But there is a recognizable danger inall of this. I must keep uppermost in my mind that myfavorite authors are men and women who have embraced Jesus in name only. While acknowledging Christthey blatantly refuse to preach the entire message ofthe Savior. Oh, they talk about His love, words of wisdom and kindness... but in their ecumenical spirit andunder the disguise of "positive thinking" they refuse totake a stand in many controverted areas of the Lord's teaching. Now isn't that right? And, so, I must exercisecare in whatever reading I do — whether it be the wordsof a Methodist commentator of ages past or a popular"religious" author of the modern day — to not allowmyself to be overly influenced by the words of man tothe point that I forsake the sacred truths of inspired Scripture. When I've failed in that area I've done a favor to no one.

I talk to a lot of people coming out of liberal churchesof Christ. They are used to hearing positive preaching,experiencing enthusiastic worship services and hearinga lot about joy and "let's all love the Lord." But something is missing and that is a resolute appeal to the New Testament as the final authoritative guide in religion.They've heard positive preaching without substance (what good is that?) They have experienced enthusiasmbased on emotions alone. AND THEY WANT MORE! They want enthusiasm based on Bible! They want tohear about soul winning, love and total commitment to Jesus Christ but they also want someone to tell them"why" instrumental music in corporate worship is unacceptable. They want to hear what the Bible says aboutHome and Family from a teacher who won't be a coward and run from God's law on marriage, divorce andremarriage. They want someone who will not be theleast bit embarrassed to tell folks that without baptismthey have no hope of heaven.

Brethren, we will never be able to WAKE THEWORLD AND TELL THE PEOPLE until we are able to touch the human heart... and we will never be able to touch the heart until we go back to the Bible. Theremust be a balance in all of this. We must have emotion and we must have truth upon which to base our emotion. We must hear topical sermons and we must hearexpository ones. We must preach on Bible principlesthat touch people where they live and work and we mustdeal with issues that concern the work and worship ofthe Lord's church. It's a great responsibility to preach and teach the Gospel. God help me to be faithful!

DON'T FORGET TO PRAY!

HINDRANCES TO PRAYER

Husbands are instructed to treat their wives properlythat their "prayers be not hindered" (1 Pet. 3:7) Obviously there are some things that hinder our prayers.These must be recognized and overcome, for that whichhinders our prayers hinders our whole service unto God.Christians are no stronger than their prayers.

An Unforgiving Spirit

Jesus taught his disciples to pray "forgive us ourdebts, as we forgive our debtors" (Matt. 6:12). Afterconcluding the model prayer the Lord said, "For if yeforgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespass" (vs. 14-15). If we are unwilling to forgive anotherwhen he says he repents (Lk. 17:1-4) then our prayersare hindered and we stand condemned before God (cf.Matt. 18:21-25).

Wandering Attention

It is easy to let our minds begin to wander both inpublic and private prayers. We may start out with ourattention fixed on every word of the prayer, but beforewe know it we are thinking about something totallyunrelated to any part of the prayer. Prayer is an active thing, not passive. We can't just bow our heads whileanother leads us and be praying with our minds wandering about. We must watch unto prayer (1 Pet. 4:7). Ourprayer must be in spirit, i.e. from the heart (John 4:24; 1 Cor. 14:15).

Continuing In Sin

We must be reminded that God doesn't hear the prayer of sinners (Isa. 59:1-2; Prov. 28:9; John 9:31).Rather, his ears are open unto the righteous (1 Pet.3:12). However, some brethren continue in sin and atthe same time continue to pray. Could it be that theyreally think God will hear and answer those prayers inspite of the sin? They harbor ungodly attitudes, forsake the assembling of the saints, drink socially, smoke,dress immodestly, mistreat their mate or children and live in adulterous marriages. What good do they think their prayers will do? Prayer is not a substitute forrighteous living. Without repentance, prayer does notchange a wicked man into a righteous one.

Our text (1 Pet. 3:7) again shows that sin hindersprayer. Peter said that God listens to the righteous (1Pet. 3:22). John said, "And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, anddo those things that are pleasing in his sight" (1 Jno.3:22). Someone once said, "To pray while living inwrongdoing is to spread the sail while leaving the anchor unlifted."

Lack Of Interest In Spiritual Matters

There is, without a question a lack of spirituality withsome of us. Other matters occupy our time and interest.I believe that the contrast in Rom. 2 (walking after the flesh — vs — walking after the spirit) is one between those who do what is best for their flesh, pleasing theouter man and those who do what is best for the soul. Consequently those who are more interested in theouter man have filled their time and interest with sports, their job, fashion, television, entertainment, et.al. When this is done, little time is left for spiritual things. Many Christians spend little time reading theBible and religious materials. We spend dollars upondollars on entertainment, fashionable clothes, fine furniture, vacations, magazines, newspapers, books and television sets and spend considerably less on Biblestudy aids such as commentaries, concordances, Bible dictionaries, Bible encyclopedias, other tracts and journals. We think nothing of spending $15,000 on a car,$50,000 to $90,000 for a good house, $500 for a television set, but think it too much to pay anywhere from$5.00 to $15.00 a year to have a good religious paper,with edifying material, to be mailed into our home.

With some, spiritual things are just not the primarythings in their minds. Such a one is less apt to pray as heought.

Self Righteousness

The Pharisee in Lk. 18:9-14 was an arrogant, self-righteous person. He thought he was far superior to the lowly publican. The text clearly shows that it was the humble publican and not the Pharisee that was justified. It is easy to let ourselves become spiritually proudand think ourselves to be something when we are not (1Cor. 10:12; Gal. 6:3). When we do, our prayers are hindered.

No Time

We have allowed our jobs and social pleasures to rob us of time and quiet hours to pray. We have made such arat race for ourselves to live in that it is hard for some to find just a few minutes a day to stop and talk to God.We must learn to make time. If it involves getting up alittle earlier, staying up a little later or quitting something we are doing, we must make the time. Jesus rose a great while before day so that he could go to a solitaryplace and pray to his Father (Mk. 1:35).

Just because you pray doesn't mean that your prayeris acceptable to god. It could be that you hinder yourown prayers. Examine your life and diligently serveGod "that your prayers be not hindered."

