____________________________________________________ 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). ____________________________________________________ March 30, 1997 ____________________________________________________ "The Accuser of Our Brethren" by Steve Wallace In Revelation 2:10 Satan is referred to as ``the accuser of our brethren.'' The word ``accuse'' is defined, ``(1) to charge with, or declare to have committed a crime, (2) to find at fault; to blame...'' (Webster 14). Sometimes a person is justly accused. However, that is not what is spoken of here. Do we have any examples of Satan accusing ``our brethren before God'' (Rev. 12:10)? Yes, we find such in Job 1:6-11; 2:1-6. Job was a good man! God Himself testified to this fact. However, it did not matter to Satan. He accused Job anyway. Here we see a true picture of Satan as ``the accuser of our brethren.'' Satan also tempts mankind. Hence, people can become ``accusers of our brethren'' and share in the devil's work. We see people carrying out the work of the devil in both testaments. Job's brethren falsely accused him (4:7-9). The Pharisees falsely accused Jesus (Matt. 12:22-24). Among the sins characteristic of the ``last days'' is that some will be ``false accusers'' (2 Tim. 3:3). If people can become false accusers, then brethren can become false accusers. The danger that brethren might partake in the devil's work evidences the need for this study. Anyone Can Accuse Anyone of Anything! The Bible teaches that the above point is true. Job said to his accusers in the long ago, ``I also could speak as ye do: if your soul were in my soul's stead, I could heap up words against you and shake mine head at you'' (16:4). Likewise the Pharisees accusation against our Lord shows that anyone is able to dredge up any kind of charge against another (Matt. 12:24). Today our media has dredged up countless ``witnesses'' of questionable character and quoted them to the hurt of some public figure. A headline I have before me now reads, ``__________ accuses ___________ of dishonesty.'' I have deleted the names as they are unimportant. Experience with our news media tells us that we could place almost anyone's name into the blanks, so rampant is the practice of trumping up charges against others. The danger is that, in such an environment as we presently live, brethren might adopt such tactics. In fact, they have. Let us note some false accusations that have been leveled among brethren. When brethren opposed church contributions to orphans' homes and ``sponsoring churches'' in the 1950s and 60s they were accused of being ``orphan haters'' and ``anti-missionary.'' More recently, when faithful brethren have taught against fellowshiping those in adulterous marriages or those who teach false doctrine on marriage, divorce, and remarriage, some have accused them of not believing in local church autonomy. (What about when we teach against what Baptists believe about inherited sin? Are we infringing on the autonomy of Baptist Churches?) In the last few years, when some brethren's teaching on fellowshiping error or influence towards that end was called into question, they accused those who differed with them of having an ``inferior motive,'' of being ``extremists who have their own cause to promote,'' and other similarly reckless charges and have therewith stifled Bible study. (Let us all take note that the Bible teaches that only God and the person in question know what motivates that person (1 Sam. 16:7; 1 Cor. 2:11). Accusations have been based on what part of the country a person is from. Some on the West Coast have prejudicially used the label ``southern preacher,'' and the term ``West Coast preacher'' has at times been too broadly used in light of faithful men doing the Lord's work in that area of the country. If a brother writes an article that uses Bible teaching to expose sinful practices or erroneous teachings of a brother or brethren in other places, whether in a paper or in the bulletin of the church where he preaches, he is accused of ``trying to control the brotherhood'' or ``trying to make a name for himself.'' A major cause of problems among brethren today is unproven accusations and brethren feeling free to make them. Brethren are doing the work of the devil! What happens when brethren so conduct themselves? The Effects of Unproven Accusations 1. Such accusations hurt people. Even a child is upset when accused of something of which he is not guilty. Job's friends hurt him with their words (Job 16:1-2). Job felt the inward pain that comes to one who is falsely accused as have many brethren today who have faced such accusations. 