Truth Magazine

By Mike Willis

Anyone who reads a daily newspaper or listens to a news cast on television is impressed with how much bad news is reported — a wreck on the interstate, a murder in the inner city, unrest in the Middle East, a corrupt politician. The list is nearly endless and nearly all of it is bad news . One song writer, reflecting on the bad news, wrote, “Sure could use a little good news today!”

There are a lot of good events which happen every day which are not reported in the newspapers. They are judged not to be newsworthy. We would not minimize any of these good events which happen daily, but all of them pale in comparison to the “good news” of the gospel. The word “gospel” is translated from euangelion which is defined as “good news.” Indeed, the gospel is good news. In keeping a balance in our preaching, we need to emphasize the good news of the gospel.

God Controls The World

We may be distressed by the events which we witness occurring — the decision to allow homosexuals to serve in the military and to make abortions more accessible, and similar such events. However, the good news of the gospel is that God is still in control of the world. This is what is taught in the following passages:

… the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men (Dan 4:17).

… until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will (Dan 4:32).

The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will (Prov 21:1).

God’s eternal purpose will be accomplished. We should be encouraged to know that this world is under the direction and control of Almighty God, not merely subject to the caprice of men. This is good news.

God’s Providence

The good news of the gospel does not end with telling us that God controls the world, the gospel reveals that God providentially watches over the needs of every individual. This is part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Consider the words of these texts:

Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, 0 ye of little faith? (Matt. 6:30)

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me (Heb. 13:5-6).

To know that my God knows my every need, even before I ask of him, is good news.

God Loves Us

There are a number of concepts men have about God. In mythology, sometimes the gods were angry with man or toyed with men; on many occasions, the gods were indifferent to the needs of mere men on earth. The good news of the gospel is that our great God loves us. Here is what the gospel reveals:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (Jn. 3:16).

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him (Rom. 5:8-9).

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us. . . (Eph. 2:4 ).

Sometimes men have the concept that God is watching with an all-seeing eye with the intention to find some fault in their lives to justify casting them into hell. If that is the nature of the God whom you know, you need to exchange that concept of God for the God revealed in the Bible — the God who loves you so much that he is doing everything short of destroying your free will to effect your salvation. If you should so live as to be destroyed in hell, your everlasting damnation will not be pleasant to God; it will cause him grief. The good news of the gospel is that God loves you.

Jesus Died For Us

No greater expression of the love of God can be found than in the gift of his Son. The sacrifice of Christ on Calvary was an atonement for the sin of mankind (1 Jn. 1:7-10; Rom. 3:24-25; Heb. 9:14). The blood of bulls and goats was not adequate to redeem man from sin (Heb. 10:4). Man was unable to redeem himself. Only an act of the redeeming grace of God could save man from sin. The good news of the gospel is that God acted to redeem man. He sent his Son

Jesus to die on Calvary, to shed his blood for the remission of our sins.

The atonement made on Calvary is adequate for the remission of the sins of every man (1 Jn. 2:2). The forgiveness is available to wash away any and every sin (1 Jn. 1:7). Consequently, I can be thoroughly washed and cleansed of my sins. This is the good news of the gospel.

God Hears Our Prayers

The Bible reveals that the same God who saves us is a “prayer hearing” God (Psa. 65:2). He asks and commands that his children pray to him (Lk. 18:7-8). There are several important concepts in the idea that God hears and answers our prayers. Consider the following: (1) It says that God cares for me; (2) It says God is able to hear and answer my prayers (he is omniscient and omnipotent); (3) It says that God is willing to hear and answer my prayers; (4) It says that there is power in prayer (Jas. 5:16). To know that there is a God in heaven who listens to my prayers and answers them is good news.

God Has Promised Heaven to the Faithful

The Lord has also promised heaven as the eternal reward of those who are faithful to him. Jesus said to the Apostles shortly before his death, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” On. 14:1-3). Not even death can keep us from our eternal home, for Christ will raise us from the dead and take us to be with him in glory (1 Thess. 4:13-18). The beauties of heaven are described for us in Revelation 21. Indeed, the hope for eternal life in heaven is good news.

Conclusion

Let us not allow the circumstances of life to drive us into despondency. Let us keep our eyes focused on the good news of the gospel. There are plenty of reasons to be optimistic, even in the face of the “bad news” which is reported on the evening news and in the daily newspapers.

