By What Authority part 2

In an article produced in the Abilene Reporter News, by the title, Instrumental Music Coming to Highland church of Christ, Loretta Fulton described the behavior and attitude of so many in our world that have chosen to follow the practice and ideas of the world rather than standing firmly on the B.I.B.L.E. The main issue under discussion is the use of the instrument of music in worship. However, I want to discuss a few other items during our study because the author promotes the ideas that are prevalent in society that the church of Christ is just another denomination. 

In the first paragraph of the article, the author described the entrance of a band into worship by saying, “Longtime members of the Church of Christ (not church belonging to Christ but “Church of Christ” using it as a denominational name) may be stunned a year from now when they walk into the primary worship space of one of their flagship churches (using the Highland congregation as one that is high in the hierarchy among the denomination by her speech when the truth is each congregation is autonomous) and see an unfamiliar sight — a bandstand.”

In the second paragraph she writes, “A cappella music has been a tradition (no ma’am it is the authorized form of worship God has required of His people) and hallmark of the denomination (this time she doesn’t hint but comes right out with it) from its beginnings in the Restoration Movement of the early 19th century (I am not a member of a movement but was baptized into Christ and added by Him to the church established on His promises, purchased with His blood, and which began on the Day of Pentecost after His death, burial and resurrection as recorded in Acts 2).

Later in the article she writes about ACU saying that it is affiliated with the churches of Christ. I will talk more about the things mentioned in regard to ACU in further articles but let me just say that colleges, schools, and educational facilities for general studies are extensions of the home, not an extension of the church. Additionally, the church is not to get it’s marching orders from a school but instead is to follow the instruction of God found in the Bible. It doesn’t matter what any school would want or what some board declares is acceptable. It only matters what God has authorized. In the discussion about ACU and its students supporting the move by Highland, we are told that instrumental music is included in the Thursday chapel sessions that students attend. The school’s position shouldn’t matter to an eldership or a congregation. The Bible is our source of how we worship God.

Additionally, since they consider us to be a denomination, they use the fact that congregations in larger cities use instrumental music so then it must be authorized for all congregations. The author brings up a congregation in DFW called The Hills (formerly Richland Hill church of Christ) as an example. The group at The Hills went through a similar process as the Highland congregation. Jonathan Storment (the preacher at Highland) used to be the preacher at The Hills. He stated that some opposed the decision but “now they like what they see.” The authority is not the opinions of men.

Amazingly, they even bring in denominations and sinful satellite churches as examples of authority in using the instrument. Many of the ACU students attend Grace Fellowship (a satellite church which is a “ministry of Highland”), Beltway Park Baptist Church, United Methodist and other denominations so they can have worship the way they want it.

What we do in worship is not determined by denomination, tradition, other congregations, a movement, a university, student opinion, preacher opinion, or denominational practice. Our worship is only to follow the authority of God (John 4:24).

By What Authority? part 1

In John 7, Jesus was attacked by the religious leaders of His day, challenging His teaching and His lack of form education. Jesus responded saying, “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me. If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God whether I speak on My own authority. He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him. Did not Moses give you the law, yet none of you keeps the law?” (John 7:16-19). Jesus powerfully declared that if we want to know what is right in accordance with God’s will, we can know the truth. We can examine evidence and know what is right and wrong.

The problem we see today is that people are unwilling to do the examination of what is and what is not authorized. People are not willing to open their Bibles and examine God’s word in comparison with man’s ideas. We must take the approach of those noble Berean brethren who did not take Paul’s teaching at face value but searched the Scriptures daily to find out what was right and what was wrong (Acts 17:11). Sadly, too many follow the example set by the scribes and Pharisees who had created their own man-made rules. They condemned the disciples of Jesus for not following their man-made rules. But Jesus made it very clear that these so called spiritual leaders were not keeping the Law of God, teaching instead the commandments of men. He said of them, “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me, and in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:1-9).

I wish I could say that was the last time men created their own system of worship and that everyone has turned back to seeking a “thus says the Lord” in all that they do. Even though we can know God’s will and we should reject man’s will, such is not always the case.

Case in point: this past week the Abilene Reporter News ran an article about the Highland church of Christ and their present plan for worship. The article is one that makes me sick at my stomach and angry at the same time. It is so frustrating how the article portrays the church that Jesus purchased with His own blood. It is aggravating to hear of the world view of the church and their exuberance in these erring brethren changing worship. It is heart breaking to hear of a group of people thinking they can do whatever they want in worship (Cf. John 4:24).

