____________________________________________________ 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). ____________________________________________________ April 15, 2007 ____________________________________________________ Contents: 1) The Way It Was -- 1865 -- The Way It Is -- 1989 (Barney Keith) 2) He Left Nothing Undone (Al Sandlin) 3) News & Notes ____________________________________________________ -1- The Way It Was -- 1865 -- The Way It Is -- 1989 by Barney Keith History has a way of repeating itself, doesn't it? In April 1865 Moses E. Lard, one of the "Pioneer" preachers, was disturbed as he saw various things happening among churches of Christ. Writing in Lard's Quarterly (Vol. II, p. 257) he referred to certain developments as "ill-omened symptoms in our ranks." Among other things he cited weak and effeminate preaching, the "pastor system" in many congregations, instrumental music, and other unauthorized practices as he deplored the changes that were coming over the brethren in many places. On page 262 Lard remarked: "He is a poor observer of men and things who does not see growing up among us a class of men no longer satisfied with the ancient gospel and the ancient order of things. These men must have changes; and silently they are preparing the minds of the brotherhood to receive changes. Be not deceived, brethren, the Devil is not sleeping. If you refuse to see the danger till ruin is upon you, then it will be too late." Lard was absolutely correct in his appraisal of his times. A new generation of seminary-trained, liberal-minded, young preachers had come along. Dissatisfaction with the ancient gospel became more evident and digression spread rapidly as innovations were introduced into one congregation after another. The result was inevitable -- the liberals continued their march and the Christian Church and Disciples of Christ denominations emerged. The brethren who were insistent upon following the Bible pattern opposed the innovations and strove for the purity of the church of the Lord. The majority of the brethren embraced the digressive move toward change as only a very small minority stood firm for the old paths. Those stalwart brethren of more than a hundred years ago were called various names as they took their stand -- such as "anti's." That struggling minority, however, grew faster than any would have dared think. Simple churches of Christ began to appear across the country and, with the passing years, the digressives lost more and more of their identity. Today they acknowledge their denominational status proudly. Sadly, that is exactly what has been happening all over again. Since World War II especially there has been growing up among us a class of men who are no longer satisfied with the ancient gospel. Many of the present day preachers have been trained in schools where outright modernism is found. Those who have been anxious to put the church "on the march," or to create a "a better image" for the church of Christ, or to involve the churches in all sorts of projects are no part of the New Testament pattern -- these men have slowly had their effect on the people of God. Human wisdom and modernistic theology are always inimical to faith in the New Testament as an all-sufficient pattern. Too many people in too many churches of Christ are being taught by too many men who do not respect the authority of the Scriptures. It is no surprise that we have "liberal" churches. There are many indications of "change" in the churches of the Lord, such as "sponsoring elderships" or "sponsoring churches" to coordinate the work of two or more churches; building and maintaining other institutions to do the work of the church; church support of recreational camps; church parties, dinners, showers, etc. (in the church's "fellowship hall" or "Family Life Center," of course); "youth ministers" to handle all activities of the young people; other "ministers" galore; church choruses; church involvement in social welfare projects; facilities for the counsel and care of unwed mothers; the operation of day-care centers, kindergartens, secular education schools; all sorts of gimmicks to attract kids to the "bus ministry" fad; etc. Brethren, there is no end in sight. What happened in the late 1800s has happened in the mid and late 1900s. Wearing the designation "Church of Christ" by no means is proof that a congregation is respecting the authority of Christ. There are still many, many congregations which have not followed the digressive pattern of the day. There are many faithful disciples who still believe that we must "speak as the oracles of God" (1 Pet. 4:11) and that we dare not "go beyond the doctrine of Christ" (2 John 9). A firm, Bible-based conviction is the only thing that will preserve a congregation from apostasy. It is faith in "what is written" that causes a church of Christ to avoid the many innovations. It will never be out of place for Christians to ask for Bible authority for the things churches may begin to undertake. And it will always be right to resist and oppose any changes which involve a surrender of the all-sufficiency of Divine revelation, God's word. What Moses Lard saw in 1865 is likely to be seen in any age. Let us take ample warning from the lessons of history. A Christian ought to have no fellowship with a congregation that digresses from the Bible pattern in organization, worship or work. Let none of us be deterred from standing firmly for the truth by the ridicule, sarcasm, name-calling, etc. from our brethren who are bent on following the course of liberalism. Fellowship with God is far more important than fellowship