God's Grace As A Teacher

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ...
Titus 2:11-13, ESV

Men and women through the centuries have extolled the magnificent grace of God. Beloved old hymns and countless sermons have impressed upon the minds of multiplied millions the wonders of God's undeserved yet unreserved kindness to man. Consider the following brief points from the inspired words Paul wrote to Titus...


A. God's grace brings salvation (v. 11a).
B. God's grace has appeared to all men (v. 11b).
C. God's grace teaches six crucial concepts (v. 12-13).

1. We must renounce ungodliness (v. 12a).
2. We must renounce worldly passions (v. 12b).
3. We must live self-controlled lives (v. 12c).
4. We must live upright lives (v. 12d).
5. We must live godly lives (v. 12e).
6. Doing all the above will enable us to anticipate the return of Christ (v. 13).

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Appearance Can Be Deadly

Jessie Vigil of Las Vegas, New Mexico, has a unique automobile. He customized his Ford Mustang (seen at right) to replicate the police cars seen in the movie, Transformers, citing his seven-year-old son's love for the blockbuster film.

According to New Mexico State Police, what Mr. Vigil has done with his car is not illegal as long as he doesn't "act like a police officer."

Even though Vigil may not actually be trying to impersonate an officer of the law, there are some who find it advantageous to do so in the perpetration of crimes. Quite a few criminals have taken advantage of unsuspecting citizens by adequately passing themselves off as members of a law enforcement agency.

How is it these men convince motorists and pedestrians of their supposed status as law officers? Are they successful in carrying out these schemes by flashing a flimsy toy badge or donning a cheap imitation of a real uniform?

When successful in carrying out their cruel and heinous acts, these criminals are able to do so because their badges, uniforms, and flashing blue lights are so convincing -- so close to the real thing that the minute differences are virtually undetectable to the average citizen. That is what makes these individuals so dangerous. The penalty for impersonating an officer is stiff, but probably ought to be even more severe.

There is an important spiritual parallel in thinking about how this deception is accomplished. How are individuals convinced that a religious group or organization is "from God" when, in fact, they do and teach that which is not congruent with the Scriptures? Many times, the answer lies in what we observed in the impersonation of police officers.

These groups establish their legitimacy by sticking very close to the teaching of the Bible, thus piggybacking on the authority the name of Christ carries. However, an up-close examination of a given group may reveal some doctrines and practices that have no Biblical foundation. The Bible speaks of certain groups or individuals that may "disqualify you" (Colossians 2:18). These groups do so by doing that which is "according to human precepts and teachings" (Colossians 2:22). The final analysis of organizations such as these is that...

...these have indeed an appearance of wisdom...but they are of no value...
Colossians 2:23, ESV

Just as a criminal with evil intentions -- who looks for all the world exactly like a law officer -- can have deadly consequences, so too can aligning oneself with a church or other religious body that has only an "appearance" of wisdom and truth. Appearance only goes so deep. If we would invest more time in honest investigation of what our particular church or group teaches and how it accords with the word of God, there would be drastic changes in the world of religion.

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Don't Shoot Yourself In The Foot

One of the most commonly used colloquial sayings we have in American culture is, "Don't shoot yourself in the foot." The thrust of this pearl of great wisdom is simply this: Avoid doing that which is only going to hurt yourself.

One of the most frequently viewed videos on YouTube.com shows a DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) agent speaking to a crowd of teenagers and adults about the dangers of drugs and guns -- a noble effort to be sure. As the agent brings out a handgun which he says is unloaded, he assures them he is the only one in the room "professional enough" to handle such a weapon (scroll down to watch the video).

You can probably see where this is going. Almost as soon as those words had left his lips, the gun discharged (yeah, it was loaded after all). The stunned (and probably deafened) crowd began to stir in confusion and alarm. The agent began to limp, suggesting he had shot himself in the foot.

A painful way to get the message across.

As he continued to lecture, the agent asked for an assistant to hand him an assault rifle he had brought along. The prospect of this man handling an automatic weapon in a room full of parents and their children sent the crowd into a mild frenzy. You see, although the motives and message of this DEA agent were commendable, his own lack of care in the very matters on which he lectured destroyed his credibility with that group.

Jesus said...

Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.
Matthew 7:1-5, ESV

How effective will our efforts to win the souls of men be if our own soul lies in peril? Before we can effectively be about the work of helping others to see the urgent need of salvation, you and I must concern ourselves with the task of purifying our own minds through submission to the will of God.

