Truth Magazine

By Clinton D. Hamilton

Introduction

With awesome consequences that are determinate, comprehensive, and eternal, preaching is a serious undertaking. For this reason a preacher should approach his work conscious of the fearful issue of judgment. James said, “Be not many of you teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment” (3:1). This he said to cause one to think of the awesome responsibility, not to cause no one to teach. However, if one does teach, he should do so only after having assessed the responsibility it bears.

The preacher or teacher must be aware that the tongue is difficult to control. James says of it, “And the tongue is a fire; the world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the wheel of nature, and is set on fire of hell” (3:6). In fact, he says that no man can tame the tongue (3:8). “It is a restless evil, it is full of deadly poison” (3:8).

Whoever in this context undertakes to be a teacher must be serious-minded and conscious of the need to exercise due care to control the tongue in teaching. The preacher, therefore, should be reverential, serious, and dedicated as a person with a full understanding and acceptance of his ominous responsibility. Flippancy, lightheartedness, and inadequate preparation have no place in the pulpit. One who preaches must be studious, serious-minded, sincere, and genuine in his quest for truth and righteousness.

Conduct in the pulpit and other arenas of teaching should be characterized by the dignity, worth, and purpose of the message which is proclaimed. One is not pursuing the work to entertain but to convict of sin, encourage in righteousness, and motivate to seek eternal life through the Son of God. Accordingly, the very demeanor of the message-bearer should convey the majesty of God and the value of the message. It should be no trivial pursuit to preach nor to hear the message. The demeanor of both speaker and hearer should so agree.

James W. Adams in his teaching and preaching of the gospel conveys such demeanor and reflects such understanding about the gospel and the preacher of it.

Student and Scholar

Studious and thoughtful, brother Adams is a careful scholar and student in the preparation of that which he plans to present in a lesson or in his writings. Careful attention to detail and argument characterize what he presents either in writing or speech. His study, research, reflection, and wide reading enable him to demonstrate a comprehensive grasp of particular elements of a subject in relation to the whole of truth. Meticulous in research and in the expression of his understanding, he conveys thoughtfulness and clarity of expression. His preaching is thoroughly biblically based and shows respect for the origin of Scripture and perception of both what is and is not said. His teaching and preaching in whatever medium show him to be reflective meditative, and concerned about what God intended us to learn from His word.

Style and Substance

What is brother Adams’ style of preaching? Well, it i certainly straight-forward and forthright. One does not, wonder or agonize over whether he understood what his message is. He speaks with clarity of expression in word or pen. The message is conveyed with a minimum of words but with a clear statement of premises, proof, and conclusions. What is said is well organized and easy to follow in thought processes. Liberally supported by scriptural references correctly interpreted and applied, his preaching is rich in reflections of hours of meditative reading and research about what God’s message is.

Wherever and in whatever circumstance he may teach, there is revealed in his teaching and preaching a deep conviction, fearless expression, and courage of heart in the face of however fierce opposition may meet him. Independent, yet respectful of others, he is not hesitant to stand upon and express what he conscientiously believes God revealed. Fearless of untoward consequences, he takes refuge in truth and the strength of God.

The Man

What sort of man is James Adams? One would have to say that he has a complex personality that does not typically convey frivolity. At the same time one would have to say that typically his emotions are controlled by a keen intellect, yet he is easily touched emotionally and has a great ability to relate to problems and concerns of others. Pleasant in conversation, he reveals a person of wide interests and knowledge. He also expresses good will and personal concern for others.

A man of unquestioned integrity and good character, he has little patience with hypocrisy, sloppy scholarship, and illogical reasoning. This not because it is affront to him but because it is an affront to God and his cause. He is most conscious of consistent and inconsistent behavior. Very perceptive in observance, he is keenly aware of his surroundings.

A good friend and colleague, he extends himself to these ends and will be to any who associate with him a trusted advisor and fellow student and conversationalist. He is delightful to have as a friend and to associate with in the work of the gospel.

Dedicated to family members and the responsibilities that grow out of these, he is a source of strength. His confidential expressions to friends reveal a depth of his convictions, the breadth of his love, a tenderness of heart, the aspirations of his soul, and the graciousness of his person. He is a good man.

Conclusion

James W. Adams, the preacher, is complex, yet simple in dedication to truth. He is many faceted in interests, yet undeterred from truth. He is loyal in friendship, yet unmoved from his conviction. He is tender of heart, yet never loses sight of what is right. He is intellectually inclined, yet ever so willing to understand the problems of those not so inclined. He is a man of his word and staunch in his dedication to the truth of God.

