Ready! Set! Go!
"They shall mount up with wings like eagles" 
(Isaiah 40:31)

 

Volume 5—Number 2—Feburary 2003
 
 

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

        READY: Authority 

     SET:  Opposites: Light versus 
                Darkness

     GO:  The Big Picture

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A Monthly Publication of the Church of Christ  at Duluth, Georgia 
to equip the saints in reaching 
the lost through example and evangelism. 

Editors 

Skip Andrews 
3239 Highway 120 
Duluth, GA  30096 
770  476-2159 
email: Skip Andrews

Bobby Wood 
1410 Flat Shoals Road 
Conyers, GA 30013 
770 922-8341 
email: Bobby Woods 

Produced under the oversight of the 
elders at Duluth, GA
 
 

Rod Rutherford
Dennis Hatchett
Skip Andrews
 

This paper is sent free to all who request it.

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how2bsaved.com

Our new school is presently meeting on Thursday nights.  William Howard and Don Blackwell are the teachers this quarter.  We are pleased that we can offer this service, and that it can supplement classes that are offered by the Georgia School of Preaching (which meets at Piedmont Road in Marietta) on Monday and Tuesday evenings.
If you would like to know about the courses we are offering next quarter, please call Jimmie Hill at 700 622-1525.
The classes we have at Duluth are ten weeks each, and are from 7-9 PM. 
 
 

    The first error of denominationalism concerns the authority of the Scriptures. Actually, all errors in denominationalism stem from a departure from the rightful source of authority — the Scriptures.
 To begin with, we must understand that Jesus has all authority (Matthew 28:18). Further, all that we do must be based upon a “Thus Saith the Lord.” To the Christians in Colossae, Paul wrote, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (3:17). To do something “in the name of the Lord Jesus” is to do it by His authority. Some have taught that this phrase means to do something simply representing the person named. However, when Peter and John were brought before the council in Acts 4, they were asked, “By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?” (verse 7).  In this verse, the word “power” means authority as in Matthew 28:18. In other words, they were asked, “By whose authority have you done this?” Peter’s response to the question is found in verse 10. He healed the impotent man “by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.” In other words, he performed the miracle by the authority of Christ. Thus, to do something in the name of Jesus Christ is to do it by His authority.
 Today, the authority of Christ is found in the New Testament (Hebrews 9:15-17). In fact, it is solely found in the New Testament. In other words, it is not found in any source other than the New Testament. Notice the words of Paul in Galatians 1:8,9, “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” Paul makes it absolutely clear. If a person comes to us claiming inspiration and authority and teaches something that is not found within the New Testament, we are to consider him accursed even if that person were an angel from heaven. Furthermore, as the only authoritative source, the Scriptures are all sufficient because within them God has “given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3).
 It is popular today for some to want to follow only the words in red texts in our “red letter editions” of the New Testament. Of course, the red letters are the words of Jesus while the black letters are the words of other men. Therefore the question is raised, “Are the words of the apostles and prophets of the first century authoritative?” The answer to this question is found in the fact that Jesus delegated authority to the apostles and prophets as they recorded His testament. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 10:8 that the Lord had given him authority for the edification of the Lord’s church. In Ephesians 3, Paul wrote that by revelation Christ made known unto him the mystery (verse 3). In verse 5 of the same text, he wrote that it was “revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.” Furthermore, Jesus told the apostles, “Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 18:18). Let us understand correctly, it was not the apostles’ will which would be bound or loosed on earth and in heaven, but it was Christ’s will which the apostles revealed that would be bound or loosed on earth and in heaven. In addition, Jesus promised the apostles that the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, would guide them into all truth (John 16:13), and they would be reminded of all that Jesus taught (John 14:26). Therefore, what the apostles wrote by inspiration of the Holy Spirit were the words of Christ and are fully authoritative (1 Corinthians 14:37).
 
 

In the physical world, light and darkness are opposites, they are easy to distinguish, and they can teach us good lessons.  The first chapter of the Bible teaches us about the creation of light and darkness during the first week.  In the spiritual world, they are also opposites, they are easy to distinguish, and they can teach us good lessons.  I would like to present five things from the Bible to help us with this pair of opposites.

