Sullivan church of Christ – Sullivan, MO
Date: December 28, 2008
SOMETIMES TO BUILD UP YOU MUST TEAR DOWN
Marvin L. Weir
The mentality that allowed each person to do "that which was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25) during
the time of the Judges is the same warped mentality that afflicts many of God's people today. In fact, this
anti-pattern, anti-God type of thinking continued to afflict the Jews long after the period of the Judges. King
Josiah was convinced that in order to receive God's blessing Judah would have to live and worship according
to God's true pattern. There are numerous lessons we can learn from King Josiah's edicts that are recorded
in 2 Kings 23.
First, all the people were required to hear the word of God! "And the king went up to the house of Jehovah,
and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, and the priests, and the prophets,
and all the people, both small and great: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant
which was found in the house of Jehovah" (2 Kings 23:2). It is the word of God that enables people to make
decisions that are right. Without hearing the word of God, one will not know what he needs to do in order to
please the Almighty (cf. Jer. 10:23; Prov. 14:12).
Second, Josiah ordered the priests to "bring forth out of the temple of Jehovah all the vessels that were
made for Baal, and for the Asherah..." (2 Kings 23:4). The objects made by the hands of men that did not
glorify God and were contrary to His word had to be purged from the temple.
An instrument of music is such an object today and instead of condemning such we have many
congregations now clamoring for such instruments to compliment their worship assemblies. Dedications
and testimonials are now common occurrences in many worship assemblies; and, those who prefer to please
themselves love to have it so. If elders would read the book today and vow to abide by it, a tremendous
purging would occur in most congregations.
Third, King Josiah "put down the idolatrous priests..." (2 Kings 23:5). The king knew the priests were a great
influence on the people. He did not begin at the bottom and work his way up. Josiah started at the top with
those who had responsibility to see that God's word was respected. The idolatrous priests had to go if the
people were ever to please God.
The same is true with "turncoat" preachers today. Godly elders will never allow those who do not respect
and fully proclaim God's word to occupy the pulpit. Why? Because what comes forth from the pulpit is going
to have an affect upon who is sitting in the pew! Many brethren sit wringing their hands and complaining
that they do not understand what is happening to the Lord's church. What has happened again and again is
that liberal preachers and youth ministers have been paid to lead both the old and the young astray!
Fourth, Josiah ordered that "no man might make his son or his daughter to pass through the fire to Molech"
(2 Kings 23:10). In many instances today the elders act as if the youth and young families are running the
church. Wrong doing and a rebellious spirit are not to be tolerated in the kingdom. There is a time to say
"no" and "mark" (Rom. 16:17) or "withdraw fellowship" (2 Thess. 3:6) from those who refuse to repent and
insist upon corrupting true worship (John 4:24).
Fifth, Josiah broke down the altar and high places created by men (2 Kings 23:15). People cannot, with God's
approval, continue to cherish and cling to that which is wrong. Folks today don't won't to "let go" because
they are concerned about hurting someone's feelings and "backlash" from family members and friends. If we
desire to go to heaven we must be more concerned with hurting God than hurting man!
The truth of the matter is that sometimes before brethren can "build up" they must "tear down." A proper
foundation is never erected upon the sinking sand (cf. Matt. 7:24-27). King Josiah knew that rotten rubble
had to be cleared away before the people could build properly. Brethren today need desperately to grasp this
biblical principle.
SABBATH OR SUNDAY?
Robin H. Haley
This is the day which Jehovah hath made; We will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). To the diligent
student of God's word, this verse is recognized as a prophecy pertaining to the first day of the week, Sunday.
The context bears this out, as we see Christ portrayed within this Psalm (v.22). Note also that as surely as
Christ is the “head of the corner” by God's doing, so also is this “day” God's doing -- both of which are
“marvelous in our eyes.” Just what does the Bible teach regarding the Sabbath Day? Is it to be “kept holy”
(observed) today? Where does Sunday enter into the observance by God's people for worship? Is Sunday the
“Christian Sabbath?” These are all answered in Scripture and we shall attempt to answer them in this
article.
