“AM I BECOME YOUR ENEMY?” 
Noah A. Hackworth

Like Christ, Paul was falsely accused, but the apostle was not given to falsehood or the misrepresentation of truth; no one had more respect for truth than he, and he always spoke it in love (Eph. 4:15). It was Paul himself who called attention to the fact that in a given instance Peter was not “walking uprightly according to truth” (Gal. 2:14). No “right thinking” person seeks or thrives on making enemies, but sometimes it happens. Paul had made some enemies in the Galatian area, but such was certainly not his desire or intent. He had handled himself admirably among them, but there were some who not only disputed the teaching of the apostle, they waged an attack on his person and upon his apostolic credentials. There are those who simply cannot handle truth.The Sadducees, for example, became “sorely troubled (i.e., they got all worked up and became indignant) because the apostles, Peter and John, proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. When we uphold the right and oppose the wrong, we often find ourselves in the camp of the unfriendly. Truth Makes Enemies! 
        Christians sometimes make enemies because they live and teach the truth. More correctly stated: people often become the enemies of those who consistently live and teach the truth.Consider some of the areas where this is true. First, in the area of putting the Lord first (Matt. 6:33). The fact that one may miss, because of uncontrollable things, the regular assembly on Lord's Day does not admit of doubt. Such things can happen, but there are times when members of the church become careless and/or indifferent, and unnecessarily miss the established Lord's Day worship in order to carry out some plan they have made. They apparently feel completely justified in missing the Sunday morning assembly under the persuasion that they can attend Sunday night. This is unwise, foolish and wrong, and it ought not be done. It is a sad commentary on one's “spiritual strength,” and could cost more than one could “pay” at the judgment. 
        Paul instructs the Thessalonian brethren to “withdraw themselves from every brother who walks disorderly” (2 Thess. 3:6).Withdraw is from stelloand means “to draw back” (Nestle). Peter had eaten with the Gentiles, which was permissible (cf. Acts 10-11), but when his Jewish brethren came he “drew back” (Gal. 2:12). “Here (2 Thess. 3:6) it is withdrawal from brethren who are out of step” (Rienecker). 

CONCLUSION:Only a few areas where enemies are made have been discussed, but this is sufficient to establish the truth of the proposition. None of us need or want enemies, but if we do what the Lord bids us do, if we preach and practice the truth, there will be people who will disagree with us, resent us, and often alienate themselves from us. But the truth must continue. So, in the words of Paul, “Am I (we) become your enemy.” 
              
 

THE “YOUTH APPROACH” TO PREACHING
Part II
Victor M. Eskew

The message of God is holy and divine. It deals with things eternal. It involves the most precious possession of man, his soul. Its delivery should not be mingled with the fluff and slim of the world just to make it palatable for young people. Speakers need to teach sobering thoughts to our children. 

A second warning involves the soft, non-offensive messages that are often proclaimed to our youth. Some refer to them as “feel good” lessons. Occasionally, a message of this sort may be warranted. However, we live in extremely dangerous times. Satan and his army are on the march. The precious things of God are under attack. The minds of our youth are being assailed on every front. To protect them, calls for stern, “to the point,” messages. The enemy must be exposed. Our children must be told how to overcome the evil one. They must be exhorted to “fight the good fight of faith” (1 Tim. 6:12) and to “contend earnestly for the faith” (Jude 3). The minister of the Gospel needs to remember the words of God spoken to the prophet of God long ago: “Son of man, I have made thee a watchmen unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me” (Ezek. 3:18). 

The last warning involves the content of the preacher’s message. Peter told Jesus: “Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). These words still exist today. They are found in the pages of God’s Word. These are the words that lost man needs to hear. These are the words the church needs more than ever. Ministers of the Gospel need to fill their lessons with a “thus saith the Lord.” Paul told Timothy to “preach the word” (2 Tim. 4:2). He told Titus to “speak thou the things which become sound doctrine” (Titus 2:10. Peter wrote: “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God” (I Peter 4:11). Gospel preachers, regardless of the age of their audience, have a responsibility to declare “all the counsel of God” (Acts 20:27). 

This writer understands the need to meet people where they are. In so doing, however, we must not refuse to tell people what they need to hear. Nor should we soft-soap the powerful message of the Gospel of Christ. Truth is what sets men free (John 8:32). The Word of God enables men to be sanctified (John 17:17). Growth comes by partaking of the Word of God (I Peter 2:2). And, it will be the Word of God that will judge all men, including youth, in the last day (John 12:48). Let’s address our youth and their problems, but let us do so from the divine perspective, not from the human “feel good” approach. 