2. Such accusations hurt people's reputations. It is evident that Paul's reputation suffered in the eyes of some of his brethren in the church at Corinth because of false accusations made by his enemies there (2 Cor. 10:2,10). They apparently even turned Paul's refusal of support from the church there into an accusation (cf. 2 Cor. 11:7-9; 12:13). This reminds me of a story from modern day America where a public figure was accused of a crime or impropriety and ``tried'' in the media. He was eventually found not guilty and, upon pronouncement of the verdict, asked the judge, ``Now where do I go to get back my reputation?'' When we consider what it takes to build a reputation, it is sad to note how a person can be hurt by the false charges of irresponsible people. 3. Such accusations can result in physical harm. Our Lord's treatment at the hands of the Jewish authorities shows the truthfulness of the above point. He was accused again and again (Matt. 12:24; 26:59-61; Luke 23:3,10) and though he was found innocent (Luke 23:14), they killed him anyhow! The false charges against Jews of being untermensch (subhuman) and plotting against non-Jewish people made by the Nazis in Germany in the 1930s resulted in the mass killing of millions of them in the 1940s. In our day, who will deny that the rash of black church building fires in our country is not at least partially fueled by the racist accusations made by hateful people? While all hope that accusations made by brethren today would not lead to the bodily harm of those accused, we must admit the possibility in light of the above facts. 4. Such accusations can poison the atmosphere among brethren. We need only look at Paul's relationship with the Corinthians to see that this point is valid. Because of the charges made against Paul by his enemies at Corinth, he was not able to continue with his work of building up the church there. Rather, a large part of his second letter to the Corinthians was taken up with explanations of his conduct and answers to enemies (cf. 1:12-2:4; 4:2; 7:2; 12:19; chs. 10-12). Brethren can come to believe the worst about their brethren simply by hearing and believing false accusations. Brethren can be motivated by the desire to accuse others (Mark 3:2; John 8:6). False accusations can lead to the severing of relationships among brethren. Conclusion Such results as we have listed above ought to cause all to think soberly before blasting off with some wild charge against a brother or believing an accusation made by another. Call the brother in question or write him, seek to build bridges, not to destroy them. Remember, anyone can make false accusations about anyone else. God's people should seek what is true and not be led by idle charges. They should treat others as they would like to be treated (Matt. 7:12) and judge others by their fruits, and not by accusations they have heard (Matt. 7:20; Gal. 2:14). The devil is ``the accuser of our brethren.'' It is bad enough that he is involved in such activity. God's people should want no part of the devil's work. -- Via Guardian of Truth, March 20, 1997 ___________________________________________ NEWS & NOTES Debbie Bartlett (the wife of a friend of mine and gospel preacher, Chuck) has been diagnosed with cancer of the thyroid. As of the time of this writing, it is not yet known which of the many kinds of cancer this might be -- which further testing will soon determine. But I was relieved to learn that most of these are curable, and with the success rate of about 95%. Still, let us be praying for her total healing. (The Bartletts live in Jordan, Ontario, and I have used several of Chuck's articles for our bulletin.) ___________________________________________ What Do We Look For In A Sermon? by Tom Edwards Through the years, I have heard many different people proclaim God's word; and, naturally, there was also a wide array of style, talent, and abilities among these men. Though I thought most of them did very well in their manner of delivery, there were a few, perhaps just occasional speakers, who were lacking in oratory skills; yet, I knew that the message they were proclaiming was still God's word -- and that is what I was to listen to whole-heartily and with great reverence. Though most of us enjoy in a sermon several heart-felt or interesting illustrations, some personal examples, some colorful anecdotes, some up-to-date applications, and even a little good-natured humor that is occasionally interjected, does any of these really make the gospel, which is the ``power of God unto salvation'' any greater? In other words, do we think a sermon must be ``enjoyable'' or even make us ``feel good'' in order for it to accomplish its work? While eating lunch today (bean soup, rice, and corn), I was wondering if I could liken it to a sermon. I once read that these three vegetables make up a pretty good ``protein complex'' for those who want to cut down or go without meat. Being out of butter, however, the rice and corn, which I mixed together, was a little on the bland side, for I had not even added any seasoning to it. But as I ate this, bland as it was, I realized that the spices and butter would not be adding anything to the nutritional value of my lunch. Actually, my lunch was healthier by not adding these extras which would have only