"What Shall We Teach Our Children?"

What We Do NOT Want to be Known For

Part 2

Young people are very susceptible to peer pressure. Being a Christian is often lonely. One’s circle of friends is greatly limited because of many activities (dancing, mixed- swimming, alcohol, drugs, sex, etc.) the Christian cannot with God’s approval participate. There are however many non-Christian whose morals are exemplary and who are very religious. Among those friends who are Christians a great number of them may not be that grounded in truth. Taking these two latter groups into one’s circle of close friends often tempts the young person to shy away from being too restrictive in their doctrinal convictions. Therefore, parents need to deeply plant into the hearts of their children the realization they are never alone - God is always with them! "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world" (Matt.28:29); ". . .If God be for us who can be against us" (Rom.8:31)?; ". . .I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Heb.13:5).

So when you approach this subject that many consider "negative" remind them of God’s gallery of faithful servants who were always in the minority. That only a "few" will enter into heaven (Matt.7:14); that we are not to ". . .follow a multitude to do evil. . ." (Ex.23:2).

Now with this in mind, turn to Romans 14:7 and read what Paul wrote to the Romans. "For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself" (Romans 14:7). Not only is this true of an individual, but congregations of the Lord’s church as well. The ultimate goal of every eldership, and preacher (this would be true of every Christian) should be that of bringing glory to God. "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Cor. 10:31). Paul said: "For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written" (Rom. 2:24). Since it is the case that how an individual conducts his life can cause the name of God to be blasphemed, what about a congregation? In other words, can a congregation of the Lord’s church cause God’s name to be blasphemed because of their conduct?

Great positive lessons can be learned by stating what a congregation does not want to be known for! Every eldership and preacher should never hesitate to "...give an answer..." (1 Peter 3:15) as to the stand, position or direction the congregation is taking! With this in mind, we continue our discussion from last week’s article. Let me kindly, lovingly, yet very strongly emphasis that neither the elders or the preacher at the Lord’s church on Curry St. want to be known for embracing the liberal agenda! I shall continue enumerating where we let off last week.

14. We do want to be known as a congregation that hoards money in the treasury and refuse to use it for mission work. "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver" (2 Cor. 9:7). "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mk. 16:15).

15. We do not want to be known as a congregation that cannot make up its mind whether to accept or reject the liberal agenda. "...choose you this day whom ye will serve..." (Jos. 24:15). "That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive" (Eph. 4:14).

16. We do not want to be known as a congregation that advances the unscriptural doctrine that there is not one thing one can do to contribute to his soul’s salvation; that it is all a matter of grace. "And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do" (Acts 9:6). "And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16). "..work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Phil 2:12).

17. We do not want to be known as a congregation that promotes women usurping authority over the man whether by having her lead public prayers in an assembly with men present, teach a class with men present or to preach publicly. "But I suffer not a woman to teach, not to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence" (1 Tim. 2:12). "Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law" (1 Cor. 14:34).

18. We do not want to be known as a congregation that is not mission minded both in this country and every part of the world. "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mk. 16:15-16).

19. We do not want to be known as a congregation that promotes lectureships, gospel meetings, seminars, etc. where known false teachers are used. "Whosoever 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 into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds" (2 John 9-11).

20. We do not want to be known as a congregation that demonstrates a Phariseeical attitude. Read Matthew 23.

21. We do not want to be known as a congregation that ridicules and scoffs at the old tried, tested and reliable, beloved King James translation as well as the American Standard 1901 translation. The reading of these translations is evidence in itself of their reliability.

22. We do not want to be known as a congregation that gives hope to those who have never obeyed the gospel. "And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power" (2 Thess. 1:7-9).

23. We do not want to be known as a congregation that is ignorant of God’s word. "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15).

24. We do not want to be known as a congregation that speaks of the Lord’s church, the church of Christ, in a belittling manner and as if she were a denomination among denominations. "And I say also unto thee, That thou are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Mt. 16:18). "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;" (Eph. 5:25).

25. We do not want to be known as a congregation that meddles in the affairs of other congregations. "But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as a evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters" (1 Peter 4:15).

26. We do not want to be known as a congregation that holds great preachers of the past (Alexander Campbell, Foy E. Wallace Jr., Barton W. Stone, E. R. Harper, Guy N. Woods, Joe Blue, H. A. Dixon, etc.) as agreeing with the liberal agenda. Nor as a congregation that looks upon their work as insignificant.

27. We do not want to be known as a congregation that is not willing to work with young people. As Timothy was told, "Let no man despise thy youth..." (1 Timothy 4:12) so we do not resent young people, but want them to know that we love and care for them.

As previously stated, a congregation is known not only for what it does, but also for that which is refuses to do. Mention was made of the seven churches of Asia in last week’s bulletin. From Rev. chapters 2 & 3, one sees not only what they did, but that which they refused to do. If a record were written about the Lord’s church at Curry St., may it be that of a faithful congregation that stands as a beacon to sister congregations throughout the world! Such a record is being written, not in paper and pen for men to read, but by God as we live to the glory or shame of the Lord (Rev. 20:12-13; 2 Cor. 5:10)! With that in mind, let us heed the inspired words of Paul in 1 Cor. 15:58, so that heaven will be our home. "Therefore, my beloved brethren, by ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, foreasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."

–Ivie Powell