Truth Magazine

By Keith Greer

“If we then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. . . Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry” (Eph. 3:1-5).

Many try to justify gambling by saying that they know when to stop. “I just set myself a $20 limit for the night. When that is gone, it is gone. It is just my entertainment. It is no different than going to the movies.”

Do most people know “when to stop”? Statistics would tell otherwise. There are many chapters of Gamblers Anonymous, not only in Las Vegas, but throughout the United States. Many young airmen at Nellis get into trouble because they get started gambling and don’t know when to stop. More than one young person has written bad checks thinking, “If I just play one more time, I’m going to win the big jackpot.”

Ask any gambler who has destroyed his home and turned to crime to support his gambling. Many start something that they cannot stop. Las Vegas has many “homeless” – many as a direct result of those who came to Las Vegas thinking that they were going to be the one to “strike it rich.” Rather than getting rich, they do not even have a bus fare home.

I get many calls at the building here every week from people who are in just such circumstances. I recently had a call from a Christian from Texas who had come here with his family and, even though his wife and children had pleaded with him, he spent two days “at the tables” and lost all of his money. He was crying and asked me to pray with him, not only for God to forgive him, but for the terrible example he had set for his family.

If you don’t care about yourself, think about this. “Just as teenagers are beginning to show signs of curtailing risky sex, illicit drug use and drunk driving, another potentially destructive behavior – gambling – is threatening to become the teen vice of the ’90s. . . The most popular forms of gambling among teenagers include betting on sports, card playing, lotteries and slot machines. . . For teen and other problem gamblers, betting fever may lead to serious crimes as well as self-destruction. . . The social and personal factors that cause compulsive gambling, such as widespread materialism and unstable families, continue unabated” (U.S. News & World Report, June 18, 1990, p. 51).

“But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control: against such there is no law” (Gal. 5:22-23).

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 6, p. 163
March 21, 1991

By Stan Adams

A few months ago, I was talking with a precious brother in Christ, who is a member of a black congregation nearby. He was concerned about the number of brethren where he attends who seem to have no concept of what repentance is, according to Scripture. He related that the same folks where coming up all the time, and “repenting” of the same thing. He told me how he had handled this, after it went on for several weeks. He told them one Sunday morning that he couldn’t judge anyone’s heart, and he was as willing as anyone to forgive, but that many of them were about to “wear the Lord out”! He told them that he wasn’t too sure whether they were “repenting or reporting.” He expanded on that and let them know that the Lord already knows what we have done, he doesn’t need a report. What the Lord wants us to do is to stop sinning and turn from our evil and not just tell him what we have done and then continue doing it over and over again. I told him I thought he handled it really well, and that I wish more brethren would wake up and see his point. Where he worships is evidently, not the only place where this confusion exists.

Brethren, like many of you, I have been observing many of the antics of some brethren with dismay and disappointment. There seems to be an attitude among many brethren, that “reporting” is enough. Even if they say they do not believe it themselves, many are more than willing and anxious to come to the aid of those who do hold this view. They refuse to speak out and stand firmly for what is right. I think the brother I spoke with, hit the nail on the head. “Reporting” is not enough. It is not scriptural for someone to simply admit to a sin (such as fornication, or unscriptural marriage), and then continue in it. It violates Romans 6:1,2; Matthew 3:8; 2 Corinthians 7:8-11, just to mention a few. Also, repentance carries the idea of not only turning from sin, but also turning to God. It is, if you please, an about face, ceasing from the sin, as well as regretting it.

We all know that the Lord is willing and able to forgive us, as often as we repent. However, he has not promised to forgive anyone for simply reporting.

Brethren, what has happened? Where is our common sense and militance toward error? Have we become, or are we fast approaching, a status as people who will tolerate anything? Will we sell our convictions simply because we admire someone? Will we refuse to preach the truth, on any subject, because it might be “controversial”? I hope that we will not become hirelings who will preach whatever pleases the people. We need to get back to plain old common sense preaching, and need to quit trying to impress folks with how “intelligent” we can be (you can’t fool people but so long, anyway). Brother Eric Norford related to me a statement that I think is great, that was made to him and other preaching students by Dee Bowman at Florida College. It went something like this: “Preaching that does not storm the will is not gospel preaching.” I think that is true. Gospel preaching should never be demoted to an exercise in ear-scratching. We should not shun to declare the whole counsel of God, anywhere we preach. It might mean that we will alienate close associates, or that we will lose support, or be fired, but we can sleep at night, and face ourselves in the mirror the next morning, with a clear conscience before God.

Foy Smith wrote in the Firm Foundation (Vol. 80, No. 5), some years ago, the following admonition:

Brother, roll up your sleeves and thunder forth that message that rocked the hills and vales around Jordan long ago that pierced the hearts and convicted thousands on the day of Pentecost and subsequent days – that vibrated through the hills and valleys of Kentucky and Ohio in the days of the restoration, and that still thrills and influences the hearts of men, when it is given its rightful place and emphasis! Preach it because you love it. Preach it because you are afraid not to preach it. Preach it exactly as it is written, neither fearing nor favoring men. Preach it every time you go into the pulpit like that time will be your last time. Preach it as a “dying man to dying men!”

