That’s Just His Opinion

Have you ever noticed that when people hear a sermon with which they whole-heartedly agree, they are very quick to point out many good things about the lesson? They can readily give you a "recap" of the main points. They can usually even tell you some of the Scriptures that were used. They will give information about how the sermon was organized. They will usually even tell you about how many Scripture references were used in the presentation.

However, have you ever noticed that when people hear a sermon with which they do not agree, none of those things really matters? The style of the sermon is not that important to them, nor is the length. They usually do not even care how many Scripture references were used to support the lesson.

Why is that? It is very simple when you listen to those same people talk after a sermon with which they do not agree. They justify their disagreement with one simple phrase: "That’s just his opinion."

Is that not interesting to you? The same preacher using the same Bible and probably very much the same style of preaching can be 100 percent correct in the minds of listeners one Sunday and "just preaching opinion" the next. And this is despite the fact that both lessons can be completely Biblically sound. How are people able to differentiate between the two lessons and come to such a conclusion?

It goes back to one of the most famous verses in God’s Word about accepting a lesson. Acts 17:11 begins, "These (Jews in the city of Berea, A.F.) were more noble than those in Thessalonica." Why? Why were these listeners in one city more noble than in another? Keep reading the verse. "They received the word with all readiness of mind." They what? They listened to the sermon with eagerness. How many of you who preach would enjoy saying that about people in your home congregation? But there is more: ". . . and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so."

Before moving on, make one mental note. These were Jewish listeners. That being true, they were hearing a message that would have greatly challenged their beliefs passed on from generation to generation. While it is obvious they were open-minded, the words of Christians would have been extremely difficult to hear. What were they hearing? They were listening to Paul and Silas in the synagogue (a place of study) and were comparing their teaching with God’s Word.

Notice the two things these listeners did that made them "noble." First, they listened, but more than that, they listened "with all readiness of mind." They were ready to hear from God. How many of us show up on the Lord’s Day totally unprepared to hear a message from God? We show up tired, not mentally ready, and with a closed mind. We should not be this way! When we have the privilege (and it is a privilege) to listen to a sound Gospel sermon, we should be ready to do so, for it very well could (and should) change our lives.

Second, these in Berea also went one step further. They did not just listen, finish the worship service, and walk out unchanged. Not these listeners! They did further investigation. When is the last time you studied a sermon further after the worship period was completed? You should! Why were these Jewish listeners doing this? They were checking to see if these things that Paul and Silas were teaching were so. They were checking out the preachers!

Notice, however, there is more to the story than this. We often forget the conclusion of the thought that is found in the next verse. After listening with an open mind, and studying further with an open Bible, the listeners were changed. Verse 12 puts it this way, "Therefore many of them believed." Did you notice the word, "therefore?" What caused this belief? Their listening coupled with their own examination of the Scriptures.

What does all this have to do with many people saying that some preachers are just "preaching opinion?" When is the last time you took time to check out that claim? It very well could be that the preacher has brought out something from God’s Word that is a much-needed and long-overdue change in your life. Or, it could be that the preacher is mistaken. If that is the case, go to him. If he is truly trying to live a godly life, he will appreciate the opportunity to study and to better himself!

So, when we hear a message with which we do not agree, instead of just assuming the preacher has decided to fill thirty minutes of worship to God with opinion, why not follow the example of these good listeners at Berea? Listen attentively to each sermon. Then, study further. You will begin to appreciate preaching more, and you might just find a mistake in your life that needs to be corrected. It could make an eternal difference.

For Further Research

1.  Why were the Bereans "more noble" (noble-minded) than those in Thessalonica? (Acts 17:11)

2.   How did the Bereans received the word? (Acts 17:11)

3. How often did the Bereans search the Scriptures? (Acts 17:11)

4. Why did the Bereans search (examine) the Scriptures? (Acts 17:11)

5. After receiving the word and searching the Scriptures, what did many of the Bereans do? (Acts 17:12)

"Let It Begin with Me"

Renewal and goodness must start somewhere. Why not with you and me? The United States Army advertises itself as "An Army of one," emphasizing the importance of the individual soldier in that branch of the military. Of course, we are all familiar with the song that proclaims, "Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me."

