Our Second Religion

Sporting activities have been called the “second religion of America.” Whether it is the fast-break, jump shooting, and 3-point shots, or the 55-yard pass for the winning touchdown on the last play of the game, we love sports. It can be ice hockey or air hockey, but it still has its appeal. Hunting moose, elk, deer, quail, doves, and varmints (the four-legged kind) attracts a following. Fishing holes are sometimes marked by nearly as many fishers as fish. They can be the “boys of summer” that win it in the last inning or the sprinter who wins by a nose, but it makes no difference. Football, fishing, baseball, hunting, basketball, track — we love it all.

But, may we call a “time out” to consider a fairly common problem in light of the Bible? Sporting activities are not the second religion of some — collective sporting activities are the first religion to some. Some view sports as of the utmost value and concern in life. Sadly, even some professing to be children of the heavenly Father implicitly tell the God of heaven to “take a number (other than one) and we’ll be right with you after the last quarter.” Sports can be wholesome and good for all who participate or spectate, but Christians are careful to keep such activities in their proper place. The Bible still teaches, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33), and “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much more, as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25).

One brother, speaking to a preacher’s workshop, justified his son missing Wednesday evening services to play ball by asking the teen if he would be willing, come next week, to attend both the regular Wednesday evening services and an area Gospel meeting on Thursday night. Of course, if it is right for a Christian to miss worship assemblies and Bible class to participate in sports, does it not follow that all the brethren can miss the assemblies and classes to watch the ball game or other sporting activities? And, if we can “make up” forsaken assemblies like a student makes up a missed test, then surely we can justify shutting down the church building during the hottest part of the summer and do “make up” worship every night for a few weeks this Autumn.

Bible classes and worship assemblies in some places take a tremendous nose dive in attendance because some brethren worship at the idol of sporting activities. We cannot help but wonder though how important our sporting achievements will seem when we stand before God in judgment. Suddenly the “one that got away” will be insignificant and the state championship trophy will provide as much comfort as a crash helmet to a kamikaze pilot.

I like sporting activities. I have played organized sports. I try to instruct my children in sports. But when the church is working, meeting in assemblies, or studying in Bible classes, my family needs to be present, promoting the work, exhorting the brethren, and receiving exhortation: “For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come” (I Timothy 4:8).

Lynn Parker

"Mostly Faithful?"

It might be that some have a mighty strange view of the word "faithful." Have you ever heard a brother described as "mostly faithful," or a congregation as "fairly faithful"? How about this-"he is pretty faithful...most of the time."

The Bible records that Moses was faithful (Numbers 12:7), as was Timothy (I Corinthians 4:17) and Tychicus (Ephesians 6:21). Jesus used the word "faithful" to describe the five and two talent men who were prepared to give account to their Lord in a parable: "His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things; enterthou into the joy of thy lord" (Matthew 25:23). Paul, through inspiration, set forth that "here, moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful" (I Corinthians 4:2). Research the word "faithful" and you will see that it carries the idea of those whoare "trusty...who show themselves faithful in the transaction of business, the execution of commands, or the discharge of officialduties...one who kept his plighted faith, worthy of trust...that can be relied on" (Thayer). In light of the meaning, how can one be "mostly, pretty, or fairly" faithful? Either one is, or he is not, faithful to God. (Of course we are not arguing for perfection-it must be understood that faithfulness in God's children is demanded of God (I Corinthians 4:2). This faithful condition is synonymous with walking in the light (I John 1:7) as we humbly bring our hearts and deeds into harmonywith the dictates of heaven.) What ambiguous spiritual condition isrepresented by the term "mostly faithful?" Could it be a term employed to represent a person, or a congregation, that does some, or even most of what God directs-but not all? Here are some examplesof those who fit in the category of being "mostly, fairly, or pretty" faithful:

1. The brother or sister that attends 9 out of 10 Sunday and Wednesday assemblies but forsakes one "every now and then" forTV, shopping, Boy Scouts, walk-a-thons, the Super Bowl, vacation, company at home, or because they're disgruntled with someone orsomething in the church is probably the person some have in mind when they say, "he's mostly faithful."
2. The brother who preaches the truth on the fundamental mattersof salvation, the distinctive nature of the church, and the errors of denominations, but teaches that baptism makes an adulterous marriage into a sanctified one, is labeled by some misguided brethren as "mostly faithful."
3. A congregation that demands soundness from its preachers and teachers, refuses to budge an inch in the face of new and noveldoctrines, but neglects to do what God commanded in the matter of restoring the erring and church discipline is one that many would call "mostly faithful."

The "mostly faithful" are "mostly sound" and "mostly obedient." They pick and choose when and where they will obey God. They will all, on the day of judgment, give answer for the lack of complete submission to Christ's will. "Mostly faithful" sounds "pretty good" until you realize that the "mostly faithful" will be "mostlylost." "Here, moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful" (I Corinthians 4:2).

