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THE GOSPEL OBSERVER
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"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).
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June 18, 2006
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Contents:
1) Children Obey (Boyd Sellers)
2) The "United Church of Christ" and the Church of Christ
Are Not the Same! (David H. Smith)
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-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
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-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
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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
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