From Here to Eternity

"There’s a great day coming," are the words to a familiar and favorite song. Christ’s return is a reality. It is not some riddle to be solved nor a code to be broken, but a day to be anticipated. When that day will occur however, remains a mystery to all except God (Matthew 24:36). Therefore, it should not be WHEN that day will come that concerns us the most, but HOW we live until that day arrives. That was Peter’s concern. He asked, "How should we live from here to eternity?" Consider the following:

We should live a Christ-like life. Christ is our example. We should consider His "steps" (1 Peter 2:21), mind (Philippians 2:5), and His deeds (Acts 10:38). Jesus’ life and teaching were in perfect harmony. He cared enough to die. He loves unconditionally. He did the Father’s will. We will walk in the "paths of righteousness" by living like Christ.

We should strive to save our family. One man said, "I’ve gone the world over saving souls and lost my own son." Noah was a preacher of righteousness (2 Peter 2:5), and yet he saved only his wife, three sons and three daughters-in-law (1 Peter 3:20). Joshua was a busy leader, but he said, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15). The world needs more fathers like Noah and Joshua (cf. Genesis 18:19; Ephesians 6:4).

We should be supremely committed to the church of Christ. Brethren, never be ashamed of the CHURCH OF CHRIST! It is the church of the New Testament. Christ died for it (Acts 20:28) and He reigns over it (1 Corinthians 15:25). When He returns the church will be delivered unto God (1 Corinthians 15:24).

We should strive for unity, peace, and harmony within the church. In Ephesians 4:1-6, we find the dispositions and doctrines for Christian unity. The pulse of the church must beat in unison. With the Bible as our guide in faith and practice, we should never allow false doctrine, opinion, or supposition to lead the church into error, liberalism, or legalism. Let us stand foursquare upon the Bible, not swaying to the left or right (Acts 5:29).

We should live so that our name is always in the Book of life. Right now in heaven there is a Book of Life. Moses was aware of this book (Exodus 32:32), so was Paul (Philippians 4:3). Jesus told the disciples, "Rejoice because your name is written in heaven" (Luke 10:20). In the Book of Life are written the names of the redeemed. Is your name in that book right now? You name is placed there when you become a Christian. Your name remains there by living a faithful life. When the Book of Life is opened (Revelation 20:11-15), will your name be there? Life’s most important thing is having your name in heaven!

The way you live will determine where you spend eternity. Be faithful until death and receive a crown of life (Revelation 2:10).

"Follow Me"

Ted D. Burleson, Editorial

On a recent trip my wife and I had to stop for a while due to road construction. We saw a compact pick-up truck zipping down the side of the road with a large yellow sign attached to the back. The sign read, "Pilot Truck: Follow Me." When the person holding an orange flag waved for us to continue our travels, the "Pilot Truck" led us safely through the construction zone. Like other preachers who constantly have sermon or article ideas during life experiences, I thought, when we follow someone or something, we need to make sure that the one we’re following is leading us in the right direction.

Satan doesn’t have to use flashing signs that say, "follow me," yet many have followed him down the road to destruction. Thankfully, there is another "Follow Me" invitation that will never lead us astray; the invitation to follow Jesus. Note some of the invitations that Jesus gave for people to follow Him.

An Invitation for Peter to Follow Jesus

When Peter heard that Jesus was going away he asked about going with the Lord (John 13:36-38). The next day Jesus was dead and Peter probably replayed that conversation over in his mind several times. Later, Peter is in his boat and fishing again. He has fished all night and has caught nothing. Suddenly a voice from the shore yells, "Do you have any food?"

"No," comes the reply.

"Fish on the other side of the boat," the seashore voice shouts.

Why not? Peter casts out the net and it suddenly fills with 153 fish. Peter remembers that the only time things like these occur is when Jesus is around. Feeling unworthy and ashamed, Peter jumps into the water.

Jesus has prepared breakfast. "Come and eat," He tells Peter.

Note Jesus’ next two words. Jesus says, "Follow Me" (John 21:19).