It is with a sense of great personal loss that I reportthe death of one of the dearest friends I ever had in this life, brother Louis Earl Fly, of Jackson, TN. He died,appropriately, at church time Sunday morning, March 15, 1987, after several years of failing health. He was a gospel preacher of uncommon ability.

Early Life and Conversion to Christ

Earl was born on Feb. 17, 1924 at Stika, TN (NearMilan). He was a member of a prominent family in thatcommunity. A cousin of his became Governor of theState (Browning). Other members of his family (including his parents) were/are members of the business community in that area. He joined the Missionary Baptistchurch as a young man. For many years he struggled to convert his parents to Christ. His father died withoutbecoming a Christian, but his mother, though harderagainst the truth than his father, and probably kepthim from obeying the gospel, finally became a Christian before she died!

Earl, his wife Laverne, and Earl's brother-in-law, Orlan Hogue, and Bernice, Orlan's wife (Earl's only sister)and Dan, Orlan's brother, were all converted during agospel meeting at Sitka, TN held by Loyce L. Pearce in1947. They were all staunch Baptists. Someone invited Earl and Orlan, who were partners in a small garage atSitka, to attend. They were curious, and decided to go.After hearing Loyce preach, they were pretty upset,and decided to study up on their Baptist doctrine and prove Loyce wrong. They continued to attend the meeting to get all the ammunition possible. The result wasthat they were converted to Christ!

Earl, Orlan Hogue, and Orlan's brother Dan, all entered Freed-Hardeman College in the fall of 1947, a few days following conversion, determined to preach thegospel. I entered Freed-Hardeman in the fall of 1948,and my friendship with all these brethren dates fromthat time. The Needham and Fly families particularlyformed a bond of friendship that has lasted almost 40years. Our last year in college, we lived and preached forchurches that were about 5 miles apart (He at Tigrett,and I at Maury City) and commuted to Freed-Hardeman 4 days a week. We became like flesh and blood brothers.

Effectiveness as a Gospel Preacher

Earl Fly and Orlan Hogue became two of the mosteffective gospel preachers I have ever known. In almost40 years of preaching I have never met any two otherpersons who manifested the zeal for God I saw in these two brethren. (Orlan died as the result of a freak fall inthe Post Office while living and preaching in Huntingdon, TN in 1956). Many persons were baptized asthe result of their work including several in their respective families. Their work was similar to that of Paul and Barnabas; wherever they went they caused either a revival or a riot. They pulled no punches where religiouserror was concerned and this ruffled the feathers of a good many brethren whose businesses or jobs dependedupon their having a popular religion. Thus, with some ofthe brethren, Orlan and Earl were not the most popularpreachers, but, by far, the most effective in the area.They took a good deal of "flack," but endured it gladly and without complaint. In time, the real reason for allthe complaining among the brethren in West Tennessee was manifest: a lack of scriptural conviction and thespirit of compromise. This is proven by the fact that,almost to a person, those most prominent in it are now the leaders in the liberal churches of the area.

It was my good fortune to be associated with Earl andOrlan, along with Grover Stevens in many gospel meetings in West Tennessee. The four of us labored muchtogether in the interest of the salvation of souls. "Thesewere the best of times and the worst of times." Theywere the best of times from the standpoint of findingpeople who would accept the truth. They were the worstof times from the standpoint of being abandoned, opposed and even persecuted by our own brethren in theface of dogged opposition from the sectarians and falseteachers. There were times when bodily harm and even our lives were threatened.

A "True Yokefellow" (Phil. 4:3)

Following graduation from Freed-Hardeman, Earland I continued to work together in the general area of

W. Tennessee. We held numerous tent meetings andpublic debates with denominational preachers. In tentmeetings he would sometimes preach and I would lead singing; and sometimes we would reverse the order. Weadvertised an open pulpit, and local denominationalpreachers were invited to occupy our pulpit and showwhere we were wrong. We baptized many people andstarted some churches in the area. We also taught Bibleclasses and preached one Sunday afternoon per monthat the Ft. Pillar State Prison Farm at Henning, Tennessee with great opposition from the prison chaplain, amember of some Pentecostal group.

As time went by, our work took us to different partsof the country, but we continued to work together ingospel meetings in hard places. We did extensive workin the State of Iowa, traveling there by train. In the late1950's and early '60's I lived in St. Petersburg, FL andEarl preached for a time for the Belmont Heightschurch in Tampa. It was good to be close again.

The Outward Man Perishes (2 Cor. 4:16)

In the late 1950's Earl's health began to fail, andhis physical strength to dissipate. He was forced to become less and less active in the work, and finallydid very little preaching. He suffered a good deal physically, financially, and emotionally from the frustration of not

being able to do what he loved best. He went throughseveral surgeries, and during the last year of his earthlysojourn, he suffered 2 or 3 strokes. The last one tookhim to a better country.

A Soldier of the Cross

In his prime, Earl had few equals as a Bible student,pulpiteer, debater and writer. In those early years hewas, at the same time, the most zealous and patientman I ever knew. It would be hard to imagine a circumstance that could have hindered him from going wherever and whenever he was needed to preach the gospel.We have spent untold hours in homes teaching the goodnews of Christ to both the open-minded and the obstinate. Long after I had given up on some closed-mindedand unreasonable sectarian with whom we were working, Earl was still in there repeating over and overagain, patiently and kindly, the same simple truths wehad already repeated a dozen times! He just never gaveup or ran out of patience or spoke unkindly.

With the truth he was skillful. He not only knew thetruth, but he knew how to use it, and was absolutelyfearless in so doing. In debates, private and public, heused it like a dagger! No person could take a falseposition in his presence without facing its consequences.

His Fields of Labor

Earl's work as a gospel preacher spanned almost 40years, though as I said earlier, failing health diminished his activities for several years. He preached at the following locations: Friendship, Tigrett, Bonnicord, Medina, First Street in Lawrenceburg and HollywoodDrive (Now Old Hickory) in Jackson (Where his healthforced him to retire) in Tennessee; Valley Station, KY(Louisville area, where he did one of the finest works Iever witnessed); Belmont Heights, Tampa, and Holden Heights, Orlando, in Florida. He also was very active inmeeting work, public debates and writing throughouthis active years.