May our “Youth Approach” to preaching harmonize with the Bible greats of the past. We close with Jeremiah’s words to Israel of old: “Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the way, and see, and ask for the old paths, wherein is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein” (Jer. 6:16).
 

THE “YOUTH APPROACH” TO PREACHING 

(Part I)

Victor M. Eskew 

In our efforts to teach others the Gospel, it is essential that we make ourselves all things to all men. This was definitely the approach the apostle Paul took. In First Corinthians 9:19-23, he discussed this aspect of evangelism. “For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; to them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak I became as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.” 

            If we are striving to teach another, we must meet that person where he is. However, we must be careful in how far this approach is taken. Paul understood this. He said that when he went to the Gentiles, he became as one “without law,” but he did not end his comment there. He qualifies it with this parenthetical statement: “Being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ” (1 Cor. 9:21). Even though Paul was ministering to those who were not under the Law of Moses, he did not forget that he was still bound to the law of Christ. 

            One of the grave concerns that leaders in the church have involves the loss of our young people. Many youth leave the church when they leave home and go to college or enter the work arena. This exodus has caused some to reevaluate their approach to young people. It is believed that we have not “become all things” to our youth. With this in mind, a new approach has been taken to our youth, especially when it comes to the proclamation of the Gospel. I have styled this new approach as the “Youth Approach” to preaching. 

            As one listens to the “Youth Approach” to preaching, there are several ways it can be described. First, it is new and modern. Second, it is fresh and hip. Third, it is fun and enjoyable. Fourth, it is soft and non-offensive. Fifth, there is no error, but there is no Bible. Not all of these things are bad. They may make an older crowd somewhat uncomfortable, but they are not sinful. 

            There are some words of warning, however, that need to be applied to the “Youth Approach” to preaching. First, it is very easy for speakers who use this new approach to become flippant and irreverent in their proclamation of the Gospel of Christ.  Just because certain words and phrases are used among our children does not mean they should be used in preaching the good news of Jesus Christ. In Acts 26:25, the apostle Paul described his words as “words of truth and soberness.” Barnes describes Paul’s words as words “that evinced the most perfect self-possession and command of his feelings, and who uttered sentiments deep, impressive, and worthy of the attention of all mankind” (Barnes, e-sword.com). 
 

THE CHURCH AND PRESENT TRENDS
Bob Patterson

As a rule, most parents want things to be better for their children than it was for them. As we think about it, each member must recognize that the church’s strength today will help provide for the church’s strength tomorrow. Thus, there is the need for every member to be what God would have him to be and to do what God would have him to do. Every area of obligation, responsibility, and privilege in serving God must be characterized by our giving all diligence and adding to our faith “virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ”(2 Peter 1:5-8). In obeying God, performing well in the work, worship, and service that God demands, we have every reason to expect that the next generation will be benefitted by our efforts. The basis of our concern is in knowing what can happen in one generation’s time! Judges 2:10 says, “And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers; and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the Lord, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.”Knowing what can take place in one generation, we had better do our very best!
       Let’s consider some current trends we are facing. If these trends continue, WE ARE CONCERNED THAT THE CHURCH IN THE FUTURE... 
        1. Will be made up of primarily older members!Obviously, because to them, God is not a high priority, we are losing many of our young people (Eccl. 12:1). Older saints are truly a blessing, but let us remember that God has so designed His will for man that every accountable being can respond obediently, and begin to live by that inspired rule and grow up in faithful service! As parents, let us teach our children that ‘youth’ is the time to remember and begin to serve God (Eccl. 12:1; Eph. 6:1-4; Col. 3:20; 2 Tim. 1:5; 3:14-15). 
        2. Will be hurting in the area of leadership!In many places the church will not have elders and will not have much prospect of having elders in the future. Sad to say, many elderships today are filled with men who either do not possess the qualifications that God has given (1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9), or they do not have any concept of the work that God has placed upon them (Titus 1:9-11; 1 Tim. 3:2; Acts 20:28-31; Heb. 13:17; 1 Thess. 5:12-15; 1 Peter 5:1-3; Eph. 4:11-16; James 5:13-16). There are also many attacks against elderships by some who are unwilling to be submissive and obedient to those men charged with the watch-care of their souls (Heb. 13:17). Thus, there is not very much appeal for men to desire this work! 
        3. Will have little (if any) discipline!To many, the idea of fellowship is absolutely meaningless, making the “discipline” that is often involved meaningless as well! All manner of misconduct is virtually overlooked (or tolerated) without consequences. We dare not neglect this area of responsibility (1 Cor. 5; 2 Cor. 2:1-9; Rom. 16:17-18; 2 Thess. 3:6,14-15; Titus 3:10-11). Discipline ignored for years usually means discipline ignored permanently! 
        4. Will have homes which are unscriptural, or if not unscriptural, homes which are virtually powerless as far as having and demonstrating a godly influence!We are already well aware of the fact that marriage-divorce-remarriage has crippled the church. I was personally told by an elder (concerning a couple in an unscriptural relationship where I was working at the time), “Bob, How can you be so sure? After all, the scholars disagree among themselves!” Can any doubt what direction this kind of thinking will lead the church toward? Jesus, the master teacher, was very plain in the area of marriage, divorce, and remarriage (Matt. 5:31-32; 19:9; Mark 10:11-12). Beyond that problem, there are many other areas of concern relating to the family which are being ignored (Eph. 5; 6:1-4; Col. 3:18-21; Titus 2:1-8; 1 Peter 3:1-7). 
        5. Will replace New Testament truth and work, opting instead to please and entertain the membership!Should we be surprised? I mean, after all, one who is ignorant of the truth is not going to call for a return to the “old paths, where is the good way” (cf. Jer. 6:16) because he does not know any better. Likewise, the same will be true concerning various areas of work because one must go to the Word of God in order to be “throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim. 3:17). Minus the Bible, ears will be tickled (2 Tim. 4:3-4), the church will no longer be “holding forth the word of life” (Phil. 2:16), fun will be the order of the day, and souls will be lost (2 Cor. 4:3)! 
        I sincerely hope that we will consider these points of concern. Brethren, we must “give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip”(Heb. 2:1).

