The Proclaimer

PROCLAIMING THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST TO A LOST AND DYING WORLD

Edited and Published by Jack Critchfield

Who Is Your First Love?
Jack Critchfield

Back in the 1950s, Sonny James had a hit record entitled "Young Love." The first line of the chorus said, "Young love, first love, filled with true devotion." Do you remember you first love? My guess would be that it was one of your classmates in school. What a love that was! It was exciting and wonderful! You thought you could not go on living without that "special" person. But as time went on that love became diminished. And due to various circumstances and interests, the love we had for that "special" person became just a part of our memory. We may have even lost track of that person completely.

There is a song that says, "O Lord, you are my first love at last I realize." The question that comes to mind is this; "Am I conscious of whom my REAL first love is?" My mind tells me that Jesus should be my first love! But do you remember when you first fell in love with Jesus? Can you recall when you became convinced of your own sin and His willingness to die for you (1 Cor. 15:3)? Do you remember how you felt when you took that step to wash away all those sins because you wanted to please Him? If you had the right attitude, you felt an unmeasurable joy and happiness! You imagined that you could take on the whole world for Jesus. Why? You had such a love for Him! Do you remember?

Think how important love is in your life! What a lonely existence we would have without love! The inspired apostle Paul wrote, "And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing. Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things" (1 Cor. 13:3-7 NASV). Ask yourself, "Am I that kind of person? Do I have any mercy or compassion in my life? Could these phrases be said of me?" Concerning the Ephesian church, Jesus told John to write, "I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance...Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love." (Rev. 2:2-4 NIV). That church was very busy at serving the Lord, but they had gotten off track in their hearts. Can I get to the point of doing what's right without m heart being convicted for the Master? Oh yes, that is what the Ephesians had done! God even threatened to remove His presence from them unless they repented and kindled afresh their hearts toward Him. Wow! Love must really be important!

We need to keep the heart kindled afresh constantly toward God! "For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline" (2 Tim. 1:6-7). This passage gives us the difference between a simple knowledge of God and a true relation-ship with Him. Our first love should be Jesus. Has the world distracted you and lead you into it's ways? Has your heart become more like a functioning machine performing out of duty? What would it take to get your heart jump started again? Jesus said simply...Repent! Who is your first love?
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"Let your past mistakes be your guideposts, not your hitching posts."

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Hypocrites In The Church

Jim Sasser

If I had a dollar for every time a member of the church or one that was not a member has made the excuse to me: "I can't come back down there and worship with you all because there are hypocrites in the church down there, or I am living a lot better life than many of your members down there some of them are hypocrites", I would be pretty well off financially. Brethren, have you ever heard that excuse before?

In considering this let us first define the term hypocrite. The Greek word for hypocrite is: "Hupokrinomai" which according to Harper means: "To answer or respond; to act a part upon the stage; hence, to assume a counterfeit character; to pretend, feign. A moral or religious counterfeit, a hypocrite." Harpers Analytical Greek Lexicon, pg. 417. Webster says: "One who feigns to be other and better than he is; a false pretender to virtue or piety." Miriam Webster, New Collegiate Dictionary, pg. 408.

Those are good definitions. In Mt. 6:2,5,16, we find the Lord telling us not to be as the hypocrites are, then in Mt. 24:51, we find Him telling us that hypocrites have their place and portion in hell or the outer darkness. Now since this is true from the word of God, then it behooves us to be sure that we are not hypocrites or playing like we are something that we are not. I am not taking up for any hypocrite and I want to warn all against the dangers of hypocrisy, but on the other hand I am not in sympathy with those that will not obey the Lord just because they say there are hypocrites in the church.

Personally I believe that people that bring up such excuses just don't want to serve the Lord in the first place and are just trying to throw their wrong off on someone else. Have you ever tried to hide behind something or someone that is smaller than you? When I use to play hide and seek when I was a kid I would always try to get behind something that was larger than I so that I could be completely hidden. So, the person that gives the excuse that he does not want to do something because hypocrites are involved is saying that the hypocrite is larger than he is. You can't hide behind something smaller than yourself.

First of all if a brother knows that another brother is in wrong and is not living the type of life that he claims to be, then that brother is obligated to go to that brother and tell him of his wrong and try to get him to straighten up. Mt. 5:23-26; Gal. 6:1-10; Jas. 5:19,20. Just because one brother is living a hypocritical type of life doesn't give any other brother the right to do wrong, nor does it release him from his obligation to God or to his brother.

