WHEN
I GET OLD By Al Diestelkamp (continued
from Back Issue 33 page 1)
It can happen to anyone, but it is especially disheartening to
see an "old soldier" for the Lord lay his "weapons"
(2 Cor. 10:4) aside before his fight is over (2 Tim. 4:7).
Occasionally we have witnessed
older gospel preachers who, in their younger days, were valiant
defenders of the faith, become "soft" in their old
age. At a time when their age commands the most respect, some
choose not to preach as firmly as they once did on some moral
and doctrinal issues. I don't think this happens because of a
substantial change in convictions, but rather because they have
grown tired of being ignored, or perhaps believe it is time to
leave that kind of preaching to younger men. I don't want that
to happen to me.
Older preachers have the advantage
of many personal stories and experiences which can be effectively
used in sermons. Unfortunately, sometimes the stories become
the sermon, instead of being used as illustrations to support
some scriptural point. The result is often a sermon with little
substance for hearers to take home with them.
I recall attending a gospel
meeting at which an older preacher spent an unusual amount of
time simply reminiscing about the past, as part of a rather poorly
organized sermon. It was embarrassing. It happened that my nephew,
David Diestelkamp, was also in attendance that night. Later I
told him that if he ever heard me preach like that he should
take me aside and gently tell me it's time to quit preaching.
To be honest, I must admit that since then I have been fairly
successful in evading situations wherein he would hear me preach.
In fairness to the aforementioned
and unnamed preacher, I only heard him that one night of the
meeting, and it may well be that he simply had a bad night. Not
every sermon is a "gem!" Who knows? Maybe it was the
kind of sermon I needed to hear to warn me not to become complacent
in my own sermon preparation.
Another common problem with
older people (including older preachers) is not being flexible
enough to accept change even when it is within the bounds of
God's authority. Some change is good. In fact, some change is
necessary. We preach the need for change when we preach about
repentance, so of all people, we ought to be familiar with change.
Having been young most of my
life, I can remember my desire to see occasional changes in worship
and work of the church. These were often met with skepticism
and negativity on the part of older brethren. When they couldn't
claim proposed changes were unscriptural, they would often resort
to saying, "Change for the sake of change is not good,"
and use their advanced age as veto power. I don't want to do
that! I want--even when I'm old--to encourage young Christians
to seek fresh ways to worship the Lord and accomplish His work
scripturally. This may cause me some discomfort at times, but
the Lord never promised me comfort in this life.
Now, if anyone--young or old--seeks
changes that are outside of God's revealed will, I want to be
among the faithful who prevent that kind of change from happening.
In order to do that, I must "be steadfast, immovable, always
abounding in the work of the Lord..." (1 Cor. 15:58).
I am not suggesting that all
(or even most) older preachers become "soft," or ineffective.
Quite the contrary! There is a host of aged preachers who have
avoided the pitfalls I've mentioned. I just want to be one of
them--that is, when I get old.
AL DIESTELKAMP
P.O. Box 891, Cortland, Illinois 60112
e-mail: al@thinkonthesethings.com
Return to Back
Issue 33 page 1.
TODAY'S
USE OF THINGS WRITTEN BEFORE By Al Diestelkamp (continued from Back
Issue 33 page 1)
Likewise, God has revealed that He wants us to praise Him in
"psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making
melody in your heart to the Lord" (Eph. 5:19). It is no
more legitimate to appeal to David's harp for our authority in
worship than it would be to cite David's oxen as authority for
animal sacrifice today.
While it may be easy for most
of us to see through this line of argumentation when it comes
to animal sacrifice or instrumental music in worship, I notice
that some brethren are resorting to that same line of argumentation
on some other controversial issues. Anticipating the obvious
response, they will deny they are going to the Old Testament
for authority, claiming they are merely recognizing that "things
were written before were written for our learning" (Rom.
15:4). Then they proceed to justify something based on an Old
Testament law or practice. Let me give two examples:
In the controversy regarding
a second provision of the Lord's supper, some who support the
practice will point out that a second provision of the Passover
was made for those who couldn't participate at the appointed
time. Then, they argue, since Christ is our Passover, a second
provision for the Lord's supper is in order. Regardless of what
you believe about the second provision of the Lord's supper,
this kind of reasoning ought to scare you. It scares me!
Seldom do they point out that
the second provision for the Passover was given only for two
reasons--those away on a journey and those who were unclean.
I have yet to hear of brethren willing to limit the second provision
of the Lord's supper to those two situations. Furthermore, using
their reasoning, since the Passover was an annual event what
would keep one from arguing that (Christ being our Passover)
the Lord's supper should be an annual observance?
Perhaps even more alarming
is the fact that some have used the same kind of reasoning regarding
divorce and remarriage situations. Lately we have seen brethren
argue that since God allowed some to remain in marriages which
He had prohibited, those who come to Christ are not required
to end relationships that Jesus described as "adultery."
Another twist on the same issue
has some claiming that because God required the Israelites to
honor a covenant that was made without God's approval (Josh.
9), that marriage vows made by people without God's approval
may be kept. It appears John the baptist missed this loophole,
and it cost him his head.