To do otherwise would just be shooting ourselves in the feet!

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Isaiah: A Pattern For Soul Winners

Isaiah was one of the most evangelistic prophets of the Old Testament. The God-breathed message he composed is comprised of 66 chapters. Many familiar hymns have been written based on certain sections of Isaiah's prophecy.

For example:

"Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." (Though Your Sins Be As Scarlet, by Fanny J. Crosby; cf. Isaiah 1:18)

And another:

"O Jesus is a rock in a weary land, a shelter in the time of storm." (Shelter In The Time Of Storm, by Vernon Charlesworth; cf. Isaiah 32:2)

And perhaps one of our most well known "evangelistic" songs:

"Here am I, Lord, send me; Here am I, ready at thy bidding, Lord, send me." (There Is Much To Do, by M.W. Spencer; cf. Isaiah 6:8).

When Isaiah responded to the Lord's request for a messenger by saying, "Here am I! Send me," it was the result of a process designed by God to show Isaiah the proper mindset in soul winning. Observe...

• Isaiah saw himself as God saw him (Isaiah 6:5a)
• Isaiah saw his own need (Isaiah 6:7)
• Isaiah saw the needs of others (Isaiah 6:5b)
• Isaiah was given the call to teach others (Isaiah 6:8a)
• Isaiah willingly responded to this call (Isaiah 6:8b)

The message preached by Isaiah is encapsulated by these words:

Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
Isaiah 55:6-7, ESV

Backing up to verse one in this same chapter, we find this invitation issued by Isaiah to anyone who would hear:

Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
Isaiah 55:1, ESV

My friend, let's get our own lives in order that we may, like the prophet Isaiah, be used by the Lord in rescuing souls in peril.

"Here am I! Send me."

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Strengthening The Souls Of The Disciples

The 13th and 14th chapters of the book of Acts details the travels of Paul and Barnabas as they made their way preaching the gospel throughout Asia Minor. They had preached to and converted a notable number of individuals in cities throughout the region, including Antioch in Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe.

Persecution of the saints of God was fierce at that time. A mob of Jews that had followed Paul and his fellow laborers from Antioch and Iconium persuaded some of the citizens of Lystra to aid them in stoning the evangelists. There, they dragged Paul out of the city and left him for dead (Acts 14:19-20).

After departing from Lystra, Paul and Barnabas journeyed to Derbe (v. 20-21a). The gospel was preached to the people of Derbe, and many obeyed the Lord and became His disciples. From Derbe, Paul and Barnabas returned to the cities where they had previously preached -- Iconium, Antioch, and Lystra (v.21b). Yes, the same Lystra where Paul had been stoned within an inch of his life!

What was the purpose? What could have been so important that it called for such a risky move on the part of this apostle? Verse 22 gives us the answer:

...strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.
Acts 14:22, ESV

Paul realized how crucial following up with recently converted disciples was in doing the work of an evangelist. Truthfully, at what point can we say a disciple of Christ is no longer in need of such encouragement? Does the need cease after one has been a Christian for five years? Ten years? No, my friend. We all need to be strengthened on a regular basis -- whether we have been a child of God for one year or 50 years!

A handful of observations here:

1. We sometimes place all the emphasis on how many baptisms a preacher, missionary, or congregation has to their credit. No doubt, baptisms are important; but what are we doing to keep them "encouraged and in the faith"?
2. I have heard of preachers who say something to the effect of, "I'm tired of preaching to the saved." To one who has such a mindset, I would simply say that the saved need to hear the gospel every bit as much as the unsaved!
3. Life has peaks and valleys. If we will immerse ourselves in the word of God before we get to those valleys, we will be more likely to "continue in the faith." It may be too late to encourage someone with the gospel by the time they are standing in the midst of that valley.

Let us never lightly regard the importance of teaching the gospel -- to the unsaved so they can be saved, and to the saved so that they can remain saved!

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Christ Is Optional?

You may be familiar with some individuals and groups who profess to be followers of Christ that teach universal salvation. With the increasing pressure to be "politically correct," and pluralistic worldviews shaping the minds of upcoming generations, this comes as no real surprise.

However, most of these groups and individuals have traditionally been on "the fringe" of what the world sees as Christianity (as opposed to the New Testament). Most "mainstream" personalities and groups would never consider Christ to be optional -- take Him or leave Him.