Over the next few weeks I am going to deal with this article and the actions of the people that worship at Highland as well as their satellite congregation. There is so much to deal with that one article cannot get it done. I encourage you to read this article each week as we study the errors of the people and the importance of sticking to God’s Word in worship and practice.

Paul challenged the Colossians saying “If you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulation…according to the commandments and doctrines of men? These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion…but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh” (Col. 2:20-23). This “self-imposed religion” (called “will worship” in the KJV), is nothing more than man choosing his own ways over the will of God. This self-chosen worship and self-chosen religion will condemn a soul to eternal punishment when this world is over.

The question is not “do I like it, want it, feel it is good” but “what does God say and what does He expect from me?” In coming weeks, we will discuss the subject in detail. It is too important to let slip by. Stick with us and study your Bible!

The Straight Way (Psalm 5)

There is a deep desire in most of us to be heard. We want others to consider our ideas, thoughts and suggestions as important and worthwhile. Like the little child saying, “Watch me” or “Listen to me,” we cry out to God begging for Him to listen to our hearts. David wanted God to hear his groaning (v.1). He wanted God to listen to his cry (v.2). Every morning, he cried out to the Lord for guidance (v.3). He knew that God would hear His children (and He still does).

What about those who are not faithful to God? God doesn't take pleasure in the wickedness or evil (v.4). David declared, “You hate all workers of iniquity” (v.5). The Psalmist said that there are consequences for those who are sinful, who lie, who are bloodthirsty and who are deceitful (v.6). No, it isn't politically correct to say that God is not pleased with everyone...but it is the truth. Sin is sin because God said it is sin. Man’s opinion is not the standard on what is right and wrong.

Too often we try to do everything our own way. Like those in Judges 17:6, many in our world do whatever is right in their own eyes. Those who choose to make their own path in this world rather than submitting to God’s will are losing the greatest blessing they could ever have: the ear of the God of heaven who is ready to listen and help His children. Those who choose their own path have gone away from the path that would take them to heaven.

Rather than taking matters into our own hands, we must submit to God and follow Him. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Prov. 3:5,6).  

This being the case, we need to walk where the Lord leads us and guides us through His word (Ps. 119:105). The Lord will lead us in righteousness and provides for us the straight way (v.8; Cf: Ps. 23; Matt. 7:13,14). Then, as His faithful children, we can cry out for Him to listen and He will hear us. We will be able to cast our cares, worries, fears and burdens on Him because He cares for us (1 Pet. 5:7).

If you are not walking along the straight way, let me help you start heading in the right direction.

Washed in the Blood

Aaron and his sons were to be consecrated for the purpose of preparing them to lead the Children of Israel spiritually as they were instructed by God. God gave instruction that a ram was to be killed and the blood was to placed on the tip of the right ear of Aaron and his sons. Blood was to be put on the thumb of their right hand as well as the big toe of their right foot (Exodus 29:20; Leviticus 8:23).

These actions would signify that Aaron and his sons were cleansed and dedicated to God. Everything they heard, everything they did, and everywhere they went, they were God’s man. They were to be dedicated to hearing God’s word. They were to exercise holiness in doing God’s will. They were to walk carefully in doing God’s service. They were chosen for a  special service and were to act like it.

 

A similar set of instructions is given in Leviticus 14:14-19,25-28, in regard to cleansing the leper. He was to bring his lamb for the priests to make an offering for him in which, they would take blood and dip it on his right ear, right thumb, and right big toe. This action would be followed by a repeated action using oil. If the person could not afford the two male lambs, one ewe lamb, three-tenths of an ephah of fine flower mixed with oil and one log of oil, they could bring one male lamb, one-tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil, a log of oil and either two turtledoves or two young pigeons. For the poor, the same actions would be taken: the lamb would be offered and the blood would be put on the right ear, right thumb, and right big toe, making atonement and cleansing his condition.

 

Today, Christians are washed in the blood of the lamb. “…Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood…” (Revelation 1:5). The blood of bulls and goats wasn’t good enough to take away the sins of the world but the blood of Christ, which was offered by Christ Himself, without spot, will cleans us from dead works to serve a living God (Hebrews 9:13,14). Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sins (Hebrews 9:22). Jesus’ offering of Himself made possible that remission of sins. “For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matthew 26:28). We have been redeemed by “the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:19).

 

The offering of His life on the cross made possible our eternal life as it made atonement for our sins. “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). His blood became a propitiation for our sins, that is He covered our sins with His blood (1 John 4:9,10). “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, who God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of one who has faith in Jesus” (Romans 3:23-26). Our sins are covered and we are justified by the blood of the Lamb.

