Truth Magazine

By Walton Weaver

The highest truth known by man is God. Man can learn of God’s “invisible attributes, his eternal power and divine nature” by observing “what has been made” (Rom. 1:20), but he cannot come to know some things about God apart from a special divine revelation. When Jesus said, “I am . . . the truth” (Jn. 14:6) he was claiming to be such a revelation. He continues in verse seven, “If you had known me, you would have known my Father also; from now on you know him, and have seen him.” Philip responded by saying, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us” (v. 8). Jesus then said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father; how do you say, `Show us the Father’?” (v. 9)

How are we to understand this claim of Jesus, “I am the truth”?

Revealer and Redeemer

1. He reveals the Father. Jesus was not the Father; he was the “only begotten Son” (Jn. 3:16) of the Father. But to see him, he said, was to see the Father. How could this be? Hebrews 1:3 says the Son of God “is the radiance of his [the Father’s] glory and the exact representation of his nature” (NASB). The truth of God was being revealed and made know to men in the person of Christ. Jesus was the embodiment of truth. Because the Word had become flesh and now dwelt among men (Jn. 1:1-2,14), the Father was now being revealed through the Son. “No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten God [later manuscripts read, `Son’ here, ww], who is in the bosom of the Father, he has explained Him” (Jn. 1:18). Philip had failed to understand that this was what the Son was doing. When he said, “Show us the Father,” evidently he wanted to see God with his natural eyes, perhaps by some supernatural presence. Jesus was a supernatural presence from the Father, but Philip had not seen him as yet in that way. If only he had “known” the Son, he would have known the Father also (v. 7).

Jesus had been in the midst of his disciples for months now. They had heard his words and seen his deeds (cf. Jn. 5:19-21). But their close association with him had not yet led them to discover the divine perfection of the Father in the Son. Why had they not seen? Prejudice and sin had likely hindered them so that they had not seen as clearly as they should. Jesus seems to think that Philip should have known him better. He reassures Philip, however, by saying, “From now on you know him, and have seen him” (v. 7). The new knowledge they were to have of the Father was so near and so certain that he speaks of it as already present. Future events, such as the death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ, in addition to the great occasion of Pentecost, would have a tremendous impact upon the minds of his disciples. With their new spiritual insight they would have a much better understanding of both the Father and the Son. Then they will see that the Son was revealing the Father to them.

2. He is redeemer. Any careful student of Scripture knows that Jesus is more than just “a mighty act of God in history” who came to reveal the divine attributes of the Father, such as his holiness, goodness, compassion, etc. The central message in the New Testament is that Jesus of Nazareth is the Savior of men. He came “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Lk. 19:10). He did not come merely to bring God to men (by revealing his divine attributes), but to bring men to God by opening up “the way” to the Father. He was “Immanuel, which translated means, `God with us”‘ (Matt. 1:23), and as the very representation of the Father he did reveal and make known the Father to us. But more than this, as the God-man he would “save his people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21). The fact that he was “the truth” has an important bearing upon his claim to be the Savior of the 7:24-27). His words are “spirit, and are life” (Jn. 6:63), and by them men shall be judged in the last day (Jn. 12:48).

Full and Final Truth

The full truth. He who is “the truth,” and is “full of grace and truth” (Jn. 1:14), is full and complete truth. No one else “among us” could have promised to send the Helper, or the Holy Spirit, to guide the apostles “into all the truth” (Jn. 14:26; 15:26 16:13). Only Jesus who is “the truth” himself could have made such a promise. This “all truth” would not only be the truth, but it would be “the whole truth, and nothing but the truth”! In Jesus “are hid-den all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col. 2:3); “in him all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form, and in him we have been made complete, and he is the head over all rule and authority” (Col. 2:9-10). It is in him that we gain “a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ himself” (Col. 2:2). Our assurance that we have the full truth rests in this fact: ” . . . his power has granted unto us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and excellence” (2 Pet. 1:3).