A "True Yokefellow," A Friend, and a Christian

While I knew Earl Fly as a yoke-fellow in God's work,and as a friend like few men ever have, I also knew himas a Christian. I know he was not perfect, and he wouldbe the first to admit it, and it is not my purpose here toenlarge him in death beyond what he was in life, but hehad principles and traits of character that are all too lacking in many. Christ dwelt in his heart by faith (Eph.3:17). One could not be with Earl without taking knowledge that he had been with Jesus (Acts 4:13). He wasabsolutely incapable of gossip and was sternly intolerant of it in others. In all the years of my very close association with him, I never heard him utter one pieceof unconfirmed rumor, and I often knew of his rebukingothers for repeating such, and forcing the perpetrator toface the consequences of his dastardly deed! If therewas good in a person, Earl saw it and tried to build uponit. When others were criticized in his presence, he wouldjump to their defense if he had the facts, or express the possibility that there had been a misunderstanding if hedidn't.

Those Who Mourn His Passing

Earl leaves behind his beloved wife, Laverne, twochildren: Ronnie and Anne Marie, three grand children,and one great grandchild, plus a host of friends andbrethren who will miss him, but who rejoice in his hopeof the glory of God (Rom. 5:2).

Good Bye, Old Friend,I'll See You Again

He shall ever live vividly in my memory, and I shall miss him terribly, but I shall rejoice in the blessed hope that he is better now and that one day we shall meetagain and reminisce of the pleasant and profitable hourswe and our families spent together on earth in the cause we all loved more than life. Good bye, old friend, I'll see you again in a better land where we'll have "a buildingof God, an house not made with hands, eternal in theheavens" (2 Cor. 5:2).

The Departure

"The dead are like the stars by day

Withdrawn from mortal eye;

But not extinct, they hold their way

In glory through the sky.

Spirits from bondage thus set free

Vanish amidst immensity,

Where human thought, and human sight,

Fail to pursue their trackless flight."

Author unknown

A Plea

As stated in this article, Earl had financial difficultiesin his later years. Being close to the family, I personallyknow that his widow is having a problem with all theunexpected expenses connected with his death. It would be a wonderful gesture if those of us who knew and loved Earl and his family would chip in and helpLaverne over this difficult time. She does not need financial worries to add to her sorrows. All help should besent to: Laverne Fly, 2208 N. Highland, Jackson, TN38301. May the Lord bless you as you consider thisimportant matter. Laverne is unaware of my effortsalong this line.

PLAYING THE GAME

I'm not an ardent sports fan. I try to maintain acasual interest in Alabama football in order to keepfrom being tried for high treason. But actually it did not make my day when Alabama beat Notre Dame and itdid not rob me of all joy when they lost to Penn State oreven to Auburn.

After all, if just really doesn't matter much who wins a ball game.

And yet, I recognize that there's a lot of drama insports. I can see how a fellow could get caught up in an inordinate interest in the game. I think Paul was asports fan. He made use of the olympian contests several times to illustrate spiritual truths.

I'm inclined to disagree with some critics who look upon such pastimes as symptoms of national decline.There are symptoms to be sure. But I doubt that this isone of them.

Solomon wrote that there's "time to every purposeunder the heaven." Therefore there must be a time to work and a time to play.

Our forefathers wisely counseled that "all work andno play makes jack a dull boy." I don't see why it shouldbe necessary to fit oneself for heaven that one should have to be unfit to live with here. A temperate regardfor pastime and recreation is desirable.

The Game of Life

There exists many lessons of life to be drawn from thediamond, gridiron, or court. Training will tell in all ofthese and in the game of life. Discipline and self-controlare qualities that give the edge.

And if you fumble, or strike out, or miss the free throw, no one gives a flip why. Whether you have aheadache, or stayed up too late, or the sun got in youreyes, just doesn't matter to the grandstand or thebleachers. You had your chance. You blew it. The gamegoes on. And your explanations do not change the score.

It's the fellow who makes the touchdown who draws the crowd. Only a few close friends will be listeningsympathetically to the guy with the alibi.

And if there's a weakness, its going to be discovered.The fighter with the glass jaw won't last. The slugger who can't hit the breaking ball on the inside won't make it. The game of life searches out the weakness.

The boy or girl with a weakness becomes the man orwoman with a weakness. The boy who cheats in schoolis headed for the minors. The girl who is untruthful, orlifts a few petty items at the shopping center, is preparing for a big letdown. Unless such weaknesses are worked out they will prove one's undoing.

Being A Good Sport

Everybody appreciates a good sport, whether in basketball or life. The player who gives 110 percent, butwho is considerate, and abides by the decision of the referee who had rather lose than win unfairly is admired by friend and foe alike.

There are many poor sports in life. The poor sport misrepresents his enemy. He cannot see a single goodquality in him. He makes alibis and quits the game ifthings don't bounce his way.

He is a poor winner and a poor loser.

The good sport is a gracious winner and a good loser.He doesn't waste his time giving excuses. He acceptsdefeat and disappointment, setback and grief, and facesthe world. He will eventually be a winner.

Do you know of a single instance when such a loserdid not come back to win? If not in that game, in someother?

It's one thing to lose the game. It's another to lose your temper, or your nerve.

The Rules of the Game

Whatever the game, it is played according to the rules. No game would be worth playing or watching ifthe rules were disregarded.

Rules are limitations. If the runner is a tenth of a second late in reaching first, he's out. And if a worker is ten minutes late getting to work, he's late.

Rules govern us from the cradle to the grave. There's"the law of gravitation," "the golden rule," the rules ofhealth and sanitation, traffic laws, and postal laws andregulations. If you join a club, they hand you a copy ofthe by-laws.

Rules.

We had best mind them. There is great reward indoing so. There are bitter consequences in violating therules of life.

Get in the game. Play hard, but play fair. Be a goodsport. Observe the rules. The great Judge is going to be extremely interested when He marks our card as to howwe played the game.

"And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is notcrowned unless he competes according to the rules" (1Tim. 2:5).

"PREACHER NEEDED"

By ads in religious journals, by letter, by telephone,or by word of mouth comes the plea, "Preacher needed."And, as long as the demand is greater than the supply,thus shall it ever be.

Since the gospel message has been placed in "earthen vessels" (2 Cor. 4:7), we have heard the plea of theMacedonian man echoed time and again (Acts 16:9). Itis good that the church place proper emphasis on thepreaching of the gospel, for by that method men are saved (Rom. 10:14, 15), congregations are established(Acts 11:19-26), and the church is edified (Acts 16:5).

