Truth Magazine

By S. Leonard Tyler

Our thinking is usually in terms of what God gives to us. This is so impressed upon us throughout the Book of God that it is hard for one to realize that we have something that God wants us to give him. Not that God must have it to exist or even to accomplish his design but we are indebted for our own salvation. Jesus said, “Come unto me and I will give you rest.” One must not overlook, “Come unto me.” This is first. One must commit himself to the Lord, then the Lord said, “I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:27-30). Our acceptance of Jesus is for our own salvation. Paul wrote, “Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty” (2 Cor. 6:17-18). Our coming out from among the wicked and being a separate people is in order that we may be the sons and daughters of our heavenly Father. You and I have a choice and our choice is the determining factor as to whether or not we shall belong to the Father. He wants us and has given his only begotten Son that he might prepare a way and lead us into choosing to walk therein. Our choosing to come out from among the wicked, to be a separate people for the service of God, surely, is the determining factor of which way I will travel, the broad way or the strait and narrow way. Yes, you and I must choose to accept and follow Jesus or we are lost. I have a decision to make and you have one to make and God holds us responsible to him. It is a heart decision of a life one wants to live (Rom. 6:17-18).

1. We can give him our love. “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” (Matt. 22:37). John tells us that we owe our first love to God because he “so loved us” and manifested his love while we were yet sinners by giving his only begotten Son to die that we might live (Jn. 3:16; 1 Jn. 4:6-10), and then adds, “Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.” This is one way by which our love for God is tested. But the some total is expressed, “For this is the love of God that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous” (1 Jn. 5:3).

2. We can give him our time. Put him first in our lives. “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matt. 6:33). It must be done today. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2b). Again, “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed, the night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day. . . ” (Rom. 13:11-13). The rich man of Luke 16 didn’t take time to serve God. He would not even give crumbs of his bread to a poor hungry, sick man. But he took time to die. After his death he begged that same poor man might bring to him just one little drop of water on the tip of his finger and touch it to his tongue. He also begged that same poor man to be sent back to his father’s house and warn his five brothers. He wanted them spared from such a place of punishment. Brother, you had better not fail to take time to obey the Lord for the night cometh and your destiny is sealed. It is too late then to cry, “Send Lazarus,” for the gulf is fixed -no passing is allowed.

3. We can give our ability into his service. Read Matthew 25, the ten virgins, the giving of the talents, and then the account of the judgment. Now think! Why were the five foolish virgins forbidden to attend the marriage feast? Next, why was the one talent man cast out? Each failed to use his or her ability in the work of the Lord? There are many things that you can do. Do you want to learn how to serve? Then start serving. There is no other way. Are you studying? Attending the services? Praying? Are you willing to do or try when called upon. Think! The judgment lies ahead.

4. We can give of our money. Each Christian is a steward of God and must give an account of his stewardship. Peter wrote, “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Pet. 4:10). God has entrusted us with everything that we have. Surely, we can and will gladly give of our money according to his instructions: (1) As we are prospered; (2) Regularly, “upon thefirst day of the week” (1 Cor. 16:1-2). (3) Purposefully, which is to plan to give a certain amount to the Lord (2 Cor. 9:7). (4) Bountifully and cheerfully. God loves this kind of a giver. Does God love you as one who gives to him because you give as prospered, lovingly, gladly, and above all cheerfully. This is not asking too much of any one, because it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not” (2 Cor. 8:12).

Finally, to sum up the whole duty of man, we must give ourselves – “For this is the whole duty of man, fear God and keep his commandments” (Eccl. 12:13). This must be done willingly, unreservedly and completely. Jesus emphatically taught this in Matthw 16:24, “If any man will come after me, let his deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Paul said of himself, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before” (Phil. 3:13). When Pau pointed out the generosity of the Macedonians he said, “But first gave their ownselves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God” (2 Cor. 8:5).

Are you truly converted to Christ? If you are, you have made up your mind to serve him above all, if necessary, in spite of all. Christ loves you. He gave himself to die on the cross for your salvation. He promises to forgive your sins and reconcile you unto the Father in his body, if you will believe and obey him (Mk. 16:15-16; Heb. 5:9).

