“Judge Ye Righteous Judgment”
Scott Perry Bernard Shaw said, “He is really a mild and inoffensive character, the kind of person one should guard against.” Simply honoring the Lord and His apostles' commandments is not condescending or obnoxious. Was Paul condescending when he commanded the church in Colosse “to sing with grace in their hearts to the Lord?”(Col. 3:16). Was he obnoxious when, to the Ephesian Christians, he wrote, “singing and making melody in your heart”(Eph. 5:19)? Does not saying that what the Lord's apostles' commanded, under direct inspiration of the Holy Spirit (John 16:13; 1 Cor. 2:13), on matters such as instrumental music, imply that they were obnoxious and condescending? Have we forgotten, “Thus saith the Lord,” and opted for, “Judge not that ye be not judged?”
I agree that we must not judge hypocritically, but it is a misinterpretation of Scripture to say that Matthew 7:1ff includes Christian doctrine in worship. Jesus said on another occasion, “Judge ye righteous judgment” (John 7:24). What is righteous judgment if it is not the commandments of the Lord? Psalm 119:172 states that God's commandments “are righteousness.” How can we judge righteous judgment constantly concerned about being inoffensive or obnoxious? We can't.
It's time for the church to stop apologizing for being the church. “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation to all who believe...” Do we believe it (all of it)? We had better make sure or we will not be saved either (Rom. 11:18-22).
“The Faith” Is A Gospel System
Scott Perry The desire of some to destroy God's church by continuing to teach a “core gospel” or core “faith” (1 Cor.15:1-4) is nothing more than a method of the devil to further blur the line between the church of the Bible and churches of the world. The core gospel doctrine is the subjective belief that the deity of Christ--demonstrated by His death, burial and resurrection--is all that is necessary for Christian fellowship, and that any who teach otherwise “had better be careful” not to condemn denominations who worship God according to differing “traditions.”
Brethren, we don't have to condemn denominations --the Bible does that for us. Far be it from me to condemn another outside the word of God (Rom. 14:13), but it is God who judges (Rom. 14:11-12). With all due respect to the moral, sincere people who believe that Christ was/is God, that is still insufficient to accomplish one's salvation or to establish common grounds for fellowship with God‘s people; We are to keep all of the Lord's commands preached through the apostles contained in the New Testament (Matt. 28:18-20; John 17-20-23; Acts 2:41ff). On what grounds can one exclude the commandment to sing or other commandments of the apostles? There are no grounds except for the subjective desires of brethren who want to fellowship the world.
There are various degrees of this unstable false doctrine as there is with all error. It is a reed shaken by the wind. It is chaff carried about on the wind of the thoughts of mere men, but sadly, it makes inroads into churches overpowering Christians unaware of the devil's devices. This is done by the process of false teaching (Matt 7:15). Teachers who through use of fair speech, charisma, and eloquence deceive the hearts of the inexperienced (Rom. 16:18). Only a knowledge of the Scriptures and the willingness to defend it is sufficient weaponry to defeat this front (Hosea 4:6).
One passage is found in Galatians chapter one. Paul said that the gospel he preached (1:11) “was not according to man,” but that it was revealed to him by Jesus Christ. Later in the same chapter, Paul said that Jerusalem Christians did not know him by face, but had heard only “that he which persecuted us in times past now preached the faith which he once destroyed” (1:23). The gospel that he preached (1:11) then, is “the faith” (1:23). Strong's Concordance (#4102) defines this as the gospel system of faith. No part of this system of faith (Rom. 10:17) may be removed, ignored or deemed more important than any other part of it. Paul illustrates that “the [system of, s.p.] faith” is the grounds for fellowship in the church:
And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the
beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus
Christ: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly
places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, Accord-
ing to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom
we have access with confidence by the faith of Him (Ephesians 3:9-12). VOLUME 41 NUMBER 5 FEBRUARY 2, 2004 OUR SICK Continue to remember Richard Lowe in your prayers.
Lyle Spoerl had surgery last week. He is home and doing well.
It was discovered that the cancer in Sam Griffith, father of Jill Farris, has spread to the point it is inoperable. Please continue to remember him and his family in your prayers.
Pauline Berry, mother of Brenda Henson, was taken back to the hospital Saturday night. She has pneumonia.
*********************************
SYMPATHY Maudie Long, mother of Eva Joe Williams, passed away last Tuesday, the funeral was Saturday in Mammoth Spring.
Von Starnes, brother-in-law of Virginia Lowe, passed away on Friday, funeral will be Tuesday in Blytheville.
*********************************
THANK YOU We want to thank everyone for their prayers during Lyle's illness, before and after the surgery. God answered and everything has been taken care of. Thanks to the January Food Team for the great fruit basket. Just what we needed! A special thank you to Dale Morris for being there, for special attention far beyond the call of duty. We owe you, Dale. Thanks to all who showed support during this time with calls and cards. Lyle & Marie Spoerl.
*********************************
Members, please check the information on the bulletin board for a new pocket size directory SERMONS FOR FEBRUARY 8 Morning
The Providence Of God (2 Corinthians 1:9-11)
Evening
The Cause And Cure For Emptiness (Mark 10:17-22)
*********************************
BRIDAL SHOWER All ladies are invited to a bridal shower in honor of Stacey Berman, bride-elect of Brian Campbell, on Sunday, February 15th, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the multipurpose room.
*********************************
CAC SCHOOL You are invited to an informational meeting to discuss plans for an elementary school (kindergarten & first grade) at the Northside church of Christ in Benton for the 2004-05 school year. The meeting will be Sunday, February 8th at 6:45 p.m. in the church auditorium.
*********************************
MEN'S POTLUCK The Men's Potluck (men cooking for the ladies) will be following the morning service on Sunday, February 15th. Men, please contact Dale Morris if you want to help.
************************************
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
February 6……....Bible Bowl Pizza Party
February 7……..Bible Bowl Competition
February 10…All Comers Class Resumes
February 15………………Bridal Shower
February 21…Ladies Trip to Hot Springs
OUR RECORD FEBRUARY 1, 2004 A.M. WORSHIP 242
SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY 173
P.M. WORSHIP 148
WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY 151 CONTRIBUTION 7779
BUDGET 6845
***********************************
MEN TO SERVE
February 8, 2004 Brian Campbell David Campbell
Keith Golden Darren Gowen
James Goode Jim Henson
Bill Gingerich Chuck Farris Evening John Griffin
Jason Griffin
***********************************
WEDNESDAY SONG DIRECTOR February 11 Brad Horton
***********************************
USHERS FOR FEBRUARY Morning John & Jason Griffin
Evening Richard Butler & Devin Long
Wednesday Keith Golden & Ken Sullivan
***********************************
GREETERS FOR FEBRUARY Gary & Jennifer Poole
Stan & Michele Smith
***********************************
ELDER CHAIRMAN February Bill Boyd
***********************************