I have this hanging on my wall in my study and I have made copies for three young preachers whom I have worked with. May we all develop more courage and stamina in preaching, and get back to the simple common sense approach to proclaiming truth.

“Repenting or reporting”? Some have already made their choice, for “reporting.” The only problem is, there is no Scripture for it. Don’t “wear the Lord out, brother!”

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 5, p. 135
March 7, 1991

By William C. Sexton

Each person has 60 seconds in each minute, 60 minutes in each hour and 24 hours each day. We are all equal in this respect. But how we use those seconds, minutes, hours, and days is up to us. We can waste them away or we can choose from thousands of activities to be engaged in. We can only be in one place at a time and doing only one thing at a time. Therefore the choices we make are extremely important.

I affirm that soul winning is an activity in which each Christian should resolve to be engaged. One said long ago, “he that winneth souls is wise” (Prov. 11:30).

December 3-10 we had an enjoyable eight days, hearing ten different speakers point to specifics on Winning Souls For Christ! An excellent opportunity was afforded the members of the Roan Ridge congregation in Kansas City, Missouri and visitors to reflect upon the many marvelous opportunities – time, materials, and people to work with – to engage effectively in this activity of soul winning!

The following men spoke on these specific ways of winning souls for Christ:

Sunday A.M.: Recognizing the Power of the Word – Randy Sexton

Sunday P.M.: Recognizing the Value of the Soul – Ray Harris

Monday PM: Using The Printed Page – Norman Fultz

Tuesday PM: Using The Telecomputer – Tom Kinzel

Wednesday PM: Utilizing Special Studies – Jim Bailey

Thursday P.M.: Using Bible Examples of Personal Study – David McClister

Friday PM: Using Personal Contacts – Michael Divis

Saturday PM: Overcoming Obstacles – Bob Watson

Sunday AM: Mobilizing The Young – Tim Young

Sunday PM: Dealing With Present Issues – Bill Sexton

Four of the speakers are members at Roan Ridge, including this writer, the first two and the last two. The meeting was well attended by the members of Roan Ridge, even though it was late in the year. We’ve had more good feedback from this meeting than any in the five years I’ve been with the group.

I would recommend that this type of series be preached in every congregation. I’ve said for twenty years and more, “I believe that the greatest need in any congregation that I’ve been acquainted with, is personal evangelism.” In these ten lessons we heard how to reach people. The following statement was typical, “I have always been told that I needed to do it, but I have never heard so many ways of going it and the fact that I can do it!”

Of course there was competition: a thousand other things vying for our attention and seeking our commitment. Thank God we have the ability to choose, therefore, we are accountable for our choices.

1. My soul is to be won for Christ (Matt. 16:24-26). What it isn’t?

2. My family members are to be won for Christ (1 Pet. 3:Iff; Matt. 10:34ff; Lk. 14:25f). Can I help?

3. My neighbors are to be won for Christ (Rom. 13:9-10).

4. My fellow workers, associates, etc. . . . all need to be won for Christ. What do they see in me? How do I effect them? What about my influence.

Each person, according to the Bible, has a soul. That soul shall exist eternally either in heaven or torment (Matt. 25:31-46). Beloved, life is short, death is sure, and eternity is long!

The only instrument that is able to win one to Christ is the word of God (Eph. 6:17; Heb. 4:12-13; Jas. 1:21-25). It has to be “taught” (Jn. 6:44) and “learned” (Jn. 6:45) in order for one to come to the Father by Christ (Jn. 14:6).

How valuable do you judge your soul to be? What do you consider to be the most valuable possession your relatives and friends have? How much time and effort do we spend to protect our material valuables and those of our friends, relatives, and neighbors? How much of our resources do we use protecting our spiritual possessions? Do our choices and labor reflect wisdom or the lack of it?

Every minute souls are dying

Souls in bondage, sin ensnared.

Every moment, souls are departed,

Hopeless, helpless, unprepared;

Souls who never knew the Savior

Nor the Spirit’s quickening breath

Mercy ended, judgment coming,

Wrath of God, eternal death.

Every moment souls are dying.

Are you pointing them to God?

Are you showing them the Christ

Shedding his atoning blood;

Paying, on the cross, their sin debt;

Doing what they cannot do?

Are you leading souls to Jesus?

Are you true to Him? Are you?

Beloved, let us avail ourselves of the opportunities that are before us. Let us get the seed out of the barn and into the soils – minds and hearts of people (cf. Hag. 2:19; Matt. 13:18-23). “Is the seed yet in the barn?” Such a series, I believe, will result in more seed being sown, and thus souls being saved!