He is a great preacher, a good friend, a kind family man, a good student and scholar, a careful writer, and a formidable opponent of error but an effective proclaimer of the gospel.

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 23, pp. 714-715
December 3, 1987

By Randy Harshbarger

Brethren, by ye imitators together of me, and mark them that so walk even as ye have us for an ensample” (Phil. 3:17). Taking to “heart Paul’s divine injunction to “mark” (“behold, watch, contemplate,” Vine, Vol. 3, p. 43), those faithful men who provide examples worthy of imitation, we use this opportunity to call attention to the life and work of James W. Adams. For fifty plus years, brother Adams has devoted his life and energies to the proclamation and defense of the Truth. His concern has ever been for the spiritual health and prosperity of God’s family. Such an example needs to be noted. Such I believe, will help encourage those who have lived during the same time and under some of the same circumstances as brother Adams; it will also help inspire younger preachers and younger Christians everywhere to press on faithfully in the Lord’s cause. Several years ago, Cecil Willis wrote an article, “Putting Old Preachers on the Shelf” (Truth Magazine, Vol. XVII, No. 5, pp. 3-6). Among other things, brother Willis pointed out the tendency of some brethren to reject certain preachers solely upon the basis of age. This in my judgment is a mistake. It is sad and alarming to hear some second and third generation preachers (and other Christians) deride and criticize those of the past. Faithful men who fought many battles for truth are rejected and their preaching is criticized as being out of date. With this attitude present in too many, I am afraid we are headed in the wrong direction. In brother Adams’ own words:

What churches of the Lord need is not technical experts to streamline their activities and oil the wheels of complicated organizational activity, but men thoroughly schooled in the gospel of Christ and dedicated to the salvation of the souls of eternity-bound men and women … Instead, give us more John the Baptists, schooled in the rude wilderness of study, prayer, and meditation, clothed in camel’s hair and eating locusts and wild honey, but animated by holy fire from off the altar of purity and truth (from Timberland Drive church of Christ bulletin, November 2, 1985).

Early Life

James Wallace Adams was born August 27, 1914, in Brawley, California. His parents were Felix A. and Mary Roberta (Mittie) Adams. In 1920 the family moved to Texas. Some of brother Adams’ ancestors were early settlers of Texas. His grandfather, R.L. Bates was a pioneer preacher of the gospel. Brother Adams graduated from high school at La Pryor, Texas (1931), and later attended Freed-Hardeman College, Henderson, Tennessee. Brother Adams obeyed the gospel in 1926. Being encouraged to preach by Walter Leamons, he preached his first sermon on December 31st, 1933. Dedicating himself to the Lord’s cause, he has never looked back. For over fifty years, James W. Adams has been preaching the unsearchable riches of Christ. When brother Adams started his life’s work, he preached for several churches in the Hill country of Texas (Menard, Brady), but he considers Vivian, Louisiana, as his first located work.

James W. Adams was married to Gertrude Leamons of Grapeland, Texas, on July 30th, 1936. Brother and sister Adams have three children’, two daughters and a son. Jimmie Nell McLemore and her family live in San Augustine, Texas. Patricia Spivey resides in Lufkin, and Robert L. Adams lives in Humble, Texas. With great pride (but pardonable!), brother and sister Adams speak of their children and grandchildren often (especially the grandchildren!).

Brother Adams has done local work in the following places: Temple, Longview, Beaumont (twice), San Antonio, Baytown, Nacogdoches (twice), Huntington, Center, Henderson, Terrell (all in Texas); Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Paducah, Kentucky; Selmer, Tennessee; and Senatobia, Mississippi. As you can see, brother Adams has been primarily a “Texas” preacher. Meeting work has carried him into some twenty-five states. In 1975, he and Foy Vinson made a preaching trip to Italy. For many years the Pruett and Lobit church in Baytown, where brother Adams preached in the early 1970s, has supported preachers in Italy and Sicily. Brother Adams continues his interest in the work in Italy.

Retiring from local work in 1983, brother and sister Adams moved back to Lufkin. They are members of the Timberland Drive church of Christ. Of course, brother Adams hasn’t really retired. He continues to teach a Bible class at Timberland Drive and preaches when needed. At the present time he is driving every Sunday to Broaddus, Texas, to preach for the church there. Timberland Drive has had a two-preacher arrangement for some years, in which a younger man can work with an older, mature preacher, thus gaining much needed experience and instruction. Brother Adams helps with this program. What a great benefit to those who can learn from him!

