Quarterly Publication But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7) The Doctrine of Christ Volume 2 Number 4 Summer 2014
Contents Editorial......3 The Doctrine of Christ...4 Doctrinal Preaching.....6 Jack Gray The Truth of the Gospel...8 Connie Adams Making the Right Choice...10 Emphasis on Doctrine...11 John Isaac Edwards Selected Thoughts.....12 4202 North Garfield Avenue Loveland, CO 80538 (970) 667-0469 www.poudrevalleychurchofchrist.org Evangelist/Editor E-mail: richardthetford@gmail.com Website: www.thetfordcountry.com A friendly WELCOME Awaits You! SCHEDULE OF SERVICES Sunday Bible Study...9:30 A.M. Morning Worship...10:30 A.M. Afternoon Worship......1:30 P.M. Evangelist I invite you to attend the services of the Poudre Valley church of Christ. You will always be greeted warmly because we sincerely care about your soul. We want you to come and learn what the Bible teaches concerning your salvation and living your life for God. 2 Walking in the Light Summer 2014 Walking in the Light Quarterly Publication If you would like to continue receiving this publication each quarter, please e-mail your name and address to richardthetford@gmail.com and each quarterly edition will be mailed to you.
Editorial T he Doctrine of Christ is the theme for this quarterly issue of Walking in the Light. It is very important that we realize that in order for us to be able to go to heaven we must obey the teaching of Jesus Christ. His words are going to judge us. Jesus said in John 12:48, He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. Jesus also said, And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him (Hebrews 5:9). Doing the Will of the Lord I m sure you have probably heard someone say "it s my life, I can do what I want to." While it is true that the life we have is ours, we cannot do what we want to with it if we really want to be pleasing to God. The Bible says, "Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are" 1 Corinthians 3:16-17). Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in us. God created us and expects us to be obedient to Him in all things. The inspired apostle Paul wrote, "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's" (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). We need to understand that we are here only because God created us and that our obligation in life is to make sure that we please Him in all things. Christians have been baptized into Christ and have made a vow before God to live for Christ each day for the rest of our life. Baptism puts us into Christ (Galatians 3:27) and into His body, the church (1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:22-23). When we die, our soul will return to God who gave it to us in the first place (Ecclesiastes 12:7). Our eternal resting place will be in heaven or hell, depending on who we have really served while on this earth (2 Corinthians 5:10; Matthew 6:24). As Bible Christians, we must ensure that we are living our lives for Christ, not for ourselves or others. Can it be said that we are REALLY doing the will of the Lord and abiding in the doctrine of Christ? Walking in the Light Summer 2014 3
The Doctrine of Christ 4 Walking in the Light Summer 2014 P aul wrote in 1 Timothy 6:3-6: If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself. Now godliness with contentment is great gain. There are in fact three doctrines that are mentioned in the New Testament. One is the divine doctrine which is mentioned in Titus 2:10: adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things. There is the human doctrine mentioned by Jesus in Matthew 15:9: And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. Then there is the Satanic doctrine that Paul makes mention of in 1 Timothy 4:1: Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons. Why Teach the Doctrine of Christ? It still amazes me why, in the name of religion, men teach doctrines that are not found to be of Jesus Christ. It amazes me because if one is truly interested in what he must do to be saved and live a life righteous unto God, then why doesn t he look for the teachings (doctrine) of Christ to guide his steps? Paul began in 1 Timothy 6:3 by saying if anyone teaches otherwise then proceeds to tell us what happens to those that do so. In the Galatian letter he really spells it out when he writes: But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed (Galatians 1:8). When it comes to religion we should be determined to know nothing except the gospel that Jesus taught us. After all, can any other doctrine save us? If you answered NO, you re right. And knowing this, then we better make sure that we strive to do only the will of the Lord in our life. In 1 Timothy 1:3 we are charged not to teach another gospel. Notice: As I urged you when I went into Macedonia-- remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith. A failure on our part to abide in the doctrine of Christ will lead to vain worship as Jesus clearly stated in Mark 7:7. Not only that, but our work that we do while here on this earth will perish when we do those things not authorized by Jesus.