Don’t give up that Saturday night. Brother Bob Watson spoke on Saturday, and he had a marvelous lesson. I believe it should be heard by every member of the Lord’s church. He knew where he had been and was going, and he had so much enthusiasm that he caused all of us to walk away much taller, wanting to put into practice what he was talking about, winning souls for Christ. The others did a very good job. Bob had a wonderful way in approaching a person for a Bible Study, and the way to get some important things established before he actually begins the study. I believe that each can profit from considering these. (See * at the end.) But, the point: don’t give away Saturday nights to the devil.

*Questions designed to discover the needs of an individual:

Q. “John, how much do you really know about the Bible?”

*Explain that the Bible is a book of books, divided into a testament or will.

Q. “John, you know that a new will makes void an old will, don’t you?”

Q. “John I believe we have a lot of common beliefs.”

Q. Do you believe in God?

Q. Do you believe the Bible is God’s Word?

Q. Do you believe Jesus is the Son of God?

Q. “John do you want to go to heaven?”

Q. “John do you believe that only Christians will go to heaven?”

Q. “Are you a Christian?” Caution: Don’t argue the point.

Q. “Do you remember if you were baptized?” Immersion? Sprinkling? Pouring?

Q. “How long were you a Christian before you were baptized?”

Q. “How long do you think it would take to read the Bible? ” This is to lead into the five lessons on the Bible! (Film strips) How would you like to see a Bible survey that deals with it in just five one-hour study periods.

Before each study, review what you have learned that the person believes; then you can deal with these as you go through the study. You won’t come to the end and have the person decide that he/she has done what one has to do to become a Christian.

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 5, pp. 138-139
March 7, 1991

By Rick Duggin

In recent years there has been some controversy over the use of applause in connection with religious speeches. Some see no harm in clapping their hands to show approval of a powerful point. A few thoughts on this subject may prove helpful in other areas as well.

Perhaps it would be interesting to note that this is not a new problem. Consider the following quotations.

The emperor (Constantine, rd) diligently attended divine worship, and is portrayed upon medals in the posture of prayer . . . And lie even himself composed and delivered discourses to his court, in the Latin language, from which they were translated into Greek by interpreters appointed for the purpose. General invitations were issued, and the citizens flocked in great crowds to the palace to hear the imperial preacher, who would in vain try to prevent their loud applause by pointing to heaven as the source of his wisdom . . . At times lie would severely rebuke the avarice and rapacity of his courtiers, who would loudly applaude him with their mouths, and belie his exhortation by their works (Schaff, History of the Christian Church, 111, p. 34).

Julian the apostate complained of the indifference of his heathen followers. “The spectators at his sacrifices came not from devotion, but from curiosity, and grieved the devout emperor by their rounds of applause, as if he were simply a theatrical actor of religion” (Ibid., p. 48).

Chrysostorri mourns over the theatrical customs, such as loud clapping, which the Christians at Antioch and Constantinople brought with them into the church (Ibid., p. 377).

Pulpit eloquence in the fourth and fifth centuries reached a high point in the Greek church, and is most worthily represented by Gregory Nazianzen and Chrysostom. But it also often degenerated there into artificial rhetoric, declamatory bombast, and theatrical acting. Hence the abuse of frequent clapping and acclamations of applause among the people. As at this day, so in that, many went to church not to worship God, but to hear a celebrated speaker, and left as soon as the sermon was done, The sermon, they said, we can hear only in the church, but we can pray as well at home. Chrysostom often raised his voice against this in Antioch and in Constantinople (Ibid, p. 473).

At this point you may wonder why I have quoted the writings of early preachers rather than the New Testament itself, There is a good reason for this course. As far as I can tell, the New Testament is completely silent on the subject of hand-clapping and applause, either in a religious setting or out. I do not know of a single passage that even leans in that direction. Therefore, one who wishes to read of applause in churches must turn to uninspired history rather than to the biblical record.

We do know, that the most enlightened and spiritually-minded men of the third through the sixth centuries were unanimous in their opposition to applause following religious discourses. In view of their laxity in other areas, this is quite interesting.

We do know that the apostate Julian opposed applause in connection with his heathen sacrifices because it lowered his efforts to the level of theatrics.

We do know that those who favored applause were the ignorant masses who considered sermons more as performances than as exhortations to godly living. The more worldly the assembly, the greater the need for frivolous practices.

We do know that denominational writers such as Philip Schaff rejected applause as unseemly in religious settings. When Christians begin to practice activities that denominational leaders consider offensive, it is later than we think. Of course, other denominational leaders covet applause. Anyone who has ever watched Jimmy Swaggart knows that his worldly antics invite such responses. Do we really want to imitate such irreverent foolishness?

The burden of proof is clearly on the one who advocates applause in worship. The silence of the New Testament does not give consent (cf. Heb. 7:14). Which passage could be used to authorize clapping during or after a sermon? If the practice was not learned in the New Testament, where was it learned?

Let us reverently heed the preaching of God’s word and accept its challenge to mold our lives into the image of our Lord.

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 5, p. 137
March 7, 1991