The idea of taking the initiative is certainly biblical and can be seen in the narratives of Joseph, Moses, Esther, and Ruth and in the epistles of Paul, Peter, and John. These faith stories describe the courage and commitment of those who stood strong for the faith they nurtured and cherished. Change was needed, action was taken, and they cried out, "Let it begin with me!"

The church will benefit if all of us will cry out, "Let it begin with me!" Imagine the trouble that would be avoided. Imagine the spiritual growth that would be accomplished. Imagine the hope that would be felt. Imagine the work that could be done for the Lord.

The very idea of "Let it begin with me" finds its origin in the Bible. This is seen in Jesus’ description of Himself as the Alpha and the Omega (Revelation 22:13). The very point of the phrase explodes with "Let it begin with me," for all things begin, as well as end with Him. You have heard of the phrase, "The buck stops here." With Jesus, all that is spiritually important and essential begins and stops with Him. Jesus also described Himself as the bread of life, the "living bread which came down from heaven" (John 6:48), recalling the manna given to the Israelites in the wilderness (Exodus 16). Yet, Jesus was and is much more, for He is the bread that gives life. Finally, He described Himself as the Good Shepherd (John 10:11). David was a shepherd, so the weight of his statement, "The Lord is my shepherd" (Psalm 23:1) is immense, for he understood well the task of the shepherd and, knowing that, proclaimed the Lord as He who shepherds him. All that is implied in being a shepherd—care, protection, guidance—is fulfilled and perfected in Jesus Christ. He is the "Good Shepherd" (John 10:11). The life and example of Jesus shouts aloud, "Let it begin with me!"

The idea of "Let it begin with me" is also seen in the apostles. At Pentecost, Peter, in essence, cried, "Let it begin with me!" (Acts 2). The gathered crowd needed to know the truth about their spiritual situation so Peter said, "Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you…Let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you have crucified, both Lord and Christ" (Acts 2:29, 36 NKJV). Peter was given the task of preaching the first sermon of the New Testament church and replied, "Let it begin with me!"

When Peter taught the truth to Cornelius and his household, he entered new territory (Acts 10). Cornelius was eager and willing, but Peter was not, but not because he did not want to teach, but because he had misconceptions of associating with a Gentile. He received a vision that changed everything Peter thought he knew. When Peter stood in the house of Cornelius, a Gentile, and saw the evidence of the Spirit moving among them, he said, "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him" (Acts 10:34-35). Peter, throughout his ministry said, "Let it begin me!"

The apostle Paul is another wonderful example of "Let it begin with me." So many churches were benefitted by the nurturing of Paul, such as Antioch in Pisidia (Acts 13), Philippi (Acts 16), and Corinth (Acts 18). The world needed to hear the Gospel preached and Paul said, "Let it begin with me!" We all know the passage: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek" (Romans 1:16). Paul took the gospel where it had not gone before by addressing issues never before addressed, confronting the unapproachable, and challenging what had before been unchallenged. Paul said, "Let it begin with me!"

The idea, "Let it begin with me!" should be ours as well. The church has a lot of needs. For example, Sunday morning worship attendance is atrocious in most places and even worse for the Bible classes on Sunday morning and Wednesday night. Hebrews 10:25 condemns forsaking the assembly, but many do it nonetheless. Jesus promised that where two or more are gathered in His name, He would be there (Matthew 18:20), but many do not come. In a similar thought, Bible study is neglected in most congregations. Hosea 4:6 speaks of God’s people being destroyed for a lack of knowledge, but few want to know God and His will. Since faithful attendance is a commandment of the Lord and Jesus is present in our worship, we need to say, "Let it begin with me!" Since the knowledge of the Lord is vital to our spiritual health and Bible study allows us to know His word, we need to cry out, "Let it begin with me!"

Worship has become something habitual, ritualistic, and mundane among too many of us. The thrill of worshiping God must be returned without the desire for

spectacle and pageantry. Worship is the privilege of offering praise and honor to God, so David insisted that he was glad when it was said, "Let us go into the house of the Lord" (Psalm 122:1). That gladness needs to return, without the expectation of entertainment and pageantry. Worship must be about the commands of God and not about the desires of men. It is time for each of us to say, "The joy of worship as God expects it will return and it will begin with me!"