A scribe told Jesus, "I will follow wherever you go" (Luke 9:57, 58). Following Jesus evidently means some things to this scribe for which he had not planned. When Jesus tells him that he doesn’t even have a place to sleep the scribe’s desires change. Can you imagine giving up a lucrative writing position to follow a homeless man around for the rest of your life? To the scribe, Jesus was probably just another homeless man. To true followers of Jesus, He is the Son of God.

Another disciple was invited to follow Jesus but wouldn’t follow because of a custom that said he couldn’t leave until his father passed away and had received a proper burial. This could have been twenty years later. Jesus repeated the invitation, "Follow Me" (Luke 9:59).

Still another follower told Jesus that he would follow him, but first he had to go bid his family farewell. Family is important! I certainly do not intend to belittle families and the strength a family can give. However, if we put our family traditions or family ties above our ties with Jesus, what kind of answer do we give when Jesus says, "Follow Me?"

One of the more famous stories of one struggling with the decision to follow Jesus is the saga of the "rich young ruler."

His mouth said, "Yes, I will follow Jesus," but his heart said no when he realized it would mean sharing that which is most precious to him, his money. Jesus said, "Come and follow me," but the young man walked sadly away. What do you think this rich young ruler would give to have that moment of rejection back when he stands before Jesus and hears him say, "Depart from Me, for I never knew you"?

We can draw conclusions from these followers and would-be followers. First, following Jesus means that some of our plans might have to be altered. Second, following Jesus means that we can no longer make decisions based on customs or traditions but must make them as Jesus would have us decide. Third, following Jesus might mean giving up the things that are precious to us like prized possessions and personal habits.

Things to Remember about Following Jesus

No member, even a deacons or a preacher has a more grave or important task than God’s elder. He is a "shepherd," tasked with leading a flock of spiritual sheep to heavenly pasture (1 Peter 5:2-3). He is an "overseer," responsible for the direction of the entire congregation as well as the individual Christians who constitute it (Philippians 1:1). He is an "elder," a man who by reason of age and the attending growth, maturity, experience, and wisdom that should accompany years of faithful, active Christian service is naturally admired and respected by the members whose souls are in his charge (1 Timothy 5:17). Wendell Winkler has called church leadership "the crisis of our time." Ultimately, the blame for the influx of false teaching, extremism, listless activity, lack of direction among members, and poor planning falls upon the broad shoulders of the church’s elders. Consider four leadership traits that help elders lead in a godly way.

Godly elders "level." They communicate. They inform the congregation on several levels. They tell the church about brotherhood issues, though they do not constantly bombard them with these. They tell the church their thoughts about both short-term and long-term plans. They bring members into the loop as soon and as much as they possibly can, even on thorny issues like church discipline, decisions regarding the preacher, or moral or doctrinal problems within the local church. As elders have a right to expect a strong commitment from members, members have a right to hear the voice of the shepherds they follow.

Godly elders "evangelize." I recently saw one brother refine the old adage that the church’s work is three-fold (edification, benevolence, and evangelism) by saying we have the main objective of evangelism and everything we do should be with soul-winning in mind. That being the case, an elders’ main emphasis should never be finances, church buildings, elders’ or business meetings, or deacons’ work. His main objective should be "one more soul." This includes helping preserve the souls of the saved, through ensuring the truth is preached and taught, special means of edification (lectureships, gospel meetings, seminars, etc.), and especially personal contact with the saints. It also means having the ability to teach a lost soul the good news. This "tone-setting" will most greatly affect the mindset of members and build the strongest church.

Godly elders "agonize." Certainly they are made to agonize unnecessarily and unfairly. Often, they receive the brunt of the criticism leveled at the church, they are too often the object of sinful gossip and slander, and are the subject of mild to severe criticism from the "Monday morning" and "armchair" elders. Never be the cause of such hurt and heartache. In addition to these pains, godly elders spend countless time on their knees in prayer and study over things with eternal implications, they wrestle with decisions having far-reaching impact, and they mightily contend with an adversary who would certainly, especially delight in devouring one of God’s leaders.

Godly elders "delegate." They are capable, competent men who know how to get church work done, but they do not assume that if "you want a job done right, do it yourself." They know this deprives members the opportunity to serve (the flip side of this is that many elders plead for help and get none, so dejectedly they do it so it gets done at all). They give the deacons the freedom and vote of confidence to do, without the ridiculous pressures of micro-management, the work assigned to them. They personally ask and solicit members’ time and involvement. While they can do most everything at a highly effective level, they are more interested in "equipping the saints" (Ephesians 4:12) to the fullest degree possible.

When elders level, evangelize, agonize, and delegate, they optimize their ability to L-E-A-D. Alexander Strauch, in a 1995 book, Biblical Eldership, concludes that, "Elders, then, lead, direct, govern, manage, and care for the flock of God" (25). Please honor that principle and properly respond to it (cf. Hebrews 13:7, 17). Remember, however, that "Becoming a leader is a lot like investing in the stock market. If your hope is to make a fortune in a day, you’re not going to be successful. What matters most is what you do day by day over the long haul" (Maxwell, Leadership 101, 12). Elders are Christians, and, as healthy Christians, are continuing to grow (cf. 2 Peter 3:18). They are fallible and not impervious to mistakes. Pray for elders, vocally encourage them, and support the things they enlist the church to do.

Questions to Consider

1. Brother Pollard refers to brother Wendell Winkler’s observation that leadership is the "crisis of our time." Do you agree? If so, what can be done to address the crisis?

2. Consider the acronym L-E-A-D presented in this article. Which is the strongest of these traits among the elders in the congregation where you a member?

3. Consider the text brother Pollard mentioned under the "delegate" section, Ephesians 4:12. In what ways do elders in the Lord’s church "equip" the saints?

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Birds of prey, such as falcons, do not fear what they cannot see. For this reason, falconers have learned that they can calm a bird down by placing a hood over its eyes to block out the light. The bird is fooled into thinking that it is nighttime and tends to become more calm. Incidentally, this is where the term "hoodwink" comes from.

Christians should not be as easily duped. For we have learned from the Scriptures to "look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:18). As a matter of fact, these unseen things are apparently the most dangerous. Paul told the Ephesians, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Ephesians 6:12). Add to that Jesus’ admonition to us about God Himself: "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell" (Matthew 10:28).

You can be certain that God requires us to be more afraid of Him than any opposition we might find here on earth. In Revelation 21:8, we read that those who are cowardly will receive the same fate as those who are murderers and immoral persons: ". . . shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." However, this is one situation which knowing the truth can make us free (cf. John 8:32). Consider these encouraging words by King Hezekiah of Judah to his military before going to war: "Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him: With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah" (2 Chronicles 32:7, 8).

Too often, we become like grasshoppers in our own sight when we face formidable temptations or challenging moral dilemmas (cf. Numbers 13:33). Instead of trusting in the Lord with a dedicated heart and being strong in the Lord and the power of His might, we allow ourselves to be intimidated by those flimsy, temporal, earthly distractions that cause us to be entangled in the affairs of everyday life (cf. Proverbs 3:5; Ephesians 6:10; 2 Timothy 2:3). We need more leaders today that will rise up and encourage us as Joshua and Caleb did to the Israelites, saying, "Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not" (Number 14:9).

What is your greatest fear? Could it be sickness or death? Embarrassment? Humiliation? Are you afraid of losing your job and financial security? Perhaps you fear for your family and their safety. Many people are afraid that they will lose their souls and spend an eternity in hell. However, there is no reason for Christians to have any of these fears. God offers peace to His children and the remedy for all fear. John wrote, "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love" (1 John 4:18). The Lord still says to us through His word the same as He once spoke personally to Paul, "Be not afraid, but speak . . . For I am with thee" (Acts 18:9, 10).

God was and is a giver. Consider the "Golden Text" of the Bible: "For God [the greatest being] so loved [the greatest thing] the world [the greatest number], that he gave his only begotten Son [the greatest gift], that whosoever believeth in him [the greatest faith] should not perish [the greatest tragedy], but have everlasting life [the greatest reward]" (John 3:16).