The final truth. The fact that Jesus is the truth is proof that God has no “latter day revelations.” God is not still making known truth independently of that “all truth” into which the apostles were guided in the first century. This “body of truth,” often called “the faith” in an objective sense, has been “once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). “That which is written” is our sole authority in religion, and we are not permitted to add to it, or go beyond it, nor are we allowed to take away from it (1 Cor. 4:6; 2 Jn. 9; Rev. 22:18-20). Scripture “cannot be broken” (Jn. 10:35) because what has been written is “the commandment of the Lord” (1 Cor. 14:39).

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 4, p. 6
February 18, 1993

By Kevin Campbell

It was my good pleasure on December 4, 1992 to attend a Bible debate between brother Larry Ray Hafley, who preaches for the Pruett and Lobit congregation in Baytown, Texas, and Mr. Robert C. Brock, a Pauline Dispensationalist. The debate was held in Pinellas Park, Florida in the Union Hall building next to the building of the Skyview church of Christ. The brethren of the Skyview congregation made arrangements for the debate and continued in the proclamation of the gospel by having brother Hafley in a meeting the following week. The attendance was a moderate 140-150, which is not all that high considering that the Tampa-St. Petersburg area has a high concentration of the Lord’s people. Hopefully the problem is not a lack of interest in such discussions or the feeling that “debates just don’t do any good.” There were quite a few denominational people in attendance who certainly heard the pure preaching of the gospel for the first time. Those brethren who did attend were strengthened and edified as they saw the truth of the gospel defended and the theories of men assaulted. The disputants both conducted themselves as gentlemen in keeping with the gospel (Phil. 1:27).

I am not sure how many debates Larry has participated in at this debate, but this was the first that I have personally witnessed. Larry was thoroughly prepared even to the point of anticipating Mr. Brock’s arguments and answers by having overhead charts with the appropriate Scriptures cited. He dealt with Mr. Brock’s doctrine in a very firm and straightforward manner without ever attacking or abusing Mr. Brock’s character. Mr. Brock felt the force of Larry’s arguments from Scripture as he pressed them and I am sure Brock was happy he had only agreed to a one-night discussion. Brother Hafley attempted to have at least two nights on the subject but Mr. Brock refused. I can safely say that Larry is one of the best debaters among us, if not the best. It gives me great pleasure to work with and learn from him.

The Proposition

The subject discussed related to whether or not the gospel that Paul preached included water baptism. Mr. Brock was in the affirmative and affirmed that Paul’s gospel did not include water baptism. Dispensationalists teach that “the mystery” (Rom. 16:25; Eph. 3:3-6; Col. 2:2) was a new revelation given only to Paul for his ministry to the Gen-tiles. They will agree that passages like Mark 16:16 and Acts 2:38 teach the necessity of baptism for salvation but deny that those passages apply to us today. Passages such as Romans 6:3-4, Colossians 2:11-13 and Galatians 3:26-27 are said to refer to a Spirit baptism and not water baptism. “Peter’s gospel included the gospel of the kingdom and water baptism but Paul’s gospel was a gospel of grace and did not include water baptism” — or so they say.

The Arguments

Brock began his first speech by recounting the case of his “conversion” to Christ when, “I asked Jesus into my heart as my Savior.” Larry asked Mr. Brock for the passage that taught such a doctrine but he never could find it. Some things never change! Brock later said that, although baptism in water had been essential under Peter’s gospel, God’s plan had changed by the time Paul wrote 1 Corinthians. He then added that salvation “is now Christ plus nothing.” Larry wondered if Mr. Brock was affirming salvation by faith alone and presented a chart where Mr. Brock had said that “salvation is by accepting the risen Christ as one’s Savior and that’s all (Acts 16:31; Rom. 10:9-10)! No water baptism: no church membership: no good works: Just trusting Christ 100 percent for salvation is all that is necessary for today.” However, when Larry had tried to get Mr. Brock to affirm the proposition that “salvation is by grace though faith alone,” Brock had written: “That salvation is by grace through faith alone . . . is not an ac-curate description of the truth.” Larry asked Mr. Brock to reconcile these contradictory statements from his own lips but he never came back to it.