The Doctrine of Christ (continued from page 4) When Paul wrote his letter to the Colossians he said: Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations--"do not touch, do not taste, do not handle," which all concern things which perish with the using-- according to the commandments and doctrines of men? These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh (Colossians 2:20-23). The point Paul is trying to make is that if you have accepted Jesus in your life through obedience to His gospel, then why do you try to live up to worldly doctrines that perish, doctrines and commandments that have been established not by God, but by men? Every denomination is guilty of this to some degree. We are wasting our time and effort when we teach any other doctrine than that which was authorized by Jesus! What Is Our Duty Toward The Doctrine Of Christ? We have a responsibility to keep the doctrine of Christ. It is our duty as Christians to preach this doctrine to others. The Bible says: But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine (Titus 2:1). In addition, we are to keep it pure (Titus 2:7), adorn it (Titus 2:10), follow it (1 Timothy 4:6), exhort in it (Titus 1:9), convince others of it (Titus 1:9), and not to blaspheme it (1 Timothy 6:1). Paul wrote these things to fellow laborers in the vineyard of the Lord. He instructed them on what they had to do to promote and to keep pure the gospel of Jesus Christ. We must fully love, respect, and embrace the word of God! Are we doing our part to make sure that we are abiding in the gospel of Jesus? The Hebrew writer wrote: And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment (Hebrews 9:27). We are going to be judged according to our works, good or bad (2 Corinthians 5:10). Knowing this, we better make sure that we are abiding in the doctrine that we are going to be judged by. Satan can t save us. Man can t save us. Only Jesus can save us. He ll save us based on our obedience to His doctrine which was once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3). Walking in the Light Summer 2014 5
Doctrinal Preaching P erhaps there has never been an age when it is so little respected as now. Not only is this true of the world at large but among professing Christians as well. It is often spoken disparagingly about. I have even been hesitant to address the subject lest I appear only to be defending some outmoded form of sermon delivery. More and more, however, we are seeing the devastating effects such an attitude is having on the church in our day. Never has the church been in greater danger of apostasy than now. Movements both to the right and to the left are attempting to corrupt its doctrine. The danger is very real that the church could be lost within the next generation. The danger is even more threatening that it will continue to exist but will be so corrupted in doctrine or practice that it would have been better if it had died. Doctrinal preaching is one of the only defenses we have left; and far too little of it is being done in our brotherhood today. 6 Walking in the Light Summer 2014 Jack Gray 1. Doctrinal preaching is not just "first principle" preaching. Some complain about doctrinal lessons as being "first principles," saying they need the "meat" of the Word... when what they really want is something new, different and exciting. They feel that they have outgrown the Bible stories. That is "old hat" to them. They have heard it all before. First principles are really the means of coming into fellowship with Christ: faith, repentance, confession and baptism; and any of us may honestly dwell too much on them. But teachings about the one church, a defense against instrumental music or a corruption of the Lord's supper is not first principles. Upholding the proper use of the Lord's day or warnings against hell and the judgment are not first principles. Instead, this is doctrine and doctrine simply means teaching, so any lesson that teaches great Bible truths is doctrinal preaching.
Doctrinal Preaching (continued from page 6) 2. Doctrinal preaching is our strongest defense against biblical illiteracy. This has been described as "The Teen and Young Adult Epidemic" of our time; and it is growing worse each year. For example, according to Gallup polls only thirty-five out of a hundred teens can name five or more of the Ten Commandments. Only three percent can name all ten. In a recent survey, two-thirds of the young adults asked couldn't name all four Gospels. In another study, only one in ten high school students could successfully summarize the parables of the Prodigal Son and the Good Samaritan. Among young adults, the figure was one in eight. Neither is this foreign to us for it is frightening how uninformed our younger members are in comparison to our older ones. Neither can this be accounted for on the basis of age alone, for our younger people are better informed on every other subject under the sun. It deals rather with attitude and desire. It deals with respect for God's Word as being better than the "positive thinking" material put out by some human author. 3. Doctrinal preaching is the hope of our children. Nothing will make them stronger than knowing what they believe and why they believe it. We have parents who are already reaping a bitter harvest because their children were never indoctrinated with Truth; and sometimes their own attitude toward such teaching is what has turned them away from it. How can we expect them to be strong and to withstand temptation when they don't know what "is written"? Isn't that the very defense that God has provided for them? 4. Doctrinal preaching is the heart of soul winning. Why preach so much doctrine to Christians? Why emphasize the reasons for doing something that they have already done? So that they can tell others. Isn't that what Christianity is all about? You can no more teach what you don't know, than you can return from a place that you have never been; and nothing hinders our soul-winning more than the fact that we do not know the doctrine ourselves. We all would like to be well liked. I am certainly no exception; but I am not in a popularity contest for public esteem. I am much more concerned about being God's man and delivering God's message. In the final analysis, few things would scare me as much as to find that those who don't like "doctrinal preaching" were beginning to like my sermons! Then I would know that I was in real trouble with God. Walking in the Light Summer 2014 7
