Truth Magazine

By Jarrod Jacobs

Could my worship keep me from an eternal home in Heaven? Is the worship I offer so important that I could spend an eternity in Hell for “vain” worship? Many today will say, “No it does not matter how you worship as long as you are honest and sincere.” Others try to play down this subject as being unimportant. My friends, this question is very important. We are duty-bound to make sure we worship God in a way that pleases him. It matters not what opinions I have on this subject, rather the deciding factor is “what saith the Scripture?” Let us see what the Bible says about my worship. As we think about this subject, I would like us to take an overview of the Bible and notice God’s attitude toward those who were not worshiping acceptably.

Exodus 20

Exodus 20 records the giving of the Ten Commandments to Moses. I find it very interesting that the first seven verses have to do with the Jews’ actions and attitudes toward God. God told the people not to have any other gods, not to bow down to any graven images, nor serve them, and not to take God’s name in vain (Exod. 20:3-7). As God placed these Ten Commandments into effect, he let the Israelites know that there was only one way that they could please him. At this time, we see a God that expected his people to follow his commandments to the letter without variation. Why do we think that God has changed his mind concerning his worship? Yes, the Law has changed, but the fact that God expects us to obey him to the letter has not.

Jeremiah 10

At the beginning of this chapter, we read that God did not want the Israelites to become as the heathen in their idolatry. God, in the first five verses, shows the folly of the heathen for worshiping idols, and how the heathen have fooled themselves. God said, “The customs of the people are vain” (Jer. 10:3). As God continues to show the foolishness of these people, he says, “They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good” (Jer. 10:4-5). Jeremiah says something that we need to learn and learn well, “0 Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps” (10:23).

Why study this chapter? It is because during this time, the idolatrous cultures were known for worshiping which-ever gods they chose. There were so many gods at this time, you could choose to worship whichever god you wanted. Those living in Jeremiah’s time were truly trying to “direct their own steps.”

If it did not matter how you worshiped God, why was God legislating these cold, impersonal commandments to the people? Was God not wanting these people to do what seemed to be the best? Was God condemning the practices of an honest and sincere group of heathens? Why did not God simply teach them how to “get along,” and “love” one another, despite the “petty” differences these idolaters may have had with the Jews?

The Book of Malachi

This final book of the Old Testament is entirely devoted to the people’s rejection of God’s law. These people rejected and refused to worship God as he commanded. This is evident in the first chapter of the book. God charges these Jews with offering polluted bread, and offering the blind and lame as a sacrifice (Mal. 1:7-8). Why would God waste his time on this subject if it does not matter how the people worshiped him?

God continues to plead for the people to come back, and said in Malachi 3:10-12, “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts. And all nations shall call you blessed  for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts.” The Lord obviously wanted them to come back and receive that great blessing. However, if it did not matter how they worshiped, why was God pleading for them to repent in Malachi 3:7?

From these three Old Testament references, we can see that God expected his people to worship him in a certain way. When they refused, they were met with the deadliest force. You may doubt my word, but ask Nadab and Abihu about worshiping God. Ask them what God thinks of people operating in the silence of God’s word (Lev. 10:1-2).

John 4

Looking to the New Testament, we read that Jesus had encounters with those who were worshiping God in vain. John chapter four is but one example. This chapter records Jesus meeting with the Samaritan woman at the well of Jacob. The Samaritan woman thought that it did not matter how or where you worship. You can see this when she told Jesus, “Our fathers worshiped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship” (In. 4:20). She gives the impression that it does not matter how one worships. “You worship in Jerusalem, and we worship here, what is the difference?”

Jesus tells her that it does matter, and in fact, there will soon be a change. True worshipers will no longer have to go to Jerusalem to worship God. Jesus said, “Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (Jn. 4:22-24).

