Moderation . . .

     ... In Politics,

            ... In Fighting Fires,

                ... And in the Church

By Elder Afton Richards

(The article on “Moderation” was originally published in the Banner in December 1976. It has recently become the subject of discussion over the Internet.)

The Apostle Paul said at one time to a church (Phil. 4:5) Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

This is a term that we see used now days in relation to politics.

We have people to the far right that are known as conservatives. And then we see those on the left who are known as liberals. People who are not in agreement with either of these extreme views call themselves moderates.

Politically, I myself have tried to align my actions with this type of political philosophy.

But how much more important it is to be a moderate spiritually and church-wise. That is what the Apostle Paul thought. That seems to be a good position to be occupying when “The Lord is at hand.”

The word “moderate” or the position of “being in moderation” is a place between the extremes, either extremely liberal or extra conservative. And the apostle not only seems to be of the opinion that we should be moderates, but we should let this be well known.

In my observations, I cannot recall a time in which there has been much extremisms practiced and as much need for moderation as there is today.

There are many areas in which moderation should be made known.

In the doctrine, moderation is needed. We can take the conservative position on doctrine, and it will promote division and trouble. We can be so extreme, that we will as they say “split hairs” in interpreting doctrine. And, if anytime any interpretation is put on a scripture that differs with our views in the least, then make an issue of it.

Or we can take the ultra-liberal view, and even overlook outright heresy, not counting it worth arguing over. This position will lead to a departure from the fundamentals.

Somewhere between these two extremes is a safe position of moderation.

The same is true with church practices and church procedures. We can demand that all other churches do exactly as we want them to do, on the one hand, or we can take a “don’t care” attitude on the other, and both will cause a situation that will not add to true spirituality. But somewhere between these two approaches is the part of moderation.

We have some people who are conformists. They just want to be agreeable. And they will follow along, not asking any questions.

We have others that just want to be contrary. Any idea is all right with them, just so it is their own idea - Just two ways, theirs and the wrong way.

Then we nave some who want to help everybody attend to their business, and we have some who are not concerned at all how anyone else gets along. One is a meddler, the other is lukewarm or even cold.

On the one hand we have the liberals who will accept just about anything.

They may even say so long as we believe in salvation by grace that is enough. Nothing else is important enough to fuss about.

Then the other extreme is to be fussy about every little thing and every detail. And adopt the attitude of the Pharisee and refuse to associate with anyone who does not measure UP completely to the standard of self-righteousness that we would have others to think we have attained.

Either of these extreme positions are fruit of seed sown by Satan, and will divide and destroy and one will do it just as quickly as the other.

Jesus and the apostles condemned both these extremes.

Now, again, somewhere between these extremes is a position of moderation.

If we will be careful, and search diligently, I think we can find the part of moderation in every instance. And when we have found it, than we should stand there and let our moderation be known.

We need to use moderation in our lives and in our attitude toward others.

We should strive to live righteous, and to avoid sin. But while doing this, we should not adopt the attitude of the Pharisees.

In the parable of the good Samaritan, the priest and the Levite lacked considerable living up to the law of God. They were not letting moderation be known in their lives. They had no time for compassion to the wounded man that they could have helped. Sometimes people in the church get so good in their own estimation, they forget to show the basic Christian virtue of compassion, or love and mercy.

A sinful life is one extreme. An attitude of self-righteousness is the other extreme. In between these is a path of moderation.

The path of moderation is not to sin, but to try to help those that need help, even those who have sinned. It is a path of understanding - not all negativism toward the extremists.

Paul said the Lord is at hand. This is me reason for moderation. The Lord is judging our actions. In being moderate we take time for the will and the judgment of the Lord to be manifest.

There are many ways that we can disguise things, and by such deception we may deceive, even good people for a time, but we cannot deceive God, for He will know the truth and will bring it to light.

I have for some time been of the opinion that if we are Patient and take the way of moderation, God is at hand and will bring a situation to light.

Sometimes we observe the actions of people, and we feel sure there has been a departure of some nature from something that is fundamental. If we watch this situation carefully, in time it will manifest itself. If they make a mistake in judgment and went into error by mistake, and will turn away from it. If they lost regard for right and deliberately went into error, this will soon be manifest, and there will be further departures, and all will be able to see it, and it can be handled without causing trouble.

