____________________________________________________ THE GOSPEL OBSERVER ____________________________________________________ "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20). ____________________________________________________ June 18, 2006 ____________________________________________________ Contents: 1) Children Obey (Boyd Sellers) 2) The "United Church of Christ" and the Church of Christ Are Not the Same! (David H. Smith) ____________________________________________________ -1- Children Obey by Boyd Sellers There are few things more repulsive than a defiant, disobedient, rebellious child. Yet, there is absolutely nothing more delightful than the one who is godly, obedient, and spiritually involved -- especially if he is yours. Solomon captures that contrasting picture in fewer words: "A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a grief to his mother" (Proverbs 10:1). We can safely conclude that it is godly, obedient, "wise" children the psalmist has in mind when he pronounces the man "blessed" who has his "quiver full of them" (Psalm 127:3-5). God Commands Obedience Because God has our good in mind (Deuteronomy 6:24), He commands, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord for this is right" (Ephesians 6:1-3; cf. Colossians 3:20; Proverbs 6:20-23). To obey is "right." To disobey is wrong. If disobedience is allowed, it will bring sorrow and grief to the home and a wrecked life to the child. God demands obedience and so must parents! The Nature of Obedience It is essential that both parents and children understand the nature of obedience. True obedience involves proper attitudes as well as proper actions. There is the idea in the word "obey" that signifies a readiness to respond in a positive way to instruction, counsel, and correction (i.e. a good attitude). True obedience accepts authority and willingly responds to it. It is demonstrated by action that has three characteristics: It is immediate, not "after while" or "later." It is unquestioning, not with an "If I have to" or "Do I have to" attitude. And, it is to the letter (i.e. no substitutions, additions, or omissions). It is a mistake for parents to accept as "obedience" something other than what they have asked the child to do. The child who washes the car for you, when he was told to mow the lawn, has not been "obedient." Not a Single Act It is also important to notice that the command, "Children obey..." (Ephesians 6:1; Colossians 3:20) suggests continuous, habitual action. The idea is "keep on obeying." True obedience is not a single act. It is the action of one who is submissive. This child will obey even when Mom and Dad are out of sight. He has a respect for their authority that goes beyond their literal presence. Obedience Builds Character There are side benefits to having children who obey their parents. Obedience builds character in the child. The obedient child is dependable and trustworthy. You know that he will do what he says he will do. Obedience builds respect and responsibility in the child. "The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him" (Proverbs 23:24). Three Motives for Children to Obey There are numerous reasons for children to obey their parents. Let me suggest three. First of all, God demands that children obey, as we have noticed, and God's commands are not optional. He ordained that children have a place of subjection in the home. "Children obey your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord" (Colossians 3:20). Second, children need to obey for their own good. A disobedient child is a source of shame and heartache to parents. However, the saddest thing of all is to see what disobedience does to the child himself. A disobedient child eventually ruins his own life. Sin is self-destructive. Solomon tells us, "A child left to himself brings his mother to shame" (Proverbs 29:15). "Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child..." (Proverbs 22:15). Children need to obey parents for their own good! And third, Parents desire obedience. This seems to be the appeal of Solomon in Proverbs 23:24-25 when he says (perhaps to his own son), "The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, and he who begats a wise son will be glad in him. Let your father and your mother be glad, and let her rejoice who gave birth to you." And then again in Proverbs 27:11, "Be wise my son and make my heart glad that I may reply to him who reproaches me." David prayed for Solomon, "Give to my son Solomon a perfect heart to keep thy commandments, thy testimonies, and thy statutes, and to do them all..." (I Chronicles 29:19). A parent has no greater source of joy than to see his own child develop into a godly, devoted Christian. Conclusion Jesus was an honor to His parents (Luke 2:51). The little maid in Naaman's house (2 Kings 5) was an honor to her parents. And so were Joseph and Daniel and Timothy and others. What about our young people? What about you, young man or young lady? Solomon makes a profound observation in Proverbs 20:11, "It is by his deeds that a child makes himself known if his conduct is pure and right." You may not like it but others place us in categories based on our conduct. I like the way the King James Version says it, "Even a child is known by his doings...." We can predict final outcomes by present actions and attitudes -- even in children. "Children, obey your parents in the Lord for this is right." -- Via The Berean, Volume 5, No. 4, June 1996 ____________________________________________________ -2- The "United Church of Christ" and the Church of Christ Are Not the Same! by David H. Smith Lately, several people have asked about the organization known as the "United Church of Christ." The group has been in the headlines for the last few months because of its endorsement of the homosexual agenda. Its Synod met recently and passed a resolution to approve same-sex marriages. One source suggested that approval rating in the membership for the decision is about 80%. That is, the majority of the membership favors "gay marriage." Naturally people are curious about the group since "Church of Christ" is a part of the organization's title. Some members of the Lord's church (the church of Christ) have been asked about the approval of "gay marriage," as if the "United Church of Christ" and the church of Christ are the same. One dear sister