(Author Unknown. This excellent article appeared in Fulton County Gospel News, Vol. 33, No. 10, October 1999, p. 4. This four-page monthly is published by the Church of Christ at Third & Bethel, P.O. Box 251, Mammoth Spring, AR 72554-0251. Subscriptions are free and the Editor, Ted J. Clarke, may be contacted via email at tedjc@centurytel.net.) Just as you can tell when your physical health is failing, there are symptoms or danger signals which warn us that things aren’t as they ought to be! J. Curtis Manor lists ten warnings signals to watch for in regard to backsliding. Lack of time for Bible study, church assemblies or Christian service. Devoting of more time to reading newspapers or novels than the Bible. Preference for the company of the irreligious to that of Christians. Looking for reasons to justify something you have already done or decided to do. Evaluating the sermon more by its length than by its content.  Becoming more prone to illness on Sunday than on other days of the week! Stretching one week’s excuse to cover two or more weeks of absence from church. Thinking of the church in terms of “they” rather than “we.” Reaction to sorrow, doubts or personal problems by avoiding Christian association which might help to resolve them. Resentment toward being visited by representatives of the church. These danger signals are early symptoms of the various aspects and developmental phases of worldliness, a malignity far more deadly than cancer. Early diagnosis and intensive treatment are of the …

Recently, I watched on TV two preachers who are brethren in Christ discuss the Creation versus Evolution controversy. I was very pleased with, and perfectly agreed with, what they had said, and then I was very disappointed when one of them asked the other “What about the fossils?” The other answered that he did not know about the fossils. I was surprised because he had shown by what he had already said that he had studied well what he discussed on other matters pertaining to the Creation versus Evolution controversy. I fear he lost his credibility with many when he said he did not know about the fossils. It is my opinion that there are very few preachers of the Gospel who can do well presenting lessons on the Creation versus Evolution issue, and especially the fossil record in the earth’s crust. In the year 1925, which was the year I was born, Clarence Darrow and William Jennings Bryan conducted a debate on Creation versus Evolution in the Rhea County courthouse in Dayton, TN. It was reported that Mr. Bryan invited George McCready Price to be with him during the debate, and that Mr. Price did not do so because he had to be out of the country. Mr. Price was a creationist and a very scholarly paleontologist, which means he was a fossil expert. It was very unfortunate that Mr. Price could not join Mr. Bryan at the debate because Mr. Bryan knew very little about the fossils. Mr. …

Recently, I was reminded again of the enormous skill it takes for a surgeon to perform major heart surgery. It is hard to fathom the skill it takes for a doctor to work on a man’s heart and the precision it must take to perform bypass surgery. Hundreds of bypass surgeries are performed each week in hospitals across the country. When I think of the people Jesus selected to be his apostles, he selected ordinary people. Four of these were fishermen, another a tax collector. We often think, even in the church, that we have to have “specialists” to perform some task. I believe when we want something done that has to do with eternity, we need to pick out the “ordinary” people to get the job done. God invariably has called ordinary people to make them extraordinary. Bear Bryant observed, “Potential never won a game.” Charles Hodge has stated, “Brethren, like our culture, are hunting for ‘stars,’ ‘hot-shot preachers,’ talented musicians, ‘gurus with spiritual enlightenment.’ No wonder the church is not growing.” He continues, “Simplicity, integrity, humility, holiness are never considered.” Writing to Christians, Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:9 wrote, “…For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building.“ Concentrate on the words –“God’s fellow workers.” God’s design is that God’s people are to be workers in his vineyard. Not only that, but if our lives are in accordance with his will, we are viewed by God as fellow workers with him in accomplishing his purposes. You will …

Does the Bible consistently use the term “children” to mean two or more or does it also use it to mean one or more? This is a question that arises in the selection of elders because of the statements, “having his children in submission” (1 Timothy 3:4, NKJV) and “having faithful children” (Titus 1:6). Perhaps everyone would admit that having more than one child might help in determining whether or not a man can control his household. What might seem desirable might not prove to be biblical. Only by considering how “children” is used in the Bible can we determine if “children” means two or more or if it can mean one or more. Children in the Old Testament The statement is made, “But Sarai is barren; she had no child” (Genesis 11:30) and was “childless” (Genesis 15:2). Later it is recorded, “Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children” (Genesis 16:1). If she had given birth to one child would it be said she bore no children? Later, Sarai said to Abraham after the birth of Isaac, her one child, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? For I have borne him a son in his old age” (Genesis 21:7). Sarah considered she had children after having given birth to one son. Concerning Rachel it is said, “She bore Jacob no children” (Genesis 30:1) and of Hannah she had “no children” (1 Samuel 1:2). If Rachel had one child, would it be proper to …

