Sullivan church of Christ – Sullivan, MO
Date: October 28, 2007
“UNITY IN TRUTH”
Purpose Statement
God once gave to the first century church inspired apostles, prophets,
evangelists, pastors and teachers in order to accomplish the perfecting of the
saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ
(Ephesians 4:11-12). Today, God provides to the church His perfect, inspired
word for the same purposes: for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of
ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ. The desired result then,
as well as for today, is so that we may be no longer children, tossed to and fro,
and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, in
craftiness, after the wiles of error (Ephesians 4:14).
We, the editors and staff (who are ourselves evangelists, elders, and teachers),
and the elders who oversee this work, have dedicated ourselves to the apostles’
doctrine and words of the prophets in order to be diligent to present ourselves
approved unto God, workmen that need not to be ashamed, handling aright the
word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).
We shall endeavor to remind our brethren of their first love (Revelation 2:4), and
to encourage them by means of speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), to
the end that together we may commend them to God and to the word of His grace
which is able to build them up and give them the inheritance among all them
that are sanctified (Acts 20:32). In so doing, we hope to spur them to be
watchful, and establish the things that remain, which were ready to die, and to
remember therefore how they have received and did hear; and keep it (Revelation
3:2-3).
The Lord’s church is facing peril greater than anything before faced by this
generation, to a degree which many are not even aware. The rampant ignorance
that typifies our age is manifested in the unparalleled and unrestrained
participation in politics, and the ignoring of God’s lines of fellowship to the
destruction of autonomy, and in many ways Truth itself. The Lord’s church is
splintered by false teachers and those who uphold them, and we are endeavoring
to call for God’s faithful people in every congregation to “come out from among
them, and be ye separate” (2 Corinthians 6:17). Integrity has been compromised
due to suspicion and duplicity for the sake of gaining advantage over others.
These things ought not so to be!
Where brotherhood papers that were formerly on the firing line have ceased their
volleys against all error, Unity in Truth proposes to “stand in the gap” and
remain on the firing line. We must, therefore, communicate the whole Truth
concerning doctrinal and brotherhood issues, to the end that we may solidify and
unify the church in these unstable times. We are looking for the “seven
thousand who have not bowed their knees unto Baal” and who are not afraid to
stand up and speak up against those who teach false doctrine and those who
support them, no matter who they are.
We will make it our task, as much as it is within us, to enjoin upon every
member that we may have opportunity to influence, to watch, stand fast in the
faith, act like men and women of God, and to be strong (I Corinthians 16:13)! We
shall make it our mission to expose false doctrine that currently divides the
brotherhood using the perfect law of liberty as our only guide (James 1:25; 2:12).
There shall be no party spirit in this effort. We stand where our Lord stands and
we shall not be moved.
Our purpose therefore is to stir up their sincere minds by putting them in
remembrance that they should remember the words which were spoken before by
the holy prophets, and the commandments of the Lord and Savior through the
apostles (2 Peter 3:1-2). If we are to have any hope at all for Heaven, we must be
doers of the Word, and not hearers only who delude themselves (James 1:22).
THINGS THAT HINDER TEACHING
Ben Justice
One of the greatest blessings is teaching others the Word of God. Teachers
in the church dispense to others the greatest commodity in the world — the
truth. The truth, according to Jesus, sets men free from the shackles and
burdens of sin (John 8:32). Those who have taught know full well what can be
accomplished in the lives of others. Teachers are people of example and
influence. Realizing the awesome responsibility that teachers have, James
penned in James 3:1, “My brethren, be not many masters (teachers — ASV),
knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation (heavier judgment —
ASV).”
With that said, there are many things that hinder effective teaching. Note the
following ways:
1.) Lack of personal study: We are to add to our faith “knowledge” (2 Pet. 1:5).
We are to “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18). Paul prayed for the Colossians that they would “be filled
with the knowledge of his will” and “increasing in the knowledge of God” (Col. 1:9-
10). Jesus pronounced a blessing upon those who “do hunger and thirst after
righteousness” (Matt. 5:6). Sadly, many are not willing to study properly in
preparation to teach, and it shows in their presentation. What is presented is
very shallow and weak. If more teachers would put the necessary energy and
time into preparing to teach, then certainly their students will reap great
dividends.
2.) Irregularity in attendance: When one is habitually irregular in his
attendance, it demonstrates contempt for things spiritual and the need to grow.
When one misses any of the services, it results in stunted spiritual growth. The
fact is, those who don’t faithfully attend the services should never be allowed to
fill the role of public teacher.
3.) Intellectual pride: Some people think they already know it all, and thus see
no need to study. They have been members of the church for several decades
and believe they have heard every sermon on every topic more than once. All
Christians, whether teachers or not, must have intellectual humbleness and
always realize the need to grow in God’s Word (Heb. 6:1).
4.) Misconception about spiritual growth: This is the other extreme. Some
Christians believe they have never reached the point of spiritual growth that
would enable them to teach. They have a faulty conception about spiritual
growth in relation to teaching. They believe they don’t know enough, and in fact,
always use this as an excuse for not teaching. Granted, one must be
knowledgeable in God’s Word, for one can’t teach what one doesn’t know.
However, there are many sitting in pews who have a wealth of knowledge but
because of this misconception about spiritual growth and knowledge, they refuse
to teach. What a shame to allow so much knowledge to be wasted!
5.) Interference from recreation and social activities: Too many members are
overwhelmed with the things of this world. Their lives are so tied down
physically, that they never have room for the spiritual. They don’t have time to
put in the needed study in preparation to teach. It would be better to hand over
teaching responsibilities to someone else who will gladly put in the necessary
time. And, if we are so busy with the things of the world that we don’t have time
for the work of the church , then we are simply too busy, for we are not putting
the kingdom of God first in our lives (Matt. 6:33).