This is not a game. We are not playing at serving the Lord. If we are, we are missing the mark. Listen to this plain statement, “He that loveth father or mother more then me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daugther more than me is not worthy of me. He that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and -he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it” (Matt. 10:37-39). We too often talk about how much the Lord means to us but our lives fail to substantiate it. “By their fruits ye shall know them.”

Are you filling your place in the local church? The spiritual body of Christ is the church, all the redeemed of the earth. Everyone saved by the blood of Christ composes the church of Christ. This is a relationship and each saved person is responsible to the Lord to do his will to live faithfully wherever he is or goes (Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18). But the church in the universal sense has no organization except Christ as the head and all individually subjected to him. However, there is the local church divinely prescribed through which God’s people function together as a unit through which to admonish, teach, encourage, and accomplish the mission God planned, Jesus sustains and the Holy Spirit reveals for his people. One must not forsake the assembling together for worship: teaching, partaking of the Lord’s supper, giving,praying, and singing. Preaching the gospel of Christ to the whole world is a great task and we must rise up and meet the challenge.

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 24, pp. 739-740
December 17, 1987

By Jeff Asher

On September 28,29,30 and October 1, Keith Sharp met Johnnie Polk, in Stamps, Arkansas to discuss in public debate four propositions that pertained to the work of the church in evangelism and benevolence. This was the last in a series of two debates arranged by brethren in Stamps and Saratogo, Arkansas.

Sharp was originally to have met Noel Meredith; however, due to unavoidable illness, Polk, on very short notice, substituted for Meredith. This in no way affected the debate since brother Polk was well qualified and well prepared to represent his position. The only impediment to the debate was the effort on the part of area preachers to discourage their brethren’s attendance. This seriously affected the participation of those whose view brother Polk represented, even to the point that on Wednesday night there were more visitors than actual members of the Stamps Church of Christ present. Some of these actually left at the intermission noticeably affecting the size of the audience. This was very disheartening to both disputants.

On Monday night Polk affirmed that it is in harmony with the Scriptures for churches of Christ to contribute from their treasuries to benevolent institutions such as Southern Christian Home and others of like character. As characteristic of these brethren, Polk never defined “home.” When asked by Sharp to do so, Polk replied “home” was not in the proposition. Sharp quickly pointed out that his proposition said “Southern Christian Home.” Polk essentially argued for a “restored home” which when incorporated is not affected in nature or character. Very interestingly, Polk affirmed that the seven men of Acts 6 appointed to care for the Grecian widows constituted a board of directors over a home parallel to that of Southern Christian Home. Sharp quickly showed that Acts 6 exemplified the local church doing its work of benevolence providing both means, methods and personnel in order to relieve needy saints.

Tuesday night put Sharp in the affirmative showing the Scriptures teach that a local church of Christ is limited in the benevolent work it may support from its treasury to the relief of needy saints. Methodically, Sharp proved the proposition by establishing that just as there is a pattern for singing only as worship there is a pattern which establishes that needy saints only are the objects of the benevolent relief of the local church. The following charts were the sum total of Sharp’s affirmative.

The Church’s Work of Relieving The Needy

Acts 2:44-45

Acts 4:32-35

Acts 6:1-4

Acts 11:27-30

Romans 15:25-26

1 Corinthians 16:1-2

2 Corinthians 8:4

2 Corinthians 9:1, 12-13

1 Timothy 5:3, 9-10, 16

The Pattern Revealed

The Bible Teaches The Church Is To Engage In “Limited” Music

1. Matt. 26:30 – “sung” Shall We Add

2. Mk. 14:26 – “sung” Instrumental Music?

3. Acts 16:25 – “sang” Another Kind or

4. Rom. 15:9 – “sing” Classification

5. 1 Cor. 14:15 – “sing” Of Music?

6. Eph. 5:19 – “singing”

7. Col. 3:16 – “singing” What Happens

8. Heb. 2:12 – “sing” If We Go

9. James 5:13 – “sing” Beyond God’s

Limited to Singing – We Limit?