As A Preacher and Writer Gospel Guardian

Others will look at the preaching and writing of James W. Adams in this special issue, but permit these few observations. Believing the printed page to be an effective medium for teaching vital truths of God’s word, brother Adams began writing for papers published by brethren in the mid 1930s. However, it was not until the mid 1940s that he stepped up his writing efforts. In fact it was at the insistence of Foy E. Wallace, Jr., that brother Adams began writing regularly for the Bible Banner, being being made an associate editor in 1947. While brother Adams has never sought controversy for its sake alone, neither has he ever turned away from any issue, when truth was at stake. Controversy has often been thrust upon him. Due to his keen intellect and diligent preparation he has addressed himself time and again, to live issues that have sought to destroy and harm the Lord’s church. Hence, his writings in The Bible Banner were of a controversial nature, dealing mainly with efforts of some to get the college into the budgets of churches, and premillennialism. Clear and precise in his writing (as in his preaching), brother Adams can get to the heart of a matter, and bring pertinent passages to bear on whatever subject he might be discussing.

Even now, brother Adams is working on a book dealing with hermeneutics. After many years of study, he is certainly able to write such a book. It will be a welcome addition to those who love the truth and desire to understand and apply it properly. Too, he is working on a devotional type book, that will contain short articles of an inspirational, reflective nature.

I have had the privilege of hearing brother Adams preach many times. I have many of his sermons on tape. After hearing him preach, you know you have heard a Bible-filled, true-to-life sermon. With little sympathy for watered down, soft-soap “sermonettes,” brother Adams is first and last a preacher of the gospel! His sermons are filled with Scripture after Scripture, properly used and applied. What an example to this generation of preachers!

A Personal Note

My friendship with brother Adams goes back some seventeen years. He performed the wedding ceremony when Marilyn and I got married. Since that time we have been in contact often. When I first started preaching (in Alto, Texas), brother Adams was living in Beaumont, but soon moved to Lufkin, and was editing The Gospel Guardian. I sought his advice and counsel many times. He was always willing to instruct, study with, and guide me in some decisions that had to be made, or some problems that often faced younger preachers. Bother Adam has always been willing to help younger men, just staring out as preachers, in spite of the immaturity displayed by some. For this I will ever be grateful.

James Adams is sometimes depicted as cold and aloof. Nothing could be further from the truth. He is a serious man, who carries himself with assurance and dignity. However, he appreciates the lighter side and good human as much as anyone. Of course, his humor is never coarse or out of place. And no, he doesn’t always wear a tie (but it would be alright if he did)! One day we went out fishing for catfish on Sam Rayburn Reservoir. It was time for lunch, I inquired about some soap to get the “stink bait” off my hands. Brother Adams replay was, “Go ahead and eat, and ask no question for conscience’s sake.” A man of the Book, even on the lake. I have heard brother Adams preach with great emotion, concerning the death of our Savior. With great tenderness I have heard him speak of days gone by, of former friends who have departed from the faith, and of fellow soldiers of the cross, who hand in hand fought valiantly in the Lord’s army. A few years ago, I listened for some three hours as he detailed the institutional controversy from beginning to present. It brings great pain to his heart to remember once faithful preachers who have turned away from the truth. All of this is my way of saying, that there is another side to James W. Adams that many perhaps have not seen. This is a shame.

I have been in brother and sister Adams’ home many times. I have always felt “at home” and have appreciated the warm hospitality extended to me. Sister Adams has ever been a source of strength and encouragement to brother Adams. This past July 30th, they celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary. Their love for each other is strong and unspoken, but seen by all. Sister Adams has always encouraged me in my efforts to preach and I am thankful for her friendship and counsel.

When not in meetings or preaching elsewhere brother and sister Adams are at home at 1402 Robinwood Drive, Lufkin, Texas 75901. My prayer is for their continued good health and well being. While inadequate, I say thank you for your friendship, your life, your example.

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 23, pp. 712-713
December 3, 1987

By Mike Willis

The concept of “total commitment” has become associated with the Crossroads movement. Although we oppose “total commitment” in its specialized meaning to refer to an unbiblical commitment to the Crossroads philosophy, we certainly do not want to oppose the total commitment taught by the word of God. We certainly are not opposed to total commitment, though we stand opposed to the Crossroads movement. As Christians, we must be totally committed to Christ.

The word “commitment” means “an agreement or pledge to do something in the future . . . the state of being obligated.” We understand the meaning of commitment in various areas of life. When I purchase an automobile or house, I commit myself to making monthly payments for a specified period of time. When I married Sandy, I made certain commitments to her. Even our teenagers understand commitment when they start “going” together. Jesus also demands a commitment if we intend to be his disciple.

