Category: Attitudes

Whether it be a bowl of beans, a large endowment, or a dear and beloved friend, nothing is worth the loss of our souls. “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? For what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:36-38) (NASB) It does not depend on whose ox is being gored, it all depends on how much we love the Lord who shed His precious blood for the salvation of my soul and your soul. He who has an ear, let him hear.

Brethren, I am truly concerned that instruction and edification are fleeting values among God’s people. Bible knowledge and conviction is being viewed as unnecessary! Churches are having less preaching by doing away with Sunday evening services all over the country – will Wednesday evening be the next fatality? What are you and I doing to turn this around? Whatever it takes, and I am persuaded that you can mark it down, that the instruction and edification which will be needed is not going to be accomplished by sweet little fifteen or twenty minute sermons!

Go to your preacher, ask him how much he makes, and compare his gross salary with the gross salary of the other members. Compare the shoddiness of his clothing and house to the luxuries of others. Ask him how he is criticized and gossiped about, by hypocrites who do the very same things. You may be surprised what you learn.

The church of Christ has always endured false doctrines and evil influences, and today is no different. There are particular heresies which are affecting and influencing the church today, and they cannot be ignored. While not every problem mentioned in this sermon series is affecting every local church, and while our first duty is to our local church, still we cannot simply ignore them.

We must have the determination that we will not be a part of this so-called “neutral” generation (Matthew 12:30)! The night is far spent and the day is at hand – it is now time to wake up, stand up, and speak up for Truth (Romans 13: 11-14) (1 Thessalonians 5: 4-11)! You and I are the Lord’s messengers and servants – is He able to count on us?

Unfortunately, many who say we are “too negative” never get around to addressing certain sins and errors in the “better way,” but they are very critical of those who are doing so in the best way we know to do it.

An email respondent takes issue with Ron Halbrook’s and Tom Robert’s negative approach to the Christian faith

It is now obvious that there is a mindset that is established among the people of God which parallels that of Israel. Some will not walk in the old paths, and will not listen to the warnings from God’s word. There is a need for watchmen today. Every Christian should fulfill his obligation to be a watchman by warning brethren against error, and encouraging them in truth.

It may not look like it, but your preacher is probably sowing the gospel seed through his modem in ways you cannot imagine. Don’t assume that he is wasting his time and your money when you find him with a keyboard and a Bible instead of knocking on doors. He may be answering one of hundreds of Internet queries that he will receive this year.

You might gently remind your granddaughter that if we must simply keep quiet and pray for those who are in error, why didn’t she do the same with you? According to her reasoning, she should never have confronted you about your actions. Instead of making you feel “uncomfortable,” ask her if she should not have kept quiet and simply prayed for you and your husband? It is a poor rule that won’t work both ways. If her rule is true, she broke it by rebuking you.

What would you think of a preacher whose sermons offended people and were taken as insulting by the hearers? What if a preacher caused the audience to be filled with anger because of the hard things that he said? What if he went so far as to mock false beliefs? Regardless of his intent, many would denounce such preaching as wrong. Even if he did not intend to insult people, but merely sought to preach the truth boldly, many would condemn him for offending others.

The one principle upon which we must stand is not difficult to know. It might be difficult to accomplish. Those not strong in the faith cannot achieve it. Those who love the Lord, must do it as honorable soldiers of Christ: 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” From this line of battle we must not be moved!

It is only when we hear “some preachers say” that “speaking the truth in love” means that we must avoid “negative preaching,” that we hear preachers rightly observe that “two-thirds” of Jeremiah 1:10 is “negative,” while “one-third” is “positive.” It is only when preaching that roots out, pulls down, destroys, and throws down is castigated as being harmful and contrary to the spirit of godly gospel preaching that we hear “some preachers” speak of the “two-thirds, one-third” equation.

The present condition among the conservative brethren bears remarkable resemblance to previous episodes of innovation. Those who are trying to sell the unity in diversity bill of goods are using the same old saws we always hear at such a time as this.

A gospel preacher must never take his purpose lightly. He must strive hard to never let popular opinion sway his message. If he does, he might wake up one day to find that his audience has left him for one with even softer preaching. Our purpose is simply to preach the word as God revealed it. Let the unadulterated seed, the word of God, have the opportunity to be sown into the hearts of the hearers, just as God meant it to be.

We understand that truth “causes” trouble for the one who does not accept it (Jn. 3:19-21). Those who want to avoid truth and its consequences (like dancing [the prom], drinking [social or otherwise], filthy language and movies [Gal. 5:19-21]) will be uncomfortable with it and try to stop the mouths of those who speak it. We cannot be deterred by this, but labor more abundantly to stop their evil mouths (Titus 1:10-14). Let us speak the truth in love, and not be discouraged by the disparaging remarks of those whose deeds are evil.

I dare say that no one in our fellowship would deny that Ezekiel, Paul and Jesus had a love for the souls of men. And yet, their manner was often confrontational, always uncompromising, and sometimes even derisive toward those who would make shipwreck of our faith. The common criticism of those defending truth as having improper motives and a lack of love often speaks more to the mindset of the one offended by such criticism rather than the one delivering the rebuke.

Anything that is wrong should be opposed. Whatever lacks scriptural authorization must never be given endorsement. It takes knowledge, wisdom, faith, courage, and love for the truth to stand in opposition to practices that are against the will of God.

Out there in the highways and bi-ways of our busy world are lost people looking for the light. They are not hard-hearted. They are ignorant because no one has ever taught them the truth. Among Christians who are carnal minded are those who love scripture and who apply it diligently to their lives. We must not lose heart because of reverses, disappointments, personal loss or sacrifice. The gospel is still the “dynamite” of God that can save the world (Rom. 1:16). Let us “take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Eph. 6:13).

Men such as these and Paul, John the Immerser, and Peter would not be allowed in many pulpits today. Though the word of God highly commends them, many, including some brethren, would reject them and their teaching from God. Yes, in times past and present, those who strive to uphold the right ways of the Lord are demonized and maligned so as to prejudice others against them.