In order for this pattern to continue, preachers may be fully supported by the church or individuals, partially supported by these sources, or he may support himself. Circumstances should determine which of these methods is most expedient, as in the case of the apostle Paul.

But, while I would neither discourage nor minimizethe preaching of the gospel, I am convinced that there are situations where a preacher is needed and notwanted, or wanted and not needed. I am just as convinced that at times our methods are not very efficient,when it seems that those with the most talent and experience are where they are least needed, and thosewith the least talent and experience are in the mostdifficult places. As long as the demand for preachersexceeds the supply, we need to use our time and makeour decisions as wisely as possible.

Again, without intending to dampen anyone's zeal, Ithink some congregations need to reconsider some oftheir requests. In most cases which come to my attention, the congregation looking for a preacher seems towant an experienced, able man who is adept both in thepulpit and in "personal work," and want someone else tofully support him. Even when the requesting congregation is willing to share part of the support, they stillinsist on a "full time" preacher, not one who is willing tohelp support himself at secular work. With this kind ofphilosophy, some of the congregations of the first century and some in our time never would have been established.

Brethren need to learn to walk before they try to run,and need to help themselves as much as possible beforeasking for help. There is nothing degrading about meeting in a private home, a rented room, a converted dwelling, or a modest building in a modest neighborhood.

While some brethren have made some unwise decisions' and manifested little zeal or foresight in the past, the fact remains that every new congregation is not goingto start off with the finest building in the best part oftown, and the best preacher in the brotherhood, withsomeone else paying the bill.

It appears that our effort in society to formulate programs for the needy and underprivileged has fostered aclimate of perpetual, professional welfare. I wonder ifthis attitude has affected some in the church — those who expect a few to be faithful in work, attendance,responsibility, and financial integrity, while the restride along free of charge. I have also seen this spiritmanifest itself among brethren of foreign lands who feelthat it is their place to make request, and the place ofthe American brethren to meet those requests, howevernumerous or unreasonable they might be.

My life has been spent trying to preach the gospelwhere it is needed. I have always tried to encourage other preachers and congregations to be like-minded.We need congregations which are financially and doctrinally sound, so that they can assist those which are not.We need experienced, able preachers to help those younger in faith. May we all be found in the right place at theLord's coming.

Caesarea Philippi was a town in the northern portion of Palestine, some 25 miles north of the Sea of Galilee. Itwas located at the foot of Mount Hermon. Herod Philipextended the town in his day, and named if after himself, to distinguish it from his father's "Caesarea" on the sea-coast. This is the northern-most region thatChrist is recorded in Scripture as having traveled.

The expression "district' merely refers to the region,territory, or area around Caesarea Philippi.

Verse 14 — "And they said, 'Some say John the Baptist; some, Elijah; and others, Jeremiah, or one ofthe prophets.' " The disciples recount the various opinions held by the residents of the area, as to Christ's identity. John the Baptizer had been beheaded. This "haunted" Herod the Tetrarch (Matt. 14:1-2).Malachi, the last of the Old Testament Prophets, had spoken about Elijah being sent back to Israel (Mai.4:5-6).

Verse 15 — "He said to them, 'But who doyou say that I am?' "

This is a direct and emphatic question. An answer isdemanded!

Verse 16 — "And Simon Peter answered and said, 'Thou art the Christ, the Son of theliving God:"

The Gospel of Matthew is obviously written to instruct the Hebrews as to the identity of the Messiah, forwhom they had looked so long (Matt. 1:16). "The LivingGod" was an expression used by the Jews for their God,in contrast to the pagan gods, who were considered tobe 'dead gods'... "gods without power". This passagecould be rendered "Thou art the Christ, the Son of theGod who lives forever."

Verse 17 — "And Jesus answered and said to him,'Blessed are you, Simon Barjonas, because flesh andblood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is inheaven.' " Congratulations, Simon, son of John (Jonas)! This truth concerning Me, you did not receivefrom a human source, but from My Heavenly Father.Obviously, Christ was pleased with Peter's confession of His Divinity. So, the word "Blessed," "happy" (as in the Beatitudes,) or even "Congratulations!"

Verse 18 — "And I also say to you, that youare Peter, and upon this rock I will build Mychurch; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it."

The Greek word for " Peter" is petros, meaning a stone or pebble. So, Jesus was not telling Peter what his namewas, but was stressing the size or dimension of stonewhich Peter's name designated. Then, the contrast wascompleted when Jesus continued by emphasizing, and upon this rock, petra. a ledge of rock, or "bed-rock" Iwill construct or build my church or kingdom. Note thatJesus was NOT promising to build His church uponPeter, but upon something far greater and more stable,i.e., Christ's Divinity which Peter had just confessed.Some translators give the word "rock" a capital "R",but since the original text was in uncials... all the samesize letters, then any capitals are the product of thetranslator's own mind, and may or may not be correct.May I suggest the following translation:

"And I also say to you, that you are a pebble, and upon this bed-rock I will build Mychurch..."

The later part of this verse deals with two possiblesubjects: (1) That the powers of the Hadean world cannot conquer, prevail against, over-power or over-come His church. Or, (2) That the powers of the Hadean worldwill not be able to prevent Christ's resurrection. Andthis second view, agrees with Acts 2:24: "And God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony ofdeath, since it was impossible for Him to be held in itspower."

It is true that Daniel and other Old Testament

Prophets foretold the establishment of Christ's church,

His kingdom, and that it would never be destroyed. But

this passage under study, is dealing with the Divinity of

Christ, and the resurrection of Christ, and stating that

"the powers of the Hadean world are not strong enough

to prevent Christ's triumph over death and the grave.

Thus, by their failing to retain Christ in the tomb, the

church would indeed be established.

Verse 19 — "I will give you the keys of the kingdom

of heaven; and whatever you shall bind on earth

shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever

you shall loose on earth shall have been loosed in

heaven." The word "keys" denotes the privilege,

prerogative or authority to unlock or open something

that has previously been unopened. So, Peter is given

the privilege of "unlocking" or releasing salvation and

remission of sins to the world. He is granted the

opportunity of proclaiming Christ's soul-saving gospel

for the very first time to the Jews on Pentecost, and

later for the first time to Gentiles at the household

of Cornelius. (Acts 10th Chapter.)

