The Proclaimer

PROCLAIMING THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST TO A LOST AND DYING WORLD

Edited and Published by Jack Critchfield

In This Issue:
In Search Of Good Workers
The Unchanging Gospel
Getting High In The Wrong Places
Doing Right For The Wrong Reason
Make Sure The Pilot Is On Board

In Search Of Good Workers
Jack Critchfield

Having spent several years in the business world in a management position, I can see a relationship between the kind of workers in a company and members of the Lord’s church. One of the pet peeves of employers is reflected in the failures of thousands of employees across the land. Some folk who believe in cheap grace in the spiritual realm ought to pay close attention to the solemn truth that such concepts in the business world will never be tolerated. The Scripture says, "What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him…Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead…. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only" (James 2:14, 17, 24). Solomon wrote, by inspiration, words that are still vibrant and needed: "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might" (Eccl 9:10).

It is amazing how some members of the Lord’s church seldom consider the value of being on time for worship assemblies or present for every spiritual activity. However, one of the chief complaints of employers is workers who are tardy or absent. There is no way to achieve maximum standards of success when members of the body of Christ are careless or indifferent toward the proper function of the Lord’s church.

Another thing employer’s dislike has to do with employees who constantly murmur and complain. In a famous passage, the Bible warns Christians against such time-consuming behavior, "Do all things without complaining and disputing," (Phil 2:14). If we spent the same amount of energy and time doing the job we were fussing about, what a success we would be in heaven’s sight!

A humorous story that makes the point goes like this. "There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did. Somebody got angry about it, because it was Everybody’s job. Everybody thought Anybody could do it, but Nobody did. Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done." Unfortunately, this sounds like too many congregations today.

Another mistake of many workers is the absence of basic loyalty and dedication toward the very employer that provides their paycheck. Many bosses cited this lack diligence as the prime reason some workers lose out on bonus pay and promotions. In several New Testament references we read of the urgency of persevering as Christians, if heaven would be our home (Gal. 6:9; Matt. 10:22).

Two of the things that hinder advancement in the corporate arena are also two things that hinder progress in the kingdom of Christ – laziness and lack of motivation. Folks, who never do anything for the Lord, much like the "one talent man" plague us (Matt. 25:14-30). Such slothfulness pleases Satan, but will never be acceptable to our Creator who made us "for good works" in Christ Jesus (Eph 2:10).

Perhaps the major fault with employees in today’s job market is the inability to follow instructions and ignoring company policies. Is it not strange that the plaintive cry of "do your own thing" just will not work in the factory? In the past decade, we have observed many brethren who don’t even want the Bible to tell them what to do! Especially in matters of marriage, morals, purity and such basic behavioral areas of life. However, Jesus made it exceedingly clear that only the pure in heart will ever see God (Matt. 5:8).

There were two other character traits that employers see as disruptions to success within their business world. It is amazing how practical these points are as applied to the church of the Lord. It is noted that workers who are loud and boastful hinder progress. When employees brag about past attainments and are forever leading pep-rallies, it blocks genuine advancement within the working world. Steady progress by diligent, daily workmen gets the job done much better with lasting results!

The other criticism of workers by their employers deals with those who are irresponsible and actually conduct personal business on company time. Such selfish behavior depletes the potential over-all thrust of any business. When servants of the Lord lose themselves in the Master’s cause, the combined energy expended is dramatically successful. Virgil used these words centuries ago: "Persistent work triumphed." Conversely, the great apostle Paul reminded the Thessalonians that if a man failed to work, he should not be allowed to eat. Good workers always have pulled their share of the load. In Philippians we joyously learn that "God works in you" (Phil. 2:13) when we launch out in His glorious service. Are we truly good workers? Only eternity will truly give the answer.

A hundred years ago, John Ruskin asked two questions along these lines that we ought to honestly consider: "Which of us is to do the hard and dirty work for the rest? Who is to do the pleasant and clean work – and for what pay?" When followers of Christ sincerely seek to please the Savior, we do not pick and choose, but we earnestly seek to do the Master’s will. Wherever this takes us, hand in hand with Jesus, we will gladly toil in His vineyard!

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The Unchanging Gospel
Matthew Allen

During March, I had the opportunity to return to my hometown in Arkansas. While there, I had time to reflect on various memories of my childhood, and renew some old acquaintances. Time flew by as I recalled how many things have changed since I moved away in 1995. With sadness I recalled that since my departure some family and friends have passed away. Being back reminded me of how much I miss them. Businesses have moved across town or closed. The home in which I grew up in is now owned by a different family. Outside of town, the river where I used to swim has washed away the bank where our family camped on many a weekend. From all of these things I was reminded that change is inevitable.