Second, let us notice that one that the Lord calls the hypocrite in Mt. 7:1-5. Upon considering this passage of scripture, let me ask this question: "Does a brother that quits coming to services and serving and worshiping the Lord plus saying people are hypocrites without going to see them, have a beam in his eye?" If so what did the Lord say that type of person is? "Thou hypocrite".

Now, since we see that the accusers many times are hypocrites too, let's work with a zeal to restore all of those that might be living hypocritical lives and thereby bringing reproach upon the church. Listen you brethren that might be contemplating quitting serving the Lord as you should because there are hypocrites in the church, I had far rather my Lord with a few hypocrites present than to not serve Him and go to hell and burn with all of them throughout all eternity. Besides, who is worshipping hypocrites? I worship and commune with my Lord and you had better do the same. Now this question: "Are you going to let a hypocrite keep you out of heaven?" Just continue to stay away from worshipping the Lord and serving Him because of them and that will be exactly what you will have done.

I love the souls of all men but I love my Lord most of all. Since this is true I don't aim to let any man, woman, or child stand between me and my God and the hope of heaven. If you know of a hypocrite in the church where you worship go to him and tell him he is one and that he needs to straighten up, but be sure that you are not one too when you go to him. We can know when we are living a hypocritical life. The Bible tells us what type of life to live and if we do that then we can be assured that we are not hypocrites. Yes, I am afraid the excuse: "There are hypocrites in the church" could be restated: "I just don't want to serve the Lord, I want to do as I please and the Lord's way cramps my style." There would be a lot more truth in the latter than in the former and either one would send your soul to hell if not repent of.
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Years ago C.S. Lewis wrote, "If you think of this world as a place intended simply for our happiness, you might find it quite intolerable; think of it as a place of training and correction and it's not so bad."

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"Except Ye Repent"
Jim O'Connor

"And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent." (Acts 17:30)

"...except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3,5).

Scriptures such as the above tell us in no uncertain terms what God's attitude is toward the practice of things that he does not endorse. Such practices must be changed! We must conform to God's will for us. John the baptizer was a preacher of repentance (Matthew 3:2), Jesus preached it (Mark 1:15), the apostles preached it (Acts 2:38), and God expects it to be implemented in the lives of people who care about their destiny.


What Is Repentance?
Repentance is simply a change of mind concerning sin that results in a change of life. The gospel is designed to produce godly sorrow in those who will permit it to do so (2 Corinthians 7:10). Then, godly sorrow produces repentance. Admittedly, repentance is easier to define than it is to practice.

Someone once remarked that if given one wish, they would wish for the power to make people repent. It doesn't work that way. God has only one power designed for that the gospel and he will not set aside the right of free moral agency in man. It is a choice granted a necessary choice but a choice nevertheless.

Repentance Is PLEASING
Jesus said, in Luke 15:7, that "joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance." I'm sure that not much in this world brings joy to the heart of God. He even regretted having made us (Genesis 6:6)! However, repentance does bring him joy. The joy at the "homecoming" of the prodigal son in Luke 15:20 illustrates the pleasure of God at the return of one lost soul. Do you want to please God? Then repent of practices he doesn't approve of!

Repentance Is PRODUCTIVE
Repentance is sometimes defined as "turning your back on sin". This is inaccurate because it is inadequate. Repentance is not simply stopping the practice doing of evil. It must be followed by doing good. Jesus taught, "When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out. And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first" (Luke 11:24-26). The bad moved out but the good didn't move in. When repentance is genuine, it will be productive of good. Repentance improves one's life.

Repentance Is PERSONAL
Simon was told to "repent therefore of this thy wickedness" (Acts 8:22). We cannot repent for any one other than ourselves (even though there are many cases where we would wish for such privilege) nor can others repent for us.

David prayed "...cleanse me from my sin" (Psalms 51:2). It was his and none could repent in his behalf or in his stead.

Repentance Is POSSIBLE
God does not demand from us that which is impossible for us to perform. The doctrine of "Calvinistic Predestination" which teaches that those elected to eternal damnation cannot possibly repent is a false and dangerous doctrine which slanders the very nature of God. Peter wrote, "The Lord...is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). Those who say they "cannot" are actually saying they "will not."

Do you want to repent? Then, JUST DO IT!

Repentance Is PREFERRED
The text just quoted above, as well as the earlier text quoted from Luke 13:3,5 informs us that repent or perish are the only two options open to each person. There is no third choice available. Those who stubbornly cling to the practice of their pet sins will answer for those sins before God (2 Corinthians 5:10). The choice is heaven or hell. Which do you prefer? If heaven, then repentance is the preferred choice.