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 4, p. 2
February 18, 1993

By Connie W. Adams

Care One for Another

I lift the following heartwarming item from a recent report from Thomas Bunting about the work in Norway:

“In response to an article in brother Connie Adams’ paper, I have received letters from brethren in the States, Italy, Philippines and Mexico. These words came from faithful brethren who are laboring under very difficult and hard circumstances. They write to us to encourage us to hold out, to be strong in the Lord and to trust in God.

“The work in Norway is slow regarding the progress of the work, but one living in Norway does not suffer the same anxieties and physical needs that some of these brethren must live under. I hope that I can convey the thoughts or feelings I have, but do you get the picture? Brethren in the western States, who struggle to establish the Lord’s church about like we do here in Norway, encourage us to hold out. Brethren in Italy, who have suffered religious persecution, write words of encouragement to keep up the fight. Brethren in Mexico and Philippines, who live under extreme poverty, write to encourage us to keep up our faith. Do you begin to see the real character of faithful Christians? Those who suffer hardships can understand best the difficulties of others. These are Christians who suffer themselves, not writing to ask for something, but writing to give something.

“Like the letters of Paul, these brethren write and tell of their prayers on our behalf. They tell us of their concern for us and the Lord’s work here. They send words of encouragement for us to keep the faith and continue to proclaim the true gospel. Thank you one and all for your help!”

What Retirement?

After the announcement went out that Searching the Scriptures was ceasing publication a number have concluded that I was “retiring.” Some have asked what I planned to do with my spare time. I have told them I would like to have some. For nearly twenty years my spare time was consumed editing and publishing a paper. For the last 18 years, I have conducted 18-23 meetings each year from March through November and then spent winter months teaching a class every other day. I am continuing to write as I can for Guardian of Truth, the meeting work continues as before and so do the classes. My wife and I have no retirement plans. As long as health permits and opportunities are open to preach the word, that is what we will do. Check our meeting schedule for 1993. If you are in one of these areas, we would love to see you.

Hard Work and Success

I am teaching a high school class this winter using Mike Willis’ excellent workbook on Proverbs. I really like the lessons on “laziness.” Consider this verse: “He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich” (Prov. 10:4). I am weary of hearing successful people lambasted. There is a direct relationship between effort and success in any worthwhile thing. Some of this mouthing springs from envy. I like what I heard one prominent business man say. He said, “The harder I work the luckier I become.” We have bred a nation of people all too willing to feed at the public trough and it places an extra burden on those who are willing to work for a living, pay their taxes and provide enough “pork” for a “big brother” government to take care of all those with hands out for the public dole. Meanwhile, we see “help wanted” signs in businesses all over America.

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 4, p. 3
February 18, 1993

By H.E. Phillips

Worship springs from the heart, and it expresses gratitude, affection and adoration. Cornelius offered such worship to Peter for coming to his home with the word of salvation, but Peter refused it (Acts 10:25). One worships when he feels great gratitude, awe and fear.

Worship means different things to different people. For that reason the majority do not take the time to learn the difference between true worship and false worship. All worship that does not conform to God’s will in all respects is not scriptural worship.

The Worship of Cain and Abel

And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto Jehovah. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And Jehovah had respect unto Abel and to his offering: but unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and he countenance fell. And Jehovah said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shall it not be lifted up? and if thou doest not well, sin coucheth at the door: and unto thee shall be its desire, but do thou rule over it (Gen. 4:4-7 ASV).

A brief account is given of the sacrifices offered unto Jehovah by the first brothers, Cain and Abel. Details are not given regarding any instruction God gave to these brothers in reference to their sacrifices. However, sufficient evidence is given to determine the contrast in their worship to God. One was accepted and the other rejected. It is pro-per to conclude that the same requirements were given to both of them alike.

Cain brought the “fruit” of the ground for an offering to Jehovah. That outward gift bespeaks of the inward attitude that offered it. God was displeased with Cain’s sacrifice because it was not by faith (Heb. 11:4). The first murder was provoked by attitudes in worship (Gen. 4:3-8). Abel offered the “firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof” as an offering to Jehovah. He brought the first and best of his flock. Abel offered his sacrifice by faith, and he obtained witness from God that he was righteous (Heb. 11:4; Matt. 23:35; 1 Jn. 3:12). Faith comes from hearing God’s word (Rom. 10:17). Abel’s sacrifice cost him his life because his brother was angered that God did not accept his sacrifice.

What Is Worship?

Worship is an expression of man to his Creator or to some god for adoration, thanksgiving and praise. When man feels gratitude and reverence for his Maker, he seeks some way to express that unto God.

