Absolutes of Mission Endeavor Revisited

By Jerry Jackson

An article was written by Clarence Bishop and printed in the January 1979 issue of the Challenger entitled Absolutes of Mission Endeavor. As I read that article, I was impressed with the need today to revisit the truths printed some 27 years ago. Sometimes we think that we know so much more than others did in the past, but we would do well to take heed to these “absolutes.” The thoughts and principles laid out within that article are well worth considering again and applying anew.

We are all familiar with the belief that the truths of God’s Word are absolute, and that our lives should constantly be changing to conform more and more to the absolutes of God’s Word. How sad to watch a Christian’s life change to conform, not to God’s absolutes, but to the shifting styles and philosophies of this world. One of the saddest statements a believer can make is, “I know what the Bible says, but...”

The area of missions is also prone to change, even though the very Bible that teaches missions and its methods has never changed, nor will it ever change. There is new thinking on every hand in the area of missions, but we need to stick to the old paths, which the Lord has laid before us.

The overriding principle of missions, as far as the missionary is concerned, is the same principle, by which the Apostle Paul lived and labored. “ Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men (2 Corinthians 8:21).” The missionary must use judgment and care so that he may secure a ministry that is above reproach. This is the type of ministry for which we should all strive! If we are seeking this kind of ministry, we must insist upon those things that will provide for honest things before God and man. Here are some of these absolutes:

Missionaries must Be Local Church Sponsored and Local Church Sent

The pattern for all mission endeavors is found in Acts 13:1-4. Here we find Saul and Barnabas faithfully working in the church at Antioch, along with other faithful men. The Holy Ghost moved in the hearts of the people of this church to send out two of their own, Saul and Barnabas. We do not read of Saul or Barnabas shopping for a good, creditable clearinghouse or mission board to handle their finances while they were on the field. Of course, none of these things existed in that day and time, because man hadn’t yet figured out how to do mission work better than God does. In those days, they foolishly believed that there was nothing above the church but Christ (Ephesians 5:23-24), and nothing outside the church but a lost world in need of the Gospel (Mark 16:15).

As missionaries sent and sponsored by the church at Antioch, Saul and Barnabas were accountable to that church for their work on the mission field. At the same time, the church at Antioch was responsible to make sure that Saul and Barnabas were doing the right thing on the mission field. A missionary represents his church on the mission field, and as such, he must represent them in a proper manner. A missionary who changes his doctrine or practice is obligated to inform his sending church, and if need be, his sending church is obligated to call that missionary home from the field to deal with any problems of doctrine or practice. Having said that, there must also be a great trust between the church and the missionary. If the church cannot trust that the missionary will do right without constant check-ups from the church or pastor, then they should not be sending that missionary to the field. Saul and Barnabas had already proven themselves in the church at Antioch; the people of the church knew exactly how they would conduct themselves and what they would teach. The church trusted these missionaries to do what was right, and Saul and Barnabas trusted the church to faithfully stand behind them in their mission endeavors.

If this then is the pattern for New Testament missions, we are being dishonest with the Lord when we attempt to do mission work in some other way.

Missionaries must Be Faithful in Reporting

As the missionary seeks to provide things honest in the sight of all men, he must be faithful in the area of reporting to his sending church, and any other churches that support him financially. It was impractical to consider a monthly report in Paul’s day. However, the Apostle did set the precedence for every true missionary by giving a full report at each opportunity afforded to him. In Philippians 4:10-17 we note how Paul responded to a church which had helped him financially.

In our last year as missionaries, I heard from several pastors by letter, phone, or in person about the great lack of communication from missionaries. One pastor, in a letter to all missionaries supported by his church, asked that there be four letters each year, at the very least. I think that it is a disgrace in these times of email and lightning-fast communication, that our missionaries are less faithful to communicate than they have been in the past. This is certainly not true of all missionaries, and we are thankful for the faithful communication of many godly men. Some missionaries even send out a weekly email update to anyone who desires to be kept up with their work and ministry. However, many other missionaries look on the prayer letter or missionary report as an added burden to their already full schedule. The truth of the matter is that giving a report to the sending church, as well as any other churches that financially support him, is a vital part of that missionary’s work. A missionary must send a faithful report so that churches and individuals can pray knowledgeably concerning his needs, the needs of his family, and the needs of the ministry in which he is involved. The more communication that a missionary sends to the churches, the closer the churches will feel to that missionary’s work, and the more the churches will pray for that missionary. I have heard many claims of hardship in sending out mission reports, but I have never seen any justification for those claims. Every missionary can put out a letter each quarter, at the very least.

Also, a missionary must be faithful in reporting what is actually happening on the field. I have often considered how easy it would be for a missionary to simply write whatever would sound good to his supporting churches, since no one would be coming to check up on him. I have heard stories of missionaries who have taken pictures of another missionary’s work and presented that work to his supporting churches as if it were his own work. I have even heard of missionaries taking visiting pastors into another missionary’s work and showing it as if it were his own work. I have personally seen missionary reports and heard presentations that I know by my own knowledge to be false. These are serious problems that should be dealt with by each missionary’s sending church.