Nevertheless, the Lord…”

         It comes as no surprise to hear that we are living in a day in which negativity pervades the American people.  Whether we are listening to the nightly news (local and/or national) or perusing the internet or the social networks, we cannot escape being bombarded by the many reports of hyper-critical and hyper-sensitive attitudes and behavior.  The hope, friends, for improvement rests in the honest assessment and acknowledgment of what has transpired that ultimately brought us, as a nation, to the point where we find ourselves today.

      It is a known fact that our great nation was founded by those who had a strong conviction in the existence of God.  With a little research (Library of Congress Website), this writer learned that many scholars recognized that the first national government of the United States, the Continental-Confederation Congress, was guided by “covenant theology,” a doctrine which held that God had bound Himself in an agreement with a nation and its people, stipulating that they “should be prosperous or afflicted, according as their general Obedience or Disobedience thereto appears.”  Accordingly, it was regarded that wars and revolutions were afflictions from God, as divine punishments for sin; and that a nation could rescue itself by repentance and reformation.  Thus, year in and year out, Congress would urge its fellow citizens to repent “of their manifold sins” and strive that “pure undefiled religion, may universally prevail.”

      With this mindset in government, it is no wonder why the United States would flourish to become the greatest nation on earth.  Satan had a war on his hands, and he was losing ground; he was losing the battle. Then, sadly, Judges 2:10happened; and Satan gained a foothold, one in which he has not yet relinquished. What happened, you ask.  Read Judges 2:1-9.  When the nation of Israel, under the direction of Joshua, disobeyed God, they repented; and the record says:  “the people served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the Lord which He had done for Israel.”  Then something happened:

“When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the Lord nor the work which He had done for Israel. Then the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and served the Baals; and they forsook the Lord God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt; and they followed other gods from among the gods of the people who were all around them, and they bowed down to them; and they provoked the Lord to anger. They forsook the Lord and served Baal and the Ashtoreths. And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel. So He delivered them into the hands of plunderers who despoiled them; and He sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, so that they could no longer stand before their enemies. Wherever they went out, the hand of the Lord was against them for calamity, as the Lord had said, and as the Lord had sworn to them. And they were greatly distressed” (Judges 2:10-15)

I ask you:  “Is this not what has happened, and is happening, with us as a nation?” When God is taken out of the picture, all that is left is Satan; and when all that is good is gone, all that remains is evil.  History always has a habit of repeating itself:  it always has, and always will.

      However, friends, though it now seems bleak, the battle is not lost – as far as God is concerned.  We see this as we continue to read Judges 2.  The hope for Israel, the hope for America, is revealed in the first three words of Judges 2:16, “Nevertheless, the Lord…”  Isn’t that GREAT news?  We have made some ungodly decisions and are moving in an ungodly direction; but the blind can see again, and the ignorant can (once again) understand, if only these three words serve as our daily motto:  “Nevertheless, the Lord …”

To God Be The Glory Both Now And Forevermore, Amen

David Boren