Even in this modern day, we sometimes give the "Key

to the City" to some visiting dignitary. Although this

ceremony is a rather hollow thing, nevertheless, it is a

symbolism that goes back to antiquity, wherein Kings

granted "keys" to their trusted stewards and court offi

rials. Various privileges accompanied the "giving of the

keys".

Next, comes the subject of "binding and loosing",permitting or prohibiting. The way that many translations are worded, leaves the impression that Heaven gave Peter carte blanche or unrestricted authority,upon this occasion. As if Heaven were saying: "Peter,whatever you bind, God will subsequently ratify andalso bind." Such an idea puts God in direct conflict withHis Son, when Christ announced that He, Christ, possessed ALL authority, both in heaven and earth. (See Matt. 28:18.)

Therefore, instead of granting the Apostle the rightof determining what should or should not "be bound",as the King James and other versions state: in reality,Heaven was commanding Peter to subsequently teachand bind, that which Heaven had already bound. I copyfrom the Nestle-Marshall Text:

". . . and whatever thou bindest on the earth, shall be, having been bound in the heavens, and whatever thou loosest on theearth, shall be, having been loosed in theheavens."

Thus, in harmony with Christ's having full (all) authority in these matters, Peter is assigned the task (yeta privilege) or carrying out Christ's instruction . . . i.e., what Christ had bound.

Verse 20 — "Then He warned the disciplesthat they should tell no one that He was theChrist."

Christ frequently directed His disciples NOT to makeknown His real identity. See Matt. 8:4; 9:30; and 12:16.

Conclusion

The confession of Christ's Divinity, serves as the bedrock foundation of his church. "If you confess with yourmouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart thatGod raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved" (Rom. 10:9). "... No one can say, 'Jesus is Lord,' exceptby the Holy Spirit" (1 Cor. 12:3) "... That every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory ofGod the Father" (Phil 2:11).

The preceding passages establish that indeed thechurch of Christ is founded upon His Divinity, for noperson can be added to His church, without first obeying the commands to believe in Christ as God's Son;repent of one's past sins; confess Christ before mankind(Matt. 10:32); and be baptized into Christ, for the remission of one's past sins (Acts 2:38). Certainly, Christ's Divinity is the foundation of His church.

Most students of the Bible are acquainted with suchfine works as Vincent's "Word Studies in the New Testament," Vines' "Expository Dictionary Of New Testament Words," and Young's "Analytical Concordance to the Bible." These works aid the student in the study ofthe scriptures, but slavish reliance upon them must beavoided. Scholarly integrity does not always reign: sectarian bias and other unhealthy soul conditions havebeen known to cloud their definitions. How then can those who do not have scholarly training in Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, etc. accurately determine the meaningof words found in the Bible? Study of context, is the answer. This is a brief study of definitions by context,

i.e. allowing the Bible to define its own terms. Somewords, with no variation in spelling, have quite differentmeanings in different contexts.

John wrote, "Love not the world, neither the thingsthat are in the world. If any man love the world, the loveof the Father is not in him" (1 John 2:15). Here children of God are commanded to love not the "world." It is further stated that if any man love the "world", the loveof the Father is not in him. The same writer used the same word, "world", to describe the object of God'slove: "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son..." (John 3:16). Does God love that which he forbids his children to love? This certainly cannotbe the case. The context in both cases defines the word.

The "world' of 1 John 2:15 is made up of the "lust ofthe flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the vainglory of life"(1 John 2:16). Notice John's language. He wrote that"all" that is in the "world", which Christians are forbidden to love, is lust in the three areas cited.

The "world" in John 3:16 is made up of human beings,beings capable of believing. "Whosoever believeth onhim should not perish but have eternal life." This language, along with the statement of verse 18, "He thatbelieveth on him is not judged . . ." identifies the"world" here as men and women. Christians are required to love this world; but they must not love the"world" which is in view in 1 John 2:15.

Another word which carries a different meaning indifferent contexts in the word "know." The context in which the word "know" is found in the Bible is our main reliance in defining the word.

The word "know" is used to "convey the thought ofconnection or union, as between man and woman"(Vines). This use is found in Matthew 1:25, "Knew hernot till she had brought forth a son;" or again, Luke1:34, "And Mary said unto the angel, how shall this be,seeing I know not a man." "Know" here expressed physical union; it speaks of sexual intimacy.

The same Greek word is used in other contexts which do not remotely suggest physical "connection or union." When John wrote, "And this is life eternal, thatthey should know thee, the only true God, and himwhom thou didst send, even Jesus Christ" (John 17:3),he was conveying an entirely different idea with theword "know," than that of "union between man and woman"! The same Greek word, translated "know,"which is used to describe the physical union of man and woman, is here used as equivalent to life eternal. Theidea clothed with the word "know" in one case in no way suggests the meaning of the word "know" in the othercase. It is a dis-service to understanding to take themeaning of the word "know" drawn from one contextand use it to define the word "know" in other contexts.

This same apostle wrote, "and hereby we know thatwe know him, if we keep his commandments. He thatsaith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments,is a liar and the truth is not in him: but whoso keepethhis word, in him verily hath the love of God been perfected" (1 John 2:3-5). Do you "know" that you "know"God? If you are depending on emotion or feeling, youare trusting in the wrong thing for evidence. You"know" that you know, if you are obedient.

Intimacy is not the idea present in the word "know"when speaking of our connection with God. The child ofGod loves his heavenly Father, but is not "overfamiliar" with God. He comes to the throne of gracewith reverence and awe. He does not approach God witha "hello daddy!"

From 1 John 2:3 we learn that knowing God is keeping his commandments. It is also true that the Lord"knows" us when we "do" the will of God. "Not everyone that saith unto me Lord, Lord, shall enter into thekingdom of heaven: but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me in thatday, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name, andby thy name cast out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works. And then will I profess unto them,I never knew you . . ." (Matthew 7:21-23). "Know" (knew) in this place conveys the idea of approval. Thethought that Jesus was ignorant, not aware of theirexistence, or that he was unacquainted, is certainly notthe thought expressed by the word "know" here.

John uses the word "know" which we are studying inthe gospel of John forty-five times, while the other three gospel writers all together use it only forty-nine times.The word "world" which is considered in this lesson, isused sixty-nine times in the gospel of John but onlyfifteen times by all three of the other gospel writers. The study of the way John uses the words will be helpful.