I spent some 20 years as a volunteer fireman. This spirit of moderation has well been proved in fire fighting.

I have known of a fire alarm being sounded, and the firemen get to the scene, and find a small fire, inside a tightly closed building. The thing to do in this instance is to stand by and let the fire burn itself out, or to use up all the oxygen and die. It takes some will power to do this but it is the best way.

On the contrary, in such an instance, I have seen some hotheaded fireman, or bystander grab an ax and start breaking the windows and doors to get in, and this lets it get air, to fan the flames, and immediately the fire gets much hotter. And then they start pouring on the water to try to put out the fire that they gave fuel to, and before they can get it stopped, they’ve done more damage with the water than was done by fire, and the whole thing is a total loss. And many times the firemen are badly damaged, or lose their lives, and also many innocent bystanders get hurt.

Sometimes we act just about this way in church matters when we see people volunteer to put out a fire when they don’t know what they are doing. One thing for sure, they can really make a big mess in a hurry.

To be moderate is sometimes difficult, because the extremes on both sides will be unhappy, but the Apostle Paul was so certain that it was a good position, that he admonished the Philippian Church to “let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.”

Wonder if, there would be anything wrong with doing this today?

I have tried to be moderate. I have tried to let my moderation be known.

A. E. Richards (Banner of Love. December 1976)

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NEW SUBSCRIPTION

Please send the Banner of Love to the name listed below from Belair, MD. Am enclosing a check for the same. We enjoy the paper so much and our friends have expressed an interest, so we thought we would get the paper for them for a year.

We are all fine here at Mt. Carmel, all getting on in years, otherwise we are well. We missed seeing you this year. Give our love to the folks in Texas.

In Christian Love, Brother Ray and Sister Syl Davis

Note:    Thank you dear people. Would love to see you all again. Enjoyed my trips there before and would like to go again. My love to all those dear ones there. 0. Richards. 

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DISCIPLES INDEED

By Elder T. A. Dunn

"Then said Jesus to those Jews which believe on Him, if ye continue in My Word then are ye my disciples, indeed."  St. John 8:31.

While reading in this chapter I noticed particularly this 31st Verse especially the thought brought out in it of a disciples indeed.  There might be such a thing as a disciple in pretense and not indeed.  So, the thought occurred to me just what does it mean to be a disciple indeed?  Well, read carefully, "If you continue in my word."

It does not mean to be in his word today and out tomorrow, but continue.  Paul told the church at Rome to be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. They must be that way to be a disciple indeed.

Again, he says, "Ye did run well, who did hinder you?"  What an awful thing it seems to me it would be a hindrance.  He is not only failing to be a disciple indeed, but he's hindering some one else from being a disciple indeed.

A disciple indeed is something to be admired. A disciple is a follower. John had disciples as well as Jesus, but all of the disciples of Jesus were not disciples indeed, for some of them followed Him for the loaves and fishes, that is, they had a selfish motive in following the Saviour.  So, it's not an absolute sign to see one following the Saviour.  But how grand to see one that is faithful to the cause of the Master.  A disciple indeed.  The Banner of Love, Feb. 1, 1942

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LAITY - LAYMEMBER - LAYMAN

By Elder Hulan Bass

I have heard this term,  "Laity or Layman" all my life, as contrasted  to the word "Clergy."  May I state that I  have found, after much research, that the term "Laity or Layman" is a "man-made" term, and is totally anti-scriptural.  Such is not Biblical.  Conversely, "Clergy"  is Biblical, but not in the exact sense that the Arminian Denominational World uses such. To further amplify, notice in Rev. 2:6 - But this thou hast, that thou hates the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate."

Rev. 2:15 - "So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which  thing I hate."         

 Let us examine: Nico - Leader, Clergy [St. Nico-laus or Santa Claus].  Laity - Subjects, People or Pawns [slaves].

God who divinely inspired the Apostle  John to write this, clearly set forth that he nor God approved, even Hated the Deeds and Doctrine of the Nicolaitans.  Also note that they did not hate the people, the Nicolaitans, only their deeds and doctrine.  The false idol-god-worship of so-called good old "St Nicolas," or St. Nick was started in Rome.  Enough said.