The Commitment of Discipleship

Jesus taught men to count the cost of discipleship. Read this account of his conversation with three would-be disciples:

And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God (Lk. 9:5762).

I have often thought how I would have reacted had I met these three would-be disciples. Would I have been ready to take their confession and to baptize them into Christ, rejoicing in their decision to serve Jesus? Jesus paused to teach these disciples to count the cost of their decision. To be a disciple of Christ requires self-denial. Even as Jesus did not have a place to pillow his head, his disciple will have to deny himself of temporal pleasures. The kingdom of God must take precedence over everything else in one’s life – over his commitment to bury his father. The kingdom’s business is urgent, not even allowing one time to bid farewell to his friends.

One another occasion Jesus taught men to count the cost of discipleship saying,

If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple (Lk. 14:26).

This verse teaches us that one’s obligation to Christ must be put ahead of his obligation to his parents, his spouse, his siblings, and even self-preservation. The man who puts his obligations to his parents, mate, children, siblings or self-preservation ahead of his obligations to Christ cannot be a disciple of Jesus Christ. No wonder Jesus said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matt. 16:24).

Paul’s Example of Commitment

The apostle Paul understood commitment and applied it. On one occasion, he responded to his critics, mentioning what being a Christian had cost him. He described his sacrifices like this:

. . . in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches (2 Cor. 11:23-28).

The apostle endured innumerable sufferings for the Lord Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, he did not become discouraged, throw up his hands, and quit. Instead he wrote,

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body (2 Cor. 4:8-10).

He taught others the necessity of living for Christ.

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not 1, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me (Gal. 2:20).

Wherefore we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. . . . And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again (2 Cor. 5:9,15).

In the face of death, he wrote,

For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing (2 Tim. 4:6-8).

Truly, the apostle Paul understood commitment to Christ, as exemplified in his life.

The Devil’s Effort To Destroy Commitment to Christ

The Devil is trying to prevent a person from becoming a disciple of Christ. Many are deterred from becoming a Christian by false doctrine – doctrines which teach some way of salvation other than the gospel of Christ. The Devil tries to destroy the commitment of those who learn the truth, using various temptations. Many are lost to immorality’s temptation. However, most of our readers are more likely to be ensnared by the “cares of the world.” In the parable of the sower, Jesus described the seed which fell among thorns as the disciple who was choked by “cares and riches and pleasures of this life” (Lk. 8:14).

Many Christians become so involved in things not sinful in nature that they put them before their commitment to Christ. Paul referred to such men who “seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s” (Phil. 2:21). These are the “enemies of the cross . . . whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is their shame, who mind earthly things” (Phil. 3:18-19). I have witnessed those who allowed temporal concerns and pleasures to choke out their devotion to Christ. They “glory” in that of which they should be ashamed. One tells of the bass he caught fishing on Sunday morning; another tells of the bowling score he made on Wednesday night; another tells of the enjoyment he got at a movie he saw during a meeting. These are the kinds of “enemies of the cross” Paul described in Philippians 3:18-19.

Churches Suffer From Lack of Commitment

All across America, the Lord’s churches are being destroyed by lack of commitment. One evidence of this is the lack of attendance at the regular worship services, gospel meetings (at home and in the area), number not reading their Bibles, and many other things. Members excuse themselves from worship to attend school functions, business matters, recreational activities, and to rest. How can I look my Savior in the eye and tell him that I have placed my commitment to him above father, mother, mate, children, siblings, and even life itself, knowing that I excuse myself from worship to attend ball games, school activities, and business functions? To even suggest that being a faithful Christian requires that we “deny” ourselves some of these activities raises eyebrows among the membership.

Preachers need to be alert to their temptations regarding commitment to Christ. A preacher might be tempted to close his eyes to problems within the congregation because dealing with them might jeopardize his job and require a move. Here are some sermons which need to be taught because of the immorality in our society: divorce and remarriage, social drinking, mixed swimming and other forms of immodest dress, dancing, gambling (lottery tickets and all other forms), etc. Are we preachers willing to boldly proclaim what the Bible teaches on this subject, even though preaching on these subjects might alienate influential members where we worship? Is preaching a commitment to a job or a commitment to Christ’? Preaching a good “positive” sermon on love and grace might “win friends and influence people,” but will I fulfill my commitment to Christ without addressing these sins?

The Cost of Lack of Commitment

The lack of commitment which we witness among churches is costly to the Lord’s work – not so much in a financial way (although this too reflects commitment) – as in many other areas. We will pay the price for lack of commitment in these ways:

1. Worship services will be lifeless. Uncommitted people have no enthusiasm in their worship. The songs, prayers, and sermons of uncommitted people are lifeless rituals, easily detected by visitors.