First, there is the source of light (John 1).  The source of spiritual light is God.  John teaches that Jesus is deity in the first few verses, and immediately says, “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it” (John 1:4,5).  There is no spiritual darkness in God; therefore the source of spiritual darkness is the devil (1 John 1:5; see John 8:44).

Second, there is the motivation behind the ways of light and darkness (John 3:18-21).  This text is extremely important for Christians.  It helps us to realize that there is indeed an understanding among those in the world that their deeds are evil.  Light exposes evil, and evil men hate this exposure.  But those who have a humble attitude will gladly come to the light so that their deeds may be tested and approved by the light.  We must teach the world to have the right motivation!  If they refuse to change their motivation, they will not change their lives.

Third, there is the contrast between light and darkness (Ephesians 5:1-14).  The words and ideas in this text teach the lesson that it is possible for people to easily know the difference between the things that are “light” and the things that are “darkness.”  As a matter of fact, Paul even says that we who walk according the principles of light “are light” (verse 8).

Fourth, there is an illustration about living in the light (or the darkness; 1 John).  The illustration is “walking in the light.”  Those who keep the commandments of God are walking in the light—those who do not keep His commandments are not walking in the light.  And this is true in spite of any other claims that are made, for commandment keeping is the test (see 1 John 2:3-6; John 14:15-23).

Fifth, there is the purpose of the subject of light and darkness (Matthew 5:14-16).  In these verses, Jesus points out that His people are to be light, and to let the light shine, so that those who are not in the light will come to it and glorify God (see 1 Peter 2:1-12).  And this is the main idea of our lesson on light and darkness:  with regard to our role in this “old sinful world,” we are supposed to be living in such a way that the world sees the difference between them and us.  And this is supposed to lead them to have the desire to learn the way of light!

Jesus is the light of the world, and our daily lives are one of our powerful tools for showing the world that His way is both different and right.

“The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy” (Romans 13:12,13). (NKJV).
 
 

“From hearing to heaven” is a phrase that you will often see connected to the work we do at Duluth known as “Truth for the World.”  The goal is to view the world according to the teaching of the great commission, which means that we start where we are and attempt to reach all of the world and everyone in it.

Let me say a few words about the “pieces” that make up this effort.  First, there is the printed page, including a periodical that teaches fundamental truths several times each year.

Then, we have several dozen titles in the tract room, all written by faithful brethren.  Also, there are several TFTW Bible correspondence courses, which lead the student through the word of God in an orderly fashion.  Additionally, we now offer a course to train men to be elders in the churches around the world (This is based on brother James Cox’s material, With the Bishops and Deacons).

Second, we have radio programs, produced in our own studio, that are broadcast in the US and around the world.

Third, we have television programs, also produced here, that can be seen in the US and other countries. I might also add that the program is now on in the Atlanta area on WATL, channel 57, each Sunday at 11:30 PM.

Fourth, we have a growing presence in Internet broadcasting and correspondence work, which has potential far beyond our imagination!

Fifth, there are radio programs in other languages going into various parts of the world, including Spanish and Chinese.

Sixth, there are evangelistic and edification campaigns that take place in various places by the TFTW staff and others all through the year.

I am delighted to be a member of this congregation for many reasons, but one of them is that I get to participate in this work and observe these men and their families:  Rod Rutherford, John Grubb, Jimmie Hill, William Howard, Bob Knox, and Don Blackwell.

These families, and a large number of volunteer workers, understand the great commission.  The work begins right here in Duluth, as we attempt to evangelize the 640,000 people in our county, and as many as we can around the world, according to the pattern given by the Lord Jesus in Acts 1:8.

If you would like to know more about this work, or if you would like to invite one of the men to come and tell about it in person, we invite you to call TFTW at 770 622-1525.
 
 

Do you need help with discouragement, fear, lack of faith, family problems, etc.?  This is a series of 12 video lessons using “five smooth stones” to conquer these “Goliaths.”