So, we analyze "St Nicolas" or "Santa Claus" was started in the 4th century by the bishop of Myra, Asia Minor, and was patron saint of children.  St. Nick was a plump white-bearded and red-suited old man of modern myth who delivers presents to "Good" children at Christmas time.  The "Nico," the "Rewarder" for "Good"  [?] Deeds of the "Laity" or "Layman," especially the young children.  So the "Nico" is the "Leader-Clergy." and the people, young children, women and men are the "Laity or Layman." and such are taught very early and young in life that, in order to receive "Gifts" you must be "Good."  This is a concept of "Salvation by works."  It is a  "Works System"," very tactfully, with much smooth finesse, established in the young minds, that, in order to receive a gift you must be good.  If you are bad and not good, then No Gifts.

In reality, the decision is yours.  Be good and you will receive a gift.  By the time a child is about twelve years of age [so-called age of responsibility], he is fully conditioned to      "Accept Christ" [?] by the deeds and doctrine of "Works for the Gift"  Arminian concept which was warned against, and even hated by God.  In reality, also, this would be a "Get" not a "Gift."

I was even taught a  little song when I was a youngster in school, as follows:  "You better be good, you better not cry, You better not pout, you better watch out, I'm telling you why, Santa Claus is coming to town, He knows when you are sleeping, He knows when you are awake,  He knows if you've been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake."

Now this did not occur to me as a child that I was being taught a concept of "Arminian Works" in order to "Get the Gift." This concept  was planted in my young mind.  I was conditioned to the "Deeds" and  "Doctrine" of the Nicolaitans.  I soon learned  differently by studying the Bible, going to Church Worship Services, and hearing the True Gospel of Salvation "By Grace"  preached.  I hate this doctrine.  I hate the deeds of such.  It is being taught, in all the areas of your children's lives.  In the Public Schools, in the so-called Sunday Schools, from Denominational Pulpits, on radio and TV, newspapers, Magazines, etc.

Such concept is subversively being perpetrated upon us all. God hates these Deeds and Doctrines.  If such "Eternal" and then "Timely" distinction  was explained by "Rightly Dividing" the Word of Truth of-2nd Tim. 2:15, then I would say, Amen, but such is not the case.

Nico-laity Deeds is their Practice, and their Doctrine is a "Works-System."  I have even heard and read after "Old Baptists"  that use the term "Laity or Layman."  Let us stop such practice.  Let us refer to the membership - boys and girls, men and women all equally alike - of the church as "Regular or Equal Members," or better still, as our "Brothers and Sisters" in Christ.

I write all this in Spiritual Love, and for the Cause of Truth.

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GOLIATH

O, 'tis hot beneath this armor

As I stand between the lines.

Haste and let this match be over;

Let me return unto my wine.

 

Once again my captain calls me

"Greatest warrior in the land,"

For my size and skill doth make me

Fearsome foe for any man.

 

The god of war has smiled upon me,

And my sword is broad and long,

My shield is like a fortress

And my stroke is swift and strong.

 

Terror reigns among mine enemy;

They know that they are surely done

Looking for a man to match me,         

And they shall not find a one.

 

No more clamor of confusion;

Their tattered ranks are quiet and still.

They have finally decided

On someone for me to kill.

 

Why does he not step before me?

Is the chosen one afraid?

Ah, 'tis futile for they know

My mighty arm can ne'er be staid.

 

What is this I see a-running

To the rocky stream between,

Do a child they send to battle,

A suckling calf that's yet to wean?

 

He bears no helmet, sword or armor--

Just a little piece of string.

He's picked some stones from 'neath the water,

Placed one in a leathern sling.

 

Does he dare to even threaten!

See him swing it clear and free.

Do they dare to call this "battle"?

He but throws a stone at me.

T. J. Morrow [May 1969]

Submitted to the Banner of Love by Elder Bill Walden on June 26, 1999.

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NEW SUBSCRIPTION

Please send the Banner of Love to the name listed below from Belair, MD.  Am enclosing a check for the  same. We enjoy the paper so much and our friends have expressed an interest, so we thought we would get the paper for them for a year.