Philippians 2:4 says, "Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others." Thisis a very important Bible passage. However, it is often overlooked, and is not emphasized as it should be.

Many people have a very selfish attitude today asthey care only about themselves. So many people todayonly "LOOK OUT FOR NUMBER ONE" as the expression goes. They have no concern for anyone else butthemselves.

The statement in Philippines 2:4 certainly contradicts the self-centered attitude that is so prevalent today. The NASB translates it "do not merely LOOKOUT for your OWN PERSONAL INTERESTS, butalso for the INTERESTS OF OTHERS." Certainly thispassage is not saying that we are to be busybodies.However, it is saying that we are not to be just interested in our own affairs, but we are to be concerned andinterested in the good and welfare of other people.Christians are to care about other people and not justthemselves.

A similar concept is found in Galatians 6. This texttells us that in addition to bearing our own burdens weare to bear the burdens of others. Verse 2 says, "Bear yeone another burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

In the first part of Philippians 2, Paul is trying toemphasize the importance of unity. He states variousthings in the text which will promote unity. Amongthem is the passage which we are examining. If we haveconcern for others, as well as ourselves, it will be mucheasier to be of one accord and of one mind as Paul implores in verse 2.

A proper application of this passage can help us agreat deal in our daily life also. Often, when we get ourminds off of our own problems, and look at the difficulties and hardships of others, our own problems seemmuch smaller. We are able to cope with them muchbetter.

Among too many professed believers in the body ofChrist there is the spoken and sometimes the unspokennotion of limited church soundness. Too many thinkthat the canon of soundness basically embraces thefollowing: (1) the plan of salvation; (2) a scriptural name;

(3) a rejection of human institutions; (4) opposition tothe social gospel; and (5) the right order of worship,namely the rejection of mechanical instruments of music and the scriptural order of partaking of the Lord's Supper. All of these I heartily embrace, but I believe thesoundness (wholeness) involves more than this limiteduse. The church of Ephesus had many commendablequalities including a stand against false apostles; hence,it took a stand against false teaching. The church atEphesus was a fighting congregation making it a primecandidate for brotherhood "soundness." The Lord had a different view from many people on what comprisessoundness. Christ chided the church for having left itsfirst love (Revelations 2:4). Having left their first love,they were in danger of losing their identity (Revelation2:5).

Brethren, I have been a member of the body of Christfor twenty-eight years, and during that time, I haveseen only two cases of punitive church discipline. Somehave never seen the first case of punitive discipline. Is itnot strange that no real measures of discipline are beingtaken in spite of a plethora of: deserters (church quitters); divorce and unscriptural remarriage; hatred among members; social drinking; scandalous attire; rampant greed; envy and jealousy; and some eldershipsthat are manifestly unqualified. Also, a veritable Diotrephes can be ruling with an imperious hand, and thechurch in most instances never gets around to dealingwith this church-splitting problem for many reasons,within and without the church. Many people in thechurch often know that a person is acting like Diotrephes, but try to look the other way, because theydon't want to get involved in helping to deal with theproblem. Brethren, all of the above things involve thematter of soundness or the lack of it; moreover, all ofthese things challenge the authority of Christ. All ofthese things most surely involve the matter of doctrine.

Conclusion:

Brethren, smugness about staunchness for soundness needs to be zeroed. Congregations all over the landneed to read again the account of two men who went upto pray (Luke 18:9-14).

Most Bible students will recognize the title of thispiece as coming from Rom. 11:25 where it is applied tothe Jews of Paul's day. In this context Paul has taughtthat some (a remnant) of the Jews had been saved, bytheir obedience to the Gospel, "For this is my covenantunto them, when I shall take away their sins." Three thousand Jews became the first segment of that remnant (Acts 2:41). This number was greatly increasedduring the next eight or ten years Acts 5:14; 8:4; 9:31).This "blindness" was to be complete after "the fulnessof the Gentiles be come in." However, it is shown that"all Israel" could be saved in the same way that theremnant was saved-by obeying the Gospel. This is brief,but will serve as an introduction to what I am about to say.

"Blindness in part" has indeed, happened to God'sIsrael of today (the church of the Lord). Excluding thecontext of Paul's statement, it could very well havebeen said concerning spiritual Israel of our times. I can well imagine that the same could be said of the churchduring any generation of its members, from its beginning until the present day. However, we cannot reworkthe past; we can only learn from it. RIGHT NOW needsto be our main concern. Without the concern for NOW,the FUTURE holds little promise for enlightenment.Preacher, elder, or teacher, how many do you know right where you are that cannot determine "soundness"in the faith? I am not talking about the new convert; Iam talking about those members that have been members more than a little while. How many know what tolook for in determining who is "sound" and who is "liberal?"

I have before me a church bulletin, sent me by a"senior saint" in another part of the country. Near theend of the bulletin is a plea to the local saints to notforget their monthly commitment to an orphan's home.This "senior saint" had penned a note beneath this plea

— "They help orphan home through private contribution." What a comfort this must have been! Shout the "glad tidings!"

I here give some of the activities listed in that samebulletin, in which that congregation was to be involvedduring the summer: Men's breakfast at Sambo's, Skating party, Youth rally, Bus evangelism workshop,Youth devotional, Senior saints luncheon, Mid teencamp, Family camp, Pre teen camp, Men and boys cam-pout, Jr. teen camp, Sub teen camp, and Sr. teen camp.They are to be so busy this summer making "provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof" (Rom. 13:14),that the Lord will have to be satisfied (?) with the "leftovers." Such people really need to digest what Jesussaid in Mt. 7:21-23, "Not every one that saith unto me,Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have wenot prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have castout devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knewyou: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

It seems to me that the impression is left, much toooften, that a "sound" church is merely one that does notsupport an orphan home or the Herald of Truth. Weneed to be repeatedly warned that if we must list theitems that make for "soundness" or "unsoundness", thelist must be a good deal longer. Many appear to be "cutand-dried" liberals without realizing it. The "deceitfulness of sin" has, indeed, done its work (Heb. 3:13). Theproverbial "wolf in sheep's clothing," whom Jesus identifies as a "false prophet" (Mt. 7:15), has entered "in among you, not sparing the flock" (Acts 20:29). But,Jesus said, "My sheep hear my voice" (Jno. 10:27). Itprobably would do little good to plead with the group mentioned above to hear the voice of the Master; forthey have long since ceased to listen; they are really onthe move! But, in which direction? Complete apostasy,if not already reached, is knocking on the door — veryloudly! About the only question remaining is, "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things whichI say? (Lk. 6:46).