Cannot Go Beyond The Limits God Set (2 Jn. 9)

The Bible Teaches The Church Is To Engage In “Limited” Relief Of The Needy

1. Acts 2:44-45 – “All that believed” Shall We Add

2. Acts 4:32-34 – “them that believed” Aliens?

3. Acts 6:1-4 – “the disciples” Another Kind or

4. Acts 11:27-30 – “the brethren” Classification

5. Rom. 15:25-26 – “the poor saints” Of People?

6. 1 Cor. 16:1-2 – “the saints”

7. 2 Cor. 8:4 – “the saints” What Happens

8. 2 Cor. 9:1, 12-13 – “the saints” If We Go

9. 1 Tim. 5:3, 9-10, 16 – “widows indeed” Beyond God’s

Limited to Saints – We Cannot Limit?

Go Beyond The Limits God Set (2 Jn. 9)

Polk’s only response involved 2 Corinthians 9:12. This passage was introduced with the charge that Sharp behaved like a sectarian does on James 2:24. Polk argued that 2 Corinthians 9:12 said “not saints only” relative to the objects of the relief. Sharp rebutted by showing that 9:12 is a sentenced with a “not only . . . but also . . . ” construction. Therefore, Paul said “the administration” not only supplies the needs of the saints but “the administration” is also abounding through many thanksgivings. Paul did not say “not only the saints but also the non-saints.” Further rebuttal was offered from the immediate and remote context to establish the contribution was for needy saints in Jerusalem (Rom. 15:25,26, 1 Cor. 16:1-3; 2 Cor. 8:1-4; 9:1).

Sharp continued in the affirmative Wednesday establishing that the Scriptures teach that a local church of Christ may contribute from its treasury to another local church of Christ only for the purpose of meeting benevolent needs among the members of the receiving church and only by sending directly to the church where the need exists. Again, Sharp introduced the principle of a pattern. It was shown that in cooperation between local churches of Christ three things were always true.

Pattern For Church Sending Funds To Another Church (Summarized)

ARRANGEMENT – DIRECT

CONDITION – FROM ABILITY TO NEED

PURPOSE – EQUALITY

A church with ability sends directly to a church in need to produce equality.

In the matter of benevolence, the sending of funds was always to another church (not through another church) as in Acts 11:27-30. In the course of the discussion that night Polk gave up Philippians 4:15 as an argument for the sponsoring church when he admitted in a question he asked Sharp that the Philippians sent directly to Paul. This was critical to the rest of the discussion that night because Polk was forced to contend that the sponsoring church existed at Jerusalem in Acts 11. Sharp responded to this with the following chart exposing Polk’s diocesan concept of cooperation.

Acts 11:27-30

Opponent’s Diocesan Concept

Opponent reads into passage of diocese of Judea with Jerusalem elders

Over relief for district!

The passage neither states nor implies the elders of the Jerusalem church:

1. Oversaw general relief effort throughout Judea.

2. Received funds to disburse throughout Judea.

3. Oversaw work for several churches.

4. Became agent for churches.

cf. 1 Pet. 5:1-2

Polk resumed his affirmative on Thursday with the following proposition: “The Scriptures authorize churches of Christ to support from their treasuries a sponsoring church arrangement for the preaching of the gospel such as international Gospel Hour.” The only affirmative argument Polk made was that the sponsoring church was necessary in order to avoid making a “pastor” out of the preacher who received wages from the churches. That is, that preacher must be under elders who receive the “wages” and in turn “pay” the preacher. Of course, this does not begin to describe the sponsoring church as represented in “International Gospel Hour.” Sharp introduced the following chart which reveals the nature of the thing.

Sharp showed that the local church, the society and the “sponsoring church organization” (which is not a church) all “run on the same track.” Thus, it was shown again not to be a question of how churches cooperate, but who shall do the work.

This series of debates has been most profitable demonstrating not only the truth, but also that brethren can discuss these things amicably. These were the first debates to have been held in South Arkansas on these subjects. The obvious reluctance on the part of those brethren who support Southern Christian Home and International Gospel Hour to participate is, I believe, indicative of a change in sentiment among them toward the authority of the Scriptures and the need for a “thus says the Lord.”

