Truth Magazine

By Robert Wayne LaCoste

On one of the recent meetings, a family asked me to an evening meal in their home. Naturally, as any good red-blooded American who loves Italian food would, I accepted.

I don’t suppose I had been seated five minutes when I was asked, “Bob, how do you feel about Christmas? Do you observe it?”

My answer for the past 25 years has always been the same. “I surely do not observe it as the birth of Christ, since God’s word says nothing about the birth of God’s Son from a when standpoint. However, I have no problem with observing it as any other national holiday in our country, paying notice to the folklore and festivities surrounding it, No Christian can attach any spiritual significance to it, though. A Christian can observe it non-religiously.”

My brother in Christ seemed startled at my response, and I feel that he spoke before thinking, as the next comment surely got my attention. “Well, Bob, to me it’s all idolatry.” Now, I have been called a lot of things over the years, but being called an idolater (and by one of my own brethren in Christ!) was indeed an eyebrow raiser. Since this brother had a son, I asked, “Was your son circumcised?” “Yes, he was,” came the response. “Why do you ask?” “Because Paul said that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing” (Gal. 5:2). “Well, err, he was circumcised, but not for spiritual reasons.” ‘,’Yes, I’m sure that’s the case,” I said. “But now, if you can take an act that was originally intended to be for spiritual reasons, and observe it non-spiritually or non-religiously, then why can’t I take a day that was originated for spiritual reasons and observe it nonreligiously?” My brother’s tone softened, his attitude changed remarkably, and he uttered, “I don’t press my convictions on Christmas. I take note of my brethren’s conscience and respect it.” “Ah,” I said, “Now there’s something we both agree on. Surely we must respect one another’s feeling on Christmas and not allow that liberty we hold to be, a cause of offense or stumbling one to the other.”

I wish more conversations about Christmas would end as this one. Dear reader, I have seen those professing to be children of God who will take something like Christmas and further divide God’s people. Just what we needed right? Wrong! What we need is a respect for one another’s conscience and allow that brother or sister their liberty as long as it isn’t flaunted in our face. Surely this is why Paul wrote Romans 14. This non-religious observance of Christmas is like the eating of meats and observing of other days, as the Romans -did. Paul noted, “One man esteemeth one. day above another; another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind” (Rom. 14:5).

Some consider putting up a tree or decorating their house hypocritical. “How could you ever convince your neighbor, especially if he’s Catholic, that you don’t believe in Christmas?” Oh, but I do believe in Christmas – from a non-religious standpoint. I have also been known to put a skeleton oil my door at Halloween or put a pumpkin in the window; however, that doesn’t mean I follow the pagan occult that originated that holiday, either! Dear reader, I know of Jews who put up lights and decorate things around Christmas time. Have you ever met a Jew who believed in the birth of Christ as being December 25, or for that matter believed in Christ, period? Let’s get serious! I may rest on Saturday, but no one ever accused me of being a Seventh Day Adventist. I have had fish on Friday, but no one ever accused me of being a, conservative Catholic. My, kids dress up and go trick-or-treating on Halloween, but no one ever accused us of paganism. In years and years of putting up my plastic Christmas tree no one has ever accused me of believing December 25 as the birth date of Jesus!

The issue again is: I will not flaunt my liberty. I will respect the feelings of my brethren opposed to an observation of this holiday, but as I respect theirs, I would appreciate not being branded as an idolater by them. Only when we make those teachings of Christ written in Scripture the standard for “righteous judgment” (John 7:24) and avoid any form of railing against a brother who chooses to exercise a liberty not regulated by God, shall we, dwell together in the peace the Lord taught.

Have , fun this holiday season. Observe what God wants observed, not man; but at the same time, allow your brethren their rightful liberty in Christ Jesus.

Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 24, p. 745
December 21, 1989

By Mike Hughes

Introduction:

The Christmas season has become so much a part of our national life that is it practically impossible to isolate oneself from it. Manger scenes, the “Christmas Story” in schools, and appeals to put Christ back into Christmas have the effect of presenting as truth what are really fictional parts of the “Christmas Story.” These fictional parts have no foundation in fact, as presented in either the Scriptures or in historical record otherwise. We must be willing to investigate biblical teaching concerning the Birth of Christ to separate fact from fiction, so we might believe whatever truth is presented and practice whatever is authorized. We also should want to avoid believing that which isn’t justified in the scriptural account.

Body:

I. The Facts about the Birth of Christ.

A. It is a fact that a baby boy named Jesus was born in Bethlehem more than 1900 years ago and that he became one of the most influential men of history.

1 . Biblical and extra-biblical sources prove his birth.

2. Josephus the Jew, Tacitus, Suetonius, and Pliny the Younger support the fact that he lived and was believed and followed as the N.T. teaches.

B. It is a fact that he was born in a stable.

1. Read Luke 2:7. The innkeeper was the first in a long line of people who turned away the Son of God. He still finds no room in the lives of many.

2. Archaeological discoveries have confirmed the general accuracy of Luke’s account of the circumstances.

a. It was denied by many that there was imperial census, that Cyrenius was governor (Lk. 2:2) or that all had to go to their ancestral home.

b. Archaeological finds have shown all three to be true – papyrus documents indicate a census every 14 years, that Cyrenius was governor on two occasions that would allow him to have been governor at the date of Jesus’ birth, and that Roman-ruled countries were required to return to ancestral homes for taxation.

C. It is a fact that angels announced his birth to shepherds (Lk. 2:8-14).

D. It is a fact that wise men from the East came to worship Jesus.

1. These were magi (magoi), possibly priests or philosophers from the Euphrates Valley with the learning of the East, guided by the Lord by means of “his Star” (Matt. 2).

2. They came asking the location of the new-born King!

E. It is a fact that Jesus was born of a virgin.

1. Read Matt. 1:22,23.

2. Notice the evidence for the virgin birth.

a. Mary (Lk. 1:34,35): She immediately went to see Zachariah and Elizabeth, although Zachariah would have condemned her for adultery. At the cross she remained silent when her admission of adultery would have saved Jesus from death. What kind of mother was this?

b. Joseph: Why would Joseph invent such a story?

c. Elizabeth, Matthew, Luke, John the Baptist, Peter, Paul, and others preached he was not the son of a mere man.

3. Acceptance of this evidence prepares one to accept all else the Bible says of him, but repudiation undermines the trustworthiness of the whole Bible.

F. It is a fact that Jesus came on a mission of salvation (Matt. 1:21; Lk. 2:29-32).

II. Fiction Surrounding Jesus’s Birth.

A. It is fiction that there were three wise men.

1. The three gifts could have been brought by a smaller or larger group of wise men.

2. The Bible doesn’t say how many came.

B. It is fiction that the wise men visited the stable.

1. In spite of the manger scene depicting wise men there, Matthew 2:11 says they visited Jesus in a house.

2. The flight to Egypt after their visit, as well as the public presentation in the Temple at age of 40 days, would indicate the wise men came after 40 days (cf. Lev. 12:1-4).

C. The principle fiction is that he was born on December 25.

1. The Bible does not date his birth, and learned men have put the date in various months of the year.

2. Articles in any encyclopedia will show lack of evidence to support December 25th as being Jesus’ birthday!

3. The rainy season of Palestine makes it very unlikely that shepherds kept flocks out in the fields.

D. It is fiction that Christ wants us to observe a special day in honor of his birth.

1. Too many of us are inclined toward special observances rather than regular observances. We render service in spurts.

2. Christians remember his death on the only special day found in the N.T. teaching – the first day of every week, even as the early church did Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:2).

3. Since we walk by faith, which is based on the Word of God, we cannot make a special religious observance of any day in the absence of any justification from the Scriptures.

