Preach the Truth and Leave Others Alone

 

Just before the ascension of Christ unto the Father, He met with his disciples and charged them, "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel" (Mark 16:15). Thus, they were to preach the word of the Christ to ALL THE WORLD. That is to every creature. To all who would hear them. That same message is available to each of us to proclaim to the world around us. Paul told the Ephesian brethren, "speaking truth in love, (Ephesians 4:15). We must preach or speak the truth.

Jesus stated in John 17:17, "Sanctify them in the truth: thy word is truth." And again in John 8:32, "and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

 

There can be no doubt that there are many false teachers in the world about us. The inspired writers warned us of this. Listen to them: "But there arose false prophets also among the people, as among you also there shall be false teachers, who shall privily bring in destructive heresies..." (2 Peter 2:1). And again, "Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made

you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood. I know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them" (Acts 20:28-30). These two passages could be multiplied over and over by like warnings. That there are many false teachers in the religious world, none can successfully deny. Just

look around you. The religious world is filled with preacher who preach conflicting and contrary doctrines. Many interested in your money, continually begging you to send God your money. They then turn around and give you their address.

 

Often the church of Christ is rebuked for condemning the errors in the religious world. No doubt, some in this listening audience have taken exception to some of the things which I might have said.  As the result of this we hear the plea: why don't you just preach the truth and leave others alone. Why must you speak of what others believe and practice. Just preach the truth and leave others alone. But, I ask you as candidly as I can, Is it possible to preach the truth of God's Word and leave others alone?? Do you mean to say that I can preach truth, yet never disturb anyone?? Don't leave me now.Let us reason together, thus saith the Lord.

 

Let me ask a simply question. Is it possible to preach the truth and yet leave others alone? Let us notice a few Bible themes or teachings. And as we notice them, ask yourself the question, "Can these themes or doctrines be taught without someone be offended.

In Hebrews 11:6, we read, "Without faith it is impossible to please God, for he that cometh to Him must believe and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek after him." Again, in Ephesians 4:6, the scripture says, "One God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all." Now, these two passages affirm that there is a God, that there is one God. Can I preach that without offending someone? There are those who deny the existence of God. The infidel says, "There is no God." Am I to teach that there is one God? If so, I take the chance of offending the Infidel who denies that fact.

 

In John 3:16, we read, "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." And again, Matthew 3:17, "and lo, a voice out of heavens, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." These two verses teach that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and there are many other verses that teach the same thing. Yet, when I preach the Sonship of Jesus to the heavenly Father, the modernist comes along and rebukes me. He says, just preach the truth, but do not talk about Jesus Christ being the Son of God. You see, how can I preach the truth and leave others alone?

 

I read 2 Timothy 3:16, 17, "Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness: that the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work." And again, in 2 Peter 1:21, "For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but men spake from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit." The two verses teach that the Bible is the inspired Word of God. It did not originate with man; yea, rather was given by Jehovah God, as He inspired men to write and speak the message of Heaven. But when I make this claim, I have insulted the Skeptic who does not believe the Bible to be  inspired, nor to come from our God. You see, I cannot preach the truth on the inspiration of the Bible without offending someone.

In Psalms 19:7, we read, "The law of Jehovah is perfect, restoring the soul: The testimony of Jehovah is sure, making wise the simple." In James 1:25, we read, "But he that looketh into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and so continueth, being not a hearer that forgetteth but a doer that worketh, this man shall be

blessed in his doing." These verses tell us that God's word is perfect, that it needs no improvement, that it needs no additions, nor subtractions: it is perfect. But when I teach the truth on this point, those who desire to have their creeds and manuals, their disciplines, rise up and say, why don't you preach truth and leave

others alone. But, can you not see that that is an impossibility. I cannot even teach about God, Christ Jesus nor the Bible without someone become offended.