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 24, pp. 750-751
December 17, 1987

By H. Wayne Jones

It has been my good fortune, personally and spiritually, to have been afforded the opportunity to be associated and to work closely with James W. Adams. I know him to be gracious, kind, dignified, strong in the faith, exemplary in conduct, uncompromising regarding truth, zealous yet humble before Almighty God. Brother Adams has been preaching the gospel of Christ faithfully for more than fifty years and is known throughout the brotherhood of Christians worldwide for his unwavering consistency to the cause of truth. During these fifty plus years, which included a period of great conflict from within that threatened to devour sound doctrine, James W. Adams was – and remains – a great influence among faithful disciples of the Lord.

When brother Adams was editing and publishing The Gospel Guardian magazine and managing the Gospel Guardian bookstore in Lufkin, the elders of the Timberland Drive church determined to establish a library for the benefit and use of its membership. While we emphasize that no elder, teacher, preacher, nor any member of the congregation should completely rely on uninspired books, we do believe they cannot attain a full measure of ability and knowledge without some good books. It was to James Adams we turned for advice and guidance in the important and crucial task of selecting the proper publications which would become the nucleus of this library. Through the years he has continued to guide and counsel on books and tapes added. Since becoming a member and class teacher at Timberland Drive, brother Adams has covered most of the books of the New Testament and some of the Old Testament. He has used an objective approach to the Scriptures, injecting appropriate examples and, on occasions, relating some of his personal experiences through the years. All of these lessons have been recorded to become a part of our permanent tape library.

I know James Adams to be a loving husband, father, grandparent, and true friend. He is sympathetic to the physical and spiritual needs of his brothers and sisters in Christ, quietly and oftentimes unknown to many, making visits and being helpful to the ill and to those needing his teaching or his encouragement and prayers.

After terminating his services with the church at Huntington, Texas brother Adams retired from full-time work as an evangelist. In January of 1985, he and his gracious and lovely wife, Gertrude, placed membership with the Timberland Drive congregation of Lufkin, Texas.

In September, 1985, the elders began a search for an evangelist to fill the vacancy at the Timberland Drive church. We asked brother Adams if he would assume the responsibility of preaching on Lord’s days during this interim. He not only consented to do so but also volunteered his services to write articles for the weekly church bulletin. Enjoying good health and a. vast knowledge of Bible truth gained from much study and experience, he did an outstanding job of preaching and teaching. Also, being one of the most able writers among conservative brethren, his articles in the bulletin covered a wide range of subject matter.

During this period of almost ten months, I am certain there were times he grew physically weary but he never faltered nor complained. He repeatedly assured us he was doing fine and did not feel imposed upon. Rather, he encouraged us, holding up our hands and exhorting us to take our time and be patient, to continue our search with diligence and care until such time as we selected the man we felt to be best qualified for the position.

Brother Adams spends many hours teaching, counseling and exhorting the young evangelists in our locale who are preaching at other area congregations and is assisting in the training program for young men preparing to enter the ministry of the gospel of Christ which was instituted into the program of work at Timberland Drive several years ago, laying before them a pattern of behavior worthy of imitating. (It was on the basis of his personal conviction of doing Bible things by Bible pattern that motivated brother Adams to take his stand for truth on institutional and cooperation issues years ago. The battle for truth continues, i.e., the teaching of the gospel of Christ, to work and worship in accordance with the divine Scripture as recorded in the New Testament.) In his preaching and teaching he often emphasizes the need to follow the Bible pattern in all we do and teach and practice and he exemplifies this belief steadfastly in his daily life. There remains all too few men among conservative churches of Christ today with the high level of scholarship attained by James W. Adams through long years spent in study and writing. It is the good fortune of these young men to have the opportunity to sit at the feet of this distinguished and scholarly man of God in these years of his “retirement.”

James Adams may have retired from full-time work as a located preacher but let me assure one and all that he has not retired in the full sense of the word as he continues daily to work in the Lord’s vineyard. He has been a source of great help and blessing to me and is always there when I need his assistance. Indeed, all members of the Timberland Drive congregation of Lufkin, Texas have been so richly blessed to have a man of his stature working and worshiping with us, along with sister Adams. Brother Adams has undergone much personal persecution and financial loss in past years because of his stand for truth. It is my hope and prayer that in his retirement years as he labors and worships with us at Timberland Drive, he will have peace of mind, body and soul and that he may prosper and be healthy in his September years.

From me to you, James W. Adams, a beloved brother in Christ, thank you and God bless you and yours!

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 23, p. 724
December 3, 1987