2. The church will have poor attendance. The difference in attendance between Sunday morning and other services during the week will be distinct and growing greater.

3. The church will have few conversions. Whereas the early church baptized people regularly, a church filled with Christians who place the Lord’s work low on their list of priorities will convert few people.

4. The children of Christians will be lost to Christ. The children of uncommitted members will perceive the lack of commitment of their parents and frequently will decide not to waste their time going through the motions of worship. (One should not generalize to say that every unfaithful child was raised by an uncommitted parent.)

5. The church dies. As the membership grows old, members die, and few conversions occur, eventually the churches cease to exist.

Perhaps others can think of other consequences of an uncommitted membership, but these seem apparent to me. Those in the church who are upset by half-converted Christians are good seed-bed for Crossroads brethren. They sense something is wrong and sometimes fall for the Crossroads philosophy of commitment to a prayer-partner system rather than restoring New Testament commitment to Christ. Unless we can rekindle the first love of half-committed Christians, our lack of commitment portends sad days for the Lord’s people. May the Lord help us to awaken those sleeping Christians so that they may join in the work which Christ committed to us.

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 23, pp. 706, 726-727
December 3, 1987

By Hoyt H. Houchen

Question: What is the difference, if any, between envy and jealousy?

Reply: Envy is resentment or displeasure in the heart because of the good fortune or blessings enjoyed by another. It is listed as a sin in the New Testament, being associated with such sins as murder (Rom. 1:29). It is declared to be a “work of the flesh” and Paul adds, “that they who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal. 5:21). Envy is condemned in Titus 3:3 where Paul mentions it as characteristic of those in the world before they obeyed Christ. Envy was the reason Jesus Christ was delivered up to be crucified. Even Pilate himself recognized it as the reason (Matt. 27:18; Mk. 15: 10). So, we can see that envy is a very heinous sin.

The word “envy” is translated from the Greek word phthonos and is considered to be always evil, unless James 4:5 would be the exception. Some interpret the verse to mean “God’s intense love for man causes him to be ‘envious’ for man’s friendship” (Baker’s Dictionary of Christians Ethics, p. 213). But this interpretation is doubtful. The human spirit is probably meant here, rather than the Holy Spirit.

The word “jealousy” is from the Greek word zelos. Thayer defines the word from two different standpoints. First “zeal, ardor in embracing, pursuing, defending anything” and second, “an envious and contentious rivalry, jealousy” (Greek-English Lexicon, p. 271). So, unlike envy, jealousy may be used in good sense as well as in a bad sense.

On the positive side, God is a jealous God (Ex. 20:5; see also Ex. 34:14; 39:25; Zech. 1: 14; etc.). Elijah said: “I have been jealous for the Lora God of hosts” (1 Kgs. 19:10). When Jesus cleansed the temple, the disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for thy house shall eat me up” (Jn. 2:17), a quotation from David (Psa. 69:9). Paul wrote to the church at Corinth: “For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy: for I espoused you to one husband, that I might present you as a pure virgin to Christ” (2 Cor. 11:2). It is obvious that the word in this sense is good. It is related to “zeal.”

On the negative side, Webster defines the word “jealous” as “hostility toward a rival or one believed to enjoy an advantage” (Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, p. 647). In this sense it is a selfish disposition which can easily turn itself into hatred. It was jealousy that caused the brothers of Joseph to sell him (Gen. 37:1 If); it was jealousy that prompted Saul to hunt David like an animal. When the women of Israel sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands” (1 Sam. 18:7), Saul became jealous.

The Jews at Antioch were filled with jealousy when they saw the multitudes assembled to hear Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:45). Thus jealousy, in a bad sense, and envy are closely related. Both are listed as “works of the flesh” (Gal. 5:19-21).

“Envy” and “jealousy” are to be distinguished because they are not used interchangeably. They come from two different Greek words. Jealousy, in its proper use, can produce an admirable devotion to what is pure and holy. A husband’s jealousy for his wife, or vice versa, and Paul’s spiritual jealousy for his Corinthian brethren, as we have seen, are examples. Envy is always evil. We may also think of envy as being the more passive disposition and jealousy as the more antagonistic and aggressive. Cain’s hostility was prompted by jealousy which led him to slay his brother Abel (1 Jn. 3:13). Neither envy nor jealousy, in its evil sense, should occupy the heart of the Christian.

Guardian of Truth XXXI: 23, p. 710
December 3, 1987