Truth Magazine

By Lewis Willis

A sad awakening has occurred among those brethren who left us 40-plus years ago so that they could have church-supported benevolent institutions, unscriptural congregational cooperation which produced sponsoring-churches and sponsoring-elderships for programs like Herald of Truth, and activities such as fellowship halls and church dinners. It is increasingly apparent that many of the same brethren who promoted these unauthorized practices are distressed over the direction their efforts have taken them. I heard several years ago that “the student always goes further than the teacher.” That was the warning issued to these brethren years ago. They were told that they could fight the war that would introduce these unscriptural practices, but that they would be left behind by the next generation that would go even further into apostasy. These advocates of liberalism, without repentance or apology, have learned, but have not admitted, that those warnings they heard were justified.

For the last 8-10, years several indications. of concern over what is happening in liberal churches have surfaced. This article will mention three specific statements from those brethren, with an accompanying word of caution concerning us.

1. In 1986, the Firm Foundation, a liberal paper that led the fight for institutionalism, printed a special issue, mailing it to churches across the nation. It was a 48-page study of “the fellowship question.” They identified the problem they were addressing. They were trying to stop a movement to fellowship the Christian Church, accept instrumental music and women preachers/elders, and to oppose those who would deny the inerrancy of the Scripture (Firm Foundation, Alan E. Highers, Vol. 103, No. 6, March, 1986, pp. 1,5-7). To thwart this effort, they argued: (1) Authority was necessary before the church can act, (2) The New Testament is that authority, (3) The N.T. authorizes practice with commands, approved examples, and necessary inferences, (4) The authorization may be either specific or generic, and (5) They wrote of the law of inclusion/exclusion. Ironically, this was the same argumentation they had rejected as invalid years earlier, when they insisted on introducing unauthorized activities which they wanted into the church. Back then they argued, “We do many things for which we have no authority” and they issued tracts on “Where there is no pattern.” Now, they suddenly have decided that we need authority for our practices after all.

2. A front-page article in another liberal paper, Christian Chronicle (Vol. 46, No. 1, January, 1989), lamented what was happening to urban churches. The article described “survival-based competition” driving churches to add pro-grams and facilities to assure their own growth. An Oklahoma City preacher said, “A grandparent church knows it can’t survive financially without young people, so they have to try to do what’s necessary to get them.” The problem was, they borrowed money to provide facilities for Day Care, Christian Schools, gymnasiums, swimming pools, and about anything else the membership wanted. Unfortunately, when a new congregation started, they offered “better” facilities than the other, so the young members left, leaving the older brethren overwhelmed with debt. That would be a problem, wouldn’t it?

Again, we have noticed that practically every issue of Firm Foundation for the last two years has been fighting a battle over the “new hermeneutic” among liberal brethren. Primarily the advocates who reject New Testament authority, seeking a new way of interpreting the Scriptures, are the professors of Bible in the so-called Christian colleges. These professors are repeatedly accused of not believing in the inspiration and inerrancy of the Scriptures. Administrators are challenged to dismiss these “heretics,” only to discover they defend and support what the professors are teaching.

3. The editor of the current issue of The Spiritual Sword (Vol. 26, No. 1, October, 1994) is again bemoaning what has happened to liberal churches. The theme of the issue is “Who Are We?” Alan Highers, the editor, describes their “loss of spiritual identity.” He said”… it is not uncommon to hear about members leaving the church and uniting with a denomination . . . their action represents a lack of understanding about the nature and identity of the church. We are reaping the harvest of twenty-five years of non-distinctive preaching. Many of our young people no longer know the difference between the church of the New Testament and the ecclesiastical kingdoms of men.”