We are all fine here at Mt. Carmel, all getting on in years, otherwise we are well.  We missed seeing you this year.  Give our love to the folks in Texas.

In Christian Love,

Brother Ray and Sister Syl Davis

Note:  Thank you dear people.  Would love to see you all again.  Enjoyed my trips there before and would like to  go again.  My love to all those dear ones there.  O. Richards.

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GOOD NEWS

Dear Brother Don and Sister Opal:  Just a little note to share the good news of our wonderful 5th Sunday meeting in May. 

Elder Sonny Pyles was our guest minister from Graham, Texas. I thought he was at his best and so did the others at Beulah Church.

He delivered four good sermons Friday night, Saturday morning, Saturday night and Sunday morning. His son, Elder David Pyles was also with us Friday night and Saturday morning. He spoke and opened the services for his father.  This was a very touching scene, father and son.  Elder David's wife and children were with him. What a lovely family!  We were all so lifted up  and happy in the Lord.  We thank everyone who prayed and came and made this meeting so wonderful.  Surely, it was Beulah Land at Beulah Church at Saltillo, Miss.

This last weekend, third Sunday was also a happy time in the Lord. We were with Clinton, KY Primitive Baptist Church. Elder Doyle Hurst from the Nashville, Tenn. area was the guest speaker.  He did some able and yet very sweet preaching. You could just feel the Lord Jesus Christ at this wonderful meeting place. Lord, please help to have more good meetings like these. Our love and prayers to all of God's children.

Elder Billy Walker, So. Fulton, Tenn.

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JESUS SHOWED HIMSELF ALIVE

By Elder Kenneth Clevenger

The fourth appearance. Later that same day Jesus met two brethren on the road that goes to Emmaus, a small village about seven miles from Jerusalem, who were discussing the things which had happened the past three days. “And behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlings. And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were holden that they should not know Him. And He said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk and are sad?

And the one of them whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and have not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people. And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel; and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done? [Luke 24:13~ 21].

We again see as with each appearance before, Jesus appears to these brethren for a specific reason. Here he appears to these brethren who are confused and perplexed and had an honest desire for light. These brethren seemed to have been present during the Passover and the crucifixion. They knew that the body had been buried in the guarded grave. They could not believe that Jesus was a deceiver, and yet they could not reconcile the overwhelming difficulties concerning Him to be the Christ.

As the day wore on there were stories being circulated that Christ had risen from the dead and had appeared to the women, however, they doubted that these things could be true, and it was possible for them to verify these things. They were afraid for their lives and were fleeing from Jerusalem, which was in much turmoil and excitement, to return to their home at Emmaus, and regarded the reports as mere baseless rumor. They did not believe the report given by the sisters. They were in a state of confusion and doubt.

They were joined by a stranger who saluted them kindly saying, “What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk and are sad?” The sharp reply they gave to His question was, “Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? And He said unto them. What things? It is without question that Jesus knew the reason for their sadness, that was why He was there. However, it was good for them, also for you and I, to pour out the troubles that are in our heart; although Jesus knows our needs before we ask, and understands our needs more than we do. This also exemplifies that we believe by faith that He is the only God that can give us relief.

Their sharp reply drew a sharp answer. Jesus rebuked them saying, “0 fools, and slow at heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken.” This sharp tone might surprise us until we realize that unbelief is an insult to our Lord. Unbelief is simply making God a liar, and therefore is a great sin. These brethren not only had not believed the report that the sisters made, but they also did not believe the prophets, if they had they would not have been confused and perplexed, but rather would have rejoiced in the fulfillment of the scriptures. However, our long-suffering God blessed them richly because He instructed them, “Beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures, the things concerning himself.” We don’t know what this wondrous exposition was, but He showed with types and shadows, sacrifices and ceremonies prophecies, and a mountain of proof that “Christ ought to have suffered these things, and then entered into his glory.”

After awhile they arrived at Emmaus at the evening of the first day. Jesus made as though He would go farther. Had they allowed Him they would have missed great blessings. But they urged Him to tarry with them. And as they cheerfully made Him to share in their humble abode and simple victuals, He did wondrously before their eyes. They were unaware, that they were entertaining the Lord, but by being a good neighbor they received more than they gave [you never out-give the Lord]. He took bread, and blessing it, as He did with His disciples at the first communion, He brake and gave it to them, and suddenly their eyes were opened and He was “made known to them in the breaking of bread [we should always pray that He will open our eyes and make Himself known to us when we meet together at the “breaking of bread.” Having removed their confidence and doubt, He vanished out of their sight. “And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?”

