Sermons We Can See

I’d rather see a sermon than to hear one any day. 

   I’d rather one would walk with me than merely show the way. 

The eye’s the better pupil, more willing than the ear. 

   Fine counsel is confusing but example is always clear. 

The best of all the preachers are the men who live their creed. 

   For to see the good in action is what everybody needs. 

If you let me watch you do it, I can see just how it’s done. 

   I can see your hands in action, but your tongue may run too fast. 

And the sermons you deliver may be very wise and true.

   But I’d rather get my lesson from observing what you do. 

For I may misunderstand you and the high advice you give. 

   But there is no misunderstanding how you act and how you live (read Matthew 5:14-16).

Author Unknown

GOD’S DEFINITION OF A CHRISTIAN ACTS 11:26

There are various definitions given of a Christian. The only one that is worthwhile is God’s definition. The only kind of Christian worthwhile is the one as defined by God. The reason for saying this is God’s definition of a Christian is because of the meaning of chrematizo, translated “called.” It is not a nickname, claimed by some. “And it was in Antioch that the disciples first received the name Christian.” (Weymouth). The Greek word rendered called implies a divine source. It is “to be divinely instructed, to receive a warning or revelation from God” (Green’s Greek-English Lexicon). “To give a response to those consulting an oracle, to give divine command or admonition, to teach from heaven; to be divinely commanded, admonished, instructed; to be the mouth-piece of divine revelations, to promulgate the commands God” (Thayer). 

The word is found nine times in the New Testament (Matthew 2:12; 2:22; Luke 2:26; Acts 10:22; Hebrews 8:5; 11:7; 12:25; Romans 7:3; Acts 11:26). In all of these instances it has reference to divine revelation, unless Acts 11:16 is an exception. The meaning of the word fits Isaiah 62:2: “Which the mouth of Jehovah shall name.” Compare Romans 7:3: “She shall be called an adulteress.” Who calls her an adulteress? Compare “defer not, for thine own sake, my God, because thy city and thy people are called by thy name” (Daniel 9:19). In Israel, we have the root of Elohim, the Hebrew name for God, which supplies an explanation for the statement, “Thy people are called by thy name.” Amos 9:12 and Acts 15:17 are equivalents. Thus the subject: “God’s Definition of a Christian.’ Why was not this name given at Pentecost? We may not know, but I can think of a reason. Christian is the sum of Christianity. Christianity not Jewish, not peculiar to Jews. This is implied in the very fact that the term that most describes Christianity was not given until Gentiles were brought in. Thus, those who think of Christianity offering something yet for Jews in a special way have not properly understood Christianity. 

A Christian is one who heard the Gospel and believed it (Acts 11:19-21). Why were there no Christians in Antioch prior to this time? There were not any that had heard the Gospel and believed. A Christian is one that assembles (Acts 11:26; Hebrews 10:25; Acts 2:42). The Christians at Antioch assembled. The Christians in every place assemble. A Christian is one that accepts responsibility (Acts 11:29). Note the words – every man – determined – according to his ability. They did not seek to do as little as they could but as much as they could. Many seem to think today that a Christian is one who does as little as he can. A Christian does not shirk responsibility. A Christian is one in the Lord’s church (Acts 11:26). There were no Christians in Antioch that were not members of the church. There were no Christians in Antioch that were members of another church. “I give in mine house and within my walls...a name” (Isaiah 56:5). The church is God’s house (I Timothy 3:15; Acts 2:42; Galatians 3:26-27). 

ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN AS DEFINED BY GOD? 

Franklin Camp

The Silence of the Scriptures

Surely one of the most effective, and most scriptural, arguments the  saints have made down through the years is that of the authority of the SILENCE of the scriptures. In hundreds of debates with proponents of  every kind of error, audiences were shown that when God legislates in a  certain area, making clear his requirements, then man has no authority  to go beyond that, adding similar or like things to what God has  specified. We have correctly used the gopher wood, the pitch, the  dimensions of the ark in the case of Noah (Genesis 6), and we have  used the fruit of the vine and the bread on the Lord’s table (Matthew  26:26-28) on the same point.  

Of late, men are stating that there can be no argument based on “the  silence of the scriptures.” As one recently put it, “Man is free to do any  and every thing that God has not specifically forbidden.” And one other  man, in the kingdom, said that “any matter falling within the silence of the  scriptures should be treated as options, based on the rule of Romans  14.” In correspondence with one in another state, and when the matter of  dancing in worship was brought up, and our having no specific  condemnation in the New Testament of such, his answer was that if the  congregation’s elders gave approval, and if they then could see some benefit to be gained, it would be proper! Thus, the end to which one will  be taken if he feels there can be no legitimate argument based on the  SILENCE OF THE SCRIPTURES!  

We know the argument we now are supporting is a legitimate one, for we  find it used in the Word! In Hebrews 7, as the writer speaks of the  priesthood of Christ under the New Testament, he states that there has  been a change of the law, thus necessitating a change in the priesthood  (v. 12). He speaks of our Lord coming from the tribe of Judah (v. 14), and  in making then the point that the Lord could not be a priest if the law of  Moses were still in effect, the writer states, “…of which tribe Moses  spake nothing concerning priesthood.”  