What has caused this to happen? Highers said these members have not been taught at all. “They have never heard the old arguments relating to Bible authority, speaking where the Bible speaks, and remaining silent where the Bible is silent. They have grown up in `socialized’ churches where the youth program was strong, but the teaching program was weak.” ” Do you suppose these younger members are able to see the inconsistency of opposing human missionary societies, while endorsing human benevolent societies? Or, possibly they do not agree that you can support, from the treasury, a benevolent society, but it is sinful to support a missionary society. The reason they do not know the difference between liberal churches and denominations is because there is no difference. When a church decides to act without authority (Col. 3:17), it becomes a denomination! That is precisely what Highers and his liberal brethren persuaded churches to do when they abandoned N.T. authority on institutions and cooperation. Now, they have created a monster of modernism, and they are afraid of it. It is devouring them, and they cannot stop it.

Highers condemned his own brethren, quoting from the Baptist Messenger, “We have raised a generation of sissy preachers. Nobody … is preaching that the Word of God is the Word of God and that Hell is hot. God has not called us to be ambassadors of good will; he has called us to be ambassadors of God’s will.” Thus, he sadly concludes, “Churches of Christ are facing an identity crisis as we near the end of the twentieth century.” I would suggest that their movement is not facing an identity crisis, but it is facing the fact that they are the fathers of yet another exodus into denominationalism. Their only hope is to come back where we all used to stand; where conservative churches of Christ have remained through these years following the division the liberals manufactured and directed. It is sad to see their liberal baby bite them!

4. Within conservative churches there is a need to be alert! We read too many articles giving the latest quotations from a host of denominational authors, with little Scripture basis, if any at all. These pleasing little platitudes that describe how to feel good and get along better with our peers are replacing plain-old-Bible-teaching. If these sectarian authors have such an outstanding grasp of the truth, why are they still in denominationalism? Sermon topics are now advertised with catchy titles that amuse, or offer self-help philosophies, instead of being based in the terminology of the Scriptures. Have these men discovered a pattern of words which is better than Scriptures? Or, are they mimicking the same errors that institutional preachers made? Before it is too late, preaching brethren, let’s examine our sermons and determine if the emphasis is on a “thus saith the Lord” or on the wisdom of men. We are eyewitnesses of what human wisdom produces, and we must not allow history to repeat itself among us!

Let us never forget that God’s people were once destroyed for lack of knowledge (Hos. 4:6); that they were sent into captivity for lack of knowledge (Isa. 5:13). Amos prophesied that a famine of hearing the word of the Lord was coming (Amos 8:11). Let us not be guilty of helping the Devil in his destructive work (1 Pet. 5:8). We must never become a people who love it when preachers “prophesy falsely,” speaking smooth things that deceive and tickle our ears (Jer. 5:31; Isa. 30:10; 2 Tim. 4:2-4). If your preacher is more impressed with modem writers than he is with God’s word (and you can easily tell), send him a direct message to “preach the word,” and accept nothing less.

Guardian of Truth XXXIX: 5 p. 10-11
March 2, 1995

By Ron Halbrook

In an era of worldwide wickedness, Paul wrote by the inspiration of God and admonished the young Christian Timothy,

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity (1 Tim. 4:12).

Young people should not be ashamed of their youth nor of their service to God. Their souls and their roles in God’s service are just as important to God as the roles of older people.

God sends each precious soul into this world pure and free from sin. Sometime after reaching an age of accountability to God, each person chooses to sin against God’s will in thought, word, or deed (Rom. 3:23; 9:11). “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:23). From the beginning until now, God has addressed young people to direct them away from sin with its guilt and sorrow, and to lead them in the blessed paths of righteousness. God is personally and directly conscious of every young person on the face of the earth, and seeks to save them for all eternity!

The Bible abounds with examples of young people who faithfully served the Lord. Time would fail us to tell of Joseph, David, the young maid of Naaman’s wife, Daniel, Timothy, and others who were an inspiration to their generation and to many generations to follow. They have taken the counsel of the Word of God as the guide of their lives:

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

With my whole heart have I sought thee: 0 let me not wander from thy commandments.

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee (Ps. 119:9-11).

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:

For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck (Prov. 1:7-9).

Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; … .

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man (Eccl. 12:1, 13).

Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth (Eph. 6:4).