They didn’t know that this was Jesus until He made Himself known to them. Although they knew Him before He died, they did not recognize Him. There seemed to be something about His resurrected body that made Him unrecognizable until He chose to make Himself known. We will speak more about this later, but let us be reminded that spiritually no one ever knows Jesus until He makes Himself known to them. The same power that divided the light from the darkness in creation, is still the only power that separate light from darkness in the “new creation.”

“And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.” [Luke 24: 33-35]. Unable to keep this glad news to themselves, and even though it was evening they arose and returned to Jerusalem, seven miles away, to tell the eleven apostles that they had seen the Lord and that He had make Himself known to them.

TO BE CONCLUDED

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KEEP IT COMING

Please keep this good reading coming to this unworthy one.

Find enclosed  check to cover two years renewal.

Yours in sweet hope,

Nola Lindsey

Seal Beach, CA.

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THANK YOU ALL

I am sending a check for which please send me five copies of March 1999 issue.  Our 50th Wedding Anniversary picture article was in that issue.

Thank you all for all the articles, pictures, news and announcements.  We sure enjoy your paper.

May God bless you for all your work.

Louise Cantrell

Smithville, Tenn.

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By Don Richards

Last month we talked that many aspects of the Lord’s teachings are exactly opposite of what our human nature would have us do. We focus on another of those aspects today; but an important one that Christ’s brother lectures us on.

I enjoy talking a lot more than I do listening. That’s not a good thing. We learn from the disciplined, trained and educated counselors that a good listener is one of the most important things we can be. It is amazing what a good listener can accomplish. Our society and human nature place a lot of trust and confidence in a good listener. We trust a good listener a lot more than we do a good talker. Yet, too many of us cannot seem to learn this lesson — we’d rather talk first, and listen only if we absolutely have to.

Good listeners are hard to find. Yet we value them tremendously. Without saying a word, good listeners come across as sincere, concerned and intelligent. It is amazing how much smarter we can be, and appear to be, simply by focusing our attention on becoming a good listener.

James, Jesus’ half brother, told us the same thing a long time ago.

"Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath." James 1:19.

We are told the same thing in Proverbs: "he that refraineth his lips is wise". Prov. 10:19.

"He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding." Prov. 17:27-28.

Listening is a true art. You have to give up your own ego and pride, in order to focus your attention on the words and gestures of others. But listening pays off. First, you focus on what another is actually saying, not what you think they are saying, or what you hope they are saying.

We are not good communicators. Most of us stumble with our words and talk around what we really want to say. However, if you are a good listener, you get the message the talker is attempting to communicate.

We would all be considerably better spouses, and better parents, if we learned to observe and listen, before we speak. A lot of communication is done through simple listening. A listener cares what I am saying. That means a lot. It is not as important that there be an answer if the listener hears me.

James goes on to tell us more about his instruction of being slow to speak. He notes in chapter three that we put a bit in the horses mouth to get the horses attention. James tells us that although the tongue is small, it can kindle great fires.

"But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison." James 3:8.

As to our temper, James also emphasizes our need to control it: ". . . slow to anger".

Proverbs joins in here again:

"He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city." Prov. 16:32.

Maybe there is something to that old saying my mom used to instruct me on about counting to ten before I explode.

"Swift to hear", and slow to speak and slow to anger. Our human nature tells us to do exactly the opposite of that. Think of how you respond to others. We love good listeners, we despise ongoing talkers, and we avoid those with rapid tempers. Yet we have a hard time applying this to ourselves.

A fast ear and a slow mouth. It is something to listen to without talking about.

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ENJOY IT TREMENDOUSLY

Enclosed is some extra for my subscription, since  the price was raised.  I love each and everyone of you.  I read my Banner and enjoy it tremendously.                

May our precious Lord and Savior hold you in His loving arms.

Sister Darlene Robertson McDonald

Houston, Texas

P.S. My husband has cancer.  Please lift him up in your prayers.