Is it not amazing that the excuses we hear day by day concerning worship were present during the time of Jesus. “You worship where you want to, and I will worship where I want to,” would be the Samaritan’s reply today. Why would Jesus spend so much time with this Samaritan if she was worshiping in an acceptable way? Certainly, Jesus did not think that she was doing wrong, did he?

We hear a lot about how we (preachers) need to be like Christ, and not concentrate on the “petty” differences, but “preach on love” as Jesus did. Those who believe that standing on the truth is done without confrontation, and without hurt feelings at times, do not know my Lord.

“In Spirit and In Truth”

What did Jesus mean when he said, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (Jn. 4:24)? These words have significant meaning, and must be understood if we wish to please God with our worship. The word “in,” means “in connection with.” It does not mean “inside of.” Jesus was literally saying that we must worship in connection with the spirit, and in connection with the truth.

What is the “spirit”? It is those things related to the spiritual realm. Jesus shows that the true worshipers need to be focused on spiritual matters, not physical. Paul tells us, “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink but righteousness and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost” (Rom. 14:17). That is why we do not have pie suppers, bingo, etc.! The church in its worship is not to cater to the physical needs, but the spiritual.

We have another responsibility. That is to worship “in connection with the truth.” What is the “truth”? Let Jesus answer, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (Jn. 17:17). In order for our worship to be acceptable to God, we must worship with our focus on things spiritual, and worship in connection with what the Bible says! Peter said, “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen” (1 Pet. 4:11). The only truth we know is what has been revealed in God’s most Holy Word. Our worship must come from what has been revealed. For anyone to try to worship God based on what has not been said, or for anyone to teach others to worship God in that way, is to condemn himself to an eternity in Hell. To deviate from God’s plan of worship is to jeopardize your soul, and the souls that follow you!

1 Corinthians 11:20-30

Here Paul is recorded as rebuking the Corinthians for not partaking of the Lord’s supper as they should. Paul declares that in verse 23, the things he is saying are from the Lord. He appeals to the right authority. He then proceeded to correct these brethren for their unfaithfulness in taking the Lord’s supper. Here Paul tells these men and women that if they do not partake in a worthy manner, they are guilty of the body and blood of Christ and are eating and drinking damnation to themselves (1 Cor. 11:27, 29). Does this sound like it does not matter how we worship? Does this sound like our partaking of the Lord’s supper will not effect our eternal salvation? Paul ends this by telling the Corinthians that some of them are weak as a result of their unfaithfulness, while others sleep (spiritually dead while they live, 1 Cor. 11:30).

Conclusion

Yes, the worship we offer must please God, else we stand to lose our home in Heaven. How sad indeed to know that you could have made it to Heaven if you had only worshiped God as he commanded. Brethren, can we see the importance of teaching others this same truth? Can we see that there is a lost and dying world that needs to know that “honesty” and “sincerity” will not save a single soul from the burning fires of Hell? Yes, friends, our worship does make a difference, and it will affect our very soul! Please bear these things in mind as you strive to live for God from day to day.

Guardian of Truth XXXIX: 10 p. 11-12
May 18, 1995

By Connie W. Adams

Have you noticed how hard it is to say or do something in a way that pleases everybody? Preach or write on some controversial subject and you will hear, “I don’t disagree with your point, but I don’t like the way you said it.” Maybe it was too soft or too hard, too hazy or too pointed. Let a congregation exercise corrective discipline where doctrinal error or immoral conduct is involved and sure enough, some will say, “I just don’t like the way you went about it.”

Care Should be Taken

Not only should we be ready “to give an answer” (1 Pet. 3:15) and be set for “the defense of the gospel” (Phil 1:17), prudence should be exercised. “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man” (Col. 4:6). On the limited commission the disciples were charged, “Be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” (Matt. 10:16). If there is a wise way to do or say something, then there is also an unwise way to do or say it. “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will” (2 Tim. 2:24-26). Those overtaken in sin are to be restored “in the spirit of meekness” (Gal. 6:1).

