(Disclaimer: Some articles and links to articles published in this ezine may contain false doctrine. They are included due to some valuable content. The fact that they are printed here does not mean that we accept or endorse their doctrine. All writings of men, including ours, should be carefully compared to the New Testament writings.)


Visit the website of the Piedmont (Alabama) church of Christ, where you will find myriad links to valuable Bible study aids, plus free Bible Study Courses, via mail or online:
www.piedmontcoc.org/index.html.

Some time ago I had the privilege of hearing Brother Joe Corley of Dothan, Alabama preaching in a gospel meeting at the Northside Church of Christ in Jonesboro, Arkansas. In the sermon, which dealt with "The Power of the Gospel," Brother Corley ably illustrated the duel effect that the preaching of the gospel would produce. Some, upon hearing the word, were convicted of their sins and humbly turned in obedience to God (Acts 2). Others, upon hearing the same word, would rebel against the truth, sometimes in a rather violent way (Acts 7). In each case the simple truth was declared. This was the truth that could lead the hearers to salvation.

But why did the same truth receive a variety of reactions? The fault did not lie in the gospel itself nor in the preacher and the manner in which he revealed it. The fault was in the hearts of the hearers themselves. Some hearts were receptive to the gospel. Those hearers would obey whatever was required of them. On the other hand, some hearts were filled with pride, arrogance and a desire to please self. These hearers would obey only that with which they agreed. But let someone expose the sin in their life and they would become rebellious and reject not only the truth but also the one who delivered that truth.

This point in Brother Corley's sermon caused me to think of the mistakes many of us make in "holding back" certain things our hearers may need to be told. We sometimes feel that by teaching on certain subjects we may alienate certain people from the gospel altogether. So we reason that once these individuals become "grounded," we will begin to introduce them to other truths which deal with serious problems in their lives. While our reasoning may sound valid, it is not! The apostle Paul would have simply labeled this reasoning as "shunning to declare the whole counsel of God."

As gospel preachers and teachers, we need to simply preach and teach the gospel, the whole gospel. Some of those in sin will respond by obeying those precepts, and others will rebel and turn away. If any are lost the fault will not lie in the gospel or in us for exposing their sins to them, the fault will lie in their own rebellious hearts.

God has not given us the privilege of selecting which parts of His word we will teach and which parts we will not teach. Since we do not know how anyone will react to truth, God expects us to teach it all. Paul did, and he was able to say, "I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you . . . Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God" (Acts 20:20, 26-27).

Thank you, Brother Corley.
(Truth Magazine, XX:5, p. 9 January 29, 1976)

I believe that meditation upon God's words may be just as valuable as the reading of them. Of course you cannot meditate upon them without knowing they are there so you must read or at least, hear them read. I recently heard one of our preachers make a statement and after my meditating upon it, I realized something that perhaps everyone else has already realized, but then, I'm slow sometimes.

If you have read Fox's Book of Martyrs, you will recall that many of the early Christians were given their choice of denouncing Jesus Christ or face death by burning at the stake or some other horrible manner. The preacher's remarks were concerning these noble beings and their unwavering faith (although some failed the test) and he stated, as I would have also done, that he prayed that none of us would ever have to face those circumstances and be forced to make that decision.

I readily understood his meaning and of course, I hope and pray that none of us ever have to face that either. It could come though. But my feeble meditations brought to my mind that we need not think that we have to be faced with a knife at our throat to make the decision. We must make and confirm in our heart what we would be willing to do. We must make the decision now that yes, we would pray to God to give us the strength to accept the knife. And accept it. And even ask God to enlighten our executioners of their error, that they might turn to him.

I recall an item in Fox's book of one brother who endured an enormous amount of pain as they tortured him and finally relented and denounced our Saviour. But he then died from the injuries already received. A woman, also being subjected to the same death, said, "Oh why did you relent?"

If one has a vivid imagination, he can see that this is extremely intense! We can say, "Yes, I would accept death." But it means nothing if we are insincere. And the point we must remember is that God knows exactly which choice we would make! We need to pray daily for strength and stronger faith. Studying His word is where we get that faith! "Lord, I believe, help thou mine unbelief." (Mark 9:24)

As a young boy, Brutus' mother often cautioned him not to run with Caesars.

The artist was great. He could really draw a crowd.

When the cannibal showed up late for the luncheon, they gave him the cold shoulder.

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Household of Faith Ezine is published every two weeks beginning in September, 2001. Materials in this are gleaned and compiled by the editor, Joel Hendon. Our purpose is to help present items of interest to those who would learn more of God's word.

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Copyright © 2007 Joel Hendon