The Truth of the Gospel 8 Walking in the Light Summer 2014 Connie Adams F rom the place of his imprisonment in Rome, Paul wrote a letter to the church at Colosse, a place where he had not personally preached. These citizens of the Lycos Valley had become citizens of the kingdom of God s dear Son (Colossians 1:13). Paul was thankful for their faith. He wrote, Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of your love which ye have for all the saints, For the hope that is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth (Colossians 1:4-6). Several divine principles are tied together in this passage. They had faith in Christ, love to all the saints, hope of heaven, and had come to know the grace of God. But notice that none of that could be enjoyed apart from the word of the truth of the gospel. Indeed, Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). There is a hearing of faith (Galatians 3:2). Later in Colossians l, Paul spoke again of the hope of glory but hastened to connect that hope with the message which he preached: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus (Colossians 1:27-28). Observe also that the grace of God is something which they knew... in truth. We live in an age of subjectivism. Too many are looking within themselves for satisfying answers to the nagging questions of human existence. Forgotten is the precept stated long ago by Jeremiah, Oh Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps (Jeremiah 10:23). The humanist philosophy is that whatever we choose voluntarily from alternatives, having considered the consequences, is right for us and that we aught to prize that choice and assert it to the point of making it a pattern of conduct. That is known in educational circles as values clarification. Those who truly know God gives Him proper reverence
The Truth of the Gospel (continued from page 8) Denominationalism has, for many years, placed emphasis on religion that is better felt that told. Great store has been placed by being satisfied with religious faith and practice, assuming that whatever is sincerely done must be right. Many have relied on subjective feelings as the evidence of salvation, whether or not the word of God teaches it. Much is said about salvation by grace through faith. That is Bible doctrine and is certainly taught in Ephesians 2:8-10. But God s truth on any subject is the sum of all he said on the matter. The passage from Colossians 1 shows that there is a word of truth by which things may be determined and that word of truth is in the gospel. So then, the final measure of truth in the spiritual realm is the gospel of Christ. Every doctrine and practice must be measured by that standard. The Holy Spirit was to guide the apostles into all truth (John 16:13). If the Lord did not teach it and the Holy Spirit did not move the apostles and prophets to preach it or write it, then it is not part of the word of the truth of the gospel. And since God proposes to save all men, Jew and Gentile alike, by the gospel (Romans 1:16-17), then if it is not in the gospel there is no salvation in it. If it is not a part of salvation, then it becomes a source of condemnation. That is why we must not go beyond what is written (1 Corinthians 4:6; 2 John 9-10). We all need a warning here. It is not our right to offer pardon to an alien sinner on less terms than God has provided in the word of the truth of the gospel. Neither is it our right to offer pardon to an erring child of God on less terms than the word of God directs. In either case, we have acted presumptuously and have not benefitted our hearers at all. All the sad stories of people killed by a falling tree, or by an accident with a truck, or one trapped in a cave, or praying soldiers in foxholes, or death bed stories about people who died before they could be baptized, will not change what the God of all truth has said. We will have to leave the right of clemency in the hands of him who made us all, but I dare not offer it unless I can put my finger on it in the word of the truth of the gospel. Paul said the secrets of men will be judged according to my gospel (Romans 2:16) and that is exactly where I intend to leave the matter. I can do no other without intruding into a realm which is not mine. I appeal for others to do the same. Walking in the Light Summer 2014 9
Making the Right Choice A t the conclusion of Joshua s life he told the Israelites, And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD (Joshua 24:15). God made each of us with the freedom of choice. God is pleased when we make the choice in life to serve and be loyal to Him above our family or friends. Unfortunately far too many Christians are not making the right choices in their life on a daily basis. We need more Christians who are ready and willing to confess Christ no matter what their family or friends may think (Matthew 10:32-39). The apostle Paul instructed the Christians in Rome concerning the proper way to behave when he said, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Romans 12:1-2). We too should ensure that we are living our lives holy (set apart) and sacrificially for God which is what we are expected to do. We must not become conformed to the ways of those in