with men. -- Via Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 5, p. 140, March 2, 1989 ____________________________________________________ -2- He Left Nothing Undone by Al Sandlin What an epitaph! There was a man in the Bible who had this tribute accorded him concerning the task assigned him by God. This man is truly an example for all to follow. "As the LORD commanded Moses his servant, so did Moses command Joshua, and so did Joshua; he left nothing undone of all that the LORD commanded Moses" (Joshua 11:15). Did Joshua accomplish the impossible? Certainly not! God never asks anything of anyone they are incapable of performing. Let's examine a little closer the charge given to Joshua and see how he was able to achieve this stupendous feat. Preparation. Moses had led the Hebrew captives from Egypt through the wilderness to the edge of that promised land Canaan. God had tapped Joshua to be his successor as leader of this band of Israelites (Deuteronomy. 34:9). Joshua had demonstrated before God, Moses and his fellow Hebrews that he had faith -- undying faith -- in Jehovah God. Joshua was one of two men whose assessment of the land of Canaan was that it could be taken -- with God's help. This was in the face of ten men who said it couldn't be done. Deuteronomy 34:9 says Joshua was a man "full of the spirit of wisdom." Early in his life he made a decision not to follow the majority. He was willing to be different and stand tall as a man of faith. Those who prepare themselves to serve the Lord God are not the ones who have the "Let somebody else do it" disposition. They are the ones who sing "Here Am I; Send Me" and are sincere in doing so. Joshua was that kind of man. Consecration. God needed a man who had prepared himself to be a leader. God exhorted Moses to be an "encourager" to Joshua. "But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see" (Deuteronomy 3:28). He took note of the man Joshua and at the appropriate time selected him to be Moses' successor (Numbers 27:18-23). The first chapter of Joshua records the charge given by God to Joshua. It would be his task to lead the children of Israel over Jordan and to effectively possess the land of Canaan as God had promised Abraham many years earlier. God committed Himself to be an ever-present source of help to Joshua. "There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee" (Joshua 1:5). Dedication. It was Joshua's responsibility then to be a real role model for that Hebrew congregation. "Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest" (Joshua 1:6-7). God's exhortation to be strong and courageous was indicative of the fact that there would be times of despair and resignation; times when quitting would be an attractive escape; but those must be the very times that Joshua must muster the courage to go forward in the name of Jehovah, the Lord of hosts. Toleration. The book of Joshua is a great source of encouragement to any and all who claim to be a child of God. This attribute alone is so vitally important to one who is a successful Christian. There are times when it seems impediments to progress pop up at every turn. God's servant, however, sees these as stepping stones to greater heights. As Joshua led the people of God in conquering the promised land, it was necessary on numerous occasions for Joshua to marshal strength and courage to press on so that his way would be prosperous and successful (Joshua 1:8). Application. The accolade accorded Joshua which we noted in the beginning was true because he applied the truths of God to his assigned tasks. He believed God; he obeyed God; and he was successful. As the days of his leadership waned, he made this statement to the people of Israel: "Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth. . ." (Joshua 24:14). Only sincere and truthful service is pleasing to God. Joshua's success is a testimony to that fact. Dear reader, are you doing everything which God has commanded you? Is there anything you are leaving undone? A day of accountability awaits every individual. "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27). "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad" (2 Corinthians. 5:10). At that time it'll be too late to try and change things left undone. "So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God" (Romans 14:12). If you are not a Christian, believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God (John 8:24); repent of the life of sin you are living in (Luke 13:3); confess that Jesus is the Christ (Matthew 10:32); be baptized by immersion in water for the remission of your past sins (Romans 6:3-4; Acts 8:36-38); be faithful until death (Revelation 2:10) and heaven will be yours. God promises that to those who obey Him (Hebrews 5:9). Don't leave anything undone. If you are a Christian, are you living as you ought? If not, would you change even today? "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin" (James 4:17). Hell is prepared for those who don't do as they ought as well as those who do as they ought not. Don't risk it! -- Via The Trenton Bulletin, June 25, 2000 ____________________________________________________ -3- News & Notes As mentioned in last week's bulletin, the Gospel Meeting for the South College Road church of Christ in Lafayette, Louisiana, at 507 S. College Road, begins today with Shane Carrington, as the guest speaker. The meeting will continue through Wednesday (18), with weeknight services beginning at 7. ____________________________________________________ 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 ____________________________________________________