First-century Christians recognized the incredible, “explosive” power of the Gospel (Romans 1:16) — they had seen its effect in their own lives (Acts 4:33), as well as in the lives of their peers: A Murderer Became a Missionary Before: “And Saul was there, giving approval to his death . . .” (Acts 8:1a, NIV). “Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem” (Acts 9:1-2, NIV; cf. Acts 26:9-11; 1 Corinthians 15:9; Philippians 3:6; 1 Timothy 1:13). After: “. . . He arose and was baptized . . . Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. Then all who heard were amazed, and said, ‘Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priest?’” Deceivers Became Believers Before: “But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great . . . And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time” (Acts 8:9, 11). After: “Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with …

The morality of our United States of America has taken a fatal nosedive headed straight for ultimate destruction. Yes, some Americans still have the morals of the Bible, but as a general rule, the U.S. has lost all moral standards. It is now legal to abort babies before they are given the chance of life. It is medically possible to abort unborn children at any time throughout the pregnancy, even during birth. Galatians 5:21 clearly shows that murder is a sin. Since life begins at fertilization, abortion is murder and sinful. It is now legal to have same sex marriages. God does not see them as marriages, but the world around us does. God created male and female (Genesis 1:27). Mark 10:6-8 shows us that God intended marriage to be male and female as well. It is now legal to divorce for any reason. In Matthew 19:3-9 Christ tells us that the only just cause for divorce is fornication. The law of man, however, allows divorce for just about any reason. The latter part of verse 6 says, “…What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder,” showing that God intended marriage to be for life. In verse 8, Christ tells us, “…but from the beginning it was not so,” in reference to divorce. It is now legal to get drunk anywhere you please. Yes, there are a few limitations, but bars line our streets. Alcohol vendors invade our stores, restaurants and ballparks. Everywhere we turn, we see …

Social Drinking Social drinking is a misnomer. It takes but little power of observation to discern that so-called social drinking often degenerates rapidly into anti-social behavior among its imbibers. However, proponents of social drinking christen their pet with the venerable appellation of moderation. They contend that alcohol ingested with moderation is socially acceptable. Further, proponents of moderate consumption of alcohol join with opponents of social drinking to condemn the proverbial drunk. Irrespective of and additional to what society will allow, for Christians, biblical information relative to alcohol outweighs all other considerations combined. Alcohol is the great dilemma of Western society; a love–hate relationship. Not only does the liquor industry employ thousands of people and raise millions of dollars in tax, but it is an institutionalised part of our cultural and lifestyle. Culturally, it is often expected that we will have a drink when socialising with relatives, friends, or workmates, and on special occasions. However, if you have too much to drink, or become addicted to alcohol, you are looked down upon and risk becoming a social outcast. Yet anyone can become an alcoholic, and the very next drink could be the one that does it (although it’s unlikely that you will realise it at the time) . . . Alcohol is a drug and a poison. Consuming it involves a risk that increases with the amount consumed–the only absolutely safe level is zero. (Mark Davey, The Drug Data Series, An Information Sheet from the National Drug & Alcohol Statistics Unit, Australia, mdavey@powerup.com.au, from the internet 2-8-98) Moderation The following quotation defines …

From time to time one receives questions for which there are no easy answers. This is especially true in times like these when there are so many winds of change blowing to and fro, helter skelter in the church for which Jesus gave his last full measure of devotion. At times like these, the hearts of some people are broken when they see that some of the people whom they have loved and appreciated through the years are giving up on the precious teachings of Christ and his Apostles, and are turning to man’s interpretations of the Scriptures. These interpretations bring about division, and brethren who were once true to God and to one another, now find themselves on opposite sides of a question, or some interpretation. We need to make abundantly clear that it makes no difference what any man says concerning the holy Scriptures, the Scriptures are always right, and never wrong because they are “God-breathed.” So, in the final analysis, what the Scriptures say is true while all of the interpretations of men may be wrong. But in times of anxiety, like the ones in which we are living, someone always asks a question that concerns us all. This question is asked in light of Paul’s admonition in such passages as Romans 16:17, in which we are commanded to mark and avoid those who cause divisions and sins contrary to the doctrine of Christ. The question often comes in a framework something like this: “I am confused because I …