Conclusion:

Notice the facts and fiction stated above. As a national holiday, December 25 may be observed by Christians as any other such holiday; but we should not attach any religious significance to Christmas. All Christians should give thanks daily for his birth and his willingness to sacrifice his life on the cross so we, through obedience to his will, will have hope of eternal life with him in Heaven (Jn. 14:1-4).

Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 24, pp. 744, 751
December 21, 1989

By David Weaks

Have you ever been to a restaurant where the employees seem unfriendly and unmotivated? Such a place makes for a very unpleasant dining experience. Sometimes we may get the feeling that our waiter or waitress feels “put out” in serving us. The very idea! Don’t they know that my patronage helps provide for their job security? On the other hand, if you have ever worked in a restaurant, then you probably look at the situation in a different light. I worked in a restaurant for three years and, as a result, I am generally very patient with these people.

When one spends some times working as a waiter or a waitress, he learns very well what it means to be a servant. Very often the customers are disagreeable and impossible to please, and will expect your undivided attention, regardless of how many other customers you may be serving. How discouraging it is to be waiting on ten different tables during the “dinner rush,” and have one customer storm out because he wasn’t served quickly enough I Sometimes it is difficult to wear a bright smile, and echo the phrase, “The customer is always right!”

A person who takes a job as a waiter or a waitress does not serve customers for glory, honor, or recognition, but rather because the job requires it. When one provides a customer with good service, it is done out of duty. Jesus illustrated this in Luke 17:10 with the lesson of the servant, “Even so ye also, when ye shall have done all the things that are commanded you, say, we are unprofitable servants; we have done that which it is our duty to do.”

How many of us have really learned what it means to be a servant? How difficult it is to learn that lesson! It is so much easier to be on the receiving end of service, than to be the server. Have you ever heard someone say, “I just don’t seem to get anything out of services anymore”? These people seem to have forgotten that the whole idea is to serve the Lord, rather than to be served by him (Josh. 24:14-15; Lk. 4:8).

We often find it difficult to serve the Lord properly; how much more so, our neighbor? In Luke 10:27ff the Lord gives us an explicit example of our obligation to our neighbor. Truly the Samaritan man looked upon himself as a servant, and demonstrated that type of a spirit. Ali too often I am afraid that we are too proud to stoop to that level of humility. Let us not forget that the Lord is not pleased with that kind of pride (Jas. 4:6). A true servant is a person who has the ability to put away feelings of pride, and do the job that is required. A servant realizes that pride very often causes one to stumble (Prov. 16:18); therefore, he will have no part of it.

Our Lord has provided for us a perfect example of a servant, and all we need to do is look to him. Would you be willing to wash your guests’ feet before dinner? The Lord did that (Jn. 13:14-16)! Are you willing to seek out the seat of least honor at a celebration? Jesus taught us to do that (Lk. 14:7-11)! Would you be willing to give up your highly exalted position and home, just to be a servant to mankind? Jesus even did that (Phil. 2:5-1 I)l Jesus was a servant to the end, “even the death on the cross” (2:8).

If we are ever going to be the kind of people the Lord wants us to be, we must learn to be servants. Jesus beseeches us to “learn i of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart” (Matt. 11:29). If we are able to thoroughly learn this quality of Jesus, we will be able to truly “submit to one another in the fear of the Lord” (Eph. 5:21).

Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 23, p. 712
December 7, 1989

By Burl Young

Now to you city boys, the above will not mean a whole lot, but those of you who have been blessed with a life in rural America will probably know what it means. For those that do not know. I will try to explain. It means that even a hog with no sense of direction, without the use of his eyes, and just groping along in the darkness, will occasionally find an acorn to eat. I wish to make application of this to the preaching of the gospel.

In 1 Corinthians 3:7, Paul stated that he planted, Apollos watered and God gave the increase. It seems that this is often used to make apology for preachers that sometimes preach several years without any responses to the gospel. It is my conviction that the gospel always gets results. For a preacher to preach for years and years in a local area, taking full-time support for this work and not having any results ‘ is to border on the absurd. At the very best, it is bad judgment on the part of those supporting him and at the worst it is intentionally failing to do God’s will with his money. Because I have preached for some of our larger congregations and some of the smaller ones too, I feel I can be fairly objective in this matter.