We live in a time of worldwide wickedness, but there are still many young people who are faithfully serving the Lord. I remember them from the days of my own youth. I have known them in every congregation where I have lived and labored in the gospel, including the church here at West Columbia. I meet them all over the country when traveling in gospel meetings. They have made an indelible impression on my life for good and they constantly exert an influence in my life which will help me to reach heaven by the grace of God.

It is well for young people to sit at the feet of mature teachers and to learn about God’s Word from their parents, elders, deacons, preachers, Bible class teachers, and other adult saints. It is also well for young people to share their faith with other young people, and even with adults when they have the opportunity. With this in mind, it has been my privilege to work with young people around the country during the past year to put together a series of fifteen articles on the theme “Let No Man Despise Thy Youth.”

All fifteen writers are in their teenage years or in their early twenties. Some are in high school, others in college, and some high school graduates who did not attend college. They participate in a wide range of scholastic and extra-scholastic activities, and some have part-time or full-time jobs. Josh Gurtler, who worked with the church here in a preacher training program in the summer of 1993, and Heather Harshbarger, who is my niece, attend Florida College. Scott Wiginton attends Texas A & M University and Jonathan Halbrook Western Kentucky University. Holly Turner recently graduated from W.K.U. and joined her parents to help in spreading the gospel in Kenya, East Africa.

Writers still in high school include Jeremy Sweets, David Halbrook, Jason Hosfield, Ryan Lindsey, John Isaac Edwards, Deborah Halbrook, and Alan Roskos (who is the youngest, at 14). Kevin Maxey and Jarrod Jacobs are out of school and preach the gospel full time, while several other young men who are in high school or college do part time preaching. Missy Ing is married, Cindy Bryant soon will be, and both are members of the Hebron Lane church in Shepherdsville, KY.

Five authors have some tie to the church here (Ryan Lindsey is a member, Josh Gurtler spent a summer, and my three children). David Halbrook and Ryan Lindsey pre-pared their material on the prom in a training class here and preached their lessons before the church last spring. David then presented his lesson in a speech class at school, where it led to some lively discussion. Heather Harshbarger is the daughter of Randy and Marilyn Harshbarger; Randy preaches for the Mound and Starr church in Nacogdoches, TX, and Marilyn is a sister of my wife, Donna. Jeremy Sweets is the son of Richard and Alice Sweets; Richard is an elder in the Overland church in Lawrenceburg, KY, and Alice is my sister. I know from “up close” that the faith of Heather and of Jeremy reflects the training of godly homes.

These fifteen authors are to be congratulated for their work. Most of them have never written such an article before, and some may never have an occasion to write again, but all of these articles will bear fruit for good in both time and eternity. None of these young men and young ladies claim perfection in their lives, but each is still growing in the service of the Lord just like all of us. May they never be ashamed of their youth or of their youthful efforts to serve the Lord. May all who read take to heart the truth taught in these fine articles, and take heart in the fact that God still has his 7,000 faithful servants among the youth of our nation. “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee (Ps. 119:9).”

Guardian of Truth XXXIX: 6 p. 2
March 16, 1995

By Joshua Gurtler

“Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth” (Ecel. 12:1).

The youth of this age is, for the most part, a group of young people striving to achieve individuality. We want to look a particular (and some-times peculiar) way. Many want to talk, act, dress, and think so as to stand out from the status quo and be re-cognized for who they are. But . . . who are we anyway? We hope to illustrate in this article that the only way we can truly be a “peculiar people” is by individually accepting Christ as our Savior and Guide (I Pet. 2:9), for youth need Christ too!

We Belong to God.

Before any young person comes to know Christ, he must first under-stand that he is not “self made.” We as human beings are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Ps. 139:14). The created points to the necessity of a Creator, the God of Heaven. “And God said, `Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness’.. .

And God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them” (Gen. 1:26-28). We are not our own. We belong to God!

It is such a wonderful thought to know that we have been made by one who loves us and wants to see us grow and prosper. But if God so arrays the grass of the field, which is alive today and to-morrow is thrown into the furnace, will he not much more do so for you. . . But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you (Matt. 6:30,33).