The Greek authorities define the words which are translated “worship” to mean: to make obeisance, do reverence to; to revere, stressing the feeling of awe or devotion; an act of homage or reverence; bowing down to, to honor religiously; to serve, to render religious service or homage; to act piously towards. Henry Thayer says the word for worship is: “to kiss the hand (towards) one, in token of reverence . . . hence in the N.T. by kneeling or prostration to do homage to one or make obeisance, whether in order to express respect or to make supplication” (Thayer 548).

Worship in Spirit and in Truth

Jesus said that those who worship God must worship him in spirit and in truth (Jn. 4:24). In spirit is not enough; in truth is not enough. When one feels in his heart the devotion, praise and reverence for another he must find some method of expressing that feeling. Especially is this so if the object of that devotion is God. The question comes, How shall he express what is in his heart? That is what worship “in spirit and in truth” means.

1. In spirit involves the right attitude. Attitude is essential to scriptural worship. True worship springs from a heart of genuine reverence and respect, with a godly life. God rejected ritual worship void of true devotion. The heart and mind of the worshippers must be involved in the worship or it is rejected (1 Cor. 11:27-30).

Worship must be from a heart filled with true devotion, piety and sincerity, and in obedience to the will of God. Cornelius had this good attitude when he sent for Peter (Acts 10:33). Christ was an example of submission to the Father (Matt. 3:15; Phil. 2:5-8; Heb. 5:8). Worship is unscriptural when it is contrary to the will of God.

The heart must possess these qualities to have the right attitude: the love of God (1 Jn. 5:3; 2:15; 4:19). Child-like humility is characteristic of the spirit of worship (Matt. 18:4; Jas. 4:6; Jn. 13:14; Phil. 2:5-8). The attitude of forgiveness is necessary also to worship God (Matt. 18:21,22; 6:14,15; Acts 7:60). The attitude to sacrifice is essential (Rom. 12:1,2). There must be a willing sacrifice offered with joy and in humility (Phil. 2:5-8).

Worship by the doctrines of men. The doctrines of men produce the elements of unacceptable worship. Ignorant worship: when the worshipper neither knows whom to worship, nor how to worship (Jn. 4:22-24; Acts 17:23). Vain worship: empty, profitless, authorized by the doctrines of men (Matt. 15:9; Rom. 1:25). Will worship: worship directed by the will of the worshipper and not the will of God (Col. 2:23). Unauthorized practices (Jn. 4:24). The worship of angels (Col. 2:18; Rev. 19:10; 22:8).

Unrighteous worshippers. All worship from those alienated from God is unacceptable worship. Jesus would not accept worship from devils. Worship and service to God go together (Matt. 4:10; Lk. 4:8; Rom. 1:25). God has never accepted worship from one whose life was not right (Prov. 15:8; Isa. 1:13-15; Amos 5:21-25).

Righteousness is a prerequisite to scriptural worship. True righteousness comes only by obeying the commands of God (Psa. 119:15). The commands of the gospel are righteousness (Rom. 1:16,17). There is a difference between the righteousness of man and the righteousness of God (Rom. 10:1-3). It is the difference between life and death.

“I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord. Our feet shall stand within thy gates, 0 Jerusalem” (Psa. 122:1,2).

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 3, p. 2
February 4, 1993

By Connie W. Adams

Some things ought to be forgotten. To dwell on past blunders gives rise to despair. Paul wrote,” Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:13-14). Nursing old wounds sours the spirit. We cannot go into rewind and undo what is done.

Some things must be remembered. To Israel God said, “Remember that thou wast a stranger in the land of Egypt . . . therefore the Lord thy God commanded thee to keep the Sabbath day” (Deut. 5:15). The blessings of Canaan could best be appreciated against the background of Egypt. The feasts of Passover and Tabernacles were intended to help them remember how God spared them from the death of the firstborn in Egypt and how God supplied their needs in the wilderness.

“Help me to remember how short my time is” (Psa. 89:47). “Remember now thy creator in the days of thy youth” (Eccl. 12:1). “Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord” On. 15:20). “Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). “Remember ye the words which were spoken before the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Jude 17). The remedy for loss of “first love” is to “remember from whence thou art fallen” and repent and “do the first works” (Rev. 2:5).

Peter said, “I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. Yes, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance” (2 Pet. 1:12-13). Timothy was charged, “If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained” (1 Tim. 4:6).

Like Timothy, I aspire to be “a good minister of Jesus Christ.” To that end we have prepared a special issue of this paper to take us back to some fundamental Bible lessons which we are in grave danger of forgetting.