But such care does not rule out the need for scriptural action when error is taught or when sinful behavior must be corrected. The Jewish rulers “saw the boldness of Peter and John” (Acts 4:13). Upon their release from the authorities they met with the brethren and prayed, “. . .grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word” (Acts 4:29). Paul asked the Ephesians to pray “that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak” (Eph. 6:20).

Honoring the Charge

Fidelity to the Lord leaves us with no choice but to honor the charge to “preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Tim. 4:2). The charge is to “reprove, rebuke and exhort.” The manner of it is “with longsuffering and doctrine.” Neither part of this excludes the other. “Longsuffering and doctrine” does not mean we are exempted from reproving error, rebuking those who teach it and exhorting all to be faithful to the Lord.

“Selling the Sizzle”

A popular motivational speaker urged advertisers to “sell the sizzle, not the steak.” The “sizzle” whets the appetite but it is the steak that satisfies the hunger. You don’t digest the sizzle. This has become the approach in much of modem-day preaching. Like boxes of cereal, wrap it in an attractive package, sugar coat it and offer a prize. Never mind the substance. Preaching without substance will starve the hearers. We may keep it short and sweet, adorn it in flattering words, elegantly phrased but with any real sub-stance removed.

History Lesson

During the heat of the institutional battle when many were confused and when congregations were on the fence, there were some undecided brethren who said, “‘We don’t disagree with what you say, we just don’t like the way you say it.” I would be the last to defend exactly how every-thing was said and done in those turbulent times, but the truth had to be taught and error had to be exposed.

A younger generation today reaps the benefits of the labors of those who went before them and fought battles for truth and right. The “sizzle” might not have always been heard, but I’ll guarantee you the steak was there.

When I edited Searching the Scriptures I found out there was no way to deal with controversial subjects, and especially when some had to be identified with the controversy, so as to please everyone. I had one word of advice for all such critics. “If you don’t like the way it was done, then you write an article and deal with it the right way so we can all learn from you.”

The same thing holds true with discipline within a congregation. It must be done or else we are in rebellion against the Lord who ordered it. The purity and safety of the rest of the church must be protected. “A little leaven leavens the whole lump” (I Cor. 5: 6). It must be clone with as much understanding as possible, but don’t forget that it must be done.

Sitting in the Editor’s Chair

Some of our readers may at times disapprove of the way in which some matters are handled in this paper. No editor is infallible. Hind-sight is 20/20. But I can tell:. you one thing. Mike Willis is a godly and honorable man who genuinely loves the Lord and wants to please him above all else. He often calls me to get my input on potentially explosive matters. I am sure he advises with others as well. When all that has been heard, he alone must decide what course to pursue. I sat in such a place for 20 years and it was not always easy. Editing a paper is one of the quickest ways I know to make enemies and lose friends. Some cynics are of the opinion, which they freely express, that controversy is sometimes stirred to sell papers. That may work in the secular press but it has the opposite effect in religious journalism in the last decade of the twentieth century. The mind set of many these days is “don’t rock the boat. If you do, I’ll cancel my subscription.”

But when sin runs naked through the streets and error raises it head and threatens the very identity of the Lord’s people, men of conscience will be heard. Their motives may be maligned. Their meetings may be canceled. Their articles may be castigated and the papers that publish them may be ostracized. But they will be heard. Count on it.

Guardian of Truth XXXIX: 10 p. 3-4
May 18, 1995

By Lewis Willis

Memorial Day and June 1 mark the beginning of vacation time in America. It is a special time when families lay aside normal responsibilities for a brief time spent in relaxation and enjoyment. Depending on the approach we make to our vacations, they can be either a blessing or a curse. It seems appropriate, since this time has just arrived, to remind us all of the pitfalls before us.