This theory allows more than
most of the advocates want it to allow. Using such reasoning,
polygamists who are converted to Christ would be required to
keep their multiple wives, and homosexuals who made a vow to
one another to "love honor and cherish" would also
be required to keep that commitment.
The Old Testament teaches us
many facts and principles which are still true today, but it
is not intended as a source for our authority. Therefore, brethren
need to quit reaching into the Old Testament to find loopholes
for questionable practices today.
AL DIESTELKAMP
P.O. Box 891, Cortland, Illinois 60112
e-mail: al@thinkonthesethings.com
Return to Back
Issue 33 page 1.
FOR
THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN'S SAKE By Andy Diestelkamp (continued from Back
Issue 33 page 1)
But what about the "rights" of the victim--the one
who was put away without her consent? Jesus said that if another
man marries her, he commits adultery (Lk. 16:18). While it is
a violent injustice for a man to put away his wife, it does not
justify her marrying another (Matt. 5:32). We understand the
principle that two wrongs do not make a right, but many, believing
in the "right" to marry, make an exception where God
has not. "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil
with good" (Rom. 12:21).
Overcoming evil with good means
allowing the spirit to rule over the flesh. "Those who are
Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires"
(Gal. 5:24). The fruit of the spirit is characterized by meekness
and self-control (Gal. 5:23). We who live in the spirit (Gal.5:25)
are not dominated by "rights" and our desire to exercise
them, but in control of the flesh we humbly submit to the will
of God. Thus we must obey God rather than our passions! The desire
to marry does not equal the right to marry when God has declared
that marrying another is wrong.
In response some have appealed
to Paul's "it is better to marry than to burn with passion"
(1 Cor. 7:9) as justification to marry another. However, it is
presumptuous, indeed, to extend to the divorcee the general liberty
God gives to the unmarried and widows. This application is especially
egregious in light of Jesus' specific prohibition of marrying
another to which Paul immediately alludes and concludes that
reconciliation is the obligation (vs. 11). Barring reconciliation,
one must remain unmarried. There is no liberty to marry another
in this context.
Many find the teaching of Jesus
and Paul on this subject hard. This difficulty is nothing new;
it was the reaction of Jesus' own disciples when he taught it
(Matt. 19:10). Jesus' response needs to be seriously considered
today. Some are born eunuchs, some are made eunuchs by men, and
some are eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake (vss. 11,12).
Instead of marrying another, the mind of the spirit is content
to be a eunuch in the service of the Lord.
But what about the natural
desires? With regard to sexual temptation and the battle of the
flesh and spirit, Jesus instructs us to "pluck out"
and "cut off" whatever causes us to sin because it
would be better "that one of your members perish than for
your whole body to be cast into hell" (Matt. 5:29,30). There
are eunuchs who are made eunuchs by men! Of course, Jesus is
not literally calling for such extreme action as much as He is
calling for a self-controlled mind of the spirit that puts the
kingdom first. "For I say unto you, that unless your righteousness
exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means
enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 5:20).
ANDY DIESTELKAMP
323 E. Indiana Ave., Pontiac, Illinois 61764
Email: adiestel@bwsys.net
THE
MOST UNFAMILIAR BOOK By Frank Vondracek (continued from Back Issue
33 page 1)
There are 22 sections to this psalm, one for each letter in the
Hebrew alphabet. Each section contains eight verses, a total
of 176 verses. But what is more important for us is what the
psalm says. I believe once we learn its message, we will be drawn
to the conclusion that perhaps the Bible is our most unfamiliar
book, for otherwise we would not fret so much when things of
life go awry.
Within this psalm we are told
about the precepts of God (v.4). The word of God, when hidden
in one's heart: helps one not to sin (v.11); counsels (v.24);
gives hope (v.81); is unchangeable (v.89); causes rejoicing in
the heart (v.111); is precious (v.127); gives light (v. 130);
is pure (v.140); is truth (v.160); and brings delight (v.174).
These are but a smattering of the contents of God's word. Don't
allow yourself to think that because these are stated in the
Old Testament that they don't accurately describe God's word
even of the New Testament.
Also, notice that it is in
relationship to the believer that these characteristics of God's
word are declared. Actually, if God had not created man in His
likeness and after His image, stating these things about His
word would not have served any purpose. If I cannot freely choose
to either use or to ignore God's word, then there would be no
point to all that is said about God's word in the Bible.
But when I finally realize
that only with the word of God can I be of greatest use and value
to God, then will I earnestly and diligently strive to learn
as much of God's gracious gift as possible. For it is by means
of His revelation of His mind and will that I can know what He
expects of me and instructs me to become.
I believe that God dwells,
moves, works and abides in the believer (Eph. 3:17). But His
means of doing so is by use of His word (Jn. 14:23). Notice Psalm
119 again. There is not a hint of God's presence without the
word. There is no power in a believer's life apart from the word
of God.
The most unfamiliar book of
all is the Bible. This is generally true for people of the world,
and is sometimes true of Christians. Now then, don't you just
have to know more about it and its message? Read it, study it
and meditate upon it. Use what you learn and before you realize
it, the Bible will be your most familiar companion and guide.
Please consider this suggestion.
FRANK VONDRACEK
1822 Center Point Rd., Thompkinsville, KY 42167
Email: frankv832@alltel.net
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Issue 33 page 1.