Indeed, change is constant in our world. It is something in which all of us can identify. We see change in all areas of life. Society changes. Certain laws change. People change. Even the weather changes. However, there is something we need to consider that does not change: the law of Christ. In Mark 13:31 Jesus said, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away." The gospel will not change. Again, in James 1:25 we find: "But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does." The gospel of Jesus Christ is perfect. Something that is perfect is not in need of modification. The Bible teaches that one may be made complete by obeying the gospel of Jesus Christ.

There is good reason as to why the gospel will not change. In Mark 16:15, Jesus instructed the apostles and Christians today to "go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." All men have opportunity to obey the gospel. There are many things in our world that are exclusive. All around us, there are private organizations that exclude some people from taking part. For example, some golf clubs allow only certain persons to join. Fraternities and Sororities at various colleges select those whom they wish to be a part of their organization. However, this is not true concerning the gospel. All men are encouraged to become a part of the body of Jesus Christ. God is not a respecter of persons. James wrote: "every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, and with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning." There is not a person on the earth who God will not save - if they are obedient to His gospel. While Paul was teaching in Athens he taught, God now commands all men everywhere to repent.

What was true for the people of the first century is still true for men today! Men need remission of their sins. Romans 3:23 will hold true as long as man walks upon the face of the earth: "for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." As long as we live we will face the ever-present battle of fighting temptation. Can you identify with what Paul wrote in Rom. 7:19? A comforting fact for each one of us is that as long as mankind exists there will be a gospel of Jesus Christ. Obeying that gospel will result in one's salvation. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, the just shall live by faith." It must be understood that in every age, obedience makes one a Christian. Heb. 5:9 tells us that Christ became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him. Have you obeyed the unchanging gospel of Jesus Christ?

A final point, and very important point to understand is that since the gospel is perfect, (Jhn. 8:32; 2 Pet. 1:3) then it needs no change. Man must understand that he has absolutely no right to change God's plan. Sadly that is exactly what men have done, especially in today's religious world. The popular notion among many now is the teaching of many different beliefs. One "church" teaches one way to be saved; another something different. There is one gospel. Paul taught this fact clearly in Galatians 1:6-11. Notice his words, "as we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than that which you have received, let him be accursed."

Obey Christ's gospel by believing in Christ (Jhn. 14:6), repenting of your sins (Acts 17:30-31), confess belief in Jesus Christ (Rom. 10:9-10), and be baptized for the remission of your sins (1 Pet. 3:21). Live faithfully before the Lord in obedience to His will & you can be sure of a home in heaven!

Via Southside Messenger, May 1998

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Getting High In The Wrong Places
Michael Thomas

It is easy to think we are the first generation to experience the temptations we do. After all, how hard could it have been for the Israelites turn away from alcohol, materialism, and sexual immorality without a liquor store on every corner, the Internet, and a nearly naked society as we have? Could they really have faced as many temptations as we do?

Friends, we don't know temptation compared to some of the things they had to face. Most of us would have never made it past the temptation to avoid "the high places" they had to contend with.

Many archaeologists believe that a typical setting for most ancient cities were well advanced in industry and technology. Even as early as 3,500 BC farmers were using metal implements, merchants made a great living in lumber and grains, craftsmen designed state-of-the-art weaponry, and scribes recorded legal information about local government on clay tablets (cuneiform). It was even common to see the rivers filled with boats being used for transportation and exporting. Most of the first people were no less civilized than our modern cities. In fact, the first Sumerians used a system of counting based on the unit 60, which we still use today in computing time and angles.

The most identifiable trait of ancient cities, however, was the local high place; also known as a ziggurat (a lofty terrace built in the shape of a pyramid). The high place was known as the "holy of holies" because of its spiritual importance to the community. Each city had at least one of these sacred places to worship the local god(s) in the most licentious and immoral manner imaginable. "The gruesome cemetery for newly born infants at Gezer is only one of the proofs of the prevalence of child-sacrifice, and the evidence for human sacrifice in other forms is unfortunately only too clear" (The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia).

While human sacrifice is not a temptation for us, we must keep in mind that these people considered it (and all the forms of immorality associated with the high places) a way of life. Anyone, who was anyone, whether in business, social life, or government, was a regular visitor of the high places. They literally got a high from the activities of these places.

Because of the seducing lure of the high places, God commanded His people to destroy these places upon conquering an area. By leaving these places intact Israel was inviting future trouble and temptation that could ruin their soul, which is what eventually lead to their destruction anyway. Ezekiel spoke for God when he said Israel defiled themselves with the harlotry and human sacrifice of the high places (Ezek. 20:29-31).

It is important to note that Israel did not always use the high places as places for immorality. It appears they initially used them as places to worship God, especially before the Temple was built (1 Ki. 3:2). However, because of the typical use of these sadistic landmarks Israel eventually reverted back to the original intent of the places by using them to worship false gods (1 Ki. 11:7). How many times was it said of Judah's kings that they were men of God except "the high places were not removed" (1 Ki. 15:14; 2 Ki. 12:3; 14:4; etc.)? Very few were willing to exterminate this powerful presence from their communities. And, as a result, Israel's ultimate cause for going into Assyrian and Babylonian captivities was their weakness for the high places (read 2 Ki. 17:9-23).