Brock then proceeded to teach that “Jesus did not institute Christianity” and that “Jesus never told any believers in the gospels that they would go to heaven.” Larry observed that “the law was given by Moses but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (Jn. 1:17) and that Jesus is the “author and finisher of our faith” (Heb. 12:2). He then showed that Jesus did preach about heaven in passages such as Matthew 5:12 and 6:19-20. Brock then argued that Peter’s message “on Pentecost was Judaism: there was nothing Christian about Peter’s message.” He further contended that water baptism was part of Judaism, not Christianity, and that Jesus and Peter preached Judaism to the Jews while Paul preached the “gospel of grace” to the Gentiles. Larry showed that the message the Jews and Gentiles received was the same by showing a chart with the text of Acts 15:7-9,11 on it:

7. And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth show hear the gospel and believe.

And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;

And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.

11. But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

This effectively showed that there was “no difference” between the gospel that Peter preached and the gospel that Paul preached. Larry then showed the contrast between the Bible and Dispensational doctrine by presenting a chart en-titled “Opponent’s Bible: Acts 15:7-9,11”:

Peter said, Men and brethren ye know that God made a choice that the Gentiles by Paul’s mouth should hear the gospel and believe.

And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, in a way he never did to us;

And made a big difference between us (Jews) and them (Gentiles), purifying their hearts by faith.

11. So we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ they will be saved, different from us.

The Questions

Larry had several written questions for Mr. Brock that especially highlighted the differences of their doctrine. Mr. Brock did not prepare any questions for Larry and agreed to answer the questions in writing before the discussion actually began so that Larry could address his answers in his first speech.

The first question that Larry asked was, “Is water baptism `in the name of Jesus Christ’ water baptism (Acts 2:38; 10:48)?” Mr. Brock answered “yes.” Larry then showed that Paul baptized both the Ephesians (Acts 19:1-5) and the Corinthians (1 Cor. 1:13; 6:11; Acts 18:8) in the name of Christ, which Mr. Brock had admitted was water baptism. Thus, water baptism was a part of Paul’s gospel. Brock responded by saying that there was no re-baptism in Acts 19:1-5! Larry also had a chart to show that salvation by grace though faith (Eph. 2:8-9) included water baptism. This chart simply had the texts of Ephesians 1:13, Acts 19:5 and Ephesians 2:8-9 on it and showed that when the Ephesians heard the gospel and were told to “believe on Christ Jesus,” they responded by being baptized in water. This, Larry argued, is truly “salvation by grace through faith.”

The second question Larry asked was, “Was `the mystery,’ Paul’s gospel, spoken of in the Old Testament?” Brock checked “no.” Larry proceeded to show many Scriptures which teach that Paul’s gospel was spoken of in the Old Testament — Romans 1:1-2; 3:21; 16:25-26; Acts 24:14 and Acts 26:22-23. Brock replied by saying that Romans 1:1-2 probably wasn’t translated properly and was therefore a “debatable” passage. Such reasoning is common among false prophets when their doctrine is exposed to the light of truth. He then said that “the scriptures of the prophets” spoken of in Romans 16:25-26 were actually “Paul’s epistles.” Especially effective on this point was a chart that had the text of Acts 26:22 on it:

22. Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come.

Larry then demonstrated how this passage should read if Mr. Brock’s doctrine were true by presenting another chart entitled “Opponent’s Bible” which said:

22. Having therefore obtained help of God, I have started this day, saying many other things which the prophets and Moses never even heard about.

On the same point, Brock argued that Paul did not “preach the gospel of the kingdom” but instead preached the “gospel of grace.” Larry once again exposed Mr. Brock’s doctrine to the spotlight of truth by presenting passages that show that Paul did preach the kingdom (Acts 19:8; 20:24-25; 28:23,31). Brock then began to “crawfish” and said that Paul did, on occasion, preach the kingdom to the Jews but had ceased doing so by Acts 28. Larry then read Acts 28:30-31 which says that Paul was “preaching the kingdom” for at least two more years with “no man for-bidding him.” Larry wondered aloud if perhaps Mr. Brock, had he been there, would he have forbade Paul from preaching the kingdom?