 

In Hebrews 5:8,9, we read, "Though he were the Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which he suffered. And he became the author of eternal salvation to all those who obey Him." In Matthew 7:21, Jesus said, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven." These two verses teach that man salvation

is conditioned upon man's obedience to the commands of Jesus. They teach us that man has the responsibility of responding to Christ. Yet, when I teach this, there are those who say, No, preacher, God has foreordained the elect unto salvation before the world began and man has no choice in the matter. If chosen, then God will compel that one to be saved. If not chosen, then nothing one can do to be saved. So, when I teach the truth on the fact that each one has a responsibility to obey God, the Predestinationist and the Foreordainationist will say, preacher why don't you just preach the truth and leave others alone.

 

I read in Ephesians 4:4, "There is one body," and in Ephesians 1:22, that "the body is the church." I do not need a very high degree in math to understand if the body is the church and there is only one body; there must be only one church. But, when I teach the truth on this subject, my religious friends say, Preacher, there are many branches, why don't you preach the truth and leave others alone.  Can you not see the impossibility of this line of reasoning. How many churches did Jesus build? Christ Himself stated, "I will build MY church." That sounds singular to me. How does it sound to you? How many did He build??? But, when I speak on this subject, someone says, teach truth and leave others alone. Impossible!!!

 

Ephesians 4:4,5, reads, "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism." How many baptisms?? ONE!!! Romans 6:3,4 reads, "Or ye ignorant that all we who were baptized in Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him through baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead

through the glory of the Father, we also might walk in newness of life." Here Paul plainly states that baptism involves a burial and a resurrection. When I preach that there is only one baptism and that baptism is a burial in water, someone says, preacher, there are many modes of baptism, why don't you preach the truth and leave others alone??

 

In Ephesians 5:19, we read, "speaking one to another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord." And again, Colossians 3:16, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual song, singing with grace in your hearts unto God." I read these passages and conclude

that the New Testament worship consisted of singing songs. Nothing is said about mechanical instruments of music in their worship. When I teach the truth on the matter of New Testament worship, someone says, preacher why don't you just preach the truth and leave others alone. Those who wish to play upon mechanical instruments do not wish to hear the scriptures which teach us about acceptable New Testament worship. How can I preach the truth and not disturb those who wish to add something not found in the New Testament worship. Or, perhaps someone out there knows where mechanical instruments of music were used by those early New Testament disciples. I would be happy to hear about that.

 

I read in Acts 20:7, "Upon the first day of the week, the disciples came together to break bread." I also read in 1 Corinthians 16:2, "Upon the first day of the week let each one of you lay by him in store." From these two verses, I conclude that the early saints met upon the first day of the week, or Sunday, to break bread and to contribute of their means. But, when I preach the truth on the day of worship, those who wish to keep Saturday or the Sabbath, say, preacher why don't you preach the truth and leave others alone. How can that be possible???

 

I read in Titus 2:11-12, "For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly and righteously and godly in the present world." From 1 Corinthians 10:12, I read, "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." I read these verses and teach that the Christian must be careful how he or she lives, what we do, and where we go, for fear of being cast from God's presence. But, when I teach the truth on this subject, someone comes along and says, preacher, once a child of God always a child of God, a child of God cannot so sin so as to be eternally lost. You see, when I teach the necessity of living a godly life for fear of being lost, someone says, preacher why don't you

preach the truth and leave others alone. Impossible.

I read Acts 4:12, "And in none other name is there salvation, for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, where we must be saved." Acts 11:26, "The disciples were called Christian first in Antioch." Peter states, "If any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed" (1 Peter 4:16). From these passages I conclude that the name to be worn by God's people today is the term "Christian." But, there are those who claim that we can wear many names and they say, preacher, why don't you preach truth and leave others alone.

Here are eleven Bible truths which when preached will bring frowns from other people. Are we to cease preaching them?? What truth can I preach and not involve someone else in what they practice. Why even if I speak only of the Love of God, I find, "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments" (1 John 5:3).

Jesus in teaching truth rebuked and condemned the Sadducees and the Pharisees. If everyone were to be pleased by what is taught, we would be forced to close our doors, why we could not even preach the truth on the existence of God and His son. Jesus Christ. We must stand upon the teaching of the Book of God.

Perhaps you have condemned the church of Christ for teaching certain things. If so, can you not see this simple lesson? We must teach and do what the Bible authorizes.

Jack Thompson  [ radio lessons ]