 

We come in contact with the blood of Christ in baptism. In baptism we receive the remission of sins (Acts 2:38); we have our sins washed away (Acts 22:16); when we repent and are converted, our sins are blotted out and we will have seasons of refreshing (Acts 3:19); we are buried and baptized into His death (Romans 6:3,4); and we are added to the church by the Lord (Acts 2:47).

 

As Christians, we ought to walk even as Christ walked (1 John 2:6). Just as with the high priest, the priests and the lepers who needed to be cleansed, in everything we hear, everything we do and every where we go, we will be God’s man. We should strive to hear God’s word for it guides our way (Psalm 119:105). We should be involved in godly works (Titus 2:14; Ephesians 2:10). We should walk in His paths (Matthew 7:13,14; John 14:6; Proverbs 3:5,6).

 

Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? If not, why not?

Safe and Secure (Psalm 4)

Young children do not sleep well when the winds blow and lightning strikes. Neither do their parents rest when the storms of life threaten. The good news is that God will make us safe and secure. The Psalmist cried out, “Hear me when I call...Have mercy on me and hear my prayer” (v.1). Just as our children cry out, “mamma” or “daddy”, we cry out to our Father, “help me.” When we struggle with worries and fears, we can receive the mercy of God as He gives us relief from the stresses of life as we cry out to Him in prayer.  

Our God hears the prayers of the godly (v.3). Too often in life, we allow the difficulties of life to bring us low. Instead, we can meditate on God and His will for our lives which will calm the storms we face in life (v.4). We can trust that He will answer our prayers. It is comforting to know that someone is listening and cares for us. With this comfort and confidence, we can pour out our hearts to God who will provide our hearts with gladness (vs.5-7). Understand that when God hears our prayers, the joy He brings us is greater than the best harvest you have ever seen (v.7).

Even though the storms of life come our way from time to time, because we live godly lives (and I hope you do), God hears our prayers and gives us peace (v.8). When God is protecting you, it is easy to lie down in peace, to have a good night’s rest, knowing that you are safe and secure in the arms of God.

If you do not know God, and are searching for the safety and security that only He can provide, don't hesitate to contact me. I would love to help you

The Work of Christ

Christ died to REDEEM us (Titus 2:11-14)
·        Deliverance from evil by payment of a price
·        Ransom: deliver a prisoner of war

Died because of our offenses and was raised for our justification (Rom. 4:24,25)

·        Problem: sin
·        Solution: payment for sin – blood of Christ
·        Justified = just-as-if-I’d never sinned

He lives to save (Heb. 7:25; 1 Tim. 2:3-6)

·        He wants our salvation
·        Requires knowledge of His will
·        Jesus is the go between; mediator; intercessor; ransomed us bringing salvation

When our mind is focused on Him, He will bring us in to glory (Col. 3:1-4)

·        Focused on God and His will for our life
·        Benefit: Jesus us will bring us into Glory

The Loving Father Listens

There are times in our lives when the pressures of this life beat down upon us with such intensity that it is hard to pick oneself up and keep going. In times like these, it doesn’t seem anything will work out the way we hoped. Then when we try to talk to others about our pain and suffering it seems nobody wants to listen. On these occasions, it would be easy to just give up and throw in the towel. Don’t be hasty! Never forget that God loves you and He will listen to you.

In Exodus 2, we are told of Moses’ actions stopping an Egyptian from beating a fellow Hebrew. He killed the Egyptian and buried him in the sand. The next day, Moses stopped two Hebrews from fighting. The response was “Do you intend to kill me as you did the Egyptian?” Moses knew that his actions would be found out. Rather than being a source of strength for the Israelites, a deliverer of the children of God, and a source of power to stop the bondage, Moses was looked at in a negative light. Moses fled to Midian and tended flocks for Jethro.

In the process of time (40 years — Moses being content living with Zipporah, his wife, serving his father in law) things did not get better for the children of Israel. They “groaned because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry came up to God because of the bondage” (Exodus 2:23). God’s children, His chosen people, were crying out for help. They were hurting. They were oppressed. They were forced into labor. They needed help. They needed a deliverer. They cried out to God who not only would hear, but would respond to help His children.

God Hears His Children: God heard their groaning (2:24). He heard their cry (3:7,9). When a father hears the cry of his children, he wants to help and does whatever he can to provide for his loved one (Cf. Matt. 7:7-12). God, our Father, hears our cries (1 Peter 5:7). When others do not seem to care, when it seems others will not listen, take your heartache to the Father.

