Newsletter Vol.1, #5—December 18, 2005

Matthew 7 ¹¹“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! ¹²So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”

SPONSORING CHURCH

In the Holy Spirit Lectures at the Southside Church of Christ here in Lubbock last October, Brian Kenyon (Lakeland, Florida) spoke on October 11^th setting forth the personal indwelling of the Holy Spirit (10:00 a.m. “The Spirit Indwells Personally and Literally” http://www.oabs.org/Archives/Lectures/Lubbock2005.htm).

In the opening statements of his presentation, he said, “Whenever one's judgment crosses over the line of plain Bible passages or plain Bible principles, then it becomes a matter of fellowship." ... "You look at the major divisions in the churches of Christ in the last 50 years and you tell me how many of them are not, at first, they were matters of judgment. But people take their judgment, matters of judgment, and say that's like the Gospel Truth. Back in the late 50's, early 60's, starting probably before that, ... the issue of church cooperation -- Matters of Judgment! Matters of Judgment! If a person thinks the church ought not to support out of the treasury, so be it, but don't say we're going to Hell because we do. And so, Matters of Judgment." (Note: 3 periods [...] indicate I have not quoted everything in between the quotes given.)

Then he inferred that those of us opposing the Sponsoring Church (this particular phrase was not used) have an element of envy and jealousy driving us! I wrote to him and said, “I beg to differ with you and would be interested in pursuing a study of this with you or even a debate. Would you be interested in this?”

He answered, in part, “CORRECTION: In my opening remarks at the Lubbock lectureship, I should have been clearer that I was talking about how the "anti-Biblical expediency" division began, as I understand it, not the present status of it. I apologize for leaving the impression to you (and perhaps others) that the current "anti-Biblical expediency" brethren are driven by envy and jealousy. Please accept my apologies.

“DEFENSE: I will defend the underlying truth of my statement that some issues of church cooperation are matters of judgment, and that brethren should not make them matters of fellowship.”

I proposed to debate with him on a debate website and here is what he wrote, “Having quickly glanced at the ‘religious debates’ website, I am wondering whether or not this should be an ‘in person’ debate.  I do not know about in Texas, but, in my opinion, the ‘soil is right’ in Florida to reopen a discussion of the issues that divided us those many years ago.  I am convinced, from my observation here, that there is a whole generation that does not have a clue as to why the division exists.  I think these people need to know and hear, perhaps for the first time for some of them, both sides of the issue.  It is agonizing to me to try to explain to people not affiliated with the church of Christ why the two groups exist.  Truly, the fulfillment of Jesus' prayer for unity is hindered.  Imagine the influence if all the churches of Christ in Lubbock and in Lakeland were united!”

Here are the propositions I sent to Brian:

An Affirmative:

Resolved: The sponsoring church arrangement violates the New Testament pattern of congregational cooperation.

Affirm: Larry A Bunch

Deny: Brian Kenyon

A Negative:

Resolved: The sponsoring church arrangement of congregational cooperation is authorized by New Testament authority.

Affirm: Brian Kenyon

Deny:  Larry A Bunch

Since submitting the propositions, it has been a back-and-forth communication of trying to word it to satisfy both of us. I maintain the propositions are properly worded and Brian is concerned that I might use it to build a “straw-man” out of it. I have assured him that I would not do that and have been unable to sign any propositions he has suggested as being to general and/or prejudicial.

For example, Brian wrote, “…here is an affirmative proposition that I am willing to affirm: Resolved: The Bible teaches that one local church can support another local church in taking the gospel to the world.”

That, of course, is too general! We can support another church in the preaching of the Gospel by announcing their meetings! (We may have more to say/report in upcoming Newsletters.)

HABITUAL CHRISTIANS

Continued from Last Week

If you ask these people if they are Christians they would say, "Yes," even professing to be members of the church of Christ. Yet, they have no real joy in their hearts. They have allowed Christianity to become a mere form with no substance. They are "habitual Christians" who have allowed the practice of Christianity to become simply a habit. They go through the motions expected of them. They have "a form of godliness, but have denied its power." 2.Tim.3:5.

What is it that makes them "habitual Christians?" One reason is a loss of spiritual appetite. These people view the services as routine and dull. They seek to blame others for the fact they are no longer filled with a desire to be fed spiritual food. Jesus said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled." Matt.5:6. A wife surely knows "what a weariness it is" to cook a suitable meal for the family when there is no appetite for food.

Others are "habitual Christians" because they desire to be somewhere else. They want the benefits of being a Christian, but not the responsibilities. They are bored spectators. The preacher, song leader, Bible class teachers are the actors and the habitual Christian is just an onlooker. The excitement and entertainment is not found in church services, so they watch the time, endure the service, and rush away as soon as possible afterward. Two, three or more hours are not too long to enjoy a good movie, TV program, sporting event, etc. but these same people find it hard to sit still even one hour in worship to God.

Some are "habitual Christians" and miserable at the same time because they know they are not doing their best. They are aware of the fact they are doing less than the best possible and also know God is NOT pleased. How can they be happy as Christians? They have too much religion to be happy in the world, yet not enough to be happy as Christians.

The biggest reason for the condition of such people is not with the church services, but within themselves. There needs to be a personal examination. The real problem is a lack of preparation to serve God. There is an unwillingness to apply the teachings of Christ to one's life. What can one do to correct this?

First, ask the question, "Is my commitment genuine?" There is no place for half-committed, divided allegiances with Christ. Christ must be first, or not at all. Matt.6:24. Jesus tested the commitment of some who professed to follow Him in John 6.  They had to absorb His teaching, reflect His character, develop His mind, imitate His life, in order to be His disciple. Some who heard this said, "This is a hard saying, who can understand it? . . .From this time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more." Jn.6:60,66.

Secondly, realize that feelings are not the evidence of true Christianity. We do not know we are saved because we feel good, rather, we feel good because we KNOW we are saved. The joy and reverence comes from knowing the truth. "But rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven." Lk.10:20. The true Christian will not find the acts performed in worship as dull and boring, but moments of true rejoicing in serving the true God. We can know this from the scriptures. 1.Jn.2:3,5.

In order not to be a "habitual Christian" one needs to set his affections on spiritual things. "If you then be raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth." Col.3:1-2.  When we keep our mind where our hope is, we will be drawn much closer to God, rather than be separated from Him.

The Buckhorn Teacher Vol. 4 July 17, 2005 No.5, thornhill@tycom.net