the world in any way, shape, or form. When we read and study God s Word on a daily basis then our mind will soon become transformed so that we will prove by our words and actions that we are righteous before God. Before saying, wearing, or doing anything, we should ask ourselves, would Jesus say, wear, or do what I am about to? If Jesus is really the one we love and live for (above all others), then we will make the right decisions because He is the one instructing and guiding us. Do we really love Jesus? If so, we will be determined to walk in His steps (1 Peter 2:21). A friendly welcome awaits you at the Poudre Valley church of Christ We are located at 4202 North Garfield Avenue A true friend is one who comes in when others go out. Please visit us! We are a non-denominational, non-institutional, non-instrumental, newly formed congregation of Christians striving to practice only that which is authorized in the New Testament. 10 Walking in the Light Summer 2014
Emphasis on Doctrine A charge brought against us is that we put too much emphasis on doctrine. Observe the emphasis placed in the Bible on doctrine: Jesus said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine (John 7:16-17). Members of the model church, continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine (Acts 2:42). Paul wrote, But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness (Romans6:17-18). Paul beseeched the brethren at Rome, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them (Romans 16:17). Paul besought Timothy to abide at Ephesus that he might, charge some that they teach no other doctrine (1 Timothy 1:3). Timothy was instructed, Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee (1 Timothy 4:16). Paul charged, Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine (2 Timothy 4:2-3). Paul told Titus, But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine (Titus. 2:1). John taught, Whosever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not (2 John 9-10). Did the Lord, the apostles, early Christians or preachers of the New Testament put too much emphasis on doctrine? When we put the same emphasis they put on doctrine are we putting too much emphasis on doctrine, or has the John Isaac Edwards Walking in the Light Summer 2014 11
Selected Thoughts What Makes A Pattern In Christianity? B. G. Hope T he sum total of what God has said about anything becomes the pattern for it. Examine the following statements. Are they true or false? 1. All that God has said about the plan of salvation is a pattern for salvation to every person. 2. All that God has said about the New Testament Church is a pattern by which it is identified. 3. All that God has said about becoming a member of the Lord's church is a pattern for everyone. 4. All that God has said about the acts of worship is a pattern. 5. All that God has said about the day to observe the Lord's Supper is a pattern for Christians. 6. All that God has said about the church and the support of preaching is a pattern to observe. 7. All that God has said about the church and helping the needy is a pattern for Christians today. 8. All that God has said about following Christ in Spirit, etc., is a pattern for us. I count it safe to follow the information we have in the Bible. I commend what it says to everyone. James said, "For whosoever shall keep the whole law and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." (James 2:10). Who s Fault Is It When People Remain In Sin? Selected 12 Walking in the Light Summer 2014 In Your House Ellen Kyle If Christ had grown up in your house, what kind of man would He be? Would He still care enough to save the lost, and die at Calvary? Would He have the knowledge of God s precious Word, Would He daily from the scripture, God s lessons have heard? When it came time to worship, would He have an excuse for why He wasn t there? Or would He allow no worldly thing, to keep Him from being in His Chair? Would the TV have filled His mind with such trash, that God s message became unclear? Would you have allowed popularity and peers, to slowly His conscience sear? Would you teach Him that money and power and fame, He could never get enough of? Or would He care so much for lost souls, that He d still give His life in love? Would He say, I know I m supposed to die, but lets put it off somehow? Maybe next week or next month or next year, I m watching the game right now! If Christ had grown up in your house, would sinful man be lost? Because the life you lived and example you set, kept Him from the cross? A Preacher and an atheist barber were walking through the city slums. This is why I can t believe in God, said the barber. If God was as you say, He wouldn t permit all these bums to be addicted to dope and other bad habits. No, I can t believe in an all powerful God who permits these things and allows people to live like this. The preacher was silent until they met a bum with filthy long hair caked with mud and other dirt, and with an equally foul half-inch beard on his face. The preacher then said to the barber, You can t be a very good barber to permit a man to live in this condition in your own neighborhood, especially when you have the facilities to bath, clean, and groom him. The barber replied sharply, You can t blame me for his condition. I can t help it if he s never given me a chance to help him. If he d only come to my shop, I could fix him up with a bath, haircut and shave, and make him look like a million dollars. The preacher looked at the barber and said, Then don t accuse God of allowing people to continue in sin. He is constantly inviting them to come and be spiritually cleansed and released form the bondage of these habits. The reason these people are in this condition is that they are slaves to sin and evil habits, and because THEY refuse the One who died for them. The Barber saw the point!