Those who would contend that we are still bound to the Sabbath Day law fail to observe a number of factors
regarding this question.
First, the Sabbath was never given to all people, nor was it ever given to Christians. It was first introduced
to Israel under Moses while God's people were in the wilderness. Having left Egypt two and a half months
previously (Exodus 16), Israel did not even receive this as a law for nearly a month subsequent to this
introduction (Exodus 20:8ff). Thus, the Sabbath observance was for Israel and for them alone (see Exodus 31:
13-17; Deut. 5:2-3, 15). Three times “the children of Israel” are the ones to whom the Lord applied this law.
Having ignored this distinction between Israel and all others, some are still determined to bind the Sabbath
on themselves and others today. They allege that there were two laws given at Sinai: one was ceremonial
(the Law of Moses) and the other was perpetual (the Law of God). Although there are certain aspects or
principles of the Law which are eternal, the law regarding the Sabbath is certainly not one of them. Now the
question is: “What is the difference between the Law of Moses and the Law of God?” This is the distinction
Sabbatarians make. The Bible makes no such distinction. With Paul we ask, “What saith the Scripture”
(Rom. 4:3)? Ezra, the ready scribe of God, was skilled in the Law of Moses (Ezra 7:6). This same one was
appointed by the people to read from this book of the Law of Moses (Neh. 8:1). This he did (Neh. 8:8) day by
day from the book of the Law of God (Neh. 8:18) for seven days. The Bible makes no distinction between the
Law of Moses and the Law of God.
When Jesus was born of a virgin, he was circumcised and brought before the Lord according to the Law of
Moses (Luke 2:22). Sacrifices were made for him and Mary's purification according to the Law of the Lord
(Luke 2:23-24). Now, which law was it? Was it the Law of Moses or of the Lord? Answer: there is no
distinction.
When Paul wrote to the Gentile Christians of Ephesus, he told them, “But now in Christ Jesus ye that once
were far off are made nigh in the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who made both one, and brake down
the middle wall of partition, having abolished in the flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments
contained in ordinances; that he might create in himself of the two one new man, so making peace; and
might reconcile them both in one body unto God through the cross, having slain the enmity thereby” (Eph. 2:
13-16). Friends, Paul included everything in the Old Testament when he spoke of “law of commandments”
and “ordinances.” That includes the Sabbath Law also (which was for only the Jews anyway).
Why do we call the Old Testament “Old?” Hear the word of the Lord: “But now hath he obtained a ministry
the more excellent, by so much as he is also the mediator of a better covenant, which hath been enacted
upon better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then would no place have been sought
for a second. For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, That I will make a
new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah” (Heb. 8:6-8). Again, “In that he saith, A
new covenant he hath made the first old. But that which is becoming old and waxeth aged is nigh unto
vanishing away” (Heb. 8:13). The first covenant (testament) is gone and we now live and walk by “a new and
living way” (Heb. 10:20).
Upon what day do God's people today worship? The first day of the week. Is this called “Sunday” in the
Bible? No, but it is identified as “the Lord's day” in Revelation 1:10. This is in answer to the prophecy found
in the Psalm at the beginning of this article. Remember, Jeremiah said something new was coming (Jer. 31:
31-34). The writer of Hebrews quoted from this text twice. Jesus was resurrected upon the first day of the
week. The church began on the first day of the week. Paul refers to the Lord's table, supper, death and body
(1 Cor. 11, 12). All these things are attended, remembered, observed, eaten and proclaimed upon the first
day of the week (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1-2). Why then is it difficult to accept the fact that John spoke of the
first day (Sunday) when he wrote the words “the Lord's day” (Rev. 1:10)?
Since “the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17), and if I
attempt to justify my religion by the Law of Moses, Paul would tell me: “Ye are severed from Christ, ye would
be justified by the law; ye are fallen away from grace” (Gal. 5:4). So is everyone who would seek to go back to
the rudimentary things, rather than cling to Christ and His law regarding the first day of the week.