We Are Stained.

When God created us we were good, pure, and ready to be molded into what he would have us to be. “Behold, I have found only this, that God made men upright” (Eccl. 7:29). But just as a youngster is not content to take the medicine for his betterment, Solomon continues to state, “but they have sought out many devices.”

This disobedience to God first happened in the Garden of Eden in Genesis 3 when God told Adam and Eve, “From the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden…, you shall not eat from it or touch it lest you die” (v. 3). Unfortunately, Eve sought out a device or evil way in verse 6,

When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise. She took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her and he ate.

“Therefore just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned” (Rom. 5:8). Romans 3:23 furthers this thought, “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” Do not be mistaken to believe you were born with this sin for, “The son will not bear the punishment for the father’s iniquity . . . the wickedness of the wicked will be upon himself ” (Ezek. 18:20).

Sin is not a stain we are born with, but is one we bring upon ourselves when we disobey God’s will, for each man is “carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death” (Jas. 1:14,15). Sin is not an inherited birth defect then, but “whoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law; for sin is the transgression of the law.” We are now by sin separated from the God who loves us and who has promised to punish every sinner, both young and old (Eccl. 12:13-14; Isa. 63:3-4; Rom. 2:6-11).

We Can Be Cleansed. What are we to do now that we in our youth are lost, hopeless, and without the God who would care for us? The Bible tells us that “without shed-ding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Heb. 9:22). Those under the Old Law offered the blood of animals but we see that “it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” If we are to become clean, good, and pure once more, it will only happen by “being justified as a gift by his grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in his blood through faith” (Rom. 3:24,25).

The only blood that can cleanse us is of this “Lamb who takes away the sin of the world” On. 1:29). Jesus Christ has told us, “He that has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned” (Mk. 16:16). When we believe and confess Christ (Rom. 10:9, 10), then we will want to change our lives for him, which is called repentance. “Repent therefore and return that your sins may be wiped away” (Acts 3:19). Finally, contrary to the majority of religious doctrines claiming to be Christianity, we must be baptized into Christ and become whole, “Therefore we have been buried with him through baptism into death, in order that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4).

Why Do You Delay? Many young people have never heard this wonderful plan of God, and it is our responsibility to help them understand who God is and what it takes to please him. In doing so, you will do your friends the greatest favor imaginable. Others, however, know the above to be true but for whatever reason have delayed making themselves right with God. Ananias told Paul, “Why do you delay? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name” (Acts 22:16). Then you can then spend the rest of your life “upright” in the eyes of God once more.

This individuality that you now have is far superior to all fashions, fads, and popular actions and attire of this day because now, “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession” (1 Pet. 2:9). Young people need Christ as our Savior and Guide! Without him we are “dead in our sins,” but with him we may gladly proclaim, “I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me” (Phil. 4:13).

Guardian of Truth XXXIX: 6 p. 1
March 16, 1995

By Jeremy Sweets

Youth, a time of fun. It is a time to be free and live life to its fullest extent, a time to experience life and all it offers. Many even say it is a time to “sow your wild oats.” Many people say teens should do whatever they want to as long as it makes them happy. Today people say many different things, but the Bible says that youth is a time to remember God. Young people should follow the word of God. Ecclesiastes 12:1 says, “Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, `I have no delight in them.”‘

This was a message inspired by God and written down by the wisest mortal man to ever live. This is some advice that I dare not go against because God has proven over and over that he knows what he is talking about. His wisdom far exceeds that of human wisdom (1 Cor. 1:25).

Jesus Died For Us!

There are many reasons that youth should be given to God. The first and foremost reason is that God sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross. In his death Jesus died for all of mankind, including the youth (Jn. 3:16). Jesus went through many hours of torture for all, young and old alike. Because of this gracious sacrifice, young people today owe God their spiritual lives. We, as young people, can never truly repay God for this, but we should do our best by giving God our life of service.