I have stated above that the preaching of the gospel always gets results. If this is taken to mean that it always, on every occasion results in a conversion, it is taken other than the way I meant it. On the other hand, if one preaches for years and years in a given area and has no results at all, I believe some things should be examined. First, as a preacher, I must start with myself. Am I doing my job well? Am I using the proper style in my preaching? Do I hurt people’s feelings by my demeanor before I can teach them? Not all men have the proper attitude, demeanor and ability to preach the gospel. Not all men can be carpenters, salesmen, teachers or factory workers. Thusly, not all men should be preachers.

On the other hand, it may very well be that the people you are working with in the local church are such as are not liked by those around them. If this be the case, one should attempt to teach those persons first, before looking toward teaching others.

Getting back to the “style” of some preachers, let us examine some things we might do to help people understand. We should remove all barriers that we can in this area. If it is needful for you to “give in” just a little on matters of expediency, such as length, subject matter, or mannerisms on your part, perhaps you should care enough to be concerned for the feelings of others and do your best to accommodate brethren in these areas. However, one should always preach things that are needed and should never compromise on truth. This is not the issue under consideration. What is under consideration however, is your effectiveness with the congregation. If everyone is irritated At you because you are offensive in these matters, you will have little or no effect on matters of importance, even though brethren should be more patient many times.

When was the last time you preached a “first principles” sermon? Are you afraid that the members will think you are shallow? This may be what is needed to convert the children and visitors to the Lord. Simply because you have had a course or two in logic and know what a syllogism is, doesn’t mean your hearers do. Preach things that they can understand. Perhaps the greatest compliment I ever get in my preaching is that I am so “simple.”

Of course, all the blame for lack of conversions must not lie with the preacher. Jesus taught that preaching the gospel is like sowing seed; some will take root and some will not (see Lk. 8). If you find yourself in a place where all you seem to have is wayside hearers, you should seriously consider going elsewhere. Jesus taught his disciples that when they went out to preach, if the people refused to hear their words, they should shake the dust off and leave (Matt. 10:14). Having worked with larger churches that supported men in hard places, I have often heard the remark that brother so and so sure has a hard work. Well, it may be that he is not working at all and should be dropped from support. On the other hand, good faithful working brethren have been refused support because the large church was “full up” on supporting men. Brother, if you are working for a small church and there are no results at all, no one is receptive to your preaching and the future looks dim, consider going elsewhere. Conversely elders should examine the support of men who are having no results and consider using the money to support men who do produce. Brethren, souls are at stake, and this should not be taken lightly. How many salesmen would be kept at work receiving full pay if they never sold any goods? That answer is inherent in the question; none would be kept. Is the preaching of the gospel any less important than selling merchandise? I think not.

Finally, elders who are involved in the decisions to support or not to support men in the field should not treat these men as beggars! Dear elder friend, do you feel that a man is a beggar if he asks for wages in support for the work that he does? If you do, you should study again the fact that a preacher is worthy of his hire and is due wages and not benevolence. Many times a man is working with a small church because he chooses to work in hard places, not because he is unable to do any better. When asking for support men are often told that the church has no money and that we have to examine the budget. Brother, it may be imperative that the preacher have help now. He may not need to wait until a month later for a regular elders’ meeting. These are just some things to think about in that area.

In conclusion, let me say that preachers should convert people to Jesus Christ, and if you are not doing it, please examine your ability, your desire and your location. If any of these is lacking, get a job, make more money and be happy, you can still be saved. But if you are preaching the gospel, be effective, demand the money you deserve, and good elders will see that you get it.

And remember, “even a blind hog gets an acorn once in a while.”

Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 23, p. 718
December 7, 1989