But, there are also those who will tell what is going on in their ministry, but only in part. I have heard missionaries say, “I don’t want to discourage the churches by sending bad news every month.” Friend, you must be faithful with both bad and good news. How else are pastors and churches to know of the needs and trials through which the missionary and his family are going? If God’s people are unaware of these needs, they cannot be praying with the missionary about these things. The Apostle Paul constantly spoke of the trials through which he was going, asking for prayer to be faithful in the trial. The missionary can write an honest letter about the ministry on the field without getting into self-pity and an attitude of “poor me.”

Missionaries must Be True in Mission Intent.

The missionary must ask himself, “What is the purpose of the work? What is the final goal?” There are many things that fall under the term “missions” which do not directly seek to found independent Baptist churches. These things are not true to God, His will, or His Word regarding missions.

A good rule of thumb for missions is if it directly benefits the sending church, it is not missions. Many churches will support their own ministries (bus, youth, etc.) with mission money, but this is dishonest before God. The reason being that the sending church is the only one who will benefit from these ministries and that no true independent Baptist Church will be established as a result.

Also, for a missionary to establish a work on the mission field and then stay there to run things is not being true in mission intent. The Apostle Paul showed us this example in his own ministry. He stayed in one place a few months to a few years before moving on to another location in order to establish another church. A missionary who fails in this area is not doing the work of a missionary, but that of a pastor who resides outside the borders of the US.

Missionaries must Be True Doctrinally

Keep in mind that our goal is “providing for honest things.” There is very little that could be described as more dishonest than for a missionary to arrive on the mission field and forsake the doctrine which was “ once delivered unto the saints (Jude 3).” The missionary ought to know what he believes long before his church sends him forth as a missionary. If he were unsure of what true Bible doctrine is, his church would be wise not to send him out.

And it follows that the missionary must not only be doctrinally true himself, but he must also teach and train his people to be doctrinally true (2 Timothy 2:2; Titus 1:9; 2:1). This is absolutely necessary for God’s work to carry on in a right way after the missionary is no longer around. Hudson Taylor is often heralded as a great example of what a true missionary ought to be. However, he failed in his work because he did not seek to instill Bible doctrine into the hearts of those Chinese converts. He instructed all missionaries who worked for China Inland Mission NOT to establish churches, or preach doctrine. His goal was to see as many people saved as possible. While this is a worthy goal to have, it cannot be gained properly without instruction in Bible doctrine and the establishment of New Testament churches to carry on the preaching of the Gospel after the missionary is gone. It is true that many people were saved under the ministry and direction of Hudson Taylor, but look at China today. Are they any better off for his work? Had he been true doctrinally and established true Bible-believing churches, would that have prevented the communist revolution that ripped through that nation and hinders God’s work even today?

Missionaries must Be above Reproach Morally

A missionary is not someone who is unqualified to be a pastor, but who still desires to be in the ministry. A missionary must be just as qualified as the pastor must (1 Timothy 3:2), or else he should not be sent to the mission field. If a church could not recommend a man to pastor another church, they should never recommend him as a missionary to other churches. For all intents and purposes, the missionary is the pastor of the church he is working to establish, until they are organized and call their own pastor. Since that is the case, it is impossible to justify a missionary being less qualified than a pastor.

Pure and holy people, especially in areas where Christianity is just gaining a foothold must represent a pure and holy God. I have worked in areas where immoral missionaries had been, or were known. It is difficult to reach these folks with the truth of the Gospel, because they are watching and waiting to see the same immoral character, rather than receiving the Gospel message. The immoral missionary will have much to answer for before the Lord, because it is through his fallen testimony that many lost sinners will be condemned to eternal torment.

Certainly, there are other things that could be brought into this discussion, but I believe that these things are vital to making the most of our mission endeavors. The failure to comply with any of these areas will disqualify anyone as a missionary. Pastors should consider these absolutes as they seek to support missionaries and promote missions in their churches. God will bless as we follow His absolutes.

Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?

By E. L. Bynum

“Abstain from all appearance of evil.” (1 Thessalonians 5:22)

The pagan and satanic origin of Halloween is easily discovered, and Christians should have nothing to do with this holiday. The facts revealed in The New Encyclopedia Britannica should be enough to warn any discerning Christian of this evil practice. There are many other sources of information that show the evil consequences of this practice.

When the people of Ephesus came to know the Lord Jesus Christ they began to get rid of evil books and practices. “And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.” (Acts 19:18-19)

What a wonderful thing if Christians would get rid of evil music, books and sinful practices. Most churches would be blessed if they had an old fashioned burning of their evil books and curious practices, as did the believers of Ephesus. We might very well see the results that they experienced. “So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.” (Acts 19:20)

The Pagan Origin of Halloween

The following is quoted from Wikipedia Encyclopedia

“Halloween is an observance celebrated on the night of October 31, most notably by children dressing in costumes and going door-to-door collecting sweets or money.”

“Halloween originated in Ireland as the pagan Celtic harvest festival, Samhain. Irish, Scots and other immigrants brought older versions of the tradition to North America in the 19th century. Most other Western countries have embraced Halloween as a part of American pop culture in the late 20th century.”

