Does It Really Matter?

Throughout my twenty-two years of preaching I have had occasion to hear people say, in effect, “It really does not matter what you believe.” Of course, the religious world has long held to the belief that as long as a person is sincere about his religion it does not matter what he believes.

Yet, how many lives have been devastated by, “I didn't think that the gun was loaded, but it was” or “I thought no one was listening, but they were” and “I thought no one would ever find out, but they did.” A hard lesson for some: it does matter what you believe!

The following are some biblical examples for our personal study: Eve believed Satan’s lie but God had plainly said, “...of the tree...thou shalt not eat of it.” (Gen. 3:4-6; 16-19). Jacob believed Joseph was dead (Gen. 37:32-35). Job’s friends believed that bad things happen to bad people they sought to convince Job he had sinned - they were convinced of it (Job 4:7-9; Luke 13:1-5). The young prophet believed the old prophet’s lie (1 Kgs. 13:17-19). Naaman believed Syrian rivers were better than the Jordan (2 Kgs. 5:10-12). It mattered what the disciples believed about Jesus (Mat. 16:13-15). It mattered what Saul of Tarsus believed about Jesus (Acts 23:1).

It does matter what you believe! “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith...” (2 Cor. 13:5).

Modified from sermon by Cecil Hutson

"Ye Should Follow His Steps"

1 Peter 2:21 “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:”

John 13:15 “For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.”

Romans 8:29 “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”

1 Corinthians 11:1 “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.”

2 Corinthians 3:18 “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

Ephesians 5:1-2 “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.”

Philippians 2:5 “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:”

1 John 2:6 “He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.”

1 John 3:16 “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”

Rick Popejoy

Making Lists

A few years ago, I heard a man teach a group of Christian college students that we (members of the Lord's church) have too many "lists." He said this as he was introducing a lesson wherein he derided the idea that there are specific, God-appointed acts of worship. Accordingly, after suggesting that we throw our lists into the fireplace, he went on to promote the notion that all of life is worship.

When he finally brought his tirade to a conclusion, he opened the floor for discussion. I quickly raised my hand and when called on, I asked how he would respond to a person who posed the question, "What must I do to be saved?" He stumbled over his words for a moment, then finally said, "I would first tell him that he needed to have faith." I immediately spoke up and said, "You just started a list--you even used the word 'first.'" He stumbled over several other words, changed the subject, and never admitted his inconsistency.

The fact is, lists can be good. They help us organize our thoughts, develop our plans, and accomplish our goals. They help simplify things. The next time you're in a grocery store, go to the magazine rack and look at the covers of the publications. I guarantee that you'll see dozens of magazines with article titles like, "50 Ways to Lose 10 Pounds," "25 Decorating Ideas," "15 Steps to Lower Stress," and "125 Suggestions for Writing List Articles." Apparently, members of the church of Christ are not the only ones who appreciate and benefit from lists.

In light of this no-brainer observation, consider that Jesus Himself alluded to the practice of list-making when He said, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matt. 6:33). The term "first" implies that at least a "second" exists. We know, of course, that numerous pursuits in life exist beyond the "second." The point, however, is that God is to be on the top of the Christian's "list." While we might seek after hundreds of other things in this realm, God gets first place. If your list begins with anything else, only then would I agree with the man I heard a few years ago--throw it in the fireplace!

--Preston Silcox

Recipe for Unity

Although religious groups differ on many things, on one thing we can agree – religious division exists. Regardless of why it exists, it needs to be destroyed. The denominational world has attempted to address it simply by accepting it. This is often called unity in diversity, and is an oxymoron in the religious world. True unity cannot exist through a multiplicity of religious beliefs, as evidenced by “Christendom” today.

Religious division is sin. Jesus earnestly prayed for unity among his believers (John 17:11, 20-23). The New Testament is replete with commands to be like-minded (Phil 2:2-4; 3:16; 1 Pet 3:8, et. al.). Paul made it crystal clear in 1 Cor 1:10 – “I beseech you…that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”

Is this unity even possible? Is there really any way to mend the religious discord? God would not give us these commands if they were impossible to obey. All things are possible with God, but this requires complete reliance on and obedience to Him. So, how do we achieve this unity?

The first step might be the hardest – try! We must be willing to study God’s Word together. Until we drop opinions and rely on the Bible, we’ll never get anywhere. Second, we must have the “right” attitude. If we stop trying to be “right” and let God be right, we’ll see progress. Third, recognize the Bible for what it is – our complete and only authority in matters of life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3; 2 Tim 3:16-17). God has promised us that His Scriptures will thoroughly equip the man of God for every good work. Finally, understanding this, we absolutely must recognize the truth of 1 Peter 4:11 – “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God.” If everyone who wants to follow God would do this, not only would religious unity be possible, it is guaranteed (1 John 1:7 – “if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another…”).

What are the dangers of ignoring this biblical recipe? First, those who claim to be Christians, yet have never obeyed the gospel plan of salvation, will remain lost. Second, all other lost souls will remain lost. Finally, Christians who refuse to evangelize will be lost (James 4:17).

This is a very simple recipe. Some might even call it Pollyannaish. But I challenge all those who claim the name of Christ to try it and see. Take a moment and imagine the effects true Christianity could have on this nation if all those who claim to be Christ’s followers would unite on the Bible only. This is the restoration plea!

by David Ray

Episcopal Church Issue Not a "Gay" Issue

The issue that the Episcopal Church is struggling with is the natural result of a deeper and more prevalent problem in “Christendom”, that of a lack of respect for Bible authority. When one denies the source of spiritual blessings the logical outcome will be a man made denomination that seeks to be guided by man made principles. The Episcopal Church long ago left the Bible as its sole authority in matters pertaining to life and godliness and began to teach that men may do whatever is not forbidden in Scripture. Rather, the New Testament teaches the principle that we may only do those things that are enjoined upon us by God (cf. 1 Pet. 4:11; Col. 3:16).

If men would go back to and ask for the “old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein” they would discover rest for their souls (cf. Jer. 6:16). It is because so many calling themselves Christians refuse to go back to the Bible that “Christendom” resembles a barren land. Most denominations today cannot be called churches any longer because they have become nothing more than social clubs pandering to the will of the elite or the majority. Rather than seeking God’s good graces they put their finger to the wind to determine their doctrine. In the realm of eternity there is really no difference between homosexuality and fornication; adultery; instrumental music; not partaking of the Lord’s Supper each week; or interchanging sprinkling for baptism. Homosexuality is not a “gay” issue, it is an authority issue! God made one women for Adam in the beginning and He joined them in holy matrimony for a lifetime. Anything else is sin.

Rick Popejoy