1. There is no such thing as a vacation from God. It is not uncommon for some members of the church to abandon God in the summertime. These are the folks who are too busy with other things to even assemble for worship. The church must get along without them until vacation time is over. I read a bulletin from a Christian Church in our city which dismissed Bible classes for the summer. A large liberal church of Christ (?) in our city has made other plans and will discontinue evening worship for the summer. These are examples of accommodations de-nominations make because their members are busy with other things and have taken a vacation from God. The season is a curse to people who conduct themselves in this way.

2. There should be no vacation from worshipping at a faithful church. Some Christians would never think of missing worship on Sunday. However, they frequently take a vacation from worship with a faithful church. This is a strange thing about vacation planning for many church members. They are very careful to select a vacation destination that has beautiful sightseeing, good fishing/golfing, etc., good restaurants, and good motel/camping facilities. These are essentials to a good vacation. However, many of these families never ask, “Is there a faithful church nearby where we can worship?” Brethren, it says something about us when we are more interested in good food and a bed to sleep in than we are in a place to worship. Did we just forget, or was that the last thing on our minds? In either case, it manifests a serious spiritual problem.

Many think it’s alright to attend liberal churches, if there is not a faithful church nearby. Where did we get the idea that this is acceptable with God? Brethren, if it is accept-able on vacation, it is acceptable the rest of the time as well! I have heard members say, “If you didn’t know it was liberal, you would not notice any difference.” There really isn’t much difference. They just participated with the Devil in the division of the body of Christ. These liberal churches support human institutions and participate in unscriptural cooperation or have sympathy for such. Most of them have fellowship halls in which the members play and eat. Do those who visit these liberal churches never hear the announcements promoting these sins? All of these things are still violations of the Scriptures. So, there isn’t much difference, is there? I have often wondered how brethren can overlook such obvious violations of God’s Word, simply because they are on vacation.

I do not see why the same reasoning would not work with the Christian Church. If it were not for instrumental music, most would see no difference. They still observe the Lord’s supper, give, pray, and teach that baptism is necessary to salvation. I suppose there is some similarity between the Lord’s church and the average Catholic church. They both have front doors and pews. I guess it would be alright to worship with the Catholics also, provided, of course, you are on vacation. Right?

Many members overlook a Bible truth. It goes like this: “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (Eph. 5:11). When we attend a denomination (even one which has “Church of Christ” written over the door), we are violating this pas-sage! We are committing a sin in the sight of God. We are having fellowship with them, and because we are on vacation does not change that fact. We are told in Gods word to “abhor” evil (Rom. 12:9) and “eschew” or avoid it (1 Pet. 3:11). I would like someone to explain to me how one can abhor and avoid the evil in liberal churches, and still worship with them while on vacation. I would like to see the Scripture they would use to justify the practice. What passages teach that the practice is acceptable with God? Keep in mind that Paul said we are to prove that the Lord accepts the practice (Eph. 5:10; 1 Thess. 5:21). Brethren, if you are going to attend liberal churches while you are on vacation, you had better get ready with an answer that God will accept at the Judgment!

Others wonder what to do, then, if there is no faithful church nearby. May I suggest that a good thing to do would be to select another vacation destination? Would it not be better to miss seeing some wonder of the world than to miss Heaven? Is it worth seeing if it means you will spend eternity in Hell, because you had worship fellowship with evil?

3. Some take a vacation from modesty. All the rest of the year they are careful to adorn themselves in modest apparel (1 Tim. 2:9). Why is it acceptable to wear immodest clothing like bathing suits and shorts, simply because you are on vacation? (Some parents permit their children to go swimming in public while on vacation.) And, if you regard such apparel to be modest, would it be alright if everyone wore such to worship? Are we to dress modestly only for worship? Brethren, stop and think!

Because so many are out-of-town during this time of year, it is important that we all put forth our best effort in support of the work and worship of the church. Also, the financial obligations of the church continue, even if we are out-of-town for a couple of weeks. Make sure you are carrying your part of the responsibility.

It’s vacation time! It is my prayer that all will enjoy and be strengthened by the few days of relaxation. But, let’s not forget the truths discussed here. No one wants to lose his soul for a few moments of pleasure (Heb. 11:24-25).