The Need For This Special

Historically, gospel preachers have repeatedly emphasized the truths you will find in this issue to help people in denominationalism see the difference between truth and error. Again and again these same passages and illustrations have been called in-to service when brethren in the Lord were flirting with apostasy whether in worship, work, organization, or whatever threatened the peace and welfare of the kingdom of God.

The institutional brethren have a crisis on their hands now with some going so far that they are advocating a “new hermeneutic.” Commands, examples and necessary inferences are too limited for their fertile imaginations. Never mind the fact that Jesus used them in teaching truth, the apostles used them, and the first doctrinal issue facing the church was settled by an appeal to all three (Acts 15). This “new hermeneutic” is subjective. We are called upon to practice whatever we think “Jesus would do.” How shall we know that without Scripture to show it? While this “hermeneutic” may be new to some institutional folk, it is far from new to the denominational world. The denominational approach to Bible authority has been largely to ignore it in favor of whatever the majority want.

There are some men among the ultra-liberals who often speak of themselves as “on the cutting edge” of the kingdom. A few years ago an article appeared in Mission Magazine entitled “The 301 Cubit Ark.” It ridiculed the idea of an exact pattern. It was chosen as “article of the year.” Another magazine which has been on “the cutting edge” is Image. Now comes Wineskins with the avowed purpose of remaking the church. “Pattern theology” is out. The gospel when first given was new wine in new wineskins. It was not poured into the old wineskin of the law of Moses. It was not a patch on the old garment of Judaism; it was all new cloth. But what these men forget is that it is ever new. It does not need revision nor updating to make it “relevant.” It is relevant. It always will be relevant.

Among those who have resisted the burgeoning institutionalism there is also a need for remembering passages which help us see the danger of human wisdom as opposed to divine wisdom, the danger of trifling with divine instructions, the folly of confusing the broad way with the narrow way, the disaster which comes from “going onward.” Illustrations help to impress truth. But in our search for sermon illustrations, let us not overlook the most useful source of all — the illustrations in the Bible itself. Tell me, how long has it been since you heard a sermon on Cain and Abel? How about “Make Thee an Ark of Gopher Wood”? or, “Nadab and Abihu”? or “Uzzah’s Sin”? What about “Naaman the Leper,” “To Obey Is Better Than Sacrifice,” Jesus on “The Traditions of Men,” “Plants to Be Rooted Up,” “Are There Few Saved?”, “Mark 16:15-16” or “Going Onward”?

I dare say that if you were to preach a couple of these subjects in a gospel meeting there would be older people who would tell you they had not heard that in a long, long time. Some of the younger ones have never heard it. I was in a meeting a few years ago in a large southern city where there are many congregations and we were having day services. A preacher in the area attended each day. Toward the last of the week he said, “I want to thank you for making it worth while for me to bring my Bible. I have sat through many meetings in this city where I might as well have left my Bible at home.”

What is happening about preaching? Check the shelves of preachers’ libraries and see what they are using for source materials. Catchy, glitzy, witty works of Swindoll, Lucado and a few others will often be found. Motivational preaching has become the order of the day. Don’t get me wrong. We all need to be motivated to do what we know is right. But there is the catch. All too many among the Lord’s people do not know what they ought to know. There is a dearth of Bible knowledge. That sets the state for heartache down the road. The last few times I have preached on “Bible Authority” in meetings, invariably some older brethren have commented that they had not heard a sermon on that in twenty years. It may be that they forgot, or just didn’t pay attention, or that they were just “carried away” at the moment. What if they are right?

The purpose of this special issue is not to suggest that these are the only passages on which we ought to teach. The Bible is an inexhaustible treasure. From it we are to declare “all the counsel of God” and to “keep back nothing which is profitable” to the hearers. Our work must be balanced. Error must be exposed and reproved. Sin must be rebuked. Struggling saints facing the pressures of an increasingly irreligious society must be given help from the word of God to keep their poise and not lose sight of their goal. Babes in Christ must grow. So must those who are more mature. If they stop growing they will die. Older Christians need to have their spirits lifted. Elders, deacons, teachers, and preachers must all be encouraged. No faithful preacher of the gospel should ever be afraid of running out of material. The word of God is admirably suited to supply all our needs.

But through all of this, God’s people must ever be cautioned about taking liberties with what the Lord said. The consequences of disobedience must be clearly understood. We believe that this special edition of Guardian of Truth written by former writers for Searching the Scriptures (except for the article by Mike Willis) will help to stir up our remembrance of Bible passages which are not taught as often as they once were.

Guardian of Truth XXXVII: 3, p. 1
February 4, 1993