Thus, the argument is made that Jesus could not be a priest under the  Old Testament law, because THE SCRIPTURES SAID NOTHING about  one of Judah being a priest! Let us, as we continue to stress Biblical  authority, and the right handling of the Word (II Timothy 2:15), also  continually stress the SILENCE OF THE SCRIPTURES!

Bill Jackson  

2 Peter 1:3

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,

 II Peter 1:3

The All Powerful Gospel

God’s word was given to man by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (II Timothy 3:16). First Corinthians 2:10-13 tells us how. Paul says that the inspired word furnishes man completely unto every good work (II Timothy 3:17), while Peter informs us that God’s divine power hath granted unto us all things which pertain unto life and godliness (II Peter 1:3). This inspired word is all powerful (Hebrews 4:12) and when obeyed, will save man from his sins (Romans 1:16; James 1:21; I Peter 1:22-23). To obtain salvation, man must be obedient to the word (Hebrews 5:8-9). When sinful man rejects the Gospel, the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16), there is nothing else to offer. 

On one occasion a rich (Mark 10:22), young (Matthew 19:20), ruler (Luke 18:18) came to Jesus asking him the greatest question man can ask, “Good teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life” (Mark 10:17)? Because the young man lived under the law of Moses the Master referred him to the teaching of Moses (Mark 10:19). The ruler replied, “Teacher, all these things have I observed from my youth” (Mark 10:20). Jesus did not challenge or deny the statement, but loving him (Mark 10:21) told him, “One thing thou lackest: go sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me” (Mark 10:21). Upon receiving the answer to his question (Mark 10:17) the rich young ruler’s “countenance fell...and he went away sorrowful: for he was one that had great possessions” (Mark 10:22).  

The great lesson from this incident (in the life of our Lord) is that when the question had been asked, the answer given and rejected, Jesus stood and watched the young man walk away lost. Jesus did not call him back and change his instructions so the terms would be acceptable. After the terms of divine inspiration had been given, the choice was the ruler’s: obey and be saved, reject and be lost.  

The word given by inspiration cannot be changed by man or for man (I Corinthians 4:6; II John 9; Revelation 22:18-19). Whether it concerns the way of salvation, discipline, marriage, divorce and remarriage, instrumental music in worship, purity of life, etc. God’s word will be THE standard of judgment (John 12:48-49).  

When men reject the word of God there is nothing else to offer. To change God’s word or make man’s word authority in religion is to lead man into perdition (Jeremiah 10:23; Proverbs 14:12; Matthew 15:7-9).  

It is the word of God only, and only the word of God that can lead man unto salvation.

Thomas F. Eaves, Sr.

What About the Hen?

Sometime back some young fellow objected to the biblical account of creation, and informed an aged sister that he no longer accepted the Bible as true; he no longer believed in heaven; he had come to the conclusion that all matters are the result of evolutionary processes. This sister said to him that while she lacked his education opportunities, she would like to ask him a question or two: Would he please explain to her, which came first, the hen, or the egg? He thought about it a moment, smiled at such an easy question, and said that anybody ought to know that the hen was first. Of course, the hen was first. She said to him,

"Well, would you please tell me where that first hen came from, since, according to your own view, it didn't grow up from a chicken, and was not hatched from an egg? How do you account for the origin of that first hen?"

His brow knitted in perplexity; and he said that he had decided his first answer was a bit hasty; he hadn't given proper attention tot he question; had not thought it through. He felt sure now that, undoubtedly, the egg was first! Yes, certainly the egg was first. She said, "Do you mean to tell me that there was once a hen egg without a hen to lay it?" Then in his confusion, she said this to him:

"You can't even explain to me the mere existence of a hen without a God, and yet you expect me to believe in the universe without Him." 

Guy N. Woods

The Christian Ethic

1. The Christian ethic is a revealed — not a speculative ethic.
2. The Christian ethic is a unified —not a self-contradictory one.
3. The Christian ethic is a metaphysical one.
4. The Christian ethic is an absolute ethic.
5. The Christian ethic is an ethic which recognizes the roles of (1) intrinsic and instrumental good (2) intrinsic and instrumental evil.
6. The Christian ethic is a religious ethic.
7. The Christian ethic is one which involves the thoughts of the mind (“heart”) as well as the deeds of the body.
8. The Christian ethic is one which involves the conscience of each individual person.
9. The Christian ethic is one of self-denial and self-sacrifice. 
10. The Christian ethic is one vitally connected with the free will of man and with the responsibility which accompanies such freedom.
11. The Christian ethic is an ethic of social consciousness.
12. The Christian ethic is one of striving for perfection.
13. The Christian ethic is one of grace.
14. The Christian ethic is one of helpfulness (in the living of the Christian life) on the part of God.
15. The Christian ethic is one which involves love in both directions (from God to man and from man to God).
16. The Christian ethic is one of continued growth throughout life.
17. The Christian ethic is one of showing mercy and kindness to one’s fellowman.

Thomas B. Warren