The widow was a giver. Read Mark 12:35-44. This widow gave out of her extreme poverty. She gave all her living and all that she had to live on. She trusted in God to supply her wants, and devoted her little property entirely to him. Do we truly deny ourselves in giving? Most give out of an abundance. Does it hurt us to give?

Barnabas was a giver. Read Mark 12:35-44. Oh to be like the Christians in the first century. They gave out of love They looked after their brethren. They even sold their homes to help the church. It is possible that the land Barnabas gave constituted his whole estate, having no dependents, he gave of himself and his possessions for the ministry.

The Macedonians were givers. In 2 Corinthians 8:1-19, Paul is writing to Christians who have struggled in the area under consideration in this essay. He was encouraging Christians in Corinth to follow the example of those in Macedonia. The Christians in Macedonia: gave while under affliction (v. 2); gave with abounding joy (v. 2); gave with abundant liberality even in "deep poverty" (v. 2); gave as they were able, "according to their power" (v. 3); gave more than they were able, "and beyond their power" (v. 3); "gave willingly of themselves" (v. 3); begged Paul to receive and administer their gift (v. 4); surprised Paul by their giving (v. 5); "First gave their own selves to the Lord" (v. 5); gave liberally so their giving might be like their other gifts (v. 7); were moved to liberality by the example of others and to prove their love (vv. 8,9); made commitments to give liberally (v. 10); gave out of a willing mind (vv. 11,12); gave that there might be equality (vv. 13-15); considered those who urged them to give as one who really cared (vv. 16,17); realized their giving would bring glory to God and meet the needs of the poor (v. 19).

The Words of Truth 2004 Index

Integrity (Spring 2004)

Questions and Answers: Denominationalism (January 2004)

Burleson, Doug

What Do You Want on Your Tombstone? (Summer 2004)

Burleson, Ted

An Outline of John’s Gospel (October/November 2004)

"Follow Me" (December 2004)

Questions and Answers: Preacher Training (December 2004)

Spiritual Maturity (Summer 2004)

Butt, Jeremy

Did Jesus Use Artificial or Live Bait? (October/November 2004)

Jesus Is the Word (October/November 2004)

John’s Baptism vs. Jesus’ Baptism (October/November 2004)

The Hour Is Come (October/November 2004)

The "I Am" Statements of Jesus (October/November 2004)

What Did Jesus Write on the Ground? (October/November 2004)

Clippard, Todd

Jesus Knows, Jesus Cares (Summer 2004)

Mel Gibson’s "The Passion": the Film, the Fight, and the Facts (January 2004)

Questions and Answers: Conflict Resolution (Spring 2004)

When Convention Trumps Conviction (Spring 2004)

Colley, Glenn

"After She Dies" (December 2004)

Crain, Sellers S., Jr.

Children Need Parents–Not Pals (Summer 2004)

Dollahite, Chad

Be Usable! (February 2004)

Harrub, Brad

Miscarriages–Misunderstood and Misrepresented (January 2004)

Jackson, Brandon

An Open Letter of Appreciation (January 2004)

Empowerment Takes More Than a Minute (Spring 2004)

Jackson, Wayne

Questions and Answers: Christian Parenting (February 2004)

Kizer, Andy

Questions and Answers: Gambling and a Woman’s Role in the Church (Summer 2004)

Questions and Answers: Can a Woman Become an Elder? (October/November 2004)

Kizer, Ashley

Foremost Fears (December 2004)

Kizer, Drew

Breaking Bad Habits (January 2004)

Lyons, Eric

Jesus Gives "Church" Meaning (Spring 2004)

What Must I Know to Be Saved? (February 2004)

McCord, Hugo

Does the Old Testatment Promise a Future Life? (February 2004)

Small Things (Spring 2004)

The Lion and the Lamb (January 2004)

Pollard, Neal

Four Marks of Godly Elders (December 2004)

Posey, Glenn

From Here to Eternity (December 2004)

Ramsey, Johnny

Mistakes We Should Not Make (Summer 2004)

New Testament Christianity (February 2004)

Richey, Neil

On the Subject of Giving (December 2004)