“The term Halloween, and its older spelling Hallowe’en, is shortened from All-hallow-even, as it is the evening before ‘All Hallows Day.’ [1] In Ireland, the name was All Hallows Eve and this name is still used by some older people. Halloween was also sometimes called All Saints’ Eve. The holiday was a day of religious festivities in various northern European pagan traditions, until it was appropriated by Christian missionaries and given a Christian interpretation. In Mexico November 1st and 2nd are celebrated as the ‘Dia de Los Muertos’ Day of the Dead.” —From Wikipedia Encyclopedia

The following is taken from a tract by D. A. Waite named “Halloween the Devil’s Birthday.”

Since orange is one of the Devil’s colors, there is the widespread use of the orange colored pumpkins in the celebration. Carving the pumpkin with the eyes, nose, and mouth and putting a candle in it, is a direct reference to the lost, soul, Jack mentioned above. The candle that is placed inside connects it to the ancient Druids and their bonfires.

Should Churches Celebrate Halloween?

In view of the pagan and Satanic origin of Halloween, it is strange that churches would have any kind of celebration of this pagan holiday. Yet we find many churches have continued to have haunted houses and parties on October 31st. Some try to dodge the issue by having a “Harvest Festival,” which is exactly what Halloween was long ago.

Some churches have their haunted houses built to scare the wits out of children. This gives a good introduction to tales of haunted houses, witches, evil spirits, black cats and other forms of evil. “Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil . . . .” (Exodus 23:2) We are admonished, “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you” (2 Corinthians 6:17)

We need to heed the many warnings found in the Bible. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil , as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. Whom resist stedfast in the faith . . . .” (1 Peter 5:8–9) Always remember that Satan comes sometimes in disguise. “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” (2 Corinthians 11:14)

No Christian should have anything to do with Satanic paganism. The emphasis on witches, devils, black cats and other things associated with Satanism should be avoided at all costs. Instead of compromising, why not teach your children the truth? Why not do something special with your children on another date that has no connection to Halloween.

The Bible, Witches, and Occult

Witches and other things related to the occult are very prominent in Halloween celebrations. We need to refresh our memory by reading what the Bible has to say on this subject.

“There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD . . . .” (Deuteronomy 18:10-12)

Why even dress up like a witch or any thing else of that nature? Satan is looking for an opening to get into the minds of innocent children, and many have gone down that dark path. The Devil’s works and his toys should be avoided like the plague.

“Regard not them that have familiar spirits , neither seek after wizards , to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.” (Leviticus 19:31)

“Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.” (Exodus 22:18)

Much else could be written on this subject, but because of space we must conclude this article. For much more information about the occult, send a stamped self-addressed envelope to Tabernacle Baptist Church, P. O. Box 3100, Lubbock, TX 79452. Request Tract B-323. While it does not deal directly with Halloween, it does deal with Satan, witches, and the occult.

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God’s Instrument of Judgment

By Bob Jackson

“Art thou not from everlasting, O Lord my God, mine Holy One? we shall not die. O Lord, thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O mighty God, thou hast established them for correction. Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?” Habakkuk 1:12–13

God tells us in His Word that His ways are not our ways, nor His thoughts our thoughts, Isaiah 55:8–9. It seems strange to us how God chooses to deal with His own people sometimes, but, of course, God knows exactly what He is doing. Everything God does is right and for the ultimate benefit of His own.

The Promise of Chastisement

God promises in His Word that He will chasten His own, Proverbs 3:11–12. “For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth.” To begin with, we need to understand that love decides the communion we have with God and with others in our lives as well. It is love that causes us to have a relationship with God, and allows us to have fellowship with Him. “We love him, because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19). God loves us, and because of His love for us, He provides salvation to lost, undeserving sinners, John 3:16–18. We secure this salvation personally by receiving the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ as our own payment for sin, 1 John 4:10; Romans 10:9–10. We become children of God through this salvation that we receive by the grace and mercy of God. Just as God loves us and saves us through the expression of His great love for us, God selected Israel to be a special people unto Himself because of His love, Deuteronomy 7:6–8. In this passage in Deuteronomy 7, God tells Israel that it is because of His love for them that He chose them to be a special people unto Himself.

In many places in the Scripture we read that genuine love demands correction, Proverbs 3:12; 13:24 just to site two. When we love someone, we desire the best for him/her. This requires that correction be involved in that relationship, Proverbs 3:12; Hebrews 12:10–11. God is love; therefore He requires correction for those (individuals, nations, churches, etc.) He loves. Discipline is essential to produce the maturity needed in the lives of those we love, Ephesians 6:4; 4:14; Proverbs 22:15. When we are delinquent in the correction of those we love, this produces delinquency in the lives of the loved ones, Proverbs 19:18; Hebrews 12:5–7. Of course, this principle is true in the spiritual realm just as much as it is in the physical realm. Spiritual maturity requires discipline and chastening in our lives, and in the lives of those that we are responsible to disciple.