One of the most prominent figures in the "mainstream" of denominational religion who has taught the supposed non-compulsory nature of Christ is Robert H. Schuller (pictured at right). You may know Schuller from his long-running nationally televised program, The Hour Of Power. Schuller and his son, Robert A. Schuller, preach at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California -- although the elder Schuller officially retired back in 2006.

Approximately five years ago, I watched Robert H. Schuller (the father) as he was interviewed on a news magazine program. Although I cannot give you his exact words (I am still trying to locate the transcript for that program), Schuller made several statements that indicated people of all faiths (i.e. Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, etc.) would receive the grace of God and an entry into heaven. Certainly, this is nothing new. However, for individuals such as Schuller who most consider to be an "evangelical" or in the "mainstream," this is considerably more noteworthy.

Clearly, Mr. Schuller does not teach the divinely given method of redemption, nor does he teach the singularity of the Lord's church (i.e. "one body," Ephesians 4:4). Therefore, diligent students of the Bible know that Schuller is a false prophet -- not a Christian as that term is used in God's own word.

That fact notwithstanding, the world in general recognizes Mr. Schuller as a "Christian," and so do millions of individuals who comprise the multitude of denominations in existence today. What should we say to men like Schuller and those who agree with this false, pluralistic corruption of the gospel?

Say nothing -- only allow the word of the Lord to be heard. Jesus said...

I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
John 14:6, ESV

Without the WAY, you cannot go.
Without the TRUTH, you cannot know.
Without the LIFE, you cannot grow.

Friend, if "life" is what you desire, "truth" is what you must obey, and "the way" is what you must travel to attain it. There is no such thing as salvation outside of Christ...no matter who teaches anything to the contrary.

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Ezra's Example Of Success

Ezra descended from the lineage of Hilkiah, the high priest (Ezra 7:1). However, Ezra was not able to serve in such a capacity himself during the time of captivity. Still, he gave his time in study of the Scriptures (Ezra 7:6).

Ezra became one of Israel's great restoration leaders. He led the reconstruction of the temple as well as the effort to restore the religious life and institutions of the people. Ezra was very successful in accomplishing these tasks. The following statement is most revealing as we consider the source of his success:

For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.
Ezra 7:10, ESV

Notice Ezra's focus in these three areas:

1. He set his heart on the study of the Scriptures
2. He set his heart on the doing of the Scriptures
3. He set his heart on the teaching of the Scriptures
   

In can neither do nor teach something with which I am unfamiliar. Personally speaking, I cannot repair a radiator on a car, nor could I teach anyone else how to do so. Why? Simply because I have not applied my mind to study the discipline of auto mechanics.

God requires study of his word for the purpose of our own obedience as well as the transmission of his divine truths from one man to another, from one generation to the next.

Your success and mine is a direct result of how well we know the Bible.

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An Abundance Of Counselors

I have spent the last several days going through the final manuscript editing process as we compile and format this year's Cold Harbor Lectureship book (with immeasurable help from our superb secretary, Carolyn Elliot). Among the many worthwhile observations I was able to make during this process, one that may have stood out above the others was how many immensely talented individuals make up the church of Christ.

This year's Cold Harbor Lectureship program includes 23 individuals -- some of which I have met, and others I have yet to meet. These 23 men and women come from all over these United States and have differen backgrounds, but they all show evidence of a Godly spirit and a depth of Bible knowledge.

Having read 21 of the 23 proposed manuscripts (still waiting on two more!), my knowledge and understanding on the subject of wisdom from the book of Proverbs has increased many fold. One of the biggest draws of any sound lectureship is reading the different writing styles and observing the various delivery styles that make every speaker unique. You and I as individuals will benefit from participating in this lectureship, and the church of God will be strengthened as a result. Such is the goal our elders set forth for this effort every year.

The Bible says...

Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
Proverbs 11:14, ESV

The men and women who are taking the time to be in Mechanicsville this November provide you and me with a perfectly lovely situation: An abundance of wise, experienced counselors who love the Lord and his word, thereby making Mechanicsville, Virginia one of the safest places you can be at that time!

We hope many of our Food For Thought readers will be able to join us this November as we make an in-depth examination of the book of Proverbs' treatment of the subject of wisdom.

For more information, visit our Lectureship Page, or you may call the church office.

Virginia is beautiful in November! See you in then!!

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