The "senior saint" mentioned above apparently didnot recognize the liberalism that was running wild inthe local church there. I have personal knowledge ofseveral such cases; and I have wondered just how general such cases may be. In conversation with others, invarious parts of the country, I have found experiencesthat parallel mine. The fact is, for some reason, manymembers of the church simply do not know how to determine "soundness" and are thus led into liberal practices. I make no effort to assign blame, but do think that such should cause alarm with us all. The problemsinvolved with orphan homes and the Herald of Truth most certainly should be identified for what they are, tobe sure. However, are we overlooking something? Are not there other things that disgrace the cause of Christjust as much? How much liberalism does it take to beliberal? Human judgment can err! Many instancescould, no doubt, be explained by saying, "For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull ofhearing, and their eyes they have closed; — "(Mt. 13:15).In all honesty, let us hear the question — Is this the onlyexplanation?

"Blindness in part" has, indeed, happened to God'sIsrael of today. Whether the situation improves orworsens depends upon those who have the capabilitiesto recognize "shortcomings" and to apply the remedy ofDivine truth. We can count higher than two, on the listof liberal practices. Let us strive to equip brethren torecognize liberalism, regardless of the direction fromwhich it may come, and in spite of the insidious forms inwhich it may raise its ugly head. Faith comes by hearingGod's Word (Rom. 10:17); that Word is God's power to save (Rom. 1:16) by the precious blood of Christ (1 Pet.1:19). Tried faith in that Word is more precious thangold (1 Pet. 1:7). Error thrives on ignorance; and I prayGod that no ignorance be the result of my failure toproperly proclaim His Word (1 Cor. 9:16; Acts 20:26-27).How about you?

Send all News Items to: Connie W. Adams, P.O. Box 69, Brooks, KY 40109

MIKE BAGGETT, Rt. 3, Box 148AA, Water Valley, MS 38965 — The purpose of this letter is to let brethren know that we have leftbehind all liberal practices. On August 10, 1986, my wife and Imade the hardest change of our lives. We decided that attempts tochange a liberal-minded congregation were to no avail.

In March, 1986, I began a serious study of the issues which have divided the Lord's church for some 30 years. I put aside what I had been taught in preacher's school for some honest, open-minded study.I decided that names such as "anti" and "orphan-hater" would have nobearing on this personal study. I have been asked, "What led you intosuch a deep study of these issues?" My answer if that I becamealarmed over sudden changes in the liberal camp. They were changingtoo fast for me. Large amounts of money were being spent (fromchurch treasuries) to build expensive dining halls, camping houses and even gymnasiums to attract and keep people coming. It seemed to methat many of the liberal churches were jumping on the same bandwagon with the denominations about them. I had already left the Baptist church and was let down very much. I had to know if suchpractices were simply expedients or sinful. It did not take long torealize that such things were unscriptural. That led me to consider other questions, such as church support of orphan homes and otherinstitutions.

SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES aided me much in this study. For this I am thankful. Articles on institutionalism gave memeat to chew on. Other sources and individuals helped me greatlyin this study. To everyone who helped, I say "thank you." A study ofindividual duties and church (collective) duties, proved my formerposition dead wrong. I had been incorrectly taught on James 1:27. Collective action was not in the verse. I had been taught thatwhatever an individual can do, the local church can do. Brethren, here is the root of our deceived brethren's error. God's word shows a difference in certain individual and church duties. Read carefully Matt. 18:15-17 and 1 Tim. 5:16.

It wasn't long before I realized who it was who should care fororphans and widows in general. God expects much of us as individuals. Read Matt. 25:40-46; Gal. 6:9-10; 1 Tim. 5:16; James 1:26-27. This is not to teach that the local church has no benevolent work. Read Acts 6:1-8; Rom. 15:25-33; 1 Tim. 5:3-16.

Having learned the truth on these issues, I taught my wife. Then I tried to teach the congregation where I was preaching at the time. For

about two months I pressed hard on these issues. Some seemed toagree with me. After about 6 weeks, I was told to stop preaching my"perverted doctrine." Few were willing to search the scriptures or eventalk sensibly about the matter. One said "these issues are best leftalone." We should preach "positive" matters. My determination tocontinue preaching the truth led to my having to leave. Manychurches and individuals helped me greatly in our move. I now preachfor the Laws Hill church in north Mississippi and also work a secularjob. It is great to stand in the truth and to stand with brethren who love the truth. Thanks to all who have helped me.

DAVID L. ODOM, 2727 County Line Rd., St. Joseph, MO 64504

— As of July 1, 1987, my family and I will begin working with thebrethren in St. Joseph, MO in spreading the word of God. They havebeen without a preacher for over two years and have been taking turnswith the public teaching. Since they can only supply half the needed support, I am taking a secular job in order to work with them. I havedone this in the past and the Lord has always seen us through. Ibelieve He will do so again. It would help is we could give full time tothe work. Any who might consider having fellowship with us and who wish to investigate the work should call Ronald L. Goforth (816) 2797552, or Gerald Cooksey (816) 233-3718. Concerning me, you may contact Harold Fite (713) 578-7163.

WAYNE S. WALKER.310 Haynes St., Dayton, OH 45410 — Weare moving to work with the Haynes Street church in Dayton, Ohioand look forward to our association with these fine brethren. Thingscontinue well at Medina. Progress is being made in preparing a loton which to build a new meeting house. Larry DeVore, one of ourmembers, has been asked to preach regularly at Medina after weleave. He would like to find support for work full time. In March, Iwas in a meeting at Route 3 near Madisonburg, OH and in May withthe Lily Chapel church outside Portsmouth, OH. I will be at Roseville, Michigan in October.

JADY W. COPELAND, P.O. Box 1528, Springdale, AR — Having just moved to Springdale to work with the Westside church,we are again enjoying the beauties of the Ozarks. We were with theLakeland Hills church in Lakeland, FL for 8 years and came to loveand respect the good people there. We saw a good opportunity inSpringdale to work with the Lord's people who have had manyproblems for many years. They are now united and working and webelieve the cause will prosper here. Jack Parmenter began worshipping with the church here several months ago and has helped the progressof the church greatly with his leadership, involvement in home studies and the like. He has

baptized a goodly number within the last 18 months. Mason Frenchpreached here for several months prior to Sept., 1986. Our building isjust off Hwy. 71 which bypasses the main part of town. It is located at1300 S. 45th. Springdale and Fayetteville (home of the University) have, in effect, become one city and the area is still growing. Whenpassing through the Ozarks, visit with us.