The Paddle of His Choice

The prophet Habakkuk did not understand why God would use those whom he describes as “the wicked” to be His instrument of chastisement in the lives of His own people, Habakkuk 1:13. Habakkuk prophesied during the time that the Chaldeans were being used of God against the nation of Judah. It was difficult for him to grasp the fact that God would use such people as these heathen people to defeat and bring difficulty to God’s chosen people. This same problem of understanding God’s ways afflicts many of us from time to time, especially as we see violent, ungodly people triumphing over nations and individuals who claim the name of Jehovah and/or Jesus as their God. Heathen nations were used to chasten God’s chosen people, Israel, more than once, Jeremiah 50:17. Surely we can see the correlation of Hezbollah and Hamas, to name a few, with the same pattern that God has used previously in dealing with the nation of Israel. Today Israel is still in unbelief, yet they occupy a portion of the Promised Land. The nation of Israel, and the vast majority of individuals in that nation reject Jesus Christ as their Messiah. They want nothing to do with the name of Jesus, and do not want His name proclaimed in their land. Why would we think that God would allow this unbelief and rebellion to go without chastisement from an outside, heathen source as in days before? The heathen kingdom of Assyria was used as God’s instrument of judgment against the northern kingdom of Israel, Isaiah 7:17–20; 2 Kings 17:1–6. This judgment occurred as a result of their sin, 2 Kings 17:7–12,18. The Lord had sent His message by His messengers to these people in this nation, but they refused to listen and follow God’s Word, 2 Kings 17:13–17. Later, the heathen kingdom of Babylon was used as God’s instrument of judgment against the kingdom of Judah, Jeremiah 5:15–19; 2 Chronicles 36:11–17. This does not mean that every individual in these nations was a disobedient, rebellious renegade against God. Consider the teenager (probably), Daniel, who had been taken captive in Judah and brought to Babylon. What an example of someone who took a stand for the things of God against all opposition. He was not alone after he took his stand for God either. The three Hebrew children joined him in his stand for the truth of God. Even though Daniel was such a person, he was still taken captive from his homeland because of the sin of the nation as a whole.

What does this truth say to us in America? We live in a nation that was established on Biblical principles by people who came here seeking religious freedom. Our Constitution is filled with principles which are obviously based on the Word of God. The acknowledgment of God by the founders of this nation can be seen in many of the documents that they wrote and that was the underpinning of this nation. Yet today, this nation has gone so far away from these beginning principles. We have legalized all types of sin and ungodliness. Unborn babies are slaughtered by the thousands every year. Recently the “morning after” pill was approved to be sold over the counter without prescription for those over 18 years of age. This is another way to cover up sin and to destroy life that has been conceived. Do we honestly believe that God will allow this nation that talks so much about God to go without chastisement? Perhaps God has already begun using heathen people as His instruments of judgment against our own beloved nation. This certainly fits with His pattern of dealing with His chosen people Israel.

God also sent adversaries against individuals of His own people as well, 1 Kings 11:14–23. This passage tells us about God dealing with King Solomon in this manner. This occurred as a result of the sin and disobedience in his life, 1 Kings 11:9–13. The Lord is very serious about His people obeying and following His will. As the Scripture tells us, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Hebrews 10:31)

Now, we come to the thing that really led me in the direction of this article. I am aware of a particular church that is having great difficulties at this time. These difficulties revolve around having a Pastor who is dishonest (among other things) and apparently has a track record of this same behavior. When I heard about this Pastor’s behavior, I thought and even said that God could not have placed such a man as the Pastor of this church. When I made this statement, God brought to my mind the thoughts that have already been stated in this message. We know that Christ loves the church as an institution, meaning that He loves every truly scriptural church. He died and gave Himself for every scriptural church, Ephesians 5:25. Remember the thought of this message is that “whom the Lord loveth he correcteth.” Some of the people in this church of which I speak have expressed the attitude over the years that they will withhold their tithes and offerings from the church if they disagree with the Pastor, etc. They will starve him out. God loves the church. Will He sit by and allow one of His churches to behave in this manner and not correct, chastise, or judge that church? The principle that we see throughout the Word of God is that He will chasten and discipline that which He loves. God is certainly capable of following the same procedure in dealing with disobedient churches as He did with His chosen people, or with various individuals. In fact, God gives a warning to different churches about the results of disobedience, Revelation 3:14–19; 2:1–5. He tells the church in Laodicea that He “will spue thee out of my mouth” because of their lukewarm spiritual condition. You have to wonder just what instrument God might use to accomplish this action against this self-satisfied, unconcerned church. Maybe He would use some dishonest, ungodly man as the Pastor of such a church. God warns the church in Ephesus that He “will remove thy candlestick out of his place” unless they repent. In Revelation 1:20 God clearly states that the candlestick symbolizes a true church. This warning to the church in Ephesus is that they could be no longer a true, scriptural church, even though they might continue to operate as a church. This warning had to do with this church leaving her first love with the Lord. Again you have to wonder just what instrument God might use to accomplish this action against this church that had left their strong love for the Lord behind. God had warned this church in Ephesus through the Apostle Paul in Acts 20:29–30 that preachers and church members could be used to cause divisions and heresies in that very church. It seems clear to me that God can use what or whom He will to bring about correction, chastisement, or judgment on one of His churches as He sees fit. As I think about this, it appears that this has already occurred many times. Perhaps this judgment will cause the very end of that particular church. God is quite capable of raising up another scriptural church to replace the one that had to cease to exist as a result of His judgment. The promise that Jesus makes in Matthew 16:18 about the gates of hell not prevailing against the church is not a promise of perpetuity to an individual church, but to the institution of the church. There will always be a scriptural church preaching the gospel somewhere in this world until Jesus Christ returns in the air to call His people home. That is the essence of this promise in Matthew 16:18.