improved the palatable quality of the meal. Though I normally preach my own sermons, last week I used one that was arranged by Eugene Crawley. It's called the ``All Scripture Sermon.'' Why this was unique is because there was not one comment that I made during the entire sermon -- not even for a Scripture reference (which was made available afterwards to anyone upon request). The Scriptures were all arranged in such a way that they taught a very interesting and informative lesson, and one in which all the brethren seemed to have truly enjoyed and gotten much good out of. What if a sermon, however, makes us feel ``bad''? Perhaps ``miserable''? Does this necessarily mean that it is not edifying? Is there not times when a sermon should cause us to feel guilt or uncomfortable if we are not living right? and if this ``bad, miserable feeling'' leads us to repentance and restoration with God, is it not then a truly edifying thing -- and certainly much more important than simply being made to chuckle at a humorous point or made intrigued by a unique, interesting illustration. Notice the great value of the godly sorrow Paul's letter to the Corinthians had produced, which also led to their repentance and salvation in 2 Corinthians 7:8-11. Though this message was far from making them ``feel good,'' it certainly led to some positive results that gave them some best-of-all-reasons to rejoice and be happy! I believe some people, however, have equated ``edification'' with only ``feeling good.'' In other words, if the service doesn't ``lift your spirits,'' it's not edifying. Well, I imagine preachers could quit preaching about sin and declare only the good, positive blessings of the Bible, and everyone would always feel elated. But would not this be a ``false'' feeling, if sin were still domineering their lives? and would not this be a falling short from preaching the ``whole counsel of God''? As I imagine you are well aware, it was because Paul ``did not shrink from declaring...the whole purpose of God'' that enabled him to say that he was ``innocent of the blood of all men'' (Acts 20:26,27). Can we today preach and teach any less than what Paul did? In his letter to Timothy, Paul wrote, ``preach the word...reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction'' (2 Tim. 4:2). Obviously, there is a time for ``negative preaching,'' a time for pointing out faults or sins, a time for people to be brought under mournful conviction. And it was Solomon who said, ``It is better to go to a house of mourning than go to a house of feasting...The mind of the wise is in the house of mourning, while the mind of fools is in the house of pleasure'' (Eccl. 7:2,4). This is not to say that all services should be characterized with a mournful atmosphere, or that interesting anecdotes, and even a little humor cannot be used to help illustrate or ``spruce up'' sermons; but we need to remember that it is simply the gospel itself that is the ``power of God unto salvation'' (Rom. 1:16) -- and there is no way we can add to or improve that power. Therefore, our utmost concern for what we look for in a sermon should simply be that God's word is being proclaimed! For only that can lead one to eternal life. A simple quest this might seem, but in view of all the false messages that are being preached and taught today in the name of religion, we must be especially careful by examining God's word for ourselves to better evaluate the messages we hear others proclaiming. This is what the noble Bereans did (Acts 17:11). Could it be, however, that many people today -- rather than studying God's word for themselves -- cling to a message simply because they like the speaker and have great confidence in him? So they let him do all their studying for them. If this be the case, how can it be said of these that they are truly striving to ``rightly divide the word of truth''? Even if we had a preacher who understood everything to be understood in the Scriptures, who could answer any question pertaining to the Bible, we would still need to investigate for ourselves to see if his answers are true or not. There are many worthy gospel preachers and teachers who do have a great deal of knowledge concerning the word of God; and we can be thankful for these men, for we can learn a great deal from them; but we need to remember that they are still men, and subject to possible error. Therefore, let us continue in our own studies as well, so that we can be sure that what we are hearing in sermons is truly ``the power of God unto salvation,'' which is strictly the gospel itself. ________________________________________ Tri-State CHURCH OF CHRIST 713 13th Street, Ashland, Kentucky 41101 Sunday: 10:00 A.M. Bible class 10:50 A.M. Worship 6:30 P.M. Worship Wednesday: 7:30 P.M. Bible study evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (606) 325-9742 e-mail: tedwards@wwd.net Gospel Observer web site: http://www.wwd.net/user/tedwards/go ________________________________________