The place and function of the Lord’s Supper has been lost in many churches. It has become something merely to be done and not something to lift and fill our hearts as we recall the sacrifice of Jesus for the sins of the world. Our minds are on everything else but Jesus and our hearts are anywhere else but at the base of the cross. The Lord’s Supper is something Jesus specifically insisted was to be done for Him and because of Him (Luke 22:19). He specifically stated that it remembered His body and blood, and so then His sacrifice for the sins of the world (Matthew 26: 26-28; Mark 14: 22-24; Luke 22:19-20). The Lord’s Supper needs to have the place and function Jesus intended: a memorial of the greatest gift ever given to humankind. That is why we need to say, "Let true commemoration begin with me."

The prophet Isaiah felt unfit for prophecy and service to the Lord. The Lord cleansed him and then asked, "Whom shall I send? Who will go for Us?" (Isaiah 6: 8). Isaiah, freshly renewed and empowered, said, "Here am I, send me!" Renewal and restoration must begin somewhere, so why not with you and me? It is time for all of us to hear the instructions, requests, and commands of the Lord and reply, "Let it begin with me!" W.O.T.

For Further Research

1. Jesus said, "I am the Good Shepherd." For what does the Good Shepherd give His life? (John 10:11)

2. What did Peter say in his sermon on Pentecost that all the house of Israel should know about Jesus? (Acts 2:36)

3. What did Peter say that God is not? (Acts 10:34)

4. Of what was Paul not ashamed? (Romans 1:16)

5. According to Hebrews, some were in the habit of doing what? (Hebrews 10:25)

Playgrounds, programs, and preaching

Brad Harrub, Director of Scientific Information, Apologetics Press, Montgomery, AL

Most of us have been there at one point or another—looking for somewhere to eat on a busy street. It never fails, whenever adults are really craving something good, one of those fast food restaurants with a playground appears out of nowhere. With neon lights and giant slides beckoning, it immediately captures the attention of anyone under the age of twelve. Suddenly the backseat becomes a chorus of little voices begging to go to the restaurant with the playground. In fact, most children choose their favorite restaurant not for the food, but rather the presence and size of the playground and the type of toy that comes in the value meal. History will record that twenty-five years ago playgrounds in restaurants were almost as scarce as dinosaurs. Today, you can find two or three within the same city block. Kids love it because they get to play. Parents dread it because the food is not very healthy and is often less than appetizing, (and more than a few of us have had to bend and snake our way up through the tubes in order to rescue a crying child who made it to the top, but was too scared to come down!).

But the playgrounds work! They entice children (and their hesitant parents) by the millions. In fact, the majority of fast-food restaurants under construction today possess these colossal recreational areas. Interestingly, we find that this concept of attracting larger numbers through entertainment did not stop with fast-food restaurants. Churches now actively promote pleasure and amusement as a means to increase numbers. Coffee shops and fitness centers are now expected in many religious settings. In fact, a Methodist church near our building has contacted Walt Disney World designers in an effort to make the children’s part of their new addition (currently called "Wacky World Studios") magical eye-candy for kids. Some New Testament Christians will be quick to follow their example.

If we look back in the church twenty-five years ago we find that people were content to come and sit through Bible class and worship without being entertained. Not so today. Today, entertainment is expected. Even many churches of Christ have abandoned gospel preaching and the Great Commission, and instead are trying to increase attendance using "playgrounds." One of the first questions many parents ask when visiting a new congregation is: "What programs do you have for my children?" Thus, the questions come: "Is there children’s church?" "Is there a youth room with couches and video games?" "Do you all use drama or skits?" "Do you allow praise teams?" "Are there church league sports teams?" "Do your young people go on trips?" "What do you have for me?"

As more and more churches abandon God’s original plan for evangelism for their own man-made gimmicks and games, someone needs to ask the question: "What’s really being served?" For you see, those restaurants with playgrounds are great for entertainment, but eating there consistently would quickly deteriorate the health of most individuals. During the mid-1980s, senior citizen actress Clara Peller played a crusty old lady who slapped the counters of neighborhood hamburger joints and loudly asked the probing question "Where’s the beef?" Her point was that there was not much there. Likewise, many churches today have moved toward entertainment and have no "spiritual meat" to offer. It’s all fluff and cotton candy. The Hebrews writer poignantly admonished: "for though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe" (Hebrews 5:12-13). Churches offering entertainment and "feel good" sermons may be appealing to the eye, and taste good at first, but man cannot live on cotton candy. Likewise, man cannot grow spiritually in a setting where the whole counsel of God has been replaced with sermons covering only the love and grace of Almighty God.