The Purpose of His Chastisement

As God dealt with Israel, He preferred that they not live in the Promised Land rather than live there in sin and disobedience, 2 Chronicles 36:16–17. It is a disgrace to God to have disobedient, rebellious people who promote and proclaim the name of God. It displeases God when people become self-satisfied and quit following and serving God, or follow their own way rather than God’s way, Revelation 3:15–17; 2:4–5; 2 Corinthians 5:7. The goal of chastisement in an individual’s life is godly living and serving God, Hebrews 12:10–11.

God will ultimately restore His chosen people in righteousness to the Promised Land, Isaiah 66:5–8; Zechariah 21:10; 13:1; 14:20. God can raise up another church if an unfaithful church is destroyed as a result of His judgment, Matthew 16:18; Revelation 2:5–7.

The ultimate purpose of God’s chastening of His people or His dealing with His people in any manner is the glory of God, 1 Corinthians 1:30–31; Romans 16:25–27; Jude 24–25; Ephesians 3:20–21. This is what our Christian lives, a scriptural church, and God’s chosen people are here to accomplish. When there is a need for chastisement, correction, or judgment, God will accomplish this to ultimately bring glory to Himself. God is capable of using any instrument He pleases to accomplish this purpose. Remember, His ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts.

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Forgiven But Not Blameless

I have always held the conviction and still do, that the qualifications for a bishop in I Timothy 3:1–7 and Titus 1:5–9 applies to any man who has a divine call to a preaching vocation, whether he be a pastor, evangelist or missionary.

Such a calling is a high and noble trust given us by God; one we are to guard zealously lest we violate this sacred trust and destroy the confidence of the people to whom the Lord has called us to minister.

In considering this thought of “Forgiven—but Not Blameless,” we know that God forgives sin, except in rare cases in which one has gone far, far from God and so disgraced the Name of Christ that God sees fit to cut one’s life off and remove him to heaven (I John 5:16).

God is gracious and longsuffering, and when a preacher falls into sin and continues in that pattern of disobedience and in response to the conviction by the Holy Spirit, the troubling of his conscience or the fear of exposure, he truly repents, God will surely and immediately forgive him.

Even though he is forgiven, he is no longer blameless. Preachers are human beings and subject to failures, to make flawed decisions, to say things they regret, to do things sometimes unwisely and demonstrate attitudes that they regret and sometimes act foolishly. But, when a man of God is honest and above board with his people, they will love him for it and will still trust his leadership and will gladly have a forgiving spirit just as surely as God forgives.

When a preacher falls into sin and continues to indulge that sin in a covert manner, that sin has an enslaving effect upon his life, and soon he is excusing it. I heard of a pastor who spent hours toying with pornography on the Internet. His wife warned him again and again that it was sin, but he would not quit. Finally one evening she went to another part of the house, while her husband was on the Internet, and called the deacons of the church to come to the house, and she would leave the front door open and to simply walk in and catch her husband in his sin. They did and the church fired him.

When a preacher falls into sin and continues in that sin for a long period of time, while at the same time concealing it, he is guilty of living a double life. He is grieving the Holy Spirit, is spiritually backslidden, dishonoring his family and laying the groundwork to destroy the confidence and trust of his people to whom he ministers when his sin is exposed.

Thank God he can be forgiven by a gracious and loving God, but he can never again be blameless among his peers or among the saints of God. (APD)

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Why Attend Church? (Conclusion)

By Thomas Hastings, B.A., G.Th.

(Continued From Last Issue: Part 3 )

(Complete Article Available Here: Why Attend Church? )

8. We Attend Church Because it Is The Only Organization That God Ordained to Fulfill His Commission.

Jesus said to the first Baptist Church in Matthew 28:18–20 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. (19) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (20) Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” 2 Timothy 2:2 “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”

How are we to learn to follow the Lord if we do not go where we are taught? We will commit many dangerous sins that will do damage to us, our families and society if we fail to become wise in the preached Word of God. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” 2 Timothy 3:16. I read through the Bible once every year, and it never ceases to amaze me how many “new” things I discover! Many times I have learned very important things through the preaching of others that have kept me from hurting others and myself. Every person needs this! Thoughts and habits that are contradictory to God’s Word destroy our lives and keep God’s full blessing from being upon us!

Just before Moses died, he gave Israel God’s promise and warning recorded in Deuteronomy 30:19,20 “ . . . I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: (20) That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life,...” God gave Israel the Law so that it might be studied, obeyed and read regularly before the whole congregation. It is our choice whether we hear and obey God’s Word. If we do not hear and obey His Word, nor cleave unto Him, then we are at fault. It is not God who is at fault for our circumstances.

We have studied many reasons why we should regularly attend God’s House, but the most important one has not yet been mentioned.

9. We Need to Attend Church So That We May Praise, Thank and Worship God!

Luke 24:50–53 “And he led them out as far as Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. (51) And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. (52) And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: (53) And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.”