Lynn Parker

The Main Attraction

I recall an advertisement in which a talented group of acrobats was billed as the “main attraction” of an amusement park. No doubt, the drawing power of this team was being used to the best advantage by the promoter. Looking into the Bible, I see the “main attraction” quite clearly. Jesus said, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto myself “ (John 12:32). Preaching “Jesus Christ, and him crucified” (1 Cor. 1:23; 2:2) is to be the focal point of our message. 

Some promote gimmicks, games, giveaways, and gymnasiums, instead of dedicating themselves to a plain, bold, and forthright proclamation of the Gospel, which alone saves souls. Millions of dollars of the Lord’s money are spent emphasizing entertainment and social functions, making the Lord’s precious church into hardly more than a soup line for the distribution of loaves and fishes, when we should be pointing people to eternal water and eternal food (John 4:10–14; John 6:26–27)! Some will continue to draw attention to programs, speakers, edifices, and novelties. 

Some pulpits will persist in feeding spiritually starved people with a “social gospel” that talks of psychology, weight loss, and “feeling good about yourself.” 

However, faithful followers of the Master know that His way and message are best. So, by the help of God, we will continue to point men and women to the Lord through direct, timely, and much needed Bible preaching. Jesus and His Word are what the world and the church desperately need! 

Let us put our emphasis back on spiritual matters rather than material. Let us, through our teaching and preaching, feed people with God’s Word, which is able to build them up and give them an inheritance among all them that are sanctified (Acts 20:32). 

Lynn Parker

Let the Chips Fall

A famous frontiersman of long ago said, “Be sure you’re right, then go ahead.” Every congregation is involved in decisions that concern its work and worship. Decisions made in haste—rashly, without consideration—can result in harm to the precious body of our Lord.

We must all carefully examine every action in which we plan to engage. God gave us a brain and a Bible—both must be used. Paul wrote, “Prove all things; hold that which is good” (I Thessalonians 5:21). By the pen of the same inspired writer, the Holy Spirit clearly set forth that all we do in Christian work, worship, and conduct is to be done by Divine authority (Colossians 3:17). But even where the Lord has commanded, there sometimes exists indecision, even stagnation. Right decisions can be squelched because of fear of fallout! Proper action by the church can be deterred because some are afraid of possible results. Good, wholesome spiritual growth in a congregation is stunted by being overly worried about how some will react.

For example, let us say that a congregation is selecting teachers for Bible classes. One indicating a desire to teach is not faithful in her Christian duty and conduct. The elders or men of the congregation discuss the matter, the facts are ascertained, and it is documented that this sister forsakes the assemblies and frequents the community dance floor. She would not be allowed to teach except for the fact that her immediate and extended family make up 18 of the 75 members in the congregation, and give almost $300 of the weekly contribution. What should be done? The answer is obvious to the Bible student.

What is done in some congregations? Sister “unfaithful” is given a Bible class to teach. Preaching brethren can succumb to fear of where the “chips may fall.” When the sermon really needs to be preached, but is withheld for fear of temper tantrums in the pews, then the church is weakened.

The pulpit becomes impotent when it no longer rings with the Word “in season, out of season” (I Timothy 4:2). The preaching that folks like is not always what they need. Paul “shrank not from declaring…anything that was profitable” to the Ephesian brethren (Acts 20:20). The fearless preacher stated: “Wherefore I testify unto you this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I shrank not from declaring unto you the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27). It is not enough for a preacher to say, “I do not preach any error.” The question is, will you preach the whole counsel of God? Will you stand where valiant men of old stood to fight every false way, without fear or partiality?

Elders can let intimidation from cliques influence their decisions as well. How many preachers have been hushed or fired to keep smiles on the faces of ungodly, weak, and rebellious members? How much good work has been halted because of objections from an extra noisy, grouchy, bitter, “squeaking wheel”? How many times does the projected contribution figure dip when the church needs to take disciplinary action against a wayward church member?

Remember, it does not hurt an apple tree for bad apples to fall off. The sooner we realize that a congregation can grow spiritually when declining numerically, the stronger the church will be! Some brothers and sisters strengthen the church by their presence and some by their departure. That may not be “politically correct” in our day of compromise and acceptance, but it surely is Biblical (I Corinthians 11:19).

When we let fear of where the “chips may fall” influence our decisions, we are surely headed down a dark road toward candlestick removal. When we do things God’s way—the right way—we enjoy the blessings and approval of Heaven. Let us study our Bibles, be sure our course of action is right, then follow it boldly and confidently. Our God who spoke the world into existence is certainly able to take care of a few falling chips.

Lynn Parker