What is our priority in selecting a home to worship our Creator? If we are only interested in "playgrounds" and "what’s in it for me?" then these entertaining buildings will serve the purpose. But if we are assembling to pay honor and praise to Almighty God, then we should be more concerned with the meat that is being served. It’s high time we teach ourselves and our children that it’s not about "I-Me" but rather the great I AM. Only when we have our priorities in the right place will we find ourselves walking into a worship assembly focused on God rather than ourselves. Paul, in his second epistle to young Timothy warned: "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry" (2 Timothy 4:3-5, emphasis added). That time has come. People have completely forgotten why it is we gather together as a body of Christians. They enter a worship setting believing they are in the "audience," and they expect a "good show." John 4:23 states: "But the hour is coming, and is now, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him." God is the audience. Therefore, everything done in worship should be in accordance with His will, and should be done to glorify and praise Him. Has our desire for entertainment blinded us from true worship? Unfortunately, the abundance of new programs, games, and "playgrounds" tells me the answer in many cases is a resounding yes.

Skip the playground and go find a steakhouse! Jesus, in speaking to the scribes observed: "The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength" (Mark 12:29-30). May that love for the Lord burn in our hearts, creating a desire to please Him rather than constantly seeking to entertain ourselves. W.O.T.

For Further Research

1. What indication does the writer of Hebrews give of the lack of spiritual growth among his readers? (Hebrews 5:12, 13)

2. According to Paul, what would happen prior to the time when people would turn away their ears from the truth? (2 Timothy 4:3-5)

3. How do true worshipers worship the Father? (John 4:23)

4. The first (foremost) of all commandments is to love God with all what? (Mark 12:29, 30)

A Sad Visit

Bruce Ligon, Church of Christ, Plain Dealing, LA

In 1988, I met a Christian family in a western state when I visited with a congregation concerning the possibility of working with them. After I began working with this congregation, I grew to appreciate the work and faithfulness of this family. Frequently they spoke complimentary words to me concerning sermons I preached, and my work.

Recently I had the opportunity to visit with this couple for about ninety minutes. I had been told that they no longer attended the services of the church. The purpose of my visit was to encourage them to attend the gospel meeting in which I was preaching, and to hopefully help them to realize their need to come back to the Lord and His church. I approached this visit in the attitude that the apostle Paul taught, "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you who also be tempted" (Galatians 6:1 NKJV).

After engaging in some "small talk," the man told me that they were no longer attending the services of the church. Both the man and woman were quick to tell me of things, including an individual or two and an incident, that they did not like about the congregation. In the course of our conversation I related to them how much I appreciated the encouragement and support they had given me during the almost four years I had been their preacher. I also spoke of their faithfulness to the Lord and His church during that time. I believe it would be accurate to say that they still look back on this time in their lives with much happiness. The purpose of my approach in this visit was borrowed from what the Lord had told the church at Ephesus, who had left their first love, "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works" (Revelation 2:5). Kindly, yet with emphasis, I encouraged them to come back to the Lord and His church. I told them that they knew what they needed to do, and for them to look beyond what had happened. I also expressed my desire that they respond to their need in a positive way.

Hopefully, this couple will act upon their need before it is too late. A statement the woman said to me during the visit keeps coming back to me, "You start doing different things when you are no longer attending the services of the church." I want to think that she was realizing with regret the turn their lives had taken in recent years.

Unfortunately, what happened to this couple occurs too often. Peter graphically described this spiritual state with these sobering words, "For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: A dog returns to his own vomit, and, a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire" (2 Peter 2:20-22).

With love in our hearts, may we encourage erring children of God to return to the fold of safety.   W.O.T.