The scientific world has been abuzz with excitement recently with the “possible” discovery of life on Mars. Scientists believe they have found evidence of biological organisms on a Mars meteorite suggesting that life existed there some four billion years ago. Many people are intrigued with the idea that we are not “alone” in the universe. Their idea of life in the galaxies does not include the concept of God, only of extraterrestrial life. Since 1960, scientists in America have been searching for extraterrestrial intelligence. Some years ago, Dr. Carl Sagan and Dr. Frank Drake were asked by NASA to design an interstellar communication system for the purpose of letting extraterrestrials know that we are here. Thus far, there has been no word from “E.T.” Why is there such an interest in life in outer space? Is there anything beyond the curiosity factor? Indeed! There are those who believe that if life evolved on earth, it not only could have evolved elsewhere, but must have done so. Again, some evolutionists feel obliged to believe in some form of life in space because they are convinced that this (if proven) will sound the death knell for the idea of creation. One writer said, “Religions which contend that God made man in His own image could be severely shaken if we found another intellectual race made in a different image.” (Ian Ridpath, Signs Of Life, p. 13). The Bible student is aware of the silence of the Scriptures on this particular matter. The Word …

In that wonderful eleventh chapter of Hebrews, the writer says of faithful Abel, “and by it he being dead yet speaketh” (Vs. 4). The longer we live the more we learn how this is true of others. For a number of us, our parents being dead yet speak. I don’t suppose that a day goes by that I don’t reflect upon my deceased parents. For many of us our parents remain the greatest influence upon us, even many years after they are gone. Whether consciously or not we still apply to our life decisions the standards and principles that they taught us. Many a teacher, being dead, yet speaks. Every good teacher always becomes immortal to someone. Our college and university professors leave their mark on us, and perhaps even more so do the humble teachers of our childhood years. Especially do our Bible school teachers, who, though they may be gone, still speak. Many a friend, being dead, yet speaks. The influence of a good friend is something that transcends death. It is not terminated with the death of a friend. Many a preacher, being dead, yet speaks. No gospel preacher ever knows where the gospel he preaches is going or how far reaching it may be. Some, though they have never told him so, owe their lives to the preaching of some faithful man of God that the world at large will never know. Every person being dead yet speaks.

If we live, we’ll get there. Our hair will either turn gray, or it will turn loose. Our step will falter, our eyes will dim, our strength will fail. It is the way of all the earth (Ecclesiastes 12:3-7). This stage of life reminds us that this old world is not a good place to set up permanent residence. It was never intended to be man’s retirement home. It’s just a training ground for the soul, a parade field for the spectacle of those who inhabit heavenly places (Hebrews 12:1); it’s a prep school for the final exam, a planning session for the business of eternity (Hebrews 9:27). This life is a trial run for the one that really counts (2 Timothy 4:6-8). The devil is busy preaching to the senior generation. He’s lying, of course (he always does, John 8:44). Nonetheless, sometimes his messages take root in minds that should be aware of his tricks (2 Corinthians 2:11; 11:14). What lies does Satan peddle among senior saints? “You’re all washed up and useless.” Age does take its toll. When Mickey Mantle was sixty-one, he was approached by an autograph-seeking middle-aged man and his little boy. The man had tears in his eyes when he said, “Son, it took me thirty years to get here to shake this man’s hand. This is the greatest baseball player who ever lived.” The boy looked at Mantle, then turned to his dad and said, “Daddy, that’s an old man.” No one can stop the aging …

Matthew 25:1-13 Introduction The apostles were the original recipients of this oral instruction: The Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 24:3). The parable was part of our Lord’s response to questions posed by his close disciples, after he prophesied that the magnificent temple buildings would be destroyed (Matthew 24:2). Actually, the apostles asked three questions. They thought that they were essentially making a single inquiry (Matthew 24:3). However, our Lord correctly answered two queries: (1) when will Jerusalem be destroyed (Matthew 24:4-35) and (2) when will the Second Coming of the Christ occur (Matthew 24:36-41)? The apostles could not conceive of the destruction of Jerusalem with the resulting utter demolition of the temple before the destruction of the world, at which time the Messiah would come again. Not even our Lord’s apostles fully comprehended that Jesus would leave them, how he would depart or through what Jesus would undergo before his exit. They were equally confused, as even later many Christians generally were, concerning the Second Coming of Christ. Early Christians desired and expected a soon return of Christ (Titus 2:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3). Jesus cautioned the apostles lest they should be fooled by false Christs, claiming a Second Coming (Matthew 24:4-5, 23-26). Immediately after answering the apostles’ questions, Jesus re-enforced his teaching with five illustrations: (1) The Goodman of the House and the Thief (Matthew 24:42-44), (2) The Faithful Steward and the Evil Servant (Matthew 24:45-51), (3) The Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), (4) The Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), (5) The Great Judgment (Matthew 25:31-46). Hence, chapters 24 and 25 comprise …