Note:  Sister Darlene, so good to hear from you again.  We appreciate the extra and our prayers go out to you and your husband.  O. Richards

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JESUS PASSED BY AND HEALING BEGAN

Some men brought their friend to Jesus, To heal him of his pain

And when Jesus touched the man and prayed A wonderful healing began.

 

Jesus healed him of his sickness And he walked again.

The man began to shout, Jesus has healed me of my sin

 

When Jesus touches anyone who is hurting in any way

They will begin to shout and sing and witness every day

 

So, be faithful and remember, Jesus will not forsake his own

We will all begin to Praise Him more, When we meet Him at His Throne.

Darlene McDonald, Mar. 23, '97

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ENJOY THE PAPER

We enjoy the paper very much.  Keep up the good work and May God bless you.

Herman Topper

Borger, Texas

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THINKING OF THIS AGE

Dear Ones:  Thinking  of Dan. 3:17-18, also 28 is always really encouraging.

Being reminded of the experiences of our Dear Lord  made His dear ones' able to overcome is encouraging in thinking about the things of this age.  He always makes us able to overcome.  May He strengthen you all.

In dear hope,

Sister Loretta Lilly

Akron, Ohio

ENJOYING THE PAPER

We are still enjoying the paper and appreciate the great efforts you all make to keep such a wonderful quality material for your readers.

Sincere thanks,

James Baethge

Harper, Texas     

LOOK FORWARD TO THE PAPER

Please renew my subscription for two more years.  I look forward to it each month.

God bless you,

Pauline Eggleston

West Point, Texas

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IN THIS GOOD WORK

Hope this finds everyone well in the Lord.  Still enjoying the good articles in the Banner.  I trust that the good Lord will continue to bless your labors in this  good work.

Pray for us in New Hope Primitive Baptist Church in Ft. Worth.  Come to see us when you can.

In love of Truth

Elder George Walker

SOURCE OF RICHES

It always irritates me when I hear an individual stating that a VIP in our society has more money than God.

A person who can boast of fabulous wealth and millions or billions of dollars cannot even come remotely close when speaking  in terms of what our Lord possesses.

May we always remember that our Savior has all sovereignty over Heaven and Earth.

His children and what the future lies ahead for them is in His Almighty hands.

Everything that anyone can lay claim to as being theirs comes only from the Prince of Peace, the Lord Jesus Christ.  That is an undeniable truth.  Also, because of  His  power, it can all be taken in a blink of an eye.

It is utterly preposterous for anyone to make an assumption that a lowly human being is richer than the one and only Almighty God.

For what He accomplished on Calvary's cross many years ago, may we never cease in praising Him.

Jerry Bass, Lubbock, TX

[From the editorial page of the Lubbock Avalanche Journal, July 11, 1999].

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FEEDING  LAMBS AND SHEEP

By Elder Bernard Gowens

The word of God contains much information concerning the requirement for sound and consistent Biblical teaching and preaching to God's children, both to the lambs and sheep of Christ.

I confess that I have all too often used terms in sermons without hesitating to explain these terms to make them clearly understood by children within the context of the subject.  It is Biblically true that all ministers should declare all the counsel of God and  speak in such a manner that all can understand.  Subjected issues should be addressed that are needed by the entire congregation, both for lambs and for sheep.  Each message should be directed of God, however.

Although Primitive Baptists [PBs] are losing many of their children from the church attendance and membership, I don't have specific criteria to indicate that the loss is so much to Arminian churches as it is to the  "world" and its enticements. In spite of their Sunday Schools, and other church-related festivities and recreational activities, our acquaintances of other religious orders are also complaining about declines in their church memberships.  They are also posing the like question and statement:  "Where are our children?"  and "After reaching a certain age in their teen-years, our children are, to a great extent, vanishing from church attendance and membership." 

These cries are not limited to PBs. Arminians are not losing their children to the  PBs, except maybe in some few isolated cases.  PBs are losing their children to the world more so than to the "humanistic" systems of religion.  So often, the report is made that while "Christianity" is declining, Satanistic "occults" are growing in recognizable numbers.  This forces the question:  "What and where is the problem?"