Paul’s Tears (February 2004)

We Need More Bible Preachers (Spring 2004)

Semore, Garvis

What Has the World Come to? (Summer 2004)

Sparks, Joey

Tuesdays (& Thursdays) with Dowell (Summer 2004)

Webster, Allen

Nothing But Noise (February 2004)

Webster, Chuck

Dead or Alive? (January 2004)

How Did God Harden Pharaoh’s Heart? (February 2004)

Whitworth, Daniel

Will Your Children Go to Heaven? (Summer 2004)

Williams, Ron

The Myths of Grief (Spring 2004)

Winkler, Wendell

What God Can Do with You (Spring 2004)

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QUESTION: Could you please tell me if a preacher should go to college and obtain a degree, go to a preaching school, or should he just really know God and the Bible?

Answer: There are as many viewpoints on this question as there are readers who will read this response to the question. There have been many well-known, outstanding evangelists who had very little formal education. The founding editor of this publication, brother Gus Nichols, was a brilliant preacher, editor, author, debater, and teacher among other excellent attributes, yet he had very little formal education. His education was the best kind that any preacher can have; a thorough knowledge of the Word of God, the Bible. There are many among us who have earned multiple advanced degrees that do not know the Bible as well as some who have had no formal training.

With that being stated, however, let me advise the questioner that a preacher should take advantage of training opportunities available to him. For example, a preacher is blessed if he lives near a sound Bible college or preacher training school or if he can move closer to such a school. Those who are not near such a source of training might look into the possibility of taking advantage of extension courses or distant learning courses. I sometimes teach graduate classes where students have driven four hours, one way, to be in attendance. Other students from foreign countries have moved halfway around the world to be trained to better proclaim God’s word.

Most, if not all of our schools of preaching charge no tuition fee. This gives men who desire to preach a wonderful opportunity to train under wise, experienced preachers who follow Paul’s admonition to Timothy, "And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also" (2 Timothy 2:2).

I cannot answer as to whether someone aspiring to become a gospel preacher should attend a college and obtain a degree or attend a preaching school. There are brothers in Christ that I love and trust very much who take different viewpoints on this matter. Brother Earl Edwards, the director of the graduate Bible program at Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tennessee, does an excellent job advising preachers in additional training. I have not asked brother Edwards but I believe he would advise those who have an opportunity and can afford to do so, to enroll in a sound, biblical training program such as his. Indeed, several faithful gospel preachers have been trained in brother Edwards’ program or in similar programs.

That being said, brother Paul Sain of Pulaski, Tennessee, a brother who is also sound in the faith, advised one of my sons who was about to begin preacher training to attend the Memphis School of Preaching in Memphis, Tennessee. As I recall, brother Sain stated at that time (1996), "If I had a son that wanted to preach, I’d send him to the Memphis School of Preaching." Indeed, some of the best preachers I know are graduates of preacher training schools.

We have several young preachers here in Walker County, Alabama, who do not have college degrees, and who have not yet attended a preacher school, but who preach excellent lessons each Lord’s Day morning. Several of them do take advantage of a local training class taught by brother L. T. Gurganus and brother Levi Sides. This may be all the training that some of these brethren ever receive. I believe, God will still be pleased with them as long as they lovingly preach the truth.

In summary, looking back over the past twenty-eight years of training to preach that I have enjoyed, I attended whatever training opportunities that I could afford and that were available to me. The Lord blessed me with the opportunity to be near training schools and to have brethren who would pay for my training. The Lord has blessed us with several sound preacher training schools and some sound Christian colleges that can aid the preacher in improving his preaching skills.

As an illustration, of the 27 writers of articles that appear in the Words of Truth 2004 Index, there are six who attended preaching schools, several of whom also had college degrees. Twelve of the writers had at least a master’s degree, and at least six have earned doctorates. This goes to show that there is no "best answer" to your question. Knowing God and the Bible is possible without any additional training, but additional training proves to be very helpful.

Regardless of the training or education, the part of the question that asks, "Should he just really know God and the Bible?" This should be the true goal of all preacher training.

"After She Dies"