Of What Do I Need to Repent?
Are you lying, stealing, cheating, etc.? If so, you need to repent. Are you doing all the good you can? If not, you need to repent. Are you practicing things in religion that God has not authorized? If so, then you need to repent. If there is anything in your life that God will not bless, then you need to work on getting rid of it.

Are you a Christian? If not, then you need to believe that Jesus is the Son of God (John 8:24), repent of sin (Luke 13:3,5), confess your faith (Matthew 10:32), and be baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). Are you are a child of God but are not faithful? Then you need to repent and pray to God for forgiveness (Acts 8:22).

Repentance is not always easy, but it is always wise.
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A young man was overheard to say, "I don't tolerate my enemies. I kill them."

"And how do you kill them?" someone asked him. "I kill them with kindness," was his answer.

Do you have this weapon? It is one of the mightiest you can use when you must deal with those who dislike you (Rom. 12:17-21).

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Earth To Earth
O.E. Watts

As the casket was being lowered, the "cowboy preacher" selected three clods. Then, one by one, he dropped them into the grave to punctuate the parts of the committal. He read, "Therefore, we commit her body to the ground, earth to earth (Plunk!), ashes to ashes (Plunk!), dust to dust (Plunk!)."

A small boy with the relatives did not cry as they did. But the three phrases impressed him. Sixty-five years later he was to check each carefully to see if God had taught them in His Book. It was found that He had.

EARTH TO EARTH
It was as though the Lord guarded the use of words in each modern language to carry meanings of the corresponding terms in the original. "Earth" was, and is, used to mean (1) this planet, (2) its surface, and (3) the soil composing it. Psalms 146:4 says of man, "His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth." In Eccl. 12:7 we read, "And the dust returneth to the earth as it was, and the spirit returneth unto God who gave it." So, the "earth" part of the ceremony is true.

ASHES TO ASHES
Chemists have found that decay is a slow process of oxidation, similar to burning. It is fitting that the ultimate remains left by the one be compared to the residue of the other. "Ashes to ashes" is likewise taught by inspiration. Abraham, repeatedly asking of Jehovah, humbly confessed (Gen. 18:27), "I...who am but dust and ashes."

DUST TO DUST
Many times the truth is stressed that man is made of dust. Gen. 2:7 tells us, "And Jehovah God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." Analysts tell us that every element found in the human body is in the earth's crust. Through food they come into us and form us. Thus, our bodies are composed of "dust." The chemistry in mother's bodies and processes in people's digestive and circulatory systems are continuing marvels. Complicated, varied, and multi-functioned as these bodies are, they are still dust. We are dust people.

Eliphaz, in Job 4:18-19, did not miss it far when he said, "And his angels he charged with folly; How much more them that dwell in houses of clay, Whose foundation is in the dust."

The Spirit states that this fact causes our Maker to be kindly inclined toward us. Psalms 103:13-14 says, "Like as a father pitieth his children, So Jehovah pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust." So well does Whittier in "Snow-bound," states related thought that we quote,

But He who knows our frame is just

Merciful and compassionate,

And full of sweet assurances and hope for all the language is

That He remembereth we are dust!

RETURN
When the "dust returneth to the earth as it was" it "comes full circle." The idea of "return" was introduced in Eden. Gen. 3:19 records that Jehovah God told Adam, "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return." Return means turn back, or again. The grim truth is repeated in Job 34:15, "All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust." Psalm 90:3 states, "Thou turnest man to destruction (margin: or, dust), And sayest, Return, ye children of men."

SPIRIT
But we keep in mind that one part of man is not dust. Eccl. 12:7 also included, "and the spirit returneth unto God who gave it." Longfellow wrote,

Life is real! Life is earnest!

And the grave is not its goal;

Dust thou art, to dust returneth,

Was not spoken of the soul.

The lad we mentioned was later in a classroom a thousand miles away. He heard the instructor insist upon respect for the laboratory skeleton. "It will be somebody in the resurrection." 1 Cor. 15:42-44 lets us know that the very "dust" we lay away will be raised, changed, and inhabited. Though "sown" in corruption, dishonor, and weakness, a natural body, it will be raised in incorruption, glory, and power, a spiritual body.

Remember that "earthy" in verses 47-49 means "made of dust" as we quote, "The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is of heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: And as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly."

After other inspiring thoughts, verse 58 concludes with, "Wherefore (So), my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not vain in the Lord."
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A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who speaks lies will not escape. (Proverbs 19:5)

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