Another question that was posed to Mr. Brock was, “Is Spirit baptism a command to be obeyed or a promise to be received?” Brock replied “a promise to be received.” Larry then used Romans 6:3-4,17-18 to show that the baptism of Romans 6 was water baptism. He argued that the baptism of Romans 6:3-4 was the “form of doctrine” that the Romans had “obeyed from the heart” in verses 17-18. Since Brock had already admitted that Spirit baptism was not a command to be obeyed but a promise to be received, the baptism in Romans 6 could only be water baptism since it was “obeyed from the heart.” In connection with this, Larry also used a chart with the texts of Romans 6:3-4, Acts 22:16 and 2 Timothy 1:9 on it. From this chart he demonstrated that:

Paul was baptized in water to wash away his sins (Acts 22:16).

The Romans had received the same baptism as Paul had as evidenced by Paul’s use of the pronouns “we” and “us” in Romans 6:3-4.

This is how they had been saved by grace in Christ (2 Tim. 1:9).

Mr. Brock simply “observed the passover” on this argument and never even referred to it.

One very interesting statement came from Mr. Brock’s lips when Larry made an argument on Galatians 1:23, which says:

But they had heard only, that he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.

Larry asked Mr. Brock if he could tell us what faith it was that Paul had destroyed. Since Paul persecuted those that Peter converted, and since Brock believes that Peter preached the faith of Judaism, then he would have Paul preaching the faith of Judaism, according to this passage. But Brock had contended that Paul did not preach Judaism but Christianity. Mr. Brock saw the implications of the argument and attempted to dodge it by saying that Galatians 1:23 was only a rumor. Yes, he actually said it. He said that Paul preaching “the faith which once he destroyed” was only an unfounded rumor. Imagine that! An inspired utterance of God reduced to nothing but an “unfounded rumor”! Larry observed that Mr. Brock’s predicament was due, not to a lack of intelligence, but to a doctrine that was based upon the speculations of men.

On Ephesians 3:3, Larry asked Mr. Brock why Paul didn’t say that the mystery had been revealed to “me only.” Brock spoke from his seat at this point and said that that is what Paul meant, i.e., — that the mystery or gospel of grace was revealed only to Paul. Larry then read verse 5 which says that the mystery had been revealed to the “apostles and prophets” (plural). Brock later replied that the other apostles had received their knowledge of the mystery through or by “Paul’s writings.” Larry then demonstrated that verse 5 says it was done “by the Spirit” and not by Paul’s letters. The more Brock said about the matter, the deeper the hole became that he was digging for himself. He finally recognized that it was best not to speak anymore from his seat regarding the matter.

Debates such as these do worlds of good even though we might not have immediate tangible evidence of such. Sometimes, if there are no conversions as an immediate result of a debate some will lament, “Debates just don’t do any good.” No so! When the truth is spoken and defended, brethren are strengthened and edified if nothing else results. That in itself makes the effort worthwhile.

In a day and time when some want to “eliminate the negative” from preaching, we need more men who are willing to “hold fast the form of sound words” in both a positive and a negative way (2 Tim. 1:13). Some may be of-fended and ashamed of bold, confrontational, and controversial preaching, but they are not of the same mold as Paul (Rom. 1:16). Several times his preaching resulted in madness and mayhem (Acts 19:29; 22:22-23) but he continued to “expound and persuade” the people concerning the Christ (Acts 28:23). Those who preach the gospel have the responsibility to “declare . . . all the counsel of God” without addition or subtraction (acts 20:26-27). Although some may think otherwise, discussing matters such as the place of baptism in God’s plan of salvation is a part of “preaching the cross” (1 Cor. 1:18).

There has been some correspondence regarding another debate between brother Halley and a representative of the dispensational doctrine. Let us remember men such as brother Hafley in our prayers as he continues to “expound and persuade” sinners “concerning the Christ.”

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 4, p. 12-14
February 18, 1993

By Dan King

All of us have felt inadequate before some great task in our lives. The first time we had to speak in front of a group of people was such an experience for most of us. Those of us who were not particularly good in some phase of mathematics, like Algebra, Geometry or Calculus, felt frustrated and weak before these profound disciplines of math. Some have known total frustration on their first day at a new job, learning and having to keep up with those who have been “at it” for some time already. It is certainly a very human emotion, natural to a variety of circumstances and situations.