We all need much from the Lord (much more than we can possibly comprehend), and occasionally people come to Him only to get what they want. God knows better than we do what we need, and He truly desires that we come to Him with our needs. Psalm 50:15 “And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.” There are important directives of God on either side of this command that declares what God expects from us. Psalm 50:14 “Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:”

In the beginning of our relationship with the Lord, we could do nothing more than accept His grace, love and supply. In ourselves, we could be nothing more than sinful humans. That is why He came to us, because we were unable to go to Him. Praise God for being a seeking Savior! That is also why He died on Calvary, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and by his stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5.

It is sad to say that thankfulness is in such short supply in the world today, but it is. No where is this more evident than in man’s relationship to his Creator! Dearly beloved, if we have anything good at all, then we have it because of our gracious and merciful God. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James 1:17. Even the most difficult sufferings of our lives are gifts of God so that we might realize our need of Him and be led to Him! Most people who have found their peace and salvation in Christ, received Him in response to a great problem in their lives. We all have our problems and need His help, grace and salvation. It is the height of foolishness when we fail to accept His invitation. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28.

Whoever receives Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, becomes His child (John 1:2; 3:1–7; Romans 8:16). Much too often, we act like spoiled children and are not thankful. A baby thinks only on what it needs and wants. It takes a long time for us to think of others and learn to live for them. Some never learn this. They never recognize the work and love that others sacrifice for them, but they take everything for granted. “The world owes them everything!” This attitude is sad enough in those without Christ, but it is particularly sad in a child of God!

The happiest people in the world are those who love, praise and serve God (and others) in one of our Lord’s Churches! That is why Jesus Christ declared in Matthew 22:37,38 “ . . . Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. (38) This is the first and great commandment.” King David had much suffering during his life, but through that suffering, he really got to know his Savior and Lord. David’s recommendation is, “Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.” Psalm 67:5. David’s commitment was, “And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.” Psalm 35:28. The Church in Jerusalem was under persecution and gave this testimony in Acts 2:46,47 “And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, (47) Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”

Dearly beloved, if we had nothing to learn, if God did not command us to attend, if there were no precious souls to win, if we did not have His example and did not need to be strengthened, we would still need to attend God’s house simply to praise, thank and worship Christ for all the good that He has done unto us! We will be more joyful and experience more of His blessings, when we express our thankfulness and show it in our lives!

Once there came ten lepers to Jesus Christ, begging for healing. He healed them all, but only one of the ten (15) “...turned back and with a loud voice glorified God, (16) And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. (17) And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? (18) There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.” Luke 17:15–18. Do we not want to be that one of the ten that publicly glorified God and gave thanks? I certainly do! God forgive me when I have failed to be open and vocal in my thanks unto my Savior!

If all of those who found salvation through our German Church (and live in our area) would attend services Sunday to praise and serve God, there would not be enough room to hold them! If they would only follow Him, we could build a new building and win many more to Christ! How much more blessed would these be, if they would only learn to give God the glory in His Church. That is indeed where He desires to get His glory. Ephesians 3:20,21 “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, (21) Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” How can we give God the glory in the Church, if we are not there?

It is our special privilege, honor and duty to love, thank, honor and obey Christ in His Church.

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The ACLU

(American Civil Liberties Union)

The ACLU wants people to believe it is on their side, fighting for your rights. It is not really for your rights. It is not really the truth for the Christian. In reality, the ACLU is working to rob us of our religious liberties; they want to destroy our freedoms, and tear down the moral foundation of America. Here are the official ACLU policy positions.

The ACLU supports...

• Legalized child pornography

• Partial-birth abortion

• Legalized drugs

• Legalized prostitution

• Mandatory sex education

• Busing

• Ideological test for court appointees

• Legalized polygamy

• Tax-exempt status for Satanists

• Unrestricted abortion

• Publicly funded profane art

• Adoption by homosexuals

• Extended legal protection for enemy soldiers while bearing arms against the U.S.

The ACLU opposes....

• Legalized school prayer

• Parental consent laws

• Sobriety checkpoints and drug searches

• Prison terms for most crimes

• Medical safety reporting of AIDS cases

• Education vouchers

• Government ethics committees

• Abstinence-before-marriage sex education

• “God Bless America” banners on schools

• Pro-life demonstrations

• Religious displays in public

• Christian home schooling

• Our government’s post 911 security.

—Maranatha Baptist Watchman

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Da Vinci Film Funded by Muslim Money

The chairman of the Christian Film and Television Commission says The Da Vinci Code is an anti-Christian and anti-Semitic film that was financed by a British Muslim. Ted Baehr says Mohammed Yusef’s Invicta Capital put up most of the estimated $200 million it cost to make the film version of Dan Brown’s novel. Baehr told reporters at a Washington news conference, “I think it’s a very serious problem when people start funding movies and books to attack somebody else’s religious faith.” He said the financial backing for The Da Vinci Code reveals “a terrible double standard” by Muslims, who erupt in violent protests when they believe their own faith is being attacked. —Agape Press

Editor’s Comments: So now we get an even clearer view of the Da Vinci thing! Muslim money funded this major attack on the Christian faith! —Sword of the Lord 8/11/06

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News & Views

Edited by E. L. Bynum

(Editor’s Note: In our News & Views column we quote from many different sources. Please understand that this does not necessarily mean that we approve of all of the publications from which we quote.)

Religion of peace: “We were forced to convert to Islam at gunpoint. Don’t get me wrong here. I have the highest respect for Islam, and I learned a lot of good things about it, but it was something we felt we had to do because they had the guns, and we didn’t know what was going on.” —FNC’s kidnap victim, Steve Centanni —PatriotPost

A “church” here in Australia is very upset because a strip club opened up next to their cathedral. Who could blame them? Of course the problem is compounded by the fact that the building that the strip club is in is actually owned by the church! Seems this church was renting out the building for some time now (no doubt using the money for missions!) and had no problem with them serving alcohol. It was not until they brought in strippers that the church had any “problem” with what was being done next door. Serves (pun intended) them right for allowing their building to be used as a bar in the first place! —Mike Meredith

Wal-Mart, the largest retailer in the world, has asked for and received permission to join the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. The NGLCC is a leading promoter of homosexual marriage. Although Wal-Mart has never excluded homosexuals from being employees, customers, or suppliers, the company wanted to be more closely identified with promoting the homosexual agenda. Wal-Mart is now a “corporate member” of the NGLCC, putting their approval on the NGLCC’s efforts to abolish the definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman. A Wal-Mart vice president will serve as an advisor to the NGLCC, helping them promote homosexual marriage. Wal-Mart agreed to give $25,000 to the NGLCC and to pay for two conferences scheduled by NGLCC. Also, Wal-Mart will give homosexual-owned businesses special treatment when making purchases. Companies not owned by homosexuals will be moved down the list. NGLCC called Wal-Mart’s action “part of the company’s ongoing commitment to advancing diversity (homosexuality) among all of its associate, supplier and customer bases.”

Government Paid Abortion — MONTREAL, On August 17th 2006, Madam Justice Nicole Bénard of the Quebec Superior Court ordered the Government of Quebec to pay over $13,000,000 to Quebec women who had to pay extra fees for abortions at private centres since May 2, 1999. The Court granted a class action lawsuit by the pro-abortion activist association known as the Association for Access to Abortion. (LifeSiteNews, 8/18/06) Be sure this will not be the last time Madam Nicole will be reminded of this ruling. The Government of Quebec is not the only ones who are going to pay for these abortions. “Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him. ” (Nahum 1:6) [W. W. Mosley, hereafter WWM]

Are Our Borders Closed to This? — Churches that fail to put policies in place to lay out the kinds of functions their property can and cannot be used for by non-members are asking for trouble. If they deny someone the use of their facilities and cannot produce a policy to explain their decision, they risk being accused of discrimination, said Janet Epp Buckingham, director of law and public policy with the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada. (Today’s Family News, 8/16/06) It may be on the agenda to force Bible believing churches to permit homosexual marriages in their facilities. In America?? Remember our adversary, the Devil, is still walking about. (1 Pet. 5:8)

Is Gay Marriage on the Run? — In July alone, conservatives won in seven different states, including two monumental cases — New York and Washington — where state supreme courts handed down rulings against “gay marriage.” And in Nebraska, a federal appeals court panel reinstated that state’s marriage amendment, one year after it had been struck down as unconstitutional. (Baptist Press, 8/22/06) Be sure the homosexual agenda will not be swept under the rug. Liberal lawyers and the ACLU are not going to lie down or go away. It is refreshing to see a glimmer of hope for a sane society. Happiness is still for that people “whose God is the Lord.” (Psa. 144:15) —WWM

Warren on Fox News — Recently Fox News interviewed-purpose driven Rick Warren. One of Warren’s most recent endeavors is tackling the aids problem in Rwanda. He uses the right terms to face a gigantic enemy. When asked by the Fox News host, “Can Rick Warren save the world?” He gave the correct answer: “No, Rick Warren can’t, but Jesus can.” No Christian I know could possibly disagree with that! This is where the danger lurks behind the scene. Neither would the Catholics, New Evangelicals, Charismatics, Jehovah Witnesses, liberals and a myriad of other religions. When one talks of the Saviour and leaves sin unmentioned, ecumenicalism is quickly assured it faces no opposition. Not one word mentioned about the sin of homosexuality, which is the primary way HIV virus spreads. “Smooth things” always enhances ecumenism. The Gospel of Jesus Christ separates from religion. (Isa. 30:10; Rom. 1:16) —WWM

Did Harry Potter Do This? — “...the scale of her (J. K. Rowlings) wealth is such that it is hard to comprehend. It has been said she is richer than the Queen. She earns around £1million every three days. It is the kind of fortune it would be impossible to spend even if she stayed in that luxury pad in the Hamptons all year round.” (Daily Mail, 8/24/06) Rowlings is a multi-millionaire as a result of the multitude of people who dilly-dally with hocus-pocus incantations. Those who thank JKR for inspiring their child to enjoy reading, may well rue the day they heard of Harry Potter. Reciting ritualistic words of magic lies at the root of many who have gone the way of the Jim Jones crowd. What is thought of as innocent fun often ends in incurable fallacies. The apostles never followed “cunningly devised fables” to make known the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Pet. 1:16) Children will fare better as adults if they are brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. (Eph. 6:4) —WWM

Immorality of Rap Music — It stretches the imagination completely out of shape to call some of the noise some are listening to music. Regardless of how hot or cold the weather is, many such citizens have their windows down as though they did not want to deprive all other residents in town of missing anything. Although psychologists have said “their recent findings” of this music present a disturbing picture, Christian parents have warned their offspring often of the demeaning, immoral effect of such ‘entertainment(?).’ Demeaning, degrading, depictions in lyrics are sure to have an unfavorable effect on youth. The world system does not care about the moral development of our youth. Be aware of what music is available to your children. (Luke 17:2) —WWM

Child Molesters Sue OK — A Tulsa, OK (AP) reports that the ACLU has filed a lawsuit against Oklahoma and Tulsa Co. on behalf of sex offenders. “The lawsuit, filed Friday, claims that hundreds of people on OK’s sex-offender registry are being forced to move from their homes, leave their jobs and stop attending their churches as a result of recently enacted state laws.” (Altus Times, 9/3/06) Is the ACLU careless toward the heritage of the Lord? (Psa. 127:3) Are they thoughtless toward the mothers and fathers of these offended children? The obvious answer is, as a result of the side they readily take; their liberal feathers are always ruffled when right is enforced. “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isa. 5:20) —WWM)

The Chicken or The Egg? — American Leadership College deems itself “the most refined & respected self-empowerment” in leadership training in the world. On the home page of their web site is found: “You are a soul without a body, not a body with a soul.” They must have missed Gen. 2:7. “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” Adam became a living soul after his body was created. Neither would they heed the leadership of a country pastor who knows nothing except the teaching declared in the KJV. (1 Cor. 1:25–29) The Schuller duo must have spent time viewing, and accepting, this self-contained institute to become master of self. —WWM

Free To Spread Hatred — The editor of Aus. Ind. Baptist Newsletter reveals this from The Daily Telegraph, Sydney, AU, 8/26/06. “They spread leaflets in suburban Sydney calling for jihad to destroy Israel — but the Federal Government can find no reason to outlaw extremist group Hizb ut-Tahrir. The group produces and distributes a graphic pamphlet which claims Israel has no right to exist and uses key dates in the Muslim calendar to signal the coming destruction of the Jewish state.” The editor of AIBN responds: “After we, or our children and grandchildren, find ourselves living at the mercy of people with no mercy, what will future generations think of us, that we let this happen because we wanted to placate ‘world opinion’ by not acting ‘unilaterally’? We are fast approaching the point of no return.” AMEN!! —WWM

Tea Dumped — Now Beer? — Early Americans rebelled against that which taxed their welfare. This from WorldNetDaily, 9/5/06: “Miller Brewing Company is giving money to groups that support amnesty and citizenship for illegal aliens that have broken many of our laws. The last thing we need is more illegal aliens driving drunk and killing American citizens.” All who use Miller Beer are asked to boycott this booze industry. If every one who contributes to this manufacturer of human destruction would accept Christ as Saviour, they would go out of business for lack of customers. Likely, if many who claim to be saved would no longer drink Miller slop, their profits would diminish considerably. (Hab. 2:15) —WWM

The Appealingness of Sin — “The Ford Motor Corp. has decided that divorce just might sell cars and trucks. This bizarre conclusion is the only explanation for a new television ‘Bold Moves’ advertising series the company has undertaken.” (Mohler Radio, 8/30/06) Watching this presentation by FMC will captivate the imagination of sin-weakened souls. Mark Fields, FMC executive vice pres. has this to say: “What you will see is very original in execution, but very Ford at its heart. It starts to fulfill the promise we made in January, as part of our Way Forward plan, to think like our customers and see the world through their eyes.” It is difficult to believe that all Ford ‘customers’ think in the manner ‘ Bold Moves ’ is said to exhibit. “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he;..” (Psa. 23:7) —WWM

Seeking to Satisfy Sinners — “The Arizona Supreme Court ruled Aug. 31 that a proposed constitutional marriage amendment can appear on the November ballot, rejecting arguments by amendment opponents that the initiative violates the state constitution.” (BP, 9/5/06) This is the eighth state to place the marriage amendment on its ballots. This would ban ‘gay marriage’ and Vermont-style civil unions. Why should this need to be voted on? God has already set the standard and all should agree with Him. To disagree with the Creator is more than troublesome. “Ye shall therefore keep all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do them: that the land, whither I bring you to dwell therein, spue you not out.” (Lev. 20:22) —WWM

More Moral Degradation — The US Daily Mail reports that new rules will allow girls as young as 12 to be given the morning-after pill over the counter in pharmacies across the country without the knowledge of their parents. The morning-after pill first became available for sale to adults over the counter at chemists (pharmacists) in 2001. (LSN, 4/10/06) More and more the authority of parenthood is being attacked. Satan is leveling the greatest dismantling of parental influence ever upon society today than. Only a satanic influence can invent such demonic devices to create such havoc on the family. (Eccl. 7:29) “Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.” —WWM

It’s Being A Christian! — “The skeptics [of biblical record] sound like those disclaimers for certain drugs sold on TV: Side effects may include vomiting, hair loss, bleeding, dizziness and disorientation. The side effects of believing in Jesus may include loss of friends, disrespect by the academic and journalistic communities and damage to one’s career...” Cal Thomas (PatriotPost US, 4/12/06) There are no short-cuts to avoid the animosity of the world. It shouldn’t even be a surprise. (1 John 3:13) “Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.” (John 15:18) “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.” —WWM

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