I believe that certain of God's little children, untaught in Gospel principles, reach a state in their youth when living in a "fantasy" world is not satisfying  to them.  While being ungrounded in the fundamental principles of God's doctrine, reproofs, corrections, and instructions in righteousness while they are young, and upon their reaching the experimental stage of life in which answers are required and sought with which to face "real life problems for real people," and because of the "vacuum" within their lives, it is with response from depraved nature to which various occults are so enticing and seducing.  Absent the teaching of God's word, idolatry, is the prime factor in one's life.

The environmental and contemporaneous humanistic menu of the world is so enticing to the unmortified flesh to indulge illegal drugs, alcohol, pornography, extra-marital  sex, and all kinds of attending destructive and ungodly acts and attitudes.  Our children are today faced with these temptations to a larger extent than were many of us older ones in our youthful days.  Largely, we were shielded from much of this when we were young. In America's contemporaneous culture with its financial plentifulness, partly based on plastic credit cards, most children are given everything they want without having to budget, plan, or labor for it.  To a  large degree, parents either "example" or express the idea that they don't want their children to have it hard like they had it in their youth.  Consequently, and largely, an irresponsible generation or two of children have been produced that do not know or care what is real responsibility and liability. Earthly values have replaced godly virtues.  Apathy [lack of interest or concern] and spiritual complacency [contented self-satisfaction] have replaced the virtues of  Christian knowledge and responsibility.

Where lies the  blame?  With the preachers?  With the parents?  Perhaps both to some degree.  However, primary responsibility for children belongs to their parents. A preacher or pastor cannot "undo" in an hour on Sunday mornings what parents have exampled and practiced all week long. One-hour sermons, fifty-two times a year [liberally, assuming a child's church attendance to be 100%] will not substitute for what is not Biblically exampled, taught, and lived by the family-unit of the home the rest of the time.  It is in the home that the pattern for the child's life-style is founded, established, and builded.  This life-style, of whatever sort it may be, often is molded into the fabric of the minds and personalities of the home's occupants for a lifetime  Any derogatory trait resulting from this life-style will generally remain unaltered unless repentance is  wrought in submission to either the word or the  rod of God.

Parents are the principal and responsible parties so long as the child remains a minor and/or lives at home.  Both the parents and the church are either blessed or must often suffer adverse consequences for the rest of their lives for the way the children are trained in the home during their youth.

An actual case was told me a few years back.  It is a real and typical situation that frequently occurs in today's American lifestyle.  The case went something like this:  Throughout a young male member's teen-age years, the pastor frequently inquired of the parents as to the reason of their son's absence from the church services.  The often repeated response by the parents went somewhat as follows:  "You know our son is very popular in school, an outstanding athlete, makes top grades in his classes, and has so many extra-curricular demands placed on him for the development of his social life so that he stays exhausted much of the time.  He played so hard,  was the star in yesterday's football game and was out late last night. We just told him that, rather than coming to the church meeting, he could 'sleep-in' this morning."  This was the recurring story for most of the boy's high school years.

 During the son's senior year in high school, he meddled some in illegal drugs, drank some with the boys, had a "brush" with the law, and was preparing to leave home for college.  The boys mother sternly addressed the pastor with something like the following: "I'm going to 'force' my son to attend church on Sunday  His dad and I are going to expect you to preach a sermon directly to him that will change his life-style and set him on the right path for his college years."

The primary responsibility of a child's youth-training in the nurture and admonition of the Lord is charged to the parents.  God has so charged them with this obligation. Parents do not scripturally or legally have an alternate choice in the matter.

Timothy's mother and grandmother were vividly and intensely aware of this God-directed responsibility. Timothy first learned about the Scriptures from those who parented and nourished him in  his youth.  Nothing can replace God's pattern for spiritual home training and instruction. The church or its pastor cannot adequately compensate for the lack of home Biblical and spiritual training. When deviation is given to God's plan consequences must be suffered in some way.  Paul did not have to make an attempt to reconstruct Timothy's attitude or personality or ways of life in order for him to be qualified to function as God's servant. Those spiritual traits were developed  in Timothy from his youth. "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth while the evil days [old age] come out, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them"  [Eccl. 12:1]

TO BE CONCLUDED  August 1999

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