We have surely known, then, something of how Paul must have felt when he came to the great metropolis of Corinth, capital of Achaia. Trained as a Jewish rabbi, converted to Christianity and empowered by Christ, he still knew the feeling of inadequacy in the face of so grand a work as this among so intelligent and sophisticated a people as these highly cultured Greeks. John Pollock captured this historic moment with the following description:

Corinth was the biggest city Paul had yet encountered, a brash new commercial metropolis founded in its current form less than a hundred years earlier after a century in ruins. It squeezed nearly a quarter million people into a comparatively small area, a large proportion being slaves engaged in unending movement of goods. Slaves or free, Corinthians were rootless, cut off from their country background, drawn from races and districts all over the empire and, except for the Jewish community, without natural groupings: a curiously close parallel to the population of a twentieth-century “inner-city,” the over crowded materialistic heart of any great urban concentration, with the superficial difference that Corinthians masked their materialism, sexual appetites and superstitions behind a cloak of religiousness. . . If the love of Christ Jesus could take root in Corinth, the most populated, wealthy, commercial-minded and sex-obsessed city of eastern Europe, it must prove powerful anywhere (The Apostle: A Life of Paul 121).

His own strength was meaningless, his own wisdom pitiful, as he saw it. He did not know this then, but it is just at such a time as this that we are truly strong, for then is God’s strength capable of being exercised (2 Cor. 12:9). God’s power is made perfect in our weakness, for then we will move out of the way (so to speak) and, in faith, permit God to do his part. It was under such circumstances, and in the context of the Corinthian work, that Paul came fully to comprehend the power of God which had been poured into earthen vessels: “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us” (2 Cor. 4:7).

Thus, he made the following observations about his preaching, which ought to have tremendous power in con-soling us over our own feelings of inadequacy about living the Christian life and facing its many trials and challenges:

Paul came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom (1 Cor. 2:1). Human wisdom was already in great abundance in Corinth, as it is present in our cities and towns today. But the world is not looking to us for either of these, at least that portion that would be saved. The world needs the saving word of the Gospel, the message of truth and hope. Of course, there is a natural appetite that the world has for the appealing things of this carnal realm, but we cannot give it what it wants, but rather what it needs: “And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power” (1 Cor. 2:4). That is just what Paul did. He delivered them a dose of what was needed, whether it was wanted or not. The result was a bountiful harvest of souls at Corinth: “and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized” (Acts 18:8). This was not always the case, for Athens was relatively negative toward the Gospel (Acts 17:32-34).

Paul was with them in weakness (1 Cor. 2:3). The natural impulse of the male of our species is to show no weakness, but rather to appear strong in the face of all odds. Apparently Paul overcame this impulse, for he really was dwarfed by the immensity of his opposition at Corinth.

This city was the home of a great temple of Aphrodite, a cult dedicated to the glorification of sex. One thousand girls were kept consecrated to the goddess, and their pro-cessions, rituals and individual solicitude so aroused male devotees and set the tone of the city that the ancient world described habitual fornicators as “Living like Corinthians.” Here was also the temple of Apollo, which also glorified sex as well as music, song and poetry, for Apollo was the ideal of male beauty. The temple’s inner recesses held nude statues and friezes of Apollo intended to fire his male worshippers to physical displays of devotion with the god’s beautiful boys. Apollo’s temple encouraged homosexuality and pedophilia. Before such magesterial evil, Paul stood in abject fear: “And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling” (1 Cor. 2:3). But he knew, even as John did that “greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world” (1 Jn. 4:4).

Paul determined to know only Christ crucified (1 Cor. 2:2). Paul was a well-educated man: no doubt he knew a lot of things, many facts and figures, names and dates, etc. But he came to these people knowing only the message of Jesus and the cross. Yet, the wonder of it is that this is all he needed, for it turned the city upside down. A fine congregation of saints was borne out of his proclamation of the crucified Christ at Corinth.

4. Paul established their faith in the power of God (1 Cor. 2:5). By refusing to promote human wisdom, he turned the people’s attention away from himself and man’s wisdom, firmly planting the Corinthian church on the solid foundation of Christ. Paul could not save anyone, not even himself.

Only the power of God and the blood of Christ could accomplish sin’s remission. But Paul could only establish their faith in Christ when his was first centered upon him. This was the order then, and it is the order now.

In our own struggle toward the goal of the high calling of God, let us remember that a feeling of utter inadequacy is not only normal but even healthy. It is our own opportunity to reach out to the only source of true spiritual enlightenment and strength. When we come to know only “Jesus Christ, and him crucified,” that is, realize our own weakness and inadequacy, and fall back upon the wisdom and power of God. Then and only then, will we be able to accomplish any important thing in his service.

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 4, p. 20-21
February 18, 1993

By Stan Adams

A young gospel preacher passed away. He never occupied the pulpit and never received a salary. Sean Teagarden was, however, a very special evangelist.

I have been asked by the family to write this tribute to this brave young champion of faith, and I am honored to relate his story to you.

Sean was an average young person. He was a delight to his parents, Vernon and Evenly. He was full of life and had a keen wit and sense of humor. He enjoyed life! He received his share of cuts and bruises and discipline, throughout his life. Sean was blessed to be born into a close family. He was loved and knew it from an early age. Mom and Dad were always able to be found. In a society where more and more women are pursuing “fulfilling careers,” the Teagarden’s value the importance of Evelyn being a “keeper at home.” They could have more “things,” if she worked outside of the home, but the tremendous family life they enjoy, would suffer greatly. We would all do well to learn from them. A stable home life is vital to our children.

At the age of 15, Sean was a healthy young man, or so it appeared. One day he came home from wrestling practice and complained of pain in his back. This was pursued and treated. A few weeks later, the pain had gone to his legs and he returned to the doctor for further examination. It was discovered that Sean had a large tumor. Later the biopsy revealed that Sean had a very rare form of cancer,

Stan Adams

Rabdo-Myo-Sarcoma. There have been only 50 cases of it in the entire U.S. They were told the cure rate was 5 per-cent. His cancer was Stage 4, which is rather advanced. Sean wanted to live! He told his parents he was ready to fight his cancer. Over the next nine months he received over 5,000 rads of radiation (28 treatments), as well as chemotherapy. The cancer was arrested from the bone marrow, and the outlook seemed bright. Sean enjoyed his 16th birthday party, and the prognosis seemed good. Almost overnight, the cancer reappeared! It had developed a resistance to the chemotherapy and had spread throughout Sean’s body. The doctor gave him a month to live. He faced the news bravely, when told. The chemotherapy was resumed, but was in-effective. He asked his parents if he could go home to die. You see, this boy loved home and family! He was brought home and in just a few days he breathed his last breath on earth and truly went home.

I sat with the family until 10:00 a.m. Friday morning. I listened and observed the last hours of this young man’s struggle. I sat in admiration of the family who cared so much. I listened to Sean recall events of his life, all of which were happy. I heard him gasp and labor for every breath, and finally watched and helped, as his body was removed from his room. I was touched by his bravery and by the family’s strength. Sean preached a sermon to us that needs to be heard by all. Here are some lessons he taught us.

The uncertainty of life! (Jas. 4:13,14 — “Ye know not what shall be on the morrow. . . What is your life, but a vapor, that appears for a short time and then vanishes.”)

He only lived 16 years, but they were rich, pure, wonderful and happy years. I know people who would love to have 16 happy years to remember, and they are much older than 16.

Each one of us lives life one breath at a time, and we are just one heartbeat away from death at all times. Sean knew this, do you? If you are a young person reading this, are you a Christian? If not why not?

Life is worth the pain and struggle. (Job) Sean endured tremendous humiliation and pain. He suffered a great deal. He did so with a pleasant spirit, healthy outlook, and even a sense of humor! His attitude was positive. Even though he knew death was close, he fought to live, to the very end.

When you think you have it tough think of people like Sean. He never felt sorry for himself, but did feel for those who cared for him. He seemed to try to protect them from hurt, and bravely endured many things, silently, so he would not alarm his parents and sisters. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us the devil will throw everything he can at us to get us to break. He did not win with Sean!

Priorities are important! (Matt. 6:33 — “Seek ye first the kingdom. . . “). Sean had his priorities settled. He was a Christian, and was prepared to go be with the Lord. He put God first, as he had been trained to do by his parents. He did not put sports ahead of church services! He did not let anything come in the way of his service to God. In his Bible he had written by Psalm 100, “Walk with him here, talk with him there.”