God Knows Our Sorrows: God knew the sorrow felt by the children of Israel because of the taskmasters (3:7). Likewise, God knows our hearts (Luke 16:15). The Father knows what we need before we ask (Matt. 6:8). God will supply all our need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:19). Because of the great gift of Jesus Christ, we can come “boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16). God knows and sympathizes with our pain.

God Watches Over Us: God looked upon the children of Israel (2:25). He saw their oppression (3:7,9). “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cries” (Ps. 34:15; 1 Pet. 3:12). As much as we try to look out for one another, we cannot always be there. As much a blessing as it is to have a judicial system to punish the evil, and law enforcement to help enforce and execute the laws, harm sometimes comes upon us. The best security system in the world cannot guarantee that they will be there for us when we really need them. However, we have a Father who is always watching over us. What comfort it should bring to us to know that God is always there for us.

God Remembers His Promises: God remembered His covenant with Abraham (2:23). It isn’t that God had forgotten, but that the time had come to deliver on His promise. The children of Israel were about to start home. This is good news for Christians. God will keep His promises. We can trust Him. He is faithful and just (1 John 1:7-9). God has promised those who obey Him eternal life and one day, He will deliver.

God Knows His Children: God acknowledged them (2:25). God knows those who are His (2 Tim. 2:19). He cares about us and recognizes us as His.

God Delivers The Oppressed: God came down to deliver His children out of the Egyptian bondage (3:8). God sent Moses to lead the people to the promised land of Canaan. Our loving Father sent His Son, Jesus, the Christ, to be our Savior. He delivered us from sin, bondage and death.

When times get tough, remember, God knows His children, watches over us, hears our cries, knows our sorrows, keeps His promises, and will and has delivered us from oppression. Our loving Father is listening!

Psalm 3 - Trust in the Lord

From time to time, problems and the stresses in life get to us. When we are discouraged, it is common for us to hang our heads. Rather than moping around, let us understand that the Lord is our shield and He will lift up our heads (v.3). The Lord is our source of encouragement.

There are times when we feel like we are under attack. We may be afraid and unsure of ourselves or our future. In the last few weeks, with my health issues and suffering a heart attack, there were many fears and most of the things I struggled with in my mind were things that I couldn’t do anything about. But one thing I knew. Like David, I knew where to turn. I too “cried to the Lord with my voice” (v.4). Things were happening to me that are beyond my knowledge. I met new doctors, nurses, technicians, EMT’s and so many more whom I did not know. But I know God who does have the knowledge and He is the one who is really in control. So I prayed and I am confident He heard me, and I am thankful for it.

There are also times in life when no matter what we do, everything seems to blow up in our faces. After a steady diet of failure, our appetites begin to fail us. Nothing seems to satisfy our cravings. When we lay down at night, we don’t get any rest. The good news is that the Lord sustains us (v.5). He provides me with rest and satisfaction from hunger (Matthew 11:28-30; 5:6). He provides the spiritual and physical needs we have when we put Him first (Matthew 6:33).

We probably do not have ten thousands of people (or our children) against us to kill us and take our position, like David. We may not have to flee for our lives and worry about what might happen in our sleep. Even so, we all have times when we struggle with things of this world. I assure you that on my first night home from the hospital, I was a little fearful to go to sleep. I had been taken care of every moment of the day for 6 days straight by some of the best people I have ever met (Hendrix Hospital). And now, I had to go to sleep at home, without a blood pressure cuff, IV ports, someone checking my blood sugar every couple hours and administering meds and being hooked up to machines measuring every process of my heart. Like David I prayed, “Save me, O my God!” In Him, I could rest.

The true source of encouragement, rest and spiritual fulfillment is found in the salvation of the Lord (v.8). Without the Lord, we are lost and have no hope. The good news is that Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). There is no other name wherein we can be saved (Acts 4:12). If you are searching for encouragement, rest, sustaining power, and salvation, they are found in the Lord. No matter what you may be going through, there is hope. No matter how difficult your battle, God can deliver you. If I can help you meet the Lord, let me know. It will save your life and give you a new heart.

How To Get A Wife (or Husband)

Ever wonder if the Bible has any tips on how to find the right girl or boy, the girl or boy of your dreams?  There is some good news.  There are many examples found in the Bible of how men found their wives.  Consider some of these suggestions from the book, “Still More Hot Illustrations:”

1. Find an attractive prisoner of war, bring her home, shave her head, trim her nails, and give her new clothes. Then she is yours (Deuteronomy 21:10-13).

2. Find a prostitute and marry her (Hosea 1:1-3).

3. Find a man with seven daughters and impress him by watering his flock (Moses – Exodus 2:16-21).

4. Purchase a piece of property and get a woman as part of the deal (Boaz – Ruth 4:5-10).

5. Go to a party and hide. When the women come out to dance, grab one and carry her off to be your wife (Judges 21:19-25).

6. Have God create a wife for you while you sleep. But be careful; it’ll cost you a rib (Adam – Genesis 2:19-24).

7. Agree to work seven years in exchange for a woman’s hand in marriage. Get tricked into marrying the wrong woman, then work another seven years for the woman you wanted to marry in the first place (Jacob – Genesis 29:15-30).

8. Become the emperor of a huge nation and hold a beauty contest (Xerxes – Esther 2:3,4).

9. When you see someone you like, go home and tell your parents, “I have seen a woman I like. Now get her for me.” If your parents question your decision, simply say, “Get her for me. She’s the one for me” (Samson – Judges 14:1-3).

10. Don’t be so picky. Make up for quality with quantity (Solomon – 1 Kings 11:1-3).

Okay, Okay, so you don’t think these are good options. You are probably thinking, “Denny is crazy.” Well, that may be true, but the suggestions above are not to be seriously followed. In fact, I would not recommend these as good examples of ways in which a Christian would choose a bride.

How can the Christian choose a wife or a husband? How can we choose a mate that will help us to have a productive and joyful life on earth and who will help us to go to heaven? 

1. What are some of the things the Christian should look for in a mate?

2. We want to find someone who understands that God designed the home (Genesis 2:18-25).

3. We want to find someone that understands that marriage is to last until “death do us part” (1 Corinthians 7).

4. We want to find someone who understands that God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16) and who understands that God allows divorce only in the event of fornication (Matthew 19:3-9).

5. We want to find someone who understands that the husband and wife are joint-heirs of the grace of life (1 Peter 3:7).

Where are we going to find such a person? I suggest that we start by looking at the life of the person we choose to date:

Look for a person who loves God. The lawyer asked, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus asked the man what the law said. The response was, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind” (Luke 10:25-27). This person will want to do what is right in Gods eyes in everything they do. They will understand that if they truly love God, they must keep His commands (1 John 5:3). This person will want to train his or her children according to God’s will. This person will be the best employee or employer, neighbor, friend, and member of the community that he or she can be, knowing that his or her influence could bring others to Christ. This person will want to please God in all that he or she does.

Look for a person who loves his or her fellow man. The lawyer continued the above quotation by saying that one should love “thy neighbor as thyself” (verse 27). Jesus said, “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; even as I have loved you, that ye also love one another” (John 13:34). In what has been called the “Golden Rule” Jesus said, “All things therefore whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do ye also unto them” (Matthew 7:12). This person would not ask another to do something that would cause harm or hurt. This person would consider the virtue of another more important than fulfilling his or her own lusts. This person would be respectful and humble, treating others with honor. This person would understand that the value of a soul is the price of blood, Jesus’ blood, and would treat each person they come in contact with accordingly. 

There are many other characteristics, which should be considered in choosing a mate, but these two are the best place to start: one who loves God and who loves his or her fellow man.

Serve the Lord (Psalm 2:11,12)

Having the proper respect and reverence for God is essential. The Psalmist declared that we are to serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling. The fear and trembling that we have is a reverence, respect, and awe for God, not a feeling of doom. Christians are to work out their own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). Godly fear is demonstrated when we humble ourselves, submitting to the will of the Lord. There is a judgment day coming. Unless we serve the Lord with godly fear, we have no hope of eternal life.

Serving the Lord requires a proper attitude toward instruction. David wrote, “Kiss the Son, lest He be angry” (Ps. 2:12). This is a phrase that means that we should embrace discipline or be willing to receive instruction. Our attitude ought to be one of a willingness to receive correction from the Lord. Proper service to God means that we will admit our faults and work to make our lives acceptable to God. Rather than an attitude that says, “you can’t tell me what to do,” we should submit to God’s will in our lives. Let us strive to study the Bible each day and make changes to our lives accordingly.

The good news is that when we serve the Lord in godly fear, and listen to His instruction, we will grow in faith (Romans 10:17) and we will be blessed. David continued, “Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him” (Ps. 2:12). Do you want to live a blessed life? Then submit to God in reverence, making changes to your life according to the word of God, and put your faith completely in God. You will be rewarded with an abundant life (John 10:10).