Give God Our Influence

Another very important reason to give God your gift of youth is because a young person can do some things that the elderly cannot do. The first thing that comes to mind is that of influence (Tit. 2:6-7). A young person has a special kind of influence over his peers. As young persons, whatever we do there are eyes watching us. Our example will cause people to notice how we are living. Some people may even want to find out what is so great about God and his church that it would cause somebody to live a godly life. This is something I have really had to watch lately because I have a little five-year-old brother. I have caught him many times mimicking the very things that I do. This is really frightening and makes me watch myself very carefully. Another thing about being an example is that we will not realize we have had an effect on people until it is too late. That is why we need to always be doing what is right in the sight of God.

Give God Our Strength and Zeal

There are also some characteristics of young people that give them an advantage in fighting for the cause of Christ. In 1 John 2:13-14 John admonished and encouraged the young for being strong unto the end and overcoming the evil one. We learn from the proverb in Proverbs 20:29 that says the glory of the young man is in his strength. Strength is something that the young have and they should use it to the best of their ability. Another characteristic the young possess is zeal or enthusiasm (Tit. 2:14). David in his youth showed great courage and enthusiasm in fighting the giant, Goliath (1 Sam. 17). He was eager to work for God when many people who were David’s elders refused to fight Goliath. Such characteristics of youth like strength and zeal should always be used as best as possible in serving God, not wasted in serving Satan.

Our Choices Have Consequences

“Sowing your oats” has many consequences. Just from the one simple act of premarital sex there are the consequences of pregnancy, AIDS, grievances, and loss of self worth. Also God said it is sin, and that fact alone makes it a bad idea (Matt. 5:27; 1 Cor. 6:18). There is also the sin of drinking. This causes many young people to develop diseases, lose the respect of others, and ruin their reputation. When mixed with driving it causes accidents and many times death. Like all drug abuse, drinking alcohol often leads to general carousing and disrespect for authority that can get young people in trouble with the: law, their parents, and especially God.

Many young people do not engage in such activities as these. Some are good morally, but they plainly forget about God. This kind of young person has nothing to look forward to in life or after this life. There is no meaning of life without God. Ecclesiastes 12:1 says that the evil years will draw near and we will say, “I have no delight in them.” If we devote our life to God in our youth, heaven will be our reward by the grace of God.

All young people should take careful note of what God has to say about the Judgment Day. As soon as young individuals reach accountability, they must answer for what they have done in their youth. They will not be excluded from God’s judgment. Romans 14:10-11 says, “For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written, `As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.’ That says every knee shall bow. That would include all the youth. This is why God said we must remember our Creator in the days of our youth.

There are several positive consequences for remembering God in youth. First of all, when we obey the gospel God wipes away all of our sins. Sin is so detestable that a God of love would send somebody to hell for sins. But we can avoid hell and receive God’s gift of forgiveness if we have faith in God, repent of our sins, confess Christ, and receive him in baptism. That is such a small step to take to receive the forgiveness of our sins. Then, after we have become a Christian, Christ continues to bestow many blessings upon us. Christ is our example and helps us to make all the right decisions through his word and through godly people. We can also talk to God any time we want to talk to him through the avenue of prayer. He will listen any time, and he will help us with our problems. Another blessing that Christ gives us is the hope of a place in heaven with God. Heaven will be a place of eternal joy. There will be no pain, tears, or death, things that plague us here on this earth. There will only be happiness. Because of this we need to always remember God, and he will give us life to its fullest meaning.

In conclusion, God loves the young. In a time when many people disregard and overlook youth there is some-one who cares for you. He has given us every thing that we have. Not only did he do that but also he gave his own life for us. He gave us youth as a gift, not something that should be taken for granted. It all boils down to one question. Should one’s youth be wasted? The answer is no, and furthermore, being young should not be used as an excuse not to follow God. Youth is fleeting everyday of our lives. It is plain foolishness to waste it. Instead, it should be devoted to the Lord our God in simple submission.

Guardian of Truth XXXIX: 6 p. 3-4
March 16, 1995