Did they have less appealing temptations than we have today? Not at all. Sin is sin, and it has never been easy for God's people to turn it down. Whether it is the seducing spirits of the high places or the luring spirit of the Internet and television, we are all under pressure to set our eyes on this world instead of God. The trouble we face is when we think we can keep our high places without suffering any serious consequences. Friends, don't be deceived. The things that happened to Israel in their falling away are to be an example for those of us living for God today (1 Cor. 10:11). They had the same kind of opportunities to know God as we do today, yet still fell away to their appetites for the flesh. We must take heed lest we fall victim to our own high places (vs. 12).

Do not be overconfident in your sin. If your high place is an immoral associate, a sinful activity, or a compromising belief I encourage you to no longer get high in the wrong places. Instead you should destroy those altars today before you too are lead into an everlasting bondage filled with pain and fire, much greater than that of Assyria and Babylon.

The greatest high is yet to be found until we bow in worship on the highest high place of all -- heaven!

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Doing Right For The Wrong Reason!
Glen Young

An investment counselor started her own business. She was shrewd and diligent, so her business grew. Soon her company was so large that she needed to retain legal counsel. She immediately began interviewing young lawyers.

"As I'm sure you can understand," she started off with one of the first applicants, "in a business like this, our personal integrity must be beyond question." She leaned forward. "Mr. Peterson, Are you an ‘honest’ lawyer?"

"Honest?" Replied the job prospect. "Let me tell you something about honesty. Why, I'm so honest that my father lent me fifteen thousand dollars for my education and I paid back every penny the minute I tried my very first case."

"Impressive, And what sort of case was that?"

The lawyer squirmed in his seat and admitted, "My father sued me to get back his money."

Sandwiched between Paul’s statement of his stewardship of the mysteries of God by which the Lord would judge his faithfulness and his statement that through his and Apollos’ work the Corinthian brethren might learn not to go beyond what is written, we find verse five. "Wherefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make manifest the counsels [motives, NAS] of the hearts; and then shall each man have his praise from God." 1 CORINTHIANS 4:5. Paul warns not to make merciless judgements against men because it is the Lord and He alone who knows the hidden motives of the mind of man.

God not only takes note of what we do, He knows why we do it. This makes us to understand the reason we do a thing is as important as the thing done. It is imperative that we do the right thing for the right reason. A righteous action is only acceptable when done with the correct motive behind it.

There is a real danger for Christians to become Pharisaical in their approach to righteousness. The Pharisees were careful to do all things correctly. However, their purpose [motive], was all-wrong. They desired the praise of men. They were like unto whited sepulchers, rotten inwardly and all pretty and white on the outside (MATTHEW 23).

Paul said that if he spoke with the tongues of men and angels or had the gift of prophecy or knew all mysteries and had all knowledge or gave all his goods to feed the poor or gave his body to be burned but did it without love then it would be of no profit to him (1 CORINTHIANS 13:1-3). Why, because he would be doing the right things for the wrong motives.

This lesson is important for two reasons. First, because God judges the heart, that is to say, He judges our motives. Secondly, because wrong motives will eventually manifest themselves as wrong actions.

Therefore, examine your motives for sin originates from within the heart of man (JAMES 1:13-15).

Via The Road Creek church of Christ Bulletin

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Make Sure the Pilot is on Board!
Hershel Dyer

At Kandabar, in Afghanistan, a commercial airliner was preparing to take off to Kabul, about 300 miles away. Passengers had been alerted to fasten their seatbelts and the door had been closed. Looking out the window, one passenger noticed a man running toward the plane. Very soon there was a violent knocking on the door. The steward angrily yet reluctantly opened the door. To his surprise, it was the pilot!

The apostle John urges us to be sure that God is with us in the doctrine which we accept and teach: "Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son." (2 John 9)

Unfortunately, the foregoing admonition plays little to no part in the religious choice which the multitudes make. We often hear of those who are "looking for a church." Many of these are simply trying to find a group that satisfies their humanly contrived image. They decide on what they want in a church -- size, friendliness, type of worship, style of preaching, etc.

But what have we gained in making a religious choice if God is not with us? If we have a great fellowship with others, engage in what are inspirational worship hours, consider the pulpit presentations most uplifting, and then discover that God was not giving His approval, how would we feel?

It is a fact that many of the religious teachers and leaders do not teach or lead people to confine their writings and practices to those found within the doctrine of Christ. While they generally acknowledge some allegiance to Christ, they feel perfectly free to incorporate into their religious activities whatever seems to get a crowd.

Religion that is based upon human wisdom, though it may seem to honor God the Father or His Son, will not have the fellowship or approval of God. Neither should it have ours!

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Jack Critchfield, Editor & Publisher
403 Coit Way, Salinas, Ca. 93907
jcritch@jps.net