was even asked by a co-worker what she would do now that "her church" was endorsing homosexuality. They are not the same, and people need to know the difference. The "United Church of Christ" was founded in the late 1950's. The easiest way to describe the group is by drawing attention to other groups. Think of the controversy surrounding the Episcopalian religion not long ago because it confirmed a known homosexual to oversee a diocese. People thought, "they are definitely a liberal group." If it can be imagined, amplify the liberalism of groups like the Episcopalians or the Disciples of Christ and you will have an idea what the "United Church of Christ" is like. Their endorsement of homosexuality alone should say something about this newly formed denomination. The group is organized by human standards. Mead records the structure of the organization, stating, "Beside the local church stand the associations, conferences, and the general synod. Local churches in a geographic area are grouped into an association... Associations are grouped into conferences... It meets annually, and its main function is to coordinate the work and witness of its local churches and associations, to render counsel and advisory service, and to establish conference offices, centers, institutions, and other agencies." Synods, presidents, clergy/laity distinctions, conferences, and such like clearly distinguish the "United Church of Christ" from the church built by the Lord in organization. The UCC is a man-made organization ruled by men; the church of Christ is a divine organism guided by its head, Jesus the Christ. For the friends and neighbors who ask, please show them the biblical basis for true organization -- in order for them to understand that the UCC is just the work of a man. The statement made in Acts 14:23 is a good starting point. "And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed." In every individual congregation, the apostles appointed a plurality of qualified men, 1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-11, to oversee, protect, and feed the local flock, Acts 20:28; 1 Thess. 5:12-13; Heb. 13:17; 1 Peter 5:1-3. The words used of these men -- "pastors," "overseers," or "bishops" -- merely describe their role within the local church. This is important for several reasons. For one, it establishes the autonomy of each local congregation. No eldership or congregation has the oversight of another. The government is self-contained. Remember that the church is a divine monarchy, so the ultimate source of authority is the Christ. While the actions of each congregation are certainly open for scrutiny, Rev. 2-3, there is no earthly headquarters to which local congregations report. Their King is in heaven, not on earth. Next, it shows that scriptural organization requires a plurality of "pastors/elders" and not one. The very idea of "one pastor over a church" (denomination) or "one man (pope) on earth over all congregations" (Catholicism) is the same corrupted doctrine that spawned a great apostasy in the mid-second century A.D. In local churches there are also to be deacons, Phil. 1:1. While their work is not equal to that of an eldership, it is no less important. The qualifications, 1 Tim. 3:8-13 and the name itself describe their important work -- the work of service. Yet everyone is important in the Lord's body. There are no "clergy/laity" separations; this is foreign to the word of God. Elders, deacons, and all members of the church of the Christ are members one of another. This pattern is not evident in the "United Church of Christ." Thus it bears no connection to the Lord's church. Those interested in an in-depth study of the UCC should reference the organization's self-published materials, especially the sections that detail the documents they consider authoritative. It is certain that in the UCC, man-made documents and creeds get high praise and attention on par with the Bible. Councils (like the Nicaean Council of A.D. 325) are accepted as God-ordained which demonstrates the Catholic roots of the group. However, the Lord teaches that His people have no rule of faith and practice but the Bible, 2 Tim. 3:16-17. The New Testament is the "once-for-all" delivered pattern for the church, Jude 3, and it provides all the necessary guidance for "life and godliness" (2 Pet. 1:3). Everything man needs to know to serve God faithfully in this life is provided in the Bible. Accordingly, no group is "of" God if it does not follow the book God gave. While the UCC might be glad to say Bible, it does not consider the Bible to be an objective and exclusive source of authority. That is the difference between the UCC and the church of Christ. Another notable difference between the two is the UCC's use of women in the role that God gave specifically to men. Many preachers for the UCC are female. Yet the Bible is clear: "But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence" (1 Tim. 2:12). God designated men to lead in spiritual matters, 1 Tim. 2:8-15. This is also a difference between the Lord's church and the "United Church of Christ" denomination. Other notable differences include the UCC's tolerance toward unethical activities, their employment of unauthorized innovations in worship (like mechanical instruments of music), their founding date/place, their corrupted plan of salvation, etc. The point is that while the designations for both groups share some similarities, there is a world of difference between the two. It is unfortunate that the similarities have caused a bit of confusion, but it has also provided an opportunity to "give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear" (1 Pet. 3:15). Since people are asking, why not take the chance to tell them about the true Lord's church and at the same time voice opposition to the sinful practice of homosexuality? Surely this is redeeming the time and thus pleasing to God. -- Via Defender, Vol. 34, Number 9 ____________________________________________________ MYRTLE STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST 1022 Myrtle Street Denham Springs, LA 70726 (225) 664-8208 Sunday: 9:15 AM, 10:00 AM, 4:00 PM Wednesday: 7:00 PM evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (225) 667-4520 e-mail: tedwards@onemain.com web site: http://home.onemain.com/~tedwards/go ____________________________________________________