Guardian of Truth XXXIX: 10 p. 4-5
May 18, 1995

By Mike Willis

The book of Genesis records the destruction of the cities of the Plain  Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim (Deut. 29:23). The wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrah rose up to heaven. The Lord decided to pass judgment against these cities “because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous” (Gen. 18:20).

The wickedness of those cities was so great that, when the angels from God visited the house of Lot, the homosexuals of that city attempted to gang rape them. The angels blinded the sodomites to prevent their abusing them. The next day, the Lord rained fire and brimstone from heaven to destroy the wicked cities (Gen. 19:24). Only righteous Lot and his two daughters escaped the cities.

After the destruction of the cities, the prophets of the Lord used what occurred to Sodom and Gomorrah as a reminder of God’s judgment of the wickedness of nations. When a nation became corrupt, they were compared to Sodom and Gomorrah (Jer. 49:18; Lam. 4:6). When God determined to completely overthrow a nation so that they would be completely destroyed, their destruction was compared to the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah (Jer. 50:40).

In the New Testament, the Lord’s punishment of Sodom and Gomorrah is used to remind us of the torment of hell.

Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire (Jude 7).

The destruction of these cities serves as a constant reminder to us that God will punish the wicked in the everlasting torment of hell. We sometimes witness the immoralities around us and forget that God will punish the wicked. After all, the wicked are having such a good time and experiencing so much prosperity. The righteous are on the outside looking in at others enjoying themselves, castigated as oddballs, mocked, belittled and persecuted. We need to remember that God will indeed judge the wicked and punish them with everlasting destruction. The Lord governs the world today on the same moral basis as he governed it in the days of Abraham. “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people” (Prov. 14:34).

Among the things that provoked the Lord to this judgment was their “giving themselves over to fornication.” Is there any doubt that our own nation is given over to fornication? Instead of fornication being a repulsive sin that brings suffering to men, we have glamorized fornication. Fornication is used to entertain us when we go to the movies or watch TV. We are being told that it is the natural expression Remember Sodom and Gomorrah .. .of teenagers who experiment with sex. But the Lord said that it is sin and brings the judgment of God. Most Americans have accepted fornication as a legitimate pursuit of pleasure. The odd person in our society i s the one who would keep himself sexually pure until marriage.

The Sodomites were judged even more perverted in their sin because they went after “strange flesh.” They left the natural use of the woman and men with men burned in their lust toward one another. They were guilty of homosexuality.

When I read of the angels visiting Sodom, I do not read of them uttering any rebuke to righteous Lot for his sinful “homophobia.” The homosexuals condemned Lot saying, “This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them” (Gen. 19:9). The homosexuals in America are saying the same thing. They condemn “fundamentalist Christians” for their judgment of their “lifestyle” as sinful. They are bent on reshaping the thinking of us and our children about homosexuality. They detest anyone judging then as being guilty of sin. Despite what the homosexuals in Sodom thought, the angels never rebuked Lot for his judging their sin. He is described as “just (righteous) Lot” (2 Pet. 2:7). The Lord plainly described the deeds of the Sodomites as ungodly (2 Pet. 2:6-8). The Lord knows nothing of the modem sin of “homophobia.” It is a recent invention of ungodly men who are trying to make wickedness righteous and righteousness wicked (cf. Isa. 5: 20 ”Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”).

The judgment of God against Sodom was a preview of his eternal condemnation in hell. He set them forth “for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire” (Jude 7). The fire and brimstone that rained down on their wickedness was a type of the everlasting torment of he].

Sodom and Gomorrah are reminders of these facts: (a) God will punish the wicked; (b) God hates homosexuality; (c) There is an everlasting punishment in hell; (d) God knows how to punish the wicked (the Sodomites) and deliver the righteous (Lot).

Guardian of Truth XXXIX: 10 p. 2
May 18, 1995