JOE F. NELSON, 8054 Farmington Dr., Southhaven, MS 38671 — Iam working with the Horn Lake, Mississippi church. The church herehas moved into a new meeting house in the past year (please see ouradvertisement in STS) and all seems to be doing well here. We hopereaders of this paper will visit with us when you are traveling southfrom Memphis, TN on I-55. Take Horn Lake exit west to Hurt Rd.,then left to Meadowbrook Drive. The building is on the corner ofFoxbriar and Meadowbrook. I am available for some meeting workeach year with needy congregations.

BILL PIERCE, 759 E. North St., Spencer, IN — After six years withthe church here, we will be moving, in July, to Hillsboro, Ohio. This is, hopefully, our last move. I will be selling real estate and working parttime with the Northside church, along with Jim Grushon. Our addresswill be: 226 E. Pleasant St., Hillsboro, OH 45133. Stan Caldwell will follow me in the work at Spencer. The Spencer church is a growing,active church with three fine elders.

CHARLES MURRAY, 5810 Bayou Grande Blvd. N.E., St. Petersburg, FL 33703 — The Skyview church in Pinellas Park will begin anhour long, live, call-in radio program on May 17,1987 from 8 to 9 A.M.on Sunday mornings on WRFA, 820 on the AM dial. This is a 50,000watt station and can be heard throughout the state and into parts ofGeorgia and Alabama. We will have access to two Pinellas Countyphone lines: 581-7800 and 581-9424. Also there is a toll-free numberfor Florida (outside Pinellas County) — 1-800-642-0820. There is also atoll-free national number (outside Florida) — 1-800-992-0820. We havehad 14 baptisms in the last sixteen months, several restorations and a good number to place membership. There is an excellent spirit withinthe congregation and a willingness to work. We are excited about thisnew opportunity to proclaim God's word through the radio program.We invite your questions and solicit your prayers.

JAMES LYNN, P.O. Box 8, Fort Towson, OK 74735 — On March 21, 1987 we moved here to work with the Northside church. The work was discontinued in December, 1979 but restarted by several former members in July, 1986. Since that time until the present the preachingwas done by several men in Oklahoma and Texas. This is a difficultarea due to the number of churches which hold to the one cup and/orno Bible class doctrines and those which support various institutionsfrom the church treasury. The church here is able to supply $700 a month support with the rest made up by Southside church in Greenville, TX; Josey Lane church in Carrollton, TX and by individuals.We number 16 members plus 6 children. Last month attendance ranged from 27 to 44. We are averaging 21 on Wed. evenings. We areoffering a Bible correspondence course. Ardie Brown of Carrollton,TX was here in a meeting May 31-June 5. We meet at the corner ofWest Second and Boston Streets, one block north of Hwy. 70 and 15 miles east of Hugo. If you are traveling this way, please stop and visit with us. If we may contact someone you know in this area please writeus or call me at 1-405-873-9333.

IVAN VALDES, La Serena, Chile, S.A. — In March we had a gospelmeeting with the theme "Catholicism vs. the Bible." We planned this tocoincide with the visit of Mr. John Paul (Pope of Rome) who visitedseveral cities in Chile, including La Serena. We passed out invitationsand placed an ad in the paper. We had special studies on Catholicismfrom 9 A.M. to noon and then the evening Tom Holley preached. Wewere assisted in this effort by Fernando Venegas, Sergio Pino, NestorSanchez, Mark Morgan and Efrain Perez. These brethren paid theirown transportation to help us. Members here cooperated with housingand food. The new brethren of Catholic origin were confirmed in thefaith and we made several new contacts.

STEFANO CORAZZA AND VALERIO MARCHI, Via Tagliamento 9/2, 33100 Udine, Italy — In the last two months our work in Udine had great encouragement. We enjoyed the baptism ofthree souls, two

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young men and an older one. We reached them through our work ofdistributing invitation cards, tracts and local bulletin. We thank Godfor the power of his word to change the lives of sinners. In the sameperiod we had two gospel meetings. We generally prepare these meetings through a distribution of a thousand invitation cards, plus big posters which we put on city walls. We also started an "AnsweringMachine" program called: "5 Minutes with the Gospel." So far wehave had interesting calls but no definite contacts. We will see in thefuture. We continue our bulletin CHRISTIANI OGGI (ChristiansToday), eight pages of simple and short articles which have created several opportunities of preaching and then baptisms. We usuallydeliver 1300 copies each month by putting them in mail boxes. Thanksto all who have fellowship in our work.

PREACHERS NEEDED SPARKS, NEVADA — The church here is seeking a family man forfull time evangelistic work. No outside support will be required. Musthave strong personal work abilities and be personable. Please replywith complete resume to church of Christ, 475 Queen Way. Sparks,NV 89432. If more information is needed, contact: Dennis Neely (702)331-0919; or, Larry Demangate (702) 673-1011. TULSA, OKLAHOMA — This congregation of 140, which has been

meeting since 1977, and is fully self-supporting, is seeking a preacherfor full time work. Contact the elders at Woodland Hills church of Christ, 9119 E. 61 St., Tulsa, OK 74133.

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI — The church which meets at 5825 Sterling Ave., Raytown, MO is looking for a preacher for full timework. We can supply $300 per week support and have contacts foradditional support. We are looking for a preacher who will do personalwork. If interested, call (816) 625-3741 after 6:30 P.M. or send resumeand personal references to the above addresses. CHESTER, ILLINOIS — The church which meets at 1604 Hyland Road inChester, Illinois 62233 is in need of a preacher who is retired or one whocould help get his own support. We can help some. Attendance is between 20-30 (most are retired). We are in a very hard area and itwould be a challenge for a faithful man. Contact W. F. Crowder Rt. 2,Box 198, Chester, IL 62233. Phone (618) 826-3661.

IN THE NEWS THIS MONTH BAPTISMS 287 RESTORATIONS 75 (Taken from bulletins and papers received by the editor)