1. According to Paul, who should restore a person who is overtaken (caught) in a fault (trespass)? (Galatians 6:1)

2. What caution to the spiritual did Paul add to his admonition to restore those who are overcome by sin? (Galatians 6:1)

3. The church in Ephesus was warned that her candlestick (lampstand) would be removed unless what happened? (Revelation 2:5)

4. For whom will the latter end (last state) be worse than the beginning (first)? (2 Peter 2:20)

A Tribute to Paul M. Wylie

A funeral service was conducted on December 24, 2004, at the building of the Sixth Avenue Church of Christ in Jasper, Alabama, for Paul M. Wylie.

The singers for the funeral service included some of the original members of the Gospel Anchors, a singing group that Paul Wylie organized and directed. Brother Wylie left behind a rich legacy of song. The singers, numbering around two dozen members and including some of brother Wylie’s relatives, sang five beautiful, acappella selections to begin the service. Many of the singers were wiping their tears as they sang. The harmony of the blended voices filled the large auditorium. As the singers sang about longing for "Beulah Land," tears flowed among many of the 175 people in attendance on the cold Christmas Eve.

Brother Wylie’s family filled the first three rows of the auditorium. His beloved wife, Carolyn, and his son, Mark, along with his two brothers and two grandchildren were in attendance. There were six pallbearers. Around a dozen gospel preachers were in attendance, some of whom were numbered among the singers. There was a keen sense of respect among the gathered mourners in the room before, during, and after the funeral service.

The first of the three speakers, William Tittle, the current preacher for the Goodsprings Church of Christ, where brother Wylie preached for forty-five years, read the obituary and told of being converted by brother Wylie in February 2000. Brother Tittle spoke respectfully regarding his mentor and how brother Wylie had trained him to preach. Brother Tittle closed his remarks with a reading of 2 John 1-3. The congregation then appropriately sang "When All of God’s Singers Get Home" and "What a Day That Will Be."

Dr. Paul Wylie was born and reared in Walker County, Alabama, near the city of Cordova. The Goodsprings congregation hired brother Wylie as their preacher in 1957, after he returned from the army. Beginning in 1973, brother Wylie hosted a weekly radio program to promote the teaching of the gospel. He taught at various schools and earned his Ph.D. from the University of Alabama in 1973. He served as an educator for forty-three years.

Brother Wylie loved people of all ages. He served on the board of directors at Indian Creek Youth Camp in Walker County. He was a well-known song leader and directed hundreds of singing schools, including some singing schools as far away as Colorado. His singing group, the Gospel Anchors, sang at hundreds of funerals and participated in at least two foreign mission efforts. Brother Wylie also authored poetry books.

The second speaker was brother David Courington, who began his remarks by telling of a childhood experience of attending a singing school conducted by brother Wylie. He asked, "How many funerals has Paul Wylie conducted?" "Hundreds," he answered. Brother Courington then read the written comments of several members of the family, including moving comments from brother Wylie’s son, daughter-in-law, and the grandchildren, who mentioned their fond memories of their "Thursday visits" with their grandfather.

Several phrases kept recurring over and over in the family’s and the preacher’s comments: "passing the torch," "pillar in the church," "asset to the community," "a life of hope," and "heaven is now richer." Brother Courington ended his comments with a reading of Psalm 116:15.

Brother Levi Sides, a Walker County native and noted gospel preacher, spoke lastly. Brother Sides kept his comments to a very brief seven minutes, perhaps realizing that a whole hour had almost passed since the funeral began. In his inspiring comments, brother Sides imagined brother Wylie talking with various biblical characters in heaven about their areas of special experience. A touching poem written by sister Luajuana Brasfield, another of the people brother Wylie helped to mentor, was read and the service was closed with a prayer.

This writer observed the funeral service as one who never met Paul Wylie before his illness grew very severe. This article closes with this observation: the funeral service for Paul Wylie was so inspiring that it is a shame that more of us did not have the privilege of knowing him. His time here was far too short.

Editor

 Questions Regarding Christian Fellowship

Please take time to study your Bible and answer the following questions regarding Christian fellowship:

Psalm 119:63 - "I am a companion of all who fear You, And of those who keep Your precepts."

Romans 16:17 - "Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them."

1 Corinthians 1:9, 10 - "God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment."

2 Corinthians 6:14-17 - "Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people." Therefore "Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you."

Galatians 1:8 - "But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed."

Ephesians 5:11 - "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them."

2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14, 15 - "But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother."

1 John 1:6, 7 - "If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin."

2 John 9-11 - "Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds."