The Gospel Spotlight
(Electronic Edition)
(Romans 1:16)
“For I am not
ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation . . .
.”
September
The Gospel Spotlight is a
publication of
the
Editor and Evangelist
Don McClain - donmccla@msn.com
Contents
–
Taking
A Stand - By Don McClain
Goodbye
"Virtues" Hello "Values" - By David
Diestelkamp
Christianity
A Taught Religion - Frank Jamerson
How
To Have A Quite Child In Worship - -Foster L. Ramsey in: The
Minister's Monthly.
Immaturity - Robert F. Turner
A
Lion In The Way -
Working For The Devil ---Gospel Minutes via The Instructor.
Taking
A Stand
By Don McClain
We live in an age of compromise, and tolerance – where truth is subjective, fluid, and relevant, where each and every individual is left to define truth for himself. It has come to the point in our society that the only person who is really looked down on with disdain is the person who refuses to compromise his belief’s, - and who speaks out concerning that which God says is right and wrong. We as Christians cannot yield to such pressure – we MUST "stand fast in the Lord," (Phili. 4:1; 1 Thes. 3:8).
The word "Stand" appears some 249 times in the NKJV. Many of these times it is used figuratively, emphasizing our need to remain steadfast, firm and secure, – being unchanged by the pressures and temptations from those in the world, and holding fast to that which is good and right, and thereby remaining in favor with God. Our future depends on how and where we stand! – (1 Cor 15:1,58).
We cannot remain silent concerning the decrease of moral and ethical virtues - nor can we compromise the truth upon which we must stand. Teen pregnancy has increased some 500 percent over the last thirty years, - divorce, dishonesty, disrespect, drug and alcohol use, violence, suicide, and other pathologies all have reached epidemic proportions, – Why? …. Could it be that our government has failed to spend enough money on preventative and educational programs? Could it be that drive by shootings and kids carrying guns to school are the results of ineffective gun control laws? These solutions only attack the symptoms of a much greater problem.
The underlying problem is that so many have lost their moral underpinnings; their foundational belief in morality and truth has been eroded. Many people don’t seem to know "right from wrong," which stems primarily from an individual rejection of God’s word as being absolute truth. Because of this faulty concept, people refuse to live by God’s instructions and judgments, thus resulting in their own moral decay. This begins a domino effect – i.e., - the breakup of the home and a departure from its design and function as defined and described in the Bible. Therefore, since the home is the foundation of society – it certainly doesn’t take a right wing religious fanatic to understand what will inevitably happen as the result of this foundation being cracked and crumbling? What does the future hold when almost eight in ten (79 percent) of our youth see divorce as a viable solution to a problem marriage, and just under half, (47 percent) see family as a crucial element of American society?
Don’t think that religion in and of itself is the answer to such problems! In fact so-called religion, (having general reference to the numerous religious bodies of our day), has done more to cause the problem than to help cure it. Denominationalism and other forms of religious division have created a very skeptical view of religion in general. But, not only that, the teachings of these numerous religious bodies, (as a matter of self justification), have taught for years that, "One church is as good as another," –and - "Your interpretation is just as goood as mine." – and – "We are all going to heaven, just on different roads." What, may I ask have these teachings done in principle to the very concept of truth as presented in the Bible? Does it take a genius to realize that when one views the truth as being subjective and fluid that the very concept of truth in that persons mind has been destroyed?
We MUST
understand that ones religion is right or wrong based upon whether or not it is
in conformity with the Divine standard – the absolute truth as revealed in the
word of God! My interpretation of a passage is either right or wrong – and I am
either on the right road or the wrong road, (Mat.
With such broadening of truth in both society and the religious realm, is it any wonder that our society is sinking deeper and deeper into the oppression of immorality, and the quagmire of abominable practices? Adding fuel to this problem is that those who know "right from wrong" refuse to stand for what’s right, and refuse to take a stand against that which is wrong. The Psalmist asks – "Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? Who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?" (94:16) … Will it be you and I? (Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people Proverbs 14:34).
You may
ask, "What can I do? How would my taking a stand against sin and for
righteousness make a difference? I am only one person?" You must realize
that God is looking for individuals to stand in the breach - "So I
sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but
I found no one." (Ezekiel 22:30). True you are but one man, and I am
one man, – but if this is your argument for not "Taking a Stand,"
then you need to get off this "Elijah complex," (1 Kings
First of
all we must start with ourselves. Each one must take a stand against sin in
his/her own life. Paul says to ….. "Put on the
full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of
the devil." (Ep. 6:11). How can we
effectively stand against the evils in society when we haven’t effectively
removed sin from our own lives? (Mat. 7:5) First, we must be reconciled to God
through Christ – through faith, being baptized into Christ, resulting in our
sins being washed away, and being raised to walk in newness of life, (Ep. 2:16; Acts 22:16; Rom. 6:1-6). Having turned our backs
on sin and the world, we begin our service in righteousness, (
Secondly,
we need to take our place in the ranks along side others who have also
determined to take a stand against all unrighteousness, with those who are
willing to defend the faith which was once and for all delivered to the saints,
(Jude 3). Standing for the truth as God has revealed it, (2 Tim.
Ø "stand perfect and complete in all the will of God." (Col. 4:12)
Ø "stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle." (2 Thes. 2:15)
Ø "stand by faith." (Ro. 11:18)
Ø "stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong." (1 Cor. 16:13)
Ø
"stand in the temple
and speak to the people all the words of this life." (Acts
Ø Remember therefore:
Ø "the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous." (Psalm 1:5)
Ø "For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ." (Romans 14:10)
All it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing! ________ DM
Goodbye "Virtues" Hello "Values"
By David Diestelkamp
When is the
last time you heard someone on the street use the word "virtue?" The
dictionary doesn't note it as an archaic word, but I fear that it is headed in
that direction. Society, rather than decrying the death of virtue, is instead
hailing its replacement -- "values."
Virtues are
things of "intrinsic eminence, moral goodness" (Vines Expository
Dictionary). They are things which are in and of themselves important and
morally right. Their attainment is therefore considered excellence and worthy
of praise (Phil. 4:8). Unfortunately, standards this high and unyielding have
fallen on hard times today.
The term
"values" seems innocent enough on the surface when viewed only as
things of estimated worth. Webster's New World College Dictionary takes it
another step farther in showing its modern usage: "the social principles,
goals, or standards held or accepted by an individual, class, society,
etc." Even this may not seem so serious until one realizes that this
concept of values recognizes no standard outside of self.
Remember,
virtues carry with them the authority of a standard. Individual actions can
therefore be compared to an objective standard, not simply weighed by mere
feelings, concepts, or philosophies. But values are based on searching your own
mind and life in order to find self-fulfillment, inner peace, a sense of
acceptance, etc. A value is essentially what you like or love to do. It is not an ought to, but a want to. Actions can then only be judged
based on how well they express what is desired or whether they are consistent
with a chosen lifestyle.
In school
our children are often given exercises designed to "clarify" their
values. In other words, they are challenged to search within themselves to find
what they feel is of worth. They are learning to emphasize feelings and
personal growth from tapping inner power, rather than being taught to look to
objective standards and listening to the aged voice of wisdom and reason. This
is symptomatic of a society that is developing the inability to distinguish
between personal preference and matters of moral obligation.
Of course,
values can be virtues, but they don't have to be. Often values are simply
opinions, feelings, preferences, even personal quirks and obsessions. It can be
anything anyone happens to think is of value at any time, for any reason. This
is at the heart of the appeal of the modern virtues concept -- all distinctions
and differences are therefore either ignored or seen as inconsequential.
Everyone has their own values and they are seen to be as good as anyone else's.
Therefore a sort of moral equality is seen to exist even when preferences and
lifestyles differ -- no one is right and no one is wrong, they are simply being
true to their personal values system.
While it is
true that we make our life's decisions based on what we value, we must base our
sense of worth on something greater than fallible inner passion. Paul Earnhart once said, "The inner light is the worst form
of illumination -- it is based only on self."
We must
reach out to what the world rejects and ignores. Lost in modern values is an
infallible standard upon which to make moral choices. In turn, moral choice
itself seems to disappear along with its consequences, principles, character,
and responsibility. But we know that Scripture is "profitable for
doctrine, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God
may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Tim.
The worst
of mankind still has some sort of values, but the righteous will be satisfied
with no less than virtue. We must see the importance of adding virtue to our
faith (2 Pet. 1:5), for it is to "glory and virtue" that God calls us
(2 Pet. 1:3).
Christianity A Taught Religion
by Frank Jamerson
Under Judaism, or the Old
Law, people were born into God's family by having Jewish parents, and then they
had to be taught to "know the Lord." Jeremiah, the prophet, said that
the day would come when "they shall teach no more every man his neighbor
and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord; for they shall all know me,
from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith
the Lord..." (Jeremiah 31:34). This passage is quoted in Hebrews 8 and
applied to the New Testament. Therefore, under the New Covenant, people must be
taught to "know the Lord" before they can enter God's family.
Jesus emphasized the
importance of teaching when he said, "It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every
man therefore that hath heard from the Father, and hath learned, cometh unto
me" (John
Every child of God should
learn to teach others. The writer of Hebrews said, "For when by reason of
time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need again that some one teach you the
rudiments of the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as
have need of milk, and not solid food" (Hebrews 5:12). Paul told Timothy,
"And the things which thou hast heard from me among many witnesses, the
same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also"
(2 Timothy 2:2).
Christianity cannot be
inherited. A person who was "raised in the church" (by parents who
were Christians), does not automatically enter God's family. God has no
grandchildren! Each person must be taught the word. Many who were "raised
in the church" have left their "inherited religion" because they
were not taught. Both parents and churches have neglected to plant the seed
while the ground was receptive. We must not assume that our children will grow
up believing the truth, we must teach them!
Infants cannot be in the
church. Under the Old Covenant, those who were born of Jewish parents were
automatically in God's chosen family, but having Christian parents does not
make one a Christian. Children must be "taught to know the Lord"
before they can obey Him, just as their parents had to be taught. This implies
that when children grow to the age of accountability, they must act
individually. Sin is not inherited; neither is forgiveness.
The truth must be obeyed.
Jesus said, "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you
free" (John
The importance of teaching
the word should be recognized by every child of God. The job of teaching the
lost world is too big to be left to a few "full time" workers. Every
Christian should be awake to the importance of teaching the truth.
The rapid growth of the early
church was the result of "teaching." Those who were scattered from
via Guardian of Truth,
How To Have A Quite Child In
Worship - -
Foster L.
Ramsey in: The Minister's Monthly.
It is not
only desirable for adults to observe quietness in worship but it is also
desirable for children. Most children are naturally noisy,
therefore it is necessary that they be taught to be quiet. That this is the
responsibility of parents is a fact that is clearly understood by most people.
We think that there are some definite steps to be taken by parents in order to
teach children to be quiet during the worship hour. These suggestions are given
below with a desire to be helpful in this matter.
TEACH YOUR
CHILD OBEDIENCE. This must be started at an early age. It must be done before
the worship. In the home is the place to teach obedience, and it must be a
daily practice. The demand for obedience cannot be relaxed by the parent at
anytime.
TAKE CARE
OF YOUR CHILD YOURSELF. You are the parent. Your child is your responsibility.
Your child looks to you for guidance, and will mor readily obey you than someone else. (If you are the proper kind of a parent, CRS). (Aunts,
uncles, grandparents and others, should leave children
to their parents).
SET AN
EXAMPLE OF QUIETNESS NOT ONLY AT WORSHIP, BUT AT ALL TIMES. Shouting at a child
encourages the child to shout back. If you are constantly talking during
worship, expect you’re child to do the same thing. Refusing to allow shouting
and screaming in the home will encourage the child to be quiet in the worship.
IF THE
CHILD CONTINUES TO BE NOISY IN THE AUDITORIUM, MAKE USE OF THE NURSERY. Then
after quiet has been restored, take the child back into the auditorium. The
taking out should never be an enjoyable experience, but, if necessary it should
be the opposite. A little palm-oil, or peach tree tea, applied in the proper
place, usually has a silencing effect.
KEEP YOUR
CHILD WITH YOU. This is especially essential in pre-teen ages; at least you
should sit where you can easily see and control your child. All the noise is
not made by the infants. Leaving the auditorium should be kept at a minimum.
Following
these suggestions should have the correct results. They will not come
over-night, but only after diligence practice and effort. -----Foster L.
Ramsey in: The Minister's Monthly.
Immaturity
Robert F. Turner
Irresponsible,
shortsighted, rash and selfish conduct is often proof of immaturity. But we do
not refer to years. People sixty and above may be immature — acting like little
children when they do not get their way, or are forced to face the realities of
this life. They are incapable of objectivity, their pride is easily hurt, and
they throw a tantrum. That is bad enough in secular life, but it can be tragic
in the church.
Bible
knowledge maturity is found in those who dwell on something more than first
principles (Heb 5:12f). They have learned that justice, mercy, and faith are
the grounds upon which their concern for tithes of mint, anice
and cummin can have validity. Ignore the first, and
one becomes an hypocritical nit-picker with all else
(Matt
People-dealing
maturity comes only after we learn that we are all sinners (Rom
Doctrinal
maturity is not compromise with error. It is simply wisdom enough to know we do
not know it all. The babe paddles wildly about on the surface of the water,
loudly proclaiming his domination of the seas; but maturity is aware of the
unexplored depths below. The fool has an answer, the wise, a
reason.
Paul told
Timothy to "flee youthful lusts" and "foolish and
unlearned questions avoid" (2 Tim 2:22f). There is no "instant
maturity" for any of us. We must start with instructions to youth, and "by
reason of use" we may "grow up" in Christ. All of us
are in the process in many facets of the Christian life, not having attained
(Phil 3:12f). We can be patient and tolerant of blustering spiritual babes
without appointing them as elders, preachers, and editors. In time, with enough
milk and nurture, we may all learn to act like men.
A Lion In
The Way
The Old
Testament portrait of the one-talent man is couched in the words of a proverb
which states: "The sluggard saith, There is a
lion in the way; A lion in the streets" (Prov.
26:13). Actually the statement contains two different words for lion and gets
bolder at the end. What the slothful man really says is that there is a
"lion" in the way -- a "fierce roaring" lion in the
streets. As the one-talent man the sluggard is merely making excuses for his
inactivity, which might result from a number of things.
FEAR.
Brethren often bury their talents because they are paralyzed by fear. They
would call a wayward brother but they are afraid they will not say the right
thing or that they will say the wrong thing. They don't act for fear of hurting
someone's feelings or that they might discourage them even more. Remember, the
one-talent man had hardly begun speaking when he said, "I was afraid"
(Matt. 25:25). So he went away, buried his talent, and accomplished nothing for
his master.
EXCUSES. What we
know about the one-talent man and the sluggard of the proverb is that they were
both simply making excuses. As someone said, "If you don't want to do
something, one excuse is as good as another." Can you imagine someone
today excusing themselves from going to work because they might get hit by a
dump-truck? We laugh at such an idea. But the same is true when brethren excuse
themselves from attending services, teaching a class, or preparing their Bible
lessons for reasons just as flimsy.
LAZY. The basis of the one-talent man's problem was that he, as
Jesus notes in the story, was "slothful"; he was lazy. Lots of us are
physically lazy. We put off mowing the yard, fixing the door knob, or repairing
the fence until we have to do it. We can get by with this for a time, but
spiritually we simply must not put off assemb- ling,
studying, praying, visiting the sick, encouraging the
fainthearted, fulfilling our roles as mates and parents. We offer excuses for
these failures, but the truth is that we are lazy.
WICKED. The
problem with spiritual laziness is that it is wicked; neglect is sinful. Note
Jesus' words to the one-talent man: "Thou wicked and slothful
servant" (Matt. 25:26). According to the writer of Hebrews, a "just
recompense" of reward awaits those who neglect so great a salvation as we
have through Christ (Heb. 2:1-3).
Whether
fear, excuses, or laziness keeps us from our service in God's kingdom, it is an
evil for which the Lord holds us accountable.
UNPROFITABLE. Finally, Jesus describes the one-talent man as an
"unprofitable" servant; one who was not useful to his master; oen who because of this was to be "cast out". And
that casting out for us in eternity will be "into the outer darkness;
there shall be the weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matt. 25:30).
There are
serious consequences for those among God's people who spend a life- time
worrying about fierce lions in the street, who will find any excuse to ignore
and neglect service in our Lord's kingdom.
Working For
The Devil
A mill
manufacturing war goods back during WWII put the following sign over the gate:
When you lay out, you are working for Hitler." No one could have successfully
denied this.
Applying
this principle to the church the sign might be made to read: "When you
stay away from the meetings of the church, you are working for the devil."
Do you
remember Matt. 12:30 which says: "He that is not
with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with
me scattereth abroad."?
The devil
has some workers among God's children! You may not believe this is true, but
with a little serious thinking you will. Let all cease working for Satan and
labor diligently in the services of the Lord. We will be looking for you at all
three meet- ings of the church during this week. Will
you be present?
---Gospel
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