In an age when many young people are carried away with being popular and pursuing their selfish interests, it is time for all to reflect on what is truly important. Sean never got his driver’s license. He received a truck and had it parked outside his window, but he knew it was only an item. He would have gladly given it away for another day of life. He realized it doesn’t matter if you are popular with the world, if it means hurting God. He realized that being good at sports, really doesn’t matter, when it comes to life and death! What really matters, is are you a Christian?

On this earth, family closeness and love are vital! (Eph. 6:1,2 — “Children, obey your parents . . . for this is right, honor your father and mother.”)

We should not be surprised at the way Sean handled death! He was prepared by godly parents to handle life and be prepared for death! Parents, are you preparing your child to face the challenges of life, with Christ? When the time comes for your child to walk the “valley of the shadow of death,” will Christ be there to comfort him? Are you more interested in how much money he makes and where he goes to school, and how popular he is, than you are in the spiritual destiny? Mothers, are you out pursuing a career to “fulfill yourself” and sacrificing your children to do so? Fathers, do you spend time with your children doing family things?

When it came time for Sean to die, he wanted to go home. He was tired and weary of hospitals. He wanted his family around him. He loved them and cared for them and it was mutual. He wanted mom and dad, or sister. How close is your family? The Teagarden’s are a family. They do things together, like attending meetings, singing in the car, joking, laughing and crying. We need more families like them!

How you die is governed by how you live! Sean slipped away peacefully, quietly, and with family around. He was not bitter. He was concerned about others becoming bitter and admonished them not to let this happen. He “remembered his Creator in the days of his youth.” Sean could face the giant of cancer, because he could face the “lions and bears” of life, much like David of old (1 Sam. 17). He could face the small everyday things with God, and this prepared him to face the giant things when they came.

Sean told his family that he was glad it was him and not someone who was unprepared — what faith!

Sean told his father toward the end, that he had two regrets. One was that he would never have his own family, and the other was that he had not had the time to help convert someone to Christ. Only the first was really true. His father spoke to him of those he had influenced to obey his example. His sermon will continue to be heard!

I sat and listened to Sean talk in his last hours, about Bible stories he heard as a young child. I observed two loving parents, and two loving sisters, who truly loved him. The family has been through a lot, but they have come through with strength. The lonely days come and go and time helps us to go on, but his loss will always be felt. The friends and family that gathered for the funeral will continue to help ease the hard days ahead. The influence of Sean and his family was evidenced by the attendance of over 500 at the funeral and the 76 cars that went to the cemetery. His school asked for a copy of the sermon delivered by brother Wes Brown, of Charleston, WV, so the students could listen. He was honored for his courage, faith and hope.

Heaven is surely worth it all! (1 Cor. 2:9; Jn. 14:2; Rev. 21:4,6,7,23-27) Another saint has passed over to the other side. Heaven is appealing enough because our Savior is there, but when one we love has gone on to Paradise to await the Judgment, it makes getting to heaven a little more urgent (Matt. 5:4). In the words of brother Brown, may we all have the attitude of Balaam when he said: “Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!” (Num. 23:10)

Brave Young Soldier

A fighter from the very first, our brave young soldier was. Battling hard with labored breath to overcome the foe. Loving mom could only watch, and hold him close and hug. While loving dad with furrowed brow fought bitter tears of woe

Sweet sisters both in their own sweet way stood by with tender love.

Sean, the brave young soldier fights on to be above.

He fights for life because of One who died for all you see. He suffered also long and hard and died upon a tree.

Just sixteen you might say, but 16 pure and happy years. The words and memories he recalls are good ones, void of fears.

Death will come to Sean so soon, but will not the victor be. Sean awaits a heavenly home where his Savior he will see.

There is no sting in this young death for he has the victory. We all will see him one sweet day, if we serve faithfully.

A void will be in all our lives from the death of one so brave. But our garden of memories will overflow, from this one who showed us how to behave.

Words are vain, hugs grow empty, and long will be the day. But we with happy hope shall await, the great reunion Way.

(Written by Stan Adams in loving tribute to Sean Teagarden and his